College Football
The Favorites
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Well, soon we will be back watching our favorite college football teams on the gridiron.
Most everyone is picking the Georgia Bulldogs as the nation’s number one team entering the fall. There are a lot of reasons to lean that way. I’ll get into them down below.
So, the Dawgs are preseason numero uno. After 2 national championships back-to-back, the Dawgs fumbled against Alabama last year in a 3-point loss.
The result was they were #5 in a 4-team playoff if you get what I mean. Were they one of the top 4 teams at the end of last year? Oh yeah.
But Nick Saban stuck it to Georgia in the SEC Championship one last time so they got what they deserved.
What they deserved was a bowl game with a Florida State University team that pretty much said “we don’t wanna play”. Well Georgia was pissed and came to play and the result was a 63-3 shellacking. That loss to Alabama cost Georgia a chance to 3-peat. It also showed why Kirby Smart and the Dawgs are so highly thought of going into this year.
They could have had numerous players opt out of the game including Carson Beck, Tate Ratledge, Javon Bullard, Tykee Smith, Kamari Lassiter and on and on. Instead, the Dawgs opted IN.
My point is that these Dawgs are a different breed under Kirby Smart. They try to win every game no matter what. Several of the 2024 Dawgs could have moved on last year but to a man they pretty much felt and said they had unfinished business. That’s why they are #1 going into the season.
Offensively this could be the best team of the Kirby Smart era. Back are starters Carson Beck, Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, Earnest Green, Dylan Fairchild, Tate Ratledge, Xavier Truss and Oscar Delp.
Now add in Trevor Etienne, Ben Yurosek and Colbie Young via the portal. This offense is loaded and there is depth all around. The Georgia second string offense is as good as half of the SEC’s STARTING offenses. Look for the Dawgs to light up the scoreboard.
Defensively it’s the same story. They are loaded. This group will need to play well in order for Georgia to win another Natty. Back are Nazir Stackhouse, Mykel Williams, Chaz Chambliss, C. J. Allen, Smael Mondon, Daylen Everette, Dan Jackson, and Malaki Starks. Add in Warren Brinson, Gabe Harris, Raylen Wilson, Jalon Walker and others and the Red and Black are talented, deep and angry.
And let’s not forget the 2023 recruiting class. Another top class that is absolutely loaded on the defensive side of the ball. Many of these pups are making their marks on the practice field as I type this.
Remember the names K.J. Bolden, Nate Frazier, Ellis Robinson IV, and Justin Williams. They will all play vital minutes this fall. And some of this class may be starting by the end of the year. Like I said, these Dawgs are loaded.
Back to do the punting is the seldom used and always appreciated Brett Thorson. He has been consistent and consistent as a two-year starter. Handling the kicking will be Peyton Woodring, who grew into the role last year as a freshman and is very solid.
The return game will be handled by Dillon Bell and Anthony Evans III. Watch out for Michael Jackson III also. He is a portal addition from Southern Cal.
Finally, the schedule……… Ah yes……..The truth be told this team could lose 2 games and still win the National Championship. Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss ON THE ROAD. Add in the opener with Clemson in Atlanta, and games with Kentucky (Away) Auburn, Tennessee, Florida (Jax) and Tech. It is Brutal.
In closing, I don’t expect Georgia to go undefeated. I do expect them to win the 2024-25 National Championship. They are physical, fast, deep and well coached.
And above all these Dawgs are HUNGRY. I see them taking out either Ohio State or Texas in the big one. We’ll see.
Fixed Ramblin’ Wreck?
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia Tech’s season begins August 24th against #10 Florida State in Dublin, Ireland.
They come into this season with some expectations because they went 7-6 last year and 5 – 3 in the ACC. Tech beat UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, 30-17.
Brent Key is entering his second full season as head coach in Atlanta. They have less than 10 practices remaining until the season opener. They had a scrimmage to wrap up their second week of preseason camp.
Key pointed out how well wide receivers Christian Leary and Leo Blackburn, tight ends Brett Seither, Jackson Hawes and Luke Harpring and quarterbacks Haynes King and Zach Pyron played. Every Yellow Jacket was able to play in the scrimmage.
