<![CDATA[The CardBoard - The CardBoard]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:57:19 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Cal football spending $30m on NIL this year]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26248.html Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:03:20 -0400 cctop]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26248.html
The highest-spending teams in the nation project to run budgets of roughly $50 million in 2026. Rivera said Cal’s spending is in the range of $30 million, in line with the upper echelon of ACC powers like Clemson and Florida State (but below Miami).

Star QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will receive $3m from the school plus whatever he earns from private NIL and his own brand of merch.

https://sfstandard.com/2026/08/09/jaron-...te_buttons]]>
The highest-spending teams in the nation project to run budgets of roughly $50 million in 2026. Rivera said Cal’s spending is in the range of $30 million, in line with the upper echelon of ACC powers like Clemson and Florida State (but below Miami).

Star QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will receive $3m from the school plus whatever he earns from private NIL and his own brand of merch.

https://sfstandard.com/2026/08/09/jaron-...te_buttons]]> <![CDATA[2026 Predictions Contest]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26247.html Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:47:51 -0400 george]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26247.html
It is the middle of August which means I'm getting ready to load the season's games into the cardboard predictions contest.  I'm a bit nervous as I haven't looked at the code since we migrated the board software, so there's a chance things get off to a rocky start.  As long as I'm going to be mucking around with the code a bit, I wanted to highlight some suggestions from the end of last year's contest:

(11-30-2025, 05:45 PM)KartyFan Wrote:  I think this format works just fine, but for the sake of throwing out ideas, there used to be an all-Pac-10 predictions pool that awarded points per game as follows:
10 points for picking correct winner
Up to 10 points for margin of victory (if you pick a 1-point loss for Stanford and it's a 2-point win, you get 10 - 3 = 7 points)
Up to 10 points for Stanford score (same formula as above)
Up to 10 points for opponent score 
10 point bonus for picking exact game score (or exact spread if desired)
I liked that this format rewarded picking the spread even if total points were off. And it was nice to have a fixed point value per game that was pretty intuitive to follow. You knew the maximum score was 50 points.

I don't remember who the original architect of the current rules was, but there's something appealing about KartyFan's "maximum score is 50 points" tenet.  As the contest currently stands maximum points are variable by how many people are actually playing, so people making predictions earlier on in the season have a higher ceiling on point total than those later in the season (when overall engagement with the contest drops off). 

I'm not comfortably unilaterally changing the rules that were defined by those much smarter at math and game theory than I, but I'd love to hear people's thoughts here on whether we should update the rules.


(12-01-2025, 04:33 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  Hmm, if you want to spice up the contest a little bit, maybe offer bonus points for “best nickname”?  Then again just because something is fun doesn’t mean you have to make a contest out of it.

BC

I really like BostonCard's suggestion, how would we want to actually make this happen?  We can use the standard polling feature of the board, but there will be a lot of responses and also I wouldn't want to create the poll until the predictions window closes.  I'm curious whether people will engage with the poll after the game is already finished and we're on to the next week.  Thoughts on how you'd like to see this implemented BostonCard?  Or anyone else?]]>
It is the middle of August which means I'm getting ready to load the season's games into the cardboard predictions contest.  I'm a bit nervous as I haven't looked at the code since we migrated the board software, so there's a chance things get off to a rocky start.  As long as I'm going to be mucking around with the code a bit, I wanted to highlight some suggestions from the end of last year's contest:

(11-30-2025, 05:45 PM)KartyFan Wrote:  I think this format works just fine, but for the sake of throwing out ideas, there used to be an all-Pac-10 predictions pool that awarded points per game as follows:
10 points for picking correct winner
Up to 10 points for margin of victory (if you pick a 1-point loss for Stanford and it's a 2-point win, you get 10 - 3 = 7 points)
Up to 10 points for Stanford score (same formula as above)
Up to 10 points for opponent score 
10 point bonus for picking exact game score (or exact spread if desired)
I liked that this format rewarded picking the spread even if total points were off. And it was nice to have a fixed point value per game that was pretty intuitive to follow. You knew the maximum score was 50 points.

I don't remember who the original architect of the current rules was, but there's something appealing about KartyFan's "maximum score is 50 points" tenet.  As the contest currently stands maximum points are variable by how many people are actually playing, so people making predictions earlier on in the season have a higher ceiling on point total than those later in the season (when overall engagement with the contest drops off). 

I'm not comfortably unilaterally changing the rules that were defined by those much smarter at math and game theory than I, but I'd love to hear people's thoughts here on whether we should update the rules.


(12-01-2025, 04:33 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  Hmm, if you want to spice up the contest a little bit, maybe offer bonus points for “best nickname”?  Then again just because something is fun doesn’t mean you have to make a contest out of it.

