sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Sour Candy Day!
The American Licorice Company, the makers of Sour Punch brand sour candy, created National Sour Candy day "to celebrate all the tasty varieties of sour candies and to encourage everyone to give them a try." The day is marked by eating sour candy, of course. The Embrace Your Punch Tour has also sometimes been a part of celebrations.
Some sour candies have sour ingredients infused in them, while others are sweet fruit candy with an acidic coating. The coating often consists of granulated sugar infused with acid. Citric acid is the most common acid used in making sour candies, but malic acid, tartaric acid, and fumaric acid are regularly used as well. Citric acid is what is found in citric fruits, but the kind used in sour candy is commercially produced. When the sourness of a candy stays for an extended amount of time, this probably is on account of malic acid. This acid has a mellow, tart flavor, and is found in fruits like apples, cherries, and apricots.
SU News
Syracuse Football: Fran Brown named one of 2024's most exciting head-coaching debuts (itlh; Adler)
Syracuse football first-year head coach Fran Brown is deemed one of the 10 most exciting head-coaching debuts among power-four conference teams in the upcoming season, per an article this week from 247Sports national writer Carter Bahns.
That's awesome stuff.
This off-season, as usual, there were a lot of head-coaching changes around the country, and some of those moves involved heavyweight programs in the sport.
In his top 10 rankings, Bahns placed ace recruiter Brown, who is also a first-time head coach and most recently served as Georgia's defensive backs coach, at No. 9 overall.
Others in the 247Sports ratings include head-coaching debuts at Duke, Indiana, Houston, Washington, Arizona, Michigan State, Texas A&M, defending national champion Michigan and Alabama.
There's a palpable buzz on the Hill for the debut of Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown.
SU Athletics officially introduced Brown as the Orange's new head coach in early December of last year, replacing former head coach Dino Babers.
Brown, this off-season, did retain some assistants from Babers' staff, although Brown also brought in a bunch of top-flight assistants to fill out his own staff. The 'Cuse did a wonderful job with its 2024 recruiting class, inclusive of high school seniors and college transfers.
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First Thoughts After Playing EA College Football 25 (orangefizz.net; Gotkin)
The long long wait is finally over. EA Sports has released its much anticipated College Football 25 video game for those who bought the deluxe edition. I decided not to spend the extra money on the deluxe edition but had a chance to play for 10 hours using the EA Play trial. As someone who played NCAA Football 14 religiously up until the new game came out my expectation were extremely high. They were just about as close to being matched as possible.
I could go on for hours about the realistic gameplay and atmospheres across the game but that’s not what y’all are here for. So, lets get into what its like playing with Syracuse. First off, the Dome looks awesome. The roof is a little darker than it should be during night game. But if that is the biggest issue then EA pretty much nailed it. The atmosphere is electric in the Dome and they even got the energy right on third down playing Hells Bells. The feeling you get the first time you enter a game and you see the players walking out is unmatched. Also, they did update the student section and band to where they will be this season and it looks very good.
To the actual game play itself there are a few things I noticed after playing just a couple games. The defense, and pass defense is probably the teams biggest strength. Justin Barron is the highest rated player on the defensive side and his presence is felt throughout the entire game. The rest of the experienced secondary led by Alijah Clark, Jayden Bellamy, and Duce Cheasnut really help you out. Fadil Diggs is a monster when you user him while rushing the passer.
Offensively, it is still very weird seeing Kyle McCord in an SU uniform. The rest of the offense is interesting to play with. LeQuint Allen is obviously a stud and running the ball will really help you have success. Oronde Gadsden is one of the highest rated tight ends in the game and that becomes obvious when you throw him the ball. TE1 seems to bring in every pass then makes plays in the open field. Zeed Haynes might be the biggest offensive surprise though. With 96 speed, if you get him the ball in space then a big play is on its way.
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Dwight Freeney Speaks On HOF In Tahoe (orangefizz.net; Horning)
Former Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney is gearing up for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in a couple of weeks. Freeney ranks second on the all-time SU sack list.
Freeney is one of seven inductees going into the Hall of Fame, along with Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers, and Patrick Willis.
Ahead of the stampede of Hall of Fame events in the coming weeks, Freeney competed in the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe last weekend. He was one of 90 celebrities playing in the golf tournament in Stateline, NV at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Freeney finished 31st with a Stableford score of 27.
Freeney acknowledges the surrounding cast who got him to this point.
“It’s a moment in time where I can kind of let the world know who got me here,” said Freeney. “You don’t get this type of acknowledgement or type of place or accolade without people around you, community, and family around you. I can’t wait to tell the world, it’s because of him and all of us, that’s why I’m here.”
