Earlier this week, we published this notes column, which provided a wealth of information on where the Big Ten media environment could be headed with the new 18-team alignment beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
The conference just completed its first football season under the new seven-year broadcasting arrangement, with conference football games broadcast on FOX, CBS, NBC, Big Ten Network, Fox Sports 1, and the Peacock streaming service.
In 2022, it was announced that USC and UCLA would join the conference for 2024-25. This declaration was followed by the announcement in mid-2023 that Oregon and Washington would join the league in 2024-25. That revelation was accompanied by the news that FOX and Fox Sports 1 helped subsidize the last two additions by agreeing to pay an additional fee for a late night television package, which may potentially show West Coast football and basketball games in the 10 p.m. Eastern window.
This new $1.2 billion arrangement is estimated to enhance each school’s media payment from approximately $50 million per year under its prior rights agreement to $75 million per year under this one.
In theory, the new TV contract will include a full day of Big Ten football games on network television, beginning at noon on FOX, followed by a 3:30 p.m. game on CBS (replacing the network’s long-running SEC package) and a 7 p.m. game on NBC. This could be impacted certain weeks if FOX airs a Big 12 game at noon or NBC airs a Notre Dame game in prime time.
There are several television pulls across the new Big Ten alignment. Perhaps the most notable of these would be defending national champion Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, USC, Oregon, and Washington. Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, and UCLA are among the other major interest groups.
In most cases, matchups involving teams from the first six teams, as well as the entire group of ten, receive the largest audiences. This season, there are 26 such games between teams in the top ten, which run from Week 4 to Week 14.
Earlier this month, we examined the early top 25 lists for the 2024 season. Michigan was fourth on the consensus ranking, followed by Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, and Washington. Big Ten clubs have a few appealing nonconference games, including USC’s neutral site game against No. 14 LSU, No. 3 Texas’ visit to Michigan, No. 8 Notre Dame’s visits to Purdue and USC, No. 2 Alabama’s trip to Wisconsin, and UCLA’s visit to No. 14 LSU.
We wanted to look at the schedule to determine which weekends would have the best Big Ten activity, as well as “fantasy book” the annual draft of weekends by the Big Ten’s television partners.
This process normally occurs in the spring. The three broadcast networks will choose which weekends they want to televise the first set of games. Under the previous agreement between FOX and ABC, FOX paid the highest rights fee and appeared to have the first two weekend selections before trading picks with ABC.
It has not been determined how that process will unfold. For the purposes of this piece, we will assume that FOX continues to receive the first two selections, with the selections for the next 12 Saturdays rotating between FOX, NBC and CBS. Several games in September and October are expected to be shifted to Friday nights for Fox Sports 1 or Big Ten Network broadcast.
In terms of game times, it is worth noting that FOX will not broadcast any games from the four West Coast schools during its 12:00 Eastern time period. That would be a 9 a.m. start on the West Coast. The network may even be hesitant to air many games featuring West Coast teams playing at noon Eastern in the Eastern or Central time zones because the West Coast audience may be reduced owing to the early start. FOX might still choose to broadcast games from the West Coast in other time windows when they become available.
Similarly, the predicted FOX/FS1 late night games from the West Coast are unlikely to include many Eastern time zone clubs due to the 10 p.m. start time, which would limit viewership by fans on the East Coast.
The Big Ten football schedule for 2024 is presented here, week by week.
Week 1 (August 31): Notable games include North Carolina-Minnesota (Thursday), Florida International-Indiana, UConn-Maryland, Fresno State-Michigan, Florida Atlantic-Michigan State, Akron-Ohio State, Penn State-West Virginia, UCLA-Hawaii, USC-LSU (in Las Vegas), and Weber State-Washington.
* Steve says: Big Ten stadiums host 15 games. The Penn State-West Virginia game will be broadcast by a Big 12 partner. The USC-LSU neutral site game will air on ABC. UCLA’s game in Hawaii will be broadcast by a Mountain West partner. Overall, the Big Ten home site schedule is lackluster.
