And how does U of A stack up against the rest of the conference?

With the departure of Donte Williams to Nebraska, the subject of how much Arizona Wildcats assistant football coaches has been kind of a hot topic recently.

Luckily for us, USA Today released their assistant coach salary database. Here’s a look at how much Arizona’s coaches make, and how they rank in the entire NCAA:

Williams obviously now makes more than what is listed here. He will now make $400,000 a season, which goes up to $425k/year in Feb. 2018.

When talking about Arizona’s ability to compete year in and year out, it kind of starts with how much money is available for assistant coaches, and if those coaches will actually get multi-year contracts moving forward.

So let’s compare how the $2,834,900 figure compares to the rest of the Pac-12 (USC and Stanford do not have to release these numbers, so they don’t):

Arizona is being outspent by just about everyone in the South except for this year’s division champion, Colorado.

In the individual coach ranks, Calvin Magee is the 7th-highest paid assistant in the conference. Marcel Yates is 11th. So Arizona is paying its coordinators about on par with the rest of the conference, but the other assistant positions are much lower (Vince Amey is among the worst-paid coaches in all of the Power Five conferences).

This also gives a pretty good idea of why Williams left Arizona after just one year for bigger and better things at Nebraska. There wasn’t a lot of future for him in Tucson, so he got an opportunity to move up in the coaching ranks by taking the exact same job he had at UA. He also has better job security thanks to a multi-year contract. If you’re criticizing him for that move, then you’re living in some sort of alternative reality.

If Arizona wants to seriously compete in the Pac-12 each and every year, a few things need to change, but near the top of the list is the structure of assistant coach contracts. Both the years need to be increased, as well as the yearly salary. Whoever the head coach is won’t be able to bring in the best of the best because they will be handcuffed by the amount of money available, and by the fact most of these coaches are on year-to-year deals.

One more accolade for Coach Franklin, and it probably won’t be the last.

Sporting News named Penn State’s James Franklin as their pick for Coach of the Year, adding to the growing list of accolades for the Nittany Lions head coach.

Franklin been named Big Ten Coach of the Year and David McClain Coach of the Year (as honored by Big Ten media). The last Penn State coach to earn Sporting News Coach of the Year honors was Joe Paterno in 2005, also the last time that Penn State won the Big Ten conference title.

Franklin is also a finalist for the 2016 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award as presented by the Football Writers Association of America.

In his third year, Franklin has guided the Lions to a nine game winning streak, an 11-2 record, the Big Ten East title (their second divisional title), their first Big Ten Conference championship since 2008, a College Football Playoff ranking of No. 5 (the highest ranking since 2009) and a spot in the January 2 Rose Bowl against USC.

Not too shabby.

Congratulations, Coach!

Virginia Tech’s top target, safety Devon Hunter, originally planned to announce his college intentions on Christmas Eve, but now has moved that announcement into the new year.

Devon Hunter, Virginia Tech’s top remaining target for the class of 2017, announced on Tuesday he was pushing his decision back into January. Originally, Hunter had planned on announcing his college intentions on Christmas Eve.

The 4-star safety from Indian River High School in Chesapeake, is a must-get for the Hokies in this recruiting cycle.

A talented two-way player in high school, Hunter will likely play defensive back at the next level. He has long been considered a Virginia Tech lean, but some of the nation’s top programs continue to push Hunter, including Alabama, Auburn and Florida. Florida, of course, has former VT defensive backs coach Torrian Gray in pursuit of Hunter.

The announcement likely has Virginia Tech fans in a state of panic. The recruiting misses of Josh Sweat, Derrick Nnadi and Da’Shawn Hand, just to name a few, in recent years have led Hokie faithful to expect the worst.

However, there are many reasons to be optimistic in the case of Hunter. All along, sources close to Hunter—and Hunter himself—have maintained the Hokies are the team to beat. Sure, that can change in an instant, but with the Hokies recent string of momentum it is OK for to feel good about Hunter. And, remember before the season began when the Hokies chose Hunter to unveil the special uniforms for the “Battle at Bristol?” That stuff means a lot to recruits.

So, Hokie fans, relax.

WSU will be in either northern or southern California

Good morning, and welcome to college football’s version of Christmas Day. By 9:15 (PST) this morning, the College Football Playoff committee will have announced its four participants (almost certainly Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Washington – probably in that order). Once that is complete, and once everyone commences yelling about how the dumb stupid morons on the CFP committee got it wrong because they’re all dumb and stupid, the rest of the bowls will announce their matchups.

