sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Avocado Day!
Today we celebrate avocados! A fruit that grows on trees, avocados have a tough skin with a greenish or yellowish flesh inside, as well as a large seed. They can range in size from that of a hen's egg to up to about four pounds, depending on their variety. Some major varieties are Hass, Fuerte, Bacon, Zutano, Rincon, Mexican, Guatemalan, Booth 8, Booth 7, Lula, and Waldin. They are native to Mexico and to the area south of there down to the Andes Mountains.
The Aztecs are known to have eaten avocados. For a long period of time, avocados were only eaten in Central and South America and in the Caribbean, where they gained the name "alligator pear." In 1833, horticulturist Henry Perrine became the first to plant avocados in Florida. They were first planted in California in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, orchards were established, and avocados first gained commercial importance.
SU News
Syracuse safety Justin Barron entered his first conversation with Fran Brown planning to tell the coach he was going to transfer. Instead, he is back as a cornerstone piece to the defense in his fifth season with the Orange.dennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Barron filled out paperwork to transfer. A meeting with Brown changed everything (PS; $; Carlson)
Justin Barron waddled off the field after the first tackle football game he’d ever played and came to a determination that has shaped the rest of his life.
He’d been shifted from left guard to running back at halftime. The biggest kid on the field ran wild in the second half.
His mother held one hand. His grandfather held the other.
“I was born to play football,” Barron declared.
The fifth-year Syracuse defensive back and potential two-time captain has worked to make that statement true ever since.
He lived separately from his close-knit family for most of high school, attending three different private schools in pursuit of the best football experience.
He picked Syracuse over an offer from Michigan because it felt like home and because he wanted to be on the field as quickly as possible. He has served as the team’s holder and covered kickoffs and punts. He switched from wide receiver to defensive back when injuries gave him a chance to contribute faster.
Barron, a cornerstone piece on defense, entered last season expecting to enter the NFL draft and continue his career at the pro level.
He chose, instead, to return to SU for a fifth season and put trust in an unknown coaching staff to position him for the life he’s always wanted.
“That’s Plan A, B, C, D, all the way,” Barron said about the NFL. “That’s the only plan there is for me. Ever since I picked up a football that’s the first thing I thought about. It’s never left my mind.”
Barron reports to training camp this week for what should be his final season of college football. The team will hold its first practice Thursday.
To keep Barron, an All-ACC honorable mention player last year despite playing half the season with a broken hand, new Syracuse coach Fran Brown had to convince him this was the best place to secure his future.
And he had to do it quickly.
By the time Brown was hired, Barron had already filled out paperwork to enter the transfer portal.
There were plenty of voices, Barron said, telling him he was better off leaving.
...
Friedlander: Fran Brown isn’t at Georgia anymore. Can he make it work at Syracuse? (saturdaydownsouth.com; Friedlander)
The names roll off Fran Brown’s tongue with the reverence they deserve.
Ernie Davis. Floyd Little. Larry Csonka. The great Jim Brown. The greatest players in Syracuse history.
In all of college football history.
But to young recruits choosing a place to begin their college careers and the start journey they hope will lead them to the NFL, they’re just a bunch of old guys from a dust-covered history book.
It’s what former North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams meant when he used to say, jokingly of course, that kids coming up today think that Michael Jordan invented basketball.
So while Syracuse’s football tradition is rich and deep, with a national championship (1959) and a Heisman Trophy winner to its credit (Davis, 1961), its perception among today’s crop of 4- and 5-star prospects is of a program that has averaged only 5 wins per season since the turn of the century.
In a location where the average snowfall is more than 100 inches per year.
That makes it difficult to attract top talent and build a championship-caliber program. Even for a coach named the nation’s top recruiter. But it’s a challenge Brown willingly accepted when he was hired to replace Dino Babers with the Orange in December.
He’s already off to an impressive start.
Within a month of his arrival, he attracted a franchise quarterback, Ohio State’s Kyle McCord. He brought three transfers with him from Georgia, where he coached defensive backs. And he signed Syracuse’s highest-rated freshman class (No. 37) since the current rating format came into existence.