Four new coaches will make their debuts, with defending national champion Michigan visiting Fresno State likely being the most intriguing matchup. Jonathan Smith makes his Michigan State debut versus Florida Atlantic. Curt Cignetti, Indiana’s new coach, will face Florida International in his debut. Jedd Fisch’s career at Washington began against Weber State.
Akron-Ohio State would be a good fit for a Big Ten Network broadcast.
Week 2 (September 7): Notable games include Kansas-Illinois, Iowa State-Iowa, Michigan State-Maryland, Texas-Michigan, Colorado-Nebraska, and Boise State-Oregon.
* Steve Says: This is a fairly good weekend, with 15 games in Big Ten stadiums. Iowa State-Iowa rivalry game and a CFB Playoff matchup between Texas and Michigan. Furthermore, Colorado-Nebraska might be a ratings draw, with Deion Sanders coaching Colorado. Boise State-Oregon may be an excellent choice for a Fox Sports 1 10 p.m. matchup.
Ohio State will host Western Michigan in a game that will be scheduled at some point.
Week 3 (September 14): Notable games include Maryland-Virginia, Oregon-Oregon State, Notre Dame-Purdue, Indiana-UCLA, Washington-Washington State (in Seattle), and Alabama-Wisconsin.
* Steve Says: It is unclear whether the Washington-Washington State game is part of the Big Ten TV package or Washington State’s independent carriage in 2024. If there is a Big Ten game, the Big Ten TV partners will have 11 games to select from. Maryland-Virginia will be on an ACC partner, whereas Oregon-Oregon State will be on Oregon State’s independent partner.
Indiana-UCLA is UCLA’s inaugural Big Ten matchup. Obviously, Alabama-Wisconsin is a marquee nonconference matchup. Ohio State is idle in Week 3.
Week 4 (September 21): Notable games include USC-Michigan, Iowa-Minnesota, Illinois-Nebraska, Northwestern-Washington, Marshall-Ohio State, UCLA-LSU, Michigan State-Boston College, Purdue-Oregon State, and Rutgers-Virginia Tech.
* Steve Says: The final four games would be televised by TV partners from other conferences. There would be eight games at Big Ten stadiums. Obviously, USC’s first-ever Big Ten game at Michigan is the highlight. Washington also makes its Big Ten debut at home, facing Northwestern. That may be a candidate for a late night start. Ohio State concludes up their nonconference schedule by hosting Marshall.
Week 5 (September 28): Notable games include Minnesota-Michigan, Ohio State-Michigan State, Illinois-Penn State, Washington-Rutgers, Oregon-UCLA, and Wisconsin-USC.
* Steve Says: There are eight games at Big Ten stadiums, with a few intriguing matchups, including Oregon’s first Big Ten game against UCLA. The game could start late at night. Wisconsin-USC is also a major matchup.
* Notable games include USC-Minnesota, Iowa-Ohio State, Michigan State-Oregon, UCLA-Penn State, and Michigan-Washington.
* Steve Says: Big Ten stadiums will host eight games, including a rematch of the national championship game between Michigan and Washington. (Of course, the coaches and starting quarterbacks from that game have since moved on.) This is a fantastic example of how the 12-day window comes into play, as at least one of the other games will be intriguing, with a matchup of potentially unbeaten teams.
Week 7 (October 12): Notable games include Washington-Iowa, Ohio State-Oregon, Penn State-USC, and Minnesota-UCLA.
* Steve Says: The Big Ten has seven games this weekend, with three of them being high-octane. Covid prevented Ohio State from visiting Oregon in 2020. Minnesota-UCLA might be a late-night option.
Week 8 (October 19): Notable games include Wisconsin-Northwestern, Michigan-Illinois, and Iowa-Michigan State.
* Steve Says: There are seven Big Ten games and nothing particularly noteworthy. Ohio State is idle. NBC might choose Georgia Tech-Notre Dame in prime time, which could involve swapping Big Ten time slots with another network, possibly.
