footballnut

It was about what you would expect from two teams trying to prove themselves on a cold and rainy night.  There was sloppy play, a multitude of penalties, and the occasional fumble.  It was cold, it was wet, and it was wild.

To be honest there is no end to the shock I'm feeling right now.  Nebraska did their best to hand this game over to Missouri in the first half.  Not capitalizing on turnovers, committing untimely turnovers, and in the end just down right looking awful.

It was exactly how it looked the first three quarters of the Thursday night game for Nebraska.  They came out cold and sloppy, just like the field on the wet rainy October night in Columbia.  The sloppy start yielded only twelve points for the vaunted Missouri offense.

Ndamukong Suh came out as advertised.  Some surprises?  Dejon Gomes and Matt O'Hanlon.  Dejon Gomes played out of his mind tonight and much to my surprise Matt O'Hanlon played fast and in position nearly the entire game.

Nebraska spotted the Tigers 12, almost 15, but the Tiger offense couldn't convert on a field goal early in the third quarter.  But as Nebraska learned three weeks ago, it's not how you play in the first three necessarily, but how you finish.

And on the first drive of the fourth quarter, Nebraska started to apply what they had learned. 

To say Zac Lee looked pedestrian in the first three quarters would be complimenting his play.  Actually, he looked down-right awful.  But again, Zac Lee knew how he needed to end to end any speculation of a quarterback controversy, and close he did.

He hit Niles Paul (6 catches 102 yards 2 TDs) on a 56-yard fly route early in the fourth.

 

(Niles Paul had 6 catches for 102 yards and 2 tds - his first 100 yard receiving game in his career.)  

Then, after the defense had dropped five, yes that's right FIVE could-be interceptions in the first three quarters Ndamukong Suh showed why he is one of the best Defensive players in the game as he picked off Blaine Gabbert for the first time this season on the first play in the fourth quarter.

Two plays later, Lee hit Niles Paul again on an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Nebraska their first lead in the game.

The next pass for Blaine Gabbert?  Another interception by upcoming star Dejon Gomes, who nearly took it all the way back for a touchdown. 

Three plays later, Lee struck again with a touchdown pass to on Mike McNeill on a beautifully executed boot leg play.

But those three touchdowns aren't what I'm talking about.  Those three touchdowns led to what I am talking about.  For the first time in recent history Nebraska put a game away.

The defense held on fourth and twenty.  Then, the offense pounded the rock for the final three minutes of the game and scored the final touchdown in impressive fashion.

Why is this a big deal?

I'll tell you.  In the days of old Nebraska put teams away with a two tight end set which ended in a touchdown that shredded the last shards of will from the opposing teams confidence.

They did it again Thursday night.

No it wasn't pretty, but like I said after the Virginia Tech game.  Decent teams play well and lose but good teams finish games and win even when they don't play well.  Nebraska grew up tonight in Columbia, Missouri.

And it reminded me of the days of old.

Now though, Great teams move on.  They move on and beat Texas Tech.

It's a picture Husker fans have waited a long time to see.  I'm not talking about the goose egg on the scoreboard, although it was impressive it was also a missed field goal away from becoming another 3 point game for a Sun Belt squad against the Huskers.

Yes I know it did snap a streak of not shutting a team out since the Husker's defeated Troy 56-0 in 2006, ironically another Sun Belt team, and Ironically the last time Nebraska won the North division in the Big 12 (foreshadowing?).  But still, that's not the picture I'm referring to here.

   (Larry Asante, 74 Interception return for a touchdown)

 

The picture I am talking about is a second quarter play against UL-Lafayette.  With just under six and half minutes to play in the half, the Cornhuskers had already built a twenty-seven to nothing lead on the Ragin Cajuns.

It's third and ten the Cajuns are threatening in Nebraska territory and Masson, the UL-Lafayette quarterback, has been on fire.  They are threatening a score.  Pelini decides to send a Linebacker blitz, they need to get pressure on Masson and force a bad throw to get the ball back and conserve a first half shut out. 

That's when Sean Fisher comes streaking through the A-Gap on the offensive line, Masson's eyes widen as he desperately seeks an open receiver.  Meanwhile a veteran safety named Larry Asante licks his lips and reads the quarterback's eyes.

Masson released and Asante reacted stepping in front of the bullet pass. And as he did so he found that it was cradled in his arms and he realized he had an unimpeded path to the end zone and he was on his way to a 74 yard interception return for a touchdown. 

To me, this was the biggest play of the game.  Why?

For two reasons, the first being the obvious, Asante was injured on the play.  But that's not my point.  The second is that the actual interception return for a touchdown was by a defensive back.

I know I know, Nebraska had two interceptions returned for touchdowns last season.  Both by a man we know as Ndamukong Suh, and that, is precisely my point.

Since the year 2002 not one, count them, NOT one Nebraska Cornhusker secondary player has returned an interception for a touchdown.  Fabian Washington was the last Husker to do the offense the favor.  It was a 29 yard interception return against Arizona State his Freshman year in the fourth quarter and it has been seven years since, that no Nebraska secondary player has done that deed. 

Why is this important?  Because good defenses have good secondaries and even though Larry Asante was injured on the play (apparently a bruised ankle) he will be okay in a few weeks to play against the high octane offense of Blaine Gabbert and the Missouri Tigers.

The big deal is that it finally looks like the Nebraska defense has bought into the Pelini way of thinking.  Last year at times they got down on themselves and gave up big plays.  Even during the first three games of this season we have seen breakdowns in the linebacking corps and the secondary, but the absence of a big play was rather noticeable on Saturday.  In fact, the biggest play of the game for Ragin Cajuns was a twenty-five yard pass play late in the first half.

Obviously Nebraska has not played any offensive juggernauts this season and to think that holding a Sun Belt team with a new quarterback and new running back to zero points will translate to similar results against a team like Missouri is silly homerism.

But, there is something to be said for beating the teams you are supposed to beat.  Missouri has done that, and Nebraska has done that.  But there is also something to be said for slaughtering teams you are supposed to beat and then something else to barely get by.

Which leads me to the title of this article, sorry it took so long.  Is the Big 12 North ready for a surprise?  Nebraska has outscored its first four opponents 157-36, and still, somehow, came out 3-1.  While Missouri and Kansas, two teams with markedly lower strengths in their out of conference schedules beat their opponents, 147-62 and 162-61 respectively and somehow both finished 4-0 in their non-conference schedule.

Are they ready for the defense Nebraska will bring to the table though?  Kansas played teams with a combined record 7-9 and one team that was 1-3 in the FCS (former divsion 1-AA) and Missouri has played teams with a combined 5-9 record and also one FCS team with a 3-1 record FBS teams they have played are a combined 2-8 and two of them (Nevada and Illinois) have each been shut out once this year.

Nebraska played no FCS opponents, came a breath away from beating a top-10 team and outscored four FBS teams by more of a spread than either Kansas or Missouri have against three FBS teams and one FCS team. 

In other words, given the first three games, even though Missouri and Kansas are a combined 8-0 Nebraska looks better statistically in almost every category defensively and offensively than either of these teams.

So it seems with Larry Asante's 74 yard interception return for a touchdown, the first by a Husker defensive back in seven years, Nebraska has turned a corner and the rest of the Big 12 should ask themselves.  Are we ready?

Husker fans were all to familiar with the scenario that unfolded at the hands of of the Virginia Tech Hokie's.  Contrary to popular belief this was a situation the Husker's had been in many times before.  A year ago against the same Virginia Tech team the Huskers had a chance to get the ball back and were thwarted by a personal foul call on Ndamukong Suh.  Also a year ago an interception in overtime after Texas Tech had missed an extra point forced the Husker's to except a 37-31 defeat.  Two years ago the Nebraska Cornhusker's went into Austin Texas and man-handled the mighty Longhorns, until a monumental collapse led to another heart breaking loss (28-25).  Even three years ago, Nebraska had the game won against the Longhorns once again a 20-19 lead on third and three and Terrence Nunn coughs the ball up to give the Longhorn's a chance at a win, and they capitalized with a 22-20 win.

The feelings were undoubtedly mixed with excitment and fear as Virginia Tech got the ball back at their own ten with two minutes remaining in the game.  I know I wasn't the only nervous fan, given Nebrask's half-decade long propensity to blow the big game.  But I thought to myself as the Defensive line yet again choraled the dangerous Tryod Taylor in the backfield, "maybe we can do this ."  As soon as I though it though, they did it.



