College Football Thread -- The Fun Never Ends

[DanS]

While I'll be the first to admit that this has it's negative points, it's not petty. Jones went out in the worst way possible -- practicing at ND for days (or maybe even weeks) while enrolled at another school. ND's sticking up for itself and setting the precedent that you go through normal channels to get this done. If you go through normal channels, there's no problem in transferring.

Perhaps inadvertently, Jones left ND open to NCAA sanctions by going out the way that he did. There are lots more moving parts than Jones took account of.

As for what you hope about ND's recruiting, I seriously doubt you had ND's interests at heart, anyway.

[Lord Avalon]

Where did you see that Jones was enrolled at N Ill while still practicing at ND?

[DanS]

Reports are that he might have been enrolled at NIU as early as September 4. His last practice at ND was September 13, evening.

He was in NIU's student directory on September 13, before practice ended. Maybe he was in the directory well before that, but September 13 was the first day it was noticed in the blogosphere. The school and team were notified second-hand on September 14 at about 2:00 in the afternoon. He didn't talk with his coaches until September 17.

At a minimum, the Penn State game on September 8 may have been forfeit if Jones had played (and the loss not made the point moot). He made the trip to Penn State with the team and was available.

It goes beyond Jones' immaturity (and mean-spiritedness toward his teammates), I'm afraid.

[DanS]

I don't know whether to think that the AD is a little vacillating pussy or not...

September 20, 2007 -- University of Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White:

"Since learning of the situation surrounding the departure of Demetrius Jones on Friday, Sept. 14, the University of Notre Dame has been gathering facts to better assess his interest in transferring. Today, without formal confirmation of Demetrius' status, we reached out to him to assist him and his family in ascertaining his athletic and academic future plans.

"We are helping Demetrius compile a list of prospective schools that are not on our immediate future football schedules. We will grant him a release to those schools, and we will assist him in settling at another institution as best we can. It's our hope that Demetrius can enroll at an institution at which he might be able to receive a scholarship, possibly be eligible for the 2008 football season and, importantly, continue to make progress toward his degree without interruption.

"We have initiated our normal protocol by identifying a list of institutions to which he has an interest in transferring. While Demetrius did not consult us on his decision, the University and he are now working together in our customary fashion. Our hope is that this process assists him in finding an institution that will enable him to meet his goals both as a student and as an athlete."

[Lord Avalon]

Originally posted by DanS
I don't know whether to think that the AD is a little vacillating pussy or not...

Take a stand or be a lvp!

[snoopy369]

If his concern is future schedule, then they're safe... NIU is not on the 2007 or 2008 schedule

http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=961&CID=468316

I vote for LVP

[Ming]

Yeah... but just more proof that ND is being petty... Reports have it that NIU isn't on the acceptable list that they gave him... even though they don't play NIU.

So, they are "trying" to look like good guys to the press with their bold statements of allowing him to go to a team that doesn't play them, but in reality are saying you can't go to the school you really want to.

What a bunch of jerks... If they want to play hard ball, fine... but don't pull this kind of PR crap. It just makes them look silly.

[snoopy369]

They'll have some interesting explaining to do then if NIU isn't on the list. I suppose it's in their interest to discourage transfers, but ... meh, let him go. Obviously a bad decision on Weis's part to have two freshmen QBs both told they would compete for the starting job... that often does not work out well for whomever loses the competition (or even, for both, often enough)

[DanS]

Originally posted by Ming
Yeah... but just more proof that ND is being petty... Reports have it that NIU isn't on the acceptable list that they gave him... even though they don't play NIU.

NIU's AD is a Kevin White protege and worked at ND before getting the job at NIU. While NIU is not on the schedule yet (and I wouldn't wish them to be), there is a possibility that ND will be playing NIU in the next few years. For all we know, ND & NIU were negotiating for a contract on a game. ND has some open dates. Again, Jones didn't know what he was getting himself and the university into by leaving the way that he did.

That said, there are conflicting reports on whether NIU is on the acceptable list.

[Guynemer]

Think ND can get off the schneid against MSU this week?

Spartans have won five straight(!!!) in South Bend, and Notre Dame looks absolutely awful.

Then again, these are the Spartans we're talking about... they always blow at least one gimme.

I like MSU, but ND makes it close(ish). They will score at least one offensive TD, guaranteed, but will lose by 10.



Another team looking to end a notorious streak is Penn State against Michigan. The Wolverines have won eight straight(!!!) against the Nittany Lions. However, PSU has the speedy WRs to take advantage of the atrocious Michigan defense. Mike Hart is somehow, very quietly, the nation's leading rusher. This ought to be a good game. I think the streak continues in this one as well, Michigan by a TD.

[DanS]

This is why you're Michigan State.

Who knows what will happen this weekend. The Little Sisters of the Poor could have beaten ND last weekend. But eventually, they'll win one. Right? Right?

[DanS]

WTF, Florida, Nebraska, and Louisville?

[Imran Siddiqui]

re: Louisville, Bobby Petrino was far more important than thought. Or he knew what he was losing on defense and got out at the right time .

[Lord Avalon]

Michigan turned a fumble by PSU QB into 7 on a scramble by Mallett.

Rats, PSU had a fumble overturned on replay.

[snoopy369]

In other news, Notre Dame scored one of their five touchdowns for the season today