Erik_in_Dayton

October 12th, 2011 at 5:40 PM ^

It's a good reminder that what we* think we know and what can be proven to any reasonable degree of certainty are often two different things...This and the rest of my Introduction to Karl Popper can be purchased at your local bookstore for only $23.99. 

*Feel free to include whomever you like in "we." 

BucksfanXC

October 12th, 2011 at 5:48 PM ^

Well, true, as to some of the allegations that have been lobbed our way. And found guilty or admitted guilt would maybe be better. Anyway, some of the Pryor's cars and autograph signing for $40k has not been proven, but still gets lumped into discussions on the MSM and in public (on blogs for example). What some perceive OSU to have done and what they have been proven to have done are two separate things.

Erik_in_Dayton

October 12th, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^

It says that the allegations against Newton were "not substantiated."   The reality is that Newton and his dad may be the only ones who know the truth.  The makes the "not substantiated" finding pretty understandable. 

EDIT:  Having re-read the letter, violations other than the pay-for-play violation were what were "not substantiated."  The letter flat-out says that Newton and Auburn were not aware of Dad Newton's violations.  That just doesn't make sense.  How could the NCAA know that?

BucksfanXC

October 12th, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^

And I believe, IIRC, the NCAA rule on this is different than the SEC rule, which states that the player, the school, or agents/representatives/etc. know or have reason to know or something more all encompassing that should have made Newton ineligible. Not that the SEC is big on rules/laws, or enforcing them to the detriment of their football teams.

 

EDIT: Also, I maybe should re-title the post. Because it's more like Auburn is cleared, not Cam.

hart20

October 12th, 2011 at 5:49 PM ^

Fuck the SEC. Fuck all these cheaters. I can't wait until schools start to leave the NCAA, once the schools realize the NCAA is just a fancy title and worth nothing more than that.

htownwolverine

October 12th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^

Should I start exploiting them now in my quest for riches?

5 yr old - Reads/writes in two languages. I'll take $10,000 in a 5% annuity for future patent rights.

3 yr old - One of the twins. Built like a fullback/linebacker. Has Red hair. Will take bids on naming rights - Andre 'Red Bull' etc.

3 yr old - Other twin. Can swing a mean bat and has David Eckstein stature potential. Agents call now.

Magnum P.I.

October 12th, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^

People have way way too high of expectations for the NCAA to actually investigate violations and enforce the rules. What incentive do the few decision-makers for the NCAA have to drop the hammer on a program like Auburn or OSU? None. They are systematically disincentivized to do so, in fact, as those schools cough up significant portions of the money that finances NCAA jobs. You could argue that overlooking obvious transgressions damages the reputation of the NCAA in the long term, but give me a break: in this economy, if you have a good job, you do what you have to do to keep it. That's why the NCAA doesn't do a goddam thing about major rule violations unless it absolutely has to in the face of incontrovertible evidence. 

Bluesnu

October 12th, 2011 at 6:29 PM ^

So basically, full cooperation and transparency = three years probation for minor violations; blatant admission by former players/no cooperation and circling the wagons by the university = off the hook.  K, thx, got it...

93Grad

October 12th, 2011 at 7:27 PM ^

to players and/or their families and just deny, deny, deny.  The only way such actions get punished is if incontrovertable proof is unconvered via subpoena or deposition (ala Ed Marin and Reggie Bush).  Otherwise the NCAA simply won't act. 

Elmer

October 12th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^

The truth will eventually come out someday.  The money man will have a messy divorce or fall out with a business partner and the other party will call Yahoo! Sports.  Maybe the guy will get drunk in the company of a Bama fan.  

It's just a matter of time.

exmtroj

October 12th, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^

So, I'm guessing they won't have the courage or integrity to punish ohio, either?  I guess they'll be cleared, Urban Meyer or Jesus Fucking Christ will descend from the clouds to coach them, their recruiting will instantly crank up again...they'll be back to beating us with players on a payroll within months.  What a bunch of cowards the ncaa is.

Hannibal.

October 12th, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^

Pay for play is amoral once you take out the fact that it gives you a competitive advantage.  If the NCAA isn't going to enforce the rules, I don't want Michigan to follow the rules anymore.  What we call "cheating" is no longer really cheating. 

Tater

October 12th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^

Players should have the right to take money from wherever they want.  It is a totally separate issue.  

However, the rules are in place and everybody has to follow them until the rules are changed.  Hopefully, in Ohio's case, with so much infighting and bad publicity happening there anyway, Mark Emmert will ignore the fact that his BFF works at THE Ohio State University and the NCAA will show the sporting world that they are "serious" about enforcement.  

If it wasn't for the mentor/protege relationship between Gordon Gee and Mark Emmert, slamming the fuck out of THE Ohio State University would be a no-brainer.  The work is already done, the publicity is already there, and everyone outside of Columbus would tell them how great they are for doing it.

Hannibal.

October 12th, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^

There's no value to following the rules anymore.  You either win the "wrong" way or you lose the "right" way.  When you combine pay-for-play with oversigning, the SEC is like the former USSR hockey team and the Big Ten (other than OSU) is the USA.  I don't get any enjoyment at all out of watching cheating programs who oversign drub teams that honor the 85 scholarship limit and don't have boosters paying players.  The playing field is not level and the problem is getting worse.  I want our players getting paid from now on. 

exmtroj

October 12th, 2011 at 8:26 PM ^

I say we just embrace it and make a press release stating that ticket prices will be raised in order to pay for new 5 star recruits.  We'll hire about 50 Willie Lyles street agents and put their pictures and profiles in the damn media guide.  The Go Blue banner can be replaced by a giant 100-dollar bill.  When players make good plays, they get helmet stickers that look like a dollar-sign.  We'll sign Tom Brady away from the Patriots for twice his salary.  Then we just publicly dare the NCAA to do a single fucking thing about it.  I'm sure there's some kind of incredible legal loophole that would allow us to do all of this and get away with it scot free(MGoLawyers, got anything?).  Then when that happens, people will finally understand what a shit ass joke this whole system is and some real change might come about as a result. 

 

M-Wolverine

October 12th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^

How in the HELL did USC manage to get hammered by the impotent NCAA? That's seeming like a big outlier at this point. I mean, how bad do you have to handle things for the NCAA to actually do something...