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Syracuse Football Falls in 2025 Recruiting Rankings (orangefizz.net; Aitken)
At one point, Syracuse football’s class of 2025 recruits was ranked inside the top-20 in the nation according to ESPN. However, since the Orange peaked at 18, they’ve now dropped to 29. However, that isn’t as worrying as it seems.
SU was aggressive with recruiting for 2025. After all, it will be new head coach Fran Brown’s first class where he’s in full control and can build relationships from the jump. Given that, the Orange recruited fast, and have now accumulated 28 commitments. That only trails Rutgers, who has 29 recruits verbally secured. Having more commits boosts your ranking, which is why Syracuse went so high. As other teams caught up in terms of total recruits, they were bound to catch up. That’s why powerhouses like Florida State and USC have leapfrogged SU: they have more top-level recruits, and now, close to as many overall recruits.
That brings us to the biggest issue with the Orange’s class of 2025: there is not a single ESPN 300 player committed to the ‘Cuse. There’s plenty of three-stars, but the higher echelon isn’t quite there yet.
Now, there’s still a lot of talent coming to SU. Local talent Darien Williams, who goes to Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, has a particularly strong resume.
“Williams is a polished route-runner for a player at this stage and has good body control to adjust to the ball,” said Craig Haubert for ESPN.
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Syracuse football: The Syracuse football rivalries in EA College Football 25 (TNIAAM; De Guzman)
One of the biggest selling points of EA College Football 25 is to feel the energy and power of a college football rivalry. That is no different for Syracuse Orange fans, and there are a few rivalries that Orange fans can look forward to loading up in whatever game mode they desire.
The rivalry games that Syracuse have in EA College Football 25 are:
- Syracuse vs Boston College
- Syracuse vs Penn State
- Syracuse vs Pitt
- Syracuse vs West Virginia - Battle for the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy
Which rivalry game are you ready to load into as Syracuse in EA College Football 25?
Syracuse Football: Beware of this 2024 trap game for 'Cuse, national writer says (itlh; Adler)
In early October, Syracuse football will travel to Las Vegas to square off with Mountain West Conference member UNLV in what will be the first-ever meeting between the Orange and the Rebels.
This should prove a fun and intriguing non-conference encounter for the 'Cuse in Sin City. This contest will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, beginning at 9 pm EST from Allegiant Stadium, with television coverage on FS1.
From my perspective, the Orange's battle at UNLV, at least on paper, looks like the most challenging non-conference game for Syracuse football in the 2024 season, the first term under new head coach Fran Brown.
Carter Bahns, a national writer with 247Sports, recently published a piece where he discussed the biggest trap game in the 2024 season for every program in the Atlantic Coast Conference. For the 'Cuse, he listed that early October affair at UNLV.
Syracuse will have a tall task when it plays at UNLV this fall.
In the 2023 season, the Rebels went 9-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play. Similar to the Orange, UNLV played in a bowl game at the end of the last term, and similar to the 'Cuse, the Rebels fell in their bowl contest.
When SU Athletics announced that Syracuse football would face UNLV, Orange athletics director John Wildhack had this to say in the press release: "Adding UNLV provides our student-athletes with another strong non-conference opponent and an exciting venue for Orange fans to visit. t's been over a decade since we've played a game in the Pacific Time Zone. We look forward to seeing Syracuse fans and alumni from across the country have more opportunities to come and support their team with this game and the expansion of the ACC."
Beginning in the upcoming campaign, the ACC has add three new members in California, Stanford and SMU. As part of the Orange's 2024 docket, the team will also travel to the West Coast to play at Cal in mid-November.
Bahns, in his story for 247Sports, wrote in part about Syracuse football: "The Orange figure to be good enough right out of the gate in the Brown era to beat all of the teams it 'should' beat, but going all the way across the country to play one of last year's top Group of Five squads is a real test."
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Syracuse football 2024 opponent preview: Pittsburgh Panthers (TNIAAM; Ostrowski)
Half down, half to go in our Syracuse Orange opponent preview series. It's nonstop action for Fran Brown's outfit from this point on, as after facing NC State on the road, SU has their second and final bye week.
In the first of six straight games with no time off in between, the Orange will take an early flight out to western Pennsylvania, where they will face a longtime rival - and in a real football stadium this year.
