NCAA Football News

Is Joe Martarano trading green for The Blue?

Well, according to an article by Jared Crews of BroncoCountry.com, he is. The article reports that Fruitland Idaho High School multiple-sport standout Joe Martarano is choosing to be a linebacker for the Broncos instead of a career in professional baseball.

This is quite remarkable, considering the Idaho Statesman has reported that Martarano is rated as the No. 86 overall high school prospect in the United States by a top baseball recruiting site. This means he would no doubt be drafted in a decent position in the 2013 MLB draft.

That means that choosing to play football at Boise State also means turning down a healthy paycheck.

But, Martarano seems to be true to his word. In a 2012 ESPN article, Martarano is quoted as saying he would probably choose football over baseball anyway.

In that article, he said:

I have a lot of people in my ear asking me which sport I am going to choose when I leave high school, I love both sports. But right now I would probably pick football

Martarano's high school football coach Bruce Schlaich seemed to confirm what the player was saying. The coach added his comments in the same article:

His dream is to play football for Boise State, and I think that is probably the direction he will stay on

Martarano is one of the most complete athletes to come out of the state of Idaho in a very long time. At 6'3" and 228 pounds, he also has the size.

While he has an impressive presence on the baseball diamond, Martarano is even more impressive on the grid iron.

According to BroncoSports.com, the Fruitland High School star is a four-year letter winner who helped his team to achieve an appearance in four straight state title games.

He was also named honorable mention Parade All-American, Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, Snake Valley Player of the Year on both offense and defense and earned Idaho's 3A State Player of the Year after his senior season.

On the defensive side of the ball, he was a monster in high school, racking up 147 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks. On offense, all he did was throw for over 1,300 yards, rushed for over 600 and accounted for 24 total touchdowns in his senior season alone.

The crazy thing is, Martarano was also a four-year letter winner in baseball and earned a letter three years in basketball. He helped his basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 2011 and 2012 and was named Idaho's top baseball player by MaxPeps.

If Martarano sticks by his comments to BroncoCountry.com—and there is no reason to doubt him—then Boise State is going to get a very special player this fall.

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Having a tough schedule is key for punching your ticket to a BCS bowl or even the national championship game. However, these teams push the limits of how difficult you can go.

They say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but shouldn't there be some sort of limit of how far you can push your team against brutal opponents? This is particularly true in a rough and tumble sport like college football.

Still, what glory is there in beating up a bunch of weak opponents?

So, what teams have the roughest schedules coming into 2013? Read on.

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Boise State football is all about progress—and not just on the field.

It seems every year, another upgrade or potential upgrade is proposed to Bronco Stadium or the surrounding complex.

In 2006, it was the Caven Williams Sports Complex and Indoor Practice Facility. With its impressive 78,000 square feet, full-sized field turf football field and 70' high ceiling, it has a massive presence along side Bronco Stadium.

Towering over the stadium on the west side is the beautiful Stueckle Sky Center. Built in 2008, it is fully equipped with luxury suites, club seating, loge boxes, offices, banquet rooms, and, of course, the Double R Ranch Club.

In 2012, additional seating was added, and additional video monitors were placed strategically around the stadium. The track was also removed. It gave the entire place a much more intimate feel.

This year's upgrade, however, has to be the one the players and coaches are most excited about.

Slated to open in July 2013, the new Boise State football complex will be a 70,000 square foot site to see.

It will be the home of coaches' offices, meeting rooms, a player lounge, recruiting lounge, training facility with weight room, an academic and computer lab, and, of course, a brand new locker room for the Broncos.

You can see the progress of the football complex and updated pictures at KTVB.com. 

With the football complex now nearing completion, it is only appropriate that a program bent on progress would announce another step in raising the bar.

A New Upgrade Is in the Works

According to Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman, Boise State has received approval from the State Board of Education to go forward with a plan to purchase a $2 million video board.

The video board would be roughly 60 feet wide and 33 feet tall, according to the article. It would also have sound baskets and advertising areas, according to Cripe.

The only downside for fans, in regards to this news, is that there is no official time line for adding the screen to the stadium. However, in reading Boise State Athletic Director Mark Coyle's statement, it sounds like the screen is one of the next things on the checklist.

Part of Coyle's statement reads:

A new video board is a priority for us, and one of the first steps in moving in that direction is gaining approval from the State Board of Education.

Coyle also mentioned that they are "constantly and aggressively looking for ways to enhance the fan experience at Bronco Stadium."

