Tag: 2024 College Football Season

Former Texas A&M O-line coach Steve Addazio will enter the broadcasting booth

Former Texas A&M O-line coach Steve Addazio will head to the broadcast booth as an ESPN college football analyst this coming season.

With Texas A&M’s 2024 campaign just four weeks away, Aggie fans will hear a familiar name in the broadcast booth this season. Former offensive line coach Steve Addazio has accepted a position with ESPN as a college football analyst for select games on the network.

Addazio’s coaching history is vast and fascinating. Those who remember the Florida Gators dynasty under Urban Meyer include the fiery Addazio roaming the sidelines from 2005-2010, winning two BCS National Championships while serving as the program’s TE coach, O-line coach, and offensive coordinator before departing for his first head coaching position.

After two seasons at Temple, Addazio spent seven seasons at Boston College before his firing. After two unsuccessful seasons at Colorado State, former Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher hired Addazio as the program’s O-line coach before the Aggies’ disastrous 2022 season.

Known for his recruiting prowess and development history after sending several Boston College offensive linemen to the NFL, many of us thought this was the right hire due to the talent and experience on the roster.

However, the veteran assistant failed to develop several starters to their full potential, including former starting center Bryce Foster, who transferred to Kansas this offseason. Even more surprising, current New England Patriots guard Layden Robinson was the only A&M O-line draft pick during his short tenure. Addazio was not retained under Mike Elko’s staff, and was replaced by current A&M O-line coach Adam Cushing.

Steve Addazio may have found his new career by bringing a ton of coaching experience and stories to the booth. In Week 1 of the 2024 season, Addazio will be paired with play-by-play broadcaster Clay Matvick in an undisclosed matchup.

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Where Clemson ranks in ‘CBS Sports 134’ FBS rankings

Clemson ranked one spot below Florida State in CBS Sports’ preseason ranking of all 134 FBS programs.

Less than 30 days remain until Week 1 of the 2024 college football season, which sees marquee nonconference matchups right out of the gate in LSU vs. USC, Notre Dame at Texas A&M, Miami at Florida, and of course, Clemson vs. Georgia.

CBS Sports this week released their preseason “CBS Sports 134” list, which ranks all 134 FBS teams from worst to first.

Chip Patterson ranked Clemson at No. 14, pretty much at or near most other post-spring rankings released earlier this summer. Florida State ranked one spot ahead of the Tigers at No. 13 while Clemson was one spot ahead of Tennessee at No. 15.

The Seminoles, who won the ACC a season ago at 13-0 before losing to Georgia in the Orange Bowl after missing the College Football Playoff, open the season in Dublin, Ireland, against Georgia Tech August 24. Florida State was favored to win the ACC by voters in the 2024 ACC Preseason Football Poll, released earlier this week.

Clemson vs. Georgia is set for a noon ET kickoff on ABC a week later at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Bulldogs topped CBS’ rankings at No. 1, followed by Ohio State at No. 2 and Oregon at No. 3. Texas and Alabama rounded out the top five.

Miami was ranked No. 16 with NC State ranked No. 24.

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Clemson schedule ranked second-toughest in ACC

The Tigers have the second-toughest schedule in the ACC in CBS Sports’ annual strength of schedule rankings.

CBS Sports this week released their annual strength of schedule rankings for every Power Four conference team.

In the ACC, Georgia Tech was ranked by college football analyst Chip Patterson with the most difficult strength of schedule in the league. Right behind Brent Key’s team at No. 2 is Clemson.

The Tigers face Georgia to open the season in Atlanta. The Bulldogs are likely to land at No. 1 in preseason polls and have been given the best shot at winning the national championship by oddsmakers. Clemson also has road trips to Florida State and Virginia Tech.

For their home slate, the Tigers will host an NC State team that seems more poised than ever to compete for the top spot in the league. Dabo Swinney’s team also hosts a resurgent Louisville program under second-year coach Jeff Brohm that climbed to No. 9 a year ago and finished as runner-up in the ACC.

Then there’s the Tigers’ annual rivalry with South Carolina. While the Gamecocks finished 5-7 in Shane Beamer’s third season in Columbia a year ago, the Gamecocks pulled off an upset in their last visit to Death Valley when Clemson was ranked No. 7 and still had an outside shot at the College Football Playoff.

Even the Tigers’ Group of Five opponent in Week 2 may not be a cakewalk, as Paterson noted.

“Clemson has often been a willing participant in high-profile kickoff games against quality competition, but this year there’s an added challenge as the Tigers follow up their opening weekend game against Georgia by welcoming Appalachian State, one of the Sun Belt favorites, to Death Valley,” Patterson noted.

Syracuse was ranked with the worst strength of schedule in the ACC in CBS Sports’ rankings. The Orange avoid both Clemson and Florida State in conference play this season.

Clemson’s season-opener is less than a month away. Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for noon ET. The game will be televised nationally by ABC.

RELATED: Downloadable 2024 Clemson Tigers football schedule

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and commentary. 