Tyrod Taylor, arguably the least proficient passer in the ACC, scrambled, looked down field and to my horror let it fly with confidence.  Matt O'Hanlon had blown a coverage and Danny Coale went streaking down the side-lines for a a gut wrenching 80 yard completion.  Probably the only eighty yard completiong Taylor has this season.  My worst fears had been realized, indeed, we are NOT back.  Like i've said before, Good Teams hang in games, Really Good and Great teams win those games.  And we didn't.  We can rehash the would've, should've, could've and what ifs all we want but it won't heal the wounds of loss any quicker.  I could go on for pages about the inability to put it in the end zone or the horrific play calling to fail in getting a first down to run out the clock, or even how Matt O'Hanlon seems to always come up big for the other team when they need it, or maybe how if Amukamara gets to the ball literally a half a second earlier he could have batted it down.  I could, but i won't. 

What I will say is that this team looked better than I can remember them looking at any time last year.  The tackling was crisp, the coverage (save for one play) was there and the Defensive Line contained Tyrod Taylor all by themselves.  The offense, while inept at times looked good enough to move the ball on a GREAT defense even if they failed to punch it in.  But you need to finish a game if your going to play with the best and outplaying a team for 50 minutes counts for nothing if one of those eight minutes costs you the game, and that was the case on saturday.  Nebraska is edging ever closely to being "back," but until they show me they can finish a game I would say we are just an average team that can occasionally give the big boys a run for their money.  Yes there is something to be said for winning the games you are supposed to win, but to make that next step Nebraska needs to win a few games that they aren't expected to win.

All that aside, as fans and as a team we need to move on from this heartbreaking loss and hope that our boys will do exactly what Tim Tebow and Florida did last year... work harder.  Not necissarily win the National Title, but play harder and work harder and never let up.  This team can go one of two ways after this loss, the Callahan way (give up and wait for next year) or the Pelini way (fight to get better and never surrender).  So let's pick up and move on and look to the next game.  Here are a few things I don't want hear any more: (Please no more emotional knee-jerk reactions!)

1. Cody Green needs to start (This is an ignorant and emotional statement.  Sure he struggled, but I seem to remember another Junior quarterack struggling on his first away game start that the next year led the Husker's to a National Championship, his name Scott Frost.  Lighten up on the kid, he really did make plays when he needed to, and save for the one real interception he protected the ball well against one of the best defensive teams in nation.)
2. Coaches are horrible (Really?  The coaches are horrible for pretty much outcoaching a team an entire game on the road?  It was execution that was the problem not the game plan.  Sure there were a few bad calls, but no one is perfect.  Not one of those calls cost us the game, it cam down to execution)
3. Defense Sucks (Unless I missed something they were the reason we were really in the game in the first place.  Once again, execution)
4. The Season is Over!  Over I tell you! (The most emotional response ever.  I know it seems like that but we still have nine games.  And with Pelini at the helm I think and pray and believe we can win at least 8 of them.

Some things I MAY agree with:

1. Wasted Time-Outs (Generally I could care less how we use time outs in the first half, but burning all three in the third quarter is bad and can cost games.  Not saying this is the reason we  lost, but it tends to frustrate me.  I understand why he does it but most of the time I wish he wouldn't)
2. O'Hanlon... oh O'Hanlon (This guys story is amazing, but is play isn't.  Here's the lists of blown coverages that I saw for him... notice they all lead to scores - 3rd and 20 a step behind (7 points), gets burned to the side-lines, Williams long run he takes a horrible angle (3 points), blown coverage on 80 yard pass to Coale (6 points game winner).  May have been just a bad game, but what I saw was a safety that was lost and slow.  I bet you are a great guy Matt, but you are not a D-1 Big 12 safety)
3. Roy Helu Jr. is GREAT (Maybe the most driven and hard runner I have ever seen.  He carried this team and it frustrated me to see him not get a chance at a carry inside the five)
4. USC lost again thank God! (That game against Washington next year might be a better match-up than I thought it would be)

So there you have it, a heart breaking loss drops the Husker's to 2-1, but the season isn't over and our chances aren't either.  No bearing on on Big 12 North.  I think we will learn from this experience and carry it into a game against Missouri that will ultimately lead to a victory because of our experience in Blacksburg.

Go Huskers!

How long does Bo Pelini have?  No, I don't think he should lose his job, I don't even think his seat is remotely warm right now.  The man is sitting comfortable with a 12-4 all time Head Coaching record at Nebraska, but my question isn't about this season, maybe not even next season.  But in four or five years if Nebraska is still fighting for relevence.  What then?

Pelini has the program headed in the right direction: 9-4 in his first year.  And he is in good company with coaches like Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne and Frank Solich as the only coaches that started with a 9 win season.  So... So far so good right?

I think so, but many others are not convinced.  Nebraska still hasn't beaten a ranked team since a 28-27 win on the road at Texas A&M (Remember a last second fade route to Maurice Purify to spring to a 28-27 shocker over the Aggies?)  But beating a top fifteen team... that would take some serious research. 

Nebraska has delved into a recent pit of mediocrity and with the help Bo looks like they are climbing out.  But being ranked 18th in the nation isn't what Husker fans want, nor what most (born before 1990) are expecting.  Nebraska needs to be in the national spotlight, a team of relevence and of consiquence.  The stuff that makes the talking heads scratch their heads and say..."Nebraska is back?" 

In fact go all the way back to 2001 and that is the last time Nebraska beat a top fifteen team and go back even further than that to 1997 and that is the last time Nebraska beat a top 20 team on the road!  (#3 Washington).  They have had their chances, a Cotton bowl against Auburn (L) an overtime with a good Texas Tech team last season (L) and both of those games should have been Ws but the fact is GREAT teams pull out the wins, GOOD teams come close to getting wins.

That's what makes this weekend's game against Virginia Tech the most important game of Pelini's relativley short career.  At least up until now.  Sure the Gator Bowl was important, but a win against a team like Tech in Blacksburg shouts, WE'RE BAAAAAACK louder than a win over a washed up Clemson team any day of the week.  So can the Husker's do it?  Well, call me a homer but all the evidence points to YES they can, and they NEED to.  It looks like they finally have the Quaterback with the NFL measurables (6'2" 215 pounds) and the arm to make teams secondaries shake in their boots.  Add speed on the edges with Curenski Gillyelin and Niles Paul, and physical toughness with guys like Mike McNeill and Menelik Holt and then top it off with an elite running back like Roy Helu Jr. you have a team that could be BCS worthy.  COULD .

The Problem is the Huskers don't have that marquee win, the win that turns heads and makes other teams nervous.  It isn't enough to say we played "well" against Texes Tech we need that key win.  Could it be Oklahoma?  Yes, but before it is Oklahoma it needs to be Virginia Tech and all the things that point to the win are there.  The issue is the talent needs to be controlled, and it can be, but will Blacksburg get to the new starters?  Will the Defense shake underneath the weight of expectations and will Bo be able to harness the legs of Tyrod Taylor and rely on the legs of Roy Helu?

It all remains to be seen, but before Dominance comes relevence and before relevence comes a game against Virginia Tech.  Win this one and you still have to rattle off plenty more wins in the season, but you will have that monkey off your back and can continue to RISE to DOMINANCE!

ARE YOU SERIOUS? 

A look into the dumbest things of the college football season and to start it all off I am going to have to scream at the beast here.  Yeah, you got it... Notre Dame.  First let me say that this post is not to say Notre Dame football is horrible, but to say that it is not and has not been an Elite program for quite some time now.  Here in lies my argument laugh if you must, scoff if you will but i only present facts and for the Irish it doesn't look pretty.




Known as the darling of NCAA football the private school is one of the most storied programs in the history of the NCAA.  When is it time to let go of the past though?  Yeah they are the third ranked program among wins in NCAA football history only behind Michigan and Texas, but with Rockne gone and Holtz sidelined they have fallen into obscurity and Wies does not look like the man that will pull them out.  So can we please stop talking about Irish football?

This is a program that has been pretty much out of the national title picture for two decades now, yeah that's right twenty years.  And we are supposed to just role over and and give them the pat on the back and say they are BCS (BS) material? 

