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debraleedebra · 6 years

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marbled raspberry pound cake

This small, fearless wildling we literally just brought home from the hospital turned three a couple weeks ago, but despite my certainty that we just got her, I won’t lie, this feels like a gazillion years ago because when did she not have hair. Strangers on the street often ask us about her hair, and I get it, I do. She’s small, it is big, and also red and with spiral curls going in every direction and there are three other members of our family and none of us have spiral curls or red hair. This isn’t the only way she’s already her own fierce little person. I was definitely not into dolls or dresses growing up, so I watch with awe as she plays for hours with her very pink baby doll, the doll’s stroller, the doll’s purse, the doll’s crib and high chair; when she comes home after being out all day, she likes to sit quietly with her baby on her lap on the sofa for a while to catch up and it is, objectively (I am known for my objectivity when talking about my kids), one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.

So when asked what kind of birthday cake she wanted, she said “PINK!” And I said, “But what flavor?” “Pink.” And also, “Not brown, Yacob likes brown.” (This is true.) And I thought about making the pink lady cake but we ended up not having a big party that required so much cake, just bringing cupcakes to camp* and then going out to dinner with family. Instead, I went in a simpler direction, loosely inspired by a marbled pink and white cake we saw in the pastry case at Starbucks (but didn’t try so no idea how the taste lines up), a few weeks before. Adding a spoonful of raspberry puree into the glaze turning it ferociously pink, much to her glee, and stretching it into this doughnut-shaped pan I bought earlier this summer on a whim made it look like a giant pink emoji of a doughnut, an unequivocal hit with three year-olds, eight year-olds, and everyone who saw the cake go by at the restaurant. [I resisted the urge to say “And the color is all natural! And that’s not plasticky fondant!” — for once — but it was hard.]

Of course, you do not need a cutesy cake pan to make this. You can make it as a single loaf or double it in a traditional tube or bundt. You also don’t need much time; I made this entire cake in under two hours and it goes even faster if you don’t have to cool it so the glaze stays in place. As a birthday cake after a big dinner, it was exactly right — not too heavy or sweet, but still cute as a button. It would be great for brunch or lunch this weekend or, you know, now. It’s Cake O’Clock somewhere, right?

* I used the berry buttercream and sheet cake from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook to make pink frosting on vanilla cupcakes.

Previously

One year ago: German Chocolate Cake + A Wedding Cake Two years ago: Eggplant with Tomato and Yogurt Relish and Blueberry Bread and Butter Pudding Three years ago: Takeout-Style Sesame Noodles with Cucumber Four years ago: Summer Squash Gratin with Salsa Verde and Bourbon Slush Punch Five years ago: Mama Canales-Garcia’s Avocado Shrimp Salsa and Banana Nutella and Salted Pistachio Popsicles Six years ago: Zucchini Bread Pancakes and Zucchini Tomato and Rice Gratin Seven years ago: Corn Buttermilk and Chive Popovers and Sugar Plum Crepes with Ricotta and Honey Eight years ago: Scalloped Tomatoes with Croutons, Raspberry Brown Sugar Gratin and Summer Succotash with Bacon and Croutons Nine years ago: Watermelon Lemonade, Light Brioche Burger Buns, Blueberry Boy Bait, and Lemony Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza Ten years ago: Nectarine Mascarpone and Gingersnap Tart and Herbed Summer Squash and Potato Torte Eleven years ago: Pearl Couscous with Olives and Tomatoes and Zucchini Bread

And for the other side of the world: Six Months Ago: Banana Oat Weekday Pancakes and Stromboli, Scaccia-Style 1.5 Years Ago: An Easier Way To Make Cookies and Guacamole 2.5 Years Ago: Cabbage and Sausage Casserole and Leek, Ham, Cheese and Egg Bake 3.5 Years Ago: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract and Fried Egg Salad 4.5 Years Ago: Homemade Dulce de Leche and Cheese Blintz

Marbled Raspberry Pound Cake

The cake, as written below, makes 1 standard loaf. To make it in the doughnut-looking pan I show, you’ll want to use 150% of the recipe (it bakes in 38 to 40 minutes). To make a bundt or tube cake, you’ll want to double the recipe (it will take anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, as shapes range a lot). For the doughnut or bundt cake, I double the glaze. For the raspberries, fork-mashing is easier, but if you’re bothered by seeds or want the smooth appearance you see in the top photo, you’ll want to blend the berries and sieve out the seeds. For the glaze, you could make it with a spoonful of raspberry puree (for this, you’ll definitely want a seedless puree), you could make it with lemon juice, or a mix of both. Or you can skip it for a less sweet cake; it’s perfectly lovely with just a dusting of powdered sugar to finish. For a little more lemon flavor, you can squeeze that half lemon you use for zest and measure the juice (it should be 1 to 2 tablespoons), then use that much less sour cream in the white portion of the cake, adding them at the same time. Finally, a little shopping note: Around here, raspberries come from the grocery store in 6-ounce clamshells, which neatly provides the 1 cup (5 ounces) you’ll need for the pink portion of the cake and the last few you’ll need for a pink glaze.

Butter or cooking spray to coat pan

1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

Finely grated zest from half a lemon

1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour plus 1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup (125 grams) sour cream, reme fraiche, or full-fat plain yogurt

1 gently heaped cup (140 grams or 5 ounces) fresh raspberries

3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar

1 tablespoon raspberry puree (for a pink glaze, from a few tablespoons or 1 ounce fresh raspberries), or lemon juice

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a standard loaf pan (either 8″x4″ or 9″x5″, or any size between, will work here) with nonstick baking spray or butter, making sure to get into the corners.

Place sugar and salt in a large bowl. Zest lemon into sugar and rub it together with your fingertips; this helps the lemon release the most flavor from it. Add butter and use an electric mixer to beat it with the sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with each addition. Scrape down bowl. Sprinkle cake surface with baking powder and mix it until very well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl again. Add 1 cup (only) of the flour and beat just until it’s no longer visible.

Place raspberries in the bottom of a second medium-large bowl and mash with a fork until mostly broken down but still a little lumpy; you’ll have about 1/2 cup mashed. [If you really dislike raspberry seeds and/or want a smoother look, you can blend the berries until smooth and press them through a fine-mesh strainer — into this second bowl — to remove seeds.] Pour half of the cake batter on top of raspberries (if you have a scale, you can zero out the weight of the bowl and raspberries; half the batter weights 277 grams) but wait, don’t mix it yet.

Instead, go back to the first bowl of batter, the one without raspberries, and add sour cream. Beat to combine. Add 1/4 cup flour, and beat just until smooth. (By beating the “white” batter first, you can reuse you beaters without washing them for the pink batter without muddying the look.)

Beat the raspberries and second half of the cake batter together until smooth. the raspberry sauce into the other half of the batter until combined. Add final 1/4 cup flour, and beat just until smooth.

Dollop batters in alternating spoonfuls into bottom of prepared loaf pan. Roughly “checkerboard” the rest in, meaning that you’ll drop a pink batter dollop and then a white one and vice-versa until both batters are used up. Drop your pan onto the counter a couple times from a few inches high, to help tap out air bubbles. Use a butter knife or small offset spatula to make a few figure-8s through the batters, marbling them together — but just a little, say, 4 to 5 figure-8s. Any more and the swirls may not look distinct when you cut the cake.

Bake loaf cake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out batter-free. Let cool for 15 minutes in pan, then run a knife around cake and gently remove. Let cake cool completely on rack (I hasten this along in the freezer) before glazing, if using a glaze.

To make your glaze, place powdered sugar in a medium bowl and add raspberry puree (for this, it’s best if you press the berries through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, or it won’t have a smooth pink look) or lemon juice. Whisk to combine, but it will almost definitely be too thick. From here, add milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you can whisk the sugar into a thick but loose glaze. Spoon on top of cooled cake and nudge it to the edges with your spoon or an offset spatual so that it drips where you’d like it to. Cover with sprinkles, if using.

Rate this:

Nice recipe article from smittenkitchen

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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J.T. Daniels standing out in USC quarterback battle

Aug 3, 2018

Kyle BonaguraESPN Staff Writer

Covers the Pac-12.

Joined ESPN in 2014.

Attended Washington State University.

LOS ANGELES -- It was only Day 1, but true freshman quarterback J.T. Daniels made a positive impression on coach Clay Helton as USC opened training camp Friday, kicking off a three-way competition between him, redshirt sophomore Matt Fink and redshirt freshman Jack Sears for the starting job.

Helton met with the quarterbacks collectively and said he communicated his expectations for how he'll determine the starter.

