sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Wiffle Ball Day!
Whiff! That was a strike! But this isn't baseball or softball, this is Wiffle ball! Wiffle ball—the game and the ball itself—is celebrated today with National Wiffle Ball Day. In the summer of 1953, David N. Mullany was in his backyard in Fairfield, Connecticut, watching his 12-year-old son and his son's friend play a game with a perforated plastic golf ball and a broomstick handle. They were hitting the plastic golf ball around because they didn't have enough players for a game of baseball or softball, didn't want to break any windows, and didn't have enough space for a field. After trying to throw many curve and slider balls with the golf ball, the son told his father his arm felt like jelly. Mullany had an idea. He got some plastic parts shaped like balls from a nearby factory, cut designs in them, and sent his son out to test them. The ball with eight oblong perforations on one side worked best—it was easier to throw curve balls with and harder to hit than the perforated golf ball. The Wiffle ball was born!
Wiffle balls (stylized as WIFFLE) were soon being produced and sold. The balls were designed to take the place of baseballs, softballs, and stickballs on city streets and in backyards, and could be used indoors too. Hollow, lightweight, and made from tough, rubbery plastic, Wiffle balls didn't fly very far, and they didn't cause damage to neighbors' houses.
SU News
Axe: An undeniable buzz builds around one Syracuse football wideout (podcast) (PS; $; podcast; Syracuse Orange)
Syracuse football defensive tackle Dion “Tank” Wilson Jr. didn’t have to think long and hard when I asked him this week the offensive players giving the Orange defense the biggest headaches in training camp so far.
“That’s easy,” Wilson Jr. said. “(Orange QB) Kyle McCord and (wide receiver) Yazeed (Haynes). Those two right there are a deadly connection. As soon as I think I’m getting close to Kyle McCord to get a sack, I just see the ball leave his hand and see Yazeed catching it. I’m glad I’m going into the season with those two guys. That’s going to be hard to cover.”
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown didn’t want to rank the wide receivers when asked where they stood in the offensive rotation earlier this week but walked away from the podium singing Haynes’ praises.
Those of you that have been enjoying the new EA Sports College Football ‘25 video game also know that Haynes has a high speed rating and is a go-to player to score digital touchdowns.
McCord will have no shortage of receiving targets to connect with this season.
Oronde Gadsden II, a 2025 NFL Draft prospect, is back healthy and is SU’s clear No. 1 receiving target.
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Jim Boeheim jabs Ohio State for running off Kyle McCord: ‘He’s certainly good enough for us’ (PS; $; Carlson)
Former Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim was a special guest of the ACC Network on Monday, when the channel focused its daily coverage on Syracuse football.
Boeheim, who rarely missed attending football games during his 47 years coaching at Syracuse, offered up his assessment of this year’s Orange during his appearance. He offered praise for new quarterback Kyle McCord and coach Fran Brown, while working to keep expectations reasonable for a head coach in his first season.
“He’s lit up this community,” Boeheim said of Brown. “Since he came in the first day he’s engaged with everybody in the community. The problem with that is they’re so high now, they’re (talking about) a 10-win season. I try to tell people, ‘Let’s calm down a little bit. This league is still pretty good.’ Well, they’re not playing Florida State. They’re not playing Clemson. These other teams are pretty good. He’s got everyone on fire.”
While Boeheim tried to limit the expectations of a 10-win season, he said he felt Syracuse would surprise many nationally.
“They are excited,” Boeheim said. “Thats a big part of football. Get excited and want to play. I think they’re going to surprise some people. I’ll go out on that limb. I’m excited for this season.”
Perhaps the biggest reason for all the excitement is the addition of McCord, who was 11-1 as the starting quarterback at Ohio State last season.
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The Juice Online - Opponent Analysis: California Bears — 2024 Syracuse Football preview (r1vals.com; Moreno)
As we countdown to kickoff in September, we’re doing a team-by-team opponent preview. Today, we're previewing Syracuse's matchup with Cal on Nov. 16 with our friend Matt Moreno over at the Golden Bears Report.
Most important offensive player, defensive player
On offense, it's RB Jaydn Ott.On defense, it's ILB Caleb Uluave
Rising star on offense, defense
On offense, it's WR Trond Grizzell.On defense, it's OLB David Reese
Team outlook: Best-case scenario
Cal has been stuck in mediocrity for a while now. Always seemingly on the cusp of a breakout season, it just hasn’t quite happened for the Bears under Justin Wilcox.Last season was a step in the right direction with the team reaching a bowl game for the first time since 2019, but Cal has several reasons to be optimistic that it can make another jump in 2024.
The first is star running back Jaydn Ott, who will bring his explosive ability back to Berkeley for what is likely his final college season. The junior has been a standout performer since his freshman year, and he took another step forward in 2023 when he finished as the top rusher in the Pac-12.
The Bears also return starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza who beat out two transfers last year to win the job. He showed plenty of room for improvement, but having that position solidified should help this year.
There are several key pieces returning defensively as well including Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Cade Uluave, who will serve as one of the two starting inside linebackers this season once again. The Bears are not likely looking at their first 10-win season since 2006, but eight victories feels attainable if all the pieces fall into place. It would be the first time Cal will have reached that mark since 2019.
Team outlook: Worst-case scenario
Though there are several top returners on this year’s roster at Cal, there may be just as many question marks at other positions. The offensive line made progress last year, but it still has some unknowns at a couple spots including left tackle.The offense will also be under a new coordinator as offensive line coach Mike Bloesch takes over for Jake Spavital, who left after the season to take the same position at Baylor. Bloesch previously called plays at North Texas, but it remains to be seen how effective his offense will be with the personnel in place at Cal.
Much like on offense, the group up front defensively needs to be more productive and solidified for the Bears to reach their potential. If outside linebacker David Reese can continue to showcase the game-changing ability he displayed last season in his first year with the team after transferring from Florida, then Cal will be in a better spot than it was at moments last year.
For now, it feels like Cal has enough talent to avoid a disaster of a season, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that it ends up at under .500 once again with only four victories.
Head coach / program is on the rise, stagnant, decline because ...
It has been difficult for Wilcox to breakthrough and reach a level of consistency, but he has the program headed in the right direction again after three seasons with a combined 10 wins ahead of last year’s 6-7 campaign and an appearance in the Independence Bowl. Cal has been successful in its transfer portal approach leading to a top-10 finish in the Rivals transfer team rankings race.The Bears did not miss on many of its transfer additions last offseason, and it has positioned itself well with its latest group. That has afforded the staff some time to get reorganized on the high school recruiting side of things, and there is some buzz once again building for the Bears this summer. Cal recently locked up a commitment from quarterback Jaron Sagapolutele, who is on the rise and likely to see more schools get involved as a senior.