If any team can claim history as a reason for even being mentioned in the same sentence as USC or Oklahoma (two very storied programs in their own right) in this day and age it is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who have been fighting less and less these days.  The problem with Notre Dame is that its so called storied history stopped when Lou Holtz stopped coaching them.  Yes I do know that historically speaking the Irish have more wins than all but two programs in the NCAA with 831 wins (832 now with a win over Nevada)  But what about the last twenty years? 136 wins in twenty years, that's only seven wins a year for such a storied program as Notre Dame?  And not only that but in the last ten years this is the Fighting Irish's record corresponding with that year's Strength of Schedule:

1998 - 61st (Record 9-3)
1999 - 4th   (Record 5-7)
2000 - 22nd (Record 9-3)
2001 - 12th (Record 5-6)
2002 - 13th (Record 10-3)
2003 - 2nd  (Record 5-7)
2004 - 4th   (Record 6-6)
2005 - 44th (Record 9-3)
2006 - 25th (Record 10-3)
2007 - 12th (Record 3-9)
2008 - 66th (Record 7-6)
2009 - proj. 40th (1-0)

        If Notre Dame were truly an elite program wouldn't they thrive in the years that their SOS was highest?  And wouldn't they be able to get through the mediocre seasons unscathed?  Now this looks good at face value but what you do not see here is that during this time Notre Dame was 17-33 against teams in the top twenty-five . That is a 34% winning percentage against teams in the top twenty-five.  Not only that but that means that 23 of those losses were against teams not even ranked in the top twenty five.  This is a program that has excelled at mediocrity not for one but for two decades and yet they still get all the face time on ESPN and Sportscenter for wins over Nevada and Hawaii?  When is enough enough?  Any other program gets a win against Hawaii in the who care's it bowl and you only get the score at the bottom of the screen.  Not some twenty minute monologue about how Irish football is back after a 7-6 season.

        Call me a hater, call me whatever you want and believe me I understand mediocrity (Nebraska football 2002-present) but not to the extent of Notre Dame.  They haven't won a title since 1988, they haven't played in one since then either (no BCS title games)and from the looks of it one is not coming any time soon.  This is a team, that since the loss of Lou Holtz has spun into the pit of mediocrity and cannot get out despite all of the help the media gives them.  They couldn't even come close to winning in their BCS bowl appearances this decade (a 41-6 loss to Oregon St. in 01 and a 34-20 loss to Ohio St. in 06 and a 41-14 loss to LSU in 07).  They lost in blow outs a combined score of 116-40. 

        And yet the BCS is still unwilling to let go of their darling who is the only team in BCS history to go to three or more BCS game and lose in every single one of their appearances. (According to its (BCS) website, the BCS: "...is managed by the commissioners of the 11 NCAA Division I-A conferences , the director of athletics at the University of Notre Dame , and representatives of the bowl organizations.")  Why does Notre Dame's AD get to be in on the committee?  Some say it's because they are an Independent, but I don't see Navy's or Army's AD in on the BCS board...  Begs the question: Why are we still allowing this program to feed off of the NCAA and the BCS for life when it is obviously dying? 

       Maybe it is NBC's odd need to keep them on contract till 2015 despite posting the lowest ratings in the history of the contract in 2008 or maybe it is because ESPN longs to see the Irish climb back out from obscurity I don't know.  One thing I do know though is that Notre Dame has never had to work for the respect of the media, unlike almost every other football program it is freely given to them (that fruitcake on ESPN with the lisp doesn't help matters).  All I'm saying is how long will it take for decades of lofty expectations and goals to come crashing down on the once proud program?  As far as I can tell one season...  many are saying that without a 10-2 season and a berth in a BCS bowl game (which they will most likely lose by a wide margin and drop to 0-4 in BCS games) Weis is gone, if that is the case prepare for a massive pay-out Irish nation because ten wins simply ain't happening.  I see losses to Michigan, USC, Pittsburgh and Connecticut for the Irish this season (8-4) and a probable firing of Mr. Weis.  Am I impressed by the 35-0 beat down of Nevada in the opening game?  Not really, with a defense as bad as Nevada's almost anyone could slice and dice a secondary like mister underachieving did.

      Honestly if the Irish get through a mediocre at best Schedule unscathed, yes I retract this statement and they do deserve a BCS bid, but if they only win 10 games in which they play teams like Nevada, Washington, Washington St., Purdue and Stanford then they should maybe, just maybe get to go to the Gator Bowl, under 9 wins?  Hello Hawaii, maybe while Weis is there sipping on his third Pina Colada he can just save face and retire.  Who knows, but one thing i do know is that Notre Dame is done if after this season they do only win eight games because it doesn't get any easier, they will lose 4 of 5 OL starters after this season, their safeties and their best Corner Back... so back to 7-6 until they rebuild again?  Irish nation simply won't stand for it and neither should the media.

In the end Just LET IT die.  College football will move on, just like when USC died for a time and Oklahoma and Nebraska... life will go on stop trying to resuscitate this program, if it is going to survive make it do it on its own, just like USC did and just like Oklahoma did, just like Nebraska is asked to do and just like Miami and Florida State are asked to do.

The strangle-hold on the automatic BCS bid for the PAC-10 has almost been exclusively USC territorry.  Teams like Arizona St. and Cal have made their attempts but to the victor goes the spoils and right now that victor is continuously the USC Trojans.  As much as I would like to say the loss of Mark Sanchez opens the door I just can't. Since the first Decade of the 2000 mellinium USC has owned the PAC-10 title winning at least a share of it in 7 straight years (2002-2008) while they only had obtained two PAC-10 championship in the 90's and four in the 80's.  This has been the most successful decade since the 70's for the Trojans when they routed the PAC-10 for 6 championships.  Will this be the year the Pete Carroll express is finally knocked off the railways?  The answer...no. And it is not because they are unbeatable but because they really don't have much competition for the position.

So here are my rankings for the 09-10 season of the PAC-10:

1. USC
2. Oregon
3. California
4. Arizona
5. Oregon St.
6. Arizona St.
7. UCLA
8. Stanford
9. Washington
10. Washington St.

From five to ten there really is a log jam in the PAC-10, could this be UCLA's year to shine?  Could Stanfor beat the powerhouse USC again away from hom and can ASU bounce back from one of the most disappointing seasons since Carpenter took over at quarterback?  Could Oregon repeat as front runners to the two spot and even challenge USC for 1 or will Cal be right on the door steps ready to pounce if the Giant falters?  A lot of questions again this year and not a whole lot of answers.

USC - The loss of Mark Sanchez has been touted as the big blow to the Trojans, but is a one year starter really that big of a blow to a team that just reloads year after year?  It seems like the Scholarship cap placed by the NCAA has no affect on the Trojans.  That being said the offense will be the most talked about side of the ball this off-season even though there really are more questions on a Defense that returns only two starters. Mitch Mustain looked like the usurper at the helm although it looks like the younger Aaron Corp is going to win the job.  An experienced O-Line is back as well as the receiving corps and the two leading backs for USC, their offense will be fine.  The Reload theory takes a big hit this offseason with only outstanding safety Taylor Mays and Soph. CB Tareece Wright coming back the entire front seven will have to gell quickly and should be able to even though a big away game at an angry Ohio State club is going to test them early.

Oregon - Many people discount the Ducks because they only return ten starters, five on each side.  But, this teams should be just as good as last year.  Masoli and Blount are genuine threats to get to the end-zone quickly and if indeed USC's D is lacking they should be able to smash mouth their way to the second and maybe even the first spot in the PAC-10.  However, their Defense will have to pick up steam and do it quick if they wish to make a run at their first PAC-10 title since 2001.

California - Of the top three in the PAC-10 Cal has the most returning starters all around.  And the loss of Nate Longshore might be a blessing in disguise as Kevin Riley can perform without him breathing down his neck for starting time.  Of one of the best (no pun intended) running backs in the nation will be back full force this season in Jahvid Best along with a slew of veteran jr and sr receivers.  Don't be surprised of the Bears try to put themselves on the map this season.  With games @ Oregon and at home against USC early in the year they will know their standing in the PAC-10 by the end of week five.

---

Team most likely to shock the heck out of you?

Arizona: Arizona has been on the precipice of moving from a decent team to a good team for a few years now and the fact that they return 14 starters from a year ago should scare some PAC-10 fans.  Quarterback Willie Tuitama is gone, but not all is lost for the Wildcats.  If Matt Scott can take over the reigns affectively and and offensive line that returns 3of5 starters from a year ago can open up some holes for Nic Grigsby, Keola Antolin and Xavier Smith they could surprise some teams this year.  With an entire D-Line returning, and a few in the backfield their defense should be good enough to chorale most teams' running games, but the big question is if the secondary can step up this season and get some take-aways.  Watch out this could be the Dark-Horse team of 2009.

