Tag: heather dinich

Heather Dinich: Conference realignment means nothing for Notre Dame

Don’t worry, Irish fans.

To put it mildly, college football is in chaos. The Pac-12 is about to become extinct or is seriously threatened at the very least.

Oregon and Washington will join USC and UCLA in the Big Ten in 2024. Colorado is rejoining the Big 12 in 2024, and we now know Arizona, Arizona State, Utah also are heading there as well.

What does this mean for Notre Dame?

If college football insiders are to be believed, absolutely nothing. As part of a series of questions published on ESPN’s website, Heather Dinich was asked to tackle the evergreen issue of the Irish’s independence and how it applies to the changing college football climate. If you’re worried about the Irish giving into public pressure and joining a conference permanently, Dinich says don’t be:

“Notre Dame athletic director [autotag]Jack Swarbrick[/autotag] has long repeated the same three factors that could contribute to the university’s position as an independent becoming ‘unsustainable.’

Those include: the loss of a committed broadcast partner; the loss of a fair route into the postseason; or such an adverse financial consequence that would force it to reconsider.

In spite of all of the drama swirling around Notre Dame, nothing has impacted those particular factors. Notre Dame still has a strong partnership with NBC as its broadcast partner that runs through the 2025 season. It recently announced a renewed commitment to Under Armour. It also remains a partial member of the ACC in football and has a contract with the league stating that if the Irish were to relinquish their independence, it would be for the ACC.

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said recently at the league’s media days that he knows how much the Irish value their independence. Notre Dame still remains the most valuable property remaining on the Monopoly board – and it’s still not for sale.”

Tom Noie of the South Bend Tribune expressed similar thoughts earlier in the day. So sleep easy, Irish fans. The program is not changing its affiliation or lack thereof anytime soon. Besides, conferences need the Irish more than the Irish need them.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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Sooners a CFP contender? One ESPN analyst isn’t so sure

The Oklahoma Sooners have a 10.7% chance to make the CFP per the ESPN Football Power Index, but one writer thinks that’s still too high.

We continue to hear more and more optimism coming from the Oklahoma Sooners.

Whether it was from Big 12 media days a couple weeks ago or Tuesday’s OU Football media day, the positive vibes are strong in Norman. But some nationally have been skeptical. There may be skepticism of the personnel or of Brent Venables. Both of which are reasonable.

Count ESPN college football writer Heather Dinich (ESPN+) in the skeptical camp at the moment. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Oklahoma a 10.7% chance to make the playoff, something Dinich disagrees with.

After a 6-7 season that included a 49-0 loss to rival Texas, expectations should be higher but not that high. Even the defense, which is Brent Venables’ forte, hit the worst marks by a defense under Venables in his career. – Dinich, ESPN

Dinich does think the committee will look favorably upon the Sooners if they can win the Oklahoma and Texas “state titles.”

Unofficial state titles in both Oklahoma and Texas. OU can win its home state by beating Tulsa and Oklahoma State on the road, and it can get the edge in Texas with wins over SMU, Texas and TCU. If OU is going to be taken seriously as a CFP contender, it doesn’t have to look far to build its case in the committee meeting room. – Dinich, ESPN

But ultimately, she feels they won’t like the weak schedule. That’s why the Texas and Oklahoma State games are so important. Even though Oklahoma State may not be on the same level as Texas, it’s a “move the needle” type of game in a hostile road environment.

Not playing Baylor, Kansas State, or Texas Tech will certainly hurt the Sooners in strength of schedule discussions.

This will be the first time since 2000 Oklahoma will not play a Power 5 opponent in a regular season nonconference game. The Sooners were originally scheduled to play Georgia, but the game was canceled because of OU’s eventual move to the SEC. The Sooners also face three of the four new conference members in Cincinnati, BYU and UCF, which replace Baylor, Kansas State and Texas Tech three of the six Big 12 teams that beat OU last year. – Dinich, ESPN

Oklahoma’s strength of schedule is a legitimate concern. It schedule looks a lot different if the Georgia Bulldogs were on the schedule still. But that’s a short-term sacrifice for a long-term gain for the Sooners.

Dinich isn’t speaking unreasonably when discussing the concerns she has about Oklahoma’s chances to make the playoffs. Though there’s optimism, there’s a lot that still needs to be proven on the football field before the Sooners can be taken seriously as a national title contender.