He is one of three recent commits from Hawaii for the program. The Bears have also been building up their connections to the Pacific Northwest and Texas leading to some promise about the direction of the program with added effort in both areas. Cal has been closer to getting over the hump than not in recent years, and a successful season could get the Bears where they want to be on all fronts.
Key portal additions and losses
Any team hates losing proven production and that is what happened for the Bears this offseason at two key positions. Middle linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr shined in his first season as a starter last year. The Bay Area native ended the 2023 season as the team leader with 92 tackles but decided to leave home for TCU after the season....
Cuse Football 2024: DB Preview + a Bittersweet Goodbye (youtube; podcast; Orange Zone)
Tommy Sladek, Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski and Rachel Culver bring you an in-depth preview on Syracuse football's defensive backs and safeties. The team also marks Tommy's final show ahead of a new job.
0:01-4:20 Intro/Surprise on Set
4:21-7:00 DB Coach Joe Schaefer
7:01-11:59 Duce Chestnut
12:00-16:00 Justin Barron
16:01-19:49 Marcellus Barnes Jr
19:50-22:00 Clarence Lewis
22:01-22:32 Jayden Bellamy22:33-25:45 Alijah "Cinco" Clark
25:46-27:13 Devin Grant
27:14-27:55 Full Picture
28:00-28:35 A Landlord Calls
28:36-30:20 Ibn McDaniels
30:21-32:10 Final Thoughts on DB's
32:15-43:17 Tommy shares about his new job with Fanatics in NYC and the gang says goodbye.
Syracuse football players react to ACC All-Access; Key offensive line spot comes into focus (youtube; podcast; Syracuse Orange)
On a new live episode of Syracuse Sports, Brent Axe and Emily Leiker discuss the latest news and notes from SU football practice.Brent and Emily share their takeaways from Tuesday's practice. They also give an update on the backup quarterback rotation, how a key spot on the offensive line coming into focus and the growing buzz around a Syracuse wide receiver at camp. They also share some soundbites from SU wide receiver Zeed Haynes, running back Yasin Willis (which Brent has a fun story about!) and QB coach Nunzio Campanile.
Syracuse Orange 2024-25 Football Preview - DT w/ DB Jaeden Gould (youtube; podcat; WakeUpDT)
“Peeling Back the Orange” - DT w/ returning Syracuse Orange DB Jaeden Gould speaking on multiple topics heading into 2024-25 season…
Syracuse Orange 2024-25 Football Preview - DT w/ DL Denis Jaquez, Jr (youtube; podcast; WakeUpDT)
“Peeling Back the Orange” - DT w/ returning Syracuse Orange DL Denis Jaquez, Jr., speaking on multiple topics heading into 2024-25 season…
Syracuse Orange 2024-25 Football Preview - DT w/ TE David Clement (youtube; podcast; WakeUpDT)
“Peeling Back the Orange” - DT w/ returning Syracuse Orange TE David Clement speaking on multiple topics heading into 2024-25 season…David is an Upstate NY Recruit hailing from Christian Brothers Academy (Albany, NY), talking on the joint family as well as the rivalry with Christian Brothers Academy (DeWitt, NY)…
Can Fran Brown be Successful for Syracuse Football? + Kyle McCord Talk | Syracuse Orange Podcast (youtube; podcast; Locked on Syracuse)
Syracuse football first time head coach Fran Brown has already impacted the Orange significantly. Coach Fran brought in Kyle McCord and Fadil Diggs from the transfer portal and the Cuse has its best high school recruiting class since 2001. Can he be successful on the field? McCord was solid at Ohio State, but can he translate his success to the ACC, and throwing to Oronde Gadsden? Plus, who's going to step-up on the defensive line besides Diggs?Jackson Holzer goes over the three biggest stories for Syracuse Football's 2024 season on this edition of the Locked On Syracuse Podcast.
Besides Fadil Diggs, Who Steps Up on the Syracuse Football Defensive Line? | Syracuse Orange Podcast (youtube; podcast; Locked on Syracuse; premieres at 10 AM EST)
Four-star Texas A&M transfer Fadil Diggs is the highest ranked player Syracuse Football Head Coach Fran Brown brought in from the transfer portal. Outside of Diggs, the defensive line looks a little shaky. Returners Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff, Denis Jaquez, and Kevin Jobity have only combined for six starts for the Orange. Can Dion Wilson possibly step up?Jackson Holzer believes the Cuse Football defensive line is one of the main storylines for this upcoming season.
Keeping Up With The 315 8-13-24 (ESPN; radio The 315)
Brian begins the show giving his thoughts on Fran Brown’s coaching style from the All-Access doc that dropped last night and how it compares to Dino. Then, he dives into another takeaway he had from the doc on Kyle McCord. Lastly, Brian talks more Olympics and the latest news from this weird Jordan Chilles story.
Kyle Fetterly "The 315" 8-13-24 (ESPN; radio; The 315)
Kyle Fetterly, who has worked at Syracuse for 44 years and was the “star” of the All-Access Syracuse football doc last night, joins Brian to discuss Fran Brown bringing back the “burning of the shoe” tradition and why Fran felt like they should bring it back.
Competition breeding success on Syracuse's offensive line (spectrumlocalnews.com; MacWilliam)
Syracuse's offense features some very explosive playmakers, but it's only as strong as the guys up front on the offensive line.
They've put in a lot of work so far in the fall, as well as back in the spring.
What You Need To Know
- The offensive line is taking shape in fall camp
- All positions are up for grabs, but it's bringing out the best in the players
- They know there are no days off, no matter how much seniority there is
Just a couple of months ago, Dale Williams, the offensive line coach, said that basically all positions are up for grabs along the lines. Even with returnees like J'Onre Reid and Enrique Cruz, who bring a ton of experience, don't Sharpie them in for starting positions just yet.
All positions are still up for grabs. That was a message Fran Brown said on Monday.
And so far, that competition is bringing the best out of the guys in the trenches.
"You can never just sit there and be like some days, but you always know, like somebody's looking over watching you," lineman Da'Metrius Weatherspoon said. "So you got to look over your shoulder and just know somebody's watching at all times, like any mistake. And you don't want to lock in something like a slasher, just like that. So you guys got to be doing that one to everyone a lot better. No matter what, you just know that somebody right behind you try and get you a spot, and if you don't, it's up for grabs at that point."
Three takeaways from episode one of "All-Access with Syracuse Football" (orangefizz.net; Burstein)
Hard Knocks has captured the attention of NFL fans for years, bringing viewers closer to the training camp of a new team each season. Now Syracuse football has their own version.
“All-Access with Syracuse Football” premiered on ACC Network Monday night, with the first episode chronicling Syracuse’s off-season and the start of training camp. Here’s three takeaways.
The coaching decision
Of all the changes for Syracuse entering the 2024 season, the biggest one will be on the sideline. When Fran Brown was named head coach in November, it jump started the Orange’s offseason and episode one gave more insight into the coaching change.
