Thursday’s First Edition: Football Pays; Forcier in Paradise; Harris Suspended

Tuesday this humble blog tackled the economic factors that might force WAC football and did force Big West football into extinction. Wednesday, the Associated Press’s Michael Marot published this report on the growing gap between college football’s big money makers and the more modest programs. Surely this disparity only grow without some kind of NCAA intervention, which frankly has its limits. Ultimately there’s too much money to be had to not chase higher profile non-conference games and/or the expansion of power conferences. Take the reinstatement of the Penn State-Pitt rivalry Tuesday, which is an exciting prospect for the resurrection or creation of new OOC rivalries. However, the more of these dream matchups that are scheduled eliminates the all-important paycheck games for non-AQ and FCS programs.

Marot’s report didn’t yield all bad news for the lower level programs, though. Football is proving to be a profitable endeavor, even for programs clawing to make ends meet. Athletic programs with football were generating more revenue and were better suited for offsetting expenses. Football does indeed pay, and that’s why I remain a firm advocate for giving non-AQ and FCS universities opportunities to bolster their programs. If that means sportcialism, then color me pink.

A quarterback never wants his offensive line to leave him out on an island, but for one playcaller the Island perfect landing spot. Michigan transfer Tate Foricer contacted the University of Hawaii football program Wednesday, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser. An ocean away from the demanding eyes of rabid fans and constant media coverage as he was subjected to in Ann Arbor might allow Forcier to flourish. The wide open spread offense UH employs would utilize Forcier’s arm. He would also have his redshirt season to study under talented Bryant Moniz, another quarterback who overcame adversity to excel on the Island.

Moniz’s struggles differed in nature from Forcier’s, but facing tribulations has been a theme for recent Warrior snap-takers. Colt Brennan was welcomed to Honolulu after losing a spot at Colorado amid legal transgressions.

UH isn’t necessarily a guaranteed solution for Forcier. His brothers Jason and Chris both transferred from their original universities (Jason was also a Michigan signee initially) but neither found success at their second destinations. Forcier’s hometown San Diego State and UH do make the most sense though, both playing senior quarterbacks in 2011 and Forcier having the benefit of a transfer redshirt season. Should he go to the FCS, Forcier would be eligible to play immediately but would have a very short period to learn the playbook and build team chemistry.

For the third season in a row, Oregon’s season faces early season tumult with a player gone for an unknown length of time. In 2009, it was LaGarrette Blount’s indefinite suspension after punching a Boise State player. Last year, All Conference quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was booted on a burglary charge. This season, the Ducks will open against fellow national title contender LSU, and it will do so without the player I believe is Oregon’s best, cornerback and punt returner Cliff Harris.

Since news of Harris being pulled over driving 118 miles per hour. On a suspended license. In a car rented by an Oregon employee. *ahem* Sorry, where was I? Ah yes, since Harris’s transgression the news has grown increasingly worse for him, forcing Chip Kelly to level a suspension that will sideline him for at least Week 1. AutzenZoo.com had a great take on the situation, and continues to cover the story as it develops.

That Oregon players have continuously had such profile incidents is troublesome for the program, but Kelly does deserve some accolades for being willing to hand top tier players serious consequences. The LSU game could determine whether UO plays in a second consecutive BCS Championship, and Harris was the Ducks’ best player in January’s title game with an interception (and a second that was questionably called out. Let’s chalk that up to karma for the 2006 UO-Oklahoma game).

Kelly’s discipline may be damage control, and cynics will certainly have you believe that. But he could just as choose to play these athletes. Another Coach Kelly, Notre Dame’s Brian, still has star wide receiver Michael Floyd on indefinite suspension, but with each passing day it seems more likely Floyd will line up against USF come Week 1.