Maryland Joins Big Ten and Other College Football Notes
Maryland announced Monday that it was accepting an invitation to join the Big Ten conference. Rutgers is expected to make a similar announcement on Tuesday. So, for those keeping track at home, the Big Ten will have 14 teams, the Big 12 has 10, and San Diego State will be in the Big East. Got it?
Here's more on the Big Ten announcement as well as some other news and notes from around college football:
MARYLAND TO BIG TEN
Regents for the University of Maryland have voted to accept an offer to join the Big Ten Conference. Rutgers is also expected to follow suit and an official announcement about the Big Ten going to 14 teams could come as early as Tuesday. This move would reportedly be worth up to $200 million annually in Big Ten Network cable-subscription fees in the New York and Washington media markets.
TENNESSEE FIRES COACH DOOLEY
On Sunday Tennessee fired coach Derek Dooley after three seasons. Dooley went just 15-21 in Knoxville, including 4-19 in conference games and 0-15 against ranked opponents. Under Dooley, the Volunteers have finished with a losing record for three straight years, the first time that has happened since 1909-11. Sources say the Vols are heavily targeting former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden as his replacement. Former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has also been mentioned as under consideration. Dooley’s successor—whoever it is—will be the Vols’ fourth coach in six years.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Two weeks full of upsets have thrown the BCS national title picture for a loop. Here’s what we know right now:
- if Notre Dame beats USC this weekend, they’re in
- if Alabama beats Auburn and Georgia beats Georgia Tech this weekend, then the winner of the SEC championship game gets a shot
- but if any of those three fall victim to (another) upset this weekend, then things get really interesting
- if Notre Dame loses and Florida knocks off Florida State, the Gators could find the back door into another all-SEC title game against the SEC champions
MIAMI IMPOSES BOWL BAN FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
Still awaiting a final verdict from the NCAA, Miami has decided to self-impose a bowl ban for the second straight year. The Hurricanes are still under investigation for numerous recruiting violations made public by a former booster. Miami hopes that imposing penalties on itself now will help minimize their punishment when the NCAA finally makes a ruling in the case.
MINNESOTA'S TOP RECEIVER LEAVES TEAM, ACCUSES COACHES OF ABUSE
Minnesota’s leading receiver has left the team, but not without delivering a lengthy letter blasting coach Jerry Kill first.
BARKLEY OUT VS. NOTRE DAME
USC quarterback Matt Barkley suffered a sprained shoulder in last week’s loss to UCLA and will not be able to play this week against top-ranked Notre Dame.