Clan-Members » ad withdrawn its cross-appeal in th

The third College Football Playoff rankings had barely been released before Bill Hancock, the CFPs executive director, reiterated that the system is working.We are confident, Hancock said Sunday, that four is the right number.But eight is so much more fun! And it seems that the majority of fans want the playoff to expand! And every playoff in every major American sport has eventually grown bigger!I dont anticipate any discussion about expansion, Hancock said.Hancock is a prince of a guy, but when it comes to college footballs postseason, hes the smiling sheriff of the fun police. Just because the sports decision-makers arent interested in exploring an eight-team playoff doesnt mean we cant drum up one.Why eight teams? Many believe eight is the sweet spot for the college football playoff: more national representation but not too much, and only one more round of competition.What would an eight-team playoff look like this season? The exercise is part reality and part subjectivity.To acknowledge the selection committee members, we will use their top four: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Washington.Now, the fun part: We pick the next four!They are: No. 5 Penn State, No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 USC and No. 8 Oklahoma. Despite a 39-point loss at Michigan Stadium, Penn State is ahead of the Wolverines because of its overall profile (wins over Ohio State, Wisconsin, Temple and Iowa) and conference championship. USC didnt win its conference or division but has two better wins -- Washington and Colorado -- than anything on Oklahomas résumé. Plus, outside of Alabama, USC is the team no one wants to play.The first four out: Wisconsin, Florida State, Colorado and Western Michigan.Heres how a hypothetical eight-team playoff would look this year.No. 1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2) The Sooners want to show theyre not the same team that started 1-2, and coach Bob Stoops always craves chances to take down the SECs best. The game features the nations most dominant defense against a surging Oklahoma offense featuring quarterback Baker Mayfield, running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, and transcendent wide receiver Dede Westbrook. It would take a lot for Oklahoma to win, but the Sooners have the type of offense -- coordinated by Lincoln Riley -- that tends to give Alabama trouble. Crimson Tide wide receivers Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart would look to attack a vulnerable OU secondary.No. 2 Clemson (12-1) vs. No. 7 USC (9-3) Who wouldnt want to see this matchup? It has it all: game-changing quarterbacks in Clemsons Deshaun Watson and USCs Sam Darnold, NFL-ready wide receivers in Clemsons Mike Williams and USCs JuJu Smith-Schuster, solid running back play, and elite cornerbacks in USCs?Adoree Jackson?and Clemsons Cordrea Tankersley. If you like speed and highlights, this game will not disappoint. Clemson has been on the big stage much more often than USC in recent years, but the Trojans showed at Washington that they are coming back strong.No. 3 Ohio State (11-1) vs. No. 6 Michigan (10-2) Yes, we get to see The Game again. It wont be quite the same at a neutral site (unless the hypothetical playoff begins on campus, which isnt a bad thing at all), but these teams are so evenly matched that drama is inevitable. Michigan had the right blueprint to beat Ohio State the first time around. If quarterback Wilton Speight?could take better care of the football against an opportunistic Buckeyes defense, the Wolverines likely would advance. Ohio State would once again lean on Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore,?Raekwon McMillan?and the defense, as well as veteran signal-caller J.T. Barrett, to beat its archrival for the second time and advance to the semifinals.No. 4 Washington (12-1) vs. No. 5 Penn State (11-2) We debated these two through the night and into Sunday, but in an eight-team playoff, the Huskies and Nittany Lions settle it on the field. Underrated quarterbacks Jake Browning (Washington) and Trace McSorley (Penn State) lead big-play offenses with excellent running backs -- Washingtons Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman, and Penn States Saquon Barkley -- and perimeter threats in John Ross III?and DaeSean Hamilton. Washington has the more decorated defense, highlighted by Budda Baker and Sidney Jones in the secondary, but Penn States defense gave Ohio State fits and steadily improved as the season went along.Nick Bonino Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Mattias Ekholm Predators Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/Miikka-salomaki-predators-jersey/ .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Pekka Rinne Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Juuse Saros Predators Jersey . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1.Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank should not be allowed near any athlete after the AFL appeals board dismissed his case, ASADA chief Ben McDevitt says.Dank failed to turn up for his hearing last week as he attempted to overturn his lifetime ban imposed over the Essendon supplements saga.The appeals board on Monday dismissed his appeal, granting an application by the AFL and ASADA to have the case thrown out.Dank cited a family medical emergency for his absence from his hearing but failed to provide documents supporting his claim by last Fridays deadline.In a statement on Monday, board members Peter OCallaghan QC, Murray Kellam AO and Geoff Giudice AO cited Danks lack of co-operation and communication in dismissing his appeal.ASADA chief McDevitt went a step further, saying Dank had treated the board with contempt and describing his appeal as a farce.From the start, Mr Dank has failed to comply with directions from the board, failed to ever produce a witness list or evidence, and failed to ever outline his case for the appeal, despite requests from the board, McDevitt said.This has been a total waste of time and money.Mr Danks life-long ban from involvement in sport is entirely appropriate. This man should not be allowed near any athlete, anywhere in the world, ever.With Danks lifetime ban remaining in place, McDevitt said ASADA had withdrawn its cross-appeal in the interests of time and resources.ddddddddddddDank last week claimed he still intended to face the board despite missing his hearing, adding that Jobe Watson would have his surrendered Brownlow Medal back by the time his case was resolved.My most desired outcome, of course, is for everyone to be cleared, Dank said on FiveAA.Unfortunately players have served suspensions so that time cant be given back to the players ... but I think by the time weve finished this hearing Jobe will have his Brownlow back ... Ive got no problems with that.Watson was one of 34 past and present Bombers players banned for the 2016 season for violations of the anti-doping code arising from the clubs 2012 supplements program, overseen by Dank.Watsons returned Brownlow Medal was awarded to Richmonds Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell - then with Hawthorn - by the AFL commission earlier this month.A key figure in the Essendon supplements saga, Dank was banned for life from working in any sport in Australia or overseas after the AFL anti-doping tribunal found him guilty of 10 anti-doping code breaches. ' ' '