Making the playoff is a little bit of a stretch, but with that schedule can be obtainable. The problem is there’s little room for error for Oklahoma if it wants to play for something meaningful in the postseason.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

ESPNs Heather Dinich talks which conference has best chance for multiple CFP bids

Does Ohio State have to go undefeated to make the CFP or will the Big Ten get two teams in once again. ? #GoBucks

Since the College Football Playoff began back in 2014, there have been four times that a conference has received two bids. The SEC has done it twice. Once in 2017 and again in 2021 with both coming by way of Alabama and Georgia. The ACC did it once in 2020 with Clemson and part-time member Notre Dame. And of course, last season the Big Ten received two bids in favor of Michigan and Ohio State.

There’s always controversy when a committee is selecting the teams that will make the CFP. Maybe that will all end with the expansion to 12 teams beginning in 2024. I doubt it though.

Either way, ESPNs Heather Dinich is already thinking about how things will shake out at the end of this season and she believes the SEC has the best chance at 51% to have two teams invited. That won’t be a shocker for most college football fans who believe that ESPN has a bias toward the SEC.

Dinich goes on to say that the Big Ten has the next best chance at 25% of getting multiple bids. She lists the ACC, Pac-12, and Big 12 at less than a 1% chance to get two teams in the playoff.

Here’s the case she makes for the Big Ten to have a chance at two playoff contenders:

“The Big Ten did it last year, and Ohio State and Michigan have similar teams returning, with the most glaring exception being a new starting quarterback at Ohio State,” wrote Dinich. “The chances should be bumped marginally because Penn State has the talent and opportunity to join one of them in the debate. The Nittany Lions will have home-field advantage Nov. 11 against Michigan, where a win could create a three-way tie in the Big Ten East Division if Ohio State beats Penn State and Michigan beats Ohio State. Beyond winning the Big Ten, PSU’s ideal scenario would be to claim a win over eventual Big Ten champs in a three-way tie, or the committee’s highest-ranked Big Ten team.”

The committee has clearly shown favor to the SEC over the years. It would be much better to win outright than to leave your fate in the hands of a fickle group of people who all have agendas and biases, even if they say they don’t. Or — maybe more importantly — don’t mean to. It’s human nature.

Ohio State does not have an easy path to the CFP this season, but with all the talent in Columbus, the Buckeyes should be part of the conversation all the way to the end.

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Nick Saban weighs in on ongoing QB battle between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson

Nick Saban updates the ongoing Alabama QB competition between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson!

The Alabama football team is in the middle of its second week of spring practice and positional competition is taking place throughout the team. The quarterback competition between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson has certainly taken center stage in Tuscaloosa.

On Wednesday, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban joined Heather Dinich for an interview on ESPN. With the ongoing quarterback battle, coach Saban was quickly asked about the competition.

“Well, both of the guys are working hard. The most important thing is that they can stay focused on what they need to do to improve their ability to play winning football at the position.

Which, is an important position because they distribute the ball to someone every play. So, it’s an important position. They’re both guys that have talent and we just have to try to help them develop and focus on the things they need to do to play winning football.”

While coach Saban is likely to allow this battle to play out until kickoff against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 2, he will most definitely be looking for both Milroe and Simpson to show continuous improvement in the coming months.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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ESPN analysts chime in after Clemson’s loss to South Carolina

A number of ESPN analysts chimed in with various comments after eighth-ranked Clemson’s 31-30 rivalry loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Death Valley. Along with the Tigers being outplayed on special teams, ESPN’s Trevor Matich pointed to South …

A number of ESPN analysts chimed in with various comments after eighth-ranked Clemson’s 31-30 rivalry loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Death Valley.

Along with the Tigers being outplayed on special teams, ESPN’s Trevor Matich pointed to South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler outdueling Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei as a big difference in the outcome of the game.

Uiagalelei completed only 8 of his 29 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown with one interception, while Rattler went 25 of 39 passing for 360 yards a two touchdowns with two picks.

“You talk about ‘Beamer Ball’ – the special teams of South Carolina were a major contributing factor here,” Matich said on ESPN’s Championship Drive show of Shane Beamer’s team pulling off the upset. “But they won the quarterback duel. Spencer Rattler was phenomenal. Against Tennessee the week before, he was unstoppable. A lot of people thought that was just a one-off. But against a better Clemson defense, Rattler continued to hit receivers that were covered, dropping dimes under pressure. He was by far the better quarterback in this game. Threw for over 300 yards, whereas DJ Uiagalelei didn’t reach a hundred yards, and so that was the big difference.”

Rattler – a week after passing for 438 yards and six touchdowns in South Carolina’s upset home win over then-No. 5 Tennessee – had more yards against Clemson by himself than the Tigers posted in total offense as a team (336).

Meanwhile, opposite of Rattler, Uiagalelei had his most ineffective performance of the season as a passer as he set season-lows for completions and completion percentage (27.6). His interception marked his sixth time in seven games committing at least one turnover.