Pittsburgh Panthers
School: University of PittsburghNickname: Panthers
Mascot: ROC the Panther
#BRAND Slogans: #H2P (“Hail to Pitt”), #WeNotMe
Alternate #BRAND Slogan Suggestions: #DiscountYinzers, #WeMeansNarduzzi or “Now Our Favorite Color is Blue”
Conference: ACC
History vs. Syracuse: This marks the 69th (nice) straight meeting between the two programs, whose fans continuously swear they’re not actually rivals. Pitt leads the all-time series 43-33-3 and has been on a recent tear, winning 18 of the last 22 head-to-head meetings. Long streaks of dominance have been the norm with these programs (which is what makes any “rivalry” discussions taboo), as SU won 15 of 18 games from 1984-2001, and Pitt preceded that with an 11-year win streak. The Orange certainly hope that last November’s unorthodox victory is the spark they need to reverse the trend against the Panthers - and finally conquer the hallowed ground of the formerly-named Heinz Field for the first time since during its inaugural season.
Coach: Pat Narduzzi, 10th season. Last fall was easily the worst campaign in Narduzzi's time at Pitt - outside of that debacle, his teams have reached six Bowl games, won the former ACC Coastal Division twice and the conference itself in 2021, and finished in the AP Top-25 twice. Before joining the Panthers, Pat managed defenses at Michigan State, Cincinatti, and Miami (OH), as well as the linebackers at Northern Illinois.
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https://www.syracuse.com/orangefoot...-football-coach-takes-job-in-the-nfl.html(PS; $; Carlson)
Cami Pasqualoni, an intern in the recruiting department of the Syracuse football team and the daughter of long-time Syracuse football coach Paul Pasqualoni, is taking a job as a scouting assistant with the Atlanta Falcons.
Pasqualoni announced her new job on social media. She said on Linked In that she will begin working with the Falcons on July 22.
Pasqualoni spent the two previous years working as an intern in Syracuse football’s recruiting department.
Her father, a notorious football lifer, was the head coach at Syracuse for 14 seasons, delivering some of the best seasons in program history and a career record of 107-59-1.
He is currently listed as an assistant coach with the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League. He’s also been a high school coach, the head coach at UConn and an assistant coach with six different NFL franchises.
Despite the nomadic and high-pressure lifestyle of coaching football, Cami decided to follow the family tradition.
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Former Syracuse football DC Rocky Long will coach at Division II school on 39-game losing streak (PS; $; Carlson)
Former Syracuse defensive coordinator Rocky Long will coach the coming season at Fort Lewis College, a program that owns the longest active losing streak in college football.
The Division II school announced the hiring of Long on Wednesday. He will be a defensive analyst. The Skyhawks have lost 39 consecutive games, the longest losing streak at any level of college football.
“Football has been a part of my life since I could remember,” Long said in a press release. “Coach Cox has given me the chance to be an analyst, evaluate film, and help with game plans on defense. I’m looking forward to using my experience to create an impact defensively.”
Fort Lewis, located in Durango, Colorado, is led by third-year coach Johnny Cox. He has lost all 21 games that he has coached. The program hasn’t won a game since Oct. 5, 2019.
Fort Lewis did come within one point of snapping that streak last year but also lost 82-0 to national title runner-up Colorado School of Mines. It lost another game during the season, 85-7.
Long, 74, is widely-regarded as the guru of the 3-3-5 defense, a philosophy he honed over 50 years. The approach successfully helped him overcome talent disadvantages during lengthy stints as a head coach at New Mexico and San Diego State.
After spending nearly his entire career in the West, Long came to Syracuse for one season, joining the staff of head coach Dino Babers after the departure of former defensive coordinator Tony White.
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Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Get to Know Your Orange Man: #10, DL Fadil Diggs (TNIAAM; Tomaiuolo)
It’s time to start preparing for the 2024 Syracuse Orange football season. We’re going through the roster to take a look at each Syracuse player as we get to know a lot of new faces to kick off the Fran Brown Era.
Next up is...
Name: Fadil Diggs
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 260 lbs
Hometown: East Camden, New Jersey
High School: Woodrow Wilson
Previous College: Texas A&M
2023 stats: 4.0 sacks, 36 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups for the Aggies.
2024 projections: Diggs emerged as one of A&M’s most reliable lineman a year ago, making him a valuable addition out of the transfer portal for Fran Brown. He’ll plug right into the holes left by Caleb Okechukwu and Kevon Darton and will be the primary edge rusher for the Orange. Likewise, the senior has an excellent opportunity to lead SU in sacks.
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #10 QB, Braden Davis (TNIAAM; Wall)
It’s time to start preparing for the 2024 Syracuse Orange football season. We’re going through the roster to take a look at each Syracuse player as we get to know a lot of new faces to kick off the Fran Brown Era.
Up next is…
Name: Braden Davis
Position: Quarterback (?)
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 200 lbs.
