The NCAA matrix

[thatsbaseball]

Has anyone sat down and developed some possible scenarios that could/should happen to OM based on the allegations to which they confessed if the NCAA assesses OM' infractions and corresponding sanctions cumulatively as laid out in the so called matrix ? I am firmly convinced that the NCAA will not use the "matrix" to the word because it simply wasn't designed to handle a case like this where the institution starts operating completely outside the NCAA boundaries. I haven't done the homework yet but it appears the OM is due (based on the matrix) something in the neighborhood of a 3 year bowl band and a 50 scholarship reduction if their punishment is assessed based on adding the sanctions assigned to the individual infractions. I'm just getting (maybe based on my own disdain for the NCAA) a sick feeling this ain't going to happen. Thoughts ?

edited to add: I don't see any of their allegations being mitigated

 

[patdog]

15 Level 1 violations at the minimum 12.5% of 25 scholarships would be 46 scholarships lost, assuming all are neither mitigated nor aggrevated (I don't thin any were in the NCAA report). Then you'd add a few more for the Level 2 and 3 violations, so maybe in the low 50s according to the matrix. As for the bowl ban, I think a strict reading of the matrix would be a year for each Level 1 violation. That won't happen. I think the committee is going to step back and look at it from a standpoint of what's the maximum penalty you can give a school without totally destroying a program. I think that's going to be somewhere in the 40-45 scholarship range and a 2-3 year bowl ban. But the truth is nobody really has a clue what the committee is going to do, other than it'll be real bad. Is real bad 25 scholarships or 60 scholarships? Who knows.

 

[bulldognation]

An older post on SECRANT was discussing this and trying to speculate on what the penalties would be. Interesting to see how other fans interpret what OM deserves to get:

http://www.secrant.com/rant/sec-foo...-bowl-ban-using-ncaa-penalty-matrix/70571093/

 

[aTotal360]

If they follow the matrix, it would be as close as you could get to the death penalty. With that being said, I don't think they'll get about a 1/3 of what the matrix dictates.

 

[engie]

If you have a rule book that you do not follow, you do not have a rule book.

And your number guess is low based on the letter of the matrix. But I agree -- no way they can actually hit them by the letter of that law with the breadth of this case.

I think the NCAA gets creative in how they punish it.

EX: Can only hit X number of schollies over Y years before killing the program, but keep tacking on probation after that. Especially if they offer open transfer across all 4 classes, which essentially lowers that theoretical maximum number.

Set up your own compliance office down there for the duration of the probation, funded by Ole Miss.

Forfeits, rather than vacated games, for all of the participations of ineligible athletes. Make them not only give the trophies back -- but award them to the other schools. All the TV revenues from said contests go back to the SEC/NCAA.

Etc...

It's going to definitely take creativity to not appear toothless by the brand new rule of law that this case is the measuring stick of. It will establish the theoretical maximum punishment that the NCAA can give a first time offender. 20-30 schollies for two years of missed bowls --- and "worth it" becomes a very real possibility.

 

[mount lefroy]

Has anyone sat down and developed some possible scenarios that could/should happen to OM based on the allegations to which they confessed if the NCAA assesses OM' infractions and corresponding sanctions cumulatively as laid out in the so called matrix ? I am firmly convinced that the NCAA will not use the "matrix" to the word because it simply wasn't designed to handle a case like this where the institution starts operating completely outside the NCAA boundaries. I haven't done the homework yet but it appears the OM is due (based on the matrix) something in the neighborhood of a 3 year bowl band and a 50 scholarship reduction if their punishment is assessed based on adding the sanctions assigned to the individual infractions. I'm just getting (maybe based on my own disdain for the NCAA) a sick feeling this ain't going to happen. Thoughts ?

edited to add: I don't see any of their allegations being mitigated

Someone did do it and it went over 60 scholarships over 5 years maybe.....and the investigators found some mitigating factors (like OM cooperated in some instances) but not many and none when it came to Freeze and the LOIC.

The NCAA has a tougher call here than most know. If they follow it and it effectively gives them the DP people are going to complain that it's unreasonable (ignoring that maybe om deserved it). If they dont follow the matrix they put out, everyone will want an exception to the penalties.