One of the more interesting interviews in the show was with Syracuse Athletic Director John Wildhack. He said he started to realize a change may be needed at coach after SU’s 38-10 loss to Virginia Tech last year.
Wildhack continued to say that he soon saw Brown as more than a recruiter. For Brown, he knew that he wanted to come up north eventually. He called Wildhack to put his name in the pool and the rest is history.
A chip on their shoulder
A lot of Fran Brown’s early recruiting wins have come in the northeast. A New Jersey native himself, he sees a fire inside of players from his home region.
“When you recruit a kid from the northeast you’re going to get guys with a chip on their shoulder,” Brown said. So his goal was to get the top players from New York and surrounding states and grow from there.
The result? A well-knitted team. Zeed Haynes, a transfer wide receiver from Georgia who’s a Philadelphia native, said the chemistry has boomed because a lot of players are from the same area.
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Syracuse Football 2024 Roster Update: Key Players to Watch (orangefizz.net; Staff)
As the Syracuse Orange gear up for the 2024 football season, fans are buzzing with excitement over the latest roster updates. The team now features 107 players, showcasing new talent, including both freshmen and transfer students.
One noteworthy change is the transition of former quarterback Braden Davis, who will now play as a wide receiver. This shift comes after he demonstrated his receiving skills during the final days of spring practice. With Davis’s experience and versatility, he is sure to be a player to keep an eye on this season.
In this update, we’ll dive deeper into the roster changes and spotlight key players who are expected to make an impact on the field.
Backup Quarterback and Roster Surprises
With the 2024 season approaching, Syracuse University’s quarterback situation is shaping up with some fresh faces and interesting changes. In support of Ohio State transfer and starter Kyle McCord, the Orange will lean on Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, a promising backup, along with freshman Jakhari Williams and Michael Johnson Jr., who has moved back to quarterback after recovering from an injury. Johnson initially joined the team as an athlete but is expected to make a strong impact in his original position.
On the defensive side, linebacker Kadin Bailey is missing from the updated roster, which comes as a surprise. While his absence isn’t critical, given the team’s shift to a 4-2-5 defensive scheme that reduces the number of starting linebacker spots, it’s still an unwelcome development. Bailey demonstrated his potential during his time at SU, particularly in the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl, where he recorded five tackles and a sack. With two years of eligibility left and the transfer portal closed for the season, his future on the field remains uncertain.
In a lighter update, senior tight end Max Mang has changed his jersey number from #81 to #0, marking his second number change in four years. As he continues to settle into his role with the team, fans will be watching closely to see how these roster changes affect team dynamics and performance this season.
Where is Kadin Bailey?
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Kadin Bailey, once a rising star for the Syracuse Orange, has been noticeably absent from the updated 2024 roster. Fans remember him for his standout performance during the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl, where he made a significant impact by sacking Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.
Despite showing great potential on the field, his future now seems uncertain. The team is adapting to a new defensive strategy with fewer linebacker spots available, which might explain his absence. Without Bailey, the Orange will need to rely on their remaining defensive players to step up.
As the season unfolds, keeping an eye on NFL odds might give fans some insight into how these changes affect Syracuse’s chances against tough opponents and their overall performance.
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Syracuse football’s backup QB dilemma: Planning for the unexpected (247sports.com; Wainscott)
As Syracuse football passes the midpoint of its preseason camp, excitement is building around starting quarterback Kyle McCord. Known for his strong arm and ability to connect with key playmakers like Oronde Gadsden and Dan Villari, McCord has the potential to lead a formidable Orange offense. With a skilled ensemble of tight ends, receivers, and backs at his disposal, expectations are high for an all-ACC performance. Yet, the question looms large: what happens if McCord is sidelined?
The Syracuse coaching staff, led by Coach Brown, finds itself grappling with the challenge of a "wide open" backup QB position. Amid this competitive atmosphere, Quarterbacks Coach Nunzio Campanile provided insights into how the group is handling the uncertainty: "I think we've made great strides. I think we're doing a great job of getting a lot of guys work, a lot of guys reps... ball distribution is really good," Coach campanile said. "I think the quarterbacks did a nice job of spreading the ball around, and we were able to see what all those guys could do," highlighting the progress being made.
Among the contenders for the backup role is Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, a redshirt junior who has been with the Orange for the last two seasons after transferring in from the University of Florida. Del Rio-Wilson has shown potential in limited appearances, completing just over half of his pass attempts at SU. His performance, though not stellar, includes a 10-for-13 showing against Colgate in a game that Syracuse dominated easily, highlighting his capability in controlled situations. However, his struggles against ACC opponents—like a difficult outing against Boston College where he went 7-for-17 with four interceptions—have left doubts about his readiness for high-stakes games. Despite these previous challenges, Coach Campanile remains positive about the progress Del Rio-Wilson has made.
Also in the mix are redshirt senior Michael Johnson Jr. and true freshman Jakhari Williams. Johnson Jr., a dynamic transfer from Penn State and Florida Atlantic, has minimal passing experience but offers versatility and a unique perspective having previously played wide receiver. His athleticism and understanding of the game from a receiver's perspective make him an intriguing option. Reflecting on Johnson Jr.'s rapid adaptation to the team's strategies, Coach Campanile feels that he has qualities fit to assume the number two spot.
"Mike, you know, having just stepped into this offense, really impressed with how intelligent he is, really dynamic athlete," Coach Campanile said.
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No Games, Just Gains: Derek McDonald’s 2024 Season Focus (247sports.com; Racine)
The Syracuse linebackers are making preparations for the 2024 season and looking for guys to step up and lead. Coach Fran Brown has his eyes on linebackers who could emerge as leaders for these new defensive schemes, and redshirt junior Derek McDonald is a linebacker that Coach Brown says is moving in the right direction.
"He will be a leader; he just has to keep working. He does everything right," said Coach Brown.
McDonald was a key player for Syracuse's corps rotation defense last season and hopes to continue that into this season. After overcoming injuries his freshman year, McDonald knew it
was inevitable for them to keep flaring up, and he did not want it to hold him back from being a defensive leader for this team.
"I think I just learned to be a little more safe, but kind of take care of my body and be preventive enough to prevent all those injuries from happening," said McDonald.
He is now healthy and ready to take charge this season. With his co-leadership with senior linebacker Marlowe Wax, it means everything to McDonald to have that vet experience to help lead the huddle of fresh young faces like freshman Jayden Brown and Fatim Diggs.
"This is his (Marlowe Wax) 5th year, my 4th year; kind of just seeing everything we have gone through, putting in so much work, having Fran come in, and kind of seeing where things are going... It's really exciting for us," said McDonald.
McDonald knows getting this young linebacker room to buy into the transformation of the program is super important, and Coach Fran Brown agrees as well and thinks he's the perfect
kid for the job.