Another Announcement 

It was also announced on Wednesday by Sven Berg of the Idaho Statesman that city officials are looking at a preliminary proposal that would allow a much larger tailgating area to exist around Bronco Stadium.

It's not that those tailgating areas don't already exist, but the new proposal would allow fans to legally tailgate in those areas. Which would include allowing alcohol to be consumed inside the designated area within four hours of kickoff. 

The article quotes city spokesman Adam Park as saying:

Everyone knows that there's drinking on tailgates. And this would allow that to go on in a safe fashion, but also a legal fashion

Currently, drinking alcohol is banned inside of Bronco Stadium, and the university did not request this change according to the article.

The proposed area would be from Brady Street down to Myrtle Street up and over to Broadway, down Beacon to Lincoln and back over to Brady. It is a very large area and should encompass nearly all tailgaters.

You can see a map of the area as part of the Idaho Statesman article.

A New Logo on the Field, but What About a New Sound System?

In the article previously mentioned, written by Cripe, it was noted that the Broncos are also in the process of replacing the logo on the center of The Blue in Bronco Stadium.

It will be the new primary logo, and there is a picture with the article.

However, you have to wonder, with a new video board, football complex and logo, will they also upgrade the sound system?

With all the work the university is doing to upgrade the fan experience, it seems like piling on. But, the one complaint heard the most during game time has to be the current sound system.

In an April 28 Idaho Statesman article, athletic director Mark Coyle said, "A new video board and sound system are priorities for us." However, he went on to say, "It's possible the Bronco Stadium video board could be replaced for this season." He was, of course, speaking of 2013. 

He did not say that the sound system would be ready in 2013, which would be unfortunate. But, with a school working on a budget that is a fraction of what many others have, one step at a time seems to be working fine for the Broncos.

New sound system or not in 2013, Boise State continues to move forward. The new football complex, video board and even the logo are signs that the Broncos are a program still on the rise.

It helps the program continue momentum, and it makes the fan experience even better in Bronco Stadium.

Follow @Gamedayreporter

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It’s been a long ride, but we’re finally to the end of the road. This is the last spring preview for the 2013 Boise State Broncos football team.

In this section, we’ll take a look at one of the groups that is largely undervalued, but is extremely crucial to any team looking to have a successful season: the special teams unit.

Because it is difficult to even somewhat accurately speculate on the coverage team units, we will be omitting those squads from the preview. Thus, the preview will cover the kickoff and punt return men as well as the kicking game.

In case you have missed any of the other spring previews, be sure to click on the links below to check them out.

Tight Ends

Running Backs

Defensive Backs

Wide Receivers

Linebackers

Offensive Line

Defensive Line

To reiterate one final time, this preview will take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the special teams unit, as well as highlight any potential position battles that may take place leading up to the season opener.

Let’s take a look at the 2013 Boise State Broncos special teams unit.

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Kyle Van Noy is heading into this season as one of the most-hyped Cougars in recent memory, coming off a transcendent performance in the 2012 Poinsettia Bowl. The All-American linebacker filled stat sheets with 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception, a blocked punt and two touchdowns.

If that's not impressive enough, he scored both of his touchdowns and made most of his biggest plays in the fourth quarter.

The bowl against San Diego State wasn't the only time he tore up an offense. Although there wasn't another game as dominant as that one, he was making big plays all year. Van Noy was tied for second in the nation in solo sacks and forced fumbles, and is the only player in college football to record at least one stat in every major statistical category for the last two seasons.

But what makes the Reno, Nevada native such a threatening player?

Van Noy's posture has a lot to do with it. Stats may look flashy on paper, but you can't overemphasize how important it is to have good form. A linebacker should always have his shoulders squared to his target, with his head up and feet moving. Van Noy does this well, and his forced fumble in the Poinsettia Bowl displayed it perfectly.

On the snap, he lunged forward with his shoulders squared and head up. Despite contact with the lineman, he kept his posture.

To get through the line, Van Noy used a swim move and excelled past the lineman.

At that point, it was only a matter of speed and coordination to get to the quarterback for the strip.

His posture isn't the only thing that makes Van Noy a threat; his speed and athleticism are also worth noting. He ran a 4.67 40-yard dash, and was a track athlete at McQueen High School. One of the most outstanding aspects of his game is his ability to use his athleticism to come off of the outside on a pass rush.

But the final weapon in Van Noy's arsenal that is most intimidating is his knowledge of the game. He is a linebacker that can read quarterbacks like a cornerback. In addition to his athleticism, his ability to read offensive sets gives Van Noy a huge advantage over his peers.