Notre Dame defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio suffers foot fracture

Hope we see him again sooner than later

It’s not college football season until somebody gets injured in practice, and we finally have reached that point. Notre Dame has begun its training camp on Wednesday, and already, the effects of that are being felt.

Defensive lineman [autotag]Gabriel Rubio[/autotag] is entering his third full season with the Irish, his fourth overall in South Bend, but he often has been forgotten among his more talented teammates. His quest to stand out more took a significant hit Wednesday because of this development released by the Irish press release team:

At least the injury hasn’t cost Rubio this entire season, as an injury like this easily could. Still, that can’t make this any less frustrating for him or the team.

Since appearing during head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag]’s debut as Irish coach in the Fiesta Bowl, Rubio has been a modest defensive contributor. In 22 games, he has recorded 29 tackles, had four tackles for loss (all coming in 2022), forced one fumble and defended one pass. His stuff is there, and it’s unfortunate that we won’t see it again for a while.

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Clemson picked to finish second behind Florida State in 2024 ACC Football Preseason Poll

The Tigers received the second-most first-place votes behind Florida State. Miami was picked third while NC State was picked fourth.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) — Florida State, the 2023 defending ACC Champions, has been picked to win the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference football title, according to a preseason poll of 170 media voters.

The Seminoles went 13-1 overall last season, including a perfect 8-0 record in conference play, on their way to winning the 2023 ACC title and the program’s first ACC Championship since 2014. Florida State was predicted as the 2024 ACC champion on 81 ballots.

The 2024 ACC Preseason Poll was conducted via a vote of a media panel, including those who were credentialed for last week’s ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Coming off a 9-4 season last year, which ended with five-straight wins, including a victory in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Clemson garnered 55 first-place votes. Miami racked up 17 first-place votes, while NC State (8), Virginia Tech (5) and Cal (2) also received multiple first-place votes. Boston College and Georgia Tech each received one first-place vote.

Florida State led all teams with 2,708 points, while Clemson was second with 2,657 points. Miami placed third with 2,344 points, and NC State captured fourth with 2,318 points.

The next two teams were tightly bunched, with Louisville in fifth with 1,984 points and Virginia Tech in sixth with 1,968 points.

SMU (1,798) was seventh in the preseason predictions, ahead of North Carolina (1,712) in eighth and Georgia Tech (1,539) in ninth. The 10 through 13 spots were again close, as California (1,095) was projected to finish 10th and just ahead of Duke (1,056) in 11th, Syracuse (1,035) in 12th and Pitt (1,016) in 13th.

Rounding out the preseason poll was Boston College (890) in 14th, Wake Forest (784) in 15th, Virginia (629) in 16th and Stanford (477) in 17th.

The 2024 ACC Football Championship Game will kick off in primetime at 8 p.m. ET on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

2024 ACC Preseason Poll

  1. Florida State (81) – 2708
  2. Clemson (55) – 2657
  3. Miami (17) – 2344
  4. NC State (8) – 2318
  5. Louisville – 1984
  6. Virginia Tech (5) – 1968
  7. SMU – 1798
  8. North Carolina – 1712
  9. Georgia Tech (1) – 1539
  10. Cal (2) – 1095
  11. Duke – 1056
  12. Syracuse – 1035
  13. Pitt – 1016
  14. Boston College (1) – 890
  15. Wake Forest – 784
  16. Virginia – 629
  17. Stanford – 477

First place votes in parentheses.

–via ACC communications 

Standout OT Kelvin Banks Jr. named to preseason Outland Trophy watch list

No surprises here with Banks being added to the list.

On top of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list being revealed on Tuesday, the FWAA also announced the 75-player watch list for the Outland Trophy. This trophy is given annually to the outstanding interior lineman. Last year Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat won the award and the Longhorns could go back-to-back this year.

Texas Longhorns [autotag]Kelvin Banks Jr[/autotag]. was named to the preseason Outland Trophy watch list on Tuesday. He is among the players who could be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL draft next April. Banks is widely regarded as one of the two best tackles, LSU’s Will Campbell being the other.

Last season, Banks started all 14 games at left tackle. He has started every game of his collegiate career over the first two seasons. Banks led the team with an 86.8 pass-blocking grade from PFF and played a total of 983 snaps.

He will be key for the success of the offensive line as they attempt to contend for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the best offensive line in college football. With Banks at left tackle, the Longhorns were able to rush for a combined 2,638 rushing yards with 29 touchdowns. As a pass-blocking unit, the team allowed Texas to pass for 4,047 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Keep your eyes on Kelvin Banks Jr. this season as he looks to lead the Longhorns back to the College Football Playoffs and secure the school’s fifth national championship in a loaded conference. It won’t be an easy task but they have the roster to do it, now they just have to prove it.

Pair of Texas Longhorns named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list

These two defenders will be key in 2024 for Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense.

