Scott Frost

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost told reporters the team would explore other options to play in 2020 if the Big Ten cancels the season.

"Our University is committed to playing no matter what, no matter what that looks like and how that looks. We want to play no matter who it is or where it is."#Huskers HC Scott Frost on opponents for 2020. pic.twitter.com/kTPN9znv0v

— Huskers Radio Network (@HuskersRadio) August 10, 2020

The Detroit Free Press reported Monday that 12 of the Big Ten's 14 schools voted to cancel the season, with Nebraska and Iowa the lone dissenters, though the conference has denied that any such vote took place. 

DP was told an hour ago that the Big 10 and Pac 12 will cancel their football seasons tomorrow... The ACC and the Big 12 are on the fence.. And the SEC is trying to get teams to join them for a season.

Watch live: https://t.co/sMaeXQkLfl pic.twitter.com/oSUNGMTEqw

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 10, 2020

Frost also argued Nebraska would lose substantial money if the season was canceled and said he believes the players would be safer within the football program than away from it:

Scott Frost says #Nebraska estimates $80-120 million hit if there's no football season. "The biggest factor is if we don't play football, we're not going to be able to pay for anything here until we start making money again."

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 10, 2020

Frost: "The virus is here either way. And I would contend that our players are safer here."

— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) August 10, 2020

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence made a similar argument regarding player safety, though it's fair to question if a football program with hundreds of players, coaches and staff members—traveling around the country—would in fact remain medically responsible once the school year resumed:

So uhhh, college football coaches understand that their solid test C-19 test results during a period when THE CAMPUS OF 25-30K STUDENTS IS EMPTY is not indicative of how it might go when the campus is even half full, right?

— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) August 10, 2020

Frost wasn't the only Big Ten coach to advocate for the season being held Monday:

Swinging as hard as we possibly can right now for these players!! This isn’t over! #FIGHT

— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) August 10, 2020

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh released a statement on why he’s advocating they play football this season citing recent numbers and protocols followed pic.twitter.com/8SBHPlSlQv

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 10, 2020

Monday's report that the Big Ten might cancel its college football season sent shockwaves around the sport, and it remains possible that other conferences could follow suit.

Even some professional sports that have the full array of resources to ensure a safe return to play have already experienced issues. While the NBA, NHL and MLS have resumed game action with minimal to no positive cases in recent testing cycles, Major League Baseball has seen the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals experience inter-organizational outbreaks that have forced a number of game postponements. 

Further, athletes in those sports who choose to play are making hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to do so. Asking unpaid college athletes to take on any potential medical risks is far more ethically dubious. 

Running back Maurice Washington has been dismissed from Nebraska's football team amid his ongoing legal battle after being charged with two crimes last February.

Per Sean Callahan of HuskerOnline.com, the Cornhuskers officially parted ways with Washington on Friday. 

Washington was charged in California with felony possession of child pornography and misdemeanor posting of a photograph or recording of a sexual nature without consent. Washington's ex-girlfriend, who he dated in high school, told police he texted her a video in March 2018 which she said showed her being sexually assaulted by two boys.

The video was recorded in 2016 when she was 15 years old, making it a felony for Washington—who did not participate in the filming of the video—to have possession of the footage. 

Washington turned himself in to authorities in March 2019 after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He committed to Nebraska in 2018 and appeared in 11 games as a freshman. 

After appearing in each of the Cornhuskers' first seven games in 2019, head coach Scott Frost told reporters in October that Washington was suspended for an unrelated team rules violation would need to earn the trust of his teammates and coaching staff before being allowed back.

"Maurice and I are going to have another conversation," Frost said. "I think if he does want to come back there's going to be a lot of things he needs to do to earn his team's trust back and our trust back and we'll see where it goes from there."

Callahan noted Washington had shown up late to team meetings and was "caught with possession of drug paraphernalia" in June. 

Parker Gabriel of the Lincoln Journal Star reported Nebraska expects Washington to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

 

The University of Nebraska announced a two-year contract extension Saturday for Cornhuskers head football coach Scott Frost through 2026.

Chancellor Ronnie Green and athletic director Bill Moos released a joint statement about the deal, which comes despite the Huskers' 4-5 record so far in 2019:

"Two years ago, we had the tremendous opportunity to bring Scott Frost home to Nebraska to lead our football program into the future. We are even more committed to that decision today.

"Coach Frost has shown tremendous leadership in beginning to rebuild our football program. We appreciate that a change of this nature will not happen overnight. We are committed to Scott and the direction he is taking this program.

"Scott is the right coach at the right time for this program. We are excited for the heights to which he will take Nebraska football and the tremendous impact he will have in the development of our student-athletes."

Frost was a quarterback for Nebraska's football team from 1995 through 1997 and returned to his alma mater ahead of the 2018 season as one of the hottest coaching candidates in the country after helping lead UCF to an undefeated campaign in 2017.

The 44-year-old Nebraska native hasn't been able to lead an immediate turnaround of the once-dominant program that won three national championships in a four-year span during the 1990s. The Huskers also won back-to-back titles in 1970 and 1971.