Week 9 (October 26): Notable games include Michigan State-Michigan, Nebraska-Ohio State, and Penn State-Wisconsin.
* Steve Says: There are eight games in Big Ten stadiums. The majority of the marquee games include the “old guard” Big Ten clubs.
Week 10 (November 2): Notable games include Wisconsin-Iowa, Oregon-Michigan, UCLA-Nebraska, Ohio State-Penn State, and USC-Washington.
* Steve Says: Remember when we spoke about 26 games including teams from our imagined top ten? This weekend’s eight games in Big Ten stadiums feature a season-high five of those. Again, the 12-day window pick should provide whichever network has the first pick this weekend with a game that may impact the Big Ten and national picture, one would assume. USC-Washington might be a late-night selection.
Week 11 (November 9): Notable games include Washington-Penn State, Iowa-UCLA, and Purdue-Ohio State.
* Steve Says: Clearly, Washington-Penn State is the big game this week. NBC might choose to show Florida State-Notre Dame in prime time, potentially leading to a time slot swap with another Big Ten carrier. This weekend, Big Ten venues will host a season-low six games. This is most likely the final week of prime time games from schools in the Eastern or Central time zones.
Week 12 (November 16): Notable games include Ohio State-Northwestern, Nebraska-USC, Oregon-Wisconsin, and UCLA-Washington.
* Steve Says: Big Ten stadiums host seven games. There are some nice ones to pick from, and those decisions will most likely be based on the conference standings at that point in the season. With chilly weather reaching the East Coast, I’m guessing either Nebraska-USC or UCLA-Washington will be the prime time game on NBC.
* Notable games include Northwestern-Michigan, Wisconsin-Nebraska, USC-UCLA, and Penn State-Minnesota.
* Steve Says: Big Ten stadiums host eight games. I believe the primetime game will be between USC and UCLA. Ohio State hosts Indiana in what might be the Buckeyes’ conference game on the Big Ten Network.
* Notable games include Nebraska-Iowa (Friday), Michigan-Ohio State, Washington-Oregon, and Notre Dame-USC.
* Steve Says: There are ten games in Big Ten stadiums, with USC (hosting Notre Dame) and UCLA (hosted Fresno State) playing nonconference games. Obviously, FOX will continue to use their first pick of weekends to take this weekend, specifically Michigan-Ohio State at noon. That game had almost 19 million spectators in 2023. Nebraska-Iowa will take place on Black Friday, as is customary.
Depending on national rankings and conference standings, the primetime game might be either Washington and Oregon or Notre Dame and USC. Fresno State-UCLA has the appearance and atmosphere of a late night start.
BOOKING THE NETWORKS DRAFT
Using what we discussed above, FOX could have the first two weekend picks, followed by alternating first picks by FOX, NBC, and CBS, here’s how the draft could proceed.
* First Pick – FOX will make the first pick in Week 14 (Nov. 30), taking Michigan-Ohio State. I would recommend Washington-Oregon to CBS and Notre Dame-USC to NBC. Friday’s game between Nebraska and Iowa would air on FOX or CBS.
* Second Pick – FOX will host the jam-packed Week 10 (November 2), with five potential headline games to pick from. You don’t overthink it; simply go Ohio State-Penn State at noon. Oregon-Michigan to CBS, and USC-Washington to NBC.
* Third Pick – I have NBC as the third weekend choice, with them selecting Week 2 (September 7). This would give them first dibs on Texas-Michigan (a excellent game to schedule before someone’s season goes south). CBS might take Colorado-Nebraska, while FOX could take Iowa State-Iowa.
* Fourth Pick – CBS finally obtains a first-round pick, and they choose Week 3 (September 14). Old habits die strong, and I believe CBS would desire that Alabama-Wisconsin matchup. FOX may win Notre Dame-Purdue. NBC would receive UCLA-Indiana or Washington State-Washington.
* Fifth Pick – FOX would then get the fifth weekend pick, which they chose to be Week 5 (October 5). They could face Iowa-Ohio State at 12:00. NBC could then pick Michigan-Washington, while CBS would go with UCLA-Penn State.
