Football in a Cathedral of Baseball: Ohio State and Carnell Tate Dazzles at Wrigley Field

Ohio State Football 2022

It was an out-of-the-box, yet intriguing environment where the Ohio State Buckeyes and Carnell Tate met the Northwestern Wildcats at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. More often referred to for its ivy-covered outfield walls and storied baseball history, home to the Chicago Cubs, it played host to Ohio State as the Buckeyes dominated, 31-7. One of the many headlines from this outing was Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate’s brilliance in front of his hometown crowd.

Carnell Tate
Carnell Tate

The Wrigley Field Experience

Wrigley Field does not hold many football games. With Northwestern’s Ryan Field presently undergoing renovation, playing this match in this historic ballpark made it an even more intriguing scenario. Sure, the field had held football games there before, and its overall tight dimensions, combined with the notoriously gusty November weather in the city, made it very much a peculiar challenge to players and coaches alike. For Ohio State, however, the conditions seemed only to heighten their level of focus.

The stands were full of fans, for many a novelty in football under the famous Wrigley marquee. Big Ten football combined with Major League Baseball air. Players from both sides mentioned the surreal feeling of competing in such … Read more at FryingPanSports

Nigel Glover Transfers to Ohio State for 2023

Nigel Glover Linebacker Transfer

Big news for Ohio State football! Nigel Glover, a 6’4″ 215 lbs. freshman linebacker who recently left Northwestern, has decided to transfer to Ohio State for 2023 and will be available right away. He made his announcement after visiting Columbus and other cities including Ann Arbor and Lexington.

Nigel Glover Linebacker Transfer

Nigel, who hails from Clayton Ohio, originally signed with the Northwestern football program in December. However, he decided to transfer after enrolling and the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald in July. Nigel was the top-ranked player in Northwestern’s 2023 class, a four-start recruit, was ranked 239th overall by On3 and the 30th best linebacker in the country according to the 247 Composite.

Nigel will be joining a talented group of linebackers at Ohio State this season. The OSU linebacker room includes C.J. Hicks, Mitchell Melton, Steele Chambers, Reid Carrico, Cody Simon, Tommy Eichenberg, Gabe Powers, Arvell Reese, Alec DelSignore and Jalen Pace. The Buckeyes also have a commitment from four-star Payton Pierce for the class of 2024.

We’re excited to see what Nigel will bring to the field as a Buckeye this Fall season!… Read more at FryingPanSports

As I predicted, the NCAA is pulling in its horns.

NCAA X

Over 2 years ago here on fryingpansports.com I predicted that the major conferences would put pressure on the NCAA to as Moses said “Let my people go!” Yesterday, which was also the day that the Northwestern players voted on joining a union, the NCAA announced that it was allowing the major conferences “autonomy.” While there are no clear indications exactly how much autonomy the conferences will get, one thing is very certain—the NCAA is admitting it is powerless against these groups.

The fact that the NCAA has had the football playoffs ripped from their dead or dying fingers is an example of money making a difference in the power relationship. The NCAA had no choice. It has overstepped its authority in rule making and issuing punishments. The decisions were inconsistent and caused even supporters to question the process and wisdom of the NCAA’s decision makers.

There is little doubt that the NCAA has lost its way. While it claimed to be looking out for the student-athlete, it was really more interested in covering its own behind and building its power base. It has become known more for its greed than service to those it was designed to help.

So the Read more at FryingPanSports

The NLRB vs. NCAA

NCAA X

NOTE: Tonight on NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I will do a 7 round draft for the Browns. Join us at 6PM EDT on The Bill Smith Radio Show or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.  The show is presented by ebooks-library.com and merriam-press.com.

A couple of years ago I questioned if it was time for the major conferences to pull out of the NCAA. Now the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has thrown an 18 wheel semi into the NCAA mechanism.

 

Yesterday the NLRB ruled that football players at Northwestern University could form a union to negotiate terms of their “employment.” The University has said it will appeal the decision.

 

The NCAA has become a money grubbing institution which has lorded over college sports with no consistency or principle. Now the NLRB threatens the very foundation of college sports. The basic law of College football is that the University and NCAA make the money on the backs of the players that provide the product. Colleges sell jerseys with the player’s number and names, generate millions of dollars from ticket sales and television. The students believe they deserve more than just the right … Read more at FryingPanSports

What did we learn from week 5 of the College Football season?

football

My picks last week were pretty accurate. I was 5-1 with only NC State letting me down. Here are some thoughts about the top games last week.

#1 Alabama looked like a national champ again pounding #7 Florida 31-6 in a very physical game. This team has no visible weaknesses. No draft guys are talking about QB McElroy but I think he has pro potential in the west coast system. He does not have the great arm but makes the right decisions and processes info quickly.

#2 Ohio State struggled on O again beating Illinois 24-13. Even being a Buckeye grad, I would have ranked them behind Oregon in the poll at this point. This was the first game in the last 5 that QB Pryor did not throw for 200 yards.

#4 Oregon beat #9 Stanford going away 52-31. Even without 09 starter QB Masoli, Oregon looks better than last year. Little RB James is amazing. The scary thing about this team is that it is young.

#8 Oklahoma looked solid beating #21 Texas 28-20.

#24 Michigan State exposed the lack of a passing attack of #11 Wisconsin. MSU does not have a great D but schemed to stop … Read more at FryingPanSports