It is then that we all expect the Holiday Bowl to extend an invitation to WSU, which will be happily accepted. The signs all point to the Cougs facing either Iowa or Minnesota. The guess here (and elsewhere) is that Iowa ends up in Tampa and the Golden Gophers head to San Diego. If WSU does indeed face Minnesota, it will do so 10 years after Mike Leach faced the Gophers in a bowl game. You might remember that as the greatest comeback in bowl history, as the Red Raiders rallied from a 38-7 deficit to force overtime, ultimately winning 44-41.

A rematch between Leach and the Gophers would probably be a fun one, as it would be a clash of styles. While the Cougs are well-known for the Air Raid, the Gophers had more rushing yards in 2016 than passing yards. They also don’t beat themselves, giving up 37 points off of turnovers while scoring 93 points off opponent turnovers.

Since I spent three paragraphs talking about the likelihood of a trip to San Diego to face Minnesota, the Cougs are all but guaranteed to either draw Iowa, or head to the Foster Farms Bowl. Either way, we get to find out pretty soon. And at least we know that WSU won’t be in El Paso the day after Christmas.

The CFP selection show begins at 9 a.m. PST on ESPN and lasts four hours, during which you will hear every lava-hot take from every ESPN analyst who ever lived. If that isn’t enough for you, flip on over to ESPNU at 1 p.m. for the Championship Drive Bowl Selection Show. Hopefully they’ll dedicate a minute or three to the Cougs. Merry College Football Christmas.

Football

Washington State likely headed to Holiday Bowl | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State will know its bowl destination by early Sunday afternoon, and all signs right now point to the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27 in San Diego.

Pac-12 Final Regular Season Rankings, Bowl Projections, Scores | College Football News

Welcome to the Pac-12 rankings, bowl projections and scores in the final week of the college football season.

Bowl watch: Still plenty of options for Holiday, Poinsettia bowls – The San Diego Union-Tribune

The Cougars, who haven’t been to the Holiday since a 2003 win over Texas, are expected to bring plenty of fans after a resurgent season. Stanford has turned its season around with five straight wins, has never played in a bowl game here and has one of the country’s most exciting players in Christian McCaffrey.

Basketball

WSU’s bad basketball team played a bad basketball team from New Orleans Saturday. Once all the bad basketball was over, the Cougars were once again on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

New Orleans downs cold-shooting Washington State | The Spokesman-Review
For the second time in a week, the Washington State men’s basketball team competed on its own floor and played a lackluster game that resulted in a loss against an inspired opponent.

Beer

Best beer I had this week: I was all set to come in here and tell everyone that Dogfish Head Pennsylvania Tuxedo Imperial Pale Ale was easily the best of a lot of good beer I had. It is tremendous. Then I tasted another beer I bought at the same time, and a new winner emerged. Genesee Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter is one of the best beers I’ve had this year.

Non-Sports

Lee Harvey Oswald’s little green book shows JFK wasn’t the real target – LA Times
James Reston Jr. offers an address book belonging to Lee Harvey Oswald as additional evidence indicating that President Kennedy wasn’t the target of the Dallas assassination.

The only question is the timing.

Unsurprisingly, Alabama backup QB Cooper Bateman has decided to become a graduate transfer and has already been granted his release, per Matt Zenitz of Al.com.

Complicating matters is Alabama’s inevitable bid to the College Football Playoff. If Bateman’s new chosen team wants him to participate in their bowl practice to better prepare for next season, he may leave immediately. At that point David Cornwell would be the only scholarship QB on the roster other than starter Jalen Hurts.

The Tide would also need to find a new holder to replace Bateman on field goals and extra points.

Stay Tuned.

It will be a drama-free Sunday for Wolverines across the nation.

College Football’s regular season is over and now all eyes are on the playoff committee and the subsequent bowls that churn out on Sunday afternoon.

Michigan needed help with Washington and/or Clemson losing to throw them back into the mix. That did not happen and now their postseason destination has become extremely clear.

Every major outlet currently has the Wolverines heading to the Orange Bowl to take on Florida State, though some still have Louisville in the mix for that Dec. 30 game. Ohio State is likely locked in to a playoff spot and Big Ten Champion Penn State (very weird to type that, truthfully) is Rose Bowl bound. Wisconsin appears headed for the Cotton Bowl against the Western Michigan Broncos.

We will see what Sunday brings, but expect the Wolverines to be announced as an Orange Bowl team when the assignments drop.

