Robert Craft
Space U
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
UCF has been a stable competitive team in college football, and a team to never overlook, and that is the case again this season. UCF is projected to be at top of the BIG 12 conference but have some interesting games on the 2024 slate.
Here is a look at my game-by-game predictions for the 2024 Central Florida Knights:
August 29 New Hampshire Wildcats
September 7 Sam Houston Bearkats
2 Cupcake UCF Wins
September 14 at TCU Horned Frogs: We expect the TCU Horned Frogs to be better on offense than they were a season ago. Never easy to go into Fort Worth and win. UCF defense steps up and Knights start 3-0. UCF 31 TCU 27.
September 28 Colorado Buffaloes: The Bounce House will be lit. Coach Prime will watch his Buffaloes melt in the Orlando heat. In a shoot-out, the Knights win. UCF 45 Colorado 38.
October 5 at Florida Gators: Never easy to go to Gainesville and win a game. Florida wants to be better this season, now we will see if that actually comes to fruition. The Gators grab a win. Florida 31 UCF 28.
October 12 Cincinnati Bearcats: The Knights roll and take care of Cincinnati. This is the military appreciation game at the Bounce House and the defense will come to life. UCF 28 Cincinnati 10.
October 19 at Iowa State Cyclones: Iowa State plays a defensive style game here and keeps the Knights from moving the ball too quickly. Iowa State finds a way in late October in Ames. Iowa State 24 UCF 20.
October 26 Brigham Young Cougars: The Cougars are slayed, as UCF gets another in the win column. UCF 38 BYU 17.
November 2 Arizona Wildcats: I think this could be the best game of the season. In a shootout, the Knights win at home. This is a game they really need. UCF 48 Arizona 42.
November 9 at Arizona State Sun Devils: The Knights travel to Tempe and leave with a huge win. The Knights have too much offense and they’ll overwhelm the Sun Devils. UCF 34 Arizona State 16.
November 23 at West Virginia Mountaineers: It could be cold in Morgantown just before Thanksgiving. The rushing attack is strong for the Mountaineers. The Knights run through West Virginia. UCF 24 West Virginia 13.
November 30 Utah Utes: The Utes are projected to be one of the best teams in the BIG 12. This could be game 1 of a 2-game series for a playoff berth. UCF with home field advantage takes game one. The crowd, heat, and rushing attack wear down the Utes. UCF 27 Utah 24.
UCF with 1 BIG 12 loss will be heading to the conference championship game and a game to make the College Football Playoffs.
War Path
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Mike Norvell had a busy offseason with the transfer portal. Now that Jordan Travis is in the NFL, Norvell signed DJ Uiagalelei to run the Seminoles’ offense.
Behind Uiagalelei at the helm will be former Alabama running back Roydell Williams, another portal acquisition for the Seminoles.
There has been a lot of action in Tallahassee in 2024 and the season hasn’t started yet. Here’s my game-by-game prediction of Florida State’s 2024 season .
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Aug. 24): Florida State will make the trip to Dublin, Ireland for Week 0, the Seminoles will want to make a statement. I think that Florida State will win this one easily. FSU 38 GT 10.
Boston College Eagles (Sep. 2): Florida State’s home opener will be on a Monday night against Boston College. This will be the Eagles’ first game of the season. Under the new direction of Bill O’Brien, Boston College will likely still be ironing out the details, allowing the Seminoles to cruise into a W. FSU 49 BC 17.
Memphis Tigers (Sep. 14): I think Memphis will have a successful season in the AAC. However, I do not think that the Tigers will be a match for Norvell’s veteran Seminoles. Should be another home win and a 3-game streak. FSU 42 Memphis 21.
California Golden Bears (Sep. 21): This will be Cal’s first season in the ACC. Having to travel cross-country and take on a red-hot Seminoles team might not bode well for the Golden Bears. FSU 27 Cal 10
@ SMU Mustangs (Sep. 28): SMU will be another team that Florida State will introduce to the ACC. The Mustangs are known for their high-powered offense. I think that this one will be a shootout. FSU 45 SMU 41.
Clemson Tigers (Oct. 5): Clemson will be Florida State’s first true test of the season. The Tiger’s are looking to reclaim their dominance in the ACC. Home field advantage will propel the Noles. FSU 30 Clemson 24.
@ Duke Blue Devils (Oct. 18): Duke has spent the last few seasons establishing itself as more than just a basketball school. With that being said, I do not believe Duke will be a match for this year’s Seminoles in Football. FSU 35 Duke 20.
@ Miami Hurricanes (Oct. 26): This will be a road game for FSU, but playing in an NFL stadium that the Hurricanes fail to fill up is not daunting. Florida State should take this one and make it four in a row against an in-state rival. FSU 30 Miami 17.
