OT: D1

[The P in IUP]

I always thought the counties should run the schools but that would never happen. The rich districts would balk at that all day long.

I've worked in both WV and MD in public edu that follow the county in charge model. It hasn't been any more effective. The haves or certain school districts still get favored status. School A in the county can play by their own rules and not have issues, but School B gets in trouble if they do the same. Though it I guess it is a bit easier for consolidation if the county and the state are the driving force. Certain connections can still block things. My wife's old school district out in west pa should probably consolidate but unfortunately the closest school district is actually the next county over. An in county consolidation would turn in to a long bus ride for kids. May help with the teacher shortage but likely won't help with the bus driver shortage.

[IUPNation]

I've worked in both WV and MD in public edu that follow the county in charge model. It hasn't been any more effective. The haves or certain school districts still get favored status. School A in the county can play by their own rules and not have issues, but School B gets in trouble if they do the same. Though it I guess it is a bit easier for consolidation if the county and the state are the driving force. Certain connections can still block things. My wife's old school district out in west pa should probably consolidate but unfortunately the closest school district is actually the next county over. An in county consolidation would turn in to a long bus ride for kids. May help with the teacher shortage but likely won't help with the bus driver shortage.

It’s a concept that would have zero chance of happening in PA.

[Fightingscot82]

Former Edinboro All American DK McDonald has left the Phiadelphia Eagles to be Co-Defensive Coordinator at Kansas.

https://www2.kusports.com/sports/col...oaching-staff/

[Ship69]

I've worked in both WV and MD in public edu that follow the county in charge model. It hasn't been any more effective. The haves or certain school districts still get favored status. School A in the county can play by their own rules and not have issues, but School B gets in trouble if they do the same. Though it I guess it is a bit easier for consolidation if the county and the state are the driving force. Certain connections can still block things. My wife's old school district out in west pa should probably consolidate but unfortunately the closest school district is actually the next county over. An in county consolidation would turn in to a long bus ride for kids. May help with the teacher shortage but likely won't help with the bus driver shortage.

Yup. In general it's always going to be socio-economic considerations rather than a line in the map that determines favored schools. If a school gets a good reputation, people with the means to do so move near it so their kids can attend, boosting property values and tax base in that area. For the school that has a negative reputation, just the opposite happens and perception becomes reality as it loses support. If a lower-income community takes great pride in its school and gives it what support it can, you can still have good outcomes, but they definitely have to row upstream.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not a good week for former WPIAL and Pitt star Paris Ford.

[Fightingscot82]

Not a good week for former WPIAL and Pitt star Paris Ford.

I caught that as I was heading out the door this morning and wondered if it was him or an unfortunately coincidental name.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Pitt DL Daylon Hayes finished Spring Ball and promptly entered the portal. He apologized to HC Narduzzi but said "this is a business ..."

Good Lord.

[IUP24]

Pitt DL Daylon Hayes finished Spring Ball and promptly entered the portal. He apologized to HC Narduzzi but said "this is a business ..."

Good Lord.

The sad part is that these players aren't hiding that they are just chasing the bag anymore. Dayon Hayes wasn't getting a better opportunity elsewhere from a playing time standpoint (he was a returning starter on a defense which returned almost everybody). And he really isn't going anywhere that has a better track record of putting defensive linemen into the NFL, because Pitt is one of the best in the country at doing that. Somebody just called with cash and he went running. Solomon Deshields just hit the portal too.

Pitt's actually done a significantly better job at keeping things in check compared to many other programs regarding abrupt portal departures. This isn't a Pitt thing. It's an all over the country thing. Louisville just randomly had 5 starters enter the portal this morning. Why? That team had a ton coming back. They overachieved last year and would have had a great chance to have a big year. This has nothing to do with football anymore.

Alliance 412 is good collective. They are well organized and they are well funded (despite not being the collective for a significant player in college football). Dayon Hayes was supposedly "well paid" based on everything I've heard. He toyed with entering the portal after last season, asked Alliance 412 for more money, got it, and then claimed he was a "hometown hero" for coming back to Pitt for his senior year. He tweeted "H2P" seven times yesterday. A week ago he spoke about mentoring the young players on Pitt's defense. LOL

The inside story is that since the first of the year, two players on Pitt's defense asked for significant sums of money/compensation. One asked for 1 million dollars. The other asked for 300,000 and a car purchased in his name. Dayon Hayes and Solomon Deshields are both in the transfer portal. I'm not saying those are the two guys, but it's a good assumption.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The sad part is that these players aren't hiding that they are just chasing the bag anymore. Dayon Hayes wasn't getting a better opportunity elsewhere from a playing time standpoint (he was a returning starter on a defense which returned almost everybody). And he really isn't going anywhere that has a better track record of putting defensive linemen into the NFL, because Pitt is one of the best in the country at doing that. Somebody just called with cash and he went running. Solomon Deshields just hit the portal too.

Pitt's actually done a significantly better job at keeping things in check compared to many other programs regarding abrupt portal departures. This isn't a Pitt thing. It's an all over the country thing. Louisville just randomly had 5 starters enter the portal this morning. Why? That team had a ton coming back. They overachieved last year and would have had a great chance to have a big year. This has nothing to do with football anymore.

Alliance 412 is good collective. They are well organized and they are well funded (despite not being the collective for a significant player in college football). Dayon Hayes was supposedly "well paid" based on everything I've heard. He toyed with entering the portal after last season, asked Alliance 412 for more money, got it, and then claimed he was a "hometown hero" for coming back to Pitt for his senior year. He tweeted "H2P" seven times yesterday. A week ago he spoke about mentoring the young players on Pitt's defense. LOL

The inside story is that since the first of the year, two players on Pitt's defense asked for significant sums of money/compensation. One asked for 1 million dollars. The other asked for 300,000 and a car purchased in his name. Dayon Hayes and Solomon Deshields are both in the transfer portal. I'm not saying those are the two guys, but it's a good assumption.