“Went into this talking, ‘This isn’t a dress rehearsal. This is game day. Prepare yourself going into it as if it’s game day.’ Then we’ll hit a hard reset (Sunday) and go back into camp preparation, building our football team mode,” Key said.
“I think now is the point in camp where the guys know what to do. It comes down to the details, the techniques, the alignments, getting into the proper stances and alignments before the snap, being able to play whether it was a huddle play or a tempo play or whatever it may be.”
The transfer portal is something that all programs have to deal with. They had 32 players enter the portal ahead of the 2024 season. They have also added some transfer talent.
Some of these new additions are tight end Josh Beetham (Michigan), safety Jayden Davis (Cincinnati), defensive lineman Thomas Gore (Miami), defensive end Romello Height (USC), cornerback Zachary Tobe (Illinois), linebacker E.J. Lightsey (Georgia), corner back Warren Burrell (Tennessee), defensive lineman Ayobami Tifase (Florida State) and defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg (Penn State).
The Yellow Jackets ranked 120th in total defense last season out of 130 FBS teams. They should be better since they have added more talent. It’s also very hard to get worse than that.
Quarterback Haynes King transferred in from Texas A&M. He passed for 2,842 yards, 27 touchdowns and he rushed for 737 yards and 10 TD’s. He did lead the ACC with interceptions so he will need to improve his decision making and cut down on his turnovers. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.
Tech has a total of 17 starters returning, which is tied for 7th with Cal. They have eight on offense and seven on defense.
That includes most of their offensive line, leading rusher Jamal Haynes and top-two receivers Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr.
Haynes rushed for 931 yards, 7 scores and averaged 6 yards per carry. He had 1,129 all-purpose yards. He should be one of the best backs in the nation this season.
I believe the Yellow Jackets are looking to win six games again to become bowl eligible. They have games against five teams that are ranked in the preseason top 25 Coaches Poll. They will need to win against at least one of those teams to make that happen.
Here is the rest of their schedule:
8/31 vs Georgia State
9/7 @ Syracuse
9/14 vs VMI
9/21 @ Louisville
10/5 vs Duke
10/12 @ North Carolina
10/19 vs #7 Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
10/26 at Virginia Tech
11/9 vs #19 Miami
11/21 vs #22 NC State
11/29 at #1 Georgia
Geaux Tigers
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In Brian Kelly’s third year as head coach, LSU aims to secure a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Key to this ambition is developing a strong ground game to complement their potent passing attack and improving their defense to at least average performance levels. If these goals are met, LSU is likely to be a top-12 team when the regular season ends.
Significant changes will mark the 2024 season, starting with Garrett Nussmeier replacing Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at quarterback, and Joe Sloan stepping in as the new play-caller.
Nussmeier, known for his pocket passing, led LSU to a victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, throwing for 395 yards. While he lacks Daniels’ rushing ability, Nussmeier’s passing skills are promising.
LSU’s offense faces the challenge of establishing a solid running game, relying on Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams.
Head coach Kelly expects wide receiver Kyren Lacy, who learned under a pair of 2024 NFL first round draft picks in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, to have a breakout season.
Other key receivers include Chris Hilton Jr., Aaron Anderson, and transfers CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas. Tight end Mason Taylor, son of NFL legend Jason Taylor, is expected to play a significant role in the short passing game.
The offensive line, considered the team’s strength, is anchored by juniors Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. at the tackle positions. Redshirt freshman DJ Chester is taking over as center.
Defensively, LSU struggled last season, leading to the dismissal of coordinator Matt House and his assistants.
Blake Baker, formerly of Missouri, is now in charge of improving the defense, which allowed 416.6 yards and 28 points per game in 2023.
Key players include linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who returns to inside linebacker despite previous struggles, and Greg Penn III, who recorded 89 tackles last season.
The defensive line’s performance, led by Jacobian Guillory and Sai’vion Jones, will be crucial, and the secondary, led by Major Burns, brings experience.
Special teams see the return of kicker Damian Ramos, who led the FBS in extra points made and attempted, and newcomer punter Peyton Todd. Kelly places significant emphasis on the return game, with Zavion Thomas expected to handle most duties.
Despite losing top players like Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr. to the NFL, LSU’s offense will remain strong, supported by an elite offensive line and a transfer portal reinforced receiving corps. The primary concern on defense will be the secondary.
Improvement in this area is critical for LSU’s chances to make the 12-team playoff.
In terms of roster changes, notable additions from the transfer portal include wide receivers CJ Daniels (Liberty) and Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State), and safety Jardin Gilbert (Texas A&M). Losses include running back Logan Diggs (Ole Miss), offensive tackle Lance Heard (Tennessee), and cornerback Denver Harris (UTSA).
LSU is ranked No. 12 in USA Today’s first Coaches Poll for the 2024 season. The Tigers’ first game is against the University of Southern California, ranked No. 23, on September 1st in Las Vegas.
Here’s LSU’s full schedule for the 2024 season:
Sept. 1: USC (neutral-site game in Las Vegas)
Sept. 7: Nicholls State
Sept. 14: at South Carolina
Sept. 21: UCLA
Sept. 28: South Alabama
Oct. 12: Ole Miss
Oct. 19: at Arkansas
Oct. 26: at Texas A&M
Nov. 9: Alabama
Nov. 16: at Florida
Nov. 23: Vanderbilt
Nov. 30: Oklahoma
Arresting Developments
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia football has been marred by several off-field incidents involving its players in the last few weeks, continuing what has already been a difficult year of police interaction for Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.
Among the latest, starting linebacker Smael Mondon and backup offensive tackle Bo Hughley were arrested on separate misdemeanor charges of reckless driving.
Hughley was arrested Tuesday, July 9th and charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. He posted a $26 bond and was released from custody. Mondon was arrested the following day, July 10th on charges of racing on highways and reckless driving, similarly posting a $26 bond for his release.
The incidents involving Mondon and Hughley highlight ongoing issues within the program. Mondon was observed racing alongside freshman defensive back Demello Jones, driving at 75 mph in a 40 mph zone.
When stopped by police, Mondon denied knowing Jones, despite evidence to the contrary. Jones, who pulled over voluntarily, received a citation for racing. Mondon’s attempt to dissuade Jones from discussing the incident in their team group chat further complicated the situation.
These arrests add to a troubling pattern for the Georgia football program. Back in March of this year, teammate Trevor Etienne was arrested for driving under the influence.
Etienne ultimately pleaded no contest to reckless driving, and the more serious DUI charge was dismissed. All of this brings the number of traffic-related incidents involving Georgia football players to 24 in the last 18 months.
The year 2023 began with a fatal crash involving Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy, which resulted in misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing for former Georgia player Jalen Carter.
Three months later, Carter was selected ninth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFL draft.
The frequency of these incidents has drawn significant attention and criticism. Head Coach Kirby Smart has acknowledged the issue, expressing disappointment and emphasizing the need for better behavior off the field. Despite efforts to address these problems, the arrests continue to cast a shadow over the program.
Further complicating matters, wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas was arrested on July 26th and charged with multiple felonies, including family violence battery and second-degree cruelty to children.
This incident follows a previous arrest last year for false imprisonment and family violence, for which Thomas completed a pre-trial diversion program. Thomas has been suspended indefinitely from the team. His recent arrest underscores the ongoing legal troubles faced by Georgia football players.
The arrests of Mondon and Hughley, coupled with Thomas’ legal issues, reflect broader challenges within the program. Despite being one of the top teams in college football, Georgia has struggled to maintain discipline off the field. These incidents have the capacity to not only tarnish the program’s reputation but also raise concerns about the overall culture and management.
Coach Smart, during SEC Media Days, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues. He expressed disappointment in the outcomes of these incidents and reiterated the program’s commitment to fostering better behavior among players.
However, the recurring nature of these problems suggests that more significant changes may be necessary to ensure a safer and more disciplined environment.
The 2024 football season officially kicks off for Georgia in less than a month. The Bulldogs will host the Clemson Tigers on Saturday August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Dogs will start the season at, or near, the number one spot in most national preseason rankings.
Red Means Stop
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia players are facing suspensions for driving violations, coach Kirby Smart confirmed on Tuesday. There has been another internal punishment: fines via the program’s collective, which have been happening for a while, Smart said.