 

The SEC solidified the fact that it was the dominant conference last season with Florida's dominant win over Oklahoma in the National Title game and they are looking to do more of the same this year.  It looks like a great year for the SEC, they won't be as good as they were last year but they will be darn close.

East:

1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Kentucky
4. South Carolina
5. Tennesseee
6. Vanderbilt

Florida: Returning 19 of 22 starters and all 11 on defense the Gators will be just as good if not better than they were last year.  Loaded with talent even at the loss of Harvin the only thing that will stop this team is a gross melt down of epic proportions which could happen if leaders like Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer were not the ones controling the teams Psychy.  With Brandon Spikes back this might be on of the best and most talented Defenses in the nation and in recent memory.  This team has a great shot at going undefeated this year with an easier schedule (if there is such a thing in the SEC) they don't play Ole Miss...the only team to beat them last season.

Georgia: The loss of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are gigantic blows to this team, but Cox and AJ Green should be able to take over effectively enough.  The defense lost a few key players but Richt has talent waiting in the wings.  Without the unrealistic expectations of a preseason number one last year Georgia is free to achieve what they can without feeling the added pressure of expectant National Championship on the line.

Kentucky: Kentucky has the most experienced offense comming back in 2009 with one more starter returning than Florida.  Playmakers Hartline (QB) and Cobb (WR) are back and ready to make noise in  the East.  The problem is on a defense that returns only five starters.  They do have a multitude of Jrs and Srs ready to step up and take on the reigns, but in a Defense happy league the question of how they gell may just keep them in the 3 to 4 area in the East.

West:

1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ole Miss
4. Arkansas
5. Auburn
6. Mississippi St.

Alabama: It may seem odd to pick these guys as the top in the West in front of more experienced LSU and Ole Miss especially with the loss of Wilson, Coffee and the big man himself Andre Smith.  First off John Parker Wilson really didn't do much but throw it up for Julio Jones which the incoming quarterback (most likely Greg McElroy) should be able to do as well.  Julio Jones is back and will be an even bigger force as a Sophomore along side of Sr. Mike McCoy.  Mark Ingram will take Coffee's place well enough but it is the offensive line they should be worried about returning only two starters from a year ago.

LSU: Jordan Jefferson looks like the answer to the QB but the loss of WR Demetrius Byrd is a big blow to the offense.  Charles Scott is back and will have to provide most of the offense for them this season and he is capable to do it just like he did last year.  The defense, even though they lost four starters should be better.  The loss of Bo Pelini as DC was tough on them last year but they should be back to form this season.

Ole Miss: Jevon Snead is turning into one of the premere Quarterbacks in the SEC and Houston Nutt is turning the Rebels into over night success stories.  Don't look for the story to end after last season though because they will only be better this season. Dexter McCluster is back and has shown that he has game breaking ability and speed.  Probably the most veteran crew of starters returning in the West so watch out they could make a run for themselves in the SEC.  Just don't be surprised if they actually do make that run.

Looks like another fun filled year of the toughest conference knocking each other around this season and each division could belong to either of three teams.  But my favorites are Bama and Florida to meet in the Championship Game again.  Most likely with the same result.

 

 

The last few years have been intollerable for Big 10 fans.  Their teams have been accused of being soft, slow and poorly prepared for Big Games situations.  Which is fair to teams like Ohio State who have proven over the last few years that they aren't up to snuff being blasted in two national title games and losing by 3 to Texas.  That is three straight losses since they beat Notre Dame 34-20 in 2005.  But the tide is hopefully changing for this fast fading conference and it will change on the arms and legs of Terrell Pryor and Daryll Clark.

1. Ohio St.
2. Penn St.
3. Iowa
4. Michigan St.
5. Minnesota
6. Michigan
7. Wisconsin
8. Northwestern
9. Illinois
10. Indiana
11. Purdue

 

The Big 10 will be a bit better this next year but that doesn't mean every team will be better, just the upper echelon.  It looks like a battle between powerhouses Ohio State and Penn State again and could come to the two teams meeting in the regular season to determin which team gets to the Rose Bowl.

Ohio St.: Top contender Ohio St has a lot of things going for them, most of which start and end with Terrell Pryor.  He showed us why he was such a special tallent last season and will continue to try to meet that expectation.  The loss of Beanie Wells though hurts the Buckeyes as well as the loss of leading tackler James Laurinaitis.  But as does happen most years the Buckeyes will be back in a big way and contending once again for that coveted Big 10 title.  Dan Herron will need to step up in a big way offensively if this team is going to do what they set out to do each year.  The defense is fairly intact, again the loss of Laurinaitis is a big blow but Austin Spitler and Ross Homan should fill in the gaps easily enough.  Watch out the Bucks might try another run at a national title before this decade is over yet.

Penn St.: The Nittany Lions return starting quarterback Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster and not much else.  The offensive line is desimated by graduation and the defense is desperate to fill the gaps.  Also the loss of two big playmaking receivers leaves Clark to trust his legs more than his arms this season.  The loss of Aaron Maybin is crucial and a devistating blow to a D-Line that was already going to miss most of its playmakers.  The keys for the Lions are that they need the younger players to step up and Royster, Clark and Jr. Wideout Brett Bracket to make plays.  This may be a relatively inexperienced crew but they are experienced enough in key areas to the point where they could make some noise this season.

Team that could surprise?

Michigan: Rodriguez made the fatal mistake of thinking that his system would work with a quarterback like Threet.  Well they weathered that 3-9 season and now look to at least double their win total with a highly touted Freshman quarterback at the helm.  Brandon Minor will be key in this offense that struggled so mightily last season.  if Ritch can get his offense going they will be a team to contend with in the Big 10.

 

 

 

The Big 12 has been about as one sided as a conference can get in recent years (except of course the PAC-10).  Right now it is looking more like it is the Big 2 plus 10 with Oklahoma and Texas at the forefront.  While this trend won't change this year it is something that looks to be short lived on the horizon with the resurgance of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma St. and Nebraska in a few years this conference could be as even as the ACC which isn't necessarily a good thing.  The favorites to win it this year yet again is a crap shoot between Oklahoma and Texas.

 

North:

1. Nebraska
2. Kansas
3. Missouri
4. Colorado
5. Iowa St
6. Kansas St

The terrain of the North is going to look a little different this year, with Chase Daniel, Maclin, Coffman and half a defense gone (including ourstanding safety Moore) Missouri is no longer top dog although they will still be fighting for it.  Looks like a three horse race, maybe four if Colorado can sneak in there for the Big North Crown.  Obviously my homerism is shining through a bit as I have Nebraska winning the north but it is very possible.  The game NU @ KU this season could be the game for the North.  The winner of that one will probably win a ticket to the Championship game.

Kansas:   They need a running game.  Pure and simple.  Reesing is good, third maybe fourth best quarterback in a quarterback studded league but he can't win the North on his own with Briscoe.  Jake Sharp is the name that many Jayhawks fans are hoping will burst forward this season.  If the Hawks can get a running game going this could definately be one of the best offenses in the Big 12.  This is going to be one of the most veteran groups in the North this season and they will need it with games against Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas this season two of which are on the road.  The difficulty of their Big 12 schedule alone could hamper their ability to be first time Big 12 North Champions.

Nebraska: Second season of the Bo Pelini era and the air couldn't be more electric.  The only real question on the roster is quarterback, if Zac Lee gets a handle on the system and gameday decisions he will be tough to deal with.  The Defense should be a lot better again with Three of four D-Lineman comming back including power house Suh and sixth year Sr.  Turner.  The secondary will be much improved and returns every starter from a year ago.  And they will need it with games again Kansas, Oklahoma and pass happy Texas Tech.  Most of their tough games are at home with the exception of that all important game in Lawrence on Nov. 14.

South

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Oklahoma St.
4. Texas Tech
5. Baylor
6. Texas A&M

The bottom half was actually the toughest to call on this one but I believe that the South belongs to two teams yet again Texas and Oklahoma.  Baring another wacky four way or three way tie for South champions the Red River Rivalry game will most likely decide the winner of the conference early in the season.  But don't be surprised if Van Gundy's Cow-Pokes make a run for again this year.

