Water cooler conversations
By Jimmie Allen
There isn’t much football in June, so here are somethings to take to work and talk about for the rest of the week.
#5
The official “Bubba Watch” starts now.
In the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, the Kansas City Royals drafted 2011 Nebraska commit Bubba Starling out of their own back yard. The dual sport athlete from Gradner, Kansas was selected as the first position player.
Starling is still expected to report to Lincoln for the second five-week session of summer school in July. Fall practice for Nebraska opens up on August 6, but Starling has till Aug. 15 to make his final decision on playing pro ball, or becoming a Husker.
Is it TP2’s world?
A lot of people around Ohio State quarterback Terelle Pryor have made comments recently about, if Pryor will decide to come back to Ohio State. I am not so sure that is still Pryor’s choice to make. Monday, Ohio State president Gordon Gee released a statement to the Associated Press saying the Buckeyes must “scrub everything” to restore the image of “The” Ohio State University.
Pryor and fellow teammates have been accused of excepting illegal benefits and have made them ineligible for the 2010 season, and the first five games of the 2011 season. The accused players sold Buckeye memorabilia to a local tattoo parlor, in exchange for tattoos and money. Aside from Pryor, last seasons leading rusher on the team Dan Herron, star wide receiver DeVier Posey, All-Big Ten tackle Mike Adams, and deffensive linemen Solomon Thomas will be out for the first 5 games. A sixth player, freshman linebacker Jordan Whiting, who received a discount on tattoos, must sit out the first game of the 2011 season and pay $150 to a charity.
Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes , and tattoos. Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for, and receiving discounted services. Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring. Thomas must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, his 2008 gold pants, and receiving discounted services worth.
Trojans Are No Longer Champions
The Bowl Championship Series announced on Monday that the USC Trojans must forffit the 2004 National Championship.
“”The BCS alerted us today that their presidents have voted to vacate USC’s 2005 BCS Championship Game victory,” Trojan’s Athletic Director Pat Haden said. “This was not an unexpected outcome. We will comply with all requirements mandated by the result of this BCS vote.”
USC previously gave back the 2004 National Championship given to them by the Associate Press.
“The BCS arrangement crowns a national champion, and the BCS games are showcase events for postseason football,” BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said. “One of the best ways of ensuring that they remain so is for us to foster full compliance with NCAA rules. Accordingly, in keeping with the NCAA’s recent action, USC’s appearances are being vacated.
Where will we have to travel?
The first-ever Big Ten Football Championship Game is scheduled to take place on December 3, 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that the Conference Council approved a recommendation from university administrators for the cities of Chicago, Hoffman Estates and Indianapolis, to rotate as the host sites for the Big Ten Football Championship Games and Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. This is a four-year plan beginning with the 2012-13 academic year.
Jimmie’s Pre-season Top 25
It’s never to early for a pre-season poll. I am sure this will change by September, but I would love to get all of our readers feedback on this list.
1. Oregon
2. Oklahoma
3. Alabama
4. LSU
5. Stanford
6. Boise State
7. TCU
8. Arkansas
9. Nebraska
10. Texas A&M
11. Oklahoma State
12. South Carolina
13. Wisconsin
14. Florida State
15. Ohio State
16. Virginia Tech
17. Georgia
18. Michigan State
19. Mississippi State
20. Auburn
21. Arizona State
22. West Virginia
23. Notre Dame
24. Florida
25. USC