Van Noy has the size and speed to take receivers or tight ends in man coverage, as he did in the Notre Dame game. In the second quarter, Van Noy lined up against Irish tight end Tyler Eifert.

As soon as he looked up and saw quarterback Tommy Rees dropping back to pass, he slid into pass coverage.

He stepped up when the ball was passed, and, after it was tipped into the air, Van Noy had the position to catch it and gain minimal yardage.

Van Noy is a nightmare for any offense that opposes him, and although he will lose Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah on the line and Brandon Ogletree as a fellow linebacker, the BYU defense should still be strong this year. 

He has the tools to be a first-round draft pick, and if he continues to impress people across the country with a big season in 2013, a bright future could be ahead for Van Noy.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Entering year two of the Bill O'Brien era, it could be difficult to keep the Nittany Lions motivated, as the team is still ineligible for any postseason play. However, last year's team, which went 8-4 amidst scrutiny and controversy, set the bar high and gave future teams something to live up to.

Motivation was easy last year, as seniors like Matt McGloin and Michael Mauti carried themselves professionally and helped to restore pride in Penn State. The players performed on the field and didn't complain about the hand they were unfairly dealt.

Last year's team was thrust into a media firestorm and watched as some teammates decided to jump ship to teams that would present easier situations. Despite negative publicity, the 2012 Nittany Lions wanted to show that they were still winners, no matter what outsiders thought.

Entering the 2013 season, as the team heads further from the emotion of the Sandusky scandal, what will O'Brien use for motivation this time?

For starters, pride alone will keep the 2013 Nittany Lions motivated to perform. Watching last year's team be successful in the face of adversity set the standard moving forward. If that team was able to win eight games, the current team will want to better that.

Another motivation for the 2013 Nittany Lions is the fact that there is a lot of talent returning, and expectations are high. If this were a young, inexperienced team, that would be a different story. However, there are several starters returning who will mix with talented freshmen to make Penn State a dangerous team.

The Nittany Lions, who have a great chance at another solid record this season, have been predicted to finish 9-3. The high expectations, added to the pressure to build on what has already been done in Happy Valley, will give fuel to this year's team.

Aside from just playing for pride and for the school, perhaps one of the biggest motivators in college football is the chance to make it to the next level.

Although Penn State won't be going bowling at the end of the season, that doesn't minimize the fact that playing for the Nittany Lions is still big-time college football. The players get a chance to play in front of a packed stadium and face top competition in a major conference that receives a lot of national attention, including that of NFL scouts.

Three Nittany Lions were taken during the 2013 NFL draft, while six others were invited to rookie mini-camps this spring.  

Current players such as Allen Robinson, John Urschel and Adrian Amos could all have professional careers in their future, and having a strong 2013 season would help to solidify that.

While it could be easy to feel that the 2013 season is pointless because there's no postseason or championships that can come out of it, that's just not the case. The upcoming season holds much more meaning that just competing for a bowl game berth or a conference title.

Pride in oneself, the chance at playing professionally and the love and support of the 100,000 blue- and white-clad fans who fill Beaver Stadium on Saturdays make the season worth playing for.

The 2013 Nittany Lions will look to build a legacy that will live on in Penn State history.

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Taking over a college football program is a tricky endeavor whether you are a veteran coach or new coach.

There are a number of tasks that fall on the list of basics for a first year coach, but they never have easy solutions.

Coaches have to win over their rosters, finish a recruiting class in limited time and develop a personal style that will make its mark on the program.

The first year is always the hardest but succeed at these five and the job gets a lot easier. 

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The NFL has started to expand its games overseas and has had plenty of success doing so. For college football, the same success would be likely, but what foreign cities and stadiums would be the perfect locations for college football games?

Many prerequisites would have to be met, such as stadium size and enthusiasm in that particular city.

While some places like Rungrado May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea are off limits for political reasons, it is the largest stadium in the world with a seating capacity of more than 150,000. Even though this stadium in North Korea did not make the list, plenty of other large facilities throughout the world would be perfect locations for college football.

Here are 15 foreign cities and stadiums that college football should consider when thinking about expanding outside of the United States.

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It is a shame Texas and Texas A&M aren't playing this season, as it would have been arguably the most hyped meeting between these former rivals in recent memory. With the Aggies leaving for the SEC, this matchup likely won't take place for a long time. 

So the next best thing is a hypothetical matchup. Texas A&M and Texas square off sometime in mid-October on a neutral field, who you got? Unless you are a diehard Longhorns fan or a supporter of a SEC West team, you are probably going to pick the Aggies.