Hometown: Middletown, DE
High school/College: Middletown/ South Carolina
2023 stats: Played in all 3 games last season, including starting at QB in the Boca Raton Bowl. Completed 7-14 passes for 84 yards and also caught two passes for 6 yards against Georgia Tech
2024 projections: Davis played both quarterback and receiver during the spring game. It seems like a full-time position move would be premature with the Orange only having Carlos Del Rio Wilson with college experience behind Kyle McCord. The fact that the last two staffs have given him a look at receiver speaks to Davis’ athleticism so it will be interesting to see how he’s used in camp.
How’d he get here?: Davis chose South Carolina over a host of offers including Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia and Penn State
What’d recruiting sites say?: Four stars from ESPN and three from Rivals, On3 and 247sports, two stars from Rivals.
Twitter feed: @BradenDavis_5
Instagram feed: @_bradendavis
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https://insidetheloudhouse.com/post...s-traveled-for-2024-season-01j2vreahs59(itlh; Adler)
Within the Atlantic Coast Conference in the upcoming season, Syracuse football is above the middle-of-the-pack in the league as it pertains to the total number of miles that the Orange will travel for the 2024 campaign.
Beginning this season, the ACC has expanded to 17 members in football, with the additions of West Coast schools California, Stanford and SMU. That, naturally, could increase how far all ACC members will have to travel now and in the future for road games (and perhaps neutral-site contests), given that these new league members all hail from the West Coast.
Grant Hughes, a national writer with 247Sports, recently published an article where he looked at how many total miles each ACC squad will have to travel in the 2024 season.
Let's see how far Syracuse football will have to travel in the upcoming term.
Before we get to the Orange, the ACC group that will have to travel the least number of miles in 2024 is Clemson, at 2,472.
The two conference units that will have to travel the most miles in 2024, understandably, come from the West Coast. They are California, with 20,660 total miles traveled, and Stanford, with 14,018 miles to cover this season.
Syracuse football, meanwhile, will travel a total of 11,156 miles in 2024, per Hughes. That places the 'Cuse in the ACC's No. 7 spot, as it pertains to the most miles traveled this coming season.
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https://footballscoop.com/strengthscoop/strength-scoop-wednesday-july-17-2024 (footballscoop.com; Samuels)
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Syracuse: The Syracuse University Football Strength & Conditioning program is currently accepting applications for volunteer strength and conditioning interns for Fall semester 2024. This is an UNPAID position that will last for the duration of the semester with the possibility of renewal for the Spring . Interns will gain practical experience working with student-athletes and well as technology such as GPS, Force plates, and Perch. Interns can also gain hours toward CSCCA SCCC under approved Coach Jordan Barber. Required qualifications include working towards or completion of bachelor’s degree in exercise science or related field, strong desire to become a strength and conditioning professional, a strong work ethic and a strong desire to learn. Preferred qualifications: CSCS or CSCCA certification and current CPR/AED certification. Responsibilities to include but are not limited to cleaning and maintenance of weight room, assisting/observing training sessions, set up and break down of equipment, and other duties as assigned. Please submit a resume and three professional references to Nick Raszeja at njraszej.
Roosevelt (D-II - IL): Roosevelt University has hired De’Ondre Boggs to be their new Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. Boggs is coming from West Virginia State University where he has spent the last 7 months.
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ACC News
https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...blasts-florida-state-football-amid-acc-rumors (athlonsports.com; Vitale)
Rumors are that the Florida State Seminoles and Clemson Tigers are potentially eyeing a split from the ACC Conference. Florida State seems adamant about joining either one of the SEC or Big Ten, but both conferences have pushed back. Now, SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey, weighs in on the Seminoles football program amid the ongoing rumors.
Sankey delivered quite the shot at the Florida State football program ahead of the 2024 season. The SEC Commissioner blasted the Seminoles for how they acted after not making the College Football Playoffs last season, according to Matt Hayes of 1010XL 92.5 FM.
"Georgia was one of the best four teams (in the nation) and didn't get in (the Playoff). But you didn't see us [SEC] jumping up and down and complaining and hanging national championship banners."
Based on that comment it's hard to imagine Florida State joining the SEC in the future. This stems back to reports claiming both the SEC and Big Ten view the Seminoles as a "concerning addition," reported by Brett McMurphy of The Action Network.
"However, there are multiple concerns about adding Florida State, sources said. Those reasons include the fact that it doesn't make financial sense for either league, 'there's no appetite for more expansion' and FSU has shown 'it's not a good partner.'"
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Here are my 2024 All-ACC football team, award predictions | Baxley (fayobserver.com; Baxley)
Whether it's returners or transfers, there’s no lack of talent across the 17 college football teams in the ACC.
Reigning conference champion Florida State lost 10 players to the NFL, but head coach Mike Norvell has another loaded transfer portal class, including former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney shunned the transfer portal for another offseason, but the Tigers have a crowd of quality returners hoping to get the program back to the championship podium at Bank of America Stadium in December.