Texas: Texas is losing Quan Crosby and Jordan Shipley but returns leading passer and rusher Colt McCoy who had a break out Junior year.  The question for Texas is will he revert back to his sophomore year?  I think probably not, but losing Orakpo is a huge blow to a tenacious defense.  Texas will be ready, as always offensively but it will be the question of their defense that will either win or lose the Big 12 for them this season.  Hold Bradford and Murray in check and you have probably won the Big 12 South.

Oklahoma: Sam Bradford is back and so Jermaine Gresham and DeMarco Murray.  However a revamped offensive line is the question mark.  Can Bradford make decisions without thirty seconds to throw the ball beind that stone wall of an O-Line.  The pressure will be on the running game this year and they are more than ready with Chris Brown and Madu along with Murray to answer the call.  Some young receivers will most likely be making a name for themselves this year and Oklahoma will not fade quietly into the night.  This will be another intense battle for control over the South and may come down to another Tie Breaker.  I say if that happens let's just have Mac Brown and Bob Stoops fight to the death.  HaHA just kidding.

This should be a great season for the Big 12 it won't be as stacked as it was last year but the powers will still be there in the South the question is who will rise in the North?  Some teams that might be spoilers this year are these:

 

 

 

The Big East has been about as up and down a conference as anyone could ask for as far as football goes.  It may be the easiest conference to play in to get into a BCS bowl.  Since Miami (FL) left for the ACC in 2004 there has only been on team to win the conference twice, and that team looks to be gone on a downward spiral as Pat White is now gone.  Since there is no championship game for the Big East the conference relies on a series of tie-breakers to decide the team to move onto the Orange bowl.  since 2003 these teams have had at least a share of a Big East crown:

West Virginia, Pitt, Syracuse, Louisville, UConn, and Cincinatti

This year looks to be no different.  With no clear front-runner one would have to go with recent insurgent and brilliant coach Brian Kelly with Cincinatti, but USF, Rutgers, Lousiville, Pittsburgh, and UConn might have something to say about that.  the Big East is even more wide open than the ACC this year.  Who knows if West Virginia can rebuild, and can Pitt recover from losing their offense? (Namely McCoy and Stephens-Howling).  It will be an exciting year for the Big East and this is how I see it playing out, a race between three teams for the top spot and a shot at a BCS Bowl.  My preseason favorite is Pitt, but that could switch to Cincy in an instant, its a coin flip scenario.

Pre-Season Favorite : Pitt

1. Pittsburgh
2. Cincinatti
3. West Virginia
4. Rutgers
5. South Florida
6. Connecticut
7. Louisville
8. Syracuse

Pitt - They look to be the strongest coming into spring.  The important thing for both Pitt and WV is the Quarterback position.  Even though Pitt gets their starter back he has not been consistant.  Wandstadt will need to remedy the issue and plugg in another back that might be able to do some of the things that LeSean McCoy and Stephens-Howling did.  But the pressure will be on Stull and he will need to shoulder it effectively if they are going to make a push for the Orange Bowl.

Cincy - Something Kelly has going for him is the fact that the three quarterbacks that are coming back all got playing time last year, and started.  The problem is that they lost so much on defense.  If Kelly sures that up, as he has in the past, this could be the team to beat in the Big East.

WVU - Bill Stewart underachieved last year, and winning the bowl game may have been good enough to keep his job for another year.  The good thing for him is that Pat White doesn't come back so no one will be expecting a National Championship season out of him.  However, the staff showed lack of perperation and bad decision making in clutch situations last season (see Colorado game) to drop them to that 9-4 season.  Anything less than a fight for the Big East this year will send fans reeling and maybe cost Bill his job.

Dark Horse :

PS. - Don't be surprised if, even without Teel and Britt the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers make a run, they didn't do well last season when people thought they would but as soon as everyone discounted them they were back to winning games.  Leaving them out of the Big East discussion could be the best fuel for Schiano's fire and they could be a surprise again in 2009.

Like I stated in my Top 25 for the pre-season I am a College Football fanatic and I could not think of any better way to pass the time than try to beat the magazines out with my pre-season picks.  I did the top 25 now I move on to conference by conference Alhpabetically.  That means we start with the ACC. The ACC has been a mess for a few years without an overwhelmingly dominant team.  Virginia Tech had somewhat of a down year next year and still won the ACC championship.  That being said the road to the Orange bowl still goes through Blacksburgh.  There will be a few teams that try to remove that title however, among them, Florida St., Georgia Tech, Clemson and Maryland.  For what was the most wide open league last year this promises to be another year of parody in the world of ACC athletics.

 

Atlantic Division: This is seemingly the weaker division in this Conference, unless Florida St. and Clemson can turn some heads.

1. Florida St.
2. Clemson
3. Maryland
4. Wake Forest
5. Boston College
6. N.C. State

Florida St. - This team should be a winner for a long time coming in the Atlantic Division the return of 9 starters on offense including Jr. Starter Christian Ponder who should be exponentially better this team should be among VT and GT for one of the best offenses in the ACC.  Defense is the question mark for FSU, but the question is in the secondary not the D-Line.  If they can get pressure on the quarterback and cover up their relative inexperience in the back 6 or 7 they will be the team to beat in a wide open Atlantic division.  The thing that helps is the other contenders, Clemson, Maryland.  Really it is a wide open division and don't be surprised if either Wake Forest or even Boston College with anew head coach makes a run.  Two new head coaches in Clemson and BC should be a fun division to watch, but I will put my money on Mr. Bowden's Seminoles.  Could probably put Clemson on top too depends on how the cheating debacle turns out on FSU's campus.

Coastal Division:   The stronger of the two, top heavy wise, VT and GT should make a battle for the top place in the division.

1. Virginia Tech
2. Georgia Tech
3. North Carolina
4. Miami
5. Virginia
6. Duke

Virginia Tech: Like always the early favorite this year.  With a plethora of returning starters including all-purpose quarterback Tyrod Taylor and their leading rusher the Hokies are primed for a third straight ACC title.  However Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets will have something to say about that with all their leading rushers coming back from an offense that averaged 350 yards rushing a game. North Carolina will be looking for their chance this season and Butch Davis is a good enough coach to give it to them, but the loss of Tate their best receiver could prove costly, also a year ago this team thrived on turnovers and when that happens the next year can be a bit of a let down if the same ammount aren't taken in.  The road to the ACC will go through Blacksburgh once again, and with no Quarterback controversy to speak of the Hokies should be ready to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know it is still early to be thinking about college football, but well... not to me! With Spring Ball on its way and the smell of basketball season cooling down all I have to look forward to is a summer full of Golf and meaningless baseball games.  Starting in April I always count down to the opening day for College Football and I think that there is no such thing as a Too Soon outlook on College Football.  So, before the magazines, before the spring games, I will be taking a first hand look at the top teams in all 11 conferences and even which Independent teams to look out for.  First, I will start with my pre-pre-season Top 25!

 

Note: Ratings are subject to change in light of news throughout the summer.

1. Florida (Yes, yes, it pains me to say this but I have to say the Gators will be the favorite to win it all again next year.  Of course th ey lost Percy Harvin, but they still have their heart and soul Tim Tebow.  As much as the man annoys me he is still the best football player in the country.  Also, looking at a dominant offense its hard to say they will stumble,  Obviuosly they return Tebow, but they also lost only two receivers, and three offensive linemen and their starting running back.  that is seven starters, but they reload every year on the line and Chris Rainey stepped it up last year and is proving to be a go-to back.  The receiving corps may seem a little suspect but with returning role players like Brandong James and David Nelson they will be just fine not to mention the incoming talent of Andre Debose.  That being said their offense will be fine.  The defense is the issue for the Gators then right?  Wrong, maybe if Brandon Spikes had decided to go pro but he's coming back and so is the rest of the defense they don't lose one starter on defense and that deserves a major "yo" as Lee Corso would say.  Depth is never a concern for the Gator's and it won't be again this year.  Looking at the schedule I see every game and go, wow that is winnable... The SEC is always hard to get through unscathed, but with their most difficult games on the road beaing LSU (who is still iffy in the quarterback area) and at a nuetral field against Staffordless Georgia.  Florida should be the favorites to win the SEC...and the National Championship.)