Even though Texas has won three of the final four meetings against Texas A&M, it has struggled mightily the last three years, which includes finishing with a 2-3 record against ranked teams last season. This is not the same Longhorns program of old and it certainly isn't the same Texas A&M squad with quarterback Johnny Manziel running the show.

The Aggies were able to win 11 games in their first season in the toughest division in the country. Being the only team to knock off the national champion Crimson Tide, Texas A&M is a team that should be considered a national title contender this season. With that said, most would assume the Aggies would win this hypothetical showdown.

But how would the Longhorns stack up?

Much like the last two meetings between these two teams, which were decided by a touchdown or less, this would be a highly competitive meeting. Although the Longhorns haven't fared well as of late in big games, they are still a team that returns the most starters in the country, with 19. This includes 10 starters from an offense that averaged nearly 36 points per game and nine starters from a defense that really has no choice but to improve.

Arguably the most talented team head coach Mack Brown has had in recent memory, and with depth from top to bottom, there is no reason this club can't contend for a BCS bowl. Sure, this is what we have heard the last three seasons, but when the pieces are in place you would be foolish to look away.

Texas A&M will remain an offensive juggernaut, but that defense that finished ninth in the SEC remains a huge question mark. Missing seven defensive starters, including sack leader Damontre Moore, this will be the Aggies' weakness until proven otherwise. A Texas offense that scored more than 40 points five times last season would be able to capitalize off of this issue.

But the only way to beat the Aggies is to do what few teams have been able to do: Slow down Manziel. Can a defense that allowed 403 yards a game be one of the first to keep the reigning Heisman winner in check? Not hardly, although there is a thing leaning in the Longhorns' favor: A great pass rush.

Last season Texas led the Big 12 with 34 sacks and will have defensive lineman Jackson Jeffcoat back from injury. Even without sack leader Alex Okafor, there is still enough speed and athleticism to penetrate a Texas A&M offensive line that no longer includes Luke Joeckel.

Even with the first-round pick on the line last season, the Aggies allowed 23 sacks, 10 of which came against elite defenses in LSU, Florida and Alabama. Two of those three games resulted in losses, while the Alabama game came down to the the wire. If you can pressure Manziel and rattle him in the pocket, you have a chance to beat Texas A&M.

This game would be a lot closer than most think due to the Longhorns pass rush, but it is hard to bet against a team led by Johnny Football. He is the difference-maker and the reason the Aggies win a well-fought, tight contest.

Note: All stats come from cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

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The Big 12 is a quarterback-driven league and has been since its inception in 1994.

A number of high-profile quarterbacks have taken snaps in the league, and this is a look at the 10 best to come through the ranks.

Three Heisman Trophies and a handful national titles are represented by this group. Sam Bradford is an obvious choice, but names like Michael Bishop may not be immediately recognized. 

Who takes No. 1?

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Miami can probably claim the title, USC could have some say and Auburn would likely carry the torch for the SEC, but there's no denying that Alabama's recent success on the ground has established the Crimson Tide as the most successful "Running Back U" over the last six years.

Since head coach Nick Saban took over the program in 2007, five different Crimson Tide running backs have topped the 1,000-yard mark on the ground, three of whom—Eddie Lacy, Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram—have been selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft.

In 2009, Mark Ingram became the first Alabama player to ever win the Heisman Trophy.

Not a bad run, and the best may be yet to come.

The 2013 Crimson Tide will feature sophomore T.J. Yeldon as their lead running back. Yeldon rushed for 1,108 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman last season, serving primarily as the backup to Eddie Lacy.

Yeldon will move up to the top spot on the depth chart this year, but don't be surprised if the Alabama running game looks a little different in 2013.

Though Yeldon has what it takes to be an every-down back in the SEC, Alabama is absolutely loaded at the position with players who can contribute in a variety of ways.

First, let's look at Yeldon. The 6'2", 216-pounder has the build to be a force between the tackles and is not afraid of contact. We saw that in the first game of his career, when he rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown against Michigan in the Cowboys Classic.

He has power, but it's his patience and quickness in traffic that make Yeldon so dangerous.

In just one short season, we've seen Yeldon show the patience of a veteran and the burst that keeps him one cut away from taking it to the house at any moment.

In the video below versus Missouri last season, Yeldon stayed behind his pulling offensive linemen, waited for the right moment and then jumped five yards into the end zone to extend Alabama's lead on the Tigers.