"Always in my mind for the quarterback, it's about decision-making, timing and accuracy and, most important, moving the ball and being productive about putting it in the red zone," Helton said.

With that in mind, Helton's assessment of Daniels, who graduated from nearby powerhouse Mater Dei High School with a year of eligibility remaining, indicated he's very much an option to start the opener against UNLV.

"Extremely accurate," Helton said of Daniels. "Very, very knowledgeable. For an 18-year-old kid to come out here do what he did today was very impressive. It's like he's already been in a camp before, to be honest with you. I was highly impressed."

Daniels wasn't with the team during spring practice as he finished his high school coursework, but did work out with the team during its player-run practices over the summer. Friday was the first opportunity he had to showcase his ability, side by side with USC's other quarterbacks, in front of the coaching staff.

Offensive coordinator Tee Martin tried not to read into too much how the quarterbacks played considering it was the first day and the team wasn't in pads but acknowledged there isn't a grace period: The evaluation process has begun.

"Every [practice] counts, but some count more than others," Helton added. "I think when you get into team segments and you get in live scrimmages and Porter Gustin is breathing down your neck and you step up and throw and make it accurately and on time, that puts a lot of weight on me.

"Throwing nice routes on air is nice, you take that into account, but it's about moving the team productively into the end zone."

Helton said he expects to publically name a starter before the opener, but has not set a firm deadline for when that announcement will come.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

Text

marbled raspberry pound cake

* I used the berry buttercream and sheet cake from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook to make pink frosting on vanilla cupcakes.

Previously

Marbled Raspberry Pound Cake

Butter or cooking spray to coat pan

1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

Finely grated zest from half a lemon

1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour plus 1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup (125 grams) sour cream, reme fraiche, or full-fat plain yogurt

1 gently heaped cup (140 grams or 5 ounces) fresh raspberries

3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar

1 tablespoon raspberry puree (for a pink glaze, from a few tablespoons or 1 ounce fresh raspberries), or lemon juice

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a standard loaf pan (either 8″x4″ or 9″x5″, or any size between, will work here) with nonstick baking spray or butter, making sure to get into the corners.

Rate this:

Nice recipe article from smittenkitchen

0 notes

debraleedebra · 6 years

Text

marbled raspberry pound cake

* I used the berry buttercream and sheet cake from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook to make pink frosting on vanilla cupcakes.

Previously

Marbled Raspberry Pound Cake

Butter or cooking spray to coat pan

1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

Finely grated zest from half a lemon

1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour plus 1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup (125 grams) sour cream, reme fraiche, or full-fat plain yogurt

1 gently heaped cup (140 grams or 5 ounces) fresh raspberries

3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar

1 tablespoon raspberry puree (for a pink glaze, from a few tablespoons or 1 ounce fresh raspberries), or lemon juice

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a standard loaf pan (either 8″x4″ or 9″x5″, or any size between, will work here) with nonstick baking spray or butter, making sure to get into the corners.

To make your glaze, place powdered sugar in a medium bowl and add raspberry puree (for this, it��s best if you press the berries through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, or it won’t have a smooth pink look) or lemon juice. Whisk to combine, but it will almost definitely be too thick. From here, add milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you can whisk the sugar into a thick but loose glaze. Spoon on top of cooled cake and nudge it to the edges with your spoon or an offset spatual so that it drips where you’d like it to. Cover with sprinkles, if using.

Rate this:

Nice recipe article from smittenkitchen

0 notes

debraleedebra · 6 years

Text

Wilton Speight persuaded to join UCLA Bruins after hearing Chip Kelly pitch

5:19 PM ET

Kyle BonaguraESPN Staff Writer

Covers the Pac-12.

Joined ESPN in 2014.

Attended Washington State University.

LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Wilton Speight understands why it's easy to question his decision to transfer from Michigan to UCLA to play for Chip Kelly in his final season of eligibility.

He doesn't fit the dual-threat mold that Kelly relied on during his time at Oregon and must emerge from a competition that includes four other players to win the starting job.

Those factors, he said, weren't of much concern.

"[Kelly] and I talked a lot about how he ran things with Nick Foles, Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez [in the NFL]," said Speight, after his second practice with UCLA. "The success that he had with those guys. They could move but obviously weren't dual-threat. I saw the success they had and the things he would tweak for those guys. I saw myself doing the same thing."

Alabama isn't the only team with a QB dilemma. Clemson, Texas A&M and several others still have decisions to make.

Huskers hysteria with Scott Frost, the Vols' document dump, Kyler Murray's big payday, and Texas A&M's championship expectations among topics that dominated off the field.

1 Related

Speight spent the winter rehabbing and training in Southern California, and he spent a lot of time with Sanchez. The former USC quarterback laid out a case for why it made sense for Speight to head to UCLA to play in Kelly's offense.

Speight also strongly considered going to LSU and Wyoming, and was in contact with both Baylor and USC.

"I think if you go through the process for four years, you see how things operate at a big-time program first-hand you kind of have a better idea in terms of when it's time to make a decision and what you're looking for," Speight said. "At the same time, you don't fall in love with, perhaps, the flashiness of a program like you would have when you were in high school because you've had it, and you realize it's only football.

"Obviously this is my last year, my last shot to show what I can do to get to the next level. And that's ultimately what it came down to."

His competition for the starting job includes last year's backup, Devon Modster, true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson, redshirt sophomore Matt Lynch and redshirt freshman Austin Burton.

"It's wide open," Kelly said Saturday. "There was nothing really solidified in the spring, so it's really wide open right now, and we've added three new guys [including freshman walk-on Josiah Norwood] to the mix. So we'll see what happens."

Kelly said he would have preferred to already have a starter in place but isn't willing to put a timeline on when a decision would come. He allowed for the possibility that he could play multiple players if the situation dictated it and that the evaluation process, despite the team not having practiced in pads yet, was already underway.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

Text

Nick Saban decide between Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts Alabama Crimson Tide starter

Aug 3, 2018

Chris Low

ESPN Senior Staff Writer

College football reporter

Joined ESPN.com in 2007

Graduate of the University of Tennessee

Alex Scarborough

ESPN Staff Writer

Covers the SEC.

Joined ESPN in 2012.

Graduate of Auburn University.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- No matter how many times the final two plays of the College Football Playoff National Championship have been replayed within the Alabama football offices this offseason, they still don't make sense.

One play, Tua Tagovailoa appears lost, scrambling wildly before committing the cardinal sin of taking a sack and a loss of 16 yards on first down in overtime. Down by three points, backed out of comfortable field goal range at the 41-yard line, it's a complete disaster. But the freshman quarterback does the unthinkable on the next play: Calmly, he takes the shotgun snap, steps up in the pocket and fires a picturesque, game-winning touchdown pass for a 26-23 win.

Tua Tagovailoa threw the game-winning touchdown pass to give Alabama the national championship. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Confetti falls from the rafters. The trophy is lifted. All is forgiven. But Alabama's coaches can't forget. The 35 seconds from the moment Tagovailoa hit the turf to the moment that fateful touchdown pass left his hand is as concerning as it is inspiring. It's agonizing, really, the wrench thrown into one of the most high-profile and high-stakes quarterback battles in recent memory.

Should head coach Nick Saban ride the momentum and the promise of Tagovailoa, a wild card with zero career starts? Or should he stick with Jalen Hurts, the quarterback who started the title game, who threw only one interception all season and has a 26-2 career record, but also serious questions about his ability to throw the football with consistency?

"I can promise you he's not going to be leveraged by anybody on either side." Source close to Nick Saban

"A great moment doesn't make a great season," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney warned. "It's a different deal when you're the guy. Everything matters."

Everyone seems to have an opinion on what Saban should do. The Tagovailoa and Hurts camps want a decision, and would like one quickly, as they consider their long-term plans. But the 66-year-old Saban isn't in a rush. If anything, he sees the problem he has as a good one.

Are we headed for another Nick Saban-Dabo Swinney playoff clash? That's certainly what it looks like. Find out where the rest of the CFP contenders fit in.

Huskers hysteria with Scott Frost, the Vols' document dump, Kyler Murray's big payday, and Texas A&M's championship expectations among topics that dominated off the field.

Coming up with a preseason top 25 is just the start of the fun. Now we can argue about it. Who can make a playoff run from outside the top 10 and which top-10 team will struggle?

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"It's better to have two quarterbacks than none," he said.

The plan is simple: Ignore the noise, split the first-team reps down the middle when fall camp begins Friday and let their play decide the outcome.