It’s an early success Brown has built upon a combination of reputation and personality.
“He’s a great father figure and mentor. I can’t wait to play for him,” said running back LeQuint Allen, one of the many returning players who decided to stay with the Orange after Brown’s hiring. “Players are just ready to suit up and get going.”
Like most great recruiters, Brown talks a good game. The difference is that when he looks you in the eye and tells you who he is, what he’s about and how he plans to get the best out of you, it’s hard not to get caught up in his excitement.
But he’s not at Georgia anymore. Or Alabama, Ohio State or any of the other blue-blood programs that always seem to dominate the national recruiting rankings and stockpile the game’s top talent. He has a much tougher sell at Syracuse.
That might be a problem if he was only out there selling Syracuse.
...
Syracuse Football: Two named to Maxwell Award Watch List (TNIAAM; De Guzman)
With the start of the college football season creeping closer and closer, awards are starting to release preseason watch lists. The Maxwell Award just released its preseason watch list, and the Syracuse Orange had two players named. Kyle McCord and LeQuint Allen were named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.
The Maxwell Award is given out to the best player in college football. Last season, Oronde Gadsden was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List. Syracuse is one of 17 schools with multiple players named to the watch list. ‘Cuse joins Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Virginia Tech as ACC schools with multiple players named to the watch list.
McCord looks to provide a spark at quarterback for the Orange after transferring in from Ohio State. He was Ohio State’s starter at QB last season and racked up 3,170 yards last year with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 66.5 career completion percentage currently ranks fourth among active FBS quarterbacks.
Allen also comes off his first season as a starter for Syracuse. He was named to the second-team All-ACC after 1,064 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Allen’s eight career 100-yard rushing games ranks 10th in school history.
The Orange look to build around two of their premier weapons heading into the first season of the Fran Brown Era in Central New York.
Fran Brown Lunch "The 315" 7-30-24 (ESPN; radio; The 315)
Hear some of the highlights from the Fran Brown subscriber lunch with the entire coaching staff at Wildcat from earlier today and Brian’s thoughts on how Fran has a chance to really excel in the community.
Building Syracuse: Our Lone FCS Opponent - EA Sports College Football 25 (youtube; simulation; WerewolfFPS)
Building Syracuse: Our Lone FCS Opponent - EA Sports College Football 25
ACC News
Urgency And Excitement Leading SMU Football Into First ACC Fall Camp - SMU Athletics (smumustangfs.com; Hofeditz)
As the SMU football season gets closer there is plenty of work to be done before stepping on the field as a member of the ACC.
That's exactly what the Mustangs are doing right now, going to work during fall camp. Along with the work there is a different feel to this year's camp than previous ones.
Maybe it has something to do with winning the first outright conference title in over 40 years. Maybe it has something to do with returning a strong corps of returners while adding another strong recruiting class. Maybe it has something to do with the program returning to a power conference.
"In a good way, yeah It feels different, but not like everybody's kind of tight," SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said. "I think our guys are like they've always been, they're loose and confident. We're going to find out where we stand. We don't know, but I like our guys and I'm excited to get to watch them compete with the schedule."
Whatever that exact feeling is might be hard to put into words. But the Mustangs aren't afraid about what is coming.
"I know, personally, I for sure have an increased sense of urgency, absolutely," senior receiver Jake Bailey said. "From the team, I think everybody's in that same type of boat. It's not so much, it's no fear. It's not being scared of new competition. It is giving them the respect they deserve. Realizing and understanding that these are real athletes and teams that you know are going to give us a game week-in and week-out and we have to be tough enough and have that competitive stamina to be able to keep doing that week-in and week-out."
There is a level of excitement and a bigger sense of urgency, but it's not fear or worry.
