A JERSEY GUY: ACC Should Consider a Military Option in Commissioner Search
Just some random thoughts as the COVID-19 college football season turns into November.
The Atlantic Coast Conference continues on a fast track to have a new commissioner chosen before the end of the calendar year.
While there have been several well qualified names mentioned in the mix, the ACC might want to look "outside of the box'' to a person who is going to guide the conference through what could be the most turbulent times in its history.
Here's someone to consider. Lt. General Darryl A Williams, who also happens to be the Superintendent at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
Williams, 59, grew up in Virginia, played three years of football for Army and then went on to a military career in which he has run the show at NATO, served as the point man for President Obama on the West African Ebola Virus in Africa and also for the past few years filled the role as the first black Superintendent of Cadets at Army.
But here's the kicker.
As storied as his military career has been, Williams has told friends that the one job he coveted was to be the Commissioner of the ACC.
If the ACC wants to make a statement and needs a leader with a presence, making a call to West Point might well be in order.
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The cancellation of the Nebraska-Wisconsin game on Saturday might be the forerunner of the weeks head in college football, The Big Ten's delay in starting its season meant there was no wiggle room for COVID-19 issues "postponing games.
There are no open dates for Big Ten schools, so postponements are now cancellations.
The Pac-12, which does not begin its season until next weekend has even less room.
Nebraska-Wisconsin will not be the first scheduling casualty.
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If we had to do a Heisman Trophy ballot right now, it would probably be 1. Ohio State QB Justin Fields, 2. Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence and 3. Alabama QB Mac Jones.
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Projecting New Year's Six Bowl Games
Final Four Semifinals
Sugar—Georgia vs. Clemson
Rose—Ohio State vs. Alabama
Cotton Bowl—Oklahoma State vs. Michigan
Orange Bowl—Florida vs. Notre Dame.
Peach Bowl—Cincinnati vs. Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl—Oregon vs. BYU
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Is it possible that the Group of Five schools could have three unbeaten teams: Cincinnati, BYU and Liberty?
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We will say it now BEFORE the game. The Pac-12 and Fox's decision to make Arizona State play USC at 9 am local time on November 7th is about the 10,000th reason why the powers that be in college football could give a damn about the "welfare'' of the players.
Both USC and Arizona will be forced to get up before DAWN on game day is just one of the reasons why this game, which has been scheduled to fit into the Fox national television Noon (Eastern) time slot, was scheduled with little or no concern for the participants.