“Inconsistent all season long,” ESPN’s Jesse Palmer said of Uiagalelei on the network’s College Football Final show.

Matich spoke about Clemson at the quarterback position, saying the Tigers need to address it.

Dabo Swinney addressed his team’s quarterback situation again on Sunday, with the head coach stating that Uiagalelei will remain the starter for Saturday’s ACC Championship Game vs. North Carolina.

“Clemson now needs to sit back and say OK, the quarterback position is a place that we need to address,” Matich said. “We thought we had it fixed at the beginning of the year, but in the biggest games at the end of the year, we still didn’t break through when our opponents did.”

Turnovers were once again an issue with Clemson committing three more in Saturday’s game, giving the Tigers 15 in their last five games.

Two of those turnovers came on special teams, one on Antonio Williams’ punt return fumble in the waning moments of the fourth quarter that gave the ball back to the Gamecocks and allowed them to run out the clock.

The other special teams turnover occurred in the first half, when trickeration on a kickoff return – which saw Will Shipley hand the ball off to Phil Mafah in a scrum huddle — ended with Mafah fumbling the ball back to South Carolina.

South Carolina capitalized on that giveaway when Rattler scored on a 4-yard run, which cut the Gamecocks’ deficit to two points midway through the second quarter.

“Turnovers would be a problem for Clemson in this game,” ESPN’s Joey Galloway said on College Football Final. “To go trick play in this kind of game, you’re up 16-7, I don’t know about the call. Didn’t work out.”

In addition to snapping Clemson’s series and home winning streaks at seven and 40 games, respectively, the Gamecocks also put an end to any hopes the Tigers had of making the College Football Playoff.

“Yes, they’re done,” Heather Dinich, who covers the playoff for ESPN, said on Championship Drive.

“Had Clemson finished as a one-loss conference champ and you have a TCU loss or a USC loss, that ACC Champion is still in the conversation. Not anymore. You’re guaranteed to either have a two-loss champ or three-loss, (if) North Carolina wins this thing. And I mean, that is not gonna happen. And because Ohio State and Alabama are sitting there on the edge, they’re certainly getting the nod over Clemson.”

Saturday’s ACC Championship Game between Clemson (10-2, 8-0 ACC) and North Carolina (9-3, 6-2) is set for an 8 p.m. kickoff on ABC.

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Heather Dinich announces top six college football teams after Week 13

Heather Dinich announces top six college football teams after Week 13.

No. 11 Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt (5-7, 2-6 SEC), 56-0, Saturday in Week 13 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee’s regular season has concluded.

Tennessee’s 2022 regular-season schedule featured home games against Ball State (W, 59-10), Akron (W, 63-6), Florida (W, 38-33), Alabama (W, 52-49), UT Martin (W, 65-24), Kentucky (W, 44-6) and Missouri (W, 66-24).

The Vols’ 2022 schedule featured road contests at Pittsburgh (W, 34-27 OT) in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU (W, 40-13), Georgia (L, 27-13), South Carolina (L, 63-38) and Vanderbilt (W, 56-0).

2022 Tennessee Vols’ football schedule: Vols Wire’s downloadable schedule wallpaper

Following Week 13 games, Heather Dinich announced her top six college football teams on ESPN Sunday. Dinich’s top six teams are listed below.

Dinich on how the CFP committee would differentiate between Clemson and Southern Cal

ESPN analyst Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff committee, gave her thoughts on the CFP rankings on Tuesday night’s SportsCenter before the rankings show. Dinich was asked how the committee would differentiate between a one-loss …

ESPN analyst Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff committee, gave her thoughts on the CFP rankings on Tuesday night’s SportsCenter before the rankings show.

Dinich was asked how the committee would differentiate between a one-loss Clemson and a one-loss Southern California.

“Well, on paper, they are actually pretty similar in terms of resume,” Dinich said. “I will be very curious to see tonight where South Carolina and North Carolina are ranked because it is possible (Clemson) ends the season with two wins against two ranked opponents. But USC also has that opportunity if they beat Notre Dame and then win in the Pac-12 conference championship game.”

How Southern Cal plays against the Irish Saturday night could be the deciding factor.

“But Notre Dame is a huge separating factor between these two teams,” Dinich said. “Remember, Notre Dame didn’t just beat Clemson. They beat them soundly, 35-14, in South Bend and the selection committee absolutely compares common opponents.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

 

Heather Dinich announces top six teams ahead of Week 12

Heather Dinich announces top six college football teams ahead of Week 12.

