Buckeye86 said:

I think promoting Hartline was a mistake - he wasn’t a very good OC, the duel responsibilities made him a worse WR coach, and the entire point was to keep him around longer and he left after one year anyway.

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I agree. Part of me wonders about his exit to South Florida.

I always thought he’d land at a school like Minnesota, South Carolina, Stanford, or TCU kind of level.

Going to South Florida seems like if he had the option to he should’ve stayed until he got a mid level power four job.

I’m guessing here but wouldn’t be surprised if everyone knew it wasn’t working.

Anyway, I think this hire will work out but I have no expectations. Certainly nothing where I think he’s terrible.

BB73 said:

If the NCAA had any integrity, they would take about 1 week to verify what Dabo said, and if true immediately say the kid could never play football for Ole Miss.

After that, they can determine any further penalties.

So that won’t happen.

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What liability would that open them up to?

It’s got nothing to do with integrity, these are all lawyers. We need to try to look at it through that lense to make any sense at all.

ScriptOhio said:

Could Texas have a potential OL issue in 2026 too?

Texas, Alabama among teams with lingering roster question marks as 2026 transfer portal cycle winds down

With transfer options dwindling, these teams face some question marks entering spring football

www.cbssports.com

Texas, Alabama among teams with lingering roster question marks as 2026 transfer portal cycle winds down​

With transfer options dwindling, these teams face some question marks entering spring football​

Texas: Offensive line​

The offensive line was the weak spot of Texas' 2025 roster, forcing Steve Sarkisian to replace two mainstays from that unit. He landed a likely starter at tackle in Melvin Siani but could still benefit from adding a ready-made option on the interior.

Given the Longhorns' aggressive approach at other positions -- and their flawless execution in a highly successful cycle -- it was somewhat surprising that they were only involved with one highly regarded lineman. Perhaps Siani's arrival, combined with another year of development from Trevor Goosby, Brandon Baker and Connor Robertson, will be enough to spark improvement and fill the remaining gap on a championship-caliber roster.

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They had Oline issues all this past year.

Could Texas have a potential OL issue in 2026 too?

Texas, Alabama among teams with lingering roster question marks as 2026 transfer portal cycle winds down​

With transfer options dwindling, these teams face some question marks entering spring football​

Texas: Offensive line​

The offensive line was the weak spot of Texas' 2025 roster, forcing Steve Sarkisian to replace two mainstays from that unit. He landed a likely starter at tackle in Melvin Siani but could still benefit from adding a ready-made option on the interior.

Given the Longhorns' aggressive approach at other positions -- and their flawless execution in a highly successful cycle -- it was somewhat surprising that they were only involved with one highly regarded lineman. Perhaps Siani's arrival, combined with another year of development from Trevor Goosby, Brandon Baker and Connor Robertson, will be enough to spark improvement and fill the remaining gap on a championship-caliber roster.

Mohamed Toure, key member of Miami defense, plans to return for rare eighth year of eligibility in 2026​

Toure began his college career at Rutgers in 2019​

Mohamed Toure's college football journey isn't ending anytime soon. The standout Miami linebacker is planning to return for the 2026 season, giving him a rare eighth year of eligibility, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and 247Sports' Gaby Urrutia. The decision follows the Hurricanes' run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and keeps one of their most productive defenders around for another year.

Toure's return is technically legitimate under NCAA rules. He redshirted as a true freshman at Rutgers in 2019. Then, in 2020, the NCAA granted all players a free year of eligibility because of the pandemic-shortened season. On top of that, Toure lost two full seasons to ACL injuries while at Rutgers -- in 2022 and again in 2024 -- both of which resulted in medical redshirts.

Stacked together, those technicalities created an unusual path: a traditional redshirt, a COVID waiver and two medical redshirts. The result is an eighth season of college football for a player who first arrived on campus at Rutgers in January 2019 as a three-star recruit.
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The decision also reflects the modern structure of college football. With NIL opportunities and revenue sharing now part of the landscape, staying in school has become a realistic option for players with remaining eligibility who aren't projected early-round NFL picks. For veterans like Toure, another year can offer both financial stability and a chance to improve draft positioning.

Eight seasons in college football isn't normal. It's not supposed to happen. But in Toure's case, the rules allow it -- and Miami is set to benefit from it.

calibuck said:

I laugh, but daughter lives in C'bus. She called, saying that Kroger's lines were loooong, and pretty much store was bare. Other than the fact she's like her mother, about 3-4 months of food in the pantry, she needed lettuce and a couple other expirables. Awaiting the 10-16 inch storm (?). Didn't realize that C'bus had 'stages' of safety, driving in snowy conditions, etc. Hopefully all residents don't have any emergencies, etc. Does anyone know if hospitals are staffed? Sounds like the powers that be don't want anybody on the streets. OK, back to tennis....

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The hospitals have to be staffed; they operate 24/7 regardless of the weather conditions.