North Carolina Tar Heels (Nov. 2): Playing this one at Doak Campbell will be a large advantage for the Seminoles, who I think will take this one by a decent margin due to the difference in talent and firepower in the Seminole’s offense. FSU 35 UNC 13.
@ Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Nov. 9): The Fighting Irish are a talented team, and I think playing in South Bend will make this one even harder. I fear that Florida State will keep this one close, but fall at the end. ND 31 FSU 21.
Charleston Southern Buccaneers (Nov. 23): FSU 49 CSU 6.
Florida Gators (Nov. 30): I expect FSU to show out against The Gators. Previous matchups mean nothing in a rivalry game, but I think that the Seminoles make it three in a row in this one. FSU 31 UF 17.
With a healthy roster and no major emergencies for the program, The Seminole should have consistent success and earn themselves a trip to the College Football Playoff.
The Florida Heat
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Florida Gators enter the 2024 season expected to finish 12th out of 16 teams in the SEC, according to their preseason poll.
The expectations for Florida football entering 2024 are not at all high. Billy Napier is heading into his third season as the head coach and Billy is on the hot seat. He has posted a very disappointing 11-14 record across his first two seasons, and Florida will have one of the most brutal schedules and college football in 2024.
Game 1, 8/31. Miami Hurricanes: If you want to talk about the single most important game on the Florida Gator schedule it’s absolutely this game.
The Florida Gators must absolutely win this game to create momentum for 2024. The Miami Hurricanes are a talented team under second year coach Mario Cristobal. The advantage for Florida is The Swamp. Florida Gators 30 Miami Hurricanes 27.
Game 2, 9/7. Samford Bulldogs: This is the one and only cupcake game on the Florida schedule in 2024. Florida 49 Sanford 10.
Game 3, 9/14 Texas A&M: With new coach Mike Elko and a new quarterback on the Aggies roster, expect turn over in this program. Expect even more turnover than Florida’s off-season.
While Texas A&M promises to have plenty of talent. Some of that talent they imported from Gainesville. Can all that talent cohesively come together in time for this game?
Home-field advantage and a returning quarterback will hopefully lead Florida to their third victory of the year. Florida 27 A&M 17.
Game 4, 9/21 @ Mississippi State: This game is tricky. It is on the road, against new head coach Jeff Libby; and Jeff has a lot of work to do.
To start, a new quarterback is needed after Will Rogers went to the transfer portal. The Bulldogs defense also requires roster retooling.
Coach Napier has a horrible road record. At the end of the day, he must prove that he can win on the road this season and this is a convincing opportunity. Florida 28 Mississippi State 17.
Game 5, 10/5 UCF: This is definitely another game that Billy Napier must win to survive. I know Napier has a problem as an endgame coach, but you have to bet on the Home team. UCF will come into this game with a huge chip on their shoulders. It will be way too close. Florida 38 UCF 35.
Game 6, 10/12 @ Tennessee: Josh Heupel knows how to dump points on teams in bunches.
His easy to run, hard to defend offensive system is a concerning combination.
Also, Nico Iamaleava is an upgrade from Joe Milton. The Gator’s defense better be ready. Florida has owned the Vols over the past 20 years, Tennessee won’t go easy on them.
Tennessee 49 Florida 27.
Game 7, 10/19 Kentucky: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is the year Florida finally beats Kentucky!
Oh, if only my 2010 self could hear me talk now. Kentucky is going to play big boy football in the trenches, and Billy Napier must address the need of the O- and D-Line to control the line of scrimmage.
Once again, I give Florida a slight nod because they’re playing in the Swamp. Florida 23 Kentucky 20.
Game 8, 11/2 Georgia: November will be the most hellacious month of Florida football in recent memory.
I do not believe Florida has closed the talent gap on Georgia, and this year Georgia will be playing for a top seed in the college football playoffs. Georgia 38 Florida 17.
Game 9, 11/9 @ Texas: The brutal five week stretch to close season continues in Austin, where the Gators will lock horns with Texas for the first time since 1940.
Sounds fun, right? Texas is definitely a more talented team and will also be playing for a playoff spot in 2024. Texas 44 Florida 27.
Game 10, 11/16 LSU: LSU has beaten Florida five in a row.
This game will be close because it’s played in the Swamp, But LSU will pull it out late on a coaching mistake by Billy Napier. LSU 31 Florida 27.
Game 11, 11/23 Ole Miss: Lane Kippen will return to the swamp. This time as head coach of Ole Miss. The fact that Ole Miss gets one more year out of Jackson Dart could go a long way towards deciding this game. Ole Miss 27 Florida 24.
Game 12, 11/30 @FSU: Mike Norville has proven adept at working the transfer portal, so reloading for another great season isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
It’s a rivalry game, which means that even if there are no other emotional components to this game (like the future of Billy Napier), the Florida Gators will have a puncher’s chance.