BC

I really like BostonCard's suggestion, how would we want to actually make this happen?  We can use the standard polling feature of the board, but there will be a lot of responses and also I wouldn't want to create the poll until the predictions window closes.  I'm curious whether people will engage with the poll after the game is already finished and we're on to the next week.  Thoughts on how you'd like to see this implemented BostonCard?  Or anyone else?]]> <![CDATA[LSJU M soccer 2026]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26246.html Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:37:59 -0400 Nobadeer]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26246.html
Coach Gunn recruited the #2 class in the nation, and the 10 new freshmen are *tall*, all are at least 6 feet, and four of the non-goalies are 6-3 or taller. This has to be one of the tallest LSJU M soccer rosters ever. 

The starters played about half of each half, looked quite good, and then the frosh entered. Small sample size, but yes, tall (!) and fast, and looking fairly skilled for a debut exhibition.]]>
Coach Gunn recruited the #2 class in the nation, and the 10 new freshmen are *tall*, all are at least 6 feet, and four of the non-goalies are 6-3 or taller. This has to be one of the tallest LSJU M soccer rosters ever. 

The starters played about half of each half, looked quite good, and then the frosh entered. Small sample size, but yes, tall (!) and fast, and looking fairly skilled for a debut exhibition.]]> <![CDATA[2026 Stanford Cross Country]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26245.html Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:57:09 -0400 BobK]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26245.html
https://gostanford.com/sports/cross-country/schedule

The Roster, more on who's who later

https://gostanford.com/sports/cross-coun...eason/2026]]>
https://gostanford.com/sports/cross-country/schedule

The Roster, more on who's who later

https://gostanford.com/sports/cross-coun...eason/2026]]> <![CDATA[Freaks]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26243.html Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:10:04 -0400 TonyLima]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26243.html Ours is no. 93]]> Ours is no. 93]]> <![CDATA[Will the ACC be in existence in 18 months?]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26242.html Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:09:13 -0400 Mick]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26242.html
Realignment provision in college football bill could put ACC in peril]]>
Realignment provision in college football bill could put ACC in peril]]> <![CDATA[2026 Stanford Athletics HoF class]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26241.html Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:37:42 -0400 82lsju]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26241.html Quote:The Class of 2026 includes Inky Ajanaku (women’s volleyball), Kevin Hogan (football), Kristian Ipsen (men’s swimming and diving), Onnie Killefer (field hockey), Owen Marecic (football), Ali Riley (women’s soccer), Erika Roddy (women’s rowing), Laura Shane (lacrosse), Erik Shoji (men’s volleyball) and Kawika Shoji (men’s volleyball).
https://gostanford.com/news/2026/08/5/20...ujhtPMsr4g]]> Quote:The Class of 2026 includes Inky Ajanaku (women’s volleyball), Kevin Hogan (football), Kristian Ipsen (men’s swimming and diving), Onnie Killefer (field hockey), Owen Marecic (football), Ali Riley (women’s soccer), Erika Roddy (women’s rowing), Laura Shane (lacrosse), Erik Shoji (men’s volleyball) and Kawika Shoji (men’s volleyball).
https://gostanford.com/news/2026/08/5/20...ujhtPMsr4g]]> <![CDATA[College Football Offenses Trending]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26240.html Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:05:41 -0400 Maple Leaf]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26240.html
"If there is a trend fans may notice once the ball is spotted this fall, it’s an uptick in heavier personnel groupings that use two or three tight ends, aka 12 and 13 personnel. Some teams are even bringing fullbacks back. For Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, who followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Happy Valley, it’s like watching the rest of college football catch up with what they have been doing in Ames since 2020."


“I think formations are cheap, and you can run your base system out of a lot of formations, which should give your defense a lot of problems,” said Rice coach Scott Abell, a triple-option devotee."


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7483190...ng-trends/
The era of Big 12 shootouts, wild Pac-12 After Dark comebacks and video game numbers is over. It’s an oversimplification to say old-school, smashmouth football is making a comeback, but being able to line up under center, hand the ball off and run between the tackles for 4 or 5 yards is still the most effective way to keep defenses honest and make life easy for your quarterback]]>
"If there is a trend fans may notice once the ball is spotted this fall, it’s an uptick in heavier personnel groupings that use two or three tight ends, aka 12 and 13 personnel. Some teams are even bringing fullbacks back. For Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, who followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Happy Valley, it’s like watching the rest of college football catch up with what they have been doing in Ames since 2020."


“I think formations are cheap, and you can run your base system out of a lot of formations, which should give your defense a lot of problems,” said Rice coach Scott Abell, a triple-option devotee."


