For college football knuckleheads, Signing Day is like Christmas. And that's been seen by not only the around the clock coverage on things like ESPN, but also sites like rivals and scout, which rank the players starting in their freshman years of high school. Now I admit, I look at those sites constantly, so I'm not really one to talk but giving out these "stars" is ridiculous.
The stars and rankings given to these kids are what going to ruin the high school sports world, if it hasn't already. But what is truly sad about it all, is whether it is the kids, the "experts,", coaches or PARENTS that are doing the "pimping out" of the student-athletes.
To be on one of those sites, someone needs to send in a video of the athlete, so he can be "evaluated" and then given a ranking or star. A five-star ranking means you are one of the top kids in the nation, a three-star means you are pretty much an average player, while anything lower usually means you are a fringe player. If a parent or athlete sees they are "only" s three-star and want to get better scholarship offers, which might mean doing anything going from extra lessons from professionals to possibly doing steroids. The extra push, however, can also burn out the kid.
The one thing the coaches, parents or kids seem not to realize is that all these stars, rankings and such are all other people's OPINIONS. There are time where the different sites disagree with how good of a kid is. I'll give you the example of Missouri, since it's my alma mater and a school that has been known for getting lesser rated kids and getting them to play better than those rankings. Let's look at the Tigers' last three first round draft picks, Jeremy Maclin, Sean Weatherspoon and Ziggy Hood. Sean Weatherspoon came to Mizzou as a two-star safety prospect and left as the third-highest tackler in school history with 413 tackles and a two-time All-American. Maclin was the highest rated of the three, garnering four stars from rivals and three from scout, but was rated the 70th best wideout by scout. All he did was leave as the school's all-time leader in all-purpose yards, third in career receiving yards and fourth in career receptions. All in two years. Hood is now a starter on the Super Bowl-bound Pittsburgh Steelers.
Of the 62 athletes that were given five stars by scout, 11 made it to the NFL or lived up to expectations. That's 17 percent. Now that may seem a lot, but let's not forget these were cream of the crop kids who people expect to come in and have a big effect on their teams. Well that wasn't the case for 52 of them. In a smaller sample size of 26 five stars, the 2006 class also had 11 players that made an impact of play(ed) in the NFL.
Now don't get me wrong, I truly appreciate and respect what all of the analysts who go out all across the country all year. But my problem is that everyone takes too much stock into these stinking rankings. Sure, most of the time it turns out to be right, as you see the Alabama's USC's, Florida's, etc. always getting top classes and succeeding. But what about the schools like TCU or Boise State and up to this year, Oregon? The rankings are good and all, but they're mainly there to make all the fans and those associated with the program go crazy. As long as a school gets players they need, that fit their system and those who they feel are perfect for the, who says they won't succeed?
Showing posts with label NCAA Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA Football. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma vs. Connecticut
The Huskies could not have gotten a bigger challenge for their first appearance on college football's biggest stage than facing the powerful Sooners on Saturday night at Glendale, Ariz.
Connecticut's path to Arizona began in 1997, when the school voted to accept the invite from the Big East Conference and upgrade from a I-AA program.
The 25th-ranked Huskies (8-4) then joined the Big East for the 2004 season -- one year early -- after the Atlantic Coast Conference poached Miami and Virginia Tech in 2003. They earned their first bowl appearance that year, and the Fiesta Bowl will be their fourth consecutive postseason game.
Oklahoma (11-2) is making its 12th bowl appearance in as many seasons under coach Bob Stoops and 44th overall. Its 25 victories are tied for fifth all-time, and the eighth BCS bowl appearance trails only Ohio State's nine. Unfiortunately, they have lost five consecutive BCS games -- two for the national championship -- since winning the 2003 Rose Bowl. Two other defeats, the 2007 and 2008 Fiesta Bowls, came when the Sooners were heavy favorites before losing to Boise State and West Virginia, respectively.
If the Huskies have any hope in winning, their fate will ride on the legs of two-time 1,000-yard rusher Jordan Todman. The tailback had 1,574 yards and 14 TDs to earn Big East offensive player of the year honors and is second in the nation at 143.1 yards per game.
With the Sooners likely to stack the box in an attempt to slow Todman, there will be pressure on Zach Frazer to keep Oklahoma's defense honest. The senior, though, topped 200 yards just once this season and completed only 52.7 percent of his 222 passes for 1,202 yards and five TDs.
The Sooners are fourth among FBS teams in passing at 336.8 yards per game, 13th in total offense (478.1 ypg) and 17th in scoring (36.4 points per game).
Landry Jones threw for 4,289 yards and 35 touchdowns, with receiver Ryan Broyles posting his second straight 1,000-yard season. He finished with career highs of 118 receptions and 1,452 yards to go with 13 touchdowns and is Oklahoma's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs.
Five players had at least 26 receptions for the Sooners, and running back DeMarco Murray is one of them. He had 1,121 rushing yards and 14 TDs to go with 69 receptions, 595 yards and five receiving scores.
Prediction: As much as I would love to see the Huskies pull the upset, I really don't see them having the horses to do so. Oklahoma 31-10
The Huskies could not have gotten a bigger challenge for their first appearance on college football's biggest stage than facing the powerful Sooners on Saturday night at Glendale, Ariz.
Connecticut's path to Arizona began in 1997, when the school voted to accept the invite from the Big East Conference and upgrade from a I-AA program.
The 25th-ranked Huskies (8-4) then joined the Big East for the 2004 season -- one year early -- after the Atlantic Coast Conference poached Miami and Virginia Tech in 2003. They earned their first bowl appearance that year, and the Fiesta Bowl will be their fourth consecutive postseason game.
Oklahoma (11-2) is making its 12th bowl appearance in as many seasons under coach Bob Stoops and 44th overall. Its 25 victories are tied for fifth all-time, and the eighth BCS bowl appearance trails only Ohio State's nine. Unfiortunately, they have lost five consecutive BCS games -- two for the national championship -- since winning the 2003 Rose Bowl. Two other defeats, the 2007 and 2008 Fiesta Bowls, came when the Sooners were heavy favorites before losing to Boise State and West Virginia, respectively.
If the Huskies have any hope in winning, their fate will ride on the legs of two-time 1,000-yard rusher Jordan Todman. The tailback had 1,574 yards and 14 TDs to earn Big East offensive player of the year honors and is second in the nation at 143.1 yards per game.
With the Sooners likely to stack the box in an attempt to slow Todman, there will be pressure on Zach Frazer to keep Oklahoma's defense honest. The senior, though, topped 200 yards just once this season and completed only 52.7 percent of his 222 passes for 1,202 yards and five TDs.
The Sooners are fourth among FBS teams in passing at 336.8 yards per game, 13th in total offense (478.1 ypg) and 17th in scoring (36.4 points per game).
Landry Jones threw for 4,289 yards and 35 touchdowns, with receiver Ryan Broyles posting his second straight 1,000-yard season. He finished with career highs of 118 receptions and 1,452 yards to go with 13 touchdowns and is Oklahoma's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs.
Five players had at least 26 receptions for the Sooners, and running back DeMarco Murray is one of them. He had 1,121 rushing yards and 14 TDs to go with 69 receptions, 595 yards and five receiving scores.
Prediction: As much as I would love to see the Huskies pull the upset, I really don't see them having the horses to do so. Oklahoma 31-10
Rose Bowl
TCU vs. Wisconsin
TCU didn't get to prove it deserved to play for the BCS title. A victory over Wisconsin in the Granddaddy of Them All could go a long way toward showing that it should have.
The third-ranked Horned Frogs, owners of the nation's top defense, face a No. 4 Badgers team that reached the 70-point mark three times this season in the 97th Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
The Frogs, who went undefeated for the second straight regular season, will make their first appearance in perhaps the most prestigious and storied bowl in college football. TCU gets to play in Pasadena over a Pac-10 team -- the traditional selection to face the Big Ten representative -- because the Rose Bowl was obligated this year to select a team from a non-automatic BCS qualifying conference if one was eligible and not playing in the title game.
TCU is allowing averages of 11.4 points, 126.3 passing yards and 215.4 total yards -- all tops in the FBS -- and 89.2 rushing yards, third-fewest in the country. The Frogs' speedy defense, though, should receive its biggest test of the season from the Badgers (11-1), who are tied for fourth in the nation with 43.3 points per game -- same as TCU.
Scott Tolzien has passed for 2,300 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 74.3 percent of his throws -- best in the country.
For TCU to keep the Badgers from an eighth straight win -- Wisconsin's seven consecutive victories have come by 26.1 points -- it will have to stop a trio of running backs that has piled up nearly 2,900 yards on the ground. James White (1,029), John Clay (936) and Montee Ball (864) running behind six All-Big Ten offensive linemen proved far too much for opponents to handle.
TCU QB Andy Dalton is a 41-game winner as a starter. The senior has thrown for 2,638 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions while running for 407 yards and five TDs this season.
Ed Wesley paces the nation's 12th-ranked rushing attack with 1,065 yards, while Matthew Tucker ran for 694.
Josh Boyce leads the team in receiving yards with 602 on 33 catches and has six touchdowns, while Jeremy Kerley has 50 catches for 517 yards and 10 scores.
Prediction: TCU shows it should have gotten a chance to play for the title by shutting down Wisconsin and winning 42-14.
TCU didn't get to prove it deserved to play for the BCS title. A victory over Wisconsin in the Granddaddy of Them All could go a long way toward showing that it should have.
The third-ranked Horned Frogs, owners of the nation's top defense, face a No. 4 Badgers team that reached the 70-point mark three times this season in the 97th Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
The Frogs, who went undefeated for the second straight regular season, will make their first appearance in perhaps the most prestigious and storied bowl in college football. TCU gets to play in Pasadena over a Pac-10 team -- the traditional selection to face the Big Ten representative -- because the Rose Bowl was obligated this year to select a team from a non-automatic BCS qualifying conference if one was eligible and not playing in the title game.
TCU is allowing averages of 11.4 points, 126.3 passing yards and 215.4 total yards -- all tops in the FBS -- and 89.2 rushing yards, third-fewest in the country. The Frogs' speedy defense, though, should receive its biggest test of the season from the Badgers (11-1), who are tied for fourth in the nation with 43.3 points per game -- same as TCU.
Scott Tolzien has passed for 2,300 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 74.3 percent of his throws -- best in the country.
For TCU to keep the Badgers from an eighth straight win -- Wisconsin's seven consecutive victories have come by 26.1 points -- it will have to stop a trio of running backs that has piled up nearly 2,900 yards on the ground. James White (1,029), John Clay (936) and Montee Ball (864) running behind six All-Big Ten offensive linemen proved far too much for opponents to handle.
TCU QB Andy Dalton is a 41-game winner as a starter. The senior has thrown for 2,638 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions while running for 407 yards and five TDs this season.
Ed Wesley paces the nation's 12th-ranked rushing attack with 1,065 yards, while Matthew Tucker ran for 694.
Josh Boyce leads the team in receiving yards with 602 on 33 catches and has six touchdowns, while Jeremy Kerley has 50 catches for 517 yards and 10 scores.
Prediction: TCU shows it should have gotten a chance to play for the title by shutting down Wisconsin and winning 42-14.