“Our Classic City Collective for over a year has been substantially fining guys for those things,” Smart said. “That’s not something that’s new. That’s something that’s been ongoing outside of my jurisdiction that they decided to implement and have done for a considerable amount.”
Georgia has continued to have problems with driving-related arrests. Seven players have been arrested on driving-related charges since the January 2023 car crash that killed player Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy in which police found LeCroy had been drinking and racing with then-teammate Jalen Carter.
Safety David Daniel Sisavanh, arrested on reckless driving in February, has been dismissed from the program for what Smart only would term a ‘violation of team rules’.
There have been speeding tickets and arrests for speeding. Another player, Jamon Dumas Johnson, was arrested last year for a street racing incident that happened before Wilcock’s fatal crash.
Smart has declined to specify what the suspensions will be, only confirming them after the fact, such as last year when receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint was suspended for a speeding arrest.
As this season approaches, running back Trevor Etienne (DUI) and linebacker Smael Mondo (reckless driving, racing) seem likely to face suspensions. But Smart said he would not publicize those suspensions in advance.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s right to go down to the town square and publicly shame kids when that happens,” Smart said. “They go through a lot, and there’s a lot of remorse from these young men who’ve made mistakes. But our job is to educate, continue to grow these young men.”
Still, given all the arrests, following a tragic car crash, how has an otherwise disciplined program failed to curtail this serious issue?
“It’s a great question,” Smart said. “I’d love every solution possible because we actually write down now every time we talk about it and every time we address it, and we have someone in every meeting that hears that, and before I came, it was like 162 times it’s been mentioned. But if people go say, ‘Well, it falls on deaf ears, you got to have discipline, you’ve got to discipline someone.’ Well, we have, and we will continue to do so. If the actions require that, we’ll do what’s necessary to do that. But I do think the effective way in curtailing some things is when you go to their wallet and you find them because these fines have been substantial, and it’ll make you think twice about the mistakes you make.”
Georgia has used what Smart called proactive education, such as defensive driving courses. But Smart also defended the discipline process.
“As far as I know, there’s not one team in the country that’s ever suspended a player for a traffic violation similar to what Marcus Rosemy got suspended for,” Smart said.
“I don’t know if anybody’s ever kicked somebody off the team for that. And we have that. And we’re going to continue to be proactive. Repeated poor behaviors and poor decisions. In some cases, we have repeated behaviors, and in some cases, we have guys that make mistakes, and we’re going to punish them.”
Obviously with the tragedy that happened two years ago, that’s the biggest thing, guys realizing to be intentional in the moment. … It doesn’t matter if you get there five minutes early, it’s not going to change anything. Slow down and follow the rules of the road.
Big 12 Going Big Time?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Before FSU and Clemson can make a single business decision, they have to resolve their lawsuits with the ACC. That could take months if they settle, and years if they have their day in court.
“What’s going to happen?” That’s the $130 million dollar question these days in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
An important date is looming for the entire ACC: February 2025. The day ESPN has a “look-in” and will decide whether they continue the ACC’s contract until 2036.
If relationships were stable (and I mean completely), it would be a no-brainer for Disney to keep things as is. ESPN enjoys the locked-in price, especially with the revenue it makes from the ACC Network.
Considering their current relationship, if the network opts out … chaos in the streets. Today’s dynamic between media companies and NCAA could change in an instant if the ACC implodes.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stated at Media Day this week, “Our focus is on our 16 members.”
Big Ten’s Tony Petitti will likely side with Sankey next week, but for different reasons. Big Ten’s focus is not on realignment. There’s no realistic alternative at their level. The Big Ten Conference will likely do whatever Fox tells it to do, and this may well covet a powerhouse program that gets it into a hugely populous state.
That seems a more viable option than the SEC, which already has schools in Florida and South Carolina and whose partner, ESPN, has no incentive to pay more money to show Florida State and Clemson than it does now.
So where do they go? The Big 12 presents an interesting, less plausible alternative. On the one hand, The Big 12 Conference makes no more revenue than the ACC does now, so, what’s the point, right?
If Brett Yormark gets his wish and his presidents sign off on a private equity deal. Florida State and Clemson could get paid a lot more than they make now, and that’s before negotiating a new TV deal.
If the Big 12 follows through, all schools could possibly make Big Ten/SEC money without having to play a Big Ten/SEC schedule.