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7483190...ng-trends/
The era of Big 12 shootouts, wild Pac-12 After Dark comebacks and video game numbers is over. It’s an oversimplification to say old-school, smashmouth football is making a comeback, but being able to line up under center, hand the ball off and run between the tackles for 4 or 5 yards is still the most effective way to keep defenses honest and make life easy for your quarterback]]> <![CDATA[Former LB Tom Williams]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26239.html Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:18:51 -0400 Mick]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26239.html
He was announced as the head football coach at Bellarmine HS in San Jose earlier this year. He has a tough task in front of him. Bellarmine has won eight CCS championships since 1981 and went to the state football championship game four times between 2009 and 2022 but they went 2-8 in 2023, 0-10 in 2024 and 2-8 last season. 

Good luck coach...you're going to need it.]]>
He was announced as the head football coach at Bellarmine HS in San Jose earlier this year. He has a tough task in front of him. Bellarmine has won eight CCS championships since 1981 and went to the state football championship game four times between 2009 and 2022 but they went 2-8 in 2023, 0-10 in 2024 and 2-8 last season. 

Good luck coach...you're going to need it.]]> <![CDATA[SEC/BigTen Support collegiate athletics bill]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26238.html Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:06:02 -0400 BostonCard]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26238.html https://www.espn.com/college-sports/stor...te-chances

With the senate scheduled to go on recess next Friday, it wasn’t looking good for the “Protect College Sports Act”, but after a few more concessions strengthening the cap to prevent “associated entities” from being used to circumvent the cap, the two holdout conferences signed on, so things are looking better.

Some of the key measures in the bill:

NCAA and conferences get a limited antitrust exception to:
Establish a more strict cap by including into the cap all affiliated NIL deals, aside from those authentic deals that are ratified through the attestation process. 
Raises the athlete cap from $21.3 million to $48.8 million. (Adds a $22.5 million retention pool for schools to use on retaining athletes in addition to the $21.3 million original cap, plus $5 million to be spent only on women and non-revenue sports)
Re-implement the one-time transfer exception
Standardize a five-year eligibility policy (which incidentally the NCAA lost two court cases today on)
Ban professional athletes from returning to college
Establish an agent registry and maximum fee (5%)

Not sure where a lot of schools will get nearly $50 million.

BC]]> https://www.espn.com/college-sports/stor...te-chances

With the senate scheduled to go on recess next Friday, it wasn’t looking good for the “Protect College Sports Act”, but after a few more concessions strengthening the cap to prevent “associated entities” from being used to circumvent the cap, the two holdout conferences signed on, so things are looking better.

Some of the key measures in the bill:

NCAA and conferences get a limited antitrust exception to:
Establish a more strict cap by including into the cap all affiliated NIL deals, aside from those authentic deals that are ratified through the attestation process. 
Raises the athlete cap from $21.3 million to $48.8 million. (Adds a $22.5 million retention pool for schools to use on retaining athletes in addition to the $21.3 million original cap, plus $5 million to be spent only on women and non-revenue sports)
Re-implement the one-time transfer exception
Standardize a five-year eligibility policy (which incidentally the NCAA lost two court cases today on)
Ban professional athletes from returning to college
Establish an agent registry and maximum fee (5%)

Not sure where a lot of schools will get nearly $50 million.

BC]]> <![CDATA[2026 Stanford Football predictions]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26237.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:10:39 -0400 Papa John]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26237.html
Stanford hasn't had a "full" winning season since 2018. The only worse stretch was 2002-2008, although there were plenty of reasons for optimism in Jim Harbaugh's first two seasons (2007-2008). Is this the year that Stanford climbs back to respectability?]]>
Stanford hasn't had a "full" winning season since 2018. The only worse stretch was 2002-2008, although there were plenty of reasons for optimism in Jim Harbaugh's first two seasons (2007-2008). Is this the year that Stanford climbs back to respectability?]]> <![CDATA[ACC media poll]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26236.html Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:00:35 -0400 rogpodge]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26236.html https://x.com/i/status/2082196022453838017

Stanford got a first place vote and still was picked to come in last. High beta season?]]> https://x.com/i/status/2082196022453838017

Stanford got a first place vote and still was picked to come in last. High beta season?]]> <![CDATA[Stanford football players make move toward collective bargaining]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26235.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:56:07 -0400 oldalum]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26235.html free NY Times article
implications?
(I apologize if I missed earlier thread on this topic)]]> free NY Times article
implications?
(I apologize if I missed earlier thread on this topic)]]> <![CDATA[How did Stanford miss this kid?]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26234.html Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:21:08 -0400 cardcrimson]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26234.html
Jackson Koivun]]>
Jackson Koivun]]> <![CDATA[Plunkett billboard in Canton, OH]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26232.html Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:21:30 -0400 82lsju]]> https://thecardboard.org/board/thread-26232.html
put respect in its place
Jim Plunkett
to Canton

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbJ9AFfAs3X/]]>
put respect in its place
Jim Plunkett
to Canton

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbJ9AFfAs3X/]]>