"I can promise you he's not going to be leveraged by anybody on either side," a source close to Saban said. "You're talking about a guy who parted ways with his offensive coordinator [Lane Kiffin] the week before the national championship game, and then the next year, the same guy who benched his starter and turned to a true freshman quarterback who hadn't played a meaningful snap all season in the second half of the national championship game. He's not going to be afraid to make the decision he feels like he needs to make."

How did we get here?

Alabama's quarterback battle didn't begin the moment Saban benched Hurts at halftime of the national championship game. Not really. What happened against Georgia, when Tagovailoa became an overnight sensation, only served to pour lighter fluid on an already simmering situation.

Alabama offense by QB in title game

HurtsTagovailoaPlays2446Yards94278Yds per play3.96.0TD03

Inside the Alabama coaching offices, Hurts' hold on the starting job had become increasingly unstable over the course of the previous year. Despite winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors as a true freshman in 2016, he hadn't shown significant progress as a passer. The offense had become stagnant and, according to multiple sources, skill players had grown frustrated with Hurts' inability to spread the ball around.

Granted, the offense was still effective in most games with Hurts running the ball, but its one-dimensional nature left the potential for exploitation against higher-quality defenses. Case in point: Alabama's only two losses over the course of the last two seasons came to Auburn and Clemson, two teams loaded with defensive line talent that finished in the top 11 nationally in scoring defense in each of the past two years.

Meanwhile, Tagovailoa captured the attention of coaches in practice with his arm strength and accuracy. It was as if the lefty from Hawaii had eyes on the sides of his head, he had such a good feel for the pass rush.

While Saban sticking with Hurts as the starter wasn't necessarily a surprise because of his experience, the fact that Tagovailoa's role was limited solely to mop-up duty was. Of the seven games during the regular season in which Tagovailoa attempted at least one pass, all were blowouts of 18 points or more.

However, there was confidence among coaches that Tagovailoa was ready for the big stage.

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0:40

Nick Saban joins First Take as he breaks down where the Alabama QB battle stands between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa.

"Hurts was undefeated before the Auburn game," said one former staffer. "I don't care how tight the other guy's spirals are. You don't pull an undefeated quarterback for an unknown one. But things ramped up with all the free time after the loss to Auburn."

The Tide still made the College Football Playoff despite a 26-14 loss to their rival in the regular-season finale. In the lead-up to their semifinal game against Clemson, Hurts fell ill and was forced to miss several days of practice. Tagovailoa received all of the first-team reps as a result, and the practices were some of the best for the offense all season. As one former coach put it, "I don't think the ball hit the ground."

The plan was to play Tagovailoa some against Clemson, sources confirmed, and it was discussed among coaches during the game when might be the best time to put him in. But even with Hurts struggling to get anything going in the passing game, it became apparent that Clemson wasn't going to move the ball against Alabama's defense, and coaches ultimately decided to keep Tagovailoa on the sideline, fearing a change might affect Hurts' psyche for the championship game.

Alabama initially planned on playing Tua Tagovailoa in the CFP semifinal against Clemson. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Feeling let down, the Tagovailoa family expressed its frustration with the situation and, internally, came to a decision: If Tagovailoa didn't play against Georgia, he was going to seriously explore transferring.

During the ESPN MegaCast Coaches Film Room broadcast, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said that he couldn't have predicted Saban benching Hurts at halftime, let alone in favor of a true freshman quarterback with no meaningful experience.

"In there, when we weren't on television, we were surprised," Gundy said months later. "Everybody was like, 'Would you do that? I don't know if I'd do that. Would you do it? I don't know.' So we were a little bit shocked."

Since winning the game's Offensive MVP award that night, Tagovailoa has become the toast of Tuscaloosa. He gave a pregame speech to the Alabama women's basketball team and delivered the first serve at an Alabama men's tennis match. The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook gave him 10-1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, trailing only Stanford's Bryce Love (5-1) and Wisconsin' Jonathan Taylor (7-1), even though Hurts hadn't yet been technically dethroned as the starter.

2018 Heisman Trophy Odds

PlayerOddsBryce Love, RB, Stanford5-1Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin7-1Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama10-1Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia14-1Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon14-1Khalil Tate, QB, Arizona14-1>>Westgate Las Vegas

But for anyone who didn't think it was an actual competition, all they needed to do was see Tagovailoa return to practice in the spring, only a few days after breaking a finger in his throwing hand. After all, who risks further injury if they're a sure thing? At the spring game, despite being unable to play, Tagovailoa dressed in full pads.

The same morning, in a move that wasn't seen as a coincidence by some, his brother, 2019 quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, verbally committed to Alabama on the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Tagovailoa's absence, however, Hurts failed to capitalize on having the stage to himself, completing 19 of 37 passes for 195 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

It should be said that despite the competition and the whirlwind surrounding them, Hurts and Tagovailoa aren't bitter enemies. They're quite supportive of one another. Tagovailoa never let his chagrin over a lack of playing time during the regular season affect his relationship with Hurts, whom he thanked for showing him the ropes as a true freshman. And when Tagovailoa supplanted Hurts in the title game, no one in the Alabama locker room was happier for Tagovailoa than Hurts, who told reporters that his understudy was "built for this."

Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said that if he had a dollar for every time he has been asked about his team's quarterback situation this offseason, he'd have enough money to retire. He never could have ever envisioned this situation a year ago, saying that if he had been told then that Hurts would eventually be battling for his job he would have said, "You're crazy."

"It's a testament to recruiting and just bringing in a lot of talented guys," Pierschbacher explained. "Really, at Alabama, your position is never safe, regardless of who you are."

Can Hurts and Tagovailoa coexist?

Jalen Hurts, left, and Tua Tagovailoa have been supportive of each other despite their competition. AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Make no mistake: If Hurts were to become available on the transfer market, he would be a hot commodity. A proven winner with 61 touchdowns in two seasons, suitors would be lining up at his door. It's not just that he can run, one head coach said of Hurts, "but he also sees the field and has a great arm."

That's why his father, Averion, wasn't necessarily wrong when he told Bleacher Report this spring that his son would be "the biggest free agent in college football history" if he were to transfer. But while transferring certainly is an option for Hurts, it has never been a threat. Before the article was published, Averion met with Saban one-on-one to tell him that they were content to let the competition play out rather than leave early. If a difficult decision had to be made, then so be it, but that would only happen after a starter was named.

Shortly after the article was released, Averion called to reiterate to Saban that nothing had changed from their previous conversation. What went largely unsaid at that time, though, was that Tagovailoa was in a similar situation. Intimating the possibility of transferring, he told people he didn't want to go through another season as the backup.

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The defending champs define consistent excellence, but QB uncertainty and a reliance on youth have them far from comfortable.

In June, new legislation paved the way for both quarterbacks to coexist: The NCAA would now allow players to compete in up to four games while still retaining the ability to redshirt. So if Saban wanted to carry the competition into the first few games of the season -- as he has done time and time again in the past -- he is now free to do that without either quarterback losing a valuable year of eligibility.

The new rule doesn't solve every problem, of course. Should the competition last two games, for instance, managing the remaining two games for the backup would be paramount. An injury of any kind would create tremendous pressure to burn the redshirt, weighing the quarterback's future versus the needs of the team.

When former East Carolina quarterback Gardner Minshew flipped his commitment from Alabama to Washington State in the spring, it removed what would have been a valuable safety net in terms of depth at the position. While Mac Jones has shown improvement, he's still a redshirt freshman with no experience. The only other scholarship quarterback on the roster is Layne Hatcher, an unranked prospect previously committed to Arkansas State.

Heading into fall camp, the momentum to win the job is squarely with Tagovailoa. But Hurts hasn't been counted out yet. After Saban said at SEC media days that he had "no idea" whether Hurts would be part of the roster to start the season, Hurts met with him to say he wasn't leaving and that his plan, regardless of his playing situation, would be to stay and graduate in December.

"I think Jalen will rise in this competition," said a former Alabama staffer, "and maybe it's given him even new life."

Another former Alabama staffer said that he thinks first-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley could be good for Hurts and would actually call a game that's better suited for his skill set.

"The players know Tua is a better passer, but they also trust Jalen," the former staffer said. "It's a good problem to have, one a lot of coaches would love to have, and that's what has separated Alabama under Saban, his ability to create competition at every position and the players buying into that competition."

What will Saban do?

As for Saban, what he hoped would be a private matter has become far too public for comfort.

Nick Saban will wait before making a decision as to which QB will start. Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

Averion's comments caused a stir, of course, but the attention paid to Tagovailoa wasn't ideal, either. In May, Tagovailoa's hometown in Hawaii threw him what was billed as a four-hour "Hometown Hero Parade." And even though media rarely are granted contact with Crimson Tide players outside of practice, two local outlets made the trip and secured one-on-one interviews with Tagovailoa and his family during the week of celebration.