With that being said, Billy is a putrid 2-10 on the road. FSU 31 Florida 17.
The Keys To Success?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Despite the disappointing way their 2023 season ended, the Jacksonville Jaguars 100% believe they will be back in the mix for an AFC South championship this season.
After losing five of six games to finish 9-8 and cede the division crown to the Houston Texans (10-7), the Jags knew big changes were needed.
Head coach Doug Pederson hired a new defensive staff, while general manager Trent Baalke targeted veteran leaders from winning franchises in free agency to improve the locker room’s ability to withstand adversity.
Afterward, the Jaguars handed out big-money extensions to a trio of their best players: quarterback Trevor Lawrence, pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen, and (most recently) cornerback Tyson Campbell.
Lawrence played well during the Jags’ 8-3 start to 2023 before he was slowed by a barrage of injuries; including a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and an AC sprain in his right shoulder.
That’s why getting Lawrence healthy and keeping him healthy is No. 1 on the Jags’ list of things to do to improve this season. Everyone knows a healthy Lawrence will go a long way in keeping them in the heat of the playoff race.
“He was in a really good place (before the injuries),” Pederson said. “The injuries did take a toll on him toward the back half of the season. He wasn’t the same quarterback. (In the first half), he was making good decisions. He was taking care of the football. We were helping him as an offense, too. Everybody was involved. One guy can’t do it all, and we don’t ask him to do it all.”
On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars are expected to take a big step forward on defense. After the season, Pederson fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and replaced him with former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen; a fiery personality who led an aggressive pass rush with the Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
The Jaguars then hung with the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Lawrence finished seventh in the MVP voting and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
They also have to be less charitable with the pigskin. The Jaguars’ whopping 30 turnovers last season were the fifth-most in the NFL. They lost the turnover battle nine times during their last four losses, which stings considering they finished a game shy of Houston.
The hope of next year is to heighten the intensity around Hines-Allen, edge rusher Travon Walker and key free-agent pickup, defensive tackle Arik Armstead.
As the team-building process began, they zeroed in on players with proven reputations as leaders who have histories as winners. It led them to guys like Armstead (previously with the San Francisco 49ers, cornerback Darnell Savage (Green Bay Packers), center Mitch Morse and Gabe Davis (Buffalo Bills).
Remember, the Jaguars were 15-5, including the playoffs, from Week 12 in 2022 to Week 12 in 2023. They believe they’re closer to that team than the one that both literally and figuratively limped down the stretch.
If their offseason plan pans out, they might be able to prove that.
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.
Swimming Upstream
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Dolphins took some salary-cap- hits on the defense this offseason, but let’s be serious: you don’t pick the Dolphins to win games because of their defense.
Their offense finished top five in total points, yards and completion percentage last season. We are still witnessing the prime of WR Tyreek Hill’s career, and Tua Tagovailoa should only improve at QB1.
Miami will hope that it can take the next step as a championship team under head coach Mike McDaniel. What does their case look like?
Oddsmakers are cautiously optimistic about the talented roster of the Dolphins, counting on the team to flirt with double-digit wins despite an incredibly competitive schedule in the AFC East.
Despite four consecutive winning seasons and back-to-back trips to the postseason, the Dolphins still haven’t won a playoff game since Bill Clinton was President.
Week 1 vs. Jaguars: Win
Week 2 vs. Bills (TNF): Win
Week 3 at Seahawks: Win
Week 4 vs. Titans (MNF): Win
Week 5 at Patriots: Win
Week 7 at Colts: Loss
Week 8 vs. Cardinals: Win
Week 9 at Bills: Loss
Week 10 at Rams (MNF): Win
Week 11 vs. Raiders: Win
Week 12 vs. Patriots: Win
Week 13 at Packers (Thanksgiving Night): Loss
Week 14 vs. Jets: Win
Week 15 at Texans: Loss
Week 16 vs 49ers: Loss
Week 17 at Browns (SNF): Win
Week 18 at Jets: Win
Final record prediction: 12-5
The AFC East will be difficult as usual with the Jets expected to be far better with a healthy Aaron Rodgers. It looks like the Bills might take a step back this year after several cap casualties this offseason.
The Dolphins have proven it can play with some of the best for most of the regular season, can it stay healthy and take the next step?
If the Dolphins get off to another hot start, they’ll be in a good position to handle another hellsome gauntlet at the end of the season with three playoff teams in the last four weeks.
The third time might be the charm for McDaniel and the Dolphins, they’ll pull out wins late in the season and claim the division title.
Buc-ing Their Own Trend
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised many fans last year by winning a playoff game after most expected them to be bottom-feeders.
Can they keep out of the bottom this season?