Because of the talent on their rosters, Miami, NC State, Virginia Tech and SMU are among the teams projected to challenge the ‘Noles and Tigers.
The official preseason All-ACC team will be released following ACC Kickoff, but here are my predictions for awards and all-conference selections.
ACC preseason award, all-conference predictions
Here are my preseason awards and all-conference selections.Preseason All-ACC offense predictions
Here are the 13 preseason selections for All-ACC offense.Cam Ward, Miami, QB
A dual-threat star in two seasons at Washington State, Ward accounted for 6,963 yards and 48 touchdowns. He also had 13 rushing TDs.Omarion Hampton, UNC, RB
As a sophomore, Hampton was fifth in the nation with 1,504 rushing yards. After logging 15 touchdowns as a sophomore, Hampton will be asked to do more in the post-Drake Maye era.Phil Mafah, Clemson, RB
Following a four-touchdown performance in the Gator Bowl, Mafah will build on the 965 yards and 13 touchdowns he logged in 2023. It’s his backfield with Will Shipley gone.KC Concepcion, NC State, WR
The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2023, Concepcion set the Wolfpack freshman record for catches (71) and receiving TDs (10) last season.Xavier Restrepo, Miami, WR
Restrepo, who had 85 catches for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns last season, will be Ward’s top weapon.Caullin Lacy, Louisville, WR
One of the nation’s top wideouts during his time at South Alabama, Lacy averaged 109.7 yards per game last season.Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse, TE
Injuries have hindered Gadsden of late, but he was one of the top tight ends in the country in 2022.Darius Washington, Florida State, OT
As a left tackle, Washington was a first-team selection last season.Anthony Belton, NC State, OT
One of the top NFL prospects in the league, Belton will be the anchor of the Wolfpack’s line.Logan Parr, SMU, OG
An All-AAC first-teamer in 2023, Parr started 13 games at left guard.Michael Gonzalez, Louisville, OG
Gonzalez started 13 games at left guard for one of the top offenses in the ACC.Maurice Smith, Florida State, C
Smith, FSU’s starting center, helped the Seminoles field the ACC’s top offense last season.Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, all-purpose
Tuten accounted for 1,652 all-purpose yards last season, logging two kickoff returns for touchdowns, two receiving TDs and 10 rushing TDs.Preseason All-ACC defense predictions
Here are the 11 preseason selections for All-ACC defense.Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, DE
A first-teamer last season, Gillotte had 14 ½ tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He’ll be a favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.Rueben Bain Jr., Miami, DE
The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, Bain had 12 ½ tackles for loss and 7 ½ sacks.Joshua Farmer, Florida State, DT
The most improved player on FSU’s defense, Farmer had seven tackles for loss and five sacks in 2023.Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech, DT
An All-ACC selection at Duke, Peebles co-led the Blue Devils with 8 ½ tackles for loss and four sacks.Marlowe Wax, Syracuse, LB
Wax has started 38 straight games and led the Orange with 110 tackles last season.Barrett Carter, Clemson, LB
Carter had 9 ½ tackles for loss, 3 ½ sacks and six pass breakups as an All-ACC selection in 2023.Francisco Mauigoa, Miami, LB
An All-ACC pick last season, Mauigoa had 18 tackles for loss and 7 ½ sacks in 2023.Aydan White, NC State, CB
White had 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in 2023. He hasn’t allowed a touchdown catch in back-to-back seasons.Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State, CB
Thomas had 10 pass breakups in 2023.Jonas Sanker, Virginia, S
An All-ACC selection in 2023, Sanker had 11 pass breakups.Donovan McMillon, Pittsburgh, S
With 105 tackles last season, McMillon had the most by a Pitt defender since 2015.Preseason All-ACC special teams predictions
Here are the three preseason selections for All-ACC special teams.Brashard Smith, SMU, specialist
The Miami transfer had 1,946 all-purpose yards across the last three seasons.Andres Borregales, Miami, K
Borregales finished 22-for-26 on field goal attempts and went 44-for-45 on extra point attempts.Alex Mastromanno, Florida State, P
Mastromanno averaged 45.5 yards per punt, logging 3,004 yards on 66 punts last season.Preseason ACC Player of the Year, Coach of the Year awards
Here are the award predictions for 2024.Player of the Year: Cam Ward, Miami
A quarterback has won the award in each of the last four seasons. With better weapons around him, Ward will be the first Miami player to win ACC Player of the Year.Coach of the Year: Dave Doeren, NC State
With a beefed-up offense, consistent defense and manageable schedule, N.C. State could get double-digit wins for the second time in program history and first time since 2002.Louisville football has one of nation's top transfer portal classes. See how it stacks up (C-J; Cubit)
In the first year of a divisionless ACC, Louisville football and Florida State emerged as the conference’s top two teams. But the Cardinals’ first conference championship appearance ended in a 16-6 loss to the Seminoles.