Prior to the start of camp, Saban attempted to stymie any more unwanted headlines.

"The one thing I've talked to both kids about is that they can't go into this ... with the attitude, 'If I don't win the job, then I'm going to transfer,'" Saban said. "If that's the case, then you're not totally committed to what you're supposed to do. You're ready to cut and run as a competitor before you ever start? That ain't good. Now, neither kid has said that, but you've got other people saying it."

Saban said he has relayed a similar message to the families of both players as well.

"The one thing I've talked to both kids about is that they can't go into this ... with the attitude, 'If I don't win the job, then I'm going to transfer.' If that's the case, then you're not totally committed to what you're supposed to do. You're ready to cut and run as a competitor before you ever start? That ain't good. Now, neither kid has said that, but you've got other people saying it."

Nick Saban

"You are ruining your son's ability to be the leader of the team when you make any kind of these statements because the other kids see it as self-promotion," he told the parents. "The guy who's going to be our quarterback is the guy who wins the team. It's the way it's always been. We're going to let it play out on the practice field."

But perhaps more intriguing than Saban's management of the narrative surrounding the competition is the internal predicament he faces as a coach. The position battle, arguably the most important of his career, isn't just a question of experience and talent. It's also a matter of style that could rewrite his M.O. as a head coach of more than 20 years.

Saban, who has won five national championships at Alabama and one at LSU, has long valued a quarterback with experience that he can trust to take care of the offense -- a "game manager," as he has often said. And in Hurts, there's no question he has just that. Hurts rarely turns the ball over, and his leadership has been evident from the moment he started as a true freshman.

The allure of Tagovailoa, on the other hand, is undeniable. He's perhaps the most talented thrower Saban has ever had. Despite his lack of experience, despite his sometimes reckless choices with the football, he has the potential to unlock the Alabama offense, incorporating more pass-catchers and opening up a downfield attack that has been missing.

"I told them both, 'The more that you can do in your performance, your leadership, how you affect other people, the relationships you have on the team and the confidence that you develop in other players in your ability to distribute the ball, because that's what the quarterback is -- the distribution center of the ball -- then that's the guy who's going to have the best opportunity to win the team," Saban said.

While some in and around the program have already pinned Tagovailoa as the favorite to win the job, Saban hasn't made up his mind. He has seen too many things go sideways during his career -- too many fluke injuries, too many momentum swings -- to predict the future.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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Wilton Speight persuaded to join UCLA Bruins after hearing Chip Kelly pitch

4:44 PM ET

Kyle BonaguraESPN Staff Writer

Covers the Pac-12.

Joined ESPN in 2014.

Attended Washington State University.

LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Wilton Speight understands why it's easy to question his decision to transfer from Michigan to UCLA to play for Chip Kelly in his final season of eligibility.

He doesn't fit the dual-threat mold that Kelly relied on during his time at Oregon and must emerge from a competition that includes four other players to win the starting job.

Those factors, he said, weren't of much concern.

"[Kelly} and I talked a lot about how he ran things with Nick Foles, Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez [in the NFL]," said Speight, after his second practice with UCLA. "The success that he had with those guys. They could move but obviously weren't dual-threat. I saw the success they had and the things he would tweak for those guys. I saw myself doing the same thing."

Alabama isn't the only team with a QB dilemma. Clemson, Texas A&M and several others still have decisions to make.

Huskers hysteria with Scott Frost, the Vols' document dump, Kyler Murray's big payday, and Texas A&M's championship expectations among topics that dominated off the field.

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Speight also strongly considered going to LSU and Wyoming, and was in contact with both Baylor and USC.

"Obviously this is my last year, my last shot to show what I can do to get to the next level. And that's ultimately what it came down to."

His competition for the starting job includes last year's backup, Devon Modster, true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson, redshirt sophomore Matt Lynch and redshirt freshman Austin Burton.

"It's wide open," Kelly said Saturday. "There was nothing really solidified in the spring so it's really wide open right now, and we've added three new guys [including freshman walk-on Josiah Norwood] to the mix. So we'll see what happens."

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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marbled raspberry pound cake

* I used the berry buttercream and sheet cake from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook to make pink frosting on vanilla cupcakes.

Previously

Marbled Raspberry Pound Cake

Butter or cooking spray to coat pan

1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

Finely grated zest from half a lemon

1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour plus 1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup (125 grams) sour cream, reme fraiche, or full-fat plain yogurt

1 gently heaped cup (140 grams or 5 ounces) fresh raspberries

3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar

1 tablespoon raspberry puree (for a pink glaze, from a few tablespoons or 1 ounce fresh raspberries), or lemon juice

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a standard loaf pan (either 8″x4″ or 9″x5″, or any size between, will work here) with nonstick baking spray or butter, making sure to get into the corners.

Rate this:

Nice recipe article from smittenkitchen

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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J.T. Daniels standing out in USC quarterback battle

11:53 PM ET

Kyle BonaguraESPN Staff Writer

Covers the Pac-12.

Joined ESPN in 2014.

Attended Washington State University.

Helton met with the quarterbacks collectively and said he communicated his expectations for how he'll determine the starter.

"Always in my mind for the quarterback, it's about decision-making, timing and accuracy and, most important, moving the ball and being productive about putting it in the red zone," Helton said.

"Throwing nice routes on air is nice, you take that into account, but it's about moving the team productively into the end zone."

Helton said he expects to publically name a starter before the opener, but has not set a firm deadline for when that announcement will come.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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Nick Saban decide between Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts Alabama Crimson Tide starter

9:00 AM ET

Chris Low & Alex Scarborough

Tua Tagovailoa threw the game-winning touchdown pass to give Alabama the national championship. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Should Saban ride the momentum and the promise of a wild card with zero career starts in Tagovailoa? Or should he stick with Jalen Hurts, the quarterback who started the title game, who threw only one interception all season and has a 26-2 career record, but also serious questions about his ability to throw the football with consistency?

"I can promise you he's not going to be leveraged by anybody on either side." Source close to Nick Saban

"A great moment doesn't make a great season," warned Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. "It's a different deal when you're the guy. Everything matters."

Are we headed for another Nick Saban-Dabo Swinney playoff clash? That's certainly what it looks like. Find out where the rest of the CFP contenders fit in.

Huskers hysteria with Scott Frost, the Vols' document dump, Kyler Murray's big payday, and Texas A&M's championship expectations among topics that dominated off the field.

Coming up with a preseason top 25 is just the start of the fun. Now we can argue about it. Who can make a playoff run from outside the top 10 and which top-10 team will struggle?

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"It's better to have two quarterbacks than none," he said.

The plan is simple: Ignore the noise, split the first-team reps down the middle when fall camp begins today and let their play decide the outcome.

How did we get here?

Alabama offense by QB in title game

HurtsTagovailoaPlays2446Yards94278Yds per play3.96.0TD03

However, there was confidence among coaches that Tagovailoa was ready for the big stage.

play

0:44

The defending champs define consistent excellence, but QB uncertainty and a reliance on youth have them far from comfortable.

Alabama initially planned on playing Tua Tagovailoa in the CFP semifinal against Clemson. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

2018 Heisman Trophy Odds

The same morning, in a move that wasn't seen as a coincidence by some, his brother, 2019 quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, verbally committed to Alabama on the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Tagovailoa's absence, however, Hurts failed to capitalize on having the stage to himself, completing 19 of 37 passes for 195 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

"It's a testament to recruiting and just bringing in a lot of talented guys," Pierschbaher explained. "Really, at Alabama, your position is never safe, regardless of who you are."

Can Hurts and Tagovailoa coexist?

Jalen Hurts, left, and Tua Tagovailoa have been supportive of each other despite their competition. AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

In June, new legislation paved the way for both quarterbacks to coexist: The NCAA would now allow players to compete in up to four games while still retaining the ability to redshirt. So if Saban wanted to carry the competition into the first few games of the season -- as he's done time and time again in the past -- he is now free to do that without either quarterback losing a valuable year of eligibility.

"I think Jalen will rise in this competition," said a former Alabama staffer, "and maybe it's given him even new life."

Another former Alabama staffer said that he thinks first-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley could be good for Hurts and would actually call a game that's better suited for his skill set.

What will Saban do?

As for Saban, what he hoped would be a private matter has become far too public for comfort.

Nick Saban will wait before making a decision as to which QB will start. Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

Prior to the start of camp, Saban attempted to stymie any more unwanted headlines.

