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This is it people, the last day of the off-season. Tomorrow is the beginning of a game week. One of the ways we entertain ourselves around here during the off-season is to keep track of all of the "news" surrounding Notre Dame Football and the rest of the college football landscape with these links posts. Once the season starts the conversation naturally turns back to actual football and the season itself.
Consider this final links post of 2013 the last OFD off-season milestone! We have a lot to cover today so I'm going to be long on links and short on commentary. I will see you in the comments!
100 Twitter Accounts Every College Football Fan Should Follow | AthlonSports.com
College football is well-represented in the Twitterverse by people who know the game intimately and aren't afraid to tell you about it. We took a(nother) look at the lengthy list of CFB-oriented Twitter accounts and whittled them down to 100 that are definitely worth a follow. These tweeting all-stars are sure to entertain, educate and occasionally enrage. Let us know your favorites (and anyone we missed).
How come the official "OFD Twitter account didn't make the cut? We got robbed!
MOAR preseason predictions!
There won't be official 2013 BCS standings until midway through the college football season. But we know enough to know the computers like Oregon, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame (and don't like Ohio State or Louisville).
MOAR bowl games. That's what we need right? Let's keep creating more bowls until every team gets to go to one!
Bahamas to get new Conference USA bowl game (and Boca Raton, too) - SBNation.com
Conference USA teams will participate in newly created bowl games in Nassau, Bahamas and Boca Raton, Fla., starting in 2014, sources told ESPN [...] C-USA is expected to play the MAC in the Bahamas Bowl and either the American Athletic or Mountain West Conference in Boca Raton, sources said.
I'm sure those schools won't lose any money on those trips.
This Steven Rhodes story got a lot of press this week. These NCAA eligibility rulings are a crapshoot.
But not long after arriving on campus, Rhodes was told that his participation in a military-only recreational football league in 2012 would hinder his immediate eligibility to play Division I college football, per an NCAA rule.
Marine Steven Rhodes cleared to play by NCAA - SBNation.com
Former Marine Steven Rhodes will not have to sit out the 2013 season with the NCAA announcing Monday that it fully cleared him to play after reviewing his case. Rhodes will keep all four years of his eligibility.
The Johnny Footbaw stories certainly aren't slowing down any...
Texas A&M either inept or corrupt in Johnny Manziel autograph scandal - Orlando Sentinel
That's because Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and his NCAA compliance guru — associate athletic director Jamie McCloskey — predicted nearly two decades ago that there was big money and big trouble in college football players signing their names on helmets, jerseys and other expensive keepsakes. That's why the Gators — much to chagrin of many fans and autograph dealers — instituted a policy on fan day during the 1990s that their players could sign only school-issued team posters.
Rockwall truck dealership gets into Johnny Manziel autograph game
In the market for a new truck? Test drive a Dodge Ram and register to win a Johnny Manziel-autographed football. That's what Rockwall Dodge advertised on ESPN 103.3 on Tuesday, playing into the ongoing controversy over Texas A&M's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, purposefully or not.
A&M Chancellor on Manziel: 'I Know He's Innocent'
Fullhart: "How do you know he didn't do it?" Sharp: "I just know. I've seen things that other folks can't see. And it didn't happen. It did not happen."
Denying this "rumor" at USC is at least sounds cooler than an autograph scandal.
USC denies Silas Redd met with Snoop Dogg: A summary of college football in 2013 - SBNation.com
"Silas Redd has never met Snoop Dogg, much less received a ride from him in any type of vehicle. USC head coach Lane Kiffin picked up Silas from the airport on his recruiting visit."
Quarterbacks! Oklahoma made a decision on a starter. USC did not. I would guess both of these teams will be playing the "who is going to start at QB" game for most of the season.
Following a practice Friday evening, Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops officially announced that redshirt freshman Trevor Knight had beaten out Blake Bell for the starting quarterback job.
No one at USC seems to be ready to choose a QB, including Marqise Lee | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports
USC is one week away from opening the college football season at Hawaii and the best wide receiver in the nation still is uncertain who will be throwing him the ball. This was obviously never an issue when Barkley was setting school passing records and competing for the Heisman Trophy.
Lane Kiffin gave up on trying to name a starting quarterback and decided that he would rather be an Ice Cream Man. David Lee Roth understands.
Lane Kiffin and Marqise Lee drive an ice cream truck | Campus Union - SI.com
The USC marching band is one of the best in the land, so why not do something special for them? That’s exactly what Trojans coach Lane Kiffin and wide receiver Marqise Lee did.
MOAR special uniforms!
Friday afternoon, the Horned Frogs rolled out the new duds, which are black with purple and red trim. The red is meant to signify the blood the horned frog shoots from its eyes in self-defense.
In West Texas you weren't a real kid until a Horned Frog had blasted you with some eye blood. #Texasforever
Northwestern debuts all-white uniforms, white helmets vs. Cal - Sippin' On Purple
Northwestern said they had a surprise for the season opener at Cal, and we immediately guessed it was something uniform related. Sure enough, it's an all-white look featuring the debut of white helmets.
Mississippi State and Adidas reveal new Egg Bowl uniforms - For Whom the Cowbell Tolls
After they teased us late Tuesday night, this morning Adidas and Mississippi State football announced the revealing of a new specialized uniform for the 2013 Egg Bowl.
Wisconsin will sport red helmets against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 7, the first time the Badgers have worn red helmets as part of their regular uniforms since the late 1960s.
Jim Delany traveled around to personally tell B1G players to behave themselves.
Jim Delany tells Big Ten football players -- 'Think before you act' - ESPN
"It's a big stage, and it carries with it a lot of responsibilities. Be smart. Look out for yourself, look out for your teammates. Think before you act," Delany said, summarizing his talk.