Yeldon averaged 6.33 yards per carry last season. That number will go up next season thanks to the supporting cast around him.

One of the primary members of that cast is early enrollee Derrick Henry. Henry missed Alabama's spring game with a broken leg, but should be up to 100 percent by the time toe meets leather against Virginia Tech in the Crimson Tide's season opener at the Georgia Dome.

When healthy, Henry is a boss. He set the career school rushing record at Yulee (Fla.) High School with 12,212 yards, scored 153 touchdowns and was named the Maxwell Football Club's 2013 National High School Player of the Year.

At 6'3", 238 pounds, his size will likely land him as a short-yardage back during the start of his Tide career. But with 4.54 speed in the 40-yard dash, he can certainly be a superstar in the SEC.

For now, though, expect Henry to get predetermined series as the the feature back—as was the case with Yeldon, Lacy and Richardson when they were backups—but to be a major contributor in short-yardage and goal-line situations. 

Alabama likes to line up a defensive tackle at fullback near the goal line. It's kind of hard to stop a running back the size of a linebacker when a defensive tackle is plowing the road in front of him.

But it isn't just Yeldon and Henry who will carry the load.

Kenyan Drake rushed for 281 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging 6.69 yards per carry in the process. The 6'1", 201-pounder is more of a weapon outside. If used properly, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can use Drake's ability to be creative with play-calling.

Lining up with either Yeldon or Henry as the primary back with Drake in the slot as a receiver will make opposing defensive coordinators' heads spin. It would allow Nussmeier to use the feature back as he always does, but Drake as either a running back or a receiver in screen passes or downfield.

Alabama isn't a spread offense, but it has the ability to give off that impression with the talent in the backfield.

However, it isn't just those three who will be in the mix. Dee Hart dabbled as a defensive back this spring, but the former 4-star (per 247Sports.com) running back is lightning-quick and could move in with Drake as that changeup back with home run capabilities.

Toss in 6'1", 250-pound Jalston Fowler as another short-yardage specialist and Alabama's current crop of running backs is loaded with talent.

The scary thing is that help is on the way. 

Alvin Kamara, Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny all signed with Alabama as 4-star prospects in the 247Sports.com composite index in February and will join the team this summer. All three of those players would probably earn playing time at other schools this season as true freshmen, but will be battling to avoid a redshirt season in fall camp.

Of the trio, Kamara has the best shot to play right away. He has the versatility to be a feature or changeup back and could find the field right away. If any of the three crack the lineup, it'd be quite an accomplishment and quite a statement to the rest of the SEC.

Alabama's running game is going to be filthy next year due to the talent, depth and versatility it boasts. Sure, the offensive line may be a question mark, but this group of talented backs is certainly capable of overcoming some inconsistencies up front.

These Alabama running backs create the most punishing and versatile rushing attack the Crimson Tide have boasted under Saban.

That's downright frightening.

Follow @BarrettSallee

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Neutral-site games have been the saving grace for dead weekends on the college football schedule. In years past there were gaps in scheduling that produced snoozers—especially early in the year—but that has changed.

Georgia and Florida State are trying to steal some of the national spotlight by scheduling a neutral-site game for the 2016 season, but thanks to a proposal moving the SEC to a nine-game schedule, the matchup may not happen.

Coley Harvey of  the Orlando Sentinel reports on the holdup. 

At the ACC spring meetings Wednesday, FSU athletics director Randy Spetman told the Orlando Sentinel that talks between the schools about a neutral-site 2016 game are "moving along."

"The AD at Georgia just doesn't know if he has room to put it in there," Spetman said, referring to UGA athletics director Greg McGarity.

Spring meetings are just around the corner for the SEC, and the vote for or against the nine-game conference schedule should be on the agenda.

The 2013 season kicks off with Alabama vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta, and LSU vs. TCU in Cowboys Stadium. Should the SEC move to a nine-game rotation, these marquee neutral-site games will be a thing of the past. 

The ACC is coming off an expansion of its own with the addition of Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Louisville. The conference also added an agreement with Notre Dame that adds five ACC games to the Irish schedule.

Still, there is no plan to move to a nine-game conference rotation for the ACC. In Harvey's report, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said that, "We [coaches] are pretty much all comfortable with the eight.”

SEC coaches have different opinions on the matter. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier told the Athens Banner-Herald , "It could go to nine. Whatever they say is fine with me.”

Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley had this to say about the move to nine games (h/t CBSSports):

"Nine conference games and Florida State, that's a tough challenge. We'll continue to listen to the conversation. Right this second I don't love it for Florida but obviously there are 13 other schools in this league, not just one."

