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.
Timing Rule Changes Formally Proposed in College Football
College football games have become longer and longer by the year, it seems. It appears as though that could change beginning this fall, at least in terms of actual game time.
The NCAA Football Rules Committee formally proposed several rule changes which would reduce the number of plays in a game:
- Game clock will continue to run when a first down is gained (except in final two minutes of each half)
- Teams would be prohibited from calling consecutive timeouts
- Penalties at the end of the first and third quarter would carry over and be enforced on the first play of the second and fourth quarter, respectively.
Although these rule changes will shorten games in terms of number of plays, it likely will take just as long for a game to be completed, as our own Johnny Ginter wrote about on Feb. 24. Rule changes or not, plan on continuing to reserve 3-4 hours every Saturday in the fall to watch Ohio State games.
The rule changes are expected to be approved in April.
Texas Tech Head Coach Mark Adams Suspended for "Racially Insensitive" Comment
It appears as though the Red Raiders could be in search of a new head coach for the second time in as many years. After Chris Beard left the program to take over at Texas, Texas Tech promoted Mark Adams to head coach.
On Sunday, the school announced that Adams has been suspended for "inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment last week," a comment that Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt was made aware of Friday.
"Adams was encouraging the student-athlete to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters. Adams immediately addressed this with the team and apologized," the announcement stated.
There was also a separate incident earlier in season school is also investigating in which Adams spit on a player.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 5, 2023
Adams told Stadium he had gone to the doctor, had a bad cough and slobbered on the player during the game.
I can spit on you whenever I want to, one person https://t.co/hBABwp06b8
After a 10-2 start to the season, Texas Tech finished the regular season 16-15 overall, including just 5-13 in the Big 12.
Pac-12 Struggling to Secure New Media Rights Deal
It's been a rough year for the Pac-12. With USC and UCLA heading to the Big Ten in 2024. Not only that, but nine months into its search to find a new media rights deal, the conference is still searching for that as well.
While leagues such as the Big Ten and SEC have signed their own new media rights deals, the Pac-12 is now looking to potentially land a streaming partner such as Amazon, Disney or Apple to be its next media partner. While the search has continued into March, Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson and Washington State president Kirk Shulz have made it known that the Pac-12 has to wrap up its media rights deal this month.
"We're all anxious to have something resolved here in the next couple, three weeks, so we can take next steps and get some of this speculation out of the air in regard to what other conferences may be thinking in terms of trying to pick off Pac-10 teams, if you will, and what we may do in terms of adding institutions," Anderson said.
CBS national college football analyst Dennis Dodd talked to four former Pac-12 coaches – Mike Bellotti (Oregon), Dennis Erickson (Oregon State, Utah), Rick Neuheisel (UCLA, Colorado, Washington) and Rich Rodriguez (Arizona) – with 39 years of experience in the league. The group believes that the conference could be on the ropes.
“What is to stop Oregon and Washington from going to the Big Ten, from Arizona and Arizona State going to the Big 12?” Rodriguez asked. “I would think they’re teetering on the brink right now.”
Considering rumors continue to circulate that more Pac-12 members could potentially join the Big Ten down the road and Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State have recently been in discussions with the Big 12, the Pac-12's future remains murky.
CBS & The Athletic are reporting that talks have resumed between the Big 12 & the Four Corners schools. Colorado, Utah, Arizona, & Arizona State are rumored to bolt to the Big 12 should Pac 12 media value underperfom. Would you like to the see the Big 12 raid the Pac 12? pic.twitter.com/TBEPhsMfDe
— Sidelines Sports Network (@Sidelines_SN) March 3, 2023
ICYMI
Heart of Scarlet and Gold
If you read one story this week, make sure it's this one. The inspiring story of Ohio State's Sarah Sue Morbitzer, and how she plans to continue using her platform – and future career – for the benefit of others.
C.J. Stroud Strongly Considered Returning For Fourth Season With Buckeyes: “It Was Really Hard For Me to Leave a Place Like Ohio State”
Despite expectations of being a projected top-five pick in April's NFL draft, Stroud considered returning for a fourth season at Ohio State.
C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba Excel in NFL Scouting Combine Throwing Session
Stroud and JSN made their case for being the top quarterback and wide receiver in the 2023 draft with standout performances at the NFL Scouting Combine.
What's Next
- Women's Basketball: Big Ten Championship Game vs. Iowa, 5 p.m. today (ESPN)
- Men's Ice Hockey: Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals vs. Penn State (Game 3), 5 p.m. today (BTN+)
- Men's Basketball: First round of Big Ten Tournament vs. TBD, Wednesday
- Women's Lacrosse: vs. Michigan, 6 p.m. Thursday (BTN+)
- Men's Gymnastics: vs. Penn State and Oklahoma, 3:30 Saturday (BTN)
- Men's Lacrosse: at Notre Dame, 1 p.m. Saturday (ACCN)
- Women's Lacrosse: vs. Colorado, 12 p.m. Sunday (BTN+)
- Football: Spring Game, 12 p.m. Saturday, April 15 (BTN)