Why haven’t they done it already? Moving to the Big 12 is challenging. For Florida State and Clemson to be interested in making that move, they likely would demand to be paid closer to what the schools in the biggest two conferences are making each year.
They also would likely ask for financial help to pay their exit fees, penalties, and whatever else they could think of. FSU and Clemson are expensive programs.
While landing the Seminoles and Tigers would definitely be a game-changer for the Big 12 as a conference. At the university-level, teams and offices might balk at receiving significantly lower distributions each year, and we’re back to the unrest we’re at today.
Personally, I find it hard to imagine those schools wanting to join a less-glamorous conference. Perhaps an invite serves as leverage to gain better terms from the ACC.
Dollar Delivery
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas) last week, the impending House settlement dominated conversations at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention.
Panels were filled with questions, and not many answers. The top leaders in college sports don’t know the exact date when revenue sharing and the new world order will begin – speculation is the 2025-26 academic year.
Meanwhile, others are trying to figure out how much revenue they can share while keeping an athletic department up and running.
Alongside this, another major question remains: How will revenue actually be split up?
The NCAA and Power 5 conferences voted to sign off on the settlement agreement in May, agreeing to pay $2.77 billion in back damages to athletes over 10 years. The second piece of the agreement is revenue sharing, allowing institutions to pay $20-22 million annually to athletes.
How plaintiff attorneys divide back damages is expected to be how schools approach Title IX. This might shape a framework for revenue sharing. The settlement is on track to disperse 75% of TV revenue in back damages to football. From there, 15% would be funneled to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball and the final 5% divided by the remaining athletes.
As administrators try to figure out how to split up revenue-sharing dollars, if Judge Claudia Wilken ratifies this portion of back damages it’s expected to be looked at as a “framework for the future”, antitrust attorney Jay M. Ezelle believes. The Birmingham, Alabama, based litigator with Starnes Law has advised NIL collectives and institutions in the NIL Era. Additionally, Ezell previously worked on NCAA investigations.
If Wilken ratifies a settlement that follows a similar breakdown of TV revenue, Ezelle believes it could help institutions navigate Title IX
.“Title IX pervades everything you do and an athletic department has to be in compliance with Title IX,” he said. “So, it is thoughtful and the right thing to do to be considerate. This is an issue that has not been litigated. And so, that presents uncertainty.
You have to address that uncertainty. That being said, the people who just say, ‘Let’s just distribute this 50-50 in order to comply with Title IX’ are not looking at the flip side of that. Because if you do it that way, you may actually be in violation of antitrust laws. Because you’re doing something that’s against the market.
The top-funded NIL collectives are spending between $13 to $20 million annually on football rosters at the moment. In basketball, the highest spending programs are pushing $5 million.
Ezelle believes splitting revenue evenly will only necessitate the need for collectives to step up. And it would also open up the possibility for football players to rationalize how much money they’re receiving vs. the revenue they’re producing.
For reference, The Big Ten announced a seven-year, $8 billion media deal with CBS, NBC and Fox in 2022. The SEC starts its new deal with ESPN this season, expected to be worth around $811 million annually.
The industry-wide financial stress test created by the House settlement is forcing campus leaders to look in the mirror and see the same image many have identified for years: bloated athletic departments.
Expenses must be adjusted in a new financial model, of course, and the safe bet is fat will be trimmed behind the desks and not the sidelines – and college sports will continue to flourish.
SEC Media Days
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If you are a die-hard fan of collegiate sports just like I am, then you certainly feel the current doldrums. The College World Series is over. The volleyball, softball and tennis seasons are in the books. July can feel so empty.
But just when it feels that all hope is lost, we can count on college football Media Days to turn our attention to the unofficial start of the football season, or at least the “talking season”.
With the start of the 2024 college football season just around the corner, the excitement is building as the SEC gets ready for its annual Media Days from July 15-18 in Dallas.
This year’s event is extra special since it’s the first time Texas and Oklahoma will be part of the mix. Each of the 14 schools is sending three players, making up a total of 42 athletes.
Interestingly, 11 quarterbacks will be there, but Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, South Carolina, and Kentucky decided not to send their QBs. Instead, many schools are spotlighting their defensive talent, with 10 linebackers and nine defensive linemen on the list.