Both teams lost key players to graduation but used the transfer portal during the offseason to replace the production. U of L signed 28 players, and FSU had a 17-player portal class. According to 247Sports, the Seminoles’ class ranks seventh nationally, and the Cardinals rank 13th. But On3’s transfer portal rankings have Louisville with the country's top transfer class, and FSU is sixth.
Although the teams don’t play during the regular season in 2024, both squads will look to get back to the league title contest and will have to depend on their transfers.
How do the transfer classes match up? Here’s a look:
Offense
Both teams lost their quarterbacks and key surrounding pieces but found replacements in the portal. Louisville had Jack Plummer for only one season and added Texas Tech transfer quarterback Tyler Shough. Despite recent health struggles, Shough dazzled in the spring game in April and will give the Cardinals a stronger option to throw downfield. Replacing someone who finished fifth in last year’s Heisman Trophy voting, however, will be more difficult. Former Clemson and Oregon State signal caller DJ Uiagalelei is FSU’s projected starter after ACC Player of the Year Jordan Travis led the Seminoles last season. Uiagalelei’s college career has had its highs and lows, including an 8-5 mark in his lone season with the Beavers.The skill players surrounding Shough and Uiagalelei will be different than the ones their predecessors had, too. FSU lost its top three receivers (Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Jaheim Bell) and leading rusher (Trey Benson). Louisville lost three of its top four receivers (Jamari Thrash, Kevin Coleman and Ahmari Huggins-Bruce) and its top running backs (Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo).
The Cardinals were successful in securing Ja’Corey Brooks and Caullin Lacy, ranked 17th and 21st, respectively, among portal wide receivers, along with Antonio Meeks, to help reload their receivers room. Despite losing Peny Boone after spring practices, U of L still has Miami transfer Donald Chaney to round out its running backs room.
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ACCN Coverage of 2024 Kickoff (RX; HM)
ACCN Coverage of 2024 Kickoff
From the ESPN Press Release of July 17, 2024...
ACC Network to Offer Record Amount of Coverage of ACC Football Kickoff Live from Charlotte July 22-25; Taylor Tannebaum Named New Host of ACC Huddle
- ACCN and ACCNX to showcase a record 48 hours of coverage live from Charlotte
- New ACC Huddle host Tannebaum to anchor all four days
- Interviews with all 17 ACC football head coaches and participating student-athletes from ACC Huddle and ACC PM
- Special hour-long ACC Huddle: Season Preview, July 22 at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN2
Florida State alumna Taylor Tannebaum has been named the new host of ACC Huddle and will anchor from the Queen City as Kelsey Riggs transitions to an expanded new role on other ESPN studio programming. Tannebaum joined ACCN in 2022 as co-host of ACC PM and has also served as a reporter across ESPN platforms, including on college football, gymnastics and college hockey coverage.
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B1G/SEC not interested in FSU/Clemson? (RX; HM)
Links, News and Rumors 2024 July 18
First, from All Sports Discussion:
Is Florida State not an SEC or Big 10 add? Well, it depends.
Well said!
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Florida AG says public will 'get to see what the ACC is hiding' with ESPN contract release (awfulannouncing.com; Bucholtz)
One of the stranger aspects around the Florida State Seminoles’ attempt to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference is the state involvement that’s led to. There are many lawsuits between the ACC and schools (including, but not limited, to Florida State; Clemson is also involved in litigation) over the grant of rights that gives the conference schools’ broadcast rights through 2036, which has led to the ACC’s deal with Disney and ESPN for that timeframe, Around those, Florida attorney general Ashley Moody filed a public records lawsuit against the ACC in April demanding that the conference’s TV deal be made public.
Lawyers from both the ACC and ESPN initially opposed that push from Moody and her office, arguing that the deal here included “trade secrets.” And, indeed, it is quite unprecedented for a major conference’s TV deal to be fully public. But, following a deal here, that’s now going to happen (albeit with an as-yet-unknown amount of redactions). Here’s more on that from a release Moody’s office sent out Wednesday:
Floridians will finally get to see what the Atlantic Coast Conference is hiding in its effort to keep Florida State University from leaving the conference. Attorney General Ashley Moody just secured an agreement from the ACC’s attorneys to provide secretive media rights contracts at the center of the legal battle. The ACC capitulation follows legal action from Attorney General Moody demanding the conference make the contracts public in accordance with Florida’s Public Records Act. The contracts are at the heart of legal wrangling between FSU and the ACC over the school’s efforts to leave the conference and any fines or penalties associated with the departure.