I think the punishment is certainly not going to be the DP or 60 over 5. But I do think it will be worse than USC's 27 over 3 and probably will be as high as 36-40 over 4 and a 3 year bowl ban with show causes for Kiffin (unless he rolled), Freeze, Farrar, Hayes? and could also get Bjork.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

An Alabama guy asked what the difference between what OM has done and the State/Auburn Cam debacle... I'm not a member there so I cant comment to him, but... There are bread crumbs leading to OMs transgressions and actual evidence. The State/Auburn Cam **** was all rumor and innuendo. I'm not going to say it didn't happen... But there is no actual proof.

 

[thatsbaseball]

^This^ To me the NCAA's credibility is comparable to OM'. This could be a real **** show.

 

[QuadrupleOption]

Has anyone sat down and developed some possible scenarios that could/should happen to OM based on the allegations to which they confessed if the NCAA assesses OM' infractions and corresponding sanctions cumulatively as laid out in the so called matrix ? I am firmly convinced that the NCAA will not use the "matrix" to the word because it simply wasn't designed to handle a case like this where the institution starts operating completely outside the NCAA boundaries. I haven't done the homework yet but it appears the OM is due (based on the matrix) something in the neighborhood of a 3 year bowl band and a 50 scholarship reduction if their punishment is assessed based on adding the sanctions assigned to the individual infractions. I'm just getting (maybe based on my own disdain for the NCAA) a sick feeling this ain't going to happen. Thoughts ?

edited to add: I don't see any of their allegations being mitigated

It'll all come out one way or the other by the end of November.

In my opinion, I think that the matrix was designed specifically to impose stricter punishments for cheating and UM has the honor of being the first school to be truly crucified for violations.

It's going to hurt.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Does the matrix actually say that the penalties are cumulative for EACH violation? I can't find that anywhere. It seems more likely that if they find UMiss guilty of a single Level 1 violation, then they can get, for example, 0 to 4 years of postseason bans, depending on whether there is mitigation or aggravation. Since there are multiple Level 1 violations in this case, along with other aggravating factors, that brings the 2 to 4 year postseason ban into play.

So, they would be facing up to the maximum penalty for each category, but you don't then multiply that by the number of Level 1 violations.

Or maybe I'm wrong, I just couldn't find an explanation anywhere.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

The NCAA has a dilemma....

As the NCAA now turns to the penalties phase of the largest cheating scandal in modern college athletics, the entire college sports world is watching. And now the members of the COI have to finally reconcile their new penalty matrix with the reality of an athletic program that systemically made breaking NCAA rules modus operandi. We have all speculated for a while now that this would be difficult to do. When the new guidelines for doling out punishment (the Matrix) was conceived, it's obvious and apparent an athletic program such as the one found in Oxford, with cheating and rule breaking embedded in the very core of their existence throughout the entire gambit of sports programs, was not anticipated or expected. So now they must apply their penalty structure and somehow not lose credibility or the respect of their member institutions in the process.
If they apply the penalties by the letter of their "law", the death penalty would be viewed as going extremely lenient. Following their own rules, and also assuming all level 1 violations by ole miss are just of the "standard" level, here is what the Matrix would require for penalties:

Bowl Ban: 15-30 years
Financial Penalties: $75,000 + 15-45% of the athletic budget
Scholarship Reductions: 150-300
Recruiting Restrictions: 110-220 weeks ban on unofficial visits
1.9 - 3.8 years ban on official visits
Probation Period: 30 - 90 years

As you can see, the NCAA has a big problem. If they choose to go lenient on Umiss based on this matrix, as they most assuredly will have to do, what message are they sending to other NCAA member institutions? I'll tell you. They are telling everyone that if you are going to cheat, go all in. Go big or go home. Don't just cheat a little here or there - might as well break every rule ever written. Because if you get caught, it really won't matter if you have 5 Level 1 violations or 15 Level 1 violations as Umiss does in this case. Your penalty will be about the same.
Now for a program that is completely above board, this will have little effect. But for a program out there that is cutting corners here or there, because, well, "everybody does it", this could be an opening of the floodgates. Why *****-foot around with $100 handshakes and a couple dead-period texts? Make it $10,000 cash and free hotels and food for the whole family. You'll pay the same price for each if you get caught.

It's your turn, NCAA. Just remember, the whole college sports world is watching.

 

[HD6]

If that happens, then either we are going to have to start cheating like madmen because the NCAA will have proven its worth it to do so, or we are going to start going 3-9, because every other power team we play is going to ramp up.

