Minnesota players are (for some reason) boycotting football activities, and Georgia gets their top star back
If there has been one theme when it comes to college football this week, it can be summed up in one word: Controversy. Just when we thought that the Wakeyleaks scandal was the height of that, Minnesota Golden Gophers football players showed us otherwise.
This is where we’re obviously going to start today’s College Football Blitz.
Minnesota players boycott all football activities
So, yeah, there’s a bit of a situation surrounding the Holiday Bowl, huh?
We first learned the news on Thursday that Minnesota football players were reportedly planning to boycott all football activities in response to the 10 players who were suspended following a sexual assault investigation. A short time after that report dropped, the players themselves came out and acknowledged the boycott, putting their Holiday Bowl matchup with Washington State on Dec. 27 in serious jeopardy.
The players are boycotting … because their teammates were suspended … for alleged sexual assault. Boy, there’s a lot to take in there with that one.
Of course, you never want to draw any conclusions until all the facts come out, but this just seems headed down a very dangerous road. And to add to that feeling, Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys tweeted out his support of the boycott on Thursday evening.
Furthermore in this issue, for those who are wondering, should Minnesota actually carry this boycott out long enough for them to miss the Holiday Bowl, the game may reportedly turn to 5-7 Northern Illinois to jump in and take the spot. Although, as noted in the report from ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, there would be some difficulties with slotting NIU in place of the boycotting Minnesota.
All around, this just doesn’t seem as if it will end well at all. Only time will tell here.
I think someone should draft Nick Chubb in the … wait, he’s coming back?!
Four Georgia football players announced on Thursday that they would be returning for the 2017 season. Linebackers Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter, as well as running back Sony Michel are three of these players heading back to Athens, which really didn’t stun many. However, the fourth name in this group, running back Nick Chubb, certainly had people snapping their heads in disbelief.
The junior running back is coming back for his senior season, which truly is a surprise. Chubb returned in 2016 following a devastating knee injury in 2015, and he rushed for 988 yards on 207 carries with seven touchdowns. That right there should have been enough to show NFL scouts that the knee was healthy and he was ready to roll for an NFL team in 2017.
Well Chubb is ready to roll — but for the Bulldogs for one more season. Of course, between this announcement and the return of Jacob Eason under center, you would have to imagine that the preseason hype for Georgia to win the SEC East in 2017 will be absolutely off the charts, despite the disappointing campaign they just endured.
But with this news, let’s take a live look at UGA fans right now for the time being.
Goodbye, Leonard Fournette
Just like that, the college football career of Leonard Fournette is over. Friday, Fournette announced the news that we sort of all saw coming, that being he won’t be taking part in the Citrus Bowl for the LSU Tigers against Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals. Instead, he will focus his efforts on healing that nagging ankle and getting ready for the NFL Draft next spring.
One of the most highly touted recruits that we have seen this generation, Fournette officially finishes up his LSU career with 3,830 yards on 616 carries with 40 touchdowns. He never won a Heisman, like many thought he may the past two seasons, but holy hell was he fun to watch.
He was as lethal of a killer out of the backfield as we have ever seen, and the sport of college football will truly miss him.
You go get that money now, big man!
Final Thoughts
- This Minnesota ordeal has, like, zero chance of ending well at all. In all of it, though, let’s all please remember that there is a potential sexual assault victim embroiled in all of this.
- If Chubb wants to come back to school, good on him. Now let’s just all hold hands and pray nothing bad happens.
- Leonard not playing in the bowl game is just fine. Let me wave millions of American dollars in front of your face and see if you wanna risk it.
Thoughts on today’s college football news? Let us know in the comments below.