It's out of control and a horrendous model. The playoffs are starting and we have full free agency.

A few ideas,a nd please offer any you have:

*Get rid of conference title games, each league adds a conference game to their schedule and all teams play 13 games
*No more bowl games
*Start the season in late August - one open date.
*Playoffs start the Saturday the conference title games are now played.
*Next round is the following weekend.
*Four teams left: They play the third Saturday in December.
*National title game is Jan. 1
*Portal OPENS on Jan. 2 at 8 AM EST. It closes Jan. 9 at midnight.
---Kids must find a new school by Jan. 18 in order to enroll for that semester.
---If they don't by that time, they will have to sti out the semester.
---If they continue attending classes at their current school while also in the portal, they can return to that school by Jan. 15.

I guess he got scared of Bill coming to the Hill?

We’ve got some really savvy basketball minds on here, so I’m curious what folks view as the reason for our consistently poor 1H play this season? Vote for up to 3. If you vote “Other” list it below…

Hillary PR Team @onmessageforher is killing it recently

Login to view embedded media

talking up Belichick and encouraging players to head to UNC? He needs to be brought to campus for a day or two during Spring Practice. Good publicity.

Any of you gents - besides AJ - going to be in the house ?

Plans to stay at Wake as advisor to AD.

Wake as a winner birngs basically 0 new fans to watch the ACC, so it is best if Wake is always dead last in the ACC.

Being at the game on Saturday I got a closer look at the contest than I would have had on TV and I noticed in the second half Carolina repeatedly got the ball deep in the paint and the bigs had a field day in the block. Was it just that La Salle played Matador defense in the paint or was it the coaching team decided to feed the bigs to see what they could do. Either way it was refreshing to see.

I truly believe this the biggest reason Tyson hit five threes from the corners because the defense was leaving him open to try and double down in the paint. Cade has a quick release like Manek did and he does not hesitate in shooting the rock.

But again the question is still out there was the Explorers defense just pitiful down low or did the Carolina bigs show big time improvement…

Bryant and I are here at Spectrum Center. Enormous game for the Tar Heels tonight.

You've seen it in the second half. I'm sick of hearing size. This is the first time this team has hustled and fought all year other than the Dayton comeback.

This team lacks TOUGHNESS. Tons of teams lack size and still win. Look at Houston. Who's their big?? But THEY PLAY PHYSICAL.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORTH CAROLINA’S TYLEE CRAFT NAMED RECIPIENT OF CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL – FWAA COURAGE AWARD



MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (December 18, 2024) – North Carolina’s Tylee Craft is the 23rd annual recipient of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, an honor recognizing his incredible perseverance and strength in the face of adversity. The beloved fifth-year senior wide receiver passed away in October 2024 after a lengthy two-year battle with Stage 4 lung cancer while remaining an integral part of the Tar Heels’ program as a student coach.



Craft was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer on March 14, 2022, and doctors revealed he was weeks away dying before he immediately began aggressive chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments at UNC Linebarger Cancer Center. Despite the cancer spreading throughout his body and to his brain, Craft continued to attend every practice, meeting, and team function while undergoing treatment.



In May, Craft earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science/sports administration and continued furthering his education, working toward his master’s in applied professional studies.

A month later, Craft told the Sumter (S.C.) Item: “It means a lot knowing that they’re still supporting no matter what, and I can still be with the team. It makes my days better because I’m able to go and spend time with the team and still be surrounded by my teammates and still go to classes and go to workouts when I can. It helps me get through my days.”



“I want to thank the Orange Bowl Committee and Football Writers Association of America for recognizing Tylee and his battle with cancer,” said Craft’s mother September. “As Tylee was going through his journey, one thing that was important to him was to spread awareness so people knew they weren’t alone. By continuing to share Tylee’s story, he can continue to have an impact on people going through what he went through, and hopefully, provide inspiration to others. Tylee is an example that we may encounter many defeats during our lives, but we must not be defeated. Life is not what happens to you, but how you respond to it. Throughout Tylee’s battle, he continued to live his dreams and not his fears, and that is a great message for everyone who encounters difficult times.”



A native of Sumter, S.C., Craft’s impact has extended far beyond football. He was named the 2022 Disney Spirit Award winner and has served as and ambassador for the White Ribbon Project, which raises awareness for lung cancer. Craft has also visited patients at UNC Children’s Hospital and helped raise more than $100,000 for the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals through the Mack and Sally Brown Ladies Clinic.



Craft’s inspirational journey has earned his recognition on a national level, including being named to the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion team. A former three-star wide receiver prospect, the 6-foot-5 Craft played in 11 games for North Carolina in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.



His courage and resilience throughout his journey touched countless lives, and the Tar Heel community, along with sports fans across the nation, rallied behind him. His legacy as a leader, both on and off the field, continues to inspire others.



Craft’s story will be honored during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. His unwavering spirit, dedication to his team, and fight against cancer remain a testament to his strength and character.



The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.



Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are Virginia running back Mike Hollins (2023), Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D’Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa’s Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy’s Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis’ Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State’s Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo’s William Bratton (2002).



About Orange Bowl

Orange Bowl is a primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization with more than 410 members that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement, and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 9, 2025. For more information about Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.