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is all for the move. A report from ESPN's Edward Aschoff brings Saban's thoughts to light:

“I’m for playing nine conference games; I was the only person that spoke out in favor of it last year,” Saban said. “If you increase the size of the league and the number of teams you have in the league then you’ve got to play more games." 

At this point the league appears split on the decision, and while it waits it is holding up the moves of other conferences. 

Florida State is in a holding pattern "waiting on the SEC” to make its move.

Keeping eight games in the SEC is the right move. College football needs these types of games moving forward, but the trend of top neutral-site matchups may disappear soon. 

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy

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The SEC has become this big bad conference that has taken over college football, while the Big Ten has lost some of its swagger recently. Players in the SEC are put up on a pedestal, and most players in the Big Ten struggle to receive as much national attention.

This doesn't mean that some of these guys can't hang with the big boys. Many of these players were recruited by SEC programs and could start for some of the powerhouse schools down south. Don't let the rankings, media hype and propaganda fool you; the Big Ten has some players who are more than capable of holding their own against college football's best.

Here are some of the Big Ten players who would thrive if playing in the SEC.

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Notre Dame will not be playing Michigan from 2015 to 2017. The school informed Michigan in September that it is exercising its three-year out clause and is taking a hiatus from the rivalry game series that was first played in 1887. The series' future beyond 2017 is uncertain. 

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke didn't mince words in his reaction on the decision, according to ESPN:

"We have unbelievable rivalry games at Michigan," Hoke said. "The Notre Dame, that rivalry, which they're chickening out of ... they're still going to play Michigan State, they'll play Purdue; they don't want to play Michigan."

Ouch. 

You can't really blame Hoke. Notre Dame is canceling a series in which Michigan leads 23-16-1. As Hoke pointed out, Notre Dame is keeping its series with Purdue and Michigan State. Notre Dame leads its series with Purdue 56-26-2 and Michigan State 46-28-1. 

Notre Dame has a future five-game schedule with the Atlantic Coast Conference, and that's what apparently prompted the Irish to cancel the Michigan series. Unless the ACC improves its football, there may be no excuse for Notre Dame using its future ACC schedule as a crutch for shelving the Michigan series. Until you take a look at the Irish's probable 2016 schedule:

• 09/03 - at Texas
• 09/17 - Purdue
• 09/24 - at Michigan State
• 10/08 - Miami (FL)
• 11/05 - Navy (site TBA)
• 11/26 - at USC
• TBA - Duke
• TBA - at NC State
• TBA - Stanford
• TBA - Syracuse (at E. Rutherford, NJ)
• TBA - Virginia Tech

That's a solid schedule with no FCS teams on it. But an inherent problem with Notre Dame's schedule is that it has complete control over it. BCS schools only have control over their non-conference game schedules. Oregon can't cancel Stanford, and LSU can't cancel Florida. Their respective conference commissioners have the final say.

So Notre Dame putting one of its biggest games on hiatus—one in which the Irish have a losing series record—looks like a chicken move.

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a duck. Or in this case, a chicken.

Apologists will argue that Notre Dame doesn't need Michigan and Michigan needs Notre Dame because of the Big Ten's recent lackluster performances. But Purdue and Michigan State are still on the schedule. Notre Dame doesn't need Michigan but needs Purdue and Michigan State? And Navy?

If Notre Dame is seriously considering its football program joining a conference full-time, then maybe this move makes sense. As of now, its hockey and football programs remain independent. Future ACC games for Notre Dame include Florida State in 2014, Clemson in 2015 and Virginia Tech in 2016.  

Notre Dame's insistence to have its football program remain independent is completely understandable. The school is making oodles of money through its media rights, merchandise sales and BCS payouts. According to Forbes' Chris Smith, Notre Dame had $70 million in revenues for 2011, with $40 million of that profit.

Haters will still hate, but that kind of cash explains its football program's commitment to independence. But that doesn't mean football fans have to like it. 

Nobody likes to pay taxes, but we do so begrudgingly in order to have necessary public services like police and fire protection. Football teams appearing to take the easy way out aren't held in high esteem, either, even if it makes sense. Especially if it is Notre Dame. Because anything Notre Dame does will always be viewed as the lesser of two evils. 

Temporarily shelving Michigan was a bad PR move. Shelving its series with Purdue instead would have probably been met with a dull roar instead of righteous indignation. 

There are now three things in life that are certain: death, taxes and Notre Dame fanning the flames of college football fans' angst.