* Sixth Pick – CBS might then have the sixth weekend pick, which could be Week 7 (October 12). They would choose the best game between Ohio State-Oregon or Penn State-USC. Assume Ohio State-Oregon will air on CBS, Penn State-USC on NBC, and Washington-Iowa on FOX.
* NBC’s seventh pick would be Week 4 (September 21). They could host USC-Michigan during prime time. FOX might choose Illinois-Nebraska or Iowa-Minnesota. CBS would acquire Northwestern-Washington.
* Eighth Pick – FOX could then select Week 9 (October 26) with the following pick. They might choose Nebraska-Ohio State, Michigan State-Michigan, or Penn State-Wisconsin. Assume it goes Penn State-Wisconsin on FOX, Michigan State-Michigan on CBS, and Nebraska-Ohio State in prime time on NBC.
* Ninth Pick – NBC would take Week 13 (November 23). USC-UCLA from the West Coast is the logical choice for a prime-time game. Northwestern-Michigan might be on Fox, while Wisconsin-Nebraska is on CBS. Consider Indiana-Ohio State for Big Ten Network (maybe).
* CBS would be the 10th pick, possibly in Week 12 (November 16). Nebraska-USC could be the chosen option. NBC might choose UCLA-Washington. Fox might choose Ohio State-Northwestern or Oregon-Wisconsin.
* FOX would select the 11th pick (November 9). The choice would be Washington-Penn State. NBC might choose Iowa-UCLA, while FOX could go with Purdue-Ohio State.
* CBS would make the 12th pick in Week 5 (September 28). They could take Ohio State and Michigan State. NBC would acquire Wisconsin-USC. FOX would cover Minnesota-Michigan. Oregon-UCLA might be a late-night contest.
* NBC’s 13th pick would be Week 8 (October 19). There are few nice games to select from. Who knows.
* 14th Pick – This leaves FOX with Week 1 (August 31), which has no appealing first-week matchups in any of the Big Ten stadiums. I think they could start with Fresno State-Michigan. After that, who knows?
Obviously, every Big Ten team wants to play in the Big Ten championship game. That matchup will feature the top two clubs in the conference rankings. They’ll play on Saturday, December 7, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast by FOX.
In the most recent CBS Sports Bracketology, the Hawkeyes remain as the No. 1 seed.
The Hawkeyes are coming off an upset loss at Ohio State, but Lisa Bluder’s team is full of confidence. One year after winning the national title, Iowa finds itself in a similar position and has the chance to make another deep run.
Iowa City, Iowa— The Hawkeyes are coming off an upset loss at Ohio State, but Lisa Bluder’s team is full of confidence. One year after winning the national title, Iowa finds itself in a similar position and has the chance to make another deep run.
CBS Sports has announced the new bracket for the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Despite the recent setback, CBS still ranks Bluder’s team as the No. 1 seed. The three other No. 1 seeds are South Carolina, Stanford, and UCLA. UConn, Colorado, Kansas State, and North Carolina State are the No. 2 seeds.
“Caitlin Clark, Iowa’s #22 who turned 22 Monday, hasn’t slowed down in her takeover of not just women’s basketball, but all of college sports,” Connor Groel, an analyst for CBS athletics, tweeted. Clark’s 31.7 points per game this season is the most since Andrea Congreaves’ 33.0 PPG for Mercer in the 1991-92 season, and she is on track to break Kelsey Plum’s Division I women’s career scoring record in six games (on Feb. 15 vs. Michigan). The Hawkeyes lost the national championship last season, but they are more than capable of winning one this year.”
The Hawkeyes have a lot of depth and pieces, which is critical for making a run when it counts the most. Sydney Affolter, Kylie Feuerbach, and numerous others are beginning to put things together, and there is a clear awareness of what they need to bring to the table.
