Guess I'll start off by asking about any under-the-radar players you all see becoming big players this season? How is the D looking, especially in the secondary?
Kenny Bell might emerge at WR. Maybe Eric Martin at DE. And Chase Rome at DT. If he can stay healthy.
Pelini will have the D in fine shape. Especially the secondary.
Feel free to ask anything if you wish in return.
Is sweatervest going to get canned? Is Pryor going to the NFL? You think the ncaa sanctions will be much worse than the self-imposed?
Thanks for the names, will keep my eye on them. The games are going to be interesting leading up to Neb in regards to what we go forward with. Not sure if I have ever seen such an emphasis on the running core we have being involved in so many ways that aren't running/blocking plays. I somewhat expected use of it to help with the receiving core being inexperienced, but the emphasis is incredibly strong. Obviously the aim as well is to help keep the D from stacking the box, but some of these guys have some great hands ... so I'm waiting to see how it looks.
For your 2nd part:
Pryor - No. I realize one person claimed a "source" but even the verbage of being able to enter the supplemental draft doesn't seem to allow him. Past that, I think he certainly debated it when everything surfaced ... but no chance after making his decision previously. To add to that, he would be persona non grata permanently, and he knows it.
Is JT going to be canned - Maybe. There is just so much going on with this. If absolutely nothing changes past what is known now, he is going to keep his job. More coming out would bring some strong pressure for him to go. I still haven't figured out where I stand on it. I don't have all the facts, so haven't taken a stance yet.
NCAA sanctions will be much worse than the self-imposed? - I think yes. 2010 being vacated is almost an absolute to me. I cannot see recruiting/scholarship restrictions at this point, but we don't have all the info yet. My belief is that JT will get closer to 8 games if things remain as is right now, potentially worse if more information comes out. Even though most believe that the 5 game decision for the players is the finality, it might not be. Getting to that in a second.
TCG (the consulting firm regarding NCAA Infractions) originally recommended substantially higher self-imposed. This much I know to be fact. I think OSU has planned all along to up the HC suspension but they were hoping they could get 1 game knocked off for the suspended players and then meet that 4 game appeal. Didn't work out that way & they met the 5 instead. 5 to me is closer to the 'sweet-spot' a University would try to meet, but still think 6-8 is almost assured.
There are rumblings that there is still more to come on this. Unfortunately, some of these people are not just posters hoping to stir anxiety but legitimate people in the know who have long been ahead of the mainstream news on things. A few of these have said the investigation has now been widened due to even more serious issues. If that is the case, I can't imagine what it would be unless we find that Administration Staff did in fact know and JT was just trying to take all the lumps for the players/team/program/university. Something on that level would cause sanctions that surpass USC and close to SMU.
As for the players and their suspensions. The NCAA ruling on them was that they received inadequate training/education and had no knowledge they broke rules until confronted formally. They still violated the rules so got the punishment for it. Now we know JT warned Pryor's mentor, presumably much earlier. If that is the case, we're talking about Pryor knowing for the entire season & the other players as well. Proof is what matters here but if there is proof that he forwarded emails to the mentor, it causes a timeline problem.
Obviously the NCAA is known for their lengthy investigations. Most believe no formal ruling will come until a year from now even. I think in this matter, especially if things are to get worse, something will be done on a quicker timeframe.