Saban said he has relayed a similar message to the families of both players as well.

Nick Saban

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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Scott Frost, Clemson's D-line and Kyler Murray among offseason storylines

1:00 AM ET

Adam RittenbergESPN Staff Writer

College football reporter.

Joined ESPN.com in 2008.

Graduate of Northwestern University.

By the week's end, every college football team steps back on the practice field for training camp. It means the college football offseason, mercifully, is over. So what did you miss?

There's no doubt the biggest offseason story is currently unfolding, with Ohio State putting coach Urban Meyer on administrative leave while it investigates what Meyer knew about the domestic violence allegations involving former assistant Zach Smith, and when he knew about them. Meyer's future in Columbus is suddenly very much in doubt.

But before the Buckeye bombshell, top offseason stories included a seismic eligibility rule change, a top-10 draft pick in baseball electing to play one final year in football and even a few "Bring Lane back!" emails on Rocky Top. Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, king of the offseason, stayed relatively quiet other than taking his team to Normandy and doing donuts on the Michigan Stadium turf in a Dodge Demon, while warning players about the perils of eating chicken. But others made noise, from North Carolina's Larry Fedora to Frosty Nebraskans to those UCF folks who can't stop celebrating.

Here's a look at 20 things that stood out during the offseason:

A new redshirt rule (and strategic opportunity)

It's rare when an important rule gets green-lit during a single offseason. Even rarer when the rule gains such widespread praise. After unanimously pushing a change in the redshirt rule at the AFCA Convention in January, coaches delighted in June when the proposal was approved for the 2018 season. Players are now able to play up to four games at any point in a season without losing a year of eligibility. Freshman should benefit most from the rule, but so can players emerging from major injuries. Coaches are delighted to manipulate their roster in different ways, and the strategies from program to program will be fascinating. An added bonus: Bowl games will become more interesting.

Could Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson help Michigan get over the hump this year? Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire

Michigan gets its man

Michigan needed a difference-making quarterback for the 2018 season. Thanks to a unique situation, it has one in Shea Patterson. In April, the NCAA granted Patterson's waiver to gain immediate eligibility at Michigan after transferring from Ole Miss. Patterson initially based his request on the claim that former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze had misled him about the potential punishment the Rebels program could receive from the NCAA, which in December received a postseason ban for 2018. But in the end, Patterson gained approval based on his academic production, and Ole Miss didn't stand in his way. Patterson, who practiced with Michigan this spring, could help the Wolverines navigate a brutal schedule and reach their first Big Ten championship game.

The Jalen-Tua saga rolls on

The most unique quarterback competition in college football remains unresolved. Alabama's two-year starter Jalen Hurts is still in Tuscaloosa, as is Tua Tagovailoa, who relieved Hurts and rallied the Tide to a national championship in January. Tagovailoa missed most of the spring with hand injuries, while Hurts struggled in the spring game. In May, Tagovailoa returned home to Hawaii and revealed that he would have transferred if he hadn't played in the title game. Hurts' father, meanwhile, told Bleacher Report that Jalen will become "the biggest free agent in college football history" if he loses the starting job for good. Hurts has options, and the new redshirt rules gives him another. Nick Saban predictably isn't tipping his hand, and the team's quarterback situation will continue to be under the microscope.

Larry Fedora sounds off on CTE, football and America

No one would have pegged an ACC Coastal Division coach whose team went 3-9 last year to be the biggest newsmaker during conference media days. Then, North Carolina's Larry Fedora said football was "under attack," doubting the direct link between the game and CTE, and adding that if the game continues to change, it will become unrecognizable and "our country will go down, too." Fedora's comments made national news, as he questioned the connection between football and CTE, linked the success of the U.S. military to the number of former football players enlisted, and vigorously defended a sport that he thinks is safer than ever.

Tennessee's incredible document dump

Tennessee would just as soon forget the embarrassing, messy coaching search of late 2017. But there was the pesky matter of responding to open records requests. The document dump from Knoxville in late March did not disappoint, as Tennessee released hundreds of emails and text-messages, cell phone numbers of prominent college coaches, nasty emails from fans and much, much more. The lack of redaction was stunning, and indulged college football fans with an incredible behind-the-scenes look at what went so wrong on Rocky Top.

Kyler Murray was a top-10 MLB pick, but still the likely replacement for Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Sooners QB: Baseball can come later

Even as Kyler Murray starred for Oklahoma's baseball team and the MLB draft neared, Sooners football coach Lincoln Riley maintained that Murray would suit up for his team in the fall. Then, the Oakland Athletics drafted Murray ninth overall, which carries a slot value of $4,761,500. But Murray maintained his pledge to Oklahoma football, and he and the A's agreed that he could play one final college football season before pursuing pro baseball. Murray is the favorite to succeed Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield as Oklahoma's starting quarterback this fall. He'll also be picking up his teammates' dinner tab.

Defensive coordinators get paid

It was a very good offseason to be an elite defensive coordinator. In January, LSU's Dave Aranda landed a four-year, $10 million contract to remain at the school after Texas A&M had pursued him. Texas A&M ended up with Mike Elko, who left Notre Dame for a three-year deal that averages $1.8 million annually. Other defensive coordinators like Washington's Jimmy Lake, Florida's Todd Grantham and Ohio State's Greg Schiano landed enhanced seven-figure contracts, while Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard -- after completing his first season as coordinator -- received a sizable raise to nearly $1 million. The DC bonanza continued last month as Clemson's Brent Venables received the largest total compensation contract for a college assistant, $11.6 million over five years.

Joe Burrow leads graduate transfer troupe

Graduate transfers are an annual offseason storyline, and this year featured a sizable haul, including several quarterbacks. Joe Burrow, who competed for Ohio State's top job this spring, transferred to LSU. Other QBs on the move include Wilton Speight (Michigan to UCLA), Brandon Dawkins (Arizona to Indiana), Keller Chryst (Stanford to Tennessee), Brady White (Arizona State to Memphis), Dru Brown (Hawaii to Oklahoma State) and Gardner Minshew (East Carolina to Alabama to Washington State). Potential impact graduate transfers also include running back Tre Watson (Cal to Texas), linebacker Jawuan Johnson (Northern Illinois to TCU), cornerback Nick Harvey (Texas A&M to South Carolina), wide receiver Tabari Hines (Wake Forest to Oregon) and defensive lineman Jay Hayes (Notre Dame to Georgia).

Herm Edwards is back in the game at Arizona State. Matt York/AP

Arizona State's NFL pivot under Herm Edwards

Arizona State made more than a head-coaching change when it hired Herm Edwards in December. Championed by athletic director Ray Anderson, ASU adopted an NFL-style model for its football program with a general manager structure, sport and administrative divisions, and a distinct recruiting operation. Edwards, returning to college football after 28 years, reinforced the new reality in the spring by threatening to "cut" underperforming scholarship players. Edwards later said he isn't running off players and that other teams do the same thing while using less-pointed language. Either way, it's clear ASU football is beginning a fascinating new chapter.

Bryce Love chooses class over media day

The Pac-12 condensed its media kickoff event into one day, but the league's biggest star didn't come to Hollywood. Stanford running back Bryce Love, the 2017 Heisman Trophy runner-up, elected to remain on campus, attend classes and do Skype interviews. Love, who is majoring in human biology and has plans to be a doctor, had already used his excused absence for the term. Love's decision drew both praise and criticism, given Stanford's recent history for producing Heisman bridesmaids, but the media attention he received for not coming to media day might have outweighed the bump he would have gotten from being there.

Water adventures in the SEC

The SEC owned the national championship stage last season. The league isn't so dominant on the water. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm, who skillfully helped the Bulldogs reach the title game as a freshman, suffered two water-related mishaps this offseason. In May, he had a fishing lure lodge in his leg, requiring a hospital trip. In July, he broke his left (non-throwing) hand in a boating accident. Fortunately, neither injury proved to be serious and Fromm will be ready for the season. Alabama coach Nick Saban also had trouble on the water. Saban took some players out on his brand-new boat, only to stall out on a lake. But he was adamant that he didn't run out of gas, blaming it on a faulty fuel pump.

UCF's national championship celebration doesn't stop

UCF won. It doesn't matter what Alabama or anyone else says at this point. The national championship campaign UCF launched after the Peach Bowl has been a huge success, mainly because no seems willing to let it die. Alabama players scoffed at UCF's championship celebration in January, and last month at SEC media days, Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris told reporters, "I felt disrespected, that it took away from what we did, but I got over that real quick." AAC commissioner Mike Aresco continued the push at his league's media days, congratulating UCF "on the national championship that they have a right to claim."

