Administrative
This is going to be a light week for me in terms of content at STP. Fitsum has his junior high district track meet today and he runs the 2,400, which is usually the first race, and the 1,600, which usually the second to last race. Then on Thursday, I’m headed out of town for a day and drive back on Friday, and on Saturday, Youssouf has basketball in Waco. So yeah, it’s going to be a busy week for me, but also maybe a light week for content here at STP.
On the Diamond
I keep wondering if there’s going to be a moment when Texas Tech decides that they’re going to go on a heater and win a bunch of games consistently, maybe this is it. Texas Tech beat Stanford 10-9 with a walk-off from Austin Green in the 11th inning. Kevin Bazzell had 2 homers and went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI while TJ Pompey also homered was 1 for 5 with 3 RBI, and Owen Washburn had a dinger as well. Jack Washburn got the start and he’s still struggling a bit, going just 3 innings and giving up 2 runs, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. The bullpen had 6 pitchers contribute to the game, Max Huffling struggled in his inning as did Jacob Rogers, but Trendan Parish, Josh Sanders, Derek Bridges, and Parker Hutyra all pitched well. They’ll play again today at noon.
On the Gridiron
Dallas Morning News’ Justin Apodaca writes about LT Sterling Porcher as the possible left tackle along with Maurice Rodriques and then looks at the STAR position and BJ Jordan as well as AJ McCarty:
“It’s real fun because it’s not like any problems between us two,” Jordan said of the position battle.
“He’s a great athlete, great teammate too, I will say that. Him coming in from Baylor, he has a lot of experience. Me and him just compete against each other, try to make each other better. At the end of the day, that’s my guy, my teammate. So you know, best player, best man goes, next man up, but that competition only makes us better.”
McCarty echoed a similar tone when talking about the battle, noting it’s nothing but love between the defensive backs.
“Me and BJ, we have to compete, man, I love it and he loves it, as well,” McCarty said. “He’s a great athlete, great football player, his IQ is crazy, especially because this is like his second year. I think he’s a really great player. The way I’m approaching it is, I’m gonna come in every day and work and try to get better myself, but I’m also going to push him to get better. I look at it, it’s a competition but at the end of the day it’s a brotherhood and I respect that.”
I’ve done a terrible job of covering the Florida State and Clemson situations against the ACC, simply because I can’t keep track everything. CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd writes about what happens if Florida State and Clemson leave. I’m quoting this portion regarding the possibility that the Big 12 could be an option if the SEC and Big Ten don’t work out:
Big 12 option: While the goal for FSU and Clemson is to join the Big Ten or SEC, the Big 12 could serve as a fallback plan. But if the ‘Noles and Tigers aren’t worth that $60 million per year number for the SEC, which seems to be the minimum cover charge to make a move, why would they take less money just to leave the ACC?
A Big 12 union seems possible if rightholders would be willing to increase the value of the league’s media rights agreement; its teams are currently set to earn $32 million per year, lowest among the Power Four. That’s a revenue gap of $28 million with the SEC and $43 million with the Big Ten.
And then a portion about the legal implications and it does feel that at some point there feels like coercion by the SEC and Big Ten, but I’m not smart enough to think that’s real or that there’s a cause of action:
Looming legal threat: Further realignment should be accompanied by a giant caution sign for the Big Ten and SEC, which must balance their massive power after CFP revenue distribution was finalized. Together, they are getting 58% of the CFP revenue beginning in 2026, but they also control a much higher percentage of TV ratings, attendance and fan interest.
If the Big Ten and SEC are perceived to have any influence on FSU and Clemson leaving the ACC for their leagues, antitrust implications coming out of Washington, D.C. may soon follow.
“At what size are you too big that Department of Justice looks at you cross eyed [meaning] you control too much market size?” one industry source told CBS Sports.