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Hitting the Links Has An NFL Feel
Quiet Leadership: Braxton Miller
Urban Meyer has been a slightly different figure than when he manned the Florida Gators - fewer shady tactics, less arrests. This Buckeye team he's built in Columbus has been a definition of team leadership and hard work, and in that sense, he sets the bar for the rest of the NCAA. Whether it's Braxton giving back to the team, or Cardale "Ain't Come To Play School" Jones showing plenty of maturity, it's been impossible not to respect the players themselves.
Penn State Removes Names From Their Jerseys
After thanking the players who stayed with the team, Penn State is going back to its iconic look.
Justin Houston, And A Changing NFL Free Agency
Kansas City gave Justin, a former Georgia star, the biggest contract ever for a linebacker. It was a product of a growing salary cap, and an increased emphasis on "quarterback money" for elite defenders in the front seven. If Jake Ryan succeeds at Green Bay... there might be more money out there for him now.
Jimmy Johnson Talks To SI About Chip Kelly
I found this to be an absorbing read. Jimmy was the equivalent of Chip a generation ago, building up the Dallas Cowboys on unorthodox moves. He also made a promise when he got hired that, in five years, he'd have the team in the Super Bowl. He did it in four.
A Case For A Later Date To Declare In The Draft
This is a compelling case that works out well for all parties involved.
Breaking Down Nick Saban's Latest Dumb Comments
Harbaugh is himself, and it works with the media. Saban is himself, and it does not.
Big Ten Commits, Targets Shine In The Opening
A small nugget from this: wide receivers are getting more numerous and more talented.
So, it came out this week that the Hawkeyes sent out a rather bizarre survey to its ticket-holders, and it's only the latest product of an increasingly tone-deaf program.
Inside Michigan State's S&C Program
Last week, while watching film of Rutgers vs. Michigan State, I was struck by how unbelievably conditioned MSU's front seven was. Rutgers had a pretty solid offensive line, and it's like they were hitting rocks. Ralph Friedgen was having to change his play-calling because of how quickly his blocking schemes were getting blown apart.
Le'Veon Bell In The Best Shape Of His Life
That's the benefit to being a former two-star, or, in Tom Brady's case, an overlooked quarterback through much of college. Work and motivation get you far. For Bell, he'll be trying to improve on a 2,215-yard season a year ago.
Take Two: Big Ten's Best Freshman
Love you, Jabrill.
Comparing Michigan's Nike Deal To Other Big Ten Programs
Spoiler: nobody compares to us.
SB Nation's Oregon State Preview
Kalani Sitake is something of a Dave Aranda clone, uprooted from Utah by a contract dispute that almost caused Kyle Whittingham to leave the Utes ... and did cause both of his coordinators to skip town. At Oregon State, he'll be well-matched with Gary Andersen, but this is a Year 0.
The Match-ups: Arizona State vs. Texas A&M
Week 1 will be terrific, with a Thursday night game between Utah and Michigan, running almost concurrently with TCU and Minnesota, followed by Saturday games between BYU and Nebraska, Louisville and Auburn, Notre Dame and Texas, and Wisconsin against Alabama.
Steelers vs. Ravens Highlights
Pittsburgh is slowly replacing the talent that led it to three Super Bowl appearances from 2005-10. There's a new defensive coordinator, a star running back and Ryan Shazier roaming the front seven. Pretty soon, they'll have to find a new quarterback. Baltimore, meanwhile, might be the second-best-coached team in the league after New England. Joe Flacco has more playoff wins (seven) than any quarterback since the 1970 merger, and this January the Ravens won their first-ever playoff game in Pittsburgh.