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost waves to the fans after the sold-out spring game in Lincoln in April. AP Photo/John Peterson

Husker hysteria as Scott Frost comes home

No coaching hire generated more excitement and optimism than Scott Frost's return to Nebraska. The former Huskers quarterback has skillfully navigated his homecoming, telling Nebraska fans exactly what they want to hear about the program's path back to glory. Nebraska sold out its spring game, the Frost-tees are rolling off the shelves and the Huskers are gaining the type of national publicity they enjoyed throughout the 1990s. Frost completed the offseason with a dazzling performance at Big Ten media day, saying, "The program used to reflect the people of the state," He said. "Nebraska's best asset is its people. [It] has unbelievable people that are hard-working, blue-collar people that are going to care about each other. That's what we're trying to get back to in our program."

Oklahoma State AD pokes Gundy's recruiting

A period of sustained peace between Oklahoma State's athletic triumvirate -- megabooster T. Boone Pickens, football coach Mike Gundy and athletic director Mike Holder -- was briefly interrupted in June when Holder told the Pistols Firing podcast that Gundy should aim higher in recruiting. "I'd want to finish higher in those recruiting rankings than we consistently do," Holder said. "I think that ultimately puts a ceiling on what you're able to achieve." Gundy responded in perfect fashion -- then again, he could have simply screamed, "That ain't true!" -- and later said Holder apologized to him. "I knew what he was trying to say," Gundy said last month at Big 12 media days. "He just didn't do a good job of getting the information out there."

Kickoff rule, headset rule and more!

Kickoff returns are being de-emphasized in an effort to make football safer, and this season college teams will be able to call fair catches inside the 25-yard line for touchbacks. Any fair catch signaled inside a team's 25-yard line will result in the ensuing drive starting at the 25. Also, in response to booming staff sizes at major programs, the NCAA is limiting teams to 20 headsets or communication devices on game days -- 15 for coaches, four for players and one for non-coaching activities, such as charting plays. Other changes including the prohibition of offensive blocks below the waist more than five yards downfield, and some bizarre uniform requirements, including requiring kneepads to cover a player's entire knee and go underneath a pant and sock.

Clemson's defensive line is back in a big way

Dabo Swinney brought defensive lineman Christian Wilkins to the 2017 ACC kickoff because he, like everyone, expected Wilkins to be in the NFL the following summer. Well, Wilkins is still a Tiger, spending the spring working as a substitute teacher. Also back is defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell, who joined Swinney last month at the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. Wilkins, Ferrell and Austin Bryant all passed up the NFL draft and, along with Dexter Lawrence, will form the most decorated defensive line in recent college football history. All four Tigers made the preseason All-ACC team, with Ferrell, Wilkins and Lawrence getting the most votes of any defenders.

Northwestern docks spaceship along Lake Michigan

Power 5 programs open swanky facilities all the time, but Northwestern's Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletic Center is unique, and so is the reaction to its unveiling this summer. Perched along the shores of Lake Michigan with incredible views from its indoor practice field, Northwestern's $270 million palace drew rave reviews from national media. It didn't hurt Northwestern's effort to lure quarterback transfer Hunter Johnson from Clemson, celebrated for its own football facility. Although more of these facilities are coming soon, Northwestern's seems to be a game changer.

Oregon State sends recruiting materials to Hawaii players

Oregon State has nine Hawaii natives on its roster and several staff members with ties to the Rainbow Warrior program. So it seemed a bit fishy when several Hawaii players received recruiting packets from Oregon State, including invitations to attend the Beavers' spring game. Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich declined the invitations in a brilliantly sarcastic tweet, complete with #leakydam. Oregon State received a secondary violation after self-reporting what it calls an "inadvertent mistake," and will be prohibited from recruiting any of the Hawaii players who received the mailings should they choose to transfer.

Texas A&M makes championship expectations clear

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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Stanford Cardinal coach David Shaw says CFP should look at schedules

12:44 PM ET

Heather DinichESPN Senior Writer

College football reporter

Joined ESPN.com in 2007

Graduate of Indiana University

Stanford coach David Shaw said the College Football Playoff selection committee should pay greater attention to when teams have byes during the season, and how the entire schedule is laid out.

Shaw, who sat down with ESPN on Tuesday for a wide-ranging interview, said he has thought a lot about the playoff this summer. He has spoken with several committee members this offseason, and CFP executive director Bill Hancock on Monday.

"How the schedule lays out may be more important than strength of schedule," Shaw said. "What I mean by that is, if you look at USC last year, to play 11 straight games without a bye - all Division I opponents, no I-AA opponents, and play right into the Pac-12 championship game and win that one - that to me is more impressive than just having a strong schedule but then having a Week 7 bye, or a Week 8 I-AA opponent, which kind of gives you a break."

Last season was the first since 1995 that USC played the entire regular season without a bye week. Its two losses were on the road -- a Friday night at Washington State, and Oct. 21 at Notre Dame. In spite of beating Stanford for the Pac-12 title, USC finished No. 8, right behind three-loss Auburn, which had a bye week between back-to-back road games against Arkansas and Texas A&M.

The difference was that Auburn earned two November wins against the committee's No. 1 teams in Georgia and Alabama.

Hancock said Tuesday the 13-member committee does consider more than just who a team played and where the game was.

"The matter of analyzing teams is complex, and the committee goes through great lengths in comparing teams in many respects, in comparing the data and also in comparing schedules," Hancock said. "The committee certainly considers every aspect of a team's schedule, including the sequencing of games, sequence of opponents, and sequence of open dates."

Shaw said his view on scheduling is "a new way of looking at it."

"I think looking at how difficult it is for the student-athletes to play consecutive weeks and then, we're one of the few conferences that will play a significant number of Friday night games," he said, adding that the Friday night road winning percentages are "very, very low."

Good article originally from ESPN

0 notes

debraleedebra · 6 years

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Washington Huskies top Pac-12 Power Rankings

Jul 25, 2018

Edward AschoffESPN Staff Writer

ESPN.com SEC reporter.

Joined ESPN.com in 2011.

Graduated from the University of Florida.

Which team will be the class of the Pac-12 this season? Here's a look at the preseason Power Rankings for the conference. (Due to an editing error, some rankings originally appeared out of order.)

1. Washington Huskies The Huskies are the early favorite to win the Pac-12 because they own one of the nation's most talented defensive backfields and one of the country's most experienced offensive backfields. Quarterback Jake Browning should finish the season owning just about every Washington passing record, and running back Myles Gaskin should become the school's all-time leading rusher with more than 4,000 yards. Washington must find reliable receivers, but the Huskies should have no problem leaning on a tough, turnover-thirsty defense.

2. USC Trojans The Trojans could challenge Washington for the league's best defense in 2018, but USC will live and die by its quarterback play. While there's solid talent at receiver and running back, starting with the elusive Stephen Carr, USC must replace Sam Darnold under center. There's not much experience there, but reclassified freshman J.T. Daniels has a chance to be a special player. The Trojans avoid Washington and Oregon in the regular season for the second straight year.

It's crowded at the top, with Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan all chasing the Buckeyes for the top spot in the conference.

As SEC media days kick off, Alabama and Georgia top the conference preseason power rankings. The last time they faced off, it was for the national championship.

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3. Stanford Cardinal The return of Bryce Love gives the Cardinal one of the best overall players in the country. Even with what should be improved quarterback play from returning starter K.J. Costello or former top recruit Davis Mills, no one would be shocked if Love crosses 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Stanford's defense is still a big question, especially in the secondary, but the Cardinal have the potential to score plenty of points this fall.

4. Oregon Ducks Mario Cristobal is Oregon's third head coach in as many years. His installation of the pistol this spring also marks a third different offense for the Ducks. Justin Herbert could be the first quarterback taken in next year's NFL draft, and he'll be behind four linemen with significant experience. The defense, which returns DC Jim Leavitt, is poised to break out with seven starters back, including two of the Pac-12's best in end Jalen Jelks and linebacker Troy Dye.

5. Arizona Wildcats It should be exciting to watch Kevin Sumlin work his quarterback magic with the incredibly elusive Khalil Tate, who was fifth in the conference with 1,411 rushing yards last season. Sumlin, who will keep Tate's legs moving, will be tasked with getting more out of his quarterback's right arm. Arizona's new coaching staff benefits from 17 returning starters, including nine on a defense that is poised to be one of the most improved in the conference.

6. Utah Utes After being the least-experienced team in the Pac-12 last year, the Utes will now play arguably the toughest schedule of any Pac-12 South squad. Utah returns 14 total starters, including quarterback Tyler Huntley, who should improve on a 2017 season that was limited by injury. Utah's top two receivers are gone, but its returning offensive linemen have 54 career starts and the defense should be back to its usual stingy ways with six starters back.