Capital One Bowl
Alabama vs. Michigan State
A share of its first conference championship in 20 years and a school record for wins apparently wasn't good enough for Michigan State (11-1) earn the program's first BCS invitation, finishing behind fellow Big Ten champions Ohio State and Wisconsin. So who better to play to see if you belong up there than last year's national champ, right?
Kirk Cousins comes in with some gaudy stats but will have some challenges in this game. While he has thrown for 2,705 yards and 20 touchdowns. But five of his nine interceptions have come in the last four games. Leading receiver B.J. Cunningham is out after breaking his foot in practice Dec. 18. Cunningham led the team with 50 receptions for 611 yards and nine touchdowns. Michigan State does have other options, though. Mark Dell caught 49 passes for 761 yards, and Keshawn Martin added 29 catches.
Running back Edwin Baker ranked third in the Big Ten with 1,187 yards, rushed for 6.1 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns.
Alabama will counter with wide receiver and second-team All-American Julio Jones, who set school records with 75 receptions and 1,084 yards this season. Jones caught seven of Greg McElroy's 19 touchdown passes. McElroy has thrown for 2,767 yards.
However, last season's Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, who missed two games due to injury, has been held to less than 100 yards in eight straight contests after eclipsing that mark nine times in 2009. He has rushed for just over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.
Prediction: Alabama 24-21
A share of its first conference championship in 20 years and a school record for wins apparently wasn't good enough for Michigan State (11-1) earn the program's first BCS invitation, finishing behind fellow Big Ten champions Ohio State and Wisconsin. So who better to play to see if you belong up there than last year's national champ, right?
Kirk Cousins comes in with some gaudy stats but will have some challenges in this game. While he has thrown for 2,705 yards and 20 touchdowns. But five of his nine interceptions have come in the last four games. Leading receiver B.J. Cunningham is out after breaking his foot in practice Dec. 18. Cunningham led the team with 50 receptions for 611 yards and nine touchdowns. Michigan State does have other options, though. Mark Dell caught 49 passes for 761 yards, and Keshawn Martin added 29 catches.
Running back Edwin Baker ranked third in the Big Ten with 1,187 yards, rushed for 6.1 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns.
Alabama will counter with wide receiver and second-team All-American Julio Jones, who set school records with 75 receptions and 1,084 yards this season. Jones caught seven of Greg McElroy's 19 touchdown passes. McElroy has thrown for 2,767 yards.
However, last season's Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, who missed two games due to injury, has been held to less than 100 yards in eight straight contests after eclipsing that mark nine times in 2009. He has rushed for just over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.
Prediction: Alabama 24-21
Ticket City Bowl
Northwestern vs. Texas Tech
Northwestern has lost all seven bowl games it has played since winning its first one -- the 1949 Rose Bowl. The Wildcats (7-5) are making their third consecutive postseason appearance despite losing five of seven games after starting 5-0 for the second time in three years.
The Wildcats will be without All-Big Ten quarterback Dan Persa after he suffered an Achilles' tendon injury in a victory over Iowa. So redshirt freshman Evan Watkins, who has started the two games since Persa went down, will be starting what is probably the biggest game of his young career. Watkins has thrown for 258 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions in those two games.
While Watkins will likely target Jeremy Ebert, who led the Big Ten with 919 receiving yards, Northwestern could be without its top three rushers. Leader Mike Trumpy may sit out due to a wrist injury suffered in the Illinois loss, and the Wildcats definitely won't have Persa or Arby Fields, who led the team in rushing in 2009 but recently decided to transfer. But if Trumpy has to sit, Northwestern can rely on senior Stephen Simmons, junior Jacob Schmidt and true freshman Adonis Smith. Unfortunately the three have combined for only 419 yards and four touchdowns. Schmidt has all the touchdowns.
Quarterback Taylor Potts is a big reason Texas Tech is making its 11th consecutive bowl appearance. He's completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,357 yards with 31 TDs and nine interceptions. The senior has helped Texas Tech rank eighth in the FBS in passing with 314.8 yards per game while averaging 32.1 points, including 99 over its final two games -- non-conference victories over Weber State and Houston.
Northwestern also must contend with Potts' former teammate at Abilene High School, Lyle Leong. The senior has a team-high 808 receiving yards and is second in the FBS with 17 touchdown receptions. But he isn't the only big-play threat. Detron Lewis has a team-best 79 receptions for 803 yards and six scores. Lewis caught 10 passes for 114 yards and a TD in last season's bowl win.
While Texas Tech is a pass-first team, this is the 11th straight season it has had a quarterback throw for at least 3,000 yards, it may be running backs Baron Batch and Eric Stephens who are the difference in the game against the Wildcats, who allowed 848 rushing yards and 10 TDs over the last two games.
Prediction: Watkins struggles against the Red Raiders and Potts leads an aerial attack that ambushes the Wildcats. Tech 35-14.
Northwestern has lost all seven bowl games it has played since winning its first one -- the 1949 Rose Bowl. The Wildcats (7-5) are making their third consecutive postseason appearance despite losing five of seven games after starting 5-0 for the second time in three years.
The Wildcats will be without All-Big Ten quarterback Dan Persa after he suffered an Achilles' tendon injury in a victory over Iowa. So redshirt freshman Evan Watkins, who has started the two games since Persa went down, will be starting what is probably the biggest game of his young career. Watkins has thrown for 258 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions in those two games.
While Watkins will likely target Jeremy Ebert, who led the Big Ten with 919 receiving yards, Northwestern could be without its top three rushers. Leader Mike Trumpy may sit out due to a wrist injury suffered in the Illinois loss, and the Wildcats definitely won't have Persa or Arby Fields, who led the team in rushing in 2009 but recently decided to transfer. But if Trumpy has to sit, Northwestern can rely on senior Stephen Simmons, junior Jacob Schmidt and true freshman Adonis Smith. Unfortunately the three have combined for only 419 yards and four touchdowns. Schmidt has all the touchdowns.
Quarterback Taylor Potts is a big reason Texas Tech is making its 11th consecutive bowl appearance. He's completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,357 yards with 31 TDs and nine interceptions. The senior has helped Texas Tech rank eighth in the FBS in passing with 314.8 yards per game while averaging 32.1 points, including 99 over its final two games -- non-conference victories over Weber State and Houston.
Northwestern also must contend with Potts' former teammate at Abilene High School, Lyle Leong. The senior has a team-high 808 receiving yards and is second in the FBS with 17 touchdown receptions. But he isn't the only big-play threat. Detron Lewis has a team-best 79 receptions for 803 yards and six scores. Lewis caught 10 passes for 114 yards and a TD in last season's bowl win.
While Texas Tech is a pass-first team, this is the 11th straight season it has had a quarterback throw for at least 3,000 yards, it may be running backs Baron Batch and Eric Stephens who are the difference in the game against the Wildcats, who allowed 848 rushing yards and 10 TDs over the last two games.
Prediction: Watkins struggles against the Red Raiders and Potts leads an aerial attack that ambushes the Wildcats. Tech 35-14.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Alamo Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Arizona
Oklahoma State looks to cap a memorable year with a school-record 11th victory in San Antonio's Alamo Bowl on Wednesday night when it squares off against an Arizona team hoping to salvage a win from a disappointing final two months of the season.
The 16th-ranked Cowboys (10-2) were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 South this season, but ended up tying for the division title and setting a school record with 10 regular-season wins. They are making a school-record fifth straight bowl appearance.
The Wildcats seemed like they might be headed to a BCS bowl earlier this year, climbing as high as ninth in the rankings, but four straight losses to close the regular season quickly ended those hopes. Arizona is still appearing in a third consecutive bowl game, matching the school's previous best string from 1992-94.
Oklahoma State leads the FBS in total offense at 537.6 yards per game, ranks third in scoring at 44.9 points and boasts three skill position players named to the all-Big 12 first team.
Justin Blackmon is the conference's player of the year, the Biletnikoff Award winner and a first-team All-American after leading the nation with 151.4 receiving yards per game and 18 touchdown catches. He needs eight yards against Arizona to break the NCAA sophomore receiving yards record of 1,672, set by Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Blackmon has tied an NCAA record with 11 straight games of 100 yards receiving with a TD.
Brandon Weeden was second in the country in yards passing per game (336.4) and fifth in touchdown passes (32). He has also thrown for 4,037 yards.
Blackmon was joined on the All-American first team by running back Kendall Hunter. The senior is seventh in the nation with 126.3 rushing yards per game and ran for 16 TDs. He did all this while rushing for 1,516 yards.
Since the start of November, the Wildcats have allowed an average of 456.0 yards, 20th-worst in the FBS, and an average of 36.0 points, 27th-worst. This is after a 7-1 start, where they were 10th nationally in points and yards allowed.
While the Wildcats' defense needs to tighten up, the offense heads into the bowl playing some of its best football.
Nick Foles has passed for 1,063 yards with nine touchdowns to just one interception in his last three games. He threw for 2,911 and 19 touchdowns the entire season. The junior leads the Pac-10 in passing with an average of 291.1 yards and his favorite target, first-team all-conference selection Juron Criner, led the league with 73 receptions and 1,186 yards.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 49, Arizona 41
Oklahoma State looks to cap a memorable year with a school-record 11th victory in San Antonio's Alamo Bowl on Wednesday night when it squares off against an Arizona team hoping to salvage a win from a disappointing final two months of the season.
The 16th-ranked Cowboys (10-2) were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 South this season, but ended up tying for the division title and setting a school record with 10 regular-season wins. They are making a school-record fifth straight bowl appearance.
The Wildcats seemed like they might be headed to a BCS bowl earlier this year, climbing as high as ninth in the rankings, but four straight losses to close the regular season quickly ended those hopes. Arizona is still appearing in a third consecutive bowl game, matching the school's previous best string from 1992-94.
Oklahoma State leads the FBS in total offense at 537.6 yards per game, ranks third in scoring at 44.9 points and boasts three skill position players named to the all-Big 12 first team.
Justin Blackmon is the conference's player of the year, the Biletnikoff Award winner and a first-team All-American after leading the nation with 151.4 receiving yards per game and 18 touchdown catches. He needs eight yards against Arizona to break the NCAA sophomore receiving yards record of 1,672, set by Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Blackmon has tied an NCAA record with 11 straight games of 100 yards receiving with a TD.
Brandon Weeden was second in the country in yards passing per game (336.4) and fifth in touchdown passes (32). He has also thrown for 4,037 yards.
Blackmon was joined on the All-American first team by running back Kendall Hunter. The senior is seventh in the nation with 126.3 rushing yards per game and ran for 16 TDs. He did all this while rushing for 1,516 yards.
Since the start of November, the Wildcats have allowed an average of 456.0 yards, 20th-worst in the FBS, and an average of 36.0 points, 27th-worst. This is after a 7-1 start, where they were 10th nationally in points and yards allowed.
While the Wildcats' defense needs to tighten up, the offense heads into the bowl playing some of its best football.
Nick Foles has passed for 1,063 yards with nine touchdowns to just one interception in his last three games. He threw for 2,911 and 19 touchdowns the entire season. The junior leads the Pac-10 in passing with an average of 291.1 yards and his favorite target, first-team all-conference selection Juron Criner, led the league with 73 receptions and 1,186 yards.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 49, Arizona 41
Military Bowl
East Carolina vs. Maryland
This game makes for an interesting case as Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will no longer be the coach of the Terps after the game. After winning ACC Coach of the Year in 2010, the Maryland Athletic Department decided to buy out Friedgen.
