michael huff – Syndication Server

Big Ten Network’s Nicole Auerbach throws out first pitch for the Somerset Patriots

A Big Ten Network personality, Nicole Auerbach threw out the first pitch for the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday night.

Nicole Auerbach tapped into her New Jersey roots on Thursday, throwing out the first pitch for the Somerset Patriots. Time for Rutgers baseball head coach Steve Owens to check out her film?

An affiliate of the New York Yankees, the Patriots are a Double-A team in the Eastern League. Their top prospect this season is Jasson Dominguez, a centerfielder who has earned some rave reviews.

A columnist for The Athletic and a contributor to the Big Ten Network, Auerbach is a highly-regarded journalist. During the fall, she appears on the Big Ten Network’s multiple platforms where she provides analysis.

Auerbach seemed to inspire the Patriots. After falling on July 4, the Patriots rebounded for a 7-3 win over the Reading Fightin’ Phils.

Strike @NicoleAuerbach https://t.co/1Zrk8sEA12 pic.twitter.com/PuxFhFmUW5

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) July 5, 2023

Perhaps when the Big Ten Network returns with live programming in August, [autotag]Gerry DiNardo[/autotag] can analyze her throwing motion. Or perhaps we can get BTN’s baseball analyst [autotag]Michael Huff[/autotag], who played for seven years in the Major Leagues and is currently part of the Chicago White Sox organization, to do a deep dive on her potential as a pitcher.

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Texas’ Michael Huff part of the 2024 CFB HOF ballot

Michael Huff has a chance to be enshrined with the best to ever play college football.

During his time as a Longhorn, defensive back Michael Huff was one of the most decorated players in a golden Texas era.

The Irving, Texas native won the program’s first Jim Thorpe Award in 2005, was named a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, a unanimous All-American, and was named the defensive MVP of Texas’ 2006 Rose Bowl win over USC.

His decorated collegiate career has already notched him a spot in the Texas Hall of Honor and has most recently earned him a spot on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

Joining him are notable names such as Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Marshall’s Randy Moss, Virginia Tech’s Michael Vick, and North Carolina’s Julius Peppers among others.

As a Longhorn, Huff recorded 318 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 44 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. His stellar career led to him being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft with the No. 7 overall pick by the Raiders. After an eight-year professional career, the Texas ex is now back in Austin where he is an assistant director of player development with the Texas football program.

As it stands right now, there are 25 other Longhorns who have been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially announced on Dec. 10, 2024, and permanently enshrined at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

After Big Ten Tournament exit, what now for Rutgers basbeball?

Rutgers baseball had a disappointing season.

Following an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament, Rutgers baseball’s season is now over. But the program is nonetheless heading in the right direction according to Big Ten Network analyst Michael Huff.

It was a bit of a disappointing season for the Scarlet Knights, who were receiving some top 25 buzz in preseason. But a poor start to the season and then a rocky close to the regular season (where they lost two of their last three at Minnesota) doomed Rutgers to another season without a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Rutgers lost both of their games in the Big Ten Tournament to effectively end their season at 33-23 (14-10 Big Ten).

For Huff, the direction for Rutgers baseball is still pointed in the right direction.

“As I look at this season for Rutgers it left me wanting more. Felt like they had a better pitching staff than last year but…Felt like a couple of injuries hurt more than I thought,” Huff told Rutgers Wire.

“Felt like they got some bad breaks in big series and lost just to many close games. It would have been interesting to see what the NCAA Committee would have done if Rutgers got to Sunday with zero or on loss as projections still had them as (a) first four out heading into the Big Ten Tournament.”

Rutgers will likely have some big losses this offseason with infielder Chris Brito and outfielder Ryan Lasko likely heading to professional careers. But Huff believes that Steve Owens, the Rutgers head coach, has the compass pointed in the right direction.

“Losing Brito and Lasko will be really hard next year but I really like Steve Owens and no doubt the team will be strong in 2024,” Huff said.

Hiff played seven seasons in the Major Leagues and is a former standout at Northwestern. He now works for the Chicago White Sox and is an analyst on the Big Ten Network.

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Michael Huff: Early out-of-conference losses could cost Rutgers baseball an NCAA Tournament berth

Rutgers baseball’s early season struggles could hurt their NCAA Tournament resume.

Some losses early in the season could be troublesome for Rutgers baseball’s postseason outlook. So says Big Ten Network analyst and insider Michael Huff.

Now, where do things stand with Rutgers baseball this season? Overall, it has been a good season.