"He's a great person; just a good character kid; just all around, I mean, he is who you want on the football field. He's who you want to represent you," said Coach Brown.
McDonald stands out as a pivotal contributor to this new and improved Syracuse defense. With a renewed focus on his personal health and leadership on and off the field, McDonald is in position to help anchor the defense this season and represent the Orange.
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Impact players Barron and Diggs set standard for Syracuse defense (247sports.com; Wainscott)
As Syracuse football passes the midway point of preseason camp, the defense stands out as a unit ready to shine. While some position groups are still finding their footing and struggling with depth, the defense remains the backbone of the team, anchored by a strong tradition and a head coach who knows defensive football inside and out. After four losing seasons in the last five years, Syracuse is counting on its defense to lead the charge this year, with two key players set to play crucial leadership roles: veteran safety Justin Barron and transfer defensive end Fadil Diggs.
Head Coach Fran Brown, formerly the defensive backs coach at Georgia, has made it clear that his defensive philosophy is built around winning at the line of scrimmage. That's where Fadil Diggs comes into the picture. Standing at 6'5", Diggs brings the perfect blend of size, speed, and aggression to Syracuse's defensive front. A two-time captain at Texas A&M, Diggs arrives in Syracuse with not just raw talent but also the leadership qualities that make him an immediate impact player. His presence is expected to elevate the entire defense, and with his younger brother, Fatim Diggs, also on the roster, Fadil's leadership by example will be crucial for the Orange.
The Orange's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Coach Wright, says Fadil Diggs has quickly established himself as a leader on the defense. Despite being a transfer, his poise and experience are already inspiring the younger players on the team.
"You know, Fadil was at Texas A&M with us, so he has a good idea of what this defense needs to look like," Wright said. "And the main thing is: living up to the standard. Then the young guys will see that. More than anything you can tell them [younger players], that speaks volumes."
Diggs has quickly become a role model, setting the bar high and showing the younger guys how it's done. Just as pivotal for the Orange's success, Justin Barron returns as a cornerstone for the secondary. Following the coaching changes, Barron nearly entered the transfer portal, but after a pivotal conversation with Coach Brown, he decided to stay. Brown recognized Barron's critical role and the respect he commands within the defense, making it clear that losing a player of his caliber was not an option. Barron acknowledges the high expectations Coach Brown has for him as a leader of the defense.
"Coach Fran's put a lot of pressure on me to become more vocal. He's really made it a focal point for me to step up in that role and lead this defense, both on and off the field," Barron said. This challenge to become a more vocal leader has resonated with Barron, who is embracing his expanded role with confidence and determination.
In 2023, Barron was the highest-graded safety in the ACC according to PFF, and one of only eight safeties to achieve a 75+ grade in Run Defense, Coverage, and Pass Rush. His 90 tackles last season were the most by a Syracuse defensive back in over 25 years. Barron's standout stats from last year underscore his impact: whenever he's on the field, productivity spikes. During preseason camp, the coaching staff has ensured Barron is featured prominently, getting plenty of reps. Barron's versatility—whether he's playing deep in coverage or stepping up into the box— makes him a key asset to the Orange's defensive plans.
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Syracuse Football's Fran Brown is stealing recruits from SEC territory (southboundanddown.com; Bartell)
Former Georgia assistant Fran Brown is hot on the recruiting trail. And he is no longer doing it for the University of Georgia where he ranked as the recruiter of the year by 247 Sports in 2023. Now, he has continued on to be the head coach of the Syracuse Orange in Syracuse, New York. Although far removed from the SEC footprint, Brown is still making waves in SEC territory.
Fran Brown has a recruiting pipeline in the state of Georgia
Year over year, it is no secret that a lot of the best talent comes from the southeastern United States. When Brown was defensive backs coach at Georgia under Kirby Smart, it was not really difficult to recruit that talent as they were already in the geographic footprint. However, Brown continuing his blaze on the recruiting trail pulling players from the southeast from the state of New York is remaining impressive.
Brown currently has the Orange as the 36th ranked recruiting class for 2025 according to 247 Sports. This includes 28 commits. After only being in seat for a few weeks before early signing day for the 2024 class, Brown was able to pull in the 37th ranked class according to On3.
Fran Brown signed four players out of the state of Georgia in 2024
Jamie Tremble: Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II is entering his final season for the Orange in 2024, so it was imperative the Orange find a replacement tight end. Brown did just that signing one of two four-star recruits in Jamie Tremble out of Norcross, Georgia as part of the 2024 class. Tremble ranked as the 16th best tight end nationally.
KingJoseph Edwards: Brown also pulled in four-star KingJoseph Edwards out of Hoschton, Georgia. The six-foot-three inch edge rusher ranked as the 50th best prospect in the state of Georgia, which is loaded with talent every year.
Jakhari Williams: Although not a four-star, quarterback Jakhari Williams is Syracuse’s biggest quarterback recruit since Donovan McNabb in the mid 1990’s. William’s dual threat ability will make him a force to be reckoned with in Syracuse. And the good news for Williams is he will be able to sit behind starting quarterback Kyle McCord in 2024 who transferred in from Ohio State.
Fran Brown has relationships with high school coaches in Georgia
The fact that Brown pulled all three of these players out of the Atlanta area tells you that he has the relationships. And beyond Smart, other SEC coaches should be concerned about this as well. If the Orange start winning more games under Brown, one of the biggest recruiting hot beds in the SEC could start belonging to the ACC sooner rather than later.
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Syracuse football 2024 opponent preview: UConn Huskies (TNIAAM; Ostrowski)
We’ve officially wrapped up the road portion of our Syracuse Orange opponent previews, as following SU’s long trip west to another beautiful campus at Cal Berkeley, they’ll be home to stay until postseason play. This next team hails from the hallowed Big East, first of old, then of new in the American, and now back to the original in all their sports... except this one. One of the last surviving football programs without a conference is the second-to-last Orange opponent in the Dome, one that many wish would also visit when the basketball court is out (or at least meet at MSG).
UConn Huskies
School: University of Connecticut - StorrsNickname: Huskies
Mascots: Jonathan the Husky (costume); Jonathan XV (Jonathan XIV retired in March)
#BRAND Slogans: #CTFootball, #BleedBlue, #PackTheRent
Alternate #BRAND Slogan Suggestions: #IndeFootball, #MoraMagic, or “Less in Storrs”
Recommended Blog: The UConn Blog
Conference: Independent
History vs. Syracuse: The series is even at 6-6, with SU looking to regain the lead for the first time since 2006. The Orange defeated the Huskies 48-14 on the back of a five-touchdown day by Garrett Shrader in their last meeting; the game before that, it was Eric Dungey who had five scores in a ‘Cuse win. Both sides own a 4-2 record while playing at home. Future meetings are also scheduled for 2025 (at SU) and 2026 (at UConn).