 

[QuadrupleOption]

Does the matrix actually say that the penalties are cumulative for EACH violation? I can't find that anywhere. It seems more likely that if they find UMiss guilty of a single Level 1 violation, then they can get, for example, 0 to 4 years of postseason bans, depending on whether there is mitigation or aggravation. Since there are multiple Level 1 violations in this case, along with other mitigating factors, that brings the 2 to 4 year postseason ban into play.

So, they would be facing up to the maximum penalty for each category, but you don't then multiply that by the number of Level 1 violations.

Or maybe I'm wrong, I just couldn't find an explanation anywhere.

I think they have the option of applying one or more of the possible penalties per violation. That's the issue here - OM has a LOT of violations. So yeah they could impose recruiting restrictions for one of them, then a 1 year bowl ban for another, then scholarship reductions for the next, etc.

But with 16 level 1 and 5 level 2 violations it's still going to be bad.

If you look at ULL's penalties it's pretty well in line with the current matrix. One thing to remember is that their Level 1 violations were all mitigated. I don't know if UM will have any of theirs mitigated or not, but even if they are they still carry penalties.

 

[thatsbaseball]

That' my question also. I don't see how it can't be cumulative though.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

There are bread crumbs leading to OMs transgressions and actual evidence.

Bread crumbs? There's a whole 17ing bakery

 

[Dawgzilla]

The NCAA has a dilemma....

As the NCAA now turns to the penalties phase of the largest cheating scandal in modern college athletics, the entire college sports world is watching. And now the members of the COI have to finally reconcile their new penalty matrix with the reality of an athletic program that systemically made breaking NCAA rules modus operandi. We have all speculated for a while now that this would be difficult to do. When the new guidelines for doling out punishment (the Matrix) was conceived, it's obvious and apparent an athletic program such as the one found in Oxford, with cheating and rule breaking embedded in the very core of their existence throughout the entire gambit of sports programs, was not anticipated or expected. So now they must apply their penalty structure and somehow not lose credibility or the respect of their member institutions in the process.
If they apply the penalties by the letter of their "law", the death penalty would be viewed as going extremely lenient. Following their own rules, and also assuming all level 1 violations by ole miss are just of the "standard" level, here is what the Matrix would require for penalties:

Bowl Ban: 15-30 years
Financial Penalties: $75,000 + 15-45% of the athletic budget
Scholarship Reductions: 150-300
Recruiting Restrictions: 110-220 weeks ban on unofficial visits
1.9 - 3.8 years ban on official visits
Probation Period: 30 - 90 years

As you can see, the NCAA has a big problem. If they choose to go lenient on Umiss based on this matrix, as they most assuredly will have to do, what message are they sending to other NCAA member institutions? I'll tell you. They are telling everyone that if you are going to cheat, go all in. Go big or go home. Don't just cheat a little here or there - might as well break every rule ever written. Because if you get caught, it really won't matter if you have 5 Level 1 violations or 15 Level 1 violations as Umiss does in this case. Your penalty will be about the same.
Now for a program that is completely above board, this will have little effect. But for a program out there that is cutting corners here or there, because, well, "everybody does it", this could be an opening of the floodgates. Why *****-foot around with $100 handshakes and a couple dead-period texts? Make it $10,000 cash and free hotels and food for the whole family. You'll pay the same price for each if you get caught.

It's your turn, NCAA. Just remember, the whole college sports world is watching.

This is exactly what I was asking. I don't see how the matrix could be applied cumulatively for each violation. Makes more sense that the number of Level 1 violations is just an aggravating factor, so that the panel is more likely to lean towards the maximum penalty in each category, such as a 4 year bowl ban and a 50% scholarship reduction. It just doesn't make sense to say that the matrix requires as much as a 15 year bowl ban because of the number of Level 1 violations.

 

[patdog]

If that happens, then either we are going to have to start cheating like madmen because the NCAA will have proven its worth it to do so, or we are going to start going 3-9, because every other power team we play is going to ramp up.

This is why it's going to be real bad. The NCAA knows this is a landmark case in a lot of ways and the way it's handled is going to have a real effect on the future of college football.

 

[aTotal360]

The only consistency I see in every major case over the past 10 years is inconsistency. I'm simply not going to trust the NCAA to do their job or set precedence.

 

[DerHntr]

Anything less than 40 scholarships reduced will be seen as too light. Anything over 50 will be seen as too heavy. I think the magic number is 42 over 4 years. This goes against the matrix but I can't see how they stick to the matrix.