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We are officially entering college football’s Bermuda Triangle: The dreadful offseason dead zone between spring games, summer practices and the far away beaches of the 2013 opening weekend, starting on August 29.

Many long, balmy months still separate us from Week 1 in college football, and with no earth-shattering scandals or major conference realignment news to keep our interest piqued, the start of the season only feels further away.

But rather than resorting to making friends with a volleyball named “Wilson,” modern college football fans have options.

Here is what you can do to keep your sanity over the long summer ahead.

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Penn State once again finds itself in the midst of controversy following reports that the athletic department has made controversial changes to its medical staff recently, according to a recent Sports Illustrated report by David Epstein.

Many of the issues stem from the removal of Wayne Sebastianelli as director of athletic medicine at Penn State. Sebastianelli was also the orthopedic surgeon-head physician for the Nittany Lions' football team.

According to Epstein's report, new athletic director David Joyner is the focus of the Penn State community's concern and disappointment. Joyner had no previous athletic administrative experience before being hired as AD and reportedly had a testy history with Sebastianelli. 

In the report, current and former Penn State staff describe Joyner and Sebastianelli's relationship as a rivalry:

Multiple former players and staff members told SI that they recalled Joyner and Sebastianelli having heated words several years ago over whether Joyner was trying to lure football players away from the university medical system.

The report also states that Penn State football players were both surprised and confused to learn of Sebastianelli's departure. Trustee sources told Epstein that Joyner's reason for the changes to the medical staff was to cut costs.

Epstein goes on to report that head coach Bill O'Brien is content with the changes to the medical staff but that he has made recommendations since joining the program.  

The report also discusses issues involving athletic trainers taking part in medical practices usually reserved for doctors, including giving a player drugs without a proper prescription, via anonymous sources in Penn State athletics health care.

Penn State released the following statement in response to Epstein' report:

To characterize the medical care Penn State provides our student-athletes as anything other than the highest quality is erroneous. Access to urgent and quality care for our athletes is no less than where it was at any point in the past 20 years. We provided Sports Illustrated with facts and data that demonstrate our commitment to our student athletes and how we compare to other peer institutions. Instead, the article sensationalizes in order to insinuate lower standards and largely ignores statements from the Dean of the College of Medicine.

Contrary to the reporter's assertions, Dr. Sebastianelli remains the doctor in charge of the University's entire medical program for intercollegiate athletics, including football. Further, there has been no change in the support provided by State College-based Penn State orthopedic surgeons, including Dr. Sebastianelli.

Epstein's report is just the latest controversy for a school and an athletic program that has been rocked by scandal over the past 18 months. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

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The LSU Tigers appeared to be in serious trouble with TCU on the schedule as the opening game. With a young team returning that lost a ton of NFL talent, a potential upset against the Horned Frogs was brewing in Cowboys Stadium.

Now, not so much.

According to College Football Talk, TCU defensive end Devonte Fields has been suspended for the first two games for violation of university and team policy.

All the air has just been sucked out of the building.

Fields was a freshman last season who finished third in the Big 12 with 10 sacks, while adding 53 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception for good measure. His combination of size (6'4", 240 pounds), speed and a relentless motor makes him one of the best young defenders in the league.

In fact, with him already proving himself in one short season, Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer took to Twitter to share his feelings about the young defensive end.

Needless to say, that is terrific company to be in, as Clowney is just in another weight class compared to the rest of college football.

So what does this do for the TCU-LSU matchup?

The Horned Frogs are still a wonderful football team that finished 16th in total defense last season, and they return the second-most starters in the Big 12 with 15. Despite losing quarterback Casey Pachall for much of the season, they still managed to win seven games and keep things close against Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

Head coach Gary Patterson always has his team well-prepared and his defense is always a feisty bunch that never backs down from the opponent. There is also the fact that LSU lost six starters on defense and wasn't exactly terrific offensively. If there was ever a year the Tigers could take a step backwards or at least struggle out of the gate, it would be this season due to lack of experience.

But it is no secret that Fields was a tremendous part of this football team. No TCU player finished last season with at least five sacks besides him, and he had the most tackles on the team as far as defensive linemen are concerned. Stopping the run and generating pressure on the quarterback are two keys to knocking off LSU, and things just got a lot tougher for TCU to do just that.

It is true that one player doesn't make a team or win a game, but Fields is an elite defensive lineman who makes everybody's job that much easier. When you are the underdog, you need all the help you can get, and this underdog just lost the best player on the entire team.