The playoff will be set at 12:30 p.m. ET and the New Year’s Six bowl pairings will be out at 2:30 pm. ET.

Early-morning musings after a disappointing collapse in Indianapolis.

Play of the Game

Wisconsin was up 28-7 in the second quarter when Penn State started to drive down the field. With 58 seconds left in the first half, sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley threw a pass to junior wide receiver Saeed Blacknall. Junior cornerback Lubern Figaro misplayed his angle and allowed the junior wide receiver to run 40 yards for a touchdown and gave the Nittany Lions some momentum heading into halftime.

That would lead to a string of five consecutive scoring drives, and Wisconsin—albeit for one field-goal drive in the second half—could not answer. Even if there’s a stop there for a first down, there could have been opportunities for Wisconsin’s defense to regroup and make a stop against what would become a surging Penn State offense.

This play did not lose the game for Wisconsin, but rather, started the pendulum swinging permanently toward Penn State in an uncharacteristically sloppy game on the defensive side of the ball.

Honorable mention: Bart Houston’s incompletion to Troy Fumagalli late in the third quarter due to Penn State’s pressure.

Game balls

1. Trace McSorley. Not much else really needs to be said here. The sophomore quarterback went 22-of-31 for 384 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. He allowed his receivers to make plays throughout the game, and Wisconsin’s secondary did not have any answers for an explosive Penn State offense in the second half. McSorley and the Nittany Lions’ passing attack, which survived pressure and failed fourth-down attempts in the second quarter, decimated the Badgers.
2. Corey Clement. The senior running back had two fumbles on the evening that could have spelled disaster for Wisconsin’s offensive momentum, but he also had his best game of the season, rushing for 164 yards on 21 carries (7.8 yards per carry) and his 67-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Behind an offensive line and multiple-tight end sets, Clement looked truer to his 2014 form than any other game this season. If injuries to Clement and the offensive line didn’t happen earlier in the year, it would have been intriguing to see what else he could have accomplished in the stats column (guessing higher yards per carry).

What to watch for

1. The bowl matchup. A lot of chatter about facing Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl. If that’s the case, that’s a New Year’s Six Bowl. It could be against P.J. Fleck and his Broncos, and the Badgers will have to row their own boat against a raging current of kinetic energy who may (or may not) be with his MAC program next year. It’s also essentially a trap game where it could be a lose-lose proposition. If they do make it there, and with the projections many had for this UW squad heading into the 2016 season, it’d be a worthy destination. Where they go will be worth watching on Sunday. Stay tuned to B5Q for all breaking news.
2. Other bowls. Pretty sure the top four are set with Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Washington for the College Football Playoff, but where Penn State and Michigan end up will worth noting (will the Nittany Lions upend the Buckeyes or Huskies somehow?), along with the other bowl matchups.
3. Perspective. Wisconsin (both players and fans) should feel disappointed they were 15 minutes from a Big Ten championship and a potential College Football Playoff or Rose Bowl berth (entering the fourth quarter with a 31-28 lead). The Wisconsin State Journal’s Tom Oates admitted the collapse was the “biggest surprise in a surprising season.” Hearing post-game audio from players, this loss will sting and it will last with them for a bit, but as cornerback Sojourn Shelton noted, they’ll lick their wounds and bounce back for the next game. This team exceeded almost everyone’s expectations for 2016 with talk of an 8-4 or 9-3 season being the most optimistic of predictions with their “daunting” schedule. Now UW has a chance for its fourth 11-win season since 2010. There will be the talk of “what might have been” for sure, and it absolutely should be discussed after losing three games to top-seven teams Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State by a combined total of 21 points. Yet Paul Chryst has a solid coaching staff and only 13 seniors departing for a team full of experienced players returning next year. Fans should excited for next year, and also a possible Jan. 2 bowl that no one thought Wisconsin would get to.
4. More possible Walk-On This Way book signings. They won’t end (in a good way, promise!). Coming up in the next week or two before Christmas, hoping to have one with some more former walk-ons joining us (*wide-eyed eyes emoji*). We had a great turnout last Thursday at Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee with former punter Drew Meyer. Thank you to those who came out.

McElwain said this is Nick Saban’s best team at Alabama.

Florida’s Jim McElwain and several Gators were in front of microphones yesterday after the SEC Championship Game. Here’s what they had to say about the Gators’ loss to the top-ranked Tide.