7. California Golden Bears Despite winning just five games last year, the Bears played better than they did in 2016. Cal just missed out on the postseason in Justin Wilcox's first year, losing three games by three or fewer points with one of the nation's most inexperienced teams. The Bears return 18 starters, including 3,000-yard passer Ross Bowers and 1,100-yard back Patrick Laird. The defense is a work in progress, but having eight starters back calls for marked improvement.

8. UCLA Bruins Will Chip Kelly be more Oregon Chip or NFL Chip or both? It's exciting to have Kelly back in college football, but it's quite the challenge in Westwood. Top tasks are fixing one of the country's worst running games and finding the right quarterback. Freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson is best suited to run more of an Oregon style. Seven starters are back on a defense that was atrocious last season, surrendering 287.4 rushing yards per game and 36.6 PPG.

9. Colorado Buffaloes Two years removed from a 10-win season, this team lacks the experience of that championship-level team, but Mike MacIntyre still has enough talent for a rebound from last season's five-win flop. Having six defensive starters and getting quarterback Steven Montez (2,975 yards and 18 touchdowns last year) back helps, but so does not playing Washington, Stanford or Oregon. Colorado does have to replace 1,500-yard back Phillip Lindsey, and the offensive line loses four guys with quality starting experience.

10. Washington State Cougars Not only did the Cougars lose the Pac-12's career passing leader in Luke Falk but Wazzu has also had a tumultuous offseason, resulting in massive changes on both sides of the ball. The Cougars lost a handful of assistants, including DC Alex Grinch -- who left for Ohio State after totally revamping the defense. Mike Leach loves a pass-happy offense, but the quarterback position remains unsettled and two all-conference offensive linemen must be replaced.

11. Arizona State Sun Devils No one really knows what to expect from ASU's marriage with Herm Edwards. He hasn't coached in nine years and has no collegiate head-coaching experience. It's also an uphill climb with the lack of overall talent on this roster. Manny Wilkins is back at quarterback, as is one of the nation's best receivers in N'Keal Harry. Danny Gonzales is one of the best young defensive minds, but it'll take a while for him to fully run his tricky 3-3-5 scheme.

Good article originally from ESPN

0 notes

debraleedebra · 6 years

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Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott optimistic after bad postseasons for football, basketball

12:40 PM ET

Kyle BonaguraESPN Staff Writer

Covers the Pac-12.

Joined ESPN in 2014.

Attended Washington State University.

LOS ANGELES -- As the Pac-12 tries to put its woeful 2017 football season behind it, commissioner Larry Scott made the case that things are not as bad as the national perception indicates.

"Much was written and discussed about our bowl record last year," Scott said. "From our perspective, a handful of season-ending games are not a communicator of a conference's overall strength and competitiveness."

Who will head the Pac-12 in 2018? With tough road schedules for the conference's leading teams, the race for top spot could be wide open.

The conference finished with a 1-8 bowl record last season -- the worst record ever for a major conference -- leading to an offseason short on optimism about its direction. It didn't help matters when just one men's basketball team, Arizona, reached the Round of 64 in the NCAA tournament and was promptly upset in the first round.

"Nine of our 12 teams qualified for bowls and we placed two teams in the six New Year's bowls," Scott said. "At the end of the season, we have four teams amongst the top-25. It's clear by all those measures we've got a strong, deep and highly-competitive conference that provides our fans with great matchups every week."

If the Pac-12 has a team that could help change its fortunes, it's likely the Washington Huskies, who are the overwhelming preseason favorite by media to win the conference title after receiving 37 of the 42 votes.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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Washington Huskies top Pac-12 Power Rankings

10:00 AM ET

Edward AschoffESPN Staff Writer

ESPN.com SEC reporter.

Joined ESPN.com in 2011.

Graduated from the University of Florida.

Which team will be the class of the Pac-12 this season? Here's a look at the preseason Power Rankings for the conference.

It's crowded at the top, with Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan all chasing the Buckeyes for the top spot in the conference.

As SEC media days kick off, Alabama and Georgia top the conference preseason power rankings. The last time they faced off, it was for the national championship.

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4. Oregon Ducks Mario Cristobal is Oregon's third head coach in as many years. His installation of the pistol this spring also means the third different offense, too. Justin Herbert could be the first quarterback taken in next year's NFL draft and he'll be behind four linemen with significant experience. The defense, which returns DC Jim Leavitt, is poised to break out with seven starters back, including two of the Pac-12's best in end Jalen Jelks and linebacker Troy Dye.

5. Arizona Wildcats It should be exciting to watch Kevin Sumlin work his quarterback magic with the incredibly elusive Khalil Tate, who was fifth in the conference with 1,411 rushing yards. Sumlin, who will keep Tate's legs moving, will be tasked with getting more out of his quarterback's right arm. Arizona's new coaching staff benefits from 17 returning starters, including nine on a defense that is poised to be one of the most improved in the conference.

6. Arizona State Sun Devils No one really knows what to expect from ASU's marriage with Herm Edwards. He hasn't coached in nine years and has no collegiate head-coaching experience. It's also an uphill climb with the lack of overall talent on this roster. Manny Wilkins is back at quarterback, as is one of the nation's best receivers in N'Keal Harry. Danny Gonzales is one of the best young defensive minds, but it'll take a while for him to fully run his tricky 3-3-5 scheme.

7. UCLA Bruins Will Chip Kelly be more Oregon Chip or NFL Chip or both? It's exciting to have Kelly back in college football, it's quite the challenge in Westwood. Top tasks are fixing one of the country's worst running games and finding the right quarterback. Freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson is best suited to run more of an Oregon style. Seven starters are back on a defense that was atrocious last season, surrendering 287.4 rushing yards per game and 36.6 PPG.

8. Utah Utes After being the least experienced team in the Pac-12 last year, the Utes will now play arguably the toughest schedule of any Pac-12 South squads. Utah returns 14 total starters, including quarterback Tyler Huntley, who should improve on a 2017 season that was limited by injury. Utah's top two receivers are gone, but its returning offensive linemen have 54 career starts and defense should be back to its usual stingy ways with six starters back.

9. Colorado Buffaloes Two years removed from a 10-win season, this team lacks the experience of that championship-level team, but Mike MacIntyre still has enough talent for a rebound from last season's five-win flop. Having six defensive starters and getting quarterback Steven Montez (2,975 yards and 18 touchdowns last year) back helps, but so does not playing Washington, Stanford or Oregon. Colorado does have to replace 1,500-yard back Phillip Lindsey and the offensive line loses four guys with quality starting experience.

10. California Golden Bears Despite winning just five games last year, the Bears played better than they did in 2016. Cal just missed out on the postseason in Justin Wilcox's first year, losing three games by three or fewer points with one of the nation's most inexperienced teams. The Bears return 18 starters, including 3,000-yard passer Ross Bowers and 1,100-yard back Patrick Laird. The defense is a work in progress, but having eight starters back calls for marked improvement.

11. Washington State Cougars Not only did the Cougars lose the Pac-12's career passing leader in Luke Falk but Wazzu has also had a tumultuous offseason, resulting in massive changes on both sides of the ball. The Cougars lost a handful of assistants, including DC Alex Grinch -- who left for Ohio State after totally revamping the defense. Mike Leach loves a pass-happy offense, but the quarterback position remains unsettled and two all-conference offensive linemen must be replaced.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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North Carolina's Larry Fedora says football is under attack

2:15 PM ET

David M. HaleESPN Staff Writer

ACC reporter.

Joined ESPN in 2012.

Graduate of the University of Delaware.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- North Carolina coach Larry Fedora is no fan of the rule changes in college football, suggesting altering the game is an overreaction to injuries and will, in the end, have a profound effect on the entire country.

Fedora was asked about changes to the kickoff rule in college football, and he offered an extended oratory disputing the relationship between football and CTE and suggesting that softening the game could be part of a larger concern.

"Our game is under attack," Fedora told reporters. "I fear the game will be pushed so far from what we know that we won't recognize it in 10 years. And if it does, our country will go down, too."

North Carolina coach Larry Fedora says players have to personally weigh the "risks versus the rewards" of playing a violent sport like football. Rob Kinnan/USA TODAY Sports

Fedora said he'd talked to military personnel who'd suggested the success of the U.S. military was due, in part, to the number of football players who went on to join the armed forces.

Fedora also questioned the evidence tying CTE and football, saying that the game "is safer than it's ever been."