“[The bench] are good players, right? I mean, they’re incredibly good players, but it’s largely because they’ve had the experience and have gained confidence,” Bluder remarked. “They know when they go in what they’re expected to do, and they’re relishing in their role.”
After losing Monika Czinano and McKenna Warnock, the Hawkeyes preached that this would be a new squad, and they are embracing that identity. Bluder and her crew also don’t see the value in comparing last season to this one. That is what has been preached for the past seven months.
“I never compare teams to teams. I just want this squad to be the best that it can be. Whether it’s winning the national championship or reaching the Sweet 16. “I’m not sure what this team’s best strengths are,” Bluder remarked during Iowa media day. “Of course, we set high goals, but I’m not saying that if we don’t make it back to the Final Four, it’s a bad year. I don’t believe it. I believe that a basketball season requires far more effort. You all assess it on wins, and so do the fans; yet, as coaches, we enjoy wins, but we also consider a variety of other factors.
“Do our children graduate? Are our children amazing human beings? Do they mature as ladies while they are here? Are we mentoring these women to become the next generation of outstanding female leaders? That appeals to me. That’s what wakes me up in the morning.
For the time being, Iowa is relishing each stage of the road and recognizes that they have a significant potential in the coming weeks.
“I believe we’ve established a culture in which everyone matters. So, everyone on this team understands how valuable they are, and everyone on this team understands that you may be given an opportunity and will need to step up.”
Iowa Football: CBS Sports believes the Hawkeyes have the potential to’make some noise’ in 2024.
College football is undergoing a transition.
The Big Ten Conference will have 18 teams in 2024, and the College Football Playoff will have 12 teams.
There are expectations for Iowa entering the 2024 season, and with the Hawkeyes winning 10 games in 2023 despite having one of the worst offenses in the country, the national scene believes Iowa can shake things up in the 2024 College Football Playoff race despite not being ranked in CBS’ way-too-early poll.
According to CBS Sports, the Hawkeyes have the ability to’make some noise’ in 2024 and be a College Football Playoff sleeper.
“At the end of his career, Kirk Ferentz is doing it with mirrors,” said CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd. “That’s because the offense has been a black hole.
That could be the biggest tribute made to the Hawkeyes’ coach, who will be 69 years old when the season begins next year. Iowa has won ten games three times despite offensive rankings of 99th (2019), 121st (2021), and dead-last 133rd (2023). It required athletic director Beth Goetz to eventually remove Ferentz’s son, Brian, from his position as offensive coordinator. Kirk has suggested that a replacement could arrive this week. Who are we to disbelieve Ferentz, the Magician, for keeping the Hawks in contention? The arrival of Alabama transfer, freshman All-American, and Iowa native son Kadyn Proctor as an offensive tackle through the transfer portal can’t be negative.”
Iowa will return the majority of its offensive starters, including quarterback Cade McNamara, who is presently rehabbing from a season-ending knee injury. The Hawkeyes are looking for a new offensive coordinator, and the goal is that he will help boost the level of this offense, which has been nearly non-existent in recent years. Iowa will also welcome back tight end Luke Lachey and the majority of the offensive line.
Iowa also added an offensive line transfer from Alabama, Kadyn Proctor, who will be a favorite to start at left tackle for Iowa after starting 14 games as a true freshman at Alabama.
On defense, Iowa will return the majority of its starters, including linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson, defensive backs Sebastian Castro, Quinn Schulte, and Jermari Harris, and defensive lineman Yahya Black, who all had the option of leaving and entering the NFL Draft but chose to stay.
Iowa’s offense remains a question mark as we approach 2024. The Hawkeyes need to figure things out on that side of the ball, but with a new offensive coordinator, there is hope that things will improve and Iowa will become a more balanced club.
If it remains true, the Hawkeyes have a decent chance of competing in the College Football Playoff because the 2024 schedule is doable, especially with the new teams joining the Big Ten.
College football recruiting: How the top 5-star recruits in the 2023 class performed as freshman
The class of 2023’s blue-chip prospects have had a crazy year. Seven of the top eight five-star prospects in last year’s cycle were on the field, with six starting at least one game. Three of the top eight players transferred following the season. That was a fairly eventful year.