Jim McElwain

Austin Appleby

Brandon Powell

CeCe Jefferson

Caleb Brantley

Jarrad Davis

Teez Tabor

A lot of recruiting updates as we enter the offseason

With programs being eliminated from conference championship games and bowl season, we’re going to start to see a huge flurry of recruiting as we approach the dead period, which begins in mid-December.

Coaches will be flying out to schools to visit kids, schedule in-home visits, and offer scholarships. The Arizona Wildcats have already been making their own rounds to check in on their commits as well as some potential new additions.

People have been concerned, and for good reason, that the class is going to see a heavy wave of decommitments after this 3-9 season. The class still has 26 commitments, only losing Elijah Watson after the staff decided to part ways due to off-field issues.

While gray shirting could force recruits to look elsewhere, other programs could also start decomposing Arizona’s recruiting class. Decommits happen to every program no matter what, so one could still slip by for Arizona. However, this class will not see the huge wave of decommitments that hit last cycle.

Tony Dews visits DE/OLB Kylan Wilborn

One of the first commits of the class, Kylan Wilborn, got a visit from Tony Dews. Wilborn mostly played running back this season for Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, California), but will come in as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker. He’s also a standout track and field star, making state finals in shot put last season and recording a throw of 61 feet, 11.75 inches.

Tony Dews and Washington State visit 6-foot-5 wide receiver Warren Jackson

Arizona doesn’t have a whole lot of sized lined up at wide receiver right now, with USF walk-on transfer Zach Benjamin and Shawn Poindexter as the only returning wide receivers over 6-foot-2.

The staff will be adding 6-foot-5 Warren Jackson, who is still a raw wide receiver that has enormous upside for Rich Rodriguez and his offense.

You’ll notice a Washington State trend coming, and it seems as if the Cougars are just trying to poach every Arizona commit here.

Washington State visits defensive tackle commit Kurtis Brown

An interesting event here, as Washington State heads to California to visit Kurtis Brown, who is recovering from a torn meniscus. Both Arizona and Washington State desperately need size on the defensive line.

I believe Brown is still firm on his commitment, however there could be a situation where the staff asks to gray shirt him, which has happened before with defensive line commits at Arizona and is a terrible, sketchy part of recruiting.

Washington State also visits defensive tackle commit Austin Faoliu

A few weeks ago, I brought up the impact of Austin Faoliu’s offer from Washington State. He acted extremely quick on his Arizona offer and committed to join his teammate Xavier Bell. Together, the two were trying to help recruit another teammate, Fa’avae Fa’avae, who isn’t likely to receive an Arizona offer.

Now, Fa’avae has committed to Washington State and is actively recruiting Faoliu to Pullman. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out and should be something to keep an eye on with the Cougars staff trying to poach two Wildcat defensive line commits.

Joshua Brown is visited by Marcel Yates and Donte’ Williams

It’s probably a big deal when you get both of these coaches in your living room. Joshua Brown had a stellar senior season at Long Beach Poly and his commitment should not be questioned.

He was recently selected for the US Football National Team.

Brian Casteel gets a visit from Tony Dews

Wide receiver coach Tony Dews has certainly made his rounds over the last few days. He went to check on what I believe is going to be an ultra-productive receiver similar to Nate Phillips and Samajie Grant….just a little taller.

Coaching staff visits Arizona Western

Arizona’s coaching staff was out at No. 1 ranked Arizona Western recruiting some guys. Among those would be current 6-foot-7 defensive end commit Matt Leo, who just picked up an offer from Mississippi State.

Another guy who I feel like the staff could round this class out would be Patrick Macon, the leading tackler for the Matadors and a mid-year enrollee. I spoke to him a few weeks ago and he had positive things to say about Arizona. I feel good about Macon, given the lack of depth in Tucson and what he had to say, and a Crystal Ball pick to Arizona seems likely for me.

Coaching staff visits Mountain Pointe

The 6A State Runner-Up has a lot of talent on their roster. While the staff has really only talked to 4-star safety Isaiah Pola-Moa, a guy who I never thought was too serious about Arizona, I would think the staff went to check out 2018 prospects. Wide receiver/safety Kenny Churchwell is included in that group, who I have coming to Arizona in my Crystal Ball.

Commitment from defensive tackle Sione Tuefahema could come soon

I spoke to 6-foot-3, 320 pound defensive tackle Sione Taufahema of College of the Canyons this week and overall this is a recruitment I feel really good about. I have my Crystal Ball prediction for Arizona.

Vince Amey wants him to plan to take an official visit next weekend.