I guess I should look at more than just the "College Football" and "Professional Football" threads in the off-season. Just stumbled upon this.... 2 weeks ago there was work toward a plan... what's the plan? Do I need to start donating again?

Buckeye86 said:

As has been said a million times already (sorry if it’s been said here), Chip Kelly went from a national championship caliber college OC to the worst OC in the NFL who got fired halfway through a season.

People recognize how drastically more difficult coordinating in the NFL is compared to college, right?

It seems impossible to me that this won’t be a significant improvement over Hartline in terms of weekly prep and game day calls, regardless of Smith’s performance last season in the NFL.

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Returning 8 starters on offense and having a far superior OC is a recipe for success. I love Hartline as a WR coach but there were likely better OCs on the damn staff last year let alone in the NFL.

We would’ve improved regardless due to the seniority coming back. Add in a competent OC and let’s see where this takes us. Sure as shit probably gets us scoring more than 14 points vs good defenses.

bigdog3300 said:

His 2 stints as an OC...

1) Had people thinking the Titans might make the Super Bowl led by Tannehill, and then in 2020 they had the second most yards in the NFL. There is no way to spin this other than a massive success, and it's also not fair to ignore this.

2) The Steelers offense improved statistically, while not having much to work with....I'm not putting too much, good or bad, into 2025 due to Aaron Rodgers having a massive impact on that offense and their decisions.

It's not apples to apples, so I don't pull a ton from the Falcons, but the fact he got Desmond Ridder to go 7-10 in back to back years is also pretty damn impressive. The best QB he's had to work with was Tannehill and he made him look great...outside of that he had Mariota, Ridder, Fields, Wilson, and an ancient Aaron Rodgers.

I get Steelers fan most likely hated him and the entire staff, but Smith has a fantastic reputation inside the league.

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This is where I’m at. The man led some very good offenses in the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE and he really never had an elite QB. Every week it’s a battle in the NFL and if you don’t bring it you’ll lose.

That’s why NFL guys going to college works more than college to Pro. Guys like Patricia, Hafley, Day, Pete Carrol, and even Saban. It’s because all they’ve done for decades is perfect their craft and now they land at a place with superior talent compared to who they’re playing? Automatic.

I don’t pretend to know much about Smith but I know statistically he’s had some elite offenses in the most difficult arena of football.

I’m not positive or negative about the hire but as someone pointed out if he wasn’t very good at his job don’t you think Vrable and Patricia would said something? You know Ryan Day asked both for their opinions.

I think it’ll work out and this time next year we’ll be holding our breath hoping he doesn’t bail to the NFL.

It's hard to believe a National Championship-winning Head Coach of a college football team that wants to attract players who dream of playing in the NFL would dare to higher former successful coordinators at the NFL level and now make them the Head Coaches of their respective sides of the ball at the collegiate level.


Sarcasm font.

DZ83CK said:

Gotta get FedEx on board with being OSU's first (other than Nike) corporate sponsor jersey patch

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I just hope the offense delivers.

Thump said:

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If the NCAA had any integrity, they would take about 1 week to verify what Dabo said, and if true immediately say the kid could never play football for Ole Miss.

After that, they can determine any further penalties.

So that won’t happen.

Poe McKnoe said:

Hiring an OC that can essentially buy his players in the age of NIL is actually brilliant. No idea if the product on the field will actually work, but it’s a hell of an idea.

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Gotta get FedEx on board with being OSU's first (other than Nike) corporate sponsor jersey patch

Well, this a shocker….. said no one

Xichigan played a D that I am not familiar with. Thorton was guarded by a Xichigan blanket. It worked. And Xichigan could throw what, 3 7 footers at the basket? Don't care how tall you are, block those suckers out, and force them to go 'over the top' for a rebound (and back them up while they're in the air). Put back stuffs were pretty common, while tOSU guys stood around wondering why their 'man' was scoring. Our second tall guy is a very blunt instrument. Someone above called it correctly. Many tOSU players were passing up open shots, instead passing the ball to our scorers, who were guarded closer then have seen before. And yeah, one doesn't become "Ohio Player of Year" with rebounds, but by scoring, and Cupps and White got their awards by putting the ball in the hole....OK, write it off and move on....

Going once, going twice, sold....

Kinda think the NCAA handles itself much like the Supreme Court. In other words, they'll decide which problem they want to hear/go after. Tampering is wrong certainly, but sounds like it would be labor intensive to collect documentation from unwilling participants, and in the end, would come down to a 'He said, he said' kinda thing. And proving beyond a reasonable doubt might be darn neigh impossible. And Steve 19 is right, the kids cannot be punished, they actually benefit. And most assistant coaches are expendable...just ask Xichigan...

Hey, maybe we can double up on the NIL front, by getting Diebs to kick in for a dual scholarship for the basketbucks? He's got a #4 written all over him. (might help his agility around the line as well).