No. 5 Tennessee (9-1, 5-1 SEC) will play at South Carolina (6-4, 3-4 SEC) Saturday in Week 12.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

Kickoff between the Vols and Gamecocks is slated for 7 p.m. EST at Williams-Brice Stadium. ESPN will televise the SEC East matchup.

Tennessee’s 2022 regular-season schedule features home games against Ball State (W, 59-10), Akron (W, 63-6), Florida (W, 38-33), Alabama (W, 52-49), UT Martin (W, 65-24), Kentucky (W, 44-6) and Missouri (W, 66-24).

The Vols’ 2022 schedule features road contests at Pittsburgh (W, 34-27 OT) in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU (W, 40-13), Georgia (L, 27-13), South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Following Week 11 games, Heather Dinich announced her top six college football teams on ESPN. Dinich’s top six teams are listed below.

Finebaum, Dinich pile on Clemson, Bama

Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich discussed Clemson and Alabama on ESPN’s Get Up show after the second set of College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night. Finebaum was asked out of all the messages the CFP committee sent with the …

Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich discussed Clemson and Alabama on ESPN’s Get Up show after the second set of College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night.

Finebaum was asked out of all the messages the CFP committee sent with the latest rankings, what his biggest takeaway was.

Unsurprisingly, he took the opportunity to dismiss Dabo Swinney’s team.

“Say goodbye to Clemson. They are done,” Finebaum said. “They have absolutely no path back. This is unprecedented, outside of ’14, they’ve been around. Of course last year, we were able to survive without them. But this is so unbelievable to think that at this juncture of the season, Dabo Swinney’s team is done.”

Clemson has appeared in the College Football Playoff every year except for 2014 and 2021, while Alabama has made the playoff in each season but 2019.

There has never been an edition of the CFP that did not include either Alabama or Clemson, and both teams have made the playoff in the same season in five of the eight years since the playoff began in 2014.

Will this year be a first? Is there any path to the playoff for either Clemson (8-1, 6-0 ACC, No. 10 CFP rankings) or Alabama (7-2, 4-2 SEC, No. 9 CFP)?

Dinich, who covers the CFP for ESPN, was asked that question.

“No, and it’s not because of resume or wins or losses,” Dinich said. “These are not looking like top-four teams. Clemson got destroyed on the road at Notre Dame. They have quarterback issues. Alabama, all along — wide receiver drops, no push up front on the offensive line, penalties, turnovers, you name it. They’re not playoff teams.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Dinich on where Clemson stands in CFP picture, how damaging Saturday’s loss was

On ESPN’s Championship Drive show, Heather Dinich was asked how damaging Clemson’s 35-14 loss at Notre Dame last Saturday night was to the Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes. Clemson of course went to South Bend as the No. 4 team in the first …

On ESPN’s Championship Drive show, Heather Dinich was asked how damaging Clemson’s 35-14 loss at Notre Dame last Saturday night was to the Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes.

Clemson of course went to South Bend as the No. 4 team in the first CFP rankings that were released last Tuesday night before being knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten.

“Oh, it’s severely damaging,” said Dinich, who covers the CFP for ESPN. “They lost by 21 points. Dabo Swinney called it after the game ‘a really bad day.’ I’ll one-up that and say it was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, Clemson. They allowed touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. They couldn’t stop the run, and stop telling me there aren’t questions at quarterback. When you have two, you don’t have one, and both of those players made way too many mistakes. This is not a top-four team. I was surprised a week ago the selection committee had them No. 4.”

In an article published Sunday on ESPN.com (subscription required), Dinich went into detail on where she thinks Clemson (8-1, 6-0 ACC) stands in the playoff picture after Saturday’s loss.

She believes the Tigers and the ACC are “hanging by a thread” as far as the playoff is concerned, and while Clemson has already clinched the Atlantic Division and could finish as a one-loss conference champion, she thinks the selection committee would favor a one-loss Pac-12 champ Oregon over one a one-loss ACC champ Clemson.

“Oregon’s lone loss was in the season opener to defending national champion Georgia, which should be the committee’s No. 1 team this week,” Dinich wrote. “The Ducks have won every game since in mostly convincing fashion. Oregon also has more opportunities remaining to impress the selection committee than Clemson, as the Ducks still face Utah on Nov. 19 and should face another ranked opponent in the Pac-12 title game if they make it.”

Dinich wrote that the selection committee could perhaps favor a one-loss Big 12 champ over Clemson as well, should TCU slip up and lose a game.

“And as long as TCU remains undefeated, Clemson should be concerned,” she wrote. “A one-loss TCU could have the edge against Clemson if they both win their respective leagues, but that would be a much bigger debate.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!