"I don't feel like there's like this cloud hanging over us and it's like, 'Oh man,'" Lashlee said. "A lot of these guys have confidence. They have confidence from what we accomplished last year. You accomplish confidence, we did that. Yeah, we've got a new challenge in front of us. We haven't done anything yet, it's a brand new team. A lot of these guys are older guys, whether they've been here the whole time or transferred in, they've been on those stages. I think they're more just excited that we get to play that type of competition and compete with those guys and see where we measure up."
At the end of the day, the game doesn't change. No matter the competition, where the game is played or what conference patch is on the jersey won't alter the way fall camp is approached by anyone.
"Division II and Division III and Power 4 is still football," SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons said. "I don't think that the process changes. The opponents change and the level of speed and physicality changes, but the preparation and kind of the methodology that we want to go through each year is going to be relatively consistent."
The Mustangs have another advantage when it comes to joining the power ranks, players that have been there before. There are 43 players on the SMU roster who have spent time with a power program, including 11 who have played in the ACC — 13 if you include Notre Dame and fellow newcomer Stanford.
That's something other teams who made the move into power conference ranks didn't have.
"The majority of those guys that have transferred in here, almost all came from either the ACC or power conferences," Lashlee said. "They've either played in those stages, been in those stages with the atmospheres, the physicality, the week-in, week-out of the grind."
That's a move a player like Jonathan McGill made when he joined SMU last season even though he didn't know it at the time. The former Stanford captain is back playing in a power conference and will be joined by his former team.
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ACC Football Camp Confidential | 2024 ACC Football (youtube; video; ACC DN)
The 2024 ACC Football season is upon us. Training camp is a necessary evil that prepares both coaches and players for the long season ahead. Take yourself into the minds of players and coaches as they let you in on some of their likes and dislikes of training camp. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and linebacker Barrett Carter, Duke head coach Manny Diaz, Florida State defensive lineman Patrick Payton, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Cam Ward are just some of the faces you will see giving you the rundown on training camp.
Stanford Football On The Move To The ACC (youtube; podcast; ACC DN)
At the 2024 ACC Kickoff, the ACC Digital Network talked with Stanford Head Coach Troy Taylor, linebacker Tristan Sinclair, and wide receiver Elic Ayomanor about the Cardinal's move to the ACC. They talked about how excited they were to play in the new stadiums and new environments and being able to bring West Coast football across the country. They also wanted to make sure the ACC fans know that Stanford is a football program with a strong history and tradition, and they are coming ready to play in 2024.
Nine Players from the ACC Land on the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List (theacc.com)
The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced the preseason watch list for the 2024 Outland Trophy on Tuesday, July 30, recognizing 75 returning standout interior linemen. Nine Atlantic Coast Conference student-athletes were named to the list, representing eight teams.
Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football.
Representing the ACC on the offensive side of the ball are center Zeke Correll of NC State, center Weston Franklin of Georgia Tech, offensive guard Michael Gonzalez of Louisville, offensive tackle Blake Miller of Clemson, center Justin Osborne of SMU, offensive tackle Jalen Rivers of Miami, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo of Boston College and offensive tackle Darius Washington of Florida State.
The lone ACC defensive player named to the watch list was defensive tackle Joshua Farmer of Florida State.
There are 24 offensive tackles on this year’s list with 19 defensive tackles and 18 guards to go with 14 centers, and 57 of the 133 Football Bowl Subdivision schools are represented.
The FWAA will announce the Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 20, and those players will then be paired down to three finalists announced on Nov. 26. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
The 79th winner of the Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on December 12, 2024. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 22, 2025.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For a second year now, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time.