Maryland (8-4) is back in a bowl game for the first time since beating Nevada 42-35 in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. Maryland's return to the postseason came after the Terps dropped their last seven games of 2009 and finished 2-10.
The Pirates are centered around a passing game that is among the best in the nation, averaging 319.3 yards with 37 touchdowns.
Dominique Davis shattered team records with 36 TD passes, 3,699 yards and 358 completions -- 99 more than the previous mark. The junior, in his first season at East Carolina, connected on 64.9 percent of his throws and had 14 interceptions.
Davis threw 18 TDs and four picks while posting a 145.2 rating over the last five games.
Receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis are Davis' top targets. Harris has a Conference USA-high 93 receptions along with 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lewis' 78 catches are third in the league, and he has a team-best 13 TD receptions and 979 yards.
While East Carolina's offensive power is clear, the defense has had major problems. The unit is the worst in the country, allowing averages of 43.4 points and 478.8 yards -- 220.8 rushing. The Pirates have given up 54.8 points per game over the last five contests.
Terps freshman Danny O'Brien is coming off a stellar performance in the season finale, going 33 of 47 for 417 yards and throwing four touchdowns to Torrey Smith. O'Brien has thrown for 2,257 yards, 21 scoring passes and six interceptions.
Torrey Smith is tied for the ACC lead with 12 TD catches and has 1,045 receiving yards.
Prediction: East Carolina 49, Maryland 40
This game makes for an interesting case as Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will no longer be the coach of the Terps after the game. After winning ACC Coach of the Year in 2010, the Maryland Athletic Department decided to buy out Friedgen.
Maryland (8-4) is back in a bowl game for the first time since beating Nevada 42-35 in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. Maryland's return to the postseason came after the Terps dropped their last seven games of 2009 and finished 2-10.
The Pirates are centered around a passing game that is among the best in the nation, averaging 319.3 yards with 37 touchdowns.
Dominique Davis shattered team records with 36 TD passes, 3,699 yards and 358 completions -- 99 more than the previous mark. The junior, in his first season at East Carolina, connected on 64.9 percent of his throws and had 14 interceptions.
Davis threw 18 TDs and four picks while posting a 145.2 rating over the last five games.
Receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis are Davis' top targets. Harris has a Conference USA-high 93 receptions along with 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lewis' 78 catches are third in the league, and he has a team-best 13 TD receptions and 979 yards.
While East Carolina's offensive power is clear, the defense has had major problems. The unit is the worst in the country, allowing averages of 43.4 points and 478.8 yards -- 220.8 rushing. The Pirates have given up 54.8 points per game over the last five contests.
Terps freshman Danny O'Brien is coming off a stellar performance in the season finale, going 33 of 47 for 417 yards and throwing four touchdowns to Torrey Smith. O'Brien has thrown for 2,257 yards, 21 scoring passes and six interceptions.
Torrey Smith is tied for the ACC lead with 12 TD catches and has 1,045 receiving yards.
Prediction: East Carolina 49, Maryland 40
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Champs Sports Bowl
NC State vs. West Virginia
West Virginia ranks second in the FBS in scoring defense at 12.8 points, second in rush defense at 85.1 yards and third in total defense at 251.3 yards. The squad ended the regular season playing some of its best football, allowing four touchdowns over the last four games.
The Mountaineers also have a skilled quarterback in Geno Smith, who was second in the Big East with 2,567 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, both second most in school history behind Marc Bulger's 3,607 yards and 31 TDs in 1998. Smith threw for a career-best 352 yards in the finale. He has one interception in his last five games. The running game is led by Noel Devine, who has had a rough senior season, rushing for only 886 yards and six touchdowns, far fewer than what was expected after last season's nearly 1,500 yard and 14 touchdown season.
That defense will look to stop a North Carolina State offense that was second in the ACC with 32.6 points per game. The unit revolves around Russell Wilson, who led the conference with 3,288 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
Wilson, who finished two points shy of Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor for All-ACC first-team honors, had eight 300-yard passing games and attempted 60 passes in the regular-season finale. The junior is also a dangerous runner, rolling up 394 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Prediction: N.C. State 31, West Virginia 27
West Virginia ranks second in the FBS in scoring defense at 12.8 points, second in rush defense at 85.1 yards and third in total defense at 251.3 yards. The squad ended the regular season playing some of its best football, allowing four touchdowns over the last four games.
The Mountaineers also have a skilled quarterback in Geno Smith, who was second in the Big East with 2,567 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, both second most in school history behind Marc Bulger's 3,607 yards and 31 TDs in 1998. Smith threw for a career-best 352 yards in the finale. He has one interception in his last five games. The running game is led by Noel Devine, who has had a rough senior season, rushing for only 886 yards and six touchdowns, far fewer than what was expected after last season's nearly 1,500 yard and 14 touchdown season.
That defense will look to stop a North Carolina State offense that was second in the ACC with 32.6 points per game. The unit revolves around Russell Wilson, who led the conference with 3,288 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
Wilson, who finished two points shy of Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor for All-ACC first-team honors, had eight 300-yard passing games and attempted 60 passes in the regular-season finale. The junior is also a dangerous runner, rolling up 394 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Prediction: N.C. State 31, West Virginia 27
Monday, December 27, 2010
Independence Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Air Force
If you like running attacks, this is the game for you. Georgia Tech and Air Force are the nations No. 1 and 2 teams in terms of rushing, with the Jackets rushing for 327 ypg, while the Falcons rush for 318. The teams combined for 299 pass attempts.
The Yellow Jackets, however, could be without their most versatile threat. Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt broke his arm against Virginia Tech on Nov. 4 and it's uncertain if he'll be ready to play. Sophomore Tevin Washington has filled in, but he hasn't been as productive.In nine games, Nesbitt, a first-team All-ACC selection last year when the Yellow Jackets won the conference, is second on the team with 737 rushing yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. He's also passed for 674 yards and seven scores. Washington, meanwhile, rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 292 and two scores.
Luckily for Georgia Tech, running back Anthony Allen has stepped up his game as of late, averaging over 138 ypg the last four games. He has rushed for 1,225 yards and six scores on the season. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets will be without leading receiver Stephen Hill, who was one of four players declared academically ineligible. Hill had 15 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns.
Unlike Georgia Tech, Air Force seems to be peaking at the right time. The Falcons have won three in a row by a combined score of 125-65. They closed the regular season with a 35-20 victory at UNLV on Nov. 18.
Air Force is led in rushing by junior Asher Clark, who ran for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns and 769 yards on the ground.
The Falcons also could have another threat if Jared Tew is be cleared to play. He suffered a broken fibula against San Diego State on Oct. 16 after rushing for 540 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
If you like running attacks, this is the game for you. Georgia Tech and Air Force are the nations No. 1 and 2 teams in terms of rushing, with the Jackets rushing for 327 ypg, while the Falcons rush for 318. The teams combined for 299 pass attempts.
The Yellow Jackets, however, could be without their most versatile threat. Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt broke his arm against Virginia Tech on Nov. 4 and it's uncertain if he'll be ready to play. Sophomore Tevin Washington has filled in, but he hasn't been as productive.In nine games, Nesbitt, a first-team All-ACC selection last year when the Yellow Jackets won the conference, is second on the team with 737 rushing yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. He's also passed for 674 yards and seven scores. Washington, meanwhile, rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 292 and two scores.
Luckily for Georgia Tech, running back Anthony Allen has stepped up his game as of late, averaging over 138 ypg the last four games. He has rushed for 1,225 yards and six scores on the season. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets will be without leading receiver Stephen Hill, who was one of four players declared academically ineligible. Hill had 15 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns.
Unlike Georgia Tech, Air Force seems to be peaking at the right time. The Falcons have won three in a row by a combined score of 125-65. They closed the regular season with a 35-20 victory at UNLV on Nov. 18.
Air Force is led in rushing by junior Asher Clark, who ran for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns and 769 yards on the ground.
The Falcons also could have another threat if Jared Tew is be cleared to play. He suffered a broken fibula against San Diego State on Oct. 16 after rushing for 540 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Little Caesar's Bowl
Florida International vs. Toledo
The Rockets return to postseason play for the first time in five years in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl against FIU, which will be making the first bowl appearance in its history.
Toledo, who had lost 16 games over the previous two seasons, improved dramatically this year under second-year coach Tim Beckman. They finished second in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, and three of their losses were to teams also playing in bowls -- Boise State, Northern Illinois and Arizona.
While reaching this bowl is a great reward for Toledo, it's a remarkable achievement for FIU, which is in just its ninth season of play at any level and sixth year in the FBS. The Golden Panthers' six wins this season comprise one-fifth of their 30 victories all-time.
The Golden Panthers averaged 38.0 points while winning four of their final five games. Their offense is led by running backs Darriet Perry (707 yards and 14 TDs in 2010) and Darrian Mallary (669 yards, two TDs). Quarterback Wesley Carroll, completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,483 yards with 15 TDs.
Toledo lost starting quarterback Austin Dantin to a shoulder injury during an Oct. 30 victory over Eastern Michigan, but replacement Terrance Owens doesn't seem to have missed a beat. A redshirt freshman, Owens has thrown 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Owens will look to get the ball to sophomore wideout Eric Page, who had 94 receptions for 1,081 yards and eight TDs this season. The explosive Page also scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns.
The Rockets return to postseason play for the first time in five years in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl against FIU, which will be making the first bowl appearance in its history.
Toledo, who had lost 16 games over the previous two seasons, improved dramatically this year under second-year coach Tim Beckman. They finished second in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, and three of their losses were to teams also playing in bowls -- Boise State, Northern Illinois and Arizona.
While reaching this bowl is a great reward for Toledo, it's a remarkable achievement for FIU, which is in just its ninth season of play at any level and sixth year in the FBS. The Golden Panthers' six wins this season comprise one-fifth of their 30 victories all-time.
The Golden Panthers averaged 38.0 points while winning four of their final five games. Their offense is led by running backs Darriet Perry (707 yards and 14 TDs in 2010) and Darrian Mallary (669 yards, two TDs). Quarterback Wesley Carroll, completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,483 yards with 15 TDs.
Toledo lost starting quarterback Austin Dantin to a shoulder injury during an Oct. 30 victory over Eastern Michigan, but replacement Terrance Owens doesn't seem to have missed a beat. A redshirt freshman, Owens has thrown 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Owens will look to get the ball to sophomore wideout Eric Page, who had 94 receptions for 1,081 yards and eight TDs this season. The explosive Page also scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Hawaii Bowl
Hawaii vs. Tulsa
If you like offense, this is the bowl for you. Both of these teams feature one of the top offense in the nation, with Hawaii ranking eighth nationally at 497 yards per game, while Tulsa is fifth at 504 yards per game.
