Skull Session: 8-Team Playoff Seems Inevitable, J.T. Barrett's Receivers of Choice, and a New Era Begins

By D.J. Byrnes on January 4, 2018 at 4:59 am
Kerry Coombs points at the January 4th 2017 Skull Session
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Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen declared yesterday. I look forward to the Browns inevitably selecting the bust while the other goes on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Jalyn Holmes backs Darnold's talent despite his unit pinwheeling him last Friday.

For Cleveland and my fragile sanity's sake, let's hope he's right. Not sure either of us can handle another 0-16 season. I want a Super Bowl, but right now I'll settle for a four-win season.

Tonight's Programming:

ICYMI:

Word of the Day: Taiga.

 THAT'S BIG MONEY. Some fans disparage players that sit out bowl games as greedy, me-first players.

But if they're only thinking about the money, the pawns are only took cues from the bigger pieces who have been thinking about money for a much longer time.

It's the number one reason an expansion to an eight-team playoff seems inevitable despite logistical concerns.

From Dennis Dodd of cbssports.com:

The College Football Playoff will eventually expand to eight teams within the length of the current contract and be worth at least $10 billion, former CBS Sports president Neal Pilson predicted in a conversation with CBS Sports this week.

Pilson was reacting, in part, to the regionalized nature of Monday's CFP National Championship between No. 2 Georgia and No. 4 Alabama.

"I think, from a television point of view, any sports executive would tell you he would prefer a team from the different part of the country," said Pilson, now a longtime sports media consultant.

"The best would be a Big Ten team in terms of the size of market."

Want to see an expanded playoff field? Your mandate is clear. Watch or do literally anything else Monday night.

After all, in this house we respect UCF's national championship and have no time to watch a third-place game featuring two teams from America's second-tier southern football conference. 

 BUT WHERE IS GENERAL GRANT? As you might have heard by now, J.T. Barrett no longer plays for Ohio State, which seems like a stat that defies the laws of physics.

Barrett completed passes to 31 receivers during his storied career, with Curtis Samuel (82), Michael Thomas (64), and Marcus Baugh (who says the Buckeyes don't throw to the tight end?) topping the list.

From @CFBFilmRoom:

J.T. Barrett Receiver chart

Haters can say what they want, but Barrett will at least be able to say he completed a pass to the greatest Ohio State running back of all time and Ezekiel Elliott.

 NEW ERA BEGINS NOW. After football season, some fans turn to the basketball team while others wonder into the hinterlands until football season heats back up.

But for footballers, the 2018 season is already underway as the new generation looks to carry on the older generation's legacy.

From The Toledo Blade:

The Buckeyes know they will lose starters at some of their most important positions between now and spring practice. Ohio State must replace its starting quarterback, left tackle, center, No. 1 cornerback, the most veteran players at linebacker and safety, and the majority of a stellar defensive line that was the strength of the 2017 team.

For most of those openings, the competition begins now.

“We call it competitive excellence,” running back Demario McCall said. “A lot of people have to step up, a lot of roles have to get filled, and a lot of young boys have to get to work.”

Always weird to see generations respecting each other on the football team while in real life we say other generations are responsible for all of America's problems.

 VOTE NOW. Cam Heyward or Malcolm Jenkins could be the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year, but they need your help on Twitter:

Jenkins is in business with seedy Louisville booster Papa John, so I voted Heyward.

 WE DON'T REALLY KNOW COACHES. I always respected Rich Rodriguez for what he did as Michigan's head coach. It turns out, however, the recently fired Arizona coach may be a scumbag if even 1/10th of a new lawsuit is true:

@Thee_Matty_D, by the way is current Michigan recruiting director Matt Dudek.

 THOSE WMDs. Silicon Valley's secretive, orgiastic dark side... "Don't name them" – Criminologist asks journalists to help stop mass shootings... From poker princess to the movie heroine of Molly's Game...  Manchester City has taken over England... Why do we need to sleep?

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