Unfortunately (at that level) this is the new normal. This isn't 'collegiate' any more. Those guys are professional athletes, and 'free agency' rules the day. Well, that 'bag' rules the day.

But, we're talking serious money for a lot of these guys. Not all, but the stars are making serious bank as college 'students'.


"We aren't here to play school."

At least your Buckeye was honest.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I can tell it's almost time.

I heard this morning on Satellite Radio College Sports that:

A) This is the most talented Ohio State team in Buckeyes' history (yearly tradition similar to IUP hype)
B) The SEC is on pace with the AFC
C) Paul Finebaum saying Deion Sanders should be the next coach at USC
D) Every other league essentially is trash

[IUPbigINDIANS]

247Sports ran an interesting article on the Top 20 most expensive games for the upcoming season. Note: These represent the 'starting' price (i.e. peanut heaven). These are based on current prices on Stubhub (and don't include the fees).


20. Alabama at Wisconsin / $240.88

19. Georgia at Ole Miss / $242.26

18. Auburn at Tennessee / $246.04

17. Florida at Tennessee / $250

16. Penn State at West Virginia / $262

15. Michigan at Washington / $274

14. Indiana at Northwestern / $275

13. Florida at Florida State / $297.86

12. Auburn at Georgia / $298

11. Georgia at Alabama / $302

10. Cincinnati at Colorado / $303.65

9. Alabama at Tennessee / $339

8. Tennessee at Georgia / $348.49

7. Georgia at Texas / $355.41

6. Notre Dame at Texas A&M / $359.04

5. Ohio State at Oregon / $365.62

4. Texas vs Oklahoma / $445

3. Texas vs Michigan / $469

2. Navy vs Army / $527.77

1. Texas at Texas A&M / $625

[TheBigCat2192]

247Sports ran an interesting article on the Top 20 most expensive games for the upcoming season. Note: These represent the 'starting' price (i.e. peanut heaven). These are based on current prices on Stubhub (and don't include the fees).


20. Alabama at Wisconsin / $240.88

19. Georgia at Ole Miss / $242.26

18. Auburn at Tennessee / $246.04

17. Florida at Tennessee / $250

16. Penn State at West Virginia / $262

15. Michigan at Washington / $274

14. Indiana at Northwestern / $275

13. Florida at Florida State / $297.86

12. Auburn at Georgia / $298

11. Georgia at Alabama / $302

10. Cincinnati at Colorado / $303.65

9. Alabama at Tennessee / $339

8. Tennessee at Georgia / $348.49

7. Georgia at Texas / $355.41

6. Notre Dame at Texas A&M / $359.04

5. Ohio State at Oregon / $365.62

4. Texas vs Oklahoma / $445

3. Texas vs Michigan / $469

2. Navy vs Army / $527.77

1. Texas at Texas A&M / $625

Are Indiana and Northwestern playing on the moon or something? The Cincy at Colorado game also stands out as being totally driven by off-field draw in Neon Deion because neither of those teams was any good last year.

[Ship69]

Are Indiana and Northwestern playing on the moon or something? The Cincy at Colorado game also stands out as being totally driven by off-field draw in Neon Deion because neither of those teams was any good last year.

Northwestern has razed Ryan Field and their new $800 million stadium, to be built on the same site, won't be ready until 2026. They'll be playing several of their home games in a temporary stadium on campus along the lakefront. Normally used for lacrosse and soccer, the stadium will be expanded to seat 15,000 for football. so seating will be at a premium. Indiana is the first conference home game, which probably drove up the price. Two of the home games, including Ohio State, have been scheduled for Wrigley Field.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Here's some 'strength of schedule' ... the Florida Gators are deemed by most to have the most difficult schedule in the country this year. Insane.


Miami (FL)
Samford
Texas A&M
at Mississippi State
UCF
at Tennessee
Kentucky
Georgia (neutral)
at Texas
LSU
Ole Miss
at Florida State

[IUP24]

Here's some 'strength of schedule' ... the Florida Gators are deemed by most to have the most difficult schedule in the country this year. Insane.


Miami (FL)
Samford
Texas A&M
at Mississippi State
UCF
at Tennessee
Kentucky
Georgia (neutral)
at Texas
LSU
Ole Miss
at Florida State

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years in places like Columbus, State College, Ann Arbor, Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, Athens, etc. Because the elitest fans of the elitest programs won't tolerate or accept losing 2-3 games a year. They all clamored for these 2 super conferences in an effort to expand the playoff, take the extra few spots, and rake in additional television dollars. But... Ryan Day losing 3 games won't be tolerated. Bama's new boss, who is a good coach, will get run out of town if he loses 3 games. "Jimmy" up in State College... Imagine if he has a few 8-4 years now.

It's great to say that 16 of the best 20 programs in college reside in two conferences, but "reality" isn't going to change for the fans of those programs. If you are Ryan Day, the expectation is 12-0 and curb stomping Michigan. Anything else is an abject failure.

Regardless of what the media tells everyone, there's still only about 5-6 teams in a given year good enough to win a national title. So the cream will inevitably still rise to the top over the course of the regular season. But that said, an extra loss or two on the resume won't sit well with fans of those programs. They spend their hard earned money on RVs, tailgate spreads, and personal seat licenses to "just win baby." Will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next couple seasons.