OSU Jaxon Smith-Njigba skip playoffs and enter NFL draft
Pretty odd here, I think they all thought he'd be back for playoff
December 5th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
What a shame...for them. Celebrate!
December 5th, 2022 at 3:51 PM ^
Line is gonna start shifting pretty hard methinks. Without him they do not seem to stand any chance whatsoever.
December 5th, 2022 at 4:05 PM ^
LMAO no. The line isn't moving on this alone. It hasn't yet. It's priced in as he hasn't played for much of the year and they went 11-1 regardless. They have other NFL caliber receivers so it isn't much of a drop off. JSN is great, of course. But the delta between him and his replacement isn't so great that it's going to be the difference vs Georgia.
Unless he can play cornerback
December 5th, 2022 at 4:32 PM ^
Line should move. He was their answer to not having a running game.
With the emergence of Marvin Harrison Jr. as the best outside receiver in college football, JSN would return (even at 80%) as the best slot receiver in CFB and take a ton of pressure off their all tackle O-line (which hence can't run block) and allow for quick plays for 4-6 yard chunks.
JSN changes the numbers game regarding how a defense aligns against OSU. We can crap on them all we want for being soft - which they are - but it is an offense built to protect the QB and throw to 3 elite receivers like last year. Right now they have 1 elite reciever, 1 very good reciever, and 1 good reciever.
Advantage UGA
December 5th, 2022 at 4:54 PM ^
Many of the early bets were placed with the assumption he might return. He would make the offense much harder to handle, even for an elite defense. Hard to see how the line would not move.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:41 PM ^
I sure as shit would not want to face him again, especially in combination with Harrison. He tore us up last year with some insane catches. It has to have an impact.
December 5th, 2022 at 6:07 PM ^
Here's the Action Network line movement. It's held at OSU +6.5 all day, briefly going to +7 then coming back to 6.5. The moneyline has bounced between +207 and +210 for OSU, with no significant movement around the time of his opt-out announcement. It's been hours for the news to get out there; it's not like he's an obscure player at a no-name school.
If he were that big of a difference-maker, the sharps would have jumped on Georgia -6.5 and made the books move the line over 7. It hasn't happened.
I'm already on UGa -6.5 with about as much exposure as I'm willing to have for a game four weeks from now. I don't think JSN's questionable availability really changes my handicap of the game and it looks like the market agrees with me. If he were playing I would still like Georgia by a touchdown.
December 5th, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^
Yeah if I were a betting man I would put some cash on Georgia to cover. I still think OSU may not even score. Probably wishful thinking, but it would be delicous.
December 6th, 2022 at 9:49 AM ^
I'm hoping to see CJ Stroud throw 5 or 6 touchdowns....to Georgia Defensive Backs.
December 5th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
He doesn’t want to get exposed by the UGA defense?
December 5th, 2022 at 2:40 PM ^
Georgia, and if they survive, Michigan
Not a great upcoming schedule for a team that doesn't like getting hit
December 5th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
CJ Stroud: "Wait, we can do that? I'm outta here!"
December 5th, 2022 at 2:47 PM ^
It genuinely would not surprise me.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:17 PM ^
Just wait until he's running for his life at Ford Field
December 5th, 2022 at 3:35 PM ^
Honeslty I have no issue with Goff for another season if no one in this draft is jumping off the page. He has been more than servicable.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
Honestly think this is the year for the Lions to snag a QB. Even if they do i still see Goff as the full time starter in 2023 unless the team struggles badly. The Lions legitimately are trending up and are more likely to be a playoff contender than hold a top 10 pick next year.
Im hoping with the Rams pick the Lions can add Anderson or Carter to their defensive front then take a QB who slides with their actual pick. Id roll the dice on Levis with the 10ish pick and a year or two to learn from the sidelines.
December 5th, 2022 at 6:28 PM ^
Levis has had a couple really bad games, really bad. That took him down a bit for me anyway
December 5th, 2022 at 3:43 PM ^
The way CJ runs he won't get very far. "Wait, I've made it almost to the sideline. Please don't touch me. "
December 5th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^
Okay, now that's funny right there
December 5th, 2022 at 4:31 PM ^
Don't you put that on me Ricky Bobby
December 5th, 2022 at 4:44 PM ^
You shut your whore mouth, I do not want to see that guy in Detroit, he's gonna stink it up in the NFL.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:07 PM ^
I'd much rather have O'Connell at the Lions. He can move in the pocket and scramble a bit and still be accurate. Stroud is just a turret, which works great in CFB when OSU can out-talent most opponent, but in the NFL he will be crushed. I predict another failed OSU NFL QB.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:22 PM ^
Would be a bad look but I think NFL teams wouldn't really care. Not much upside, if he can't scramble now its who he is (at least for this season). So either risk getting hurt facing potentially two of the best defenses in the nation or risk losing draft stock. Not much upside. Also the fanbase has turned against him. Go look at any OSU twitter or message board, apparently a month ago he was a "Heisman" but after losing to UM a second time "he was trash and they knew it all along". This isn't a few OSU fan's saying this but a large portion of them.
December 5th, 2022 at 4:07 PM ^
It’d surprise me. I don’t think that much of Stroud but you don’t opt out of the playoff.
NFL teams don’t care about bowl opt-outs; this would be something else entirely. And he’s already showing signs of weakness.
Just because JSN is hurt doesn’t mean Stroud is going to quit.
December 5th, 2022 at 2:47 PM ^
Lol! Have to think CJ is pissed OSU made the playoffs because he just wanted to be done with college. Was so obvious he felt his was done with his college career.