Hawaii is back ladies and gentlemen. After a rough two years, the Warriors are back on the national stage and going for their third 11-win season in five years. The resurgence is led by quarterback Bryant Moniz who, like former Warrior qb's Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan, loves to sling the ball around. Moniz has thrown for 4,629 yards and 36 touchdowns, while completing two-third of his passes. Greg Salas has caught 106 passes for 1,675 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kealoha Pilares has 88 catches for 1,306 yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns. While their main source of offense is through the air, their running game has been somewhat potent as well. Alex Green has run for 1,168 yards and 17 touchdowns.
G.J. Kinne has been masterful running the spread offense and was named the Conference USA offensive player of the year. He threw for 3,307 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 557 yards and seven scores. Kinne is fourth in the FBS in total offense at 322.0 yards per game, helping Tulsa rank fifth in total offense with 503.5 yards, 15th in rushing (219.3) and 16th in passing (284.2). Tulsa has four players with at least 333 rushing yards. One of them is the multi-threat Damaris Johnson, who may be the team's most dangerous player aside from Kinne. Johnson, a wide receiver, was the C-USA special teams player of the year and is the all-time FBS leader with 3,308 kickoff return yards. He is averaging 27.4 yards on kickoff returns and 12.5 on punt returns, scoring one touchdown in each fashion. He's also rushed for 462 yards and 9.2 per carry while adding team highs of 53 receptions and 771 yards. Johnson is averaging 191.8 yards of offense.
Safety Mana Silva tied for the FBS lead with eight interceptions, helping Hawaii to a nation-best 23 INTs, and is the school's all-time leader with 14. Linebackers Corey Paredes and Aaron Brown combined for seven, with Brown running two of his three INTs back for touchdowns.
Tulsa registered 19 picks, six each by defensive backs Dexter McCoil and Marco Nelson. The Golden Hurricane, though, rank 84th in scoring defense at 29.9 points per game and 107th in total defense with an average of 442.6 yards allowed.
If you like offense, this is the bowl for you. Both of these teams feature one of the top offense in the nation, with Hawaii ranking eighth nationally at 497 yards per game, while Tulsa is fifth at 504 yards per game.
Hawaii is back ladies and gentlemen. After a rough two years, the Warriors are back on the national stage and going for their third 11-win season in five years. The resurgence is led by quarterback Bryant Moniz who, like former Warrior qb's Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan, loves to sling the ball around. Moniz has thrown for 4,629 yards and 36 touchdowns, while completing two-third of his passes. Greg Salas has caught 106 passes for 1,675 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kealoha Pilares has 88 catches for 1,306 yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns. While their main source of offense is through the air, their running game has been somewhat potent as well. Alex Green has run for 1,168 yards and 17 touchdowns.
G.J. Kinne has been masterful running the spread offense and was named the Conference USA offensive player of the year. He threw for 3,307 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 557 yards and seven scores. Kinne is fourth in the FBS in total offense at 322.0 yards per game, helping Tulsa rank fifth in total offense with 503.5 yards, 15th in rushing (219.3) and 16th in passing (284.2). Tulsa has four players with at least 333 rushing yards. One of them is the multi-threat Damaris Johnson, who may be the team's most dangerous player aside from Kinne. Johnson, a wide receiver, was the C-USA special teams player of the year and is the all-time FBS leader with 3,308 kickoff return yards. He is averaging 27.4 yards on kickoff returns and 12.5 on punt returns, scoring one touchdown in each fashion. He's also rushed for 462 yards and 9.2 per carry while adding team highs of 53 receptions and 771 yards. Johnson is averaging 191.8 yards of offense.
Safety Mana Silva tied for the FBS lead with eight interceptions, helping Hawaii to a nation-best 23 INTs, and is the school's all-time leader with 14. Linebackers Corey Paredes and Aaron Brown combined for seven, with Brown running two of his three INTs back for touchdowns.
Tulsa registered 19 picks, six each by defensive backs Dexter McCoil and Marco Nelson. The Golden Hurricane, though, rank 84th in scoring defense at 29.9 points per game and 107th in total defense with an average of 442.6 yards allowed.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Weekend Observations
- Northwestern continues to be Iowa's kryptonite, winning five of the last six meetings. Unfortunately, the Wildcats lost QB Dan Persa for the season after he threw the game winning pass. He ruptured his Achilles and is out for the season.
- Wisconsin scored 11 touchdowns against Indiana, the most in Wisconsin history and the second-most by a Big Ten team since World War II. The Badgers rolled up 83 points, the most Wisconsin has scored in a Big Ten game and tied for the third-most points scored in a Big Ten game. It was the most points scored by any team in a Big Ten game since Ohio State scored 83 against Iowa in 1950.
- Cameron Gordon's 58-yd fumble return was the first defensive TD of the season for Michigan, whose defense ranked 114th (out of 120 teams) in yardage entering the game. Ryan Kerrigan set Big Ten and school records for career fumbles forced, with 14.
- The win against Ole Miss snapped Tennessee's six-game losing streak against SEC West opponents. The Vols have never gone a season without an SEC win and have won at least three conference games every season since 1977.
- Wake Forest (2-8, 1-6) lost its eighth straight game, its longest slide since dropping its last 10 in 1978.
- Army became bowl eligible for the first time in 14 years. The Black Knights (6-4) continued their best season since going 10-2 in 1996 -- they were 35-115 over the next 13 years. All three service academies have winning records now, and only twice since 1960 have all three finished above .500: in 1963, Army was 7-3, Air Force 7-4 and Navy 9-2, and in 1996 it was Army at 10-2, Navy at 9-3 and Air Force at 6-5.
- The Orange finished the regular season 4-0 on the road in Big East play and are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2004. And with a road win at Akron, Syracuse has five true road wins in a season for the first time since 1992. At 7-3 (with two regular-season home games left and a possible bowl game), the Orange are guaranteed to have their first winning season since 2001, when they finished 10-3. Doug Marrone now has more wins in less than two seasons at Syracuse (11) than Greg Robinson had in four seasons (10).
- Ryan Broyles caught three TDs and now has 32 TD receptions in his career, most in school history.
- Washington State snapped a 16-game conference losing streak with a 31-14 win over Oregon State.It was the Cougars' first Pac-10 win since a 16-13 overtime victory against Washington in the 2008 Apple Cup.
- South Carolina won for the second time in 19 tries against Florida, snapped an 0-for-12 streak in Gainesville and earned a spot in the league title game for the first time since joining the SEC in 1992. The Gators lost to a division opponent for the first time in 17 games, dropped their third consecutive home game and proved they didn't deserve to play for a championship. It's the program's first three-game losing streak at home since 1989. Marcus Lattimore had the ninth 200-yd rushing game in South Carolina history; 1st since 2000 and 1st in SEC play.
- Oklahoma State ended a 12-year losing streak to Texas with a 33-16 victory Saturday night. Oklahoma State won four straight road games for the first time since 1985. The Longhorns lost for the fourth time at home this year to equal the total amount of home losses for Texas since 2000. Texas lost four straight home games in the same season for the first time since 1956. Texas needs to win each of its final two games to become bowl eligible. It has not missed a bowl since 1997 and if they don't make a bowl, it will be the first time in the BCS era that a team playing in the title game doesn't make a bowl the following season.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
College Football Week 3 Observations
Week Three gave us some very exciting games, as at least 11 games were decided in the closing minute(s) of the game.
- Missouri struggled with San Diego State, needing a last-minute Blaine Gabbert -to- T.J. Moe 68-yard touchdown pass to win 27-24. Gabbert seems to have found his two favorite recovers in Moe and Michael Egnew, who had 14 catches for over 130 yards.
- Some believe that Georgia may be playing for Mark Richt's job this year. If they play as they did against Arkansas in the fourth quarter of last week's game, that may not be the case. Up 17-7 and 24-10 at one point, the Bulldogs tied the score and Arkansas needed a last minute Ryan Mallett touchdown to eek out the 31-24 win. And even after that, the game wasn't guaranteed a win, as the Razorbacks needed a sack at midfield to close out the game. Georgia has struggled without star receiver A.J. Green.
- Temple is now 3-0 for the first time since 1979, when the Owls finished 10-2. It was the first win for the Owls over a BCS opponent since a 34-24 win over Syracuse on November 13, 2004.
- North Texas is down to their third-string quarterback after losing the starter of that game for the second week in a row. Riley Dodge, son of coach Todd Dodge, takes over for the Mean Green, who haven't been too mean as of late. In his fourth season in Denton, Dodge is 5-34 as head coach.
- Kansas State's Daniel Thomas is showing the country what the Big 12 already knew: He is one hell of a running back. Thomas has 552 yards through three games and has helped lead the Wildcats to their first 3-0 start since 2006.
- With their win over Ole Miss, Vanderbilt snapped a 10-game conference losing streak dating back to 2008. The Commodores have beaten the Rebels four of the past six seasons.
- Wisconsin has started 3-0 in every season under Bret Bielema. Wisconsin is 9-1 in its last 10 games against Pac-10 teams. The Badgers have won 27 straight nonconference regular-season games, the third-longest active streak (behind LSU and USC). Arizona State had 261 kick-return yards (including a 97-yarder and 95-yarder), more than either its rushing or passing total in the game. Yet Wisconsin needed a last-second blocked PAT to win.
- Auburn came back from a 17-0 deficit to defeat Clemson in overtime. It is the Auburn's 14th straight win over Clemson. The game appeared headed to another OT when Chandler Catanzaro made a 27-yarder after a defensive stand kept Clemson shy of a winning touchdown. After a 5-yard illegal procedure penalty on the kick because center Dalton Freeman double-clutched the ball, the redshirt freshman's second attempt hooked wide left.
- Ryan Nassib threw a school-record five touchdown passes, and Syracuse pulled away in the second half to beat Maine 38-14 on Saturday night in the Orange's home opener. Nassib was 19-for-28 for 260 yards.
- With Dan Conroy lining up for a 46-yard field goal to tie the game in overtime and the play clock running low, holder Aaron Bates took the snap, stood up and waited for Charlie Gantt to come open downfield. The stunning fake worked to perfection, and Gantt's 29-yard touchdown catch gave the Spartans a 34-31 win Saturday night. The Spartans started 3-0 for the first time since 2007 and earned their third win over the Fighting Irish in four years. Saturday was the ninth time in the last 11 meetings between Notre Dame and Michigan State that the game was decided by seven points or less and it was the second OT affair since 2005. The Spartans' 28 victories against Notre Dame are the second most of any Irish opponent (USC has the most with 34).
- Nick Foles hit William Wright with a late 4-yard touchdown pass and No. 24 Arizona held its ground in the national spotlight with a momentum-swinging 34-27 win over ninth-ranked Iowa. Keyed by their stingy defense and special teams, the Wildcats rushed out to a 27-7 halftime lead before having the Wright touchdown pick up the vital win. Arizona beat a nonconference opponent ranked in the top 10 at home for the first time since 1989. Iowa allowed at least 30 points for the first time since 2007 vs. Purdue, a span of 33 games. Iowa has lost six straight games when playing a regular season game west of the central time zone. The last win came in 1987. Arizona sacked Ricky Stanzi six times, including three straight times on Iowa's final drive.