ACC Representatives on the Outland Trophy Watch List:
Name, School, Class, Position
Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College, Redshirt Senior, OT
Blake Miller, Clemson, Junior, OT
Joshua Farmer, Florida State, Redshirt Junior, DT
Darius Washington, Florida State, Redshirt Senior, OT
Weston Franklin, Georgia Tech, Senior, C
Michael Gonzalez, Louisville, Senior, OG
Jalen Rivers, Miami, Redshirt Junior, OT
Zeke Correll, NC State, Graduate Student, C
Justin Osborne, SMU, Graduate Student, C
ACC Football Notes
- The ACC is the Conference of Quarterbacks, with the return of full-time starters Thomas Castellanos at Boston College, Cade Klubnik at Clemson, Grayson Loftis at Duke, Haynes King at Georgia Tech, Preston Stone at SMU, and Kyron Drones at Virginia Tech, and transfers DJ Uiagalelei at Florida State, Tyler Shough at Louisville, Cam Ward at Miami, Grayson McCall at NC State, and Kyle McCord at Syracuse among others.
- ACC had 10 quarterbacks named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list, no other conference had more.
- ACC has the top-ranked group of quarterback transfers in 2024 by CBS Sports.
- 13 QBs in the league enter the 2024 season with over 20 career touchdown passes and 3,500 career passing yards.
- Eight quarterbacks from ACC schools are projected to start Week 1 in the 2024 NFL season — 25 percent of NFL teams.
- Since 2018, the ACC has had at least one quarterback drafted in the first round in five different drafts — the only conference to do that.
ACC Football Road Trip: Georgia Tech (7/30/24) - Live Stream - Watch ESPN (ESPN; video; ACCN)
ACC Football Road Trip: Georgia Tech
Projected Impact of New Faces in the ACC (collegefootballdawgs.com'; Haltom)
Uncertainty prevails in the Atlantic Coast Conference. While Florida State and Clemson have gone to court in an effort to get out of the conference, three new faces have come in. The Cal Golden Bears, SMU Mustangs and Stanford Cardinal are now members of the ACC. They might stabilize the league.
Preseason Ratings
Here is a look at ESPN's power-index ratings of each of the teams in the new 17-member conference:
- Florida State Seminoles
- Clemson Tigers
- Louisville Cardinals
- Miami Hurricanes
- SMU Mustangs
- North Carolina State Wolfpack
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Cal Golden Bears
- Virginia Tech Hokies
- Duke Blue Devils
- Pitt Panthers
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Boston College Eagles
- Stanford Cardinal
- Syracuse Orange
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Virginia Cavaliers
None of the new teams are located on the Atlantic Seaboard. However, all three are historically significant collegiate football programs. Cal began playing football in 1886 and has won five national championships. Stanford began playing in 1892, played in the first-ever Rose Bowl in 1902 and finished the 1940 season ranked No. 2 in the final Associated Press poll. SMU began playing in 1915, has won or shared three national championships and is the only program to ever receive the NCAA "death penalty."
Potential Impact
In connection with their effort to bolt from the ACC, Florida State and Clemson have cited financial reasons and a desire to remain competitive with the teams of the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference. However, the new ACC members could allay those concerns. Not only do the three teams have historical brand recognition but also have energized fan bases and prominent, wealthy alumni and donors. ESPN recently reported on the stabilizing influence that the universities have already brought to the ACC.
Florida State and Clemson signed long-term media rights and revenue-sharing deal with the ACC in 2016. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips recently proclaimed at ACC Media Days that the league will fight the lawsuits of FSU and Clemson "for as long as it takes." Additionally, ESPN recently became entangled in the litigation. Hence, the legal matters could remain unresolved for years.
The new faces of the ACC might cause the Seminoles and Tigers to reconsider their push to leave to conference.
Tailgate Till May: 2024 ACC Football Preview (bleav.com; podcast; Tailgate Till May)
Steven previews the 2024 ACC football season by discussing three questions he thinks are critical to understanding the league, talking about what he's bearish and bullish on in the conference and diving into his favorite ACC futures.
Best ACC Football Stadiums To Visit By Pregame Experience (bookies.com; Thompson)
As the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 reshaped the college football landscape with expansion moves, the ACC spent more of its time staving off possible predators.
So far, the move has worked. Clemson and Florida State, among others, remain part of the ACC despite tensions between the flagship universities and their athletic conference.
