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.
Jim Harbaugh Receives Show Cause Penalty, Honorary Captain Invite in the same week
It was a busy week for the guy who canceled the 2020 Ohio State-Michigan game by faking a Covid outbreak he was all to happy to recruit through - even during the dead period (chalking it up to an "illegal cheeseburger" is factory issue propaganda, it was cheating).
Harbaugh received a four-year show cause for recruiting while recruiting was forbidden and lying about it, which is a couple dimensions cheatier than Jim Tressel telling kids to stop selling their socks for pocket money and telling the NCAA there was nothing to see here.
We reference Tatgate here because it's just a little too hard to forget what the reaction up north was to that whole affair. The investigation into Michigan's violations uncovered that Harbaugh directed his staff to "go up to the line and cross it."
Michigan is taking the latest set of violations and punishments so seriously it invited Harbaugh to be its honorary captain for its season opener. A reminder - the Connor Stalions affair, which involved illegal scouting of dozens of games by a junior staff whom everyone in college football knew about except for Michigan's coaches is still ongoing.
We'll see if the NCAA - a comprehensively feckless, bullshit organization that accidentally does the right thing infrequently - takes notice of how seriously Michigan is taking things.
Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
The Deion Sanders Honeymoon in Colorado Might be Over
Might be is optimistic, as the Buffaloes attempt to improve on their 4-8 campaign in 2023. Sanders committed the sin of being rude to a reporter asking a legitimate question, which is about as smart as provoking your waiter at a restaurant.
When you mess with the people who bring your food, you risk the chance of getting a little something extra in your chicken parm. And when you mess with the people who write the ledes, you get ledes about you like this:
A 4-8 coach gave a 3-9 news conference. This was Deposition Deion, a cornered and condescending man, the perennial victim who ain’t got time for mere mortals.
Sports Illustrated's (prematurely anointed) 2023 Sportsperson of the Year lost twice as many games in Boulder last season than he won, but the stream of confidence has not slowed down. His in-game coaching, favoritism and cutthroat talent management system was almost charming when he was winning. But he hasn't been winning.
The Buffs open the season Aug 29 hosting No.2 North Dakota State (FCS) before traveling to Nebraska and in-state rival Colorado State. No layups for Prime to start this redemption tour.
"I'll Have the Lack of Institutional Control IPA"
It's a college coaches-themed edition of The Weekender. We started with a notorious cheater so let's drop in the appropriate second bookend to close us out.
A beer honoring a beloved 86-year old former coach whom the SEC (not that SEC) implicated for insider trading and who left Oklahoma amidst scandals almost 40 years ago makes perfect sense if you believe in the free market.
The cat is out of the bag! Skydance has partnered up with legendary former Sooners Coach @Barry_Switzer on his own beer for charity! Switzer Light Lager will be hitting shelves the week of the first OU game with a banging can design from Robot House fit for a king! #sooners pic.twitter.com/mMnjLkMJkp
— Skydance Brewing Co. (@SkydanceBrewing) August 8, 2024
Man, college football fans will buy anything. If we can get Jim Tressel to collab with us on some juice boxes or bedroom slippers, you better believe they'll show up in the 11W store.
ICYMI
Jeremiah Smith is Blocking Out the Noise Ahead of Highly Anticipated Freshman Season at Ohio State
The No.1 overall recruit in the class of 2024 isn't letting the hype get to his head as Ohio State and college football fans everywhere allow it to permeate their own.
QB Competition is Narrowing, but National Award Season Keeps No Secrets
As the week closed the starting QB job appeared to be a battle between Will Howard and Devin Brown, but only one of those signal callers has been named to the Davey O'Brien Watch List.
You Know What's Cooler Than Having One Tailback on the Doak Walker Award Watch List?
Both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins have the committee's attention. The only Buckeye to take the prize since its inception in 1990 was Eddie George in 1995.
What's Next
- 1 Day (Aug. 12): Happy National Middle Child Day!
- 20 Days (Aug. 31): Ohio State's season opener vs. Akron
- 111 Days (Nov. 30): The Game