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2. Texas (Yes, I have chosen Texas over Oklahoma in this one and yes it was a crap-shoot.  Colt McCoy is coming back and might be the most efficiant quarterback in NCAA football history completing almost 77 percent of his passes all season long.  The reason I chose them over Oklahoma is one-fold.  Offensive line.  OU lost all their O-Line Starters while Texas lost only one.  Of course the loss o Quan Crosby will be huge, but up and coming stars like that of Brandon Collins and Malcom Williams will be plusses for the offense especially since Shipley got granted that extra year of eligibility.  With Colt's experience and a seasoned offensive line don't be surprised if you find yourself looking at the Texas Longhorns in that BCS 2 spot by seasons end.  Defensively there are some holes to fill, although, again not as many as Oklahoma.  The loss of Orakpo will hurt tremendously, but as always Mack knows what he is doing.  They only lose three starters defensively and the secondary will be much improved from last year and it will need to be as they lose one of their best D-linemen and their MLB, but don't be surprised if former back-ups Eddie Jones and Dustin Earnest step in quickly and fill the gaps.  As long as the receiving corps picks it up this season you are looking at the 2009 Big 12 South Champions.)

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3.  Oklahoma (When you have a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback coming back for another year you better be in the top five no matter how many players you are losing.  The brilliance of Bradford is in his patience, however, at times when he was pressured last year he looked very vulnerable and it will be up to a revamped offensive line to keep that pocket of safety from collapsing around him.  It will be up to Seniors Trent Williams and Brian Simmons to anchor the O-Line for the Sophomores that are coming in to fill the gaps.  If the offensive line proves affective a blessing in disguise from last year might expose itself for the OU offense this season.  That is the play of Chris Brown and Moses Madu these two are a great tandem from the offense and could prove to be Oklahoma's saving grace on the offensive side of the ball. Getting Jermain Gresham back is a HUGE lift for this team, why?  Because he, not Manuel Johnson was the second leading receiver on the team.  With weapons comming back like that of Ryan Broyles and DeMarco Murray this offense should barely miss a step.  However, defesively, they lost three key starters and will need to fill those gaps post-haste!  Ryan Renolds will be back which is HUGE plus for the team as well as DE Austin English.  IF the offensive line sures up quickly they, not Texas could be in the drivers seat of the Big 12.)

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4.  Alabama (Yes, the Crimson Tide will be back, and Yes I know they lost John Parker-Wilson. AND Andre the Giant Smith.  The SLAM for this squad is the Junior running back Glen Coffee decided to go pro.  However the biggest key to this team is coach Nick Saban Wilson was at best and average quarterback last year 10tds and 8ints, not good.  Coffee was that heart and soul of the team right?  No it was proven in the Sugar Bowl that Andre Smith was, and his loss is the biggest.  But I think Saban will have them ready to go next year.  Ingram and Upchurch will pick up the slack and don't forget that monster Julio Jones.  The defense will be even better with seasoned starters in the front seven and seven seniors over all in the starting line-up.  A favorable schedule (their toughest road test is against Ole Miss which could be their stumbling block) look for the tide to get back to their winning ways under tha managing hand of Greg McElroy.  I see them heading back to the SEC Championship game.

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5.    LSU (Did I just?  Yes I did.  Even though the Tigers and an abismal ending to their season last year this team will be ready to go in 2009.  Here are just a few reasons:  First the inexperience at quarterback is gone.  They now have a "veteran" to take the starting role.  Offensively they look good, as long as they stick with Jordan Jefferson as their starter.  Charles Scott will be back and that is a HUGE plus because he was a reason why this team was able to rally from almost 30 behind to be Troy.  Definsevely, this unit will need to be revamped and with a new coacha and fresh incoming talent that day is not too far off.  Do NOT be surprised if LSU can pull out a 9 even 10 win season this year with a a tough schedule.  They may make a run for the SEC title againt.

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6.  USC (the PAC-10 has been one sided recently with the alpha-wolf USC in the forefront every year.  Losing Matt Leinart should have hurt and they just plugged in John David Booty, losing him should have hurt and they just plug in Mark Sanchez.  Will the trend continue?  unlike years past USC is not ranked in the Top 10 because of their quarterback, no it is because of their coaching and the weapons that will be there to aid the new Quarterback.  CJ Gable is coming back as Jr. and his explosive play-making abilities will aid the new quarterback which will be fought for by three young men, True-Fr. Matt Barkley, So. Aaron Corp and Jr. Mitch Mustain...Mustain has the most experience, however Aaron Corp looks to be more athletic and smarter under center.  Whoever it is he will have a variety of play making receivers to throw to starting with Damian Williams and Ronald Johnson, but others like David Ausberry and Travon Patterson will be hard to match up against especially to those teams int he PAC-10.  A veteran offensive line (at least 3 seniors the rest are juniors) will be the wall that protects the new quarterback and will allow running backs Gable and McKnight to run free.  Obviously defensively the loss of Ray Maualuga will hurt but not as much as one might think.  Their secondary will be scary with Seniors Josh Pinkard, Taylor Mays, and Kevin Thomas leading the way.  The front seven will be as suspect as it has been but the anchor down low of Christian Tupou and Everson Griffen should hold their own to cover up the relative inexperience in the Line-backing position.  Again USC will be the favorite to win the PAC-10 and they probably will, but with tough games @ Ohio St and @ Oregon don't be surprised if they drop a game on the road like they did last year.)

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7.  Virginia Tech (I know I know, why give the Hokies another shot at a top Ten preseason spot.  One Player. Tyrod Taylor.  The loss of Evans hurts, but they have a plethora of running backs at their disposall look for them to open up well against Bama and move on from there two tough opening tests Bama and Nebraska will tell us how good Va Tech is this year.  VT returns 7 starters on offense that means they only lost two players from a 10-4 season a year ago.  They only lose four starters on defense, however Macho Harris was one of them and they will need desperately to fill his leadership roll and talent level.  However they will have to contend a very tough pre-conference schedule playing Alabama and Nebraska, luckily for them their tough games are in Blacksburgh and Beamer rarely loses a home match-up.  Look for them to storm the ACC for a third strait Championship.)

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8.  Oklahoma St. (If there ever was a time for the Cowboys to push their way to the top of the Big 12 South this would be it.  They are returning a veteran offinsive line, Dez Bryant best receiver in the Big 12, leading rusher Kendall Hunter and most important of all Zach Robinson.  Talk about a quartet of opportunities!  This could be one of the best offenses in the Big 12 maybe even the nation next season.  Forget what happened against Oregon Dez Bryant basically tore his knee apart in that game and that was a major reason why they didn't compete as well as they could have.  But he has been repaired by surgery and, hoping that rehab goes well will be back to full force next season.  The only key loss on offense was that of go-to Tight End Brandon Pettigrew, but Wilson Youman looks good in his stead.  Last year their defense was suspect at times, and great at other times, look for a vast improvement in this area as they only lost a safety (Perish Cox) who was in fact the leader of the defense 2 DL and a LB, but those pluggs should be filled well with incoming talent.  If the offense can keep scoring the defense will come up with a few big stops.  With a favorable schedule that has all the tough games at home (like Georgia and Texas) look for Oklahoma St. to maybe be a one to no loss team going into the Bedlam rivalry in Norman.)

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9.  Ohio St. (It is tough to put them in the Top 10 isn't it?  You blow it two years in a row in the Big Dance, not only blow it but get BLOWN OUT in it and you expect to continually be considered one of the elite?  We will give you one more year and the reason is Terrell Pryor.  The smooth runner and awkward passer brings speed to a Big 10 conference that is used to having that at only one position, RB.  Two things hurt OSU though, first Chris "Beanie" Wells is gone and we all saw how well they functioned without him...gulp...and their best defender and leading tackler James Laurinaitis is gone as well as Malcum Jenkins and Marcus Freeman.  Getting USC at home early will provide a barameter for where they are at, and if somehow they can win that one they should be able to get through the rest of their favorable schedule unscathed until going to Penn St which could be the battle for the Big 10 again.

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10.  Penn St. (ironic right? Just talked about them possibly winning the Big 10?  Penn St. and the afformentioned OSU are really the only two contenders for the Big 10 title (it's okay Iowa fans you can somehow get in there to throughout the season)  The reasons for a Top 10 start for the Nittany Lions are kind of like those for Ohio St.  Quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Even Royster will both be back and they MUST shoulder the load.  A patched up O-Line after losing three starters will be key in the season improvement of PSU as well as revamping a tenacious defense from last year the loss of Aaron Maybin stings alot for the Lions but they will need to move past that and focus on winning the Big 10 for a second strait year.)