Coach: Jim L. Mora, third season. Before taking over a beleaguered Huskies program, Mora had some success in both the NFL and college. He spent six years (2012-17) leading UCLA, during which the Bruins made four Bowl games and finished in the AP Top-25 twice. However, back-to-back subpar seasons led to his early dismissal. Before that, he coached the Atlanta Falcons for three years (2004-06) and the Seattle Seahawks for one (2009), the highlight of which was making it to the 04-05 NFC Championship. During gaps between his coaching jobs, Mora spent time on broadcast teams for NFL Network, FOX Sports, and ESPN.
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #14, QB AJ Miller Fowler)
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.
We’re moving into the summer additions now, so let’s meet...
Name: AJ Miller
Position: Quarterback
Year: Freshman
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 198 lbs
Hometown: Rye, NJ
High School: Rye High School
High School stats:
Miller finished his high school career with nearly 6,000 passing yards (63-percent completion rate) and 55 touchdown. His senior season he threw for almost 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
2024 projections:
The Rye, New York native will likely redshirt his freshman season, considering the depth SU has at QB this year. That being said, Miller’s progression is definitely something to keep an eye on — his larger size and throwing ability make him an idle candidate to jump into the rotation after some time in Fran’s system.
How’d he get here?: Joined the Orange as a PWO.
What’d recruiting sites say?: No rankings
Social Media Info:
Twittter: @ajmiller_01
Instagram: @ajmiller44
x.com
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Interesting nugget o’interest: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is also an alum of Rye HS.
Let’s get a look at ya: Let’s roll the Hudl footage
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Ohio Football Fall Camp Day 12 | Thoughts From Defensive Coordinator John Hauser - Ohio University (ohiobobcats.com)
Ohio football's defensive coordinator John Hauser met with Ohio Athletics' Sam Hyman yesterday (Aug. 12). They discussed the defenses' progress so far, positives coming out of the team's first scrimmage and what he's enjoyed in his first Fall Camp overseeing the entire defensive unit.
On observations on the defense so far
"I think our guys, they're playing hard. We're a new looking group with a lot of new faces, but our kids have been playing hard and I've been pleased with their ability to get to the ball and have a desire to get to the ball. We've been preaching it a lot. I know our assistant coaches have been all over it— that's kind of our mantra. They bought into that which I'm pleased with."
On positives from the first scrimmage of fall camp
"I like how we tackled. I thought we tackled better than we have a lot of times in first scrimmages in space. It's another thing we've been working on a ton; we don't go live every day, so that's a point of emphasis for us when we are in tag off of getting in position. But I thought our tackling was really good in space. I saw a couple frontals that we could have been better on, but I was pleased with our ability to get guys on the ground."
On current defensive focuses
I think it's the basics still – we stick with the basics. Pursuit getting to the ball, tackling and block destruction, but it's also about the install slowed down now and we have about everything in. So, the details of the position situational football: down in distance, how we want you to play this technique depending on what the down in distance is, what the offensive formation is telling us. It's starting to get into the knowledge of what the offense is doing. We have to know what we're doing, now it's, 'Hey, what can give our guys an advantage to knowing what's coming,' and things like that."
On his favorite part about being the defensive coordinator
"It's just the relationships. Before, I had 10 to 12 guys that I was their primary position coach. Now, just having a relationship with different guys now— all the defensive lineman, the linebackers, being able to get to know those guys better, see what makes them tick and just get feedback from them, from their perspective which I didn't really do as the as the safeties coach. I was only concerned about my guys. I know what I want it to look like and getting that message sent to all [starting] 11 and everybody on defense, just getting the message sent how I want it to look. The assistant coaches do a great job of relaying that message as well.
What Sean Tucker Has Learned In Year 2 - JoeBucsFan.com (joebucsfan.com)
Last year on draft weekend, Bucs fans got all excited when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed free agent running back Sean Tucker.
The only thing Joe knew about Tucker was that he went to Syracuse and had a heart ailment that pushed him off draft boards. Watching Syracuse football is not way up on Joe’s fall Saturday priorities.
Joe was tipped off that helmethair Mel Kiper of BSPN was a big fan of Tucker’s. So there’s that. And Chris Simms of NBC Sports had him has a top-5 running back in the draft.
Tucker couldn’t work out in underwear football last year because of his illness. He was given the green light to fully participate in training camp.
Tucker was pretty invisible last year. And Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” from Indianapolis that Tucker had a lot of work to do in order to secure a spot on the 2024 roster.
Tucker has been running hard in training camp, especially when he runs off-tackle. That continued in Saturday’s worthless preseason game. Tucker even had the longest run of the game for the Bucs at 26 yards
So Joe found it interesting yesterday when Tucker was asked at One Buc Palace yesterday why he’s having success early in training camp.
So was Tucker saying he wasn’t coached up last year? That’s just what it sounds like to Joe. If he didn’t know how to read a defense, there was certainly some sort of disconnect between Tucker and coaches.“I would say just being able to read a defense and knowing the scheme that we’re in and using it to my advantage,” Tucker said.
Was Tucker sleeping in meetings? Did coaches last year give up on Tucker? This is all very interesting to Joe.
For whatever reason, Joe thinks it’s good that Tucker is learning his craft this year. A team can always use a running back who busts his tail and hits the hole hard. Especially a team that has been terrible running the ball the past two seasons.https://www.facebook.com/share.php?...24/08/what-sean-tucker-has-learned-in-year-2/
x.com
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ACC News
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/56...2024-predictions-clemson-florida-state-miami/ (the athletic; $; Mandel)
Though the ACC rarely has been a deep conference, it’s usually good for one elite team — think James Winston’s Florida State squads, Clemson with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence or last year’s Noles.
That does not appear to be the case in 2024.
If an ACC team reaches the Final Four of the first 12-team College Football Playoff, it will mean either Mike Norvell reloaded in a hurry after losing the bulk of last year’s 13-win squad; Dabo Swinney engineered a resurgence without the help of the portal; or Mario Cristobal became the rare recent Miami coach to deliver on the hype.
After that comes a cluster of schools — 2023 runner-up Louisville, forever on-the-cusp NC State and sleeper Virginia Tech — any of which could rise and win the conference if the first three fall flat. I don’t see Georgia Tech winning it, but the Jackets should be decent.
After that … there are a whole lot of rebuilding programs, most either with new coaches (Boston College, Syracuse, Duke) or downward-trending coaches (North Carolina, Pitt).