On the Football Recruiting Podcast, Andrew Ivins, 247Sports’ director of scouting, and Cooper Petagna, national recruiting analyst, discussed how the top eight players — the top fourth of the 32 five-star recruits — in the class of 2023 performed in their first collegiate seasons. While a few players have already lived up to their rankings (and then some), others still need to show that they can be the impact players they appeared to be coming out of high school.
So, which players made the most of their early opportunities? Which ones still have something to prove? And what do the three players who are relocating bring with them?
Here’s what Ivins and Petagna had to say about the top recruits from the 2023 class:
1. Arch Manning, Texas.
2023 stats: 2-of-5 passing for 30 yards and three carries for seven yards.
“I always thought Arch had an advantage entering a competitive room, especially with Maalik Murphy present. We all knew Quinn Ewers was there, but with a player like Maalik Murphy, who is now expected to be the starter at Duke under Manny Diaz, I thought it was a good time for him to step in and compete for the No. 2 spot,” Petagna said. “That being said, Quinn Ewers will return for another year, while Arch will sit out another year.
I’d love to see Arch get some run in the same manner that Nico Iamaleava did this year, right? I felt Tennessee handled him brilliantly… But next year, I don’t mind Arch Manning languishing for another year to get experience at sea. But I think at some point Drew, I think Texas will have to start thinking about, ‘All right, how do we get Arch involved a little bit,’ not so much packages, but, hey, if we have a three-possession lead going deep into the third, let’s try to get this guy some snaps.”
2. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
2023 statistics: 28-of-45 passing with 314 yards and two touchdowns, 20 runs for 71 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think he raises the ceiling of that offense,” Ivins went on to say. “And a lot of fans probably didn’t realize Nico is that athletic in terms of his ability to take off and run and find the end zone, and we were flying to San Antonio in the middle of that bowl game, and then you land, you check the box score, and it’s like, whoa, Nico has three rushing touchdowns. Cooper, don’t forget that he could have played collegiate volleyball elsewhere. He was on the ‘Freaks list.’ If you’ve ever met him, you’ll notice that he’s really athletic. He played 7-on-7 in his pajamas. I’m ready to see him leave in 2024. I believe he is perfectly on pace.”
3. Keon Kelley, Alabama.
2023 statistics: zero snaps.
“We talked about that edge room in Tuscaloosa, and they obviously have a lot of potential. Drew, I adore Keon Keeley, and we frequently discuss the player as well as his physical potential. The truth is, if they are listed in the top five or in this area and we are having this talk, it means they have checked all of the boxes, correct? And Keon Keeley was the ultimate box-checker,” Petagna remarked. “He had a fantastic week in San Antonio last year, dominating the setting. This is a guy I am enthused about. When considering a coaching move from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer, most people focus on the offense. Consider Washington’s 3-4 standup outside linebackers such as Bralen Trice and ZTF. You and I both agree that this man is far more comfortable standing up off the edge and playing in a 3-4 system. Keon Keeley is expected to have a breakout year.
4. Dante Moore, UCLA (Transferred to Oregon).
2023 stats: 114-of-213 throwing for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions.
“I think what’s interesting about Dante Moore is that if you ask individuals who are familiar with his decision, why he left and why he ended up at Oregon, you’ll hear that he wants to improve, right? “He wants to go somewhere where he can learn and grow, which I think says a lot,” Ivins added. “He’s a kid that played in some big moments as a true freshman, and it’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m transferring because I need to be the number one.’ He’s absolutely different. He wants to pause, regain his confidence, and then go as you suggested. I like this move since it allows him to play in four games while still eligible to redshirt. And I believe that if Dillon Gabriel goes down, Oregon has a player who has started five games who can step in. I don’t know… People tear apart his first year at UCLA. I suppose PFF still had him at 15 big-time throws? “I thought there were flashes there.”