About FWAA

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

DALLAS (FWAA) – The 2024 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team , presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, has five repeat All-Americans and 16 players on teams competing in the College Football Playoff at the front of players from 40 different schools. Players from the expanded Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences make up 27, or half, of the 54-member team with nine of the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences represented plus an Independent.

The top four CFP seeds have five combined members on the team, including the FWAA All-America first-team backfield of Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the nation’s rushing leader, running back Ashton Jeanty of Boise State. The other first-team running back, Kaleb Johnson, is one of three Iowa players on the first team, as the Hawkeyes are the only program to post a first-team trio with returning All-American linebacker Jay Higgins and punt returner Kaden Wetjen. Alabama and South Carolina also lead with three members on the overall team. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, a second-team selection, is also among the top-seeded teams and is the Sun Devils' first honoree since 2019.

Nineteen of the 54 players, just over one-third, were transfers to their current schools. Four of them transferred from FCS programs.

Seven of the eight teams playing in this weekend’s first round have All-Americans on their rosters. Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who won the FWAA’s Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman last week, anchors the first-team offensive line along with Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin. The Longhorns and Buckeyes also have first-team defenders in Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron and Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs. Penn State has a player on each side of the ball with tight end Tyler Warren and defensive end Abdul Carter. Georgia is represented by a now two-time honoree, defensive back Malaki Starks.

Upstart Indiana adds to its banner season by earning a pair of FWAA All-Americans for the first time since 1945. First-team linebacker Aiden Fisher is Indiana’s first All-American at linebacker since 1944, and the Hoosiers add second-team defensive back D’Angelo Ponds. The Hoosiers travel to Notre Dame for a CFP first-round game Friday. The Irish have two repeat All-Americans on the second team, defensive tackle Howard Cross III and defensive back Xavier Watts, last season’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the FWAA’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. SMU kicker Collin Rogers, whose long-range field goals helped send the Mustangs to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, is on the first team along with Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, who rewrote parts of the Vols’ record books this season.

Travis Hunter, last week’s Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado, is featured on the first team and repeats as the All-Purpose player from 2023. Hunter gives the Buffaloes their first honorees in consecutive seasons since 1991-92. Hunter played wide receiver and cornerback and even ran the ball a couple of times this past season.

The Mid-American Conference made an historic splash on this year’s team with three first teamers in the same season for the first time. Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin, a see-saw tight end/receiver, was among the FBS leaders in all receiving categories from start to finish and became the Falcons’ fourth All-American and first on the first-team since 2012. Western Michigan offensive lineman Addison West and Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac are their schools’ first All-Americans since 2020.

Following is the complete 2024 FWAA All-America Team:

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (6-0, 200, Sr., Mililani, Hawaii)
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (5-9, 215, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.)
RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa (6-0, 225, Jr., Hamilton, Ohio)
WR Harold Fannin, Bowling Green (6-4, 230, Jr., Canton, Ohio)
WR Nick Nash, San Jose State (6-3, 195, Sr., Irvine, Calif.)
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (6-6, 261, Sr., Mechanicsville, Va.)
OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (6-4, 320, Jr., Humble, Texas)
OL Will Campbell, LSU (6-6, 323, Jr., Monroe, La.)
OL Wyatt Milum, West Virginia (6-6, 317, Sr., Kenova, W. Va.)
OL Addison West, Western Michigan (6-3, 305, R-Sr., Cary, Ill.)
C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State (6-4, 305, Gr., Buford, Ga.)

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DE Abdul Carter, Penn State (6-3, 252, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.)
DE Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-5, 254, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.)
DT Mason Graham, Michigan (6-3, 320, Jr., Mission Viejo, Calif.)
DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (6-3, 305, Jr., Powell, Tenn.)
LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (6-1, 225, Gr., West Seneca, N.Y.)
LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana (6-1, 233, Jr., Fredericksburg, Va.)
LB Jay Higgins, Iowa (6-2, 232, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.)
DB Jahdae Barron, Texas (5-11, 200, Sr., Austin, Texas)
DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State (6-0, 205, Jr., Hoschton, Ga.)
DB Malaki Starks, Georgia (6-1, 205, Jr., Jefferson, Ga.)
DB Nohl Williams, California (6-1, 200, Sr., Oxnard, Calif.)

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS

K Collin Rogers, SMU (6-4, 219, Jr., Prattville, Ala.)
P Alex Mastromanno, Florida State (6-1, 241, Sr., Melbourne, Australia)
KR Keelan Marion, BYU (6-0, 195, Jr., Atlanta, Ga.)
PR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa (5-10, 196, Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa)
AP Travis Hunter, Colorado (6-1, 185, Jr., Suwanee, Ga.)

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: QB Cam Ward, Miami; RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee; RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State; WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona; WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami; TE Colston Loveland, Michigan; OL Tyler Booker, Alabama; OL Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota; OL Lucas Scott, Army West Point; OL Clay Webb, Jax State; C Parker Brailsford, Alabama. SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: DE Mike Green, Marshall; DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech; DT Howard Cross III, Notre Dame; DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon; LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama; LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma; LB Jackson Woodard, UNLV; DB Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina; DB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana; DB Terrence Spence, James Madison; DB Xavier Watts, Notre Dame. SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS: K Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana; P Kai Kroeger, South Carolina; KR Winston Wright, East Carolina; PR Josh Cameron, Baylor; AP Desmond Reid, Pitt.