But the league grew at the same time. Starting this fall, California and Stanford of the Pac-12 and SMU from the AAC join to create a 17-team league. The Atlantic Coast Conference has gone pacific.
The expansion adds a new flavor not just to the football on the field, but to the pregame fun in the ACC. College football tailgating and entertainment is a unique experience, one embedded in traditions old and new. In some spots, the fun outside the stadium is just as big as the fun inside it.
RELATED: 2024 Big 12 Conference: Top Football Pregame Destination Rankings
For the third year in a row, Bookies.com has compiled a comprehensive list of the top ACC pregame destinations. The list is borne from an algorithm based on multiple factors. Among them:
- Location: Close to the action, accessible to fans
- Tailgating: The ability to park and enjoy a crisp fall day with a beverage and grill
- Entertainment Around Stadium: A vibrant bar and restaurant scene within walking distance of your seat
- Family Sentiment: Is the area safe and entertaining for kids and those with kids?
ACC Pregame Experience Rankings (2024)
Bookies.com has compiled a comprehensive list of the top ACC pregame destinations. This list is derived from an algorithm that considers multiple factors, including location, tailgating, entertainment around the stadium, and family sentiment.Table with 6 columns and 17 rows.
| Teams | Location | Tailgating | Entertainment | Family Sentiment | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 61 |
| 2 | Florida State | 14 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 53 |
| 3 | NC State | 16 | 14 | 4 | 15 | 49 |
| 4 | Louisville | 17 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 47 |
| 5 | Virginia Tech | 6 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 46 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 8 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 44 |
| 7 | SMU | 13 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 43 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | 11 | 8 | 17 | 5 | 41 |
| 9 | Syracuse | 5 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 35 |
| 10 | California | 9 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
| 11 | Boston College | 4 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 31 |
| 12 | Miami (Fla.) | 10 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 26 |
| 13 | Virginia | 12 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 25 |
| 14 | Georgia Tech | 1 | 5 | 16 | 2 | 24 |
| 15 | Duke | 2 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 22 |
| 16 | Stanford | 7 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 16 |
| 17 | Wake Forest | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 15 |
17. Wake Forest
With just over 5,000 undergrads on campus, Wake Forest is one of the nation’s smallest “big-time” college sports programs. But the lack of alumni and lack of historical excitement around the program doesn’t help. The Demon Deacons won just one ACC game in 2023. Winston-Salem graded OK for overall entertainment, but tailgating and the location – not adjacent to the scenic Wake Forest campus – dinged scores.16. Stanford
A new addition to the ACC, but not one that boosts the overall pregame excitement of college football. The Cardinal ranked last for tailgating – most students at this high-level university aren’t there to consume morning adult beverages – and entertainment options nearby didn’t get the grade. Also not helping: Stanford’s on-campus crime rate is far and away the highest of any major-conference school in the nation.15. Duke
Duke is a picturesque campus to walk around. No college in the ACC received a higher score from families. In terms of other things to do, such as bar-hopping or tailgating, the Blue Devils ranked in the bottom two of them all, and also ranked last in attendance at 25K per game. But its family friendliness does make it a unique spot to catch a pregame, and the lack of pregame debauchery didn’t hurt the team: Duke finished a solid 6-1 at home in 2023.14. Georgia Tech
Tech is located in the heart of Atlanta – if you can’t find something to do around Bobby Dodd Stadium, you’re not trying hard enough. But there is a caveat: it’s a nightmare to get to on gamedays, and families gave it the second-lowest rating among ACC schools. The Atlanta skyline offers quite a vista for a major college program.RELATED: SEC Pregame Destination Rankings 2024: Georgia Favored Once Again
13. Virginia
Scott Stadium is conveniently located and keeps stress levels low compared to other ACC football experiences. provides the chance for a scenic low-key drive on gamedays and an overall pleasant experience. Tailgating for Cavs games didn’t stand out but there are options, and the more you donate to the university, the more options there are. The bar scene is a solid mile hike.12. Miami (Fla.)