5. KADYN PROCTOR, ALABAMA (Transferred to Iowa)
2023 stats: started all games at left tackle.
“Kadyn Proctor comes in as a true freshman from Iowa, our top-rated offensive lineman in 2023, and Drew, I believe, lived up to expectations. It’s also fair to say that he struggled as a true freshman starting every game in the SEC at left tackle,” Petagna said. “That is a difficult task, particularly in the SEC West. So, after a year of playing for Nick Saban, he’s back at home with the Iowa Hawkeyes. I appreciate the fit as well. Iowa has a lot to sort out in terms of their offensive identity moving ahead. However, this is not a complete shock. I wasn’t surprised—I believe we thought Proctor was one of the most Day 1 ready prospects in the 2023 class. Obviously, he experienced a little bit of everything last year. But, man, when you consider his potential for Year 2, it’s difficult to find offensive lineman with that level of experience at 18, 19 years old.”
6. Francis Maugoa, Miami
2023 stats: started all games at right tackle.
“I think it was day one of spring practices he started on the second team and by day two he was with the starters, and he never relinquished that spot all season long,” Ivins went on to say. “Now he is the real deal. I believe he is precisely who we believed he was. And for Miami, one of the reasons Mario Cristobal was hired in was to upgrade the trenches, but it was also to bring NFL talent to Coral Gables. And I believe Mauigoa will absolutely play on Sundays, barring any unforeseen setbacks.
7. Zacharyah Branch, USC
2023 numbers include 31 catches for 320 yards and two touchdowns, nine carries for 70 yards and one touchdown, and two return touchdowns.
“We go back to the skill positions, how about Zachariah Branch man, who captivated college football for a couple weeks,” Petagna went on to say. “Every time he touched the ball, Drew, I remember you being on social media, and people saying, ‘Man, I haven’t caught my breath like this seeing a guy like Zachariah Branch since Reggie Bush played football. That’s the kind of influence he made. Last year, he was the only player in the country to score a touchdown on both a kickoff and a punt return. He finished fourth in receiving on a crowded USC skill position (team). There were high expectations for this person. I suppose the only thing that caused us pause was this ranking; for this caliber of player at that size, it seemed excessive. But there were no weaknesses in his game, no matter how deep you dug.
8. Caleb Downs, Alabama (Transferred to Ohio State).
2023 statistics include 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
“Somehow he managed to be better than I thought he could be year one,” she added. “I mean, SEC Freshman of the Year led Alabama in defensive snaps – take a step back and think about that. Alabama was in the College Football Playoff, and you may debate whether or not they should have been there, but this guy was the Energizer Bunny on the back end of one of Tuscaloosa’s most outstanding defenses in recent years. It’s quite remarkable.
Then you go back into the profile. Caleb Downs was not someone for whom we had a lot of statistics, such as the 40-yard dash, measurements, and so on. We relied primarily on the videotape, what we saw, and the bloodlines. He wasn’t a multisport athlete. Although box-checking isn’t always necessary, it’s crucial to consider the full package when promoting someone in the rankings. Caleb Downs didn’t have much, but the tape was so terrific, the in-person evaluations were so fantastic, the input from his high school coaches was so good, and then you spend some time around him and you realize, “This guy is wired the right way.”
Iowa Football Recruiting: An early look at Iowa’s Junior Day guests on Feb. 3, plus more tidbits from the road
Iowa Basketball: Takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ 69-67 defeat at Maryland
Iowa was in a difficult situation on Wednesday, as the game against Maryland was one that it should win at home but could not afford to lose at home. “Well, the…”
Iowa was in a difficult situation on Wednesday, as the game against Maryland was one that it should win at home but could not afford to lose at home.
The Hawkeyes couldn’t get over the hump, and the Terrapins won on the road, defeating Iowa 69-67 in Iowa City.
Iowa Football: How did the true freshmen do in the 2023 season?
Iowa football’s offseason has begun.
Today, we’ll take a look back at how Iowa’s true freshman performed in 2023 and where they are now in their progress as they enter their second year with the program.
