Football coaches always say that nothing good ever happens after 10:00 PM.  While that could be debated, it is certain that we have entered the bad new season.  Nothing good can happen between now and September 4. Only bad things.  Spring practice is over, the Scarlet and Gray game is history, and recruiting is wrapped up and the NFL Draft has come and gone.

 

What bad things can happen you ask?

Players can get arrested

Players can lose their academic eligibility

Recruits can fail to qualify academically

Asst. Coaches can leave

Ticket prices can rise

Mo C could return (only kidding)

 

So where do we stand as we enter this long football draught.  Untested and unknown in many areas. 

 

Many people have claimed that our latest off the field debacle has proven that nothing has changed since the Cooper era.  A lot has changed.  Sure players got into trouble off the field under Cooper and sadly it continues under Tressel.  There is one huge difference.  Under Cooper, not much ever happened to the culprits.  How much playing time did violators actually miss?  Cooper’s rule that “the best players play” kept a lot of bums on the field.  Under Tress there have been violations but there has always been consequences and many times the consequence has been lost playing time.  Would Coop have benched Bellasari or Rob Reynolds?  Sadly,  the consequence this time will likely end the careers of two talented young men.