You can still expect TCU to put up a fight, especially if Pachall is able to get his head on straight and return to form. But the chances of shocking the world and pulling off the upset just suffered a major blow.

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Many of the DE prospects on this list are so talented and young in the development that they fit just about anywhere. That includes Da'Shawn Hand, the top pass-rusher available, as he's just a freak of an athlete and a player that will be ready to contribute as a true freshman.

Another great DE prospect is Lorenzo Carter, as his size quickness and length are impressive. The most intriguing DE on this list is Kentavius Street, as he an interesting skill set. Street will need to make sure he fits the defensive scheme perfectly of any school he picks.

Lastly, an underrated DE on this list Dewayne Hendrix. He's a sleeper and finding a good fit for his style of play will be crucial. Here are the best fits for the nation's top 10 DEs.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports & ESPNU.

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Jabrill Peppers, 5-star athlete and highly touted recruit, is ready to let us know where he wants to play college football in 2014 and beyond.

The options he has in mind? 

LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford, according to Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.com. VanHaaren also reports that Peppers will commit live on ESPNU, May 26—which is a Sunday.

Peppers is ranked as an athlete recruit and is No. 1 in that position group, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, but he projects best as a cornerback.

He has the size to out-physical wide receivers and set the edge as a run defender at 6'1'', 205 pounds, but he also has the speed and athleticism to be a legitimate cover corner. Peppers runs a 4.50 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports. 

He could even play both ways in college, depending on the scheme. He would be a great running back and special teams player.

VanHaaren may list LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford as possible destinations for Peppers, but it's hard to deny that Michigan has an advantage for his commitment. The Wolverines are listed as the top team on his 247Sports interest list, and all 15 experts that participated in Peppers' 247Sports Crystal Ball predicted that he will end up at Michigan. 

Michigan also recently landed 4-star offensive tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty, who is Peppers' teammate at Paramus Catholic High (Paramus, N.J.).

Is it possible for a surprise team like Penn State or Stanford to pull off the upset? Sure, anything is possible in recruiting.

All signs point to Michigan being the program that picks up arguably one of the biggest commitments of the 2014 class, though.

If Peppers does pick Michigan, he has the potential to be a superstar corner and athlete reminiscent of Charles Woodson back when he wore the No. 2 for the Maize and Blue.

Note: All scouting and analysis of Peppers done via tape study on videos provided on his 247Sports profile page.

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Lane Kiffin has thought about being a high school football coach. He wasn't serious about that career path, according to the Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: 

I wonder if there's something to that peace of mind. Maybe it's something I can go back and do when I get older. I'm going to go coach high school.

It's just the game. It's the game in its realest sense and it's fun. Working with the kids and not all this other stuff. You go back and have fun.

College coaching is a grueling job. That's why the best coaches haul in seven-figure salaries. But people who are happy in their jobs usually don't fantasize about a lower-level job unless the stress of their job is getting to them. There is no escapism if one doesn't feel a need to escape.

Kiffin has to be feeling stress. All of those off the field distractions last year. That 7-6 record including a stunning loss to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl. UCLA out-recruiting USC. The constant pressure to fix this year's team.  

Each little incident associated with Kiffin last year wasn't a big deal. But Kiffin's public persona magnified everything. From Russo:  

''That is frustrating because I know a completely different person from what a lot of people assume that he is,'' said Layla Kiffin, Lane's wife. ''But then you ask the team and you ask the parents that know him, and they all can say the same things I do. He is personable. And he is funny. And he's extremely smart. He's very gifted and talented at what he does."

Layla is right. Her husband is funny and personable. If only he showed that side of him more often when the mic is live and the camera is on. Then again, maybe no one would care about his inner glow and charm if the results on the field were different.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is cantankerous, impatient and unforgiving when dealing with the media. He's the living embodiment of a curmudgeon. He also wins and that's why nobody cares about his stiff personality.

He who has the most crystal balls rules the world and is excused for any perceived personality flaws.  

Kiffin needs to beat Notre Dame, beat Stanford, beat UCLA and not lose to Utah State. 

If Kiffin gets USC to the Rose Bowl, the yearly drama will be a sideshow for his critics and the most trivial minutia for Trojan boosters debating on whether or not they'll open their wallets and fork over big bucks.

A six- or seven-win season opens the door for more intense scrutiny. A 10- or 11-win season cancels out another deflate gate or jersey gate.

Kiffin may want to follow the mantra of his former employer, the Oakland Raiders' Al Davis.

Just win, baby.   

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