After going 4-8 during his first season in charge, the Cornhuskers must win at least two of their three remaining games this year to earn bowl eligibility. It's an uphill battle with clashes against No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 23 Iowa still on the schedule, along with a toss-up game against Maryland.

Frost hasn't lost confidence, though. He discussed the situation Thursday on KLIN's Sports Nightly (via Evan Bland of the Omaha World-Herald).

"With a few plays here and there, the record would be completely different and this year would be completely different," Frost said. "But that's why we have to keep working and coaches and players alike have to keep doing things a little bit better to get this over the hump."

He added: "We've slugged through some pretty tough times here. It's going to make it even sweeter when we turn the corner."

Pretty soon the results, both on the field and on the recruiting trail, will need to improve to keep the 2017 AP College Football Coach of the Year off the hot seat, though.

Nebraska's 2020 recruiting class currently ranks eighth out of 14 teams in the Big Ten, per 247Sports.

For now, the focus for Frost and the Cornhuskers is Saturday's home game against the Badgers. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.

The shakeups in the Week 2 editions of the AP Top 25 and Amway Coaches Poll were minimal. 

Notre Dame and Texas shifted up a position in the Top 10 of both polls at the expense of Florida, who fell three spots in the AP and two in the Coaches rankings. 

Auburn experienced the largest leap after knocking off Oregon in Week 1's marquee game. The Tigers vaulted six places in the AP to No. 10 and elevated three spots to No. 13 in the eyes of the coaches. 

More movement is expected after Saturday's matchups, as LSU faces Texas and Clemson hosts Texas A&M in Top 15 clashes. 

                            

Week 2 Standings

AP Top 25

1. Clemson (1-0)

2. Alabama (1-0) 

3. Georgia (1-0) 

4. Oklahoma (1-0) 

5. Ohio State (1-0) 

6. LSU (1-0) 

7. Michigan (1-0) 

8. Notre Dame (1-0) 

9. Texas (1-0) 

10. Auburn (1-0) 

11. Florida (1-0) 

12. Texas A&M (1-0) 

13. Utah (1-0) 

14. Washington (1-0) 

15. Penn State (1-0) 

16. Oregon (0-1) 

17. Wisconsin (1-0) 

18. UCF (1-0) 

19. Michigan State (1-0)

20. Iowa (1-0) 

21. Syracuse (1-0) 

22. Washington State (1-0)

23. Stanford (1-0) 

24. Boise State (1-0) 

T25. Iowa State (1-0) 

T25. Nebraska (1-0) 

               

Amway Coaches Poll

1. Clemson

2. Alabama

3. Georgia

4. Oklahoma

5. Ohio State

6. LSU 

7. Michigan

8. Notre Dame

9. Texas

10. Florida

11. Texas A&M 

12. Washington

13. Auburn

14. Penn State

15. Utah

16. Wisconsin

17. UCF

18. Oregon

19. Iowa

20. Michigan State

21. Washington State

22. Syracuse

23. Stanford

24. Boise State

25. Nebraska

                  

Analysis

Teams ranked in the AP Top 25 went 23-0 against unranked opponents in Week 1, per the Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo. 

The results marked the first time since October 2017 that no Top 25 squad lost to a side outside of the rankings, per Russo. 

Top 25 teams went 23-0 against unranked teams to start this season.

It's the first time no ranked team lost to an unranked team in a full slate of regular-season games since Oct. 2017.
It's the first time only one ranked team lost since Sept. 2013 https://t.co/kHWdQ0YCyG

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) September 3, 2019

The boosts handed to Notre Dame and Texas were based off better performances in the eyes of voters compared to Florida's Week 0 victory over Miami. 

Reddit College Football compiled all of the AP votes into a graphic. Florida was listed outside the Top 10 in over 20 of the ballots. 

Every Week 2 #APTop25 Poll at a glance. (h/t @colpolltracker for helping sort out technical issues). pic.twitter.com/sNErTVqqjQ

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2019

OnlyGators.com spun Florida's drop by pointing out the Gators' Week 0 triumph matters in the eyes of the College Football Playoff selection committee because it came against a Power Five opponent, and if they keep winning, they will be recognized: 

AP voters don't matter one iota. #Gators' drop from 8-11 this week does not either. The Power Five scheduling matters for the CFP Selection Committee. Florida, Auburn and Notre Dame will all get credit for playing the games they did. Just keep winning.https://t.co/QN6QQcEaSY

— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) September 3, 2019

Auburn's leap into the Top 10 over Florida kept four SEC sides in the upper echelon. The six-spot move also gave the conference six squads in the first 12 placements in each poll. 

Oregon's cost of losing in the final minute to Auburn was five positions, as it dropped to No. 16 and No. 18 ahead of its Week 2 meeting with Nevada. 

The biggest loser other than Oregon was Iowa State, who tumbled into a tie for 25th with Nebraska in the AP and dropped out of the Coaches poll. 

Dylan Montz of the Ames Tribune noted there were worries among Cyclones fans that they would lose their position. 

The drop was triggered by a triple-overtime win over FCS side Northern Iowa in what was one of the worst winning performances by a ranked side. 