You can’t argue about the weather in Coral Gables, and Hard Rock Stadium, also the home of the NFL’s Dolphins has all the parking needed to make it a top-half destination to grill and tailgate. On the flip side, if you don’t like sitting by your car, you might as well go right into the stadium. There isn’t much to do that’s close, including the campus, which is 20 miles south. Families ranked it at the very bottom of the conference.Free Bookies Betting GuideGet FREE Picks, News and Special Offers from your favorite books!Yes, I agree to receive emails from Bookies.comSTAY IN THE KNOW
11. Boston College
Getting to Alumni Stadium appears to be the most frustrating part about Eagles Saturday games. Once there, however, B.C. ranked middle-of-the-pack in other areas. It’s not a raucous time, but that helps the family score, which came in sixth of 17 schools. Boston is all-in on its pro teams, and B.C. is one of just two ACC teams to finish with a home-losing record in 2023.10. California
Berkley scored high for things to do around the Bears’ Memorial Stadium, and the scenic locale was a cherry on top for the scenic Bay Area college. Limited parking means tailgating takes a back seat to the other options, but the bar and restaurant scene is a quick 10-minute jaunt. The family score came in the middle. Lots of activities for kids were negated somewhat by the second-highest crime rate among big-program colleges, with only nearby Stanford higher.RELATED: Big Ten Pregame Rankings 2024: Where To Find The Best Game Day Experiences?
9. Syracuse
The Orange take pride in their domed stadium; it gets loud in there, in part perhaps because it gets nutty in the pregame. Syracuse was just one of five ACC schools to rank in the top half in both entertainment and tailgating, as well as family sentiment, though it didn’t overwhelmingly have a single great trait. In other words, there’s nothing bad to say about pregames at Syracuse, just nothing that pushes it into elite status yet....
Links, News, and Rumors 2024 July 30th (RX; HM)
Links, News, and Rumors 2024 July 30th
Consensus Top 25?
From CFBNumbers: 2024 CFB Consensus Preseason Power RatingsThat's 5 true ACC football teams, plus Notre Dame.
How does that compare?
- SEC 10 teams
- ACC 5.5
- B1G 5
- XII 4
NIL vs the IRS
From AP: Unintended consequences: How NIL in college sports has raised questions about nonprofits...
P4 OOC Visualization (RX; HM)
P4 OOC Visualization
Here's a table that visualizes all of the ACC vs P4 non-conference games. ACC schools plus Notre Dame are shown in school colors, and important/reputation games are in light blue:
| Power Non-Conference Opponents | |||
| ACC Team | Home | Neutral | Away |
| BC | Michigan St | at Missouri | |
| Cal | Oregon St | at Auburn | |
| Clemson | Georgia | at S Carolina | |
| Duke | at Northwestern | ||
| Florida St | Florida | at Notre Dame | |
| Ga Tech | Notre Dame | at Georgia | |
| Louisville | at Notre Dame | ||
| at Kentucky | |||
| Miami | at Florida | ||
| N Carolina | at Minnesota | ||
| NC State | Tennessee | ||
| Pitt | W Virginia | at Cincinnat | |
| SMU | BYU | ||
| TCU | |||
| Stanford | TCU | at Notre Dame | |
| Syracuse | (none) | ||
| Virginia | Maryland | at Notre Dame | |
| Va Tech | Rutgers | at Vanderbilt | |
| Wake Forest | Ole Miss |
For the most part, I believe football teams must win at home, defend their "home turf". For that reason, I color-coded all but one P4 OOC home game in light blue.
...
2024 Bronco Nagurski Watch List (RX; HM)
2024 Bronco Nagurski Watch List
From the official ACC release of Tuesday, July 30, 2024...