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11.  Ge orgia (I know how can I say Georgia is top 15 talent when they didn't even win the SEC last year AND they lost Stafford and Knowshon Moreno?  Simple, they are that talented.  A new quarterback may make things difficult as we saw with LSU last year, but they have experience at that position and battle of talent that might just make your head spin.  Joe Cox the projected starter is a Senior, a fifth year senior who was to be the man before Stafford took over.  He has experience and has waited patiently behind the pro-style Stafford, but now it is his time...he has only one year to make the pro-scouts take notice and he comes in with the most experience at quarterback for the Bulldogs throwing for a total of 432 yards 5 touchdowns and one interception in the games he has come in to play.  In 2008, in relief for Stafford he had a rocket for an arm and laser eyes completing 11 of 15 for 151 yards and two touchdowns.  After him it is a two horse race with former freshman, the athletic Logan Gray and incoming freshman Aaron Murray.  The RB position should be of concern but isn't Caleb King and Richard Samuel are coming into their Sophomore seasons and have a slash and smash mentality, should be a good compliment to Richt's offense.  And don't forget about their studd Fullback Shaun Chapas.  The O-line is returning a majority of starters which should give aid to a new quarterback and they return one of the top freshman receivers from a year ago..and they add one more in A.J. Green and Marlon Brown.  Don't be surprised if Georgia makes some noise.  Defensively returning 3 of 4 DL starters is huge especially in the tough SEC and tripple Jr. threat at the LB position, secondary is a spotty position with only one real lock down corner in in Sr. Prince Miller, although a new recruiting class should fill some holes and look for veterans Bryan Evans and Brandon Boykin to finally step their game up this season.)

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12.  Ole Miss (Two words veteran leadership .  This is a team that took apart the Red Raiders of Texas Tech last season and it still looks like QB Jevan Sneed has a chip on his shoulder.  With 9 starters returning on offense and 8 on defense they will only need to plug few gaps and neither of those are at major positions.  Dexter McCluster is back and should attract a lot of attention this season.  The question about Ole Miss is can that win when they are no longer a surprise to everyone?  They do not have a star-studded defense, however they are all veterans and should each make contributions when called on.  Some may think they are due for a lack-luster season compared to last season and in the SEC it's hard to argue, but if they can make significant strides and build on that upset of Florida from a year ago you could be looking at the third best team in the SEC.)

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13.  Georgia Tech (Who would have thunk that Paul Johnson could be this effective in his first year at GT.  What more can you say than returning 9 starters from an offense that averaged nearly 350 rushing yards a game last season?  Josh Nesbitt will be back and more experienced and the YellowJackets entire backfield will be primed for another break out season.  The Triple Option is back and back with a vengeance.  Most of the starting O-Line that blew wholes as wide as the state of Georgia to run through last year is back and that means the Tech team is primed to be one of the best offenses in the ACC.  Defensively they return 7 starters, but the question mark is on the D-Line  3 of the 4 starters that left were on that tenacious defensive line, if they want to compete with the likes of Virginia Tech they will need to remedy that situation quickly)

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14.  Boise St. (Even though this team lost, count it 11 of 22 starters last season the key in returning is So. Quarterback Kellen Moore.  The Freshman sensation is back and is back in a big way.  This team is a young team, but with play makers like Moore, Avery, Pettis and Gallarda back on the offense we should see an explosion.  Most of the secondary is back from a team that made interceptions and broken up passes a habbit last season but the question marks are on the front seven with 5 of the seven being new starters and just sophomores the leadership will have to be turned to the veterans like Darrell Ackrey and All-WAC DE Ryan Winterswyk.  They should be the favorites to win the WAC again and prime themselves for a Top 10 finish this season and maybe even a Top 10 start to next season.  Boise St. could be the first Non-BCS team to make it to the NC game?  Could it be so?

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15.  Oregon (Oregon has a talented group of new commers coming in and they get to keep their starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.  Even though they lose 12 of 22 starters they have many talented veterans stepping into starting rolls especially on Defense. Will Tukuafu, Walter Thurmand, and TJ Ward are among a few that look to make significant impacts this season.  Offensively the loss of Jeremiah Johnson and Jaison Williams is a hit, but they do have LeGarrette Blount coming back and Jeff Maehl.  The big question mark is the O-Line.  If the new starters and meld together quickly we may see Oregon give USC a run for its money in the PAC-10.  With most of their challenging games at home, including USC this could be the year the Ducks make a run for the PAC-10 title!)

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16.  Iowa (The loss of Shonn Greene is a big hit for this club, but with eight starters back on defense and a veteran secondary agaisnt a mediocre Big 10 look for Iowa to move on up in third in the Big 10 this season.  The could have made a run for first with Shonn Greene, but without him it looks like they'll be stuck behind PSU and OSU yet again.  Ricky Stanzi is back for the offense and more experienced, which should pay off behind a veteran O-line.RB Jewel Hampton looked good at times when he could play last season look for him to find seems and gaps, he won't be a Shonn Greene but if he can keep the Linebackers busy Ricky Stanzi should be able to pick apart secondaries in the Big 10 with the help of TE Allen Reisner and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.  the question mark on defense is in the Tackles, but with Ringer gone as well as Chris Wells they should be okay on the inside.  They should be able to make up for the loss of those DTs with a veteran crew of Juniors and Seniors throughout the rest of the Defense.  Don't be surprised if, come November, Iowa is making some noise in the Big 10.)

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17.  Texas Tech (It is going to be tough to replace Michael Crabtree, Graham Harrell and a veteran offensive-line, but if anyone can do it the cooky Mike Leach can.  Even though many people refuse to think of Harrell as a system QB, the fact is he was and that is good news for Red Raider fans because Taylor Potts, just like Sonny Cumbie, Cody Hodges and Kliff Kingsburry is ready to step in and take the reins of this high-octane offense.  The biggest play-maker they get back is Baron Batch along with Detron Lewis.  No they will not be as dominant as they were last year but an 8 win season in the Big 12 is not out of the question.  Defensively the Red Raiders should be about as weathered and experienced as they come with five of the front seven starters coming back including sack-leader McKinner Dixon.  The secondary may be a little suspect, but who's secondary isn't in the Big 12?  It will be a drop-off year from last year but look for Leach to do what he always does and that is win at least 9 games.)

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18.  Cincinnati (With three quarterbacks comming back with game-time experience and losing only one starting receiver.  This team is primed for making another run at a Big East title.  With West Virginia dropping off of the NCAA scopes it looks like Brain Kelly's team is the favorite to run the table in the Big East.  While the likes of Pitt and UConn may have something to say about it, just looking at Kelly's coaching job last year and the kids returning this year it looks like this team is ready for a run.)

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19.  Texas Christian (The question mark here is definately not the offense.  The Horned Frogs return all but 4 starters on offense including Andy Dalton and Joseph Turner.  This team looks stacked offensively although they will have to do a bit of rebuilding on the line.  The question is on a defense that returns only 4 starters.  Can the Horned Frogs replace that mutch talent in such a short time?  The answer is a resounding maybe.  With plenty of kids that received playing time last year there is the question of being able to transition into a starting roll.  If and when this happens the Frogs will be a force to be reckoned with.)

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20.  Nebraska (Long live Pelini right?  Well the problem for the Huskers is on the offensive side of the ball, or so we think.  Losing Joe Ganz, Marlon Lucky, Nate Swift, Todd Peterson and leading lineman Lydon Murtha to graduation the offensive side of the ball at first glance looks sparce at best, especially after the only quarterback with experience transferred out of the program in Patrick Witt.  However, Zac Lee, Kody Spano and incoming freshmen Cody Green and Taylor Martinez are talents at the Quarterbacking level.  With a veteran offensive line and the leading rusher back in Roy Helu Jr... players like Menelik Holt, Niles Paul and half back Rex Burkhead will have opportunities to make their names known.  The offensive side of the ball should be more talented and if front runner Zac Lee can shoulder the load the running back tandem should take the Big 12 North by storm.  Defensively Nebraska returns their entire secondary from a year ago with a few much needed additions for depth.  As well as Sr. Defensive End Barry Turner due to a medical red shirt and Ndamukong Suh to the defensive line.  With redshirted talent coming in this could be the most improved defense in the Big 12 again this year.  Watch out Big 12, the Huskers are attempting a come-back!)