Final Takes: Making sense of Taylor Martinez - Football Study Hall
The last word on ten recurring themes for the 2013 season. Today: Assessing the nation's most divisive quarterback.
What do you all think about Taylor Martinez? He really is divisive isn't he? If nothing else he is definitely good for a long TD run every now and then.
Mike Leach threatens to deny access to those who report injuries - CougCenter
Washington State head coach Mike Leach told reporters on Wednesday that access to the program would be denied to those who reported injuries that occurred during practice, according to Christian Caple.
Purdue treated us to something that might be worse than Freakbass this week.
"You Oughta be Proud" Video: No, Purdue, We’re Not - Hammer and Rails
Purdue has been taking a proper public shaming on the Internet today.
Sadly that Purdue video disappeared from the interwebs. EDSBS liked this South Carolina video though.
YOU DID IT SOUTH CAROLINA - Every Day Should Be Saturday
Someone made a team-themed song for you that doesn't suck. This isn't borderline good: It's well-shot, brilliantly edited, and features pretty much every major Gamecock football player of note from the past thirty years.
2014 NFL Draft top 100 big board - SBNation.com
#4 Louis Nix III
#13 Stephon Tuitt
I'm guessing that the ND schedule is already too full to accommodate this one.
Michigan, ND, USC talk to Atlanta about kickoff game possibilities - CBSSports.com
As the Chick-Fil-A Bowl looks to schedule kickoff games for 2015 and beyond, president/CEO Gary Stokan has had exploratory talks with several high-profile schools. Stokan told CBSSports.com he's spoken with USC, Michigan, UCLA and Notre Dame on a "very preliminary" basis about future appearances.
This Dan Wolken article on Jack Swarbrick is definitely worth a read.
Wolken Across America Stop 5: Notre Dame
Notre Dame's Jack Swarbrick sees differences among college powers as great as anywhere else.
Looking for a Notre Dame ticket? Get ready to pay up | CSN Chicago
The news is that the average price of a Notre Dame home football ticket sold on the secondary resale market is a whopping $293.90, the highest in college football.
Remember George West?
Coming Home To The Dome: George West ’09 | Fighting Irish Blog
"In my current job I’m in charge of creating and implementing all the game day operations and hospitality events for football weekends," said West. "Throughout a weekend we to have all the logistics worked out for all the traditions we have at Notre Dame. Whether it is the trumpets under the Dome, the Band on the Bond Hall steps or opening the LaBar practice field for fans to come by and see. These are just a few of the things that I deal with in my current position."
Danny Spond's retirement from football was a sad occasion for the Notre Dame community this week. Keith Arnold has more on Spond's statement.
Spond discusses retirement due to hemiplegic migraines | Inside the Irish
A year after being hospitalized from the same ailment during preseason camp, Notre Dame linebacker Danny Spond has been forced to walk away from football because of hemiplegic migraines.
Tony Alford is an awesome human being. Thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the Alford family.
Notre Dame football: Irish support helping Alford cope - South Bend Tribune: Football
Just six days after his brother’s death, Tony Alford returned to Notre Dame to resume his coaching responsibilities as ND’s running backs/slot receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Returning to the practice field was the only thing that felt right for Alford.
Speaking of Alford on the job...
The coaching staff hasn’t changed since it signed a top six recruiting class in February. The continuity of coaches who have been working with each other for a number of years makes recruiting more efficient.
2013 Notre Dame Media Day Quotes - UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site
These transcripts are overflowing with great quotes but as per usual Bobby D stole the show with this gem.
"Both Jaylon (Smith) and Ben (Councell) are going to be stalwarts out there at that outside linebacker position. They are both very different tools. You know if you have a toolbox you are going to need a Phillips head screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver. One's going to be a flathead screwdriver and one is going to be a Phillips head screwdriver. So when you have a screw that needs to be screwed in and it needs a Phillips head screwdriver you better grab a Phillips head screwdriver."
Senior cornerback Bennett Jackson, senior wide receiver TJ Jones and graduate student offensive tackle Zack Martin have been named captains for the 2013 Notre Dame football team.
He gone.
Elijah Hood Makes Statement on his Notre Dame Decommitment
This decision has nothing to do with football or academics. This decision has everything to do about my family. I am deeply blessed to have the opportunities given to me.
NDN talks offense.
ND Nation " Upping the Offensive Ante in 2013
Every team has its own personality, last year’s Irish squad was the scrapper. Stout as any unit in the country on defense, the offense, directed by Chuck Martin, focused on supporting the defense. When in doubt, the Irish traded opportunity for field position and low turnovers. That will likely change in 2013.
HLS predicts the season.
Game by Game Predictions '13: Leprechauns' Revenge - Her Loyal Sons
Another annual installment of the post that made everyone LOVE dancing Leprechauns! AWWWWW YEEEEEEEEAH!
ND Tex knocked this one out of the park.
Friday Roundup: The "'Twas the Week Before Kickoff" Edition - Her Loyal Sons
‘Twas the week before kickoff, and all through Rock’s House Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The mums were planted along the sidelines with care, Even though most fans could care less if they’re there.
Celebrating The REESUS | Subway Domer
I'm not going to sit here and preach the good news of REESUS for very long. There shouldn't be much need. Tommy Rees is a ND guy. He has proved himself to be a great teammate, a reliable option, and perhaps most of all... he has shown his loyalty to Notre Dame despite having every reason to walk another path.
You know what we have been up to around here but if you need to catch up hit our home page and do so. This is it! Once Monday rolls around we will snap into our game week routine and the season will be upon us.