When they blame the penalties all on little ol Mississippi Snitch University, I want everyone to remind them that they didn't even get penalized for Leo Lewis. 42 over 4 is still less than what could be handed down with just the first NOA. It's less than what could be handed down based on just the allegations that they outright admit to.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

View attachment 7872

 

[ababyatemydingo]

If that happens, then either we are going to have to start cheating like madmen because the NCAA will have proven its worth it to do so, or we are going to start going 3-9, because every other power team we play is going to ramp up.

this right here.

 

[Imadick]

Does the matrix actually say that the penalties are cumulative for EACH violation? I can't find that anywhere. It seems more likely that if they find UMiss guilty of a single Level 1 violation, then they can get, for example, 0 to 4 years of postseason bans, depending on whether there is mitigation or aggravation. Since there are multiple Level 1 violations in this case, along with other aggravating factors, that brings the 2 to 4 year postseason ban into play.

So, they would be facing up to the maximum penalty for each category, but you don't then multiply that by the number of Level 1 violations.

Or maybe I'm wrong, I just couldn't find an explanation anywhere.

If it is not cumulative if a school chooses to cheat might as well go all in. Seems to me that would make cheating worth it if you wanted a shot at the NC.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

That' my question also. I don't see how it can't be cumulative though.

I don't either. But I also think somehow the NCAA has to make a difference between a program charged with 15 Level I violations versus a program charged with 5 Level I violations.

 

[StatesboroBlues]

Does the matrix actually say that the penalties are cumulative for EACH violation? I can't find that anywhere. It seems more likely that if they find UMiss guilty of a single Level 1 violation, then they can get, for example, 0 to 4 years of postseason bans, depending on whether there is mitigation or aggravation. Since there are multiple Level 1 violations in this case, along with other aggravating factors, that brings the 2 to 4 year postseason ban into play.

So, they would be facing up to the maximum penalty for each category, but you don't then multiply that by the number of Level 1 violations.

Or maybe I'm wrong, I just couldn't find an explanation anywhere.

That is the question...it does not state that they are cumulative. Which gives them some wiggle room but opens it up for...if you cheat, cheat big.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

Anything less than 40 scholarships reduced will be seen as too light. Anything over 50 will be seen as too heavy. I think the magic number is 42 over 4 years. This goes against the matrix but I can't see how they stick to the matrix.

It's a real dilemma for sure. Like a couple of others said, if they don't adhere to the matrix, it'll send the message that if you're gonna cheat, cheat like a M 17'r, and go big. Because the penalties will be the same, whether it's 5 level 1's or 15 level 1's. But if they give them what's in the matrix, it'll be worse than getting the death penalty for a couple of years. If they get what the matrix calls for, it'll be program destroying. On that note, I actually think the SEC office will lobby for lighter punishment just so it's NOT program killing. That's ironic, since OM people think the SEC is out to get them. The SEC office is actually probably their only ally in this. I don't have a guess as to what they'll get, because the NCAA has been so fickle, unpredictable, and arbitrary in the past.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

This is why I have tried my best to temper my excitement

If you have a rule book that you do not follow, you do not have a rule book.

I simply do not trust the NCAA to do the right thing and hammer them according to the letter of the law. Call it PTCD (Post Traumatic Cam Disorder) or whatever you like.

If it were up to me the matrix is the matrix and they get blasted into the stone age, a cautionary tale for cheaters in the future, Rains of Castamere-style. I'm not holding my breath though.

 

[00Dawg]

Short answer: no one knows yet.

Most SEC fans are assuming the penalties are per violation. That leads to unfathomable numbers....no one is getting hit with hundreds of scholarship losses. There are other possibilities, namely:
1. You can apply 1 category of penalty to each violation
2. The penalties listed are for an entire case, and the scope of the violations increase or decrease the percentage applied within the various categories

Number 1 doesn't make much sense to me, and I've only seen it hinted at by UMites, but I'm starting to be of the opinion that the ULL case is showing us it will be #2.
IF that's true, the MAXIMUM penalties for an institution are:
4 year bowl ban
Tens of millions of dollars from negating football revenue for multiple years
42.5 scholarships lost
26 week ban on unofficial visits
50% cut in official visits
26 week ban on communications with prospects
26 week ban on off-campus recruiting
50% cut in days allowed for recruiting/evaluation
10 years probation

The other big wild card in this is that some violations predate the new matrix and this investigation was reopened at one point. How does that factor in? Do you get to punish them once under the old rules and once under the new?

