Because if you wax poetic about how much you knew something after the game, you’re a douchebag.  No exceptions.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a coach do that before.  Pretty damn easy to predict the outcome of something after it happens; and it makes you a douchebag if you feel the need to do so.

Not sure why the Bengals seem to be the sole team who faces this criticism.  Say what you want about Dalton and Palmer.  They had pretty successful careers.  Despite this fact, everyone says this about the Bengals, yet has no problem anointing Baker the chosen one in Cleveland — a place where the last, what, 100 QBs have been utter garbage?

Not saying that’s your take.  I just find it odd.

Nobody had Shaun Wade going in the top 15.  Most didn't have him going in the 1st Round.  So he has room to improve.  Etienne doesn't.

There can -- and almost always is -- more than one reason for a decision.  A few hundred thousand bucks would definitely make it easier to decide to live the college football life for another year.

Yeah...  it is difficult to explain why one school seems to return damn near every 1st-round lock it's had the last few years -- including one year returning like 2-3 guys at the same position.  I'm not one to make bagman accusations generally.  But it's hard to think of a better reason why Clemson is such an anomaly in this regard.

Exactly what I just said.  If he gave people money (i.e., United States currency), it should be an NCAA issue.  If he gave people fake money, it's a federal crime.  Sentences go up to 20 years in prison, I believe.  

So yeah, I'd much rather deal with the NCAA -- who doesn't care if you're an SEC blueblood -- for giving out real money than the Feds for giving out fake money.

I don't disagree that Olave and Wilson are the top dogs going into 2020.  But, given the outrageous amount of talent on the roster, I don't think Fields will need to zero-in on any one WR.  In the same way that Wilson emerged to be a stud this year, I see the same thing happening next year -- perhaps with multiple individuals.

I literally can't remember a time when OSU had this much WR talent on its roster.  And we have a talented, returning O-line to boot.  

Suffice it to say, the offense is going to be exciting next year.

Agreed.  If Snead hadn’t been kicked out of school, this is probably a different conversation.  Not much the staff can do about that.  And it’s not like we’re bone dry at RB.

Granted, Williams isn’t as highly ranked as most incoming RBs, and I don’t think he was the top choice.  But a lot of RBs who haven’t quite made the “cut” at OSU have been beasts.  Mike Warren (at UC) was in a similar position rankings wise.  And he’s been great this season.  There are several other examples.

Wine spritzer?  What are you talking about, man?  Cincy is German AF.  Hell, Boston Lager is a German immigrant recipe found in a Cincinnati attic.

Agreed.  I think if any of the SEC's "have nots" start recruiting well and/or beating the bluebloods (e.g., 'Bama, LSU, UGA) with any degree of regularity, the NCAA will send its own Angel of Death to restore balance in the force. 

Yep.  The old Sophie's choice of admitting either (1) a severe NCAA violation, or (2) an actual federal crime.  Not sure this was the right one.  The NCAA won't touch LSU -- or, really, any blueblood program in the SEC.  The Feds, on the other hand, don't screw around.

Traditionally speaking, I agree the 3-3-5 defense can be a mismatch against traditional base packages when not adjusted.  But as the game has shifted towards utilizing players who are great athletes and positional chameleons, I don't think these traditional distinctions matter as much.  A lot of the times, it's sheer semantics.  

I thought I just said that (i.e., the comp ceiling is an NCAA issue; the length of required NCAA participation is an NFL thing).  But, yeah, obviously I don't disagree.  Though I suspect there's some overlap in this day and age.

Disagree slightly.  Colleges -- or, more accurately, related organizations that created the concept of "amateurism" in order to keep poor kids from being able to play college sports -- created the artificial ceiling.  And a combination of the status quo and the NCAA's ability to circumvent various laws has prevented any meaningful competitors in the market.

Though the NFL/NFLPA have taken a unique (and exploitative) rule and insisted that it be applied for at least 3 years.  I'd be interested to know the genesis of that rule and/or who participated in the decision.     