- North Texas isn't the only school with significant quarterback injuries this weekend. Houston lost their top two QB's, including Heisman hopeful Case Keenum, in the SAME GAME. They will now be forced to go to freshmen as their starters. With the win over Houston, UCLA avoided their first 0-3 start since 1971. Houston had scored at least 20 points in 29 straight games before Saturday's game.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Week 3 Preview
Georgia Tech (1-1) at North Carolina (0-1)
This is a game featuring two teams who are both looking to get back on track. Tech lost last week at Kansas and the Heels are trying to get back to their winning ways after suffering a heart-breaking loss to LSU in Week One. The Jackets feature a nice 1-2 running punch in Josh Nesbitt and Anthony Allen. The two spearhead an attack that is second in the nation in rushing yards per game with 332 yards per game. Nesbitt leads the team with 163 yards and five touchdowns, while Allen averages nearly seven yards per carry. North Carolina is led by quarterback T.J. Yates, who threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns. Jheranie Boyd leads the team with six catches for 221 yards. He had 12 catches for 214 yards as a freshman last season.
Georgia Tech wins if...it can control the time of possession and play its stingy defense while running their attack to perfection.
North Carolina wins if...it can continue to overcome the loss of six defensive starters. Al Groh, GT's new defensive coordinator, has been known to shut down the Heels so how they respond will be something to look for.
Arizona State (2-0) at Wisconsin (2-0)
This will be the first true test for the Sun Devils, as they travel to the always-tough Camp Randall Stadium. Their offense is led by the quarterback-running back combo of Steven Threet and Cameron Marshall. Threet, a Michigan transfer, has completed 47-of-70 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns, but has also thrown three interceptions. Marshall has 14 carries for 132 yards and four touchdowns.
The Badgers come into the game after defeated UNLV and San Jose State in their first two games. Despite being known for their running game, quarterback Scott Tolzien has put up some impressive passing stats, completing 30-of-42 passes for 388 yards and one touchdown. The team already has two players, John Clay and Montee Ball, who have rushed for over 100 yards. Clay leads the team with 260 yards and four touchdowns, while Ball has 110 yards and two scores.
ASU wins if...it can continue to throw the ball around. The Wisconsin defense is tougher than the Devils' first two opponents, but if Threet is on the same page with his receivers, they may be able to pull the surprise.
Wisconsin wins if...it rushes the ball like it has been. The Sun Devils have given up 149 rushing yards per game to two FCS schools, so if the Badgers are on their game, it might be a long day for the ASU defense.
Clemson (2-0) at Auburn (2-0)
The game at Auburn not only marks the first true test for the Tigers, but also starts a rough stretch of games, where four of five teams played in bowls and either are or have been ranked this year. The offense has been pretty balanced between the passing game and the running game. Quarterback Kyle Parker has thrown for 283 yards and four touchdowns. The rushing load has been split amongst Jamie Harper, Andre Ellington, Roderick McDowell and Daniel Barnes. Ellington leads the way with 133 yards and three scores.
Cameron Newton has come in and run this offense in perfection. The quarterback has thrown for 322 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 241 and two more. His rushing total is almost 100 more yards than the next leading rusher.
Clemson wins if...it contains the Auburn rushing game and gets a balanced game from all their players. Shut Newton down and you have a good shot at the win.
Auburn wins if...they shut down the Clemson rushing game, which averages nearly 230 yards per game. If Auburn's own rushing attack is on, it might also be a long day for their opponents. Either way, look for a shootout.
Iowa (2-0) at Arizona (2-0)
The Hawkeyes are coming off of a big win against in-state rival Iowa State and are only giving up seven points per game. Ricky Stanzi seems to be on a mission, completing 71 percent of his passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns. He has been aided by a running game anchored by Adam Robinson. Robinson has 265 yards and four touchdowns on the year, while averaging seven yards per carry.
The Wildcats come into the game undefeated as well, and have one of the most prolific defenses and offenses in the country. The team is second in points allowed per game, with four per game and is averaging 47 points per game good for 12th nationally. The team is led by quarterback Nick Foles, who has completed 83 percent of his passes for 579\4 yards and three touchdowns.
Iowa wins if...their defense is able to shut down the Arizona passing game, which is eighth nationally.The Wildcat defense hasn't really been tested, so it's up to the Hawkeyes to give them a good battle.
Arizona wins if...Foles continues to sling the ball around. The defense, ones of the best in the nation, will have to stop the balanced attack of Iowa
This is a game featuring two teams who are both looking to get back on track. Tech lost last week at Kansas and the Heels are trying to get back to their winning ways after suffering a heart-breaking loss to LSU in Week One. The Jackets feature a nice 1-2 running punch in Josh Nesbitt and Anthony Allen. The two spearhead an attack that is second in the nation in rushing yards per game with 332 yards per game. Nesbitt leads the team with 163 yards and five touchdowns, while Allen averages nearly seven yards per carry. North Carolina is led by quarterback T.J. Yates, who threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns. Jheranie Boyd leads the team with six catches for 221 yards. He had 12 catches for 214 yards as a freshman last season.
Georgia Tech wins if...it can control the time of possession and play its stingy defense while running their attack to perfection.
North Carolina wins if...it can continue to overcome the loss of six defensive starters. Al Groh, GT's new defensive coordinator, has been known to shut down the Heels so how they respond will be something to look for.
Arizona State (2-0) at Wisconsin (2-0)
This will be the first true test for the Sun Devils, as they travel to the always-tough Camp Randall Stadium. Their offense is led by the quarterback-running back combo of Steven Threet and Cameron Marshall. Threet, a Michigan transfer, has completed 47-of-70 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns, but has also thrown three interceptions. Marshall has 14 carries for 132 yards and four touchdowns.
The Badgers come into the game after defeated UNLV and San Jose State in their first two games. Despite being known for their running game, quarterback Scott Tolzien has put up some impressive passing stats, completing 30-of-42 passes for 388 yards and one touchdown. The team already has two players, John Clay and Montee Ball, who have rushed for over 100 yards. Clay leads the team with 260 yards and four touchdowns, while Ball has 110 yards and two scores.
ASU wins if...it can continue to throw the ball around. The Wisconsin defense is tougher than the Devils' first two opponents, but if Threet is on the same page with his receivers, they may be able to pull the surprise.
Wisconsin wins if...it rushes the ball like it has been. The Sun Devils have given up 149 rushing yards per game to two FCS schools, so if the Badgers are on their game, it might be a long day for the ASU defense.
Clemson (2-0) at Auburn (2-0)
The game at Auburn not only marks the first true test for the Tigers, but also starts a rough stretch of games, where four of five teams played in bowls and either are or have been ranked this year. The offense has been pretty balanced between the passing game and the running game. Quarterback Kyle Parker has thrown for 283 yards and four touchdowns. The rushing load has been split amongst Jamie Harper, Andre Ellington, Roderick McDowell and Daniel Barnes. Ellington leads the way with 133 yards and three scores.
Cameron Newton has come in and run this offense in perfection. The quarterback has thrown for 322 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 241 and two more. His rushing total is almost 100 more yards than the next leading rusher.
Clemson wins if...it contains the Auburn rushing game and gets a balanced game from all their players. Shut Newton down and you have a good shot at the win.
Auburn wins if...they shut down the Clemson rushing game, which averages nearly 230 yards per game. If Auburn's own rushing attack is on, it might also be a long day for their opponents. Either way, look for a shootout.
Iowa (2-0) at Arizona (2-0)
The Hawkeyes are coming off of a big win against in-state rival Iowa State and are only giving up seven points per game. Ricky Stanzi seems to be on a mission, completing 71 percent of his passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns. He has been aided by a running game anchored by Adam Robinson. Robinson has 265 yards and four touchdowns on the year, while averaging seven yards per carry.
The Wildcats come into the game undefeated as well, and have one of the most prolific defenses and offenses in the country. The team is second in points allowed per game, with four per game and is averaging 47 points per game good for 12th nationally. The team is led by quarterback Nick Foles, who has completed 83 percent of his passes for 579\4 yards and three touchdowns.
Iowa wins if...their defense is able to shut down the Arizona passing game, which is eighth nationally.The Wildcat defense hasn't really been tested, so it's up to the Hawkeyes to give them a good battle.
Arizona wins if...Foles continues to sling the ball around. The defense, ones of the best in the nation, will have to stop the balanced attack of Iowa
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
My opinions about Reggie Bush
As everyone knows, the topic of the week has been Reggie Bush and what has been happening with what is going to happen to the Heisman Trophy and yesterday it was resolved. On Tuesday afternoon, Bush announced that he will forfeit his Heisman Trophy. On Wednesday afternoon, the Heisman Trust announced that the award will be vacated and NOT go to Vince Young, who finished second that year in the Heisman voting.
Unlike voting for other events, the Heisman Trophy is an award that is based off of a player's performance that entire year. And there is no doubt that Reggie Bush put up stats that were more than deserving of the Trophy. Now, if the award had been handed out after the National Championship Game, it may have gone the other way, after the incredible game Young had against Bush's Trojans in an upset win. Bush accumulated 789 first place votes; Young had 79. Would the tally have been different had they done it in mid-January? Possibly and maybe probably, but there is no doubt that the 1,740 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 4788 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns earned him the award. Oh, did I mention ZERO fumbles????
Reggie Bush did the right thing. He gave up an award that should never been his. I know earlier I made it sound like he deserved it and in 2005-2006 he did. But that was 2005-2006. At the time, nobody but Bush and his family knew about the money and gifts that he chose to accept. So at the time, it made sense to award him the trophy. But now with all of the allegations (and apparently truths) that have surfaced, they have shown that in actuality Bush should have been declared ineligible to play, therefore nullifying all of the stats and awards he earned that season. Your numbers don't count if you shouldn't even be allowed to step onto the field. But as the Heisman Trust said, it's five years later. There is no way to re-do the vote. The best thing to do is keep the award vacated.
The people to truly feel sorry for in this case are the current players at USC. Many of them probably came to USC because of Bush and the success they saw the team have while he was there. But now those players who came to follow in his footsteps are paying for his transgressions. To me and many others, it's an unfair thing that the NCAA Has done, but the university will have to live with the consequences, whether they knew what was going on or not. Going to a bowl game is one perk many players look forward to when they commit to a school and the fact that many of the current players won't have that opportunity for two years is something that will hurt recruiting. Not to mention the loss of 30 scholarships over the next three years.
The sad thing is that this happens much more than we all know of, but not everyone gets caught. It's become a game of 'if you can do it w/o getting caught, continue doing it.' You would think that stories like this would give other athletes thoughts of stopping all of this because of all of the trouble it can cost them, but they also see that if they do do it, it most likely won't effect them or the school until they are long gone.
But again, the issue was the Heisman Trophy and what to do with it. Reggie Bush did the right thing. And so did the Heisman Trust...
Unlike voting for other events, the Heisman Trophy is an award that is based off of a player's performance that entire year. And there is no doubt that Reggie Bush put up stats that were more than deserving of the Trophy. Now, if the award had been handed out after the National Championship Game, it may have gone the other way, after the incredible game Young had against Bush's Trojans in an upset win. Bush accumulated 789 first place votes; Young had 79. Would the tally have been different had they done it in mid-January? Possibly and maybe probably, but there is no doubt that the 1,740 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 4788 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns earned him the award. Oh, did I mention ZERO fumbles????
