Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
NFL Schedule is Out
The NFL announced its full schedule for the 2022 season on Thursday. The defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals will open their against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time ever, while the Cleveland Browns start with a road game against the Carolina Panthers. Chris Olave’s Saints debut will be a road game in Atlanta, while Garrett Wilson will start his Jets career with a home game against the Ravens.
Wilson will travel back to the Buckeye State in Week 2 for a game in Cleveland, while Olave will return for a Christmas Eve game against the Browns. During the Buckeyes' bye week on the weekend of October 15, the Browns play host to the New England Patriots and the Bengals play Olave and the Saints in New Orleans.
The NFL season kicks off with the Bills traveling to Los Angeles to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Rams on Thursday, Sept. 8.
Short Stint for Sheridan
Less than three months after he became Wisconsin’s inside linebackers coach, Bill Sheridan resigned his position this week following allegations that he committed recruiting allegations while as a defensive line coach at Air Force.
The allegations include “providing impermissible benefits to recruits” and “hosting high school prospects during the COVID-19 dead period,” which lasted over a year.
“While I look forward to presenting my case at a hearing, I am concerned that the NCAA investigation regarding activities that occurred prior to me joining the Wisconsin football staff could be a distraction which could cause harm to the program,” Sheridan said in a statement. “As a result, I am submitting my resignation effective immediately.”
This isn’t the first time Sheridan has resigned abruptly from a Big Ten coaching staff. He was Urban Meyer’s initial hire to coach cornerbacks at Ohio State in 2012, but left after less than a month to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator, leading to Kerry Coombs’ arrival at Ohio State.
Player-led Tampering?
In an interview with radio host and TV personality Paul Finebaum, Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he doesn't think there's as much tampering with potential college football transfers as people think.
Kirby Smart addresses the issue of tampering in the modern CFB transfer portal pic.twitter.com/7HeGFLGNZs
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) May 13, 2022
“The tampering comes from the player that's searching somewhere else,” Smart said, “not from a coach reaching out.” The defending national champion Bulldogs lost former wide receiver Jermaine Burton to conference rival Alabama this offseason.
Smart's comments came on the heels of Louisville coach Scott Satterfield’s comments earlier this week that tampering may have played a role in former Cardinals receiver Tyler Harell heading to Alabama.
Saban responded by saying, “hopefully we have enough honesty and integrity out there among us professionally in our sport that people are going to abide by the rules.”
ICYMI
A Final Review of Ohio State's 2016 Class
Dan Hope takes a final look at how every member of Ohio State’s 2016 recruiting class performed as Buckeyes, led by quarterback Dwayne Haskins, Jr., defensive end Nick Bosa, and safety Jordan Fuller.
Coaching to Infinity
Johnny Ginter takes a look at rule changes that will potentially lift the cap on the number of coaches college football teams can have and how that may benefit Ohio State.
Coach Q&A: What Makes Dylan Raiola Special
Garrick Hodge sits down with Rick Garretson, Dylan Raiola’s coach at Chandler High School, for a conversation on Ohio State’s newest commitment and what makes him the top quarterback in the 2024 class.
Up Next
- Men’s Golf: NCAA Columbus Regional, Monday-Wednesday
- Men's Tennis: NCAA Tournament quarterfinals vs. Michigan, 8 p.m. Thursday
- Football: Season opener vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 3