Agreed.  I don't get the gushing over Rhule.  Apparently, NFL GMs didn't watch the Sugar Bowl.  And I'm not sure a single member of the Big-12 is a legit, top-25 team.  

I'll give Riley credit for doing the best he can with what he has.  I just don't think Jalen Hurts is even an above average thrower -- which, in college football today, is a problem.  Yet, due to Riley's ability to structure an offense around this weakness, nobody seemed to notice.  Though, the minute they faced a capable (albeit not exceptional) defense against LSU, this weakness became pretty obvious.  

Ha, well I meant players already committed and/or on the roster.  But, sure, always have to consider the transfer portal.  That Temple DE sounds like a beast.

The biggest difference between this year and next year appears to be the Buckeyes will not have anyone on defense that actually forces teams to change their offensive approach.

Respectfully disagree.  I expect Wade to be a lock-down CB.  And I suspect there are other gamechangers on this defense.  We just don't know who they are yet.

Agreed about the rich getting richer.  It's pretty easy to guess 2-3 of the teams who will be in the Playoffs next year.  Which kind of sucks.

I think the portal and easing transfer restrictions has potential to help with that issue (e.g., kids transfer to different schools, lifting-up those programs).  But, thus far, I'm unsure it has had that effect

Fields is here because he was called a name

Not a "name"; a racial epithet.  It's reasonable to question whether that was his only reason for seeking a transfer -- or even the primary one.  But, in 2019, if a kid was called the N-word in its pejorative sense by another "student" athlete, I'm perfectly fine with him getting immediate eligibility.  That's frigging crazy.

I disagree with pretty much all of this.  I think it fails to recognize a few things that, IMO, are facts: (1) the "amateurism" model is really without a comparable worldwide and arose from questionable circumstances (i.e., nowhere else do they create artificial, 3-year ceilings on professional athletes' wages); (2) though Division 1 football is not a "job," for most of the players, it requires committing far, far more hours per week than the average job (probably 60-80 total for classes and athletics, as opposed to the US average of 44); and (3) many (if not most) of the "student" athletes are pushed into majors that aren't exactly known to be marketable post graduation.  So I think the whole "you should be happy your school is paid for" line ignores a lot of realities -- at least with respect to the higher profile players.  And, due to the way that the system has been setup, unfortunately, there really aren't many alternatives to agreeing to this 3-year arrangement.

As to the transfer portal, the effects will be interesting.  I suspect it'll now be impossible to maintain the type of QB depth we had a few years ago.  One can say with a reasonably high degree of confidence that, in 2-ish years, either Miller or Stroud will be seeking a transfer.  On one hand, that makes it difficult for schools like OSU to maintain position depth.  On the other hand, it gives more kids the opportunity to show what they can do, often on less high profile teams.      

Let's not forget that, with or without Tua, 'Bama is a juggernaut.  It's not like they've stopped recruiting studs.  To be fair to this year's team, they just had a bunch of injuries and youth.  I could see their defense being back up to snuff next year.

'Bama's won without Tua before.  I have no reason to think they won't be able to again -- especially after watching Jones be more than adequate.  It's crazy to me how quickly everyone wants to announce 'Bama's demise.

Maybe.  Or maybe the SEC will have 7 top-10 teams in the preseason polls next year.  A bit early to make any conclusions.

I tend to agree with the sentiment.  

But, to be fair, I expected that Mack and Victor were going to be more statistically productive — and looking at higher draft position — when they signed.  Sometimes, shit just happens.  I believe Michigan has a more recent 1st Rd WR than we do (that tall guy who went to the Panthers; Finch or something?)

Still think DPJ has a lot of opportunity to rise on the boards.  If he goes in the mid rounds, would love for Cincy to pick him up.

Yep; decision is almost certainly made.  And it most certainly is a coach on an NFL playoff team.  The good money’s def on Coombs.

Good call.