Darrian McNeal will officially visit this weekend

Arizona’s three-star Florida wide receiver Darrian McNeal has informed me that he will be taking his official visit this weekend. Recruits can use up to five official visits during their senior season, but McNeal will only be needing one. His commitment has been one that should cause no panic.

3-star defensive end Matt Leo picks up new offers

The 6-foot-7, 265 pound defensive end had three offers when he committed to Arizona, with Iowa State and UCF in his back pocket. Now, he has picked up offers to Mississippi State and Oklahoma. He is a mid-year enrollee for Arizona.

I’ve been told that Leo is 100% on his commitment to Arizona.

4-star LB Antjuan Simmons decommits from Ohio State

A long-time Ohio State commit has parted ways with the Buckeyes. 4-star linebacker Antjuan Simmons, ranked No. 298 overall and No. 16 among outside linebackers, apparently has his eye on the Arizona Wildcats now.

Michigan State, Arizona, and Notre Dame are expected to come into play. He took a Michigan State visit a few weeks ago without telling the Ohio State staff. The Buckeyes are also picking up steam on 5-star linebacker Baron Browning. Notre Dame recently lost 4-star linebacker Pete Werner, who is leaning hard for Ohio State.

Arizona does offer some intrigue compared to Simmons’ other schools: out west with warmer weather in the Pac-12, immediate contribution possibilities, and ties to Chris Singletary in the Michigan area. I’m not sure how legitimate this is for Arizona, but it’s something I’ll look into.

Oregon State commit Isaiah Miller is scheduled to come to town next weekend.

Isaiah Miller is a three-star running back from Baldwin High School in Jacksonville (Fla.). Miller committed to Oregon State back in June, but that hasn’t stopped the running back from taking multiple official visits. He has accumulated offers from Washington, Washington State, Syracuse, Rutgers, and USF, among others, and according to Andrew Nemec of The Oregonian and 247Sports, he plans on visiting Syracuse, Southern Miss, Rutgers, and Missouri.

Regarding his status as a future Beaver, however: “I’m pretty solid,” Miller told Nemec. “I’m still going to take my officials and see everything for myself.”

Josh Heupel traveled to Jacksonville on November 28, and on November 29, Oregon State safeties coach Derrick Odum payed Miller a visit. The Beaver coaching staff looks to lock down the recruit, but if he makes it to Columbia, that means he can still be swayed.

Caleb Perry, a two-star athlete from King’s High School in Seattle, plans on visiting Missouri this coming weekend.

Perry’s recruitment has been increasing recently — he’s picked up offers from Cincinnati, Portland State, Missouri, and Washington State in a matter of weeks.

Joe Jon Finley visited Perry on November 29, and the athlete received an offer from Missouri the next day.

Nathaniel Anderson is a 6’4, 250-pound JUCO defensive end currently playing at New Mexico Military Institute. Anderson holds offers from South Florida, San Diego State, Idaho, Kansas, and New Mexico, among others.

According to Scout, Anderson is set to take an official visit to Columbia on December 2.

Jordan Ulmer is a three-star safety from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, MI. Although Ulmer committed to Iowa State back on June 27, he plans on visiting Missouri on the weekend of December 3.

Ulmer is a 6’1, 185-pound safety and currently holds offers from Minnesota, Western Michigan, Toledo, Bowling Green, and Cincinnati, among others. According to Andy Hamilton of The Des Moines Register, interest in Ulmer heated up last summer as the safety had impressive showings at The Opening Regional Chicago and the Sound Mind, Sound Body camp in Detroit. The Cyclones reportedly offered Ulmer following evaluations at the Sound Mind, Sound Body camp.

Ulmer will be visiting Columbia around the same time as a few Tiger commits including Brother Rice offensive guard Larry Borom, and later in the week, receiver commit Elijah Gardiner out of Kemp, Texas.

Home Visits

Missouri defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross had an in-home visit with defensive back commit Josh Bledsoe from Dekaney, Texas.

OL Coach Glen Elarbee had a home visit with offensive line commit Case Cook out of Georgia.

Head coach Barry Odom made the trip to Indiana to make a home visit with offensive line commit Pompey Coleman. You might recall Coleman was broke his leg in the first game of his senior season, but it appears he’s on his way toward a full recovery.

Earlier this week, running back coach Cornell Ford was in Raleigh, North Carolina to visit prospect Larry Rountree.

From what we understand, Cornell Ford visited with East St. Louis yesterday, presumably to check up on blue-chip receiver Jeff Thomas; we discussed Thomas’ recruitment in a post earlier this week.