Rutgers is currently 30-18 (11-7 Big Ten), with this past weekend’s sweep of Penn State a big boost to their standing in the conference.

The series sweep, along with some help throughout the conference, helped Rutgers move up to third in the Big Ten over the weekend. Good, but is it enough?

It is a tight race for a top-three spot in the conference, with the top nine teams all separated by two or fewer games. But if Rutgers can again finish in the top three of the Big Ten and then make another run through the conference tournament, they could have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

Nothing is guaranteed, however. Last year, Rutgers showed consistency in finishing second in the Big Ten regular season and then the Big Ten Tournament and still got snubbed from the postseason.

“For Rutgers, too many close loses to teams they should have beaten early in the season, add to that the 0-3 weekends against UNC Greensboro and UConn -all six were close games,” Huff told Rutgers Wire over the weekend.

“Think if they could have won all six of these games. You would be 34-12 with an RPI in the 20s or 30s. Unless they win the Big Ten Tournament, they will be staying home again.”

Maryland is currently atop the Big Ten standings (33-16, 13-5 Big Big Ten).

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A standout for Northwestern, Huff is a former MLB standout who played in the league for seven seasons. He now works for the Chicago White Six organization as well as the Big Ten Network.

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Michael Huff of the White Sox discusses Tennessee’s pitching, Jordan Beck and Drew Gilbert

Michael Huff of the Chicago White Sox discusses Tennessee’s pitching, Jordan Beck and Drew Gilbert at the next level in MLB.

Tennessee (53-7) will host the Knoxville Regional in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 overall seed.

The Vols won the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championship.

Tennessee has been ranked No. 1 nationally for 10 consecutive weeks in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, college baseball insider and former Major League Baseball player Michael Huff discussed Tennessee’s season. Huff is currently the Director of Youth Baseball for the Chicago White Sox.

“I think Tennessee has been deservedly the No. 1 seed all year,” Huff told Vols Wire. “You have to have a balanced team to be one, and it starts with their starting pitching.”

Tennessee leads Division I baseball in home runs (141) and earned run average (2.35).

“It’s a great balance, but what stands out to me is the pitching,” Huff said. “Truly the thing that stands out to me is the consistency. You have four, not two, not three, you have four guys that I think on just about any other roster, when it comes to starting pitchers, can be a Friday guy — and if not Friday then definitely Saturday.

“When you have four guys, and you really only need three, or someone has a sore arm, or someone is having a bad day, you can easily swap people out. Your starting pitching is going to give you a chance to win every game, and you also have a good bullpen.”

Tennessee hitter Jordan Beck (27) celebrates with Tennessee Drew Gilbert (1) after Beck hit a solo home run against Mississippi State during the SEC Tournament Thursday, May 27, 2021, in the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama. [Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

Huff has communication with a handful of scouts and outfielders Jordan Beck and Drew Gilbert’s MLB stock continues to rise.

“From what I have seen and heard, Drew Gilbert and Jordan Beck have raised a lot of eye brows at the next level,” Huff said. “Everyone has their eye on these guys. There’s a lot of upside potential for both of them, not just what we are seeing in college, but even beyond.”

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BTN’s Michael Huff on Rutgers baseball making the NCAA Tournament: ‘There’s no doubt they are in’

Rutgers baseball is a lock for the NCAA Tournament according to Michael Huff of the Big Ten Network.

It is a two-team race atop the Big Ten baseball standings, with Maryland and Rutgers vying for the best record in the conference. So says Michael Huff, who thinks that there are two really strong teams when it comes projecting the best teams in the Big Ten and for the NCAA Tournament.

Huff, a former Major League Baseball player and a star at Northwestern, is now a baseball analyst for the Big Ten Network. He also serves as an executive with the Chicago White Sox.

In a recent series at Bainton Field, Maryland took two of three games on the road at Rutgers. The Terrapins sit atop the Big Ten at 41-10 (16-5 Big Ten). Rutgers is 39-12 (16-5 Big Ten).

The Big Ten insider sees two teams as locks right atop the conference in terms of the outlook for the NCAA Tournament.

“We’ve had as many as five teams go in recent memory. Obviously three years ago for COVID, it was fun watching Michigan get all the way to finals,” Huff told RutgersWire last week.

“I think there are two that I feel confident [in], Rutgers and Maryland. RPI-wise right now after this weekend. Rutgers is now in the mid-40s, Maryland is in the teens. Iowa is a team that has the pitching, they should raise some eyebrows but they’re kind of in the mid-60s. So, they have to do something special these last couple of weekends in my mind’s eye

“Iowa needs to get into the 40s to have the chance for an out large regardless of what you do in the Big Ten Tournament.”