I'm going to guess the answer to that is no, and the COI just generally leans to the new matrix.

My guess as of today:
3 year bowl ban (finger in the eye for the lies to the 2016 recruiting class)
Fine in excess of $1,000,000 (just to get the point across)
41 scholarships total, crediting UM for 11 already and hitting them with 30 more over 3 years (can only sign 15 per class and max of 75 on the roster)
26 week ban on unofficial visits (credit UM with 5 already served)
50% cut in official visits
12 week ban on communications with prospects
12 week ban on off-campus recruiting
25% reduction in days allowed for recruiting/evaluation (credit UM with 22.5% already self-imposed as a sarcastic approval of self-imposed violations)
10 years probation

Notably this requires some ire on the part of the NCAA, but if there was ever a program that need to be slapped back in line, it's this one.

 

[Strike.sixpack]

Does the matrix actually say that the penalties are cumulative for EACH violation? I can't find that anywhere. It seems more likely that if they find UMiss guilty of a single Level 1 violation, then they can get, for example, 0 to 4 years of postseason bans, depending on whether there is mitigation or aggravation. Since there are multiple Level 1 violations in this case, along with other aggravating factors, that brings the 2 to 4 year postseason ban into play.

So, they would be facing up to the maximum penalty for each category, but you don't then multiply that by the number of Level 1 violations.

Or maybe I'm wrong, I just couldn't find an explanation anywhere.

It's not cumulative and they never said it would be. They will take the case as a whole and issue the Level and severity of the case for the penalty portion toward the school then take the individual infraction(s) toward an individual to determine their penalties. And the matrix was specifically stated to be a guideline but that the COI still have room to adjust. Like a judge does with sentencing guidelines.

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources...enalties-new-enforcement-structure-pack-punch

 

[GloryDawg]

Everyone acts like the Death Penalty will not happen again. I will never say never. The COI and the NCAA might take this opportunity to put their foot down. Here is a P5 school but not a major p5 school.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Worth it? A 4 year bowl ban, a loss of 40 scholarships for however many years, and a financial penalty equal to all of the revenue earned by your football program during the years the violations occurred would be "worth it"? Not to mention losing any trophies that were won during that time.

Those are the max penalties for aggravated level 1 violations. What I'm saying is, 16 level 1 penalties plus other aggravating factors should push the panel towards the maximum penalties, but I can't see these penalties being cumulative for each violation.

 

[Dawgzilla]

That's why there is a range of penalties. A program with 5 level 1 violations is less likely to get a 4 year bowl ban. Depends on the circumstances of each case, of course.

 

[Strike.sixpack]

Most SEC fans are assuming the penalties are per violation. That leads to unfathomable numbers....no one is getting hit with hundreds of scholarship losses. There are other possibilities, namely:
1. You can apply 1 category of penalty to each violation
2. The penalties listed are for an entire case, and the scope of the violations increase or decrease the percentage applied within the various categories

Number 1 doesn't make much sense to me, and I've only seen it hinted at by UMites, but I'm starting to be of the opinion that the ULL case is showing us it will be #2.
IF that's true, the MAXIMUM penalties for an institution are:
4 year bowl ban
Tens of millions of dollars from negating football revenue for multiple years
42.5 scholarships lost
26 week ban on unofficial visits
50% cut in official visits
26 week ban on communications with prospects
26 week ban on off-campus recruiting
50% cut in days allowed for recruiting/evaluation
10 years probation

The other big wild card in this is that some violations predate the new matrix and this investigation was reopened at one point. How does that factor in? Do you get to punish them once under the old rules and once under the new?

I'm going to guess the answer to that is no, and the COI just generally leans to the new matrix.

My guess as of today:
3 year bowl ban (finger in the eye for the lies to the 2016 recruiting class)
Fine in excess of $1,000,000 (just to get the point across)
41 scholarships total, crediting UM for 11 already and hitting them with 30 more over 3 years (can only sign 15 per class and max of 75 on the roster)
26 week ban on unofficial visits (credit UM with 5 already served)
50% cut in official visits
12 week ban on communications with prospects
12 week ban on off-campus recruiting
25% reduction in days allowed for recruiting/evaluation (credit UM with 22.5% already self-imposed as a sarcastic approval of self-imposed violations)
10 years probation

Notably this requires some ire on the part of the NCAA, but if there was ever a program that need to be slapped back in line, it's this one.