The release indicates that the ACC will produce the 2010 ACC Multi-Media Agreement, the 2012 Amendment and Extension Agreement, the 2014 Second Amendment to Multi-Media Agreement, the 2016 Amended and Restated ACC-ESPN Multi-Media Agreement, the 2016 ACC-ESPN Network Agreement, and the 2021 Letter Amendment to Amended and Restated Multi-Media Agreement by August 1, and will make those documents available as per the Florida Public Records Act. But, as Chris Vannini notes at The Athletic, there still likely will be redactions here. Perhaps even more interesting, though, was a Florida AG spokesperson’s response to his question on if they’ll follow this up by seeking other conferences’ TV deals:
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Florida State Should Bet on Self, Go Independent in Football (SI; Shepkowski)
Where will Florida State end up in the next shuffling of college football conference realignment?
Will they get that invitation from the SEC?
Will the Big Ten finally expand to Florida?
Will the Big 12 make a power move, step up and snatch the Seminoles to make a splash?
Will the ACC figure out a way to satisfy Florida State and Clemson and ultimately expand themselves?
Or could something else different happen. Could Florida State take a slight step back to take a step big step forward?
Florida State to the Big 12 makes no sense
According to respected college football reporter Brett McMurphy of Action Network, Florida State isn't exactly full of options right now.McMurphy reports "Florida State likely will not have a spot in the Big Ten or SEC if it’s successful in leaving the ACC and the ACC stays intact".
That's the report. As much as I'm guessing there is more to this story and someone is trying to use the media to get their side of the story out, we'll just go with this for now.
So what are the options for Florida State?
Join the Big 12 where their biggest conference rival suddenly becomes UCF?Talk about punching down if you're Florida State. There is a reason its called the Pepsi Challenge and that Coca-Cola doesn't challenge the clear underdog. Coke has forever established itself as the superior soft drink and doesn't play down to that level allowing the lesser to catch up.
What would Florida State, one of college football's biggest brands, get from joining a conference full of teams not at all near its level of prestige?
I apologize for nothing, Big 12 backers. Facts are facts and business is business.
Florida State belongs in the Big 12 like you or I belong in the desk of a third grade classroom.
So what should Florida State do?
Florida State as an Independent
I know its hard to believe but Florida State didn't become a great college football program in the ACC. Sure, it was gifted a national championship in 1993 as Bobby Bowden's lifetime achievement award in its second ACC season, but the program was built as an independent.Had Florida State had a kicker that could put a ball between the uprights against Miami, it wouldn't have taken until 1993 for the Seminoles to win a national championship.
If Florida State wants to take that step from being a prestigious college football program to being one of the absolute biggest brands in the game it has to bet on itself.
Be like everyone else or bet on yourself and win? Which makes you more special?
Florida State already plays a harrowing out-of-conference schedule annually. Sure, there are the Jacksonville State's over the years but the last two season it opened against LSU. This year Florida State plays both Notre Dame and Florida out-of-conference - AFTER it's done with the ACC regular season slate.
I have trouble imagining a world where Florida State goes to football independence and struggles to put together a schedule. If BYU was able to get Baylor, Oregon, Notre Dame, Arkansas, Liberty, and Boise State its final year of independence then Florida State would be able to easily trump that.
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Florida State, Clemson lawsuits vs ACC continue. Could they move to Big 12, Big 10 or SEC? (tallahassee.com; Rooney)
Florida State and Clemson's lawsuits against the Atlantic Coast Conference continue as the future of both schools' conference allegiance remains in flux.
With continued rumors of conference expansion and a possible denial from the SEC and Big Ten, FSU and Clemson are suing the ACC over media rights agreements as both schools look to exit the conference and look for a new one.
Long-standing rumors surrounding a potential jump to the Big Ten have surrounded FSU's litigation. However, reports from Action Network's Brett McMurphy said the Big Ten and SEC are ready to freeze out the Seminoles in any potential exit, leaving the question, what's next?
FSU ACC lawsuit: What's the current status, what's next?
The first thing to address is the current litigation between the two schools and the conference, which has now turned into a multi-state battle that includes appeals, attorney general involvement and countless hours of court hearings.As things stand, the initial case brought forward in Leon County is moving forward after three hearings resulted in Leon Circuit Judge John C. Cooper denying the ACC's motion to dismiss the case.
The most recent development in FSU's case is the interim protective order that allows the school to view the ESPN Agreements, which have been at the center of arguments in the Leon County court hearings.