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21.  Kansas (With both sides of the ball returning seven starters this may be one of, if not the most veteran group in the Big 12 North in 2009.  Todd Reesing, Jake Sharp, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe all return to an offense that has been able to score at will the last couple of years.  The problem for Kansas is the loss of four starting offensive linemen who they will have to replace if they want their running game and passing game to be effective.  The loss of Dexton Fields at the WR position is big but Briscoe and Meier should carry the load.  Kansas will need a running game this season if they want to win the Big 12 North for the first time in school history.  Defensively losing only four starters seems fine, but when they are your two defensive ends and two linebackers the loss of four of the front seven is key.  They will be weaker against the run but the return of Stuckey and Sr. Justin Thorntan makes this one of the best secondaries in the Big 12 North this season.  If there was a year for Kansas to make a run for a Big 12 North title this is it.  With an easy pre-conference schedule they should be looking good before playing ISU.  However games in Austin Texas, Boulder Colorado and at Texas Tech could be their down fall.  Play well on the road and the game with Nebraska in Lawrence could be the battle for the Big 12 North.)

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22.   California (When a team returns a running back like Jahvid Best one has to sit up and take notice.  The Golden Bears may be one of the only teams in the PAC-10 that can give USC a run for their money and the return of 15 of 22 starters says that is the case.  Inviting the Trojans to a home game is the only reason they may even have a shot at USC.  Quarterback Kevin Riley can actually play within himself this year without the ever present threat of Nate Longshore looming in the distance.  The biggest question is up front for the Golden Bears, but if they can put together a good offensive line to open holes up for Best you could be looking at the Number 2 team in the PAC-10 this season.  The switch to 3-4 from 4-3 a year ago worked well enough but after three of the four starting linebackers graduate one wonders if they wouldn't be better off switching back to the 4-3.  Their entire secondary is back as are the starters on the D-Line.  Tedford should be able to hold his own this year without having to travel to the east coast to play against Maryland.  But with six away games, four of which are swing games Cal's season will go one of two directions, sky-rocket up a plummit to the earth.)

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23.  Utah (Losing nearly all their playmakers and half of their starting line on offense from a team that shocked the nation a year ago will be the biggest hurtle for the Utes this season.  in order for the Utes to step up and defend their MWC conference championship this year a number of Jr and Sr first year starters will need to step it up, namely Corbin Louks at quarterback.  There are plenty of question marks on this side of the ball but being in a non-BCS conference does have its advantages.  Most of their home games should come early in the season although a trip to Oregon does not bode well right off the bat for this Utah team.  Since BYU is in more trouble reloading than Utah is look for the Utes to be right at the top of the MWC again, and comfortably.  Defensively they will be strong again, returning all three starters at linebacker and key players both on the defensive line and in the secondary.  The MWC's #2 defense should be right in that area again this season.)

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24.  North Carolina (Two names come to mind when thinking about the TarHeels of next season, TJ Yates and Shaun Draughn.  The loss of Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nicks stings not to mention two of five starting O-linemen.  TJ Yates will have a few weapons to work with in the relatively log-jammed ACC.  Shaun Draughn and Greg Little will need to step up the play making abilities if this offense is going to resemble anything close to what they did last year.  Their major strength is on defense where they lost only two starters.  One was safety Trimane Goddard, while his loss is paramount the depth at D-Line is much better and should stop the running game better than it did a year ago and the nations leading Ball-Hawking D only lost one man look for them to provide sparks for the offense throughout the season.  The good thing for the TarHeels is that six of their first seven games are at home and the seventh game is at a rebuilding UConn program.  This should give the offense enough time to find play makers and hit their stride before they go on their four away-game trip to close out the season having to play in tough venues such as @ GT, VT and Boston College.  However if they can find an identity and meld together before the Miami game this team could take another gigantic step forward.)

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25.  Pittsburgh (The loss of top Running Backs Stephens-Howling and LeSean McCoy makes this season look horrible to the typical Pittsburgh fan.  Starting quarterback Bill Stull is back though along with four of five Offensive Line starters from a year ago which should be just veteran enough to give the Panthers a surge in the Big East.  The strength offensively will be at the WR position this season with three seniors, Oderick Turner, T.J. Porter and Cedric McGee becoming the main targets for Sr. quarterback Bill Stull.  It will be up to Redshirt Sophomore Sharriff Harris to carry the load this season, scary because he has a total of 21 yards to his name.  But the former three star back (Scout.com) should provide legs and spark out of the back-field to open up passing lanes for Stull.  With a relatively weak schedule until the end of the year the Panthers should have enough time to find themselves before the three game road trip to end the season.  The defense will once again have a strong secondary but and D-Line with most starters returning, but the question mark will be at the Linebacker position.  First year starters will have to plugg the gaps so the secodary can focus on the receivers.  Pitt looks like a team that could give Cincy a run for their money in the Big East, but that all stems from how they develop under Wandstadt as the season progresses.)

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    Teams to look out for:

 Mic higan (After an abismal 2-10 season last year Rodriguez was somehow able to conjure up a great recruiting class.  With Running Back Brandon Minor returning in the back field as well as incoming Dual-Threat quarterback Tate Forcier in the back field Ritch can finally run his offense that sputtered and most of the time died under the hand of Threet.  Return all five starting O-Linemen and an arsenol of WR don't be surprised if Michigan jumps back into national prominance again this year.

South Carolina (With Smelley gone and Garcia as the lone starter look for the Gamecocks to get better offensivley this season.  They did lose Mike Davis but Soph. Eric Baker should pick up right where he left off.  The more important losses offensively are that of TE's Larry Freeman and Jared Cook as well as leading WR Kenny McKinnely.  The "old ball coach" has not proven as effective at South Carolina but a stout defense should be returning again as 3 of four DL starters are back and so is half the Linebacker and Secondary corps.  The key loss on defense is Captain Munnerlyn though, but if Spurrier can plug in at least a decent CB in that position the Gamecocks could be a dangerous team again this season.)

Vanderbilt (returning 18 players from a team that went 6-6 may not sound like a big deal but the Commodores think it is.  Thinking they could improve on this number takes into consideration that most of their most difficult games are played at home this season.  With Nickson gone as starting quarterback they most likely won't miss a beat with the stepping in of Mackenzi Adams, leading rusher Jared Hawkens is back as well as Jamie Graham at WR.  With a talented group of freshman coming in (the likes of speedy, Eric Samuels and Warren Norman) they could refill the gaps relatively well.  If they can pull a few early upsets and one late one you could see the Dores win 7 games this season.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here I am...Sitting on my couch drinking a Dr Pepper when I decide it would be fun to watch ESPN.  So I change it to ESPN and there it is, my favorite show College Football Live...with a twist.  They have so-called "Jesse Palmer" on there as their "expert analyst."  Give me a break.  Is anyone else sick of this guy?  Sorry if you like him, but i think ESPN's attempt to bring sexiness on the show with a guy that was a back-up his entire life and was worthless...even in The Bachelor?  I mean what type of idiot says the wrong girl's name? (p.s. I don't watch the show, I just know it happened, one of the all-time blunders on so-called reality TV).  So here I am sitting and watching my new-found nemesis and I am forced to listen to him yammer on like some sort of moron. 

My problem with Jesse Palmer is two-fold: 1.  The dude likes his voice too much and is able to say a whole lot of nothing in a long period of time... 2. He is a FLORIDA HOMER.  Florida this, Florida that.  I can't stand him.  MY question to ESPN is why?  Why must you embarrass yourself with this guy?  You got Herbstreit (knows a heck-of-a-lot more than Palmer but is admittedly an OSU homer), Corso (entertaining, and fairly insightful) the "moderator" Chris Fowler (I like him, he is very middle of the road).  'Nuff said, fire the dude and get someone else, he doesn't know what he's talking about, he starts every sentence the same way when talking about a player, "Here's a quarterback who," "Here's a running back who" "Here's a linebacker who."  I got something for you Jesse, "Shut Up!"- no one cares about you...

Same goes for Mark May, but that's just because I can't stand him.  Could you get any more arrogant please? 

And Lou, I love ya, heck of a Coach, but seriously?  Notre Dame is not going to win every game!  Stop it, just stop it, they suck and you know it.  I think you know a lot about football, but ESPN, stop letting him make comments on Notre Dame games, he just looks silly and it gives Mark May an allie-way to pipe-up and start yelling.  I say, let's stick with Corso, Herbstreit, Fowler and Tirico

PS - Steven A. Smith if you yell any louder  I think your head is going to pop-off...Okay I'm done, but seriously...Steven A.  You are not even that smart