SEC Media Days is one of the biggest preseason events where players and coaches chat about their expectations and plans for the upcoming season.
Some of the standout players attending include Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (QB), Arkansas’s Taylen Green (QB), Auburn’s Payton Thorne (QB), Florida’s Graham Mertz (QB), Georgia’s Carson Beck (QB), and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (QB). On the defensive side, players to watch include Alabama’s Malachi Moore (DB), Auburn’s Keldric Faulk (DE), Florida’s Shemar James (ILB), and Georgia’s Mykel Williams (DL). Each school is bringing a mix of talent that highlights their strengths and sets the stage for a competitive season.
The coaches will also be there to talk about their teams. Brian Kelly of LSU will start things off on Monday, followed by Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), Shane Beamer (South Carolina), and Clark Lea (Vanderbilt). On Tuesday, we’ll hear from Kirby Smart (Georgia), Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri), Brent Venables (Oklahoma), and Josh Heupel (Tennessee). Wednesday’s lineup includes Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Billy Napier (Florida), Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State), and Steve Sarkisian (Texas). The event wraps up on Thursday with Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Hugh Freeze (Auburn), Mark Stoops (Kentucky), and Mike Elko (Texas A&M).
Besides the formal sessions, the vibe around Media Days is always electric. Fans, media, and analysts are eager to hear from the key players and coaches about their strategies, challenges, and outlooks for the season.
This year’s event promises plenty of buzz and storylines as teams gear up for what’s expected to be an intensely competitive season.
The SEC Network will have extensive coverage all four days. With live broadcasts and analysis, viewers can expect to get insights into each team’s preparations and prospects. Special editions of SEC Now and other shows will provide a platform for expert opinions, predictions, and behind-the-scenes looks at the event.
In short, the 2024 SEC Media Days in Dallas will be a major event featuring a strong lineup of quarterbacks and defensive players from all 14 schools, extensive media coverage, and a stellar roster of coaches ready to discuss the upcoming season. This year’s event highlights the evolving dynamics of the SEC, especially with Texas and Oklahoma joining in, promising an exciting preseason narrative for college football fans.
Get ready for an action-packed week of football talk, star players, and coach insights as the SEC sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable 2024 season.
Rule Change
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the 2024 season just around the corner, everyone is scouring websites, rosters, and Phil Steele Preseason magazine.
While rosters and coaching staffs in this day-and-age of college football change year to year, there is another aspect that does as well…the rules of the game.
While 2024 High School football will look virtually the same (the only rule change for HS Football is the home team jersey has to be a darker color to contrast with white numbers), there are a couple of key changes in the rule books for both the college and NFL games that will undoubtedly affect the game this year.
Saturdays in college football have seen a “trickle down” effect for rules implemented in the NFL a few years prior but changes this year have taken longer than usual to find their way to the college game. The main changes include the implementation of the 2-minute warning, player-to-coach communication, and tablets on the sidelines.
The 2-minute warning is a term that most football fans have known for a while in the NFL and was first implemented in professional football in 1942.
For the second and fourth quarters of a college football game, there will be an additional timeout at the 2-minute mark for the first time in the history of college football.
The new pair of two-minute stoppages are designed to not only help players and coaches with late game and late half execution while also making it slightly easier for officials when timing changes in the last two minutes of the half (clock stopping on a first down to set the ball).
A couple of technological advances that again stem from the NFL are entering the college game in 2024 as well.
The first that was a hot topic of conversation last season in the Michigan sign-stealing saga of 2023 is coach-to-player communication systems in players helmets.
This is a system that places a speaker in one player’s helmet on the field that allows a coach to speak to that player to call in a play.
These helmets that have the communication device will have the green dot sticker on the back (much like the NFL protocol), and allow a coach to talk into the player’s ear until the system is cut off with 15-seconds remaining in the play-clock or the snap of the ball (whichever happens first).
The other technological advancement is the ability to have tablets on the sideline which will actually give coaches more of a resource than are in the NFL.
NFL Tablets have been on the sideline since 2014, but in the professional side, the tablets only show images and not instantaneous video replays.