ACC predictions
Team | ACC record | Overall record |
---|---|---|
FSU | 7-1 | 10-2 |
UM | 7-1 | 9-3 |
VT | 6-2 | 10-2 |
Clemson | 6-2 | 9-3 |
NC State | 6-2 | 9-3 |
UL | 6-2 | 8-4 |
GT | 5-3 | 7-5 |
UNC | 4-4 | 7-5 |
SMU | 3-5 | 6-6 |
Syracuse | 3-5 | 6-6 |
WF | 3-5 | 6-6 |
BC | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Stanford | 3-5 | 5-7 |
Cal | 2-6 | 5-7 |
UVa | 2-6 | 4-8 |
Duke | 1-7 | 4-8 |
Pitt | 1-7 | 3-9 |
Thoughts on top contenders
Florida State: The Noles aren’t lacking talent, especially on defense, but they’ll go only as far as DJ Uiagalelei can take them. His ceiling the past four years was not nearly that of Jordan Travis, but it would be one heck of a redemption story if the player Clemson benched in the 2022 ACC title game leads FSU to a win there this year....
3 things to know about the ACC: Can anyone crash the Florida State and Clemson party? (yahoo.com; Bromberg)
Winning your conference is very important in the era of the expanded College Football Playoff.
The top four conference champions will receive byes to the second round of the 12-team postseason. With just four power conferences remaining following the demise of the Pac-12, a conference title is essentially a guaranteed off week.
With the 2024 season quickly approaching, here's a look at the ACC. Will someone other than Florida State or Clemson make a run at the title?
ACC champion odds
- Florida State (+275)
- Clemson (+350)
- Miami (+450)
- NC State (+700)
- Louisville (+800)
- Virginia Tech (+1000)
- SMU (+1400)
- North Carolina (+2200)
- Syracuse (+2500)
- California (+8000)
- Georgia Tech (+10000)
- Duke (+10000)
- Pitt (+10000)
- Boston College (+12500)
- Virginia (+15000)
- Wake Forest (+25000)
- Stanford (+50000)
A clear top three?
Is the ACC going to be won by either Clemson or Florida State again in 2024? Since Virginia Tech won the conference in 2010, Pittsburgh (2021) is the only team outside of Clemson and FSU to win an ACC title. Over the past 13 seasons, Clemson has won eight titles while the Seminoles won their fourth a season ago.
FSU’s title last season came as the ACC moved away from its divisional format. The Seminoles didn’t play the Tigers in the title game though. Clemson was just 4-4 in conference play and Louisville finished second to FSU.
The Seminoles are the favorites to repeat after adding DJ Uiagalelei to replace Jordan Travis at quarterback. The former Clemson and Oregon State QB is in his final season of college football and will have plenty to work with at FSU even though players like Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Trey Benson need to be replaced.
Florida State’s defense should be very strong again after allowing less than 20 points per game and tallying 46 sacks in 2023. The unit added defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. from Georgia and LB Shawn Murphy and DB Earl Little are two of five transfers overall from Alabama.
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Cam Ward is the ACC preseason player of the year. Without throwing a pass yet, he's Miami's leader (apnews.com; Reynolds)
Practice was over. The Miami Hurricanes gathered at midfield to hear a few words from coach Mario Cristobal, who summed up his thoughts about the workout and talked about what would happen next.
Everyone the started going their separate ways. Except the offense.
Cam Ward had a few words for that group. They were not happy words. There were things about the workout that the new Miami quarterback — and Atlantic Coast Conference preseason player of the year — didn’t like, things he didn’t find acceptable, things he didn’t think were at the standard the 19th-ranked Hurricanes are setting for themselves. So, he let his teammates know. They all nodded. They knew he was right.
Cristobal, watching from a few yards away, was loving what he saw and heard. Ward — a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who transferred in from Washington State after flirting with the NFL this past spring — is 0 for 0 as a Miami quarterback, with zero yards and zero touchdowns. Hasn’t played a game as a Hurricane yet. But it’s already his team.
“He does that by being himself and through work and by being a good person,” Cristobal said. “Those things keep showing up as being undefeated, right? He puts in the time, he’s super knowledgeable, has a super-high IQ. He’s a complete alpha. When he’s wrong, he takes it right on the chin like he should. And when someone else is not living up to the standard or upholding the standard, he’s going to get all over them. He’s going to teach, but he’s also going to be very demanding.”
Ward’s numbers are exceptional. He threw for 311 yards per game last season and in his four college seasons — two at FCS member Incarnate Word, the next two at Washington State — he’s piled up 13,876 yards and 119 touchdowns. The only quarterback in college football entering this season, at any level, with more career yards is Oregon transfer Dillon Gabriel, who has 14,865.
And if the Hurricanes are going to make a run this season, Ward will be among the biggest reasons why.
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Virginia Tech football 2024 preview: Quarterback (gobblercountry.com; Manning)
The Virginia Tech Hokies have been in no man's land for several years at the game's most important position. The Hokies' failure to adequately address the quarterback position has been a problem since the end of the Logan Thomas era. Jerod Evans in 2016 had a good season, but instead of returning for his senior season, Evans bolted for the NFL draft and was not selected.
Whether it has been recruits or transfers, Tech found no consistency at quarterback, and the team's record mirrored its quarterback play. However, head coach Brent Pry finally found a quarterback in December 2022 when he landed Kyron Drones — a transfer from Baylor with three of eligibility.
Grant Wells began last year as the quarterback but was out after two weeks due to injury. Even if Wells could've returned last season, the job already belonged to Drones.
Now, the 6-foot-2, 234-pound Drones is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC and perhaps the country. The Hokies had 20 starters return from last year's team that won five of the last seven games, but make no mistake; Drones is Virginia Tech's most critical player in 2024.
Our latest positional preview for the upcoming season looks at the quarterback position.
The quarterbacks
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Projected starter
There is no debate this year: Drones is the man. When he took over Virginia Tech's offense last season, Drones changed it. While he started a bit slow, some was due to offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen adjusting to calling an offense around Drones. Once the two became comfortable with one another, Drones' dual-threat ability lifted Tech's offense to a different level....
Did This ESPN Analyst Cross The Line With His Florida State Commentary? | AP Top 25 Omissions (youtube; podcast; Locked on ACC)
When asked which team inside the Associated Press top ten will finish the season unranked, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum did not hesitate when saying it will be the Florida State Seminoles. Finebaum is unconvinced about how FSU’s defense will be after losing key defensive lineman to the NFL Draft and how transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will fill the shoes of Jordan Travis. Finebaum added the comment, “And I think they also have a hangover. I think they used up too many tears crying about not getting in the playoffs and that may slow them down a little bit this year.”
Did Finebaum take it too far with the cheap shot at the end?
Hosts Alex Donno and Kenton Gibbs break it down, and the guys debate whether the ACC should have had more teams inside the top 25 in addition to Florida State (10), Clemson (14), Miami (19) and NC State (24). Donno runs through an explanation from a lawyer about the nuts and bolts of how mediation works. Florida State and the ACC are currently in mediation, as reported by Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. Florida State is suing the conference in an attempt to break the league’s Grant of Rights agreement.