The ACC has handed over unredacted agreements to the school, which they had offered to do in court multiple times under a protective order, which keeps them from being public records. The school can now analyze and use the agreements in the court case, with the agreements adding more context to the dispute over media rights.
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New ACC breakup rumor: Big 12 private-equity money is going to poach FSU, Clemson (augustafreepress.com; Graham)
Bloggers and radio guys who cover college sports and haven’t had much to do lately have been accounting for their time by churning out the usual summertime content on how the ACC is on the verge of breaking up.
I’m not casting aspersions. The month between the College World Series and the start of college football practice is a tough one for our kind.
Gotta find some way to fill the dead air.
My favorite was the guy who tweeted out the date July 12, intimating that Florida State and Clemson, which have filed separate suits against the ACC to try to get out without having to pay the $130 million exit fee and an additional $400 million to buy back their media rights, were going to be able to make some announcement to that effect on that date, related to a court hearing that turned out to be a dud.
Now the wild speculation is about Florida State and Clemson being on their way to the Big 12, the conspiracy theory there being, the Big 12 has an offer on the table from a private-equity firm, and would use some of the windfall (assuming the presidents approve the offer, right?) to try to lure FSU and Clemson into their conference.
Why the Big 12 would get this financial windfall and then up and decide to use it to add two more mouths to feed is a fair question.
Another: if the Big 12 has value to a private-equity firm that supposedly wants to invest $800 million to $1 billion to buy a 15 to 20 percent stake, doesn’t it seem to stand to reason that other conferences could get similar, probably bigger, offers, once that seal, so to speak, is broken?
I’d like to think that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and his presidents are already quietly examining their options in this area.
Seems like a good question to ask at the ACC Football Kickoff media event next week, doesn’t it?
One big thing that hasn’t changed with respect to the ACC is its ironclad agreement between the member schools.
We’re learning this week that ESPN, under the terms of that deal, will be able to opt out of its side of the deal, with regard to the media rights, next February, though the big question – why? – comes with the immediate answer, they’d have no good reason to.
ESPN, as I’ve had to write time and time again, because some people don’t seem to have basic common sense, owns the TV rights to the ACC and SEC outright, and shares the Big 12 with Fox, which owns the Big 10’s media rights outright.
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Other
National used-car retailer to open 1st location in Syracuse area (PS; Doran)
CarMax, a national chain of used-car retailers, plans to open a location in Cicero. It would be the first CarMax in the Syracuse area and Central New York.
The site plan for the project has been approved by the town of Cicero planning board, according to town officials.
CarMax Auto Superstores Inc. plans to open at 7687-7785 Frontage Road. The company is asking the planning board to subdivide a 13-acre parcel, with three acres devoted to the new building.
A vacant bank will be demolished for the project, according to the plans.
The Richmond, Virginia, chain has more than 240 stores in 41 states. It specializes in selling used vehicles.
In New York, CarMax has locations in Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, East Meadow and St. James.
KAABOO 2019 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in San Diego, Calif.Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Train & REO Speedwagon performing in Upstate NY: How much are tickets? (PS; Kemeny)
Two iconic pop-rock bands, Train and REO Speedwagon, are co-headlining the 2024 “Summer Road Trip” tour and headed to Upstate New York for four very special shows.
- Friday, July 19 - Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater - Lewiston
- Tuesday, July 23 - Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs
- Wednesday, July 24 - Bethel Woods Center For The Arts - Bethel
- Wednesday, July 31 - Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview - Syracuse
“This tour won’t just be a great time with great people, but a tour that will have a ton of familiar songs to most generations,” Train frontman Pat Monahan shared in a statement.
“I love the idea of bringing together people of all ages, who share a common love for well-crafted songs and high energy live performances,” REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin added.
A complete list of their “Summer Road Trip” tour dates is available here.
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Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, Monroe County, reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County on June 21, beating the previous state record longnose gar by one pound, four ounces. NYSDEC
Goodness garacious: upstate NY angler breaks state record for longnose gar (PS; Featherstone)
Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, Monroe County, reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County on June 21.
Measuring more than 53-inches long—state angling records go by weight only—Zimmerman’s prehistoric pointy-faced fish thrashed the previous state record longnose gar, caught in Lake Champlain in 2018, by one pound, four ounces.
Hilton’s gar is the first official NY state record fish of 2024. An angler from Penn. caught a record-shattering 12.35-pound Cayuga Lake largemouth bass on July 14, but DEC has not yet confirmed it.
Longnose gar live in shallow weedy areas of larger lakes and can be found swimming near the surface. In New York, they’re primarily found in the St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Champlain, eastern Lake Ontario, and larger tributaries to these waters.
Evolutionarily speaking, longnose gar are considered living dinosaurs. Their long, needle-like snout is filled with rows of teeth.
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