On Tuesday the Football Writers Association of America revealed its annual Bronko Nagusrksi Trophy watch list with a pair of Texas Longhorns defenders making the cut.

Defensive back [autotag]Jahdae Barron[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Anthony Hill[/autotag] joined the list of 75 players who made the initial cut. Barron is returning for his fifth season on the Forty Acres. Over his first four seasons, the fifth-year defensive back played in 41 total games with 23 starts. He has made 21 starts over the last two seasons.

A semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2023, Barron has tallied 90 solo tackles, 160 total tackles, 17.0 TFLs, 16 PDs, and three interceptions during that time. He will be a key contributor for a Texas defense that is looking to be better against the pass in 2024. The team finished No. 12 in the Big 12 last year with 254.4 passing yards per game, which would have been No. 13 in the SEC just ahead of the LSU Tigers (255.6) and Vanderbilt Commodores (279.6).

Hill on the other hand is looking for a larger role in year two on the Forty Acres. He played in all 14 games with six starts earning a share of the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. Overall the former five-star signee tallied 67 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, 8.0 TFLs, with five sacks and one forced fumble.

Hill is expected to be the full-time starter at the middle linebacker spot between Morice Blackwell at SAM and David Gbenda at WILL. Both Barron and Hill could be major factors for the success on defense in 2024, which would make them worthy of the honor of becoming the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner.

What to expect from Hayden Conner in his senior season

Conner will be entering his senior season and looking to help the Longhorns flourish in the SEC

When the Texas Longhorns begin the 2024 campaign, Hayden Conner is among the four returning starters on the offensive line. The Katy, Texas, native will enter his senior season and look to help the Longhorns flourish in the SEC.

Over the last few years, Conner has been a model of consistency, playing in 35 games, starting 27. Last year, he was a vital part of an offensive line that blocked for Doak Walker Award semifinalist Jonathon Brooks and Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist Quinn Ewers. The Taylor High School product also helped open holes for Brooks and CJ Baxter, who recorded a combined 1,817 rushing yards.

Conner and his fellow linemen earned national recognition for their play. The Longhorns were Joe Moore Award semifinalists. Each year, the award is given to the best college football offensive line unit.

Although the roster will look very different this year, the offense is still expected to be a strength. However, their success will depend on the play of Conner and the other Longhorns on the offensive line. Since joining Texas in 2021, Conner has been up to the task. Last season he earned the third-highest pass blocking grade from PFF. His 82.2 pass-blocking grade was only behind offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (86.8) and center Jake Majors (84.4).

While Conner’s play may not show up on the stat sheet he will be a player that is relied on heavily. If he mirrors his success from last season then the Longhorns will be in good hands.

Wisconsin football 2024 schedule considered to be among toughest in Big Ten

Wisconsin football schedule considered be in top-5 toughest in Big Ten

The Wisconsin Badgers will begin their 2024 season on Friday, Aug. 30 at home against Western Michigan, beginning what is considered to be one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports ranked all of the schedules in the Big Ten this season. He listed Wisconsin’s 2024 slate as the fourth-toughest of the 18 teams in the conference this year.

Only UCLA, Purdue and USC were picked to have a harder path in 2024 — two of which are newcomers to the conference this season.

[lawrence-related id=76919]

The Badgers will face contenders including Alabama (home), USC (road), Penn State (home) and Oregon (home), as well as other typical Big Ten opponents like Iowa (road) and Nebraska (road) this year.

Luke Fickell and his staff are entering year two in Madison, looking to build off of a 2023 campaign where they finished 7-6, losing to LSU 35-31 in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

The Badgers will begin their training camp at UW-Platteville on Tuesday, ramping up their activity with one month to go before the regular season opener.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers named to Maxwell Award watchlist

Quinn Ewers has a chance to join Texas legends Vince Young and Colt McCoy.

We have officially entered award watchlist season as the 2024 college football season is fast approaching. On Monday, the Maxwell Award announced its watchlist.

This is the 88th year that the award will be given out to the most outstanding player in college football. Of the 80 players listed, the Texas Longhorns lone athlete listed is redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Last season Ewers passed for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions in 12 games. He missed a pair of games due to injury where backup Maalik Murphy had to step in a weather the storm until his return.

Ewers would be named the MVP of the Big 12 championship game and led the Longhorns to its first-ever trip to the College Football Playoffs. The team is looking for more of the same as they enter a new era of Texas football after joining the SEC ahead of the season.

In total, the SEC had the second-most players (15) from a single conference, just behind the ACC who had 20. They were tied with their former conference the Big 12 who also have 15. The Big Ten finished last among the Power Four with 12 players, three of which are with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ewers has the opportunity to join Texas legends Colt McCoy (2009) and Vince Young (2005) as the only Longhorns quarterbacks to win the award. Overall he would be the fifth Texas player to win the award joining former running back Ricky Williams (1998) and linebacker Tommy Nobis (1965). The first award was given out in 1937 to Clinton E. Frank of Yale.