2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Includes Seven from the ACC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) released its 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List on Tuesday, July 30, selecting 75 defensive standouts from 56 schools in nine Division I FBS conferences plus Independents as contenders for the national defensive player of the year. Seven ACC student-athletes from seven different schools were named to the preseason watch list.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the Top Defensive Player in college football. The nominees are selected from all Division I schools and voted on by members of the FWAA. It is hosted by the Charlotte Touchdown Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Representing the ACC on the Nagurski Trophy Watch List are defensive tackle Joshua Farmer of Florida State, defensive end Ashton Gillotte of Louisville, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa of Miami, defensive end Kaimon Rucker of North Carolina, safety Jonas Sanker of Virginia, defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles of Virginia Tech and defensive end Peter Woods of Clemson.
...
Dutch's Fresh 24 | College Football Edition | ACC Preview 2024 | Syracuse Orange (youtube; podcast; Dutch's Fresh; premieres at 10 )
Dutch's Fresh 24 | College Football Edition | ACC Preview 2024 | Syracuse Orange
ACC Commissioner's FATAL ERROR that will HELP FSU Get OUT (youtube; podcast; Double Fries)
The ACC and FSU are still entangled in their legal battle but some documents will be received this week which SHOULD help the Seminoles. I discuss here.
Other
Syracuse University is seeking permission from the city to demolish a vacant house it owns at 727 Comstock Ave. (Provided by Hudson Cultural Services)Provided by Hudson Cultural Services
After 2 architects wouldn’t bend to Syracuse University’s will, SU targeted their employers (PS; $; Boyer)
After a group of volunteers complicated Syracuse University’s efforts to bulldoze a historic mansion, the university struck back, targeting the pocketbooks of two of those volunteers’ employers.
SU canceled its business with two architecture firms whose employees sit on the city’s Landmark Preservation Board, just days after that board voted to protect the Comstock Avenue mansion that SU wants to tear down. The mansion sits in the footprint of a massive new dormitory the university hopes to build next to Thornden Park.
Critics say it’s a blatant attempt to intimidate members of an independent city agency and punish local professionals who wouldn’t bend to SU’s will. The move caught the attention of Mayor Ben Walsh, who called SU Chancellor Kent Syverud to express his concern.
It’s the latest tactic in a full-court press by SU, among the city’s largest employers and one of its wealthiest institutions, to dictate policy on a massive student housing project that’s rankled neighbors, preservationists and even a local gardening club.
Julia Hafftka-Marshall, an associate partner with Holmes King Kollquist & Associates who serves as chair of the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board, said she received an email from the university three days after she and her fellow board members voted to protect a vacant mansion that SU wants to demolish.
The email from SU’s Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction said Hafftka-Marshall’s service on the preservation board presented a conflict of interest because her employer has a service contract with the university. The school said it was canceling that contract and removing the firm from consideration for future projects for 10 years.
A second firm also received a letter. Ashley McGraw architects, which employs LPB member Kyle Gregory as an associated principal, declined to comment for this story.
...
Sam Mangano presents a breakfast pizza from Bianchi's, the 30th stop on the CNY Pizza Tour. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)
CNY Pizza Tour, stop #30: When a cheesy omelette meets Italian toast, morning pizza is born (PS; $; Miller)
Having pizza for breakfast is hardly a novel idea. We’ve all sought solace from a slice of yesterday’s pepperoni and sausage late-night snack.
The breakfast pizza at Bianchi’s was designed to jump-start the day, and it’s become a best-seller.
Bianchi’s Pizza & Catering has been a Solvay mainstay for decades. Sam Mangano’s parents bought the business 53 years ago and kept the name. Sam worked with his parents here since he was a child and eventually took over.
A fire gutted the restaurant on Dec. 20, 2021. Sam and Lisa Mangano rebuilt Bianchi’s and reopened nine months later. They redesigned the kitchen so they could increase their catering sales. That’s since taken off. On Tuesday morning, the four-person staff arrived at about 4 a.m. to prepare 20 orders to be delivered as far away as Saratoga, Watertown and Utica. They even catered a wedding at Green Lakes State Park on Monday and the Skaneateles Polo Club on Sunday.
“Most people don’t realize we cook a lot more than pizza,” Sam said. “We can do empanadas, a fajita bar, Bavarian pretzels, you name it.”