For the Bucs, their nightmare situation involves Baker Mayfield regressing from a solid first year with the team.
Mayfield’s comeback season was the biggest reason why the Buccaneers made the playoffs. He ended the year with a career-high 4,044 passing yards, finishing third-place in Comeback Player of the Year votes.
Mayfield could regress from this past year. For any QB1 there’s no promise that they’ll get better, but at least now the 29-year-old double rookie has a whole season with the Bucs under his belt. There is great opportunity for further improvement. Mayfield may build, improve, and lead the team to yet another NFC South title.
While the Bucs do face some of the best teams in the NFL (Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens), they still have the 27th-easiest schedule based on 2023 game records.
Granted, much of this stems from playing in the NFC South, but there is still plenty of possibility for the Bucs to end the 2024 season with a winning record and even another NFC South title.
The Buccaneers might not have made the splashy headline moves like the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, but this Tampa Bay team will once again be quite formidable on both sides of the football.
The Buccaneers could very well win the NFC South, making the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season.
However, there is a big difference between just making the playoffs and winning 2 or 3 postseason games to get to the big game.
Tampa Bay has a team capable of securing one of the 7 playoff spots in the NFC, likely be winning the division again. And it proved if there is a home playoff game in Tampa, it’s a tough place for an opponent to play.
Week 1: vs Commanders (W)
Week 2: at Detroit Lions (L)
Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos (W)
Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W)
Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons (L)
Week 6: at New Orleans Saints (L)
Week 7: vs. Baltimore Ravens (L)
Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons (W)
Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs (L)
Week 10: vs. San Franciso 49ers (L)
Week 12: at New York Giants (W)
Week 13: at Carolina Panthers (W)
Week 14: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W)
Week 15: at Los Angeles Chargers (L)
Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys (L)
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers (W)
Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints (W)
Nine wins would represent another year hot seat talk for Todd Bowles and the Bucs, who finished 8-9 and 9-8 in the previous two seasons respectively.
While the Falcons might end up as NFC South champions thanks to upgrades at quarterback and head coach, Tampa Bay will be in the hunt.
NIL Sunshine
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
NIL is coming to the Sunshine State for high school athletes.
The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors passed sweeping bylaw changes earlier in the month to allow name, image and likeness activities for its student-athletes without forfeiting the ability to play high school sports.
The new policy passed unanimously after about 45 minutes of additional debate, including an argument from a coach in opposition of the new bylaw. The measure takes effect in time for the 2024-25 high school season.
With the change, 36 local athletic associations now allow student-athletes to participate in NIL deals on the high school level. The South Dakota High School Activities Association could become the 37th to permit NIL activities for high school players when the results of a membership vote become public in the coming days.
There’s been a significant shift over the past year in how high school administrators view NIL and it’s now acceptable in a majority of states from coast-to-coast. Florida is now officially part of the change.
The Sunshine State is a perennial producer of top high school athletes across multiple sports markets. Florida’s 2025 class has four five-star prospects in football alone – including the nation’s No. 1 linebacker in Solomon Thomas – and there are 56 players ranked four stars or higher. Florida’s 2025 class in basketball features two five-stars, including Five-Star Plus+ standout Cameron Boozer.
Plus, Florida is home to top high school athletes in women’s sports. The state is a haven for standouts in non-revenue sports, such as golf, soccer and lacrosse. The changes mean recruits in Florida and high school athletes in Florida can participate in NIL brand deals without fear of missing playing time.
In many ways, the new Florida High School Athletic Association NIL bylaw mirrors what is now acceptable for other high schoolers nationwide.
The new bylaws state that student-athletes and their parents/guardians must negotiate any NIL activities independent of their school, school district or the FHSAA.
Student-athletes will be prohibited from monetizing their NIL with the use of their school’s uniform, equipment, logo, name, proprietary patents, products and/or copyrights associated with an FHSAA member school and/or school district, either in public, print or social media platforms. Student-athletes are also encouraged to seek legal counsel and tax advice when considering NIL activities.
Interestingly, the FHSAA does include a line in its new bylaws that says a student-athlete could impact their amateur status by hiring a registered agent to manage his/her athletic career – other than for the purpose of advising on NIL-related matters.
The new rules aim to protect against recruiting. High-school-oriented collectives are focused on retaining talent locally at the high school level. This was of significant concern for high school coaches and athletic directors in Florida leading up to the change.
Florida is one of the most progressive states when it comes to NIL at the collegiate level. On July 1, 2001, college athletes in Florida became eligible to profit off their name, image and likeness under a bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
But up until recently, there has been some pushback from administrators and coaches about allowing it at the high school level.
Others have realized the threat of losing talent to other states (ones where NIL is allowed) as the biggest reason Florida is now allowing it.
