For those that enjoy Football Study Hall Bill Connelly has a book coming out later this month. Check it out.
Countdown to Study Hall: Your 10 formative games - Football Study Hall
I am signing off on the physical proof today, so it appears that my first book, Study Hall: College Football, Its Stats and Its Stories, should indeed be released in approximately two weeks (~July 29). To celebrate the occasion, I wanted to start some conversations about the topics included in the book itself. Let the countdown begin.
Over at Smart Football Chris has some ideas about improving football box scores. I like where he's going with this.
A Better Box Score: Simple Ways to Improve the Basic Game Recap - Smart Football
So below is a non-exhaustive list of very basic, very simple, hopefully very clear changes I think would greatly improve the quality of the traditional box score.
Johnny Manziel found his way back into the news this week when he departed the Manning Passing Academy early. Was he out partying too hard? Was he really just sick/ dehydrated? Does anyone actually care? Oh the controversy!
Johnny Manziel left Manning camp early under fuzzy circumstances | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports
On Sunday morning, rumors started trickling out that the Texas A&M quarterback was dismissed from his role as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy for too much partying.
Report: Johnny Manziel apologized to Texas A&M coaches - CBSSports.com
According to ESPN's Joe Schad, Manziel already apologized to the Texas A&M coaching staff and "is being advised to be honest about what led to his much-discussed departure" from the Manning Passing Academy. After missing assigned meetings and practice sessions, Manziel left his post as a coach/counselor one day ahead of schedule.
Mark May tossed his two cents out there about the latest Manziel "story" via Twitter which led to this piece from GBH.
Hypocrite Mark May Scolds Johnny Manziel on Twitter - Good Bull Hunting
Mark May loves to give advice to Johnny Football but May's own questionable past has surfaced.
SEC Media Days are upon us. Let the web runneth over with quotable quotes that won't mean a thing once the season kicks off. The upside to these "stories" is that they are only here because real football games are right around the corner. Below are the highlights from day one.
SBN has a hub set up for those of you that just can't get enough ESS EEE SEE.
2013 SEC Media Days coverage: Updates, schedules, and probably some jokes - SBNation.com
Follow along here for live updates from Hoover, Alabama as the SEC kicks off its 2013 season.
Spencer Hall's take on all of this is entertaining.
2013 SEC Media Days questions that won't be asked (but sure should) - SBNation.com
In a perfect world, each SEC coach would have to face this particular kind of music in Hoover, Alabama this week.
Steve Spurrier objects to Notre Dame's Independence, calls for player compensation - SBNation.com
Spurrier said he was speaking for every football and basketball coach in the conference.
Someone tell Ole' Ball Coach that he basically answered his own question by bringing ND into the conversation.
Florida's Will Muschamp takes jab at Ohio State at 2013 SEC Media Days | Campus Union - SI.com
Still, the early highlight of the day came courtesy of Florida coach Will Muschamp, who took a jab at Ohio State coach Urban Meyer for reportedly turning the Gators in for a secondary violation earlier this year:
Elsewhere in the SEC this slipped out under the radar.
Vanderbilt identifies 4 dismissed from team - College Football - SI.com
Coach James Franklin released a statement Monday saying defensive back Brandon Banks, safety Corey Batey, receiver Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie and tight end Brandon Vandenburg are no longer on the roster after violating team rules.
A few notes from South Bend.
Best of luck to Ferguson as a Bronco.
Our own 4pointshooter represented us in Keith Arnold's 2013 installment of Counting Down the Irish. The first two posts are below.
Counting down the Irish: 25-21 | Inside the Irish
As we look at the first installment of our annual Top 25 list, it's a reminder that Brian Kelly knows how to recruit. While we've trudged through this topic more than once, one of the biggest concerns after Kelly's hiring was his ability to recruit against the power programs in college football.
Counting down the Irish: 20-16 | Inside the Irish
After the first five slots of our Top 25 included three talented freshmen that could play supporting roles, our next five spots are dedicated to upperclassmen that will be major contributors this season, all expected to be members of the starting lineup.
A few of the other Notre Dame blogs are talking about position groups this week.
Remaining Notre Dame Football Recruiting DL Targets for 2013
Matt Elam, Soloman Thomas, Thomas Holley, and Andrew Williams. Learn these names as any of them could turn Notre Dame's DL recruiting from good to great.
Notre Dame will enter the 2013 season deeper in the secondary than at any point in recent memory. The defensive backfield is also the deepest position grouping for the Irish this season.
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Offensive Line - Her Loyal Sons
In an offense infested with question-marks, Notre Dame’s O-line represents a haven of certainty.
Hump day. Make the most of it and try to ignore the fact that your Twitter feed will inevitably be crushed by Johnny Football "news" from SEC Media Days!