Odds of winning Ole Miss game just went up...NCAA gets something right?

by memphis wildcat on Sep 1, 2010 1:26 PM EDT

I am not sure if it is enough to make us favorites, especially since the game is in Oxford, but Masoli was just ruled ineligble by the NCAA:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/aug/31/ncaa-rules-rebels-quarterback-masoli-ineligible-ol/

Also, one of their projected starters on the DL has been found to have an irregular heartbeat - which you hate to hear. More after the jump....

On the Masoli issue, recall he was the Heisman candidate that lead Oregon to the Rose Bowl, but was kicked off the team for breaking and entering. He graduated and enrolled at Ole Miss's graduate program - seeking a waiver to play his last year because Oregon does not have a Parks and Recreation Masters Degree.

My cynicism lead me to believe that him being found eligible was a given. However, (and it pains me to say it), I agree with Geoff Calkins that the NCAA got it right.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/01/ncaa-got-it-right-now-masoli-has-chance-too/

The key quote - which summarizes the event in a way I did not fully appreciate - is

So Nutt and Ole Miss athletics director Pete Boone can feign outrage on behalf of their stained mercenary. They can assemble elaborate legal arguments to explain why the NCAA's decision is inconsistent with precedent blah blah blah.

But, c'mon, really? To review:

1. Masoli couldn't play at Oregon until 2011 because he screwed up.

2. He screwed up again after that.

3. So now he should be allowed to play at Ole Miss in 2010??

Of course he shouldn't be allowed to play.

He does take a shot at Memphis Basketball not Cal directly in the next few sentences - so I guess that is progress (not calling out Cal by name being the progress).

Anyway, Ole Miss's prospects just took a hit...

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I am always loathe to say the NCAA gets anything right, but maybe they didnt get this one wrong......

I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 1, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Don't tell that to Red Cup Rebellion

They went into full meltdown mode over this.

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71

by btcoop71 on Sep 1, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Resounding yes to both!

by mrmondaynite on Sep 1, 2010 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not on board with the NCAA on this.

I’d rather they have let Masoli play. Now they’ve set a precedent for interfering with player transfers between schools. There are a lot of variations on the situation (undergraduate vs graduate, minor vs major violations, etc.) that are going to create angst for a lot of kids either wanting to switch schools to gain more playing time or having to switch schools due to “violations”, loss of scholarship, bad situations and what not.

Plus, I’d rather be playing Ole Miss with Masoli; I want their best shot.

by hoboat33 on Sep 1, 2010 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

This wasn't about a kid switching schools,

this was about a kid ducking responsibility for his actions. He should be banned from college football.

I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.

by kywineman on Sep 1, 2010 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

You're right.

This time it wasn’t strictly about switching schools put it was part of the equation. There are players out there that have done worse things than Masoli that are still on the field, they just didn’t involve being kicked off a team (not out of school) and having to switch schools to find playing time. In any case, I’m leery of NCAA rulings and how they extrapolate these rulings to cover other situations.

by hoboat33 on Sep 2, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Supposedly....

the ole miss AD has 12 cases where the circumstances are similar. By similar, i mean a kid graduated, was kicked off the team, enrolled in grad school and was granted a waiver. however, in the past, the ncaa ruled that the intent of the kids were to get a grad degree, not play. whereas in this case, they ruled the kids intent was to play football not get a grad degree.

when the ncaa starts judging intent rather than interpreting the letter of the law, it opens a can of worms…..

only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team

by memphis wildcat on Sep 2, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions