First Down Kentucky: Conference Realignment Audibles

You never know when conference realignment is going to steal headlines. On Monday afternoon it made headlines in an unusual way. Today strangely became a day dedicated to reaffirming commitments, all while newsbreakers shared conflicting conference realignment reports.

Brett McMurphy needed a shield after his report was picked apart by his colleagues. McMurphy reported that Gonzaga was leaving the West Coast Conference to play hoops in the new iteration of the PAC-12. Within 20 minutes, multiple reporters said, “Not so fast my friend.” The two sides are talking, but a deal has not been finalized.

Meanwhile, Air Force is staying in the Mountain West. The conference was already raided heavily by Oregon State and Washington State. The Pac-12 needs eight football teams to meet the standards of being in a conference and they are currently two away from reaching that standard.

The Pac-12 is also looking to poach teams from the American Athletic Conference. Rather than speaking with sources, Memphis, Tulane, UTSA, and USF issued a public statement reaffirming their commitment to the AAC. We live in a world where USF has to publicly state, “We don’t want to go to the Pac-12.” That’s conference realignment for you. What a weird time to be alive.

We are the American Athletic Conference. pic.twitter.com/nuwCtF0dQz

— The American (@American_Conf) September 23, 2024

Kentucky OL Dylan Ray is Mashing Taters

Dylan Ray is always ready to step up whenever the Kentucky offensive line needs him. Unexpected injuries paved the way for him to start in ten games last fall. When Jager Burton went down against South Carolina, Ray started in back-to-back weeks. Cole Cubelic shared a few clips of him pancaking opponents on Saturday. Mark Stoops says they trust Ray to step up when his number is called.

“Dylan has progressed. We trust him. He’s obviously more comfortable inside at guard than he is at tackle, so I think that’s the best area for him,” Stoops said Monday.

“He’s been playing very well. He’s a guy that has been reliable for us, gives us everything he has, and works extremely hard. I think there’s some cohesiveness with him in there as well. I think he’s interchangeable with some of our other guys. And I think the offensive line, in general, is continuing to improve.”

The Tennessee Trailer is Off the Tracks

If things weren’t going well in Knoxville, jokes would be made about a Tennessee trailer falling off the truck. Sadly, things are going about as well as they possibly could for the Vols.

The Tennessee football equipment truck is in a wreck on I-40 east in North Little Rock.

I assume they were on the way from Norman to Knoxville after the game last night.

All eastbound lanes are currently closed. @MichaelWBratton @BigOrangeVolz pic.twitter.com/nCNVHDrVVr

— James Bryant (@KATVJames) September 22, 2024

Scoreboard Error at Michigan

Michigan State had a far worse scoreboard flub last fall, but this one still isn’t great. Michigan Men pride themselves on their intellectual superiority and this ain’t it.

*You’re

Harvard of the west my ass pic.twitter.com/8DQJlWVe03

— Official Ohio State DG (@DylanEveryday) September 21, 2024

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