Reggie Bush did the right thing. He gave up an award that should never been his. I know earlier I made it sound like he deserved it and in 2005-2006 he did. But that was 2005-2006. At the time, nobody but Bush and his family knew about the money and gifts that he chose to accept. So at the time, it made sense to award him the trophy. But now with all of the allegations (and apparently truths) that have surfaced, they have shown that in actuality Bush should have been declared ineligible to play, therefore nullifying all of the stats and awards he earned that season. Your numbers don't count if you shouldn't even be allowed to step onto the field. But as the Heisman Trust said, it's five years later. There is no way to re-do the vote. The best thing to do is keep the award vacated.
The people to truly feel sorry for in this case are the current players at USC. Many of them probably came to USC because of Bush and the success they saw the team have while he was there. But now those players who came to follow in his footsteps are paying for his transgressions. To me and many others, it's an unfair thing that the NCAA Has done, but the university will have to live with the consequences, whether they knew what was going on or not. Going to a bowl game is one perk many players look forward to when they commit to a school and the fact that many of the current players won't have that opportunity for two years is something that will hurt recruiting. Not to mention the loss of 30 scholarships over the next three years.
The sad thing is that this happens much more than we all know of, but not everyone gets caught. It's become a game of 'if you can do it w/o getting caught, continue doing it.' You would think that stories like this would give other athletes thoughts of stopping all of this because of all of the trouble it can cost them, but they also see that if they do do it, it most likely won't effect them or the school until they are long gone.
But again, the issue was the Heisman Trophy and what to do with it. Reggie Bush did the right thing. And so did the Heisman Trust...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
College Football Week 1 Observations cont'd.
- Jacksonville State is this year's Appalachian State after their double overtime win over Mississippi. The Gamecocks were down 31-10 at halftime, but scored five touchdowns in their next six possessions, including outscoring the Rebels 21-3 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. After trading touchdowns in the first overtime, Jax St. went for two in the second overtime and was rewarded on a play that looked like it would go nowhere as QB Coty Blanchard looked as if the play would go nowhere. But he lofted a pass to RB Calvin Middleton and gave the Gamecocks the upset of the weekend. The loss ruined the debut of Jeremiah Masoli, the controversial transfer from Oregon who was ruled eligible on a decision appeal just days prior to the game.
- Kansas State's Daniel Thomas looked like he is going to be a force to be reckoned with after he rushed for 234 yards and two touchdowns against UCLA.
- Kenjon Barner rushed for a career-high 147 yards and scored five touchdowns, all in the first half, as Oregon rolled to a 72-0 win over New Mexico. The Ducks rolled up a school-record 720 yards on the way to its biggest win ever over a FBS opponent.
- Jacksonville State wasn't the only FCS school that upset a FBS school. North Dakota State shocked Kansas 6-3, ruining Turner Gill's debut as Jayhawks coach. The Bison shut out Kansas for the last three quarters and held their opponents to 293 total yards. While those 293 yards were 130 more than their opponents had, North Dakota State did just the right things to keep Kansas on a slide from last season, where they lost their last seven games of the year.
- Leading up to game-time, the LSU-UNC game looked to be a let-down because of how many players UNC left at home. Well don't let the Tar Heels know that, as they woke up in the fourth quarter and made Tiger fans worry about their 31-10 halftime lead. UNC had the ball down seven on the LSU six with a second left, before a T.J. Yates pass fell incomplete, allowing LSU to escape with a 30-24 win. The Heels were able to shut out the Tigers in the second half.
- In recent years, East Carolina has been known for a defensive team, but it was the offense that pulled out their crazy 51-49 win over Tulsa. In his first start as a Pirate, QB Dominique Davis lofted a 33-yard Hail Mary pass to 6'8 Justin Jones as time expired and catapulted East Carolina to the win.Davis threw for 383 yards and five touchdowns.
- If anyone continues to say Boise State is a "Cinderella" or an overrated football team, they must not have seen Monday's game. Yes, the Broncos got off to a 17-0 lead and held only a 20-14 lead at the half. Yes, they gave up the lead and had to rally for a last-minute touchdown to win, but it is how they did it that was impressive. You could tell the team wasn't rattled by the pressure put on them, as they drove down the field calmly and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:09. The defense then shut down Tyrod Taylor, who had been carving up the Bronco defense, and secured a win that strengthens their resume as they try to look to become the first school from a non-automatic BCS qualifying team to play for the National Championship.
College Football Week 1 Observations
- SEC teams better be very, very scared. South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore looks like he is the real deal. Yes, he rushed 14 times for only 54 yards, but his two touchdowns and the speed he showed coming off of his rushes will be something that Gamecock fans should get used to. The schedule gets harder than Southern Miss, but he looks as if he can live up to his high ranking he was given coming out of high school.
- Utah won its 18th straight game and continually looks as if will be a force to reckoned with as they prepare for their exodus to the Pac 10. Their upset win over Pittsburgh showed again how stout their defense might be. However, if the Utes are to continue winning, they will need to learn to be able to keep a lead.
- USC looks as if will be dominant again of offense, but their defense looked suspect against a mediocre Hawaii team. While the offense set records, the defense gave up 588 yards, which was even more than the Trojans gained (544). Matt Barkley went 18-for-23 for 257 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions. Marc Tyler overtook Allen Bradford for the running back spot and showed he was worth the promotion after rushing for 154 yards on 17 carries.
- The Illinois-Missouri game turned out to be better than expected. Illini QB Nathan Scheelhaase looks legit and had an impressive debut in his first ever collegiate game. His running ability will be something opponents will have to watch out for, as he has speed and moves like a running back or wide receiver. Missouri quarterback recovered from a slow start and looked very impressive, completing 34-of-48 passes for 281 yards. Receiver T.J. Moe looks like he might be the next in a long line of successful wide outs for the Tigers.
- Florida looks as if it might still have some kinks to work out. Their offense looked dreadful against a MAC team that won a total of two games last year. They had only 44 yards through three quarters.
- Robert Bolden, Penn State's first freshman starting quarterback since 1992, had a very impressive debut, completing 20-of-29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He will have a tougher matchup this week though, as the Nittany Lions face off with Alabama.
- Sophomore Denard Robinson made his first game as a starter a memorable one, becoming the sixth quarterback since 2005 to run and throw for 185 yards or more. His 197 rushing yards were the most ever by a Michigan quarterback in a single game. His style of play looks to fit more of Rich Rodriguez's style than last year's starter Tate Forcier.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Preview: Louisville
After going to bowl games from 1998-2006, the Cardinals will look to get back to that plateau under new coach Charlie Strong. Strong comes to the Big East after serving as Urban Meyer's defensive coordinator at Florida. Strong inherits a team that brings back 15 starters.
Offense - Nine of those starters comes from the offensive side of the ball and look to improve in 2010. The biggest question on offense will be at the quarterback position. Three players who saw action as starters last year all return for the upcoming season, but who will take a stronghold on the position will still be unknown. Adam Froman has the most experience after recording seven starts and throwing for 1,354 yards and six touchdown passes with five interceptions. Justin Burke battled injuries and threw for 654 yards and three scores. Will Stein threw for 450 yards in his two starts.
Victor Anderson, Bilal Powell and Jeremy Wright give the Cardinals a very deep backfield. Anderson was the Cardinals’ leading rusher despite missing most of the season due to injury. After rushing for 1,047 yards in 2008, Anderson was hampered by a shoulder injury that limited him to 473 yards and five touchdowns.
Powell rushed for 392 yards and four touchdowns last season. He looks physically ready to be a force in the league and throughout the country. Wright is another talented running back who will fight for playing time.
The Cardinals are extremely thin at wide receiver with only six scholarship players returning. Senior Doug Beaumont is the premier receiver of the group, having caught over 100 passes for 1,265 yards in his career.
In 2009, Beaumont’s numbers dipped to 38 catches for 465 yards after catching 62 passes for 750 yards in 2008. Senior Troy Pascley caught just four passes for 35 yards a year ago. Sophomore Andrell Smith is a big wide receiver who will need to step up and be a guy the Cardinals can count on. Knowing the lack of depth, Strong and his staff, signed six wide receivers in this recruiting class.
Defense - The defense brings back six starters from last year's squad. There is inexperience on each of the line, linebacker and secondary units.
A lot of the questions, surrounding the 2010 Cardinals sit with the development of the defensive line. Strong has emphasized that to play winning football teams must be strong upfront. After 15 spring practices, the Cardinals are still trying to find answers along the defensive line. The spring showed that the Cardinals are going to need a lot of different combinations of players to step up if the defense is going to be successful. This group will be very young and inexperienced, but there is talent to build upon.
Junior Greg Scruggs moved inside this spring to play tackle, but also did play some defensive end. He started all 12 games in 2009 and came up with 21 tackles, five and a half of which were for loss. Senior Tim High bulked up and improved his conditioning, and will be needed to take snaps along the defensive line. Coming from Hutchinson Community College, Randy Salmon will be counted on heavily in the fall to be a playmaker upfront. The Cardinals have some pretty good depth at the defensive end positions with senior Malcolm Tatum and junior William Savoy returning — both of whom started games in 2009. Tatum recorded 29 tackles in his first season, while playing both tackle and end, while Savoy was second on the team with five sacks. Both players will have to take on an expanded role for the Cardinals to be successful. Despite limited action, Savoy has recorded six sacks in his first two seasons.
The Cardinals do have some talented linebackers returning in seniors Brandon Heath and Antwone Canady, but it is a unit that does lack much-needed depth. Heath, who will play the weakside, recorded 48 tackles and a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown, while Canady, who will be in the middle, was credited with 34 stops. Heath also had three and a half sacks. Senior Eugene Sowell and red-shirt freshman Jacob Geffrad also worked at the weakside in the spring. At the strongside spot, junior Dexter Heyman moved back to linebacker after working at defensive end last season. Heyman played a little at linebacker as a freshman, before moving to defensive end in 2009. He had seven tackles and a fumble recovery last season.
The secondary also has a lot of question marks entering the fall. One question that has a good answer is senior Johnny Patrick, who played all 12 games a year ago. He recorded 53 tackles and was tied for second on the team with a pair of interceptions. A pair of red-shirt freshman Zed Evans and Champ Lee will compete behind Patrick for playing time. Senior Bobby Burns, who played quite a bit last season, will compete for reps at the other corner spot, with Darius Ashley, who made the move to defense in the spring. Burns had nine tackles and a pick last year. At free safety, sophomore Shenard Holton has an opportunity to be a leader on defense. He played a lot towards the end of the year and showed that he has the potential to be an impact player for the next three seasons.
Recruiting
Schedule - The team starts off the season with two home games against in-state teams, Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky. They then travel to Oregon State and Arkansas State before having a three-game homestand. They welcome Memphis, Cincinnati and Connecticut to Papa John's Stadium in consecutive weeks. They then end the season with three of the final five games on the road. They start with road games at Pittsburgh and Syracuse before hosting back-to-back games against USF and West Virginia before traveling to Rutgers to end the season.
Offense - Nine of those starters comes from the offensive side of the ball and look to improve in 2010. The biggest question on offense will be at the quarterback position. Three players who saw action as starters last year all return for the upcoming season, but who will take a stronghold on the position will still be unknown. Adam Froman has the most experience after recording seven starts and throwing for 1,354 yards and six touchdown passes with five interceptions. Justin Burke battled injuries and threw for 654 yards and three scores. Will Stein threw for 450 yards in his two starts.