In terms of the rankings, No. 17 Maryland was the highest-ranked Big Ten team in last week’s USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

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Rutgers was unranked but receiving the second-most votes of any unranked team.

“Yes, I feel confident again – I’m not on the committee – but I feel confident that if the NCAA starts today what Rutgers has done, their body of work and where they’re ranked RPI wise,” Huff said.

“There’s no doubt that they are in.”

Rutgers has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2007.

Maryland made the NCAA Tournament last season, making it to the second round.

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As for a dark horse team, there are a couple but Huff only really thinks that there is one program that is positioned to make it three teams that can have a go of it in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and make this year’s NCAA Tournament.

But even with Iowa being the third-best team in the Big Ten, Huff still says that there are two dominant teams in the conference right now.

“Never say never. Illinois and Michigan have decent lineups. But I guess I don’t think they have the pitching to go five games or six games.,” Huff said.

“And I think the Maryland [and] Rutgers offenses will just pound those clubs, if it gets to Saturday, Sunday and everyone’s running out of pitchers. Iowa’s hitting is a little bit lighter than Maryland’s or Rutgers’. After their sort of three or four pitchers they’re questionable but again, dark horses…I honestly this year I can’t see one except for …again, if I was a gambling man, I would put big money on the Maryland, Rutgers and my dark horse is Iowa.”

Make sure to follow Huff on Twitter for insight and analysis from the Big Ten Network’s baseball insider.

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Longhorns well-represented on 2021 Texas Sports Hall of Fame Ballot

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame listed their ballot for the 2021 class. The Longhorns have nine former athletes up for induction.

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame recently released their 2021 ballots and it has plenty of former Texas Longhorns on it. There are two ballots with one being the primary and the other being the veteran ballot. In total there are nine Longhorns and seven are on the primary ballot. The sports range from football, basketball, softball and track and field.

Primary Ballot

Phil Dawson, Kicker

The first former Longhorn on the ballot is former kicker Phil Dawson. Dawson played for Texas from 1994-97. He would appear in 46 games in that span. Twice he led the conference in extra point attempts, extra points made and field goal percentage. He would finish his Longhorns career with 339 points scored, his career high of 108 was set in 1996.

He would go on to enjoy a NFL career that lasted until 2018. Most of his career was spent in Cleveland for 14 seasons. He would join the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons and the final two in Arizona with the Cardinals. He played in 305 games total. In that time he converted 83.8 percent of his field goal attempts and 97.6 percent of his extra point attempts.

He would finish his career with 1,847 points over his 20-year NFL career. He was selected to his only Pro Bowl in 2012, which would also be his last year in Cleveland. Dawson ranks second in Browns history for most points scored. He only trails legendary kicker Lou Groza.

Accomplishments:

All-American kicker and four-year starter who left UT with 13 Longhorn records, including all-time marks for scoring (339), field goals (59) and field goal accuracy (74.7 percent)
Finished his career ranked 16th on the NCAA all-time scoring list, 12th on the NCAA all-time kick-scoring chart and 31st on the NCAA all-time field goals made list
Set a UT record by hitting 15 straight field goals in 1996-97; set a UT record by making six straight field goals from 50 or more yards from 1995-97
Connected on 64.3 percent of his field goals from 40 yards and further (27 of 42) during his college career
Signed as free agent with Cleveland in 1999
Hall of Honor inductee in 2012

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Texas Longhorns first round picks since 1999

Take a journey back to every Texas Longhorn to be drafted in the first round since 1999.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away from officially kicking off. There are a few ways that you can tune into the festivities on Thursday Night. Despite the fact that the Texas Longhorns don’t have a first round caliber player according to almost every major draft analysts board, we take a journey back to every first round selection since 1999. The Longhorns could have a first round pick next year if Samuel Cosmi decides to declare or another name jumps to the front.

1999

Ricky Williams: 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints

In 1999 the New Orleans Saints and head coach Mike Ditka gave up their entire draft just to secure the rights for Ricky Williams. Williams went on to play for the Saints until 2001 when he had a career year for the Miami Dolphins in 2002. He earned his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors that season with 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Williams played for one other team before hanging up the cleats, the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. He finished his 11-year career with 10,009 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. Adding another eight receiving. His career was never the same after retiring in 2004 and returning to the NFL in 2005.

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