2024 ACC Football Season Previews | Syracuse Orange with Emily Leiker of Syracuse.com! (youtube; podcast; Basketball Conference)
Our season previews continue with a trip to Upstate New York, where Emily Leiker (@emleiker) of Syracuse.com joins to talk about the Orange in 2024!
The ACC Has A College Football Playoff Problem! (youtube; podcast; The Monty Show)
The Monty Show is talking about the latest AP Top 25 Poll, the first of the college football season, and the ACC Conference has a very tough path to putting two football teams in the College Football Playoff. Did the AP Top 25 Poll get it right? Did the ACC get screwed? Did the BIG 12 fare any better? The Advocates are experienced injury attorneys who will fight for the settlement you deserve without collecting a dime from you! Chat with an attorney NOW online for free! www.TheAdvocates.com
2024 ACC & Notre Dame Football Predictions & Picks with Paul Stone (youtube; podcast; Sports Better's Paradise)
The Atlantic Coast Conference introduces new teams nationwide for the 2024 NCAA Football season. Paul Stone (Paul Stone Sports) joins Jimmy Ott to share their favorite future bets & angles on the ACC, along with Notre Dame. Does the 12-team College Football Playoff format benefit the new-look league? Primary teams discussed: Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Pittsburgh Panthers, Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles, Louisville Cardinals, Duke Blue Devils, and North Carolina Tar Heels.
00:00 Notre Dame's easy schedule
06:30 Pittsburgh Panthers win total 5.5
08:56 Miami Hurricanes has a favorable schedule, too
14:20 West Virginia v Pittsburgh
17:00 More wins: Florida St. or Utah?
20:20 Will Louisville win 8 games?
22:38 Duke's devilish conference schedule
26:40 North Carolina +3300
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m66NtB6MaPA (youtube; podcast; Locked on Big 12)
West Virginia PLEADS for ACC Schools to be Added to Expansion Big 12 | Pittsburgh, Louisville, Miami
https://www.frogsowar.com/2024/8/13...ll-win-more-acc-games-than-multiple-acc-teams (frogsowar.com; North)
TCU Football will play 11 games vs. opponents from Power 4 conferences in 2024: non-conference games at Stanford and SMU of the ACC along with a nine-game Big 12 schedule. It’s a slate that will certainly challenge a Horned Frogs squad that missed a bowl game in 2023 after reaching the National Championship following the 2022 season. TCU was picked tenth in the preseason Big 12 poll and is projected for only 7.5 wins this season per DraftKings - it’s fair to say the national expectations are tepid at best for the Horned Frogs in 2024, so any prediction of success can probably be considered a hot take. After making bold predictions for the Big 12 last week, it’s time to go out on a limb with a hot take for the Horned Frogs season that is sure to land on Freezing Cold Takes should TCU falter during non-conference play.
TCU will win more ACC games than multiple ACC teams
On the TCU side of this prediction, the Horned Frogs get two road games vs. ACC foes, traveling to Palo Alto, CA for the season opener vs. Stanford and a trip to Dallas to Battle for the Iron Skillet vs. SMU in Week 4. Stanford is entering the second season of the Troy Taylor era, bringing back breakout star receiver Elic Ayomanor, an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a redshirt freshman. However, the Cardinal ranked dead last in defensive performance in the Pac 12 and bottom-three in the league on offense. It won’t be an easy contest, and TCU was upset as a heavy favorite in the season opener in 2023, but as 8.5-point road favorites per DraftKings , TCU is projected to emerge victorious. The more difficult game on paper for the Horned Frogs will be cross-metroplex rivalry showdown vs. the Mustangs, in the final scheduled edition of the rivalry to be played in Dallas. SMU is projected to have its best team in four decades now in its first season in a power conference, with major returning talent including high-pedigree prospects and All-AAC QB Preston Stone. All preseason projection models have the Ponies as a favorite: SP+ has SMU as 4-points better on a neutral field, Beta Rank shows TCU as a 4.78-point underdog, and KFord gives TCU just a 35% chance at the win. The Horned Frogs will have to roll into Gerald J. Ford Stadium as an underdog and pull off the upset to earn this ACC victory. However SMU has only won the Iron Skillet four times this millennium - two of which came while current TCU head coach Sonny Dykes was leading the Ponies - and has not defeated TCU in Dallas since 2005. Despite all the suggestions of the spreadsheets, I’ll suggest the Frogs have a great chance to pick up another ACC win, for a total of two during the regular season, with possibility to add more in a bowl game or Playoff scenario.
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https://accfootballrx.blogspot.com/2024/08/links-news-and-rumors-2024-aug-13.html (RX; HM)
Links, News and Rumors 2024 Aug 13
From the Extra Points article "Here's why I expect conference realignment to slow down in the near future" by Matt Brown,
...This cycle isn't like the last few cycles... based on what I have been reading and hearing from around the industry, I think the realignment landscape right now is fundamentally different from last year... we have conditions that make any realignment less likely... Here’s why I think we’re headed for a few more months of actual realignment calm…
The ACC situation... If the ACC’s Grant of Rights is held up as legally enforceable, it would cost in the neighborhood of $500 million [to leave]... this isn’t a normal situation... There’s really no incentive for the ACC to try to settle... Unless some outside party... decides to drop a massive amount of money to essentially buy an expedited solution, what happens to the two major brands [FSU and Clemson], and ACC, depends on the legal system [which will take time].
The more interesting question, to me, is... where Florida State and Clemson, think they’re going if they leave the ACC. Last month, Brett McMurphy reported... that the Big Ten or SEC were “unlikely” to take either school if the ACC continued to survive... Essentially, the TV money doesn’t increase enough for the B1G or SEC to make the addition work, and there are concerns about how “disruptive a partner” Florida State might be for either league.
https://accfootballrx.blogspot.com/2024/08/2024-top-10-pretenders.html (RX; HM)
2024 Top 10 Pretenders
Which teams are just posing this year?
From the article
CBS Sports staff picks five early frontrunners that could finish season unranked
Some team always seems to start the football season in the top 10 and proceed to lay an egg every year. In fact, 19 teams have pulled that "trick" over the last 9 seasons - including 3 ACC teams plus Notre Dame:
Preseason top 10 teams that finished unranked since 2015
Year | School | Initial ranking |
2023 | USC | 6 |
2022 | Texas A&M | 6 |
2022 | Oklahoma | 9 |
2022 | Baylor | 10 |
2021 | Texas A&M | 6 |
2021 | Iowa State | 7 |
2021 | North Carolina | 10 |
2020 | LSU | 6 |
2020 | Penn State | 7 |
2020 | Oregon | 9 |
2018 | Wisconsin | 4 |
2018 | Miami (FL) | 8 |
2018 | Auburn | 9 |
2017 | Florida State | 3 |
2016 | Notre Dame | 10 |
2015 | Auburn | 6 |
2015 | USC | 8 |
2015 | Georgia | 9 |
Who is most likely to choke this year?