Victor Anderson, Bilal Powell and Jeremy Wright give the Cardinals a very deep backfield. Anderson was the Cardinals’ leading rusher despite missing most of the season due to injury. After rushing for 1,047 yards in 2008, Anderson was hampered by a shoulder injury that limited him to 473 yards and five touchdowns.
Powell rushed for 392 yards and four touchdowns last season. He looks physically ready to be a force in the league and throughout the country. Wright is another talented running back who will fight for playing time.
The Cardinals are extremely thin at wide receiver with only six scholarship players returning. Senior Doug Beaumont is the premier receiver of the group, having caught over 100 passes for 1,265 yards in his career.
In 2009, Beaumont’s numbers dipped to 38 catches for 465 yards after catching 62 passes for 750 yards in 2008. Senior Troy Pascley caught just four passes for 35 yards a year ago. Sophomore Andrell Smith is a big wide receiver who will need to step up and be a guy the Cardinals can count on. Knowing the lack of depth, Strong and his staff, signed six wide receivers in this recruiting class.
Defense - The defense brings back six starters from last year's squad. There is inexperience on each of the line, linebacker and secondary units.
A lot of the questions, surrounding the 2010 Cardinals sit with the development of the defensive line. Strong has emphasized that to play winning football teams must be strong upfront. After 15 spring practices, the Cardinals are still trying to find answers along the defensive line. The spring showed that the Cardinals are going to need a lot of different combinations of players to step up if the defense is going to be successful. This group will be very young and inexperienced, but there is talent to build upon.
Junior Greg Scruggs moved inside this spring to play tackle, but also did play some defensive end. He started all 12 games in 2009 and came up with 21 tackles, five and a half of which were for loss. Senior Tim High bulked up and improved his conditioning, and will be needed to take snaps along the defensive line. Coming from Hutchinson Community College, Randy Salmon will be counted on heavily in the fall to be a playmaker upfront. The Cardinals have some pretty good depth at the defensive end positions with senior Malcolm Tatum and junior William Savoy returning — both of whom started games in 2009. Tatum recorded 29 tackles in his first season, while playing both tackle and end, while Savoy was second on the team with five sacks. Both players will have to take on an expanded role for the Cardinals to be successful. Despite limited action, Savoy has recorded six sacks in his first two seasons.
The Cardinals do have some talented linebackers returning in seniors Brandon Heath and Antwone Canady, but it is a unit that does lack much-needed depth. Heath, who will play the weakside, recorded 48 tackles and a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown, while Canady, who will be in the middle, was credited with 34 stops. Heath also had three and a half sacks. Senior Eugene Sowell and red-shirt freshman Jacob Geffrad also worked at the weakside in the spring. At the strongside spot, junior Dexter Heyman moved back to linebacker after working at defensive end last season. Heyman played a little at linebacker as a freshman, before moving to defensive end in 2009. He had seven tackles and a fumble recovery last season.
The secondary also has a lot of question marks entering the fall. One question that has a good answer is senior Johnny Patrick, who played all 12 games a year ago. He recorded 53 tackles and was tied for second on the team with a pair of interceptions. A pair of red-shirt freshman Zed Evans and Champ Lee will compete behind Patrick for playing time. Senior Bobby Burns, who played quite a bit last season, will compete for reps at the other corner spot, with Darius Ashley, who made the move to defense in the spring. Burns had nine tackles and a pick last year. At free safety, sophomore Shenard Holton has an opportunity to be a leader on defense. He played a lot towards the end of the year and showed that he has the potential to be an impact player for the next three seasons.
Recruiting
Schedule - The team starts off the season with two home games against in-state teams, Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky. They then travel to Oregon State and Arkansas State before having a three-game homestand. They welcome Memphis, Cincinnati and Connecticut to Papa John's Stadium in consecutive weeks. They then end the season with three of the final five games on the road. They start with road games at Pittsburgh and Syracuse before hosting back-to-back games against USF and West Virginia before traveling to Rutgers to end the season.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
College Football Previews: Kansas
Two years after going 12-1 and getting an Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech, the Jayhawks are looking to rebuild under new coach Turner Gill, who takes over for Mark Mangino after Mangino resigned amid mistreatment rumors. Gill comes from Buffalo after having turned one of the worst teams in college football into a conference champion.
Offense - Despite returning eight starters, it may be the four that they lost that will be the most crucial. Gill will have to replace departed seniors quarterback Todd Reesing, wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier and running back Jake Sharp. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to Chuck Long's scheme.
The loss of Reesing hurts the Jayhawks the most. Reesing threw for 3,616 yards on his way to breaking numerous school passing records. He leaves Kansas as the school leader in career passing yards (11,194), career attempts (1,461), career completions (932), career touchdown passes (90) and total offensive yards (11,840). The returnees, however, only threw for a combined 38 yards in 2009. That's not to say that there won't be any depth at the position tho. Kale Pick was four of five passing for 22 yards, while adding 167 rushing yards on 14 carries as a backup in 2009. Quinn Mecham is a junior college transfer who threw for 3,091 yards and 40 touchdowns at Snow Junior College in 2009. He is already on campus and will participate in spring practice. A trio of quarterbacks redshirted as freshmen in 2009 including Christian Matthews, Jacob Morse and Jordan Webb.
Toben Opurum led the team in rushing as a freshman, rushing for 554 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009. Rell Lewis saw limited time running for 72 yards on 13 carries. Angus Quigley, a running back at KU until playing linebacker last season, returns to his original position after gaining a medical hardship. Quigley ran for 309 yards in 2008.
The Jayhawks lost the two most productive wide receivers in school history in Dezmon Briscoe, who declared for the NFL draft after his junior campaign, and Kerry Meier. In 2009, Briscoe caught 84 passes for 1,337 yards and nine touchdowns, while Meier pulled in 102 balls for 985 yards and eight scores. Johnathan Wilson had been the third option in his career and pulled in 35 receptions for 449 yards in 2009. Bradley McDougald started six games as the fourth wide receiver and caught 33 passes for 318 yards last year. Tertavian Ingram saw action a year ago and had two catches. Daymond Patterson, D.J. Beshears, Erick McGriff and Chris Omigie ,a pair of redshirt freshmen all could make an impact.
Defense - A mix of experience and youth returns on the defensive side of the ball for Kansas, including seven starters. Among the returnees are All-Big 12 Honorable Mention players in defensive end Jake Laptad and linebacker Drew Dudley. Linebacker Huldon Tharp and safety Lubbock Smith earned Freshman All-America honors in 2009. Chris Harris has been a regular in the secondary for the past three seasons. In all, five of the top eight tackle leaders from 2009 return.
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention players in defensive end Jake Laptad had 49 tackles, including a team-high 12 for loss and six and a half sacks. Quinton Woods, who saw limited time with four tackles, is the only other end with experience. Inside, John Williams started the final seven games of 2009 at tackle after moving from the offensive line. He replaced Richard Johnson in the starting lineup, but Johnson returns this season as well.
Last season Kansas used two linebackers in its 4-2-5 alignment and two of the main three players in last year’s rotation return. Drew Dudley was second on the team with 88 tackles last year, while Huldon Tharp made 59 stops as a true freshman en route to earning some Freshman All-America honors. Justin Springer has been a key reserve and last year had 25 tackles.
The 2009 secondary was a team effort as 10 different players started games during the season. KU lost two long-time regular safeties in Darrell Stuckey, who led the team with 93 tackles, and Justin Thornton, who registered 80 tackles in 2009. Chris Harris leads the returnees. Harris has played safety and cornerback in his career and last year was third on the team with 84 tackles, while leading the team with nine passes broken up.
Recruiting - The Jayhawks signed a class of 18 in 2010, including 10 on the offensive side of the ball. Of those 10, four are wide receivers. Of the eight defenders, four are on the line. Kansas was able to pull Brandon Bourbon out of Missouri and boy did they get a player. On his way to being named the 3A Player of the Year, he amassed a school record 2,531 yards and 34 touchdowns. He finished his high school career with 5,551 rushing yards. On defense, the stud is linebacker Ed Fink. He registered 149 tackles and eight sacks as a senior.
Schedule - This year's schedule is relatively tougher than last year's as two of their four nonconference opponents qualified for bowls, including a BCS bowl game. Three of the team's nonconference games are in Lawrence, as North Dakota State and Georgia Tech come to Lawrence, before the Jayhawks
Offense - Despite returning eight starters, it may be the four that they lost that will be the most crucial. Gill will have to replace departed seniors quarterback Todd Reesing, wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier and running back Jake Sharp. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to Chuck Long's scheme.
The loss of Reesing hurts the Jayhawks the most. Reesing threw for 3,616 yards on his way to breaking numerous school passing records. He leaves Kansas as the school leader in career passing yards (11,194), career attempts (1,461), career completions (932), career touchdown passes (90) and total offensive yards (11,840). The returnees, however, only threw for a combined 38 yards in 2009. That's not to say that there won't be any depth at the position tho. Kale Pick was four of five passing for 22 yards, while adding 167 rushing yards on 14 carries as a backup in 2009. Quinn Mecham is a junior college transfer who threw for 3,091 yards and 40 touchdowns at Snow Junior College in 2009. He is already on campus and will participate in spring practice. A trio of quarterbacks redshirted as freshmen in 2009 including Christian Matthews, Jacob Morse and Jordan Webb.
Toben Opurum led the team in rushing as a freshman, rushing for 554 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009. Rell Lewis saw limited time running for 72 yards on 13 carries. Angus Quigley, a running back at KU until playing linebacker last season, returns to his original position after gaining a medical hardship. Quigley ran for 309 yards in 2008.
The Jayhawks lost the two most productive wide receivers in school history in Dezmon Briscoe, who declared for the NFL draft after his junior campaign, and Kerry Meier. In 2009, Briscoe caught 84 passes for 1,337 yards and nine touchdowns, while Meier pulled in 102 balls for 985 yards and eight scores. Johnathan Wilson had been the third option in his career and pulled in 35 receptions for 449 yards in 2009. Bradley McDougald started six games as the fourth wide receiver and caught 33 passes for 318 yards last year. Tertavian Ingram saw action a year ago and had two catches. Daymond Patterson, D.J. Beshears, Erick McGriff and Chris Omigie ,a pair of redshirt freshmen all could make an impact.
Defense - A mix of experience and youth returns on the defensive side of the ball for Kansas, including seven starters. Among the returnees are All-Big 12 Honorable Mention players in defensive end Jake Laptad and linebacker Drew Dudley. Linebacker Huldon Tharp and safety Lubbock Smith earned Freshman All-America honors in 2009. Chris Harris has been a regular in the secondary for the past three seasons. In all, five of the top eight tackle leaders from 2009 return.
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention players in defensive end Jake Laptad had 49 tackles, including a team-high 12 for loss and six and a half sacks. Quinton Woods, who saw limited time with four tackles, is the only other end with experience. Inside, John Williams started the final seven games of 2009 at tackle after moving from the offensive line. He replaced Richard Johnson in the starting lineup, but Johnson returns this season as well.