"Are there still injuries? Yeah. It's a violent sport," Fedora said. "You've got big, fast, strong guys running into each other. Something is going to give. But there are risks involved in the game, and everybody that plays the game understands those risks. It's not like they're going into it not knowing that something could happen. And so they have to -- personally have to weigh those risks versus the rewards."

Numerous organizations, including the NFL, have acknowledged a connection between concussions suffered by playing football and the development of CTE, which can result in brain abnormalities and depression. Recently, the family of former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinksi said his suicide was likely the result of CTE.

"When I started playing the game, it was all about the head," Fedora said "You were going to stick your head into everything. And as we've learned and we understand the dangers of what's going on in the game of football, you slowly have taken the head out of the game. And so all the drills that you teach, all the tackling, all the things you do, you do it with the head out of the game, to keep the head away from the impacts.

"Also, back when I played, you were three practices a day during fall camp. I mean, so all of those changes -- you had one cup of water at practice. We've learned and evolved so much about hydration and you don't need to take salt tablets and all those different things that you did in the past."

Injuries were at the forefront of Fedora's time at ACC Kickoff. Last year, his Tar Heels suffered through one of the most prolific runs of injured players in recent memory, with 37 different players missing game time due to injury and more than 20 suffering season-ending injuries.

Fedora said he spent the offseason reshaping UNC's strength and conditioning program as a result, noting that it was imperative for him to show his players that the coaching staff was taking their health seriously.

Good article originally from ESPN

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debraleedebra · 6 years

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Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2018 (So Far), the Albums

It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is looking quite nice, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2018.

HOW TO BE OK ALONE by BRENT COWLES

Cowles shares a debut solo full-length that is emotionally raw and spiritually uplifting. How To Be OK Alone is a tremendous rock record that showcases the range of Cowles talent as a singer and a songwriter.

Key Tracks: The Fold, Tequila Train, Keep Moving, Gina Joon, Places, How to Be OK Alone

Featured Twangville coverage of Brent Cowles: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 1, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 1, Monday Morning Video – Brent Cowles “The Fold”, and Monday Morning Video – Brent Cowles.

CONCRETE AND MUD by SAM MORROW

Morrow serves up my favorite country album so far this year, chock full of no BS attitude and heavy southern grooves.

Key Tracks: Heartbreak Man, Paid By the Mile, Quick Fix, Good Ole Days, Weight of a Stone, Skinny Elvis

Featured Twangville coverage of Sam Morrow: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 2, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 3 and Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Sam Morrow.

FALSE RIVER by ANDREW DUHON

Duhon takes his time between albums but they are well worth the wait. His latest, the follow-up to 2013’s outstanding The Moorings, is filled with sweet (if sometimes melancholy) stories, honeyed vocals and soothing arrangements. False River plays with a timeless charm.

Key Tracks: Comin’ Around, Heart of a Man, They Don’t Make ’em, Gotta Know, Still Holding On, Easy Ways

Featured Twangville coverage of Andrew Duhon: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 3 and Readers’ Pick: Andrew Duhon – False River.

WATCHING IT ALL FALL APART by FRUITION

It took me 10 years to discover Fruition but better late than never, right? Their latest hooked me immediately with its potent blend of folk, rock, soul and a touch of psychedelia.

Key Tracks: Northern Town, There She Was, I’ll Never Sing Your Name, Turn To Dust, Should Be (On Top of the World)

Featured Twangville coverage of Fruition: Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 1.

WIDDERSHINS by GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS

Great music is inspired by the world in which we live, the best musicians are able to capture the resulting anxiety and emotion in song. Grant-Lee Phillips reacts to the social and political unrest around us with a collection of songs stirring and aggrieved.

Key Tracks: Walk In Circles, King of Catastrophes, Scared Stiff, The Wilderness, Another Another Then Boom, Totally You Gunslinger, History Has Their Number

Featured Twangville coverage of Grant-Lee Phillips: Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 1, Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2016 and Monday Morning Video – Grant-Lee Phillips “Cry Cry”.

TENKILLER by MARIE/LEPANTO

Will Johnson and Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster team up for an album filled with restrained but bluesy rockers alongside ethereal folk songs.

Key Tracks: High Desert, Inverness, Famished Raven, Simple Scenes, Features/Fights, Rest Be Mine

Featured Twangville coverage of Marie/Lepanto: Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 2.

OUT FROM UNDER by MICHAEL MCDERMOTT

Michael McDermott is one of contemporary music’s most remarkable storytellers. Out From Under, like his previous work, is filled with colorful characters – sometimes autobiographical, sometimes not – trying to make their way in a difficult world.

Key Tracks: Knocked Down, Sad Songs, This World Will Break Your Heart, Rubber Band Ring, Never Goin’ Down Again, Sideways

Featured Twangville coverage of Michael McDermott: Michael McDermott Comes Out From Under (Album Premiere), Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2016 and Mayer’s Playlist for June 2016.

ELI PAPERBOY REED MEETS THE HIGH & MIGHTY BRASS BAND by ELI PAPERBOY REED AND THE HIGH & MIGHTY BRASS BAND

New music from Eli Paperboy Reed is all too infrequent. But leave it to the R&B master to hit the bulls-eye with this collaboration with the High & Mighty Brass Band. The group revisits gems from the Paperboy catalog, pumping up the horns, of course, with monstrous results.

Key Tracks: As I Live and Breathe, Walkin’ and Talkin’, Take My Love With You, I’m Gonna Getcha Back, Come and Get It

Featured Twangville coverage of Eli Paperboy Reed: Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 2, Mayer’s Playlist for June 2016 and Monday Morning Video – Eli Paperboy Reed Takes On Ray Charles.

DON’T TALK ABOUT IT by RUBY BOOTS

Ruby Boots is on the move. Set aside that she relocated from Australia to Nashville and then travelled to Dallas to record her Bloodshot Records debut. Said album radiates confidence and charm, driven by her determined rock songs and captivating voice.

Key Tracks: It’s So Cruel, Don’t Talk About It, Easy Way Out, Break My Heart Twice, I’ll Make It Through, Infatuation, Don’t Give a Damn

Featured Twangville coverage of Ruby Boots: Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 2, SXSW 2018 – The Sounds, Part 2, Folk Alliance 2018 – Mayer’s Picks, Part 2 and Readers’ Pick: Don’t Talk About It by Ruby Boots.

LIVE AT THE HAYBARN THEATRE by SESSION AMERICANA

There’s nothing better than seeing Session Americana live. For those who can’t (or for those who have and want an on-demand reminder), this December 2016 recording is a glorious testament to their songwriting and performing prowess.

Key Tracks: Barefoot Soldiers, It’s Not Texas, Riding With the Ghost, Mighty Long Time, Brown Eyed Women, The Driving, Ain’t Living Long Like This

Featured Twangville coverage of Session Americana: The Berkshires Seemed Dreamlike – A Special Boston Playlist (Part 2), Monday Morning Video – A Visit To Beer Town and Shakin’ with Session Americana.

QUIET AND PEACE by BUFFALO TOM

One of Boston’s finest prove that rock and rollers can mature with grace and do so on their own terms. The lyrics may reflect their lives as career and family men, but the power trio feistiness remains intact.

Key Tracks: All Be Gone, Overtime, Roman Cars, Freckles, Lonely Fast and Deep, In the Ice, The Only Living Boy in New York

Featured Twangville coverage of Buffalo Tom: The Berkshires Seemed Dreamlike – A Special Boston Playlist (Part 1) and Mayer’s Picks: Best Albums of 2011.

NEIGHBORS AND STRANGERS by KINGSLEY FLOOD

Naseem Khuri has never been one to pull his punches and the current political climate only adds fuel to the fire. Rather than be subsumed by the world around him, he tempers his response with some deft exploration of social and personal relationships. All are set, of course, to some tremendous rock arrangements.

Key Tracks: Find Me Out, Fifth of July, Still So Still, Little Man, Bottom of the Barrel, Not Right Yet, Carry On Fine, Never Been Home

Featured Twangville coverage of Kingsley Flood: The Berkshires Seemed Dreamlike – A Special Boston Playlist (Part 2), I Will Remember Massachusetts, Part 2 – A Special Boston Playlist and Hazy Shade of Winter — A Special Boston Playlist.

LAS CRUCES by BUCKLEY

Awash in electric guitars and heavy with raw melodies, Buckley channels Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Las Cruces explodes with energy and conjures up images of a Harley-Davidson rumbling down a rural highway. It is quite simply an album that bleeds ragged glory.

Key Tracks: Las Cruces, Three Chiefs, Old Glory, Consuela, Downtown, Bakersfield

About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.

Groovy article from twangville

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