The college game will implement the allotted 18 tablets on the sidelines that can view in-game video only from either the broadcast feed as well as coaches video angles from the sideline and endzone.
While the rule modifications for college football are more ancillary, the NFL changes for 2024 affect the game more directly.
The biggest that has been a point of conversation for many years now was the new kickoff rule adjustment that follows a similar format that the XFL spring league used in 2023.
While the kickoff will still take place from the 35-yard line, the remaining 10 members of the kicking team will line up on the opposite 40-yard line. The receiving team will have a minimum of 9 players between the 30 and 35-yard lines with a maximum of 2 players back deep to receive. The play doesn’t begin (meaning players can’t move) until the ball is either caught by a returner or bounces inside the “landing zone” which is defined as the goal line to the 20-yard line. Any kick that touches in the landing zone must be returned (or downed) even if it bounces into the endzone.
The other NFL rule change for the coming fall is the elimination of the “hip-drop” tackle when a defender grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner up with both arms, then unweights himself by dropping his lower body AND trapping the runner’s legs at or below the knee underneath.
While there could be some late additions like the NFL experimenting in the pre-season with the chips in the ball to determine a first down, this is the majority of the changes you’ll see this fall.
While the NFL is more an “on-the-field” change, the college game may get talked about more and deeper into the season as an impact of whatever this ever-changing college football landscape looks like.
North Avenue Buzz
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia Tech is a great academic institution that has also been known for having strong athletic programs.
They are a program that has multiple national championships on their resume in football and they have played in several bowl games.
Brent Key had his first full season as head coach for the Yellow Jackets last year. Key took over after the 2022 season and he went 4 – 4. He looked like he might find success and he delivered.
Tech went 7–6 overall and 5–3 in the ACC in 2023. On the surface that does not sound impressive, because it’s just one game over .500. This was their first bowl appearance since 2018, which was Paul Johnson’s final season.
They started the season 2 – 3 with an embarrassing home loss to Bowling Green. The highlights of their season were two upsets over North Carolina and Miami, both were ranked 17th at the time of the game.
They played in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Florida and they beat UCF 30-17. Now the question is can they build on that in 2024?
The transfer portal is huge in college football and unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets are dealing with that. They had 32 players enter the portal ahead of the 2024 season.
Some of the key players leaving are corner back KJ Wallace (UCLA), defensive lineman D’Quan Douse (Michigan State), corner back Kenan Johnson (Utah), defensive end Kyle Kennard (South Carolina), quarterback Zach Wilson (Georgia State), wide receiver Juju Lewis (FIU) and defensive end Malcolm Pugh (Louisiana Tech).
They also acquired players in the transfer portal. They added a few more from the spring. Tight end Josh Beetham (Michigan), safety Jayden Davis (Cincinnati), defensive lineman Thomas Gore (Miami), defensive end Romello Height (USC), cornerback Zachary Tobe (Illinois), linebacker E.J. Lightsey (Georgia), corner back Warren Burrell (Tennessee), defensive lineman Ayobami Tifase (Florida State) and defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg (Penn State).
The Yellow Jackets ranked 120th in total defense last season out of 130 FBS teams. It’s good to see them addressing that side of the ball because they were awful.
Quarterback Haynes King transferred in from Texas A&M. He passed for 2,842 yards, 27 touchdowns and he rushed for 737 yards and 10 TD’s. He did lead the ACC with interceptions so he will need to improve his decision making and cut down on his turnovers. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.
Georgia Tech has a total of 17 starters returning, which is tied for 7th with Cal. They have eight on offense and seven on defense.
That includes most of their offensive line, leading rusher Jamal Haynes and top-two receivers Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. Haynes rushed for 931 yards, 7 scores and averaged 6 yards per carry. He had 1,129 all-purpose yards. I think he could have a breakout year in 2024.
The season opens August 24th against Florida State in Dublin, Ireland. FSU will be favored to win this game.
The other games where they will be underdogs are against Notre Dame at Mercedes Benz Stadium and at Georgia.
The games I expect them to win are Georgia State, Syracuse, VMI and Duke.
The other games that are too close to call are Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami and NC State.
I think they are capable of winning six games again, if they stay healthy.
As of now their 2025 recruiting class is ranked 22nd in the country and that could improve with another good season.