Well, Sam, today we’re here for pizza. And since it’s early, let’s grab breakfast.
...
Harborfest celebrates 35 years in Oswego, N.Y.
Harborfest celebrated its 35th edition this year with the music, food, fun and fireworks, drawing tens of thousands of people. Video by Andy Robinson.
youtu.be
Oswego Harborfest celebrates 35th anniversary of family, fireworks and fun in CNY (video) (PS; Tulloch)
Harborfest celebrated its 35th anniversary this year with music, food, and fireworks, drawing tens of thousands of people.
The city’s new Cahill Pier at the Wright’s Landing Marina became the new home of concerts that previously took place in West Park.
“There’s music all over,” said Eva Corradino, chair of Oswego’s promotion and tourism advisory board. “We have rock and roll, 70s acts and 80s acts that are fabulous, local acts, and jazz and blues to appeal to everyone’s tastes.”
Regional Harborfest fan favorites returned this year, including dance and soul group The Billionaires, 80s rock tribute band The Arcade, Rochester-based soul horn band Atlas, 70s/80s cover band Infinity, local legends Frostbit Blue, Long Time Coming, and more.
“For the city of Oswego, it brings a lot of people in,” Corradino added. “It obviously brings sales tax which every city wants...and the locals enjoy this too. So it’s a win-win.”
The festival ran Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28. See scenes from the festival in the video above.
Jaclyn Canale of Oswego, N.Y. has been attending Harborfest every year since 2018.
“I love all the food and wine slushies,” she said. “Especially the gyros.”
Andy Robinson contributed to this report.
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New Syracuse splash pad offers relief from heat (PS; $; Schild)
A new splash pad was unveiled Tuesday on the Northside in Washington Square Park.
The new water feature includes a self-activated spinning spray pole with six ground sprays.
“In 2009, Syracuse rededicated Washington Square Park with the Rehabilitation of its historic fountain, said Common Councilor Marty Nave. “To have a Splash Pad is a wonderful asset to our children who call Washington Square home.”
Numerous other Syracuse city splash pads are operating through through Labor Day.
- Burnet Park Spray Mister (self-activated), located on the playground.
- Comfort Tyler Park Spray Feature, located next to the playground.
- Frazer School, located behind the school.
- Lewis Park Spray Block (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), located on the playground.
- Lincoln Park Spray Block, located next to the pool.
- Onondaga Park – Lower Spray Feature (self-activated), located by the playground.
- Onondaga Park - Upper Spray Block will not be turned on for the 2024 summer season.
- McKinley Park Spray Area, located just outside of the pool.
- Schiller Park Spray Feature, located next to the pool.
- Skiddy Park Spray Mister, located near the playground.
- Sunnycrest Park Spray Mister (self-activated), located on the playground.
- Thornden Park Spray Feature, located just outside the pool.
- Union Park Spray Feature, located next to the playground.
- *NEW* Washington Square Park Spray Feature (self-activated), located next to the pavilion.
- Wilson Park Spray Block, located near the pool.
Scattered storms could bring flooding rain to Upstate NY several days this week (PS; Coin)
Scattered thunderstorms today and later this week could bring torrential rain to Upstate New York.
“Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight may produce heavy downpours with the potential for localized small stream and urban flooding,” the National Weather Service said. “Fortunately, storm motions look to be fast enough to prevent widespread flash flooding.”
A second storm system is expected to arrive Friday and bring potentially heavy rain through Saturday.
“This system will likely be the next system to watch, mainly for flash flood potential,” the weather service said.
Damaging winds aren’t likely with either system, the weather service said.
Today, there’s a 5% to 14% chance of rainfall heavy enough to cause flooding today in Upstate New York, according to the weather service.
The best chances for storms today is in the late afternoon and evening. They could linger overnight and ramp up again late Wednesday morning before subsiding by sunset on Wednesday.
High temperatures are expected to stay in the upper 80s or even 90 through Saturday.
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