Last season Kansas used two linebackers in its 4-2-5 alignment and two of the main three players in last year’s rotation return. Drew Dudley was second on the team with 88 tackles last year, while Huldon Tharp made 59 stops as a true freshman en route to earning some Freshman All-America honors. Justin Springer has been a key reserve and last year had 25 tackles.
The 2009 secondary was a team effort as 10 different players started games during the season. KU lost two long-time regular safeties in Darrell Stuckey, who led the team with 93 tackles, and Justin Thornton, who registered 80 tackles in 2009. Chris Harris leads the returnees. Harris has played safety and cornerback in his career and last year was third on the team with 84 tackles, while leading the team with nine passes broken up.
Recruiting - The Jayhawks signed a class of 18 in 2010, including 10 on the offensive side of the ball. Of those 10, four are wide receivers. Of the eight defenders, four are on the line. Kansas was able to pull Brandon Bourbon out of Missouri and boy did they get a player. On his way to being named the 3A Player of the Year, he amassed a school record 2,531 yards and 34 touchdowns. He finished his high school career with 5,551 rushing yards. On defense, the stud is linebacker Ed Fink. He registered 149 tackles and eight sacks as a senior.
Schedule - This year's schedule is relatively tougher than last year's as two of their four nonconference opponents qualified for bowls, including a BCS bowl game. Three of the team's nonconference games are in Lawrence, as North Dakota State and Georgia Tech come to Lawrence, before the Jayhawks
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
College Previews: Iowa
The final results of the 2009 season were an 11-2 overall record and a second place Big Ten (6-2) finish. The Hawkeyes finished in the Big Ten’s upper division for the eighth time in nine years. The 11 wins equal the most (2002) wins ever by an Iowa team. Iowa finished seventh in the final rankings of both major polls. It was Iowa’s highest season-ending rank since 1960 (third). And, Iowa has now won successive January bowl games after an Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech.
Offense - Iowa brings back six starters from last year's squad, including quarterback Ricky Stanzi. The team averaged 23 points per game, eight more than their opponents.
Stanzi has passed for 4,373 career yards to rank sixth on Iowa’s all-time list. Last season he was 171-304 for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will have to cut down on his interceptions, however, as he threw 17 in 2009. Sophomore James Vandenberg (6-3, 212) replaced Stanzi following the ankle injury he suffered in the team's first loss of the season vs. Northwestern. His performance in the overtime loss at Ohio State and
the season ending win over Minnesota were impressive as he completed 42 of his 87 passes and had two touchdowns.
The Hawkeyes began 2009 spring practice with sophomores Jewel Hampton and Jeff Brinson the top two contenders for the starting slot. Hampton was injured during the summer and Brinson played sparingly, because of injuries, in three games (one rush for seven yards). The Iowa running back situation was thin the rest of the season with redshirt freshman Adam Robinson, true freshman Brandon Wegher and senior Paki O’Meara left to carry the load. Robinson and Wegher also suffered injuries during the 2009 season that forced each to miss at least one game. But, the result turned in by the two freshmen was impressive. Robinson rushed for 834 yards, scored five touchdowns and had a 4.6 yards per carry average. Wegher rushed for 641 yards and a freshman record eight touchdowns.
Senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was a second team all-Big Ten selection last year. He, along with junior Marvin McNutt, will be Iowa’s number one receivers. Johnson-Koulianos led the way with 45 catches for 750 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch. McNutt started five games, caught 34 passes for 674 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season as a wide receiver. He had previously been a quarterback. Listed behind McNutt are sophomore Keenan Davis and senior Paul Chaney, Jr. Davis caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman. Chaney was injured and missed the final seven games of the 2009 season. He caught seven passes for 50 yards before the injury. They will be looking for a replacement at tight end after Tony Moeaki graduated. He caught 30 balls for 387 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Defense - As usual, the defense was quite good last year. They surrendered a mere 15 points per game and had 21 interceptions, fifth-most in the nation.
The defensive line looks to be the strongest unit on defense, as it brings back all four starters, including All-American candidate defensive end Adrian Clayborn. He had 70 tackles last year, including 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles. Anchoring the starting end spot on the other side of the line will be junior Broderick Binns. He had 63 tackles in 2009. Seniors Karl Klug and Christian Ballard are the returning starters at defensive tackle. Ballard has career tackles. Klug had 65 tackles last year, along with 13 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Ballard also had nine tackles for loss.
Gone from last year's linebacking unit is first team all-American Pat Angerer (258 career tackles) and all-Big Ten outside linebacker A.J. Edds (226). Senior Jeremiha Hunter is Iowa’s lone returning starter at linebacker. The all-Big Ten candidate has 25 career starts and started all but the Minnesota game last year. He was Iowa’s second leading tackler in 2009, for the second straight year, with 89 tackles.
The defensive backfield returns three of four starters in 2010. The 2009 pass defense was rated first in the Big Ten after allowing only 153 yards a game. That figure ranked fourth in NCAA statistics. The team’s 21 interceptions ranked second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. Senior Brett Greenwood returns at the free safety position. A second team all-Big Ten selection, he had 55 tackles and three interceptions last year. Tyler Sash returns at strong safety. He was named third team 2009 all-American by the Associated Press and first team all-Big Ten. Sash was Iowa’s third leading tackler with 85 tackles. He intercepted a team leading six passes. One cornerback spot should be anchored by Shaun Prater. He totaled 41 tackles and two interceptions last year.
Recruiting - The Hawkeyes bring in 21 student-athletes in its 2010 class, including four linebackers. Only seven of the recruits are on the offensive side of the ball. Linebacker Christian Kirksey comes in after having a monster senior season. He finished his senior campaign with a whopping 163 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. Defensive back B.J. Lowery comes in after putting up impressive numbers in his senior season as well. His senior season saw him in on 128.5 tackles and four interceptions. Jim Poggi comes in as a linebacker after putting up huge numbers as a senior too. His 2009 season saw him collect 137 tackles, 12 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions. C.J. Fiedorowicz comes in trying to replace Moeaki at tight end. Coincidentally, both are Illinois products. He had 44 catches for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Schedule - The Hawkeyes face seven of their 12 opponents at home in 2010. The Hawkeyes open with four of their first five games at home. Eight of the 2010 opponents appeared in bowl games last year. Three of the four non-conference games will be played in Iowa City. They start out with home games against Eastern Illinois and rival Iowa State before traveling to Arizona. The team then faces Ball State before starting Big Ten play by hosting Penn State. The PSU game is followed by a bye week and a trip to Michigan. The last six games of the year including road games at Northwestern, Indiana and Minnesota, while home games are against Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin. So the team's three biggest conference games (Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State) are all at home.
Offense - Iowa brings back six starters from last year's squad, including quarterback Ricky Stanzi. The team averaged 23 points per game, eight more than their opponents.
Stanzi has passed for 4,373 career yards to rank sixth on Iowa’s all-time list. Last season he was 171-304 for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will have to cut down on his interceptions, however, as he threw 17 in 2009. Sophomore James Vandenberg (6-3, 212) replaced Stanzi following the ankle injury he suffered in the team's first loss of the season vs. Northwestern. His performance in the overtime loss at Ohio State and
the season ending win over Minnesota were impressive as he completed 42 of his 87 passes and had two touchdowns.
The Hawkeyes began 2009 spring practice with sophomores Jewel Hampton and Jeff Brinson the top two contenders for the starting slot. Hampton was injured during the summer and Brinson played sparingly, because of injuries, in three games (one rush for seven yards). The Iowa running back situation was thin the rest of the season with redshirt freshman Adam Robinson, true freshman Brandon Wegher and senior Paki O’Meara left to carry the load. Robinson and Wegher also suffered injuries during the 2009 season that forced each to miss at least one game. But, the result turned in by the two freshmen was impressive. Robinson rushed for 834 yards, scored five touchdowns and had a 4.6 yards per carry average. Wegher rushed for 641 yards and a freshman record eight touchdowns.
Senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was a second team all-Big Ten selection last year. He, along with junior Marvin McNutt, will be Iowa’s number one receivers. Johnson-Koulianos led the way with 45 catches for 750 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch. McNutt started five games, caught 34 passes for 674 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season as a wide receiver. He had previously been a quarterback. Listed behind McNutt are sophomore Keenan Davis and senior Paul Chaney, Jr. Davis caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman. Chaney was injured and missed the final seven games of the 2009 season. He caught seven passes for 50 yards before the injury. They will be looking for a replacement at tight end after Tony Moeaki graduated. He caught 30 balls for 387 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Defense - As usual, the defense was quite good last year. They surrendered a mere 15 points per game and had 21 interceptions, fifth-most in the nation.
The defensive line looks to be the strongest unit on defense, as it brings back all four starters, including All-American candidate defensive end Adrian Clayborn. He had 70 tackles last year, including 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles. Anchoring the starting end spot on the other side of the line will be junior Broderick Binns. He had 63 tackles in 2009. Seniors Karl Klug and Christian Ballard are the returning starters at defensive tackle. Ballard has career tackles. Klug had 65 tackles last year, along with 13 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Ballard also had nine tackles for loss.
Gone from last year's linebacking unit is first team all-American Pat Angerer (258 career tackles) and all-Big Ten outside linebacker A.J. Edds (226). Senior Jeremiha Hunter is Iowa’s lone returning starter at linebacker. The all-Big Ten candidate has 25 career starts and started all but the Minnesota game last year. He was Iowa’s second leading tackler in 2009, for the second straight year, with 89 tackles.
The defensive backfield returns three of four starters in 2010. The 2009 pass defense was rated first in the Big Ten after allowing only 153 yards a game. That figure ranked fourth in NCAA statistics. The team’s 21 interceptions ranked second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. Senior Brett Greenwood returns at the free safety position. A second team all-Big Ten selection, he had 55 tackles and three interceptions last year. Tyler Sash returns at strong safety. He was named third team 2009 all-American by the Associated Press and first team all-Big Ten. Sash was Iowa’s third leading tackler with 85 tackles. He intercepted a team leading six passes. One cornerback spot should be anchored by Shaun Prater. He totaled 41 tackles and two interceptions last year.
Recruiting - The Hawkeyes bring in 21 student-athletes in its 2010 class, including four linebackers. Only seven of the recruits are on the offensive side of the ball. Linebacker Christian Kirksey comes in after having a monster senior season. He finished his senior campaign with a whopping 163 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. Defensive back B.J. Lowery comes in after putting up impressive numbers in his senior season as well. His senior season saw him in on 128.5 tackles and four interceptions. Jim Poggi comes in as a linebacker after putting up huge numbers as a senior too. His 2009 season saw him collect 137 tackles, 12 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions. C.J. Fiedorowicz comes in trying to replace Moeaki at tight end. Coincidentally, both are Illinois products. He had 44 catches for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Schedule - The Hawkeyes face seven of their 12 opponents at home in 2010. The Hawkeyes open with four of their first five games at home. Eight of the 2010 opponents appeared in bowl games last year. Three of the four non-conference games will be played in Iowa City. They start out with home games against Eastern Illinois and rival Iowa State before traveling to Arizona. The team then faces Ball State before starting Big Ten play by hosting Penn State. The PSU game is followed by a bye week and a trip to Michigan. The last six games of the year including road games at Northwestern, Indiana and Minnesota, while home games are against Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin. So the team's three biggest conference games (Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State) are all at home.
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