With OSU back dooring their way into the playoff, does he backdoor his way into a Heisman win?
December 5th, 2022 at 3:00 PM ^
The Heisman ceremony is this Saturday.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:05 PM ^
I think that was the plan before they got in. After the Michigan loss a ton of his teammates were coming over to him and wishing him the best of luck. A few outright saying how much they enjoyed playing with him and such. The language from everyone, Stroud included, was that of a guy not playing in whatever Bowl they got.
He'll likely play against UGA but I wouldn't put it at 100% just based on everything after the UM game. I say this with no direct info, just a feeling.
December 5th, 2022 at 4:00 PM ^
This is an awesome take nonetheless. I'd love it if he bowed out or simply wasn't committed to the game.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:45 PM ^
At his post-Michigan press conference he was talking about his record against Michigan and his non-Big Ten Championship record in the past tense. Something that happened that he'll just have to live with as he moves on.
There was no wait and see, maybe OSU can still make the playoffs and I'll be ready.
He was clearly checked out.
December 6th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
Agreed. You could see Strouds body language and comments after the Michigan loss. He already checked out.
Even with a month to prepare OSU will go through the motions against UGA and thats why they'll get destroyed.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:16 PM ^
Maybe he’ll just be a quiet quitter?
December 5th, 2022 at 3:33 PM ^
I've always understood and supported the players who skip the bowl games in favor of the draft. Not this. You desert your team in the playoffs? Selfish and wrong.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:00 PM ^
"I've always understood and supported the players who skip the bowl games in favor of the draft.
Gotta admit, I didn't used to feel this way at all. "The team,..." I guess I still don't feel this way, but I am becoming more and more resigned to the fact this is the new reality. And yes, I understand why players opt for this exit. It is a career choice, and most of us go to college to prepare us for our future careers.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:55 PM ^
We’ve seen that before…
December 5th, 2022 at 3:49 PM ^
Stroud: I'm outta heeeeeere
December 5th, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^
That was not it. Clearly the hamstring injury was a severe one-not simply a slight strain. After he missed several weeks than tried to come back and then missed several more weeks it was clear, from a medical side, that this was a severe, season-ending injury. The OSU fans and "insiders" have been holding fast to the possibility of him returning but I told them over and over that this was a silly and unfair expectation-because it is.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:50 PM ^
Then the OSU press release could have done him a big favor and said something to the effect of "Our wounded warrior tried his best to give it a go but it just did not work out. He is going to focus on his rehabilitation full time." Something complimentary like that.
Their press release makes it sound like he's just quitting early for the NFL like some kind of mercenary. If that is not the case, why make it seem like it?
December 5th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
The way they phrased it as “preparing for the NFL” makes it seem like this is an opt-out, probably the first to opt out of the playoff game. Kid is a stud and deserves it but just interesting phrasing when they could’ve been vague on the injury, he will probably get some wrath from the toxic parts of their fan base
December 5th, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
Brian asked (tongue in cheek) in the podcast if Stroud would play now that they backed their way off into playoff. I didn’t see this one coming. Great news for Georgia - not that osu strikes much fear into a tough football team, though.
December 5th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
It is the first but I don't think it is going to be the last. It may not be a popular opinion, but I don't think the college football post-season is really working right now. It may be part of what the extended playoff is trying to address. In the context of a "playoff," there is just no reason to wait another month to play the next game. Frankly I think some players are starting to lose interest.
December 5th, 2022 at 2:51 PM ^
For the regular bowl games, sure. But you think players are losing interest in being one of four teams to compete on a big stage for a national title (and possibly elevating their own profile)? If so, that tells me quite a bit about the player.
Edit: to be clear, if JSN is still hurt, no problem. That is different. I mean with respect to just players in general losing interest in playoff games.
December 5th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^
I think some will begin to, yes. And if they don't shorten the pre-conference schedule I think it could actually start to become more of a problem with the extended playoff. These guys have a shelf-life and you are getting into full NFL season territory now.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:24 PM ^
To be fair, I don't know how much Stroud or JSN elevate their profile. They will already be top picks. Of anything facing UGA and Michigan again would lower their stock
December 5th, 2022 at 2:59 PM ^
One key issue with the schedule, certainly for the presidents, is that college football remains affiliated with "college" and almost all universities are approaching finals weeks, which presidents very much like to keep clear of sports. That's true of the playoff as well, which is pushing the first round games into the weekend before the holiday, when universities are through finals.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:46 PM ^
Uh, CJ don't play no school.
December 5th, 2022 at 5:12 PM ^
Basketball continues playing straight through the holidays. Why should it matter for football?
December 5th, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
Basketball usually has an off week during finals week
December 6th, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^
They have basketball games on Thanksgiving. Didnt Michigan play UNC on thanksgiving a few years ago? They even play on Easter if tournament weekend lines up with it.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:04 PM ^
The guy is coming off on an extended injury and has barely played this year, so in this context it makes sense to skip the playoffs and get ready for the NFL. But, if a guy has been playing all year and opts out of a playoff game, then, if I was an NFL GM, I would be wary of a player like that. Skipping a meaningless bowl game is one thing, but skipping a playoff game when your whole team is depending on you just shows a lot of selfishness and a lack of competitive drive and I wouldn't want a person of that character to play on my team. That's part of the reason why I think it will be a very rare thing for a player to opt out of the playoffs if they have been a vital player all year and haven't had a serious injury recently.
December 5th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
Damn straight, Heisenberg. We want kneecap biters in the NFL not guys who quit when they're needed (JSN is in the former category, not the latter)