Your option 2 is exactly how they will handle cases. They will take the case as a whole and issue school penalties based on the Level and severity of the entire case. Obviously with LOIC and prior matrix ACT fraud violations there will be adjusting by the COI. The ACT fraud stuff will be handled either by old standards or new matrix, which ever is the lesser of the penalties, per the NCAA procedure when this was implemented. They also have precedent with ULL as they went with the new matrix as that was less harsh to the school since they mitigated their Level 1 penalty.

 

[patdog]

Per Wikipedia, the death penalty has only been implemented 5 times in NCAA history, with the earliest being 1952-1953 KY basketball and the most recent MacMurray College tennis from 2005-2007. It will probably be used again sometime in the future. But there's not a chance in this world it will be used in this case. It won't even be considered.

 

[philduckworth]

My guess as of today:
3 year bowl ban (finger in the eye for the lies to the 2016 recruiting class)
Fine in excess of $1,000,000 (just to get the point across)
41 scholarships total, crediting UM for 11 already and hitting them with 30 more over 3 years (can only sign 15 per class and max of 75 on the roster)
26 week ban on unofficial visits (credit UM with 5 already served)
50% cut in official visits
12 week ban on communications with prospects
12 week ban on off-campus recruiting
25% reduction in days allowed for recruiting/evaluation (credit UM with 22.5% already self-imposed as a sarcastic approval of self-imposed violations)
10 years probation

Notably this requires some ire on the part of the NCAA, but if there was ever a program that need to be slapped back in line, it's this one.

I think that's a good over/under. Everyone says the NCAA loves the financial penalty nowadays so I expect a heavy fine.

 

[MaroonNation]

The reason for the revamping of penalties in the new matrix was to be better able to apply them consistently. They are not going to have this case gift wrapped and delivered to them and not test the true firepower of the new NCAA.

 

[00Dawg]

One other penalty I forgot to mention: vacated wins.

I expect the 2012 season to be vacated due to the ACT fraud, and some games in 2014/2015 may be vacated as well.

 

[DancingRabbit]

Good post. One note - 4 of the 11 self-imposed schollies are for 2018.

nm

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

It's not cumulative and they never said it would be. They will take the case as a whole and issue the Level and severity of the case for the penalty portion toward the school then take the individual infraction(s) toward an individual to determine their penalties.

I think this is correct. If you look at OM's response to the NOA, in the Introduction it says, "Based upon these factors, the proper classification for this case is Level 1 - Standard." So they are assigning a violation level to the case as a whole and then going to the matrix to determine the appropriate sanctions for the program. And the response wasn't put together by some jackleg from OM's athletic department.....it was put together by Lightfoot, Franklin & White and they know their ****, so I think we can assume that they have taken the correct approach to the penalty matrix.

When it's all said and done, I don't see any way for this case not to be classified as Level 1 - Aggravated....my guess is they will be looking at losing 30+ scholarships, a 2 or 3 year bowl ban, a substantial fine, vacating some wins, etc. And if that happens, they will be a doormat for close to a decade.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

If that happens, then either we are going to have to start cheating like madmen because the NCAA will have proven its worth it to do so, or we are going to start going 3-9, because every other power team we play is going to ramp up.

THIS is the NCAA's dilemma. They have to put forth a really harsh punishment or else everyone else will ramp up their recruiting tactics.

At the same time, it is a D1 SEC school and part of their cash cow system... the SEC.
At the same time, word from SEC coaches under the table warns of the wild wild west if the Rebs get a hand slap.

That being said, I still believe that they are going to get severe scholarship penalties and just live with the fact that Ole Miss will probably become the next "homecoming" team. They have already done this to Baylor who was a top 10 team but lost to Liberty in their home opener this year.
al
Lastly, the way Ole Miss has handled this saga was pretty petulant. Leaks, threats of law suits, holding on to the Beaver with all their might. I'm sure the NCAA is keeping all of this in the back of their minds.

I'm sticking with
3-4 year bowl ban
35-50 scholarships
5-7 years probation
Show causes for all named coaches including Luke
$20 million in fines

We need to have a sticky post/pool on the sanctions with the Egg Bowl being the cutoff date.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Here's a thread we had here back in June:
http://forums.sixpackspeak.com/show...ons-have-I-got-this-straight&highlight=matrix