Nebraska was also far from impressive in its 35-21 home triumph over South Alabama. The Huskers stayed in both polls but earned the lowest total votes of programs listed in the two rankings. 

Boise State's entrance at No. 24 extended its streak of appearing in a poll for the 18th straight season, per Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman.

The Broncos' road win over Florida State earned them over 150 points in the two listings, and that is a number that can improve if they take advantage of a three-game home stand against Marshall, Portland State and Air Force.

                    

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Clemson obliterated Alabama to win the 2018 national championship, and the college football world is happily celebrating the Tigers' title while reflecting on another enjoyable season.

Ha. Yeah, right.

The countdown to the 2019 campaign starts now! As has become the norm, Alabama and Clemson will begin the season as the favorites. Which team will open atop the rankings, though?

Bleacher Report's panel of experts―Matt Hayes, David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Kerry Miller, Brad Shepard and Ian Wharton―cast a ballot looking forward to the 2019 season. A first-place vote was worth 25 points, followed by 24 points for second, etc.

Yes, plenty will change between now and then. There will be NFL draft declarations, transfers, injuries and even some coaching moves. Think of this Top 25 as an initial expectation/offseason hype list.

            

B/R's Super Early 2019 Top 25

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Ohio State
6. Oklahoma
7. Notre Dame
8. LSU
9. Washington
10. Michigan
11. Texas A&M
12. Florida
13. UCF
14. Oregon
15. Utah
16. Iowa
17. Iowa State
18. Penn State
19. Wisconsin
20. Washington State
21. Auburn
22. Utah State
23. Northwestern
24. Houston
25. Nebraska

Other top teams receiving votes: USC, Army, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Baylor, Cincinnati, Stanford

          

The Favorites

Alabama and Clemson atop the ranking? Shocking, right? Both programs return superstar quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence to highlight rosters full of elite talent. They deserve to be here. And if you prefer Clemson atop the list, great.

And this is where the "Rest of Y'all" bus begins.

Georgia fell a fourth quarter shy of returning to the College Football Playoff, and Ohio State has landed fifth in the final CFP poll for two straight seasons. No surprises with their inclusions.

Rounding out the top five is Texas. Once mainstays in the preseason top 10, the Longhorns last appeared there in 2010. Thanks to the 10-win season punctuated by a dismantling of Georgia, however, they will be the "biggest riser" of the summer.

The Longhorns are back—at least for eight months.

                 

The Next Tier

Oklahoma is the Big 12 champion for the fourth year in a row. You can debate whether the Sooners should be higher, but it's inarguable that they deserve this level of respect.

The big unknown right now is at the quarterback position. Kyler Murray will likely pursue a professional career, leaving Austin Kendall as the only experienced player with 5-star Spencer Rattler now on campus. Yet as long as Lincoln Riley is the coach, we're not doubting OU.

Notre Dame may be a divisive team following its CFP appearance. The Fighting Irish took advantage of their expected top competition having a bad 2018, but a senior-heavy defense plus quarterback Ian Book should keep them in the conversation.

Washington must reload on both sides of the ball, particularly the nation's 11th-ranked defense. If that process goes well, though, Georgia transfer Jacob Eason should provide an upgrade at quarterback and make UW a threat.

LSU and Michigan fit a similar mold with capable offenses and top-tier defenses. But the question is the same: Can they beat Alabama or Ohio State to truly contend?

        

Stay Frosty

Any number of outlets will highlight breakout teams for 2019. Get ready to see Nebraska, our No. 25 team, on every one.

Scott Frost began his tenure 0-6, dealing with a reshaped roster in a new system with a true freshman quarterback. Because patience in college football is like rain in Death Valley, talk of his $26 million buyout surfaced as the Cornhuskers struggled.

Then, wouldn't you know it, NU earned four victories in the last six games. Quarterback Adrian Martinez showed he's an ideal fit in Frost's offense and provided real hope for the future―something senior linebacker Luke Gifford alluded to after the season.

Senior Luke Gifford was emotional in the postgame room. Had tears in his eyes as he spoke about the future of the program. "I'm so happy for these guys. They're going to win a ton of games here." #Huskers

— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) November 23, 2018

Even a No. 25 ranking is immense faith in a 4-8 team, especially considering Kentucky and Syracuse didn't make the cut. The Huskers must replace a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver, plus several key defenders, in an improving Big Ten West.

But this is another piece of evidence that benefit of the doubt won't be an issue entering Frost's second year.

             

Low Expectations for West Virginia

During each of the last three seasons, the AP Top 25 has included West Virginia for at least seven weeks. The program had seven-plus appearances in five of Dana Holgorsen's eight years as head coach.

However, he left Morgantown to replace Major Applewhite at Houston, where the now-former WVU boss previously served as the offensive coordinator. Instead of seeing the Mountaineers in the Top 25, Holgo's new team is featured at 24.

Incoming coach Neal Brown has a lot to prove.

Fortunately for WVU, it may withstand the major departure of All-Big 12 quarterback Will Grier. The Jack Allison Hype Train is destined to come screaming down the tracks soon, and the defense returns a majority of its production.

Yet in B/R's poll, West Virginia received zero voting points. You're welcome for the shoulder chip, West Virginia.