Off Tackle Empire: FanShots

Pre-Snap Read: The Big Ten’s 2012 Non-Conference Schedule

2012-02-22T11:05:08Z

Pre-Snap Read: The Big Ten’s 2012 Non-Conference Schedule

A breakdown of each B1G team's non-conference schedule, from the NYTimes' Paul Myerberg.

He did an analysis of the SEC's non-conference schedule last week.

Guess which conference plays better teams?

I suppose there's no point to studying business at Michigan since all of the companies in the state...

2012-02-16T01:05:26Z

I suppose there's no point to studying business at Michigan since all of the companies in the state went bankrupt in 2008...

Mandel (SI) - More Aggressive Scheduling with a 4 team playoff?

2012-02-10T21:23:13Z

Mandel (SI) - More Aggressive Scheduling with a 4 team playoff?

As most of the playoff detractors had noted in the past, that a playoff would end up de-valuing the regular season, Mandel brings up the point that there is no requirement that the BCS itself stays in its current format when a playoff is inntroduced.

There could be a possibility that a committee could be formed to seed the schools, like in basketball. Personally, I think this would be a much better format than letting the clueless Harris voters (who pretty much mimic the idiotic AP poll) and the equally clueless USA coaches' poll (who never see games of the other schools) that currently decide 2/3 of the BCS rankings.

If a committee is established, strength of schedule, icluding non-conference, most likely would be a component in the decision. As Delany/Scott have already instituted a non-conference game between the B1G and Pac12, this could lead to fan friendly matchups other than FCS creampuffs.

This in itself would create and even better regular season (think 80s/90s) when most OOC games where BCS caliber schools and only 1-2 might be MAC foes. Body bag games might actually go down.

Consider Them Rolled? Delany's National College Football Playoff Proposal?

2012-02-06T22:46:32Z

Consider Them Rolled? Delany's National College Football Playoff Proposal?

As Teddy Greenstein reports, Commissioner Jim (Mr. Big Testicles) Delany is once again leading college football, proposing a 4-team limited playoff to replace the BCS, with the first round games played on-campus of the higher-seeded teams (1 hosting 4, 2 hosting 3), and then the winners facing off (and the losers facing off) in normal BCS bowls....

Personally? I LOVE this idea, because: (a) I hate anything more than a 4 team playoff because it waters down the regular season, (b) I love the idea of the top seeds playing at home on campus rather than in sterile bowl environments, cutting down on fans having to travel, and (c) the bonus of a B1G 1 or 2 seed hosting an SEC 3 or 4 seed in the cold up north sometime (which frankly would be epic).

Way to roll them, Commissioner Delany....way to roll them.

B1G Considering National Four Team Playoff with Home Semifinals

2012-02-06T22:39:06Z

B1G Considering National Four Team Playoff with Home Semifinals

Remember when the B1G was absolutely against a playoff? Now they are tossing around the idea of having a system where the top four teams in the BCS go to semifinal games, with the higher seed teams hosting the matchups on campus. Like the Super Bowl, cities could bid for the title game.

It is amazing how the Big Ten's attitude has changed so quickly on this topic. Still, after lower bowl ratings and the SEC title game mess, it probably isn't entirely unexpected.

Is this the new Iowa Defensive Coordinator? Last night Jaleel Johnson, an incoming defensive line...

2012-02-06T14:43:58Z

Is this the new Iowa Defensive Coordinator?

Last night Jaleel Johnson, an incoming defensive line recruit, tweeted that "The Iowa hawkeyes will be gettin a new defensive coordinator….the LB coach from the NEW YORK GIANTS!!!!"

That name may be familiar to B1G fans as well. Before heading to the NFL, Jim Herrmann was the Defensive Coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines - during a run that included their 1997 National Championship.

Two good thoughts: 1) It's always nice to have a coach walk in a living room of a recruit with a National Championship and a Super Bowl ring. 2) He has shown a mastery for beating the offense that Penn State will be running next year.

One bad thought: Michigan fans weren't all that sad to see him go. I'm sure there are reasons for that.

#KOK4MIA

2012-02-03T23:04:58Z

#KOK4MIA

Ken O'Keefe, Iowa's Offensive Coordinator has left Iowa City to take the position of Quarterbacks Coach for the Miami Dolphins. Wow.

On one hand, KOK was the scapegoat when Iowa's playcalling got stale and predictable. How much of that was his doing and how much was Kirk Ferentz's is hard to tell. On the other hand, Iowa, which as of three months ago had one coach, one defensive coordinator and one offensive coordinator over the past 13 seasons, will now have two big vacancies to fill.

Godspeed, KOK. Thank you for tutoring Brad Banks, Drew Tate, and Ricky Stanzi.

Nebraska is on Probation

2012-02-01T22:27:41Z

Nebraska is on Probation

Nebraska has found itself on two years probation from the NCAA for its text book scandal from last summer.

Huskers, knock this off. You're not in the Big XII anymore. This stuff doesn't fly here. We're a classier establishment than tha...oh, Ohio State? Penn State? Heh. Nevermind. Just don't get busted for anything else, OK?