CBS Sports staff picked the following 5 teams from the Top 10:- #4 Texas
- #5 Alabama
- #7 Notre Dame
- #9 Michigan
- #10 Florida St
https://accfootballrx.blogspot.com/2024/08/2024-ap-propaganda-started-already.html (RX; HM)
2024 AP Propaganda Started Already
I plan to post a "links" article for East Coast lunch time, but first I just had to post my comments on this blatant propaganda piece in the AP College Football newsletter email today. First, what was written:
AP Poll shows Big Ten, SEC are eating college football
Good morning sports fans, I’m Dan Lyons. The consolidation of power in college football is no secret, but the sheer extent to which the Big Ten and SEC have separated themselves at the top of the sport remains jarring. Monday’s preseason AP Top 25 release is the latest proof that the sport is irrevocably shifting toward a Power 2, with everyone else, even the expanded ACC and Big 12, gunning for a distant third place.
Of the 25 teams to crack the season’s initial ranking, 15 teams hail from the Big Ten or SEC, including three new members (No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Texas, No. 16 Oklahoma). That is a significant jump from previous years...
That's all well and good, but it's also very misleading. By lumping the Big Ten in with the SEC, the author makes it seem like those two conferences are equally dominating the AP college football poll, when, in fact, only one of them is.
SEC | 9 | ========= |
B1G | 6 | ====== |
XII | 5 | ===== |
ACC | 4 | ==== |
The Big XII has one more ranked team than the ACC, and the Big Ten only has one more than the Big XII... it's the SEC that stands apart (as they have for the last 20 years) with THREE more than the B1G. To classify the Big Ten with the SEC rather than with the Big XII and ACC is... propaganda.
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Other
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A chicken bacon ranch pizza from The Pizza Cutters, the 32nd stop of our CNY Pizza Tour. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)
https://www.syracuse.com/food/2024/...known-for-its-wings-lives-up-to-its-name.html (PS; $; Miller)
A pizzeria in Lyncourt has been making a name for itself with its, ahem, chicken wings.
The Pizza Cutters won the championship “Golden Wing” trophy at this year’s Battle of the Wings in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor. It was named the specialty Buffalo Wing King award at the 2023 festival. And it’s the only Central New York wing purveyor to compete in next year’s national wing festival in Buffalo.
So what about the pizza?
“Trust me, pizza is our passion,” owner Sal Mere said while prepping for Monday’s lunch rush. “We have something here for everyone: deep Chicago style, thin New York style and Detroit style. What do you want? I’ll make it for you.”
Pizza Cutters opened its first shop on Court Street in 2017 as a takeout-only restaurant. When the lease ran out, Sal bought this larger building on New Court Avenue. It had been home to several short-lived restaurants over the years, including Bob’s Barkers brick-and-mortar hot dog stand and the Koffee King Cafe.
He’s since sunk around $200,000 into the dining room, new appliances and an open-flame pizza oven that can reach 900 degrees. He also bought the land behind the restaurant. He’s planning on adding a bar with outdoor volleyball courts.
“I’m trying to reverse the Bob Barker curse,” he said. “So far, it seems to be working well.”
To beat that negative spell, Sal said he’ll continue to serve his award-winning wings, and he wants his business to live up to its name.
OK, Mr. Pizza Cutter, show me what’s in a name ...
Address: The Pizza Cutters, 3712 New Court Ave., Syracuse. (315) 455-5111
Do they deliver: Yes, and they have a large dining room and plenty of seating in the patio out front if you choose to eat it here. You can order online here for pickup or delivery.
What I ate: A large chicken bacon ranch pizza.
Why this pizza? Hey, it’s what the owner suggested. It’s popular here. Who am I to disagree?
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https://www.syracuse.com/statefair/...he-bear-iconic-sandwich-for-the-nys-fair.html (PS; Miller)
While testing 50-plus pizza recipes for his stand at this year’s New York State Fair, Nick Sanford quickly zeroed in on his favorite.
It was five months ago that Sanford, the owner of Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza restaurants, chose the Chicago Beef Pizza as his top choice for his Fair specialty menu.
This pizza is modeled after the Italian beef sandwich featured in the hit restaurant-based show “The Bear.” It’s a hot, sweet and juicy sandwich made with thinly sliced meat, peppers and bread.
“Like most people in this business, I love ‘The Bear.’ Actually I’m obsessed with ‘The Bear,’” Sanford said Monday night while unveiling his lineup of specialty pizzas. “I think we did a great job turning that sandwich into a pizza.”
Since it started wood-firing pizzas at the New York State Fair eight years ago, Toss & Fire has tailored a menu based on the year’s culinary trends.
Sanford showed off this year’s pizzas to a group of local foodies and journalists at his North Syracuse restaurant. He will cook these 10- to 11-inch flatbreads in the wood-burning oven inside his two food trucks and a standalone oven in the back of Chevy Court. He’s taking over the extra-large spot held by the Gianelli Sausage / Dinosaur Bar-B-Que stand for more than two decades.
He also will be serving beer and wine slushies from his stand.
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An assembly technician attaches a fast test fitting onto a finished compressor on the test line at Bitzer Scroll.2011 photo by Mike Greenlar | syracuse.com
https://www.syracuse.com/business/2...uction-of-heat-pump-components-in-dewitt.html (PS; $; Moriarty)
Bitzer Scroll Inc. is getting a $5 million federal grant to increase its production of electric heat pump components at its factory in DeWitt, an expansion that is expected to create 20 new jobs.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-NY, announced the grant Monday. He said the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Heat Pump Defense Production Act Program, which is designed to boost U.S. production of energy-efficient heat pumps.
Schumer said demand for heat pumps is surging because of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides rebates and tax credits to encourage the use of heat pumps in homes and other buildings, lowering their energy costs. The Department of Energy program is aimed at making sure U.S. producers supply the new demand, he said.
“We created historic new clean energy rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act to help families lower costs and upgrade their homes with this technology, but as demand increases we also need to ensure the future of this technology is being made in America,” Schumer said in a statement.
Bitzer Scroll has committed to investing $6 million of its own to the expansion, Schumer said.
Bitzer is one of just four companies -- and the only one in New York -- receiving a grant in the second round of the Department Energy’s funding.
The funding will help the company expand its production of high-efficiency scroll compressors by tens of thousands of units annually, an increase of more than 50%, according to Schumer.
Compressors are a key component of heat pumps, which extract heat from surrounding air or the ground, amplify it and then use it to heat homes and businesses and to heat water. They can also be used to cool buildings.
The state of New York is requiring electric heat pumps or other non-combustion heating systems in every new home built in 2025 or thereafter.
Bitzer’s compressors go into heat pumps that serve commercial and industrial buildings and apartment buildings.
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