CFB Kings Coach of the Year

It’s Time for Awards Season here on CFB Kings. Since there are still a few games to be played, we will hold off on some of the player awards that we feel are still in question. So, we will start it off with the Coach of the Year.

For us, when we’re picking coaches of the year, it’s not about the glamour and glitz. And it’s not necessarily about going undefeated or going to a BCS Bowl game. It’s about what coach we think actually did the best job "coaching". Hence the reason you wont see Chris Peterson, Gary Patterson, or Gene Chizik on our list. Yes, those 3 gentlemen are great coaches and yes their teams are great. But Boise, TCU, and Auburn are stock piled with talent and were expected to do well.

Here at CFB Kings we like to reward the Coaches who exceeded expectations with less talent than the usual powerhouses.

Here are the Top 5 Coaches of the year (in order):

1. Art Briles, Baylor - The Baylor Bears are going bowling for the first time since 1994. Under the direction of Briles, Baylor also ended a 12-game losing streak against Texas and won at Texas for the first time in 19 years.

2. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma St. - The Cowboys were almost unanimously picked to finish dead last in the Big 12 South. Going into this weeks Bedlam matchup against the Sooners, Oklahoma State is 10-1 and leading the Big 12 South. They are also currently the highest ranked team in the conference. And oh, by the way… he’s 43 now!!!

3. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford - He has taken a dormant monster in Stanford and turned the Cardinal into the class of the Pac-10. Hard nosed, sound fundamental football has given way to a 10-1 season thus far and a #6 ranking. The Rose Bowl is just around the corner.

4. Rich Ellerson, Army - In just his 2nd year, Ellerson has guided the Black Knights to a bowl game for the first time in 14 years. Re-installing the triple option and infecting his team with a “we ARE good enough to win” attitude has paid quick dividends.

5. Dan Mullen, Miss St. - In the toughest division in the entire country (SEC West), Mullen has coached the Bulldogs out of the cellar and into the SEC fray. With a 7-4 record, the Bulldogs are going bowling… but even more impressively, consider the fact that Auburn’s closest game of the year so far was a 17-14 escape from Starkville.

Updated BCS Projections

The biggest Saturday in the ACC is on the horizon. And there are many matchups around the country that will give us more clarity on the fluid BCS projections.

Here is CFB Kings best prediction as to what teams will land where in the BCS Bowl Games:

BCS Championship Game: Auburn vs. Oregon

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh

Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. TCU

Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Boise State

Eyes of Boise and America should be on Blacksburg Tonight

Ever since the night of September 6th, the eyes of the College football world have not ventured in the direction of the state of Virginia. The Virginia Cavaliers have struggled through Head Coach Mike London’s first year. And people seem to have forgotten about a certain team that dons maroon and burnt orange on Saturdays. But tonight, as that team steps back into the spotlight, the nation should understand that the Hokies aren’t only playing for themselves. They are playing for the life of BCS busters everywhere.

After the Hokies lost a thrilling Week 1 showdown to the Boise State Broncos, many expected the win to boost Boise into the Top 2 of the BCS for the entirety of the year. Such a strong win in a virtual road game (at Fed Ex Field) would definitely sway the votes in the Broncos favor, right? Conventional wisdom said yes. What conventional wisdom didn’t expect was for those Hokies to go on to lose their next game to the FCS (formerly D-1AA) James Madison Dukes. It was a devastating blow to Boise’s chances to play for the national title as it appeared that this Hokie team was vastly overrated. Nobody has thought about the team since that devastating Week 2 blunder.

Then came Week 3… and Week 4… and weeks 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. And quietly the Hokies have won 6 straight games, including a road win against #23 ranked North Carolina State. And suddenly in the last BCS standings, Virginia Tech showed up at #22. They now enter their toughest stretch of the season starting tonight against Georgia Tech, followed by trips to North Carolina and Miami, before finishing at home against the rival Cavaliers. If the Hokies win 3 of 4 of those games, they will win the ACC Coastal division and play for the ACC Title in December. And even more interesting, certain projections show that if the Hokies win all 4 November games and the ACC Championship, they could move into the Top 7 of the BCS Standings. Would you believe me if I said another school would be even happier with Virginia Tech’s success than the Hokies themselves?

Nobody stands to benefit more from the success of Hokie Nation than the Boise State Broncos. With Oregon and Auburn atop the standings and fellow BCS busters TCU ranked #3 and Utah ranked #5 rounding out the top 5, Boise State is in a prime position to capitalize on this years love of the Non-AQ schools. Utah and TCU face off this week in an “elimination match” that will only leave 4 unbeaten’s in the country. If Auburn and Oregon win-out, then they will undoubtedly play each other in the BCS Championship game. But if either slips up, it possibly opens the door for a Non-BCS school to finally play for a BCS championship. With Boise sitting at #4 in the polls and playing only 1 more ranked opponent on their schedule (#23 Nevada on Thanksgiving weekend), their only hope of catapulting the TCU/Utah winner in the polls would be for Virginia Tech to win out and finish ranked in the Top 10.

As if that weren’t enough to make this game important… let’s not forget about the defending ACC Champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. With a remaining conference schedule that consists of tonight’s opponent, Virginia Tech, along with Duke and Miami, if the Yellow Jackets win out, they will claim the ACC Coastal division title and play for a 2nd consecutive conference championship. All the while, the Miami Hurricanes are sitting at home realizing that if they win-out, they have a chance to win the Coastal division and play for the conference title for the first time in their ACC existence. “The U” still plays both of these teams later in the season. Think they might be interested in this game?

And in case you haven’t put this puzzle together yet… consider that if Alabama wins out (which would include wins over #2 Auburn, #10 LSU, and #20 Mississippi State), they might leap-frog an undefeated Boise State, especially if Virginia Tech isn’t highly rated come December.

Interested yet?

Sure, at (6-2) and (5-3), respectively, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech aren’t exactly competing for a National Championship tonight. But when the 2 teams face off in Blacksburg, VA this evening, the implications of this game will stretch as far south as Miami, FL and as far west as Boise, ID (not to mention Tuscaloosa, AL, Eugene, OR, Fort Worth, TX, and Salt Lake City, UT).

We're Asking the Wrong Question

Ever since 2004, I have been amongst the BCS-Elitists whose slogans represent something to the effect of “Just Say No to the Non-AQ!!!” Sure, I have respected the success of Utah, Boise State, BYU, Hawaii and TCU over the past 6 years, but I was strongly against their inclusion in the BCS Bowls and in particular the National Championship discussion. So many people that argue with me on the subject continue to ask me some variation of the following question: “What… you don’t think that Boise or TCU could beat Mississippi State, Clemson, South Carolina, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia, or Alabama?”

And there within lies my problem with the entire discussion. We’ll come back to this.

Even in this season, the 3 Non-BCS powerhouses have proven their capability. TCU beat a Baylor team that now sits atop the Big 12 South. Boise beat a Virginia Tech team who is currently undefeated in the ACC. And Utah beat a Pittsburgh team which has started 3-0 in Big East league play. Right now you’re probably thinking… “exactly, so they should have the chance to play for the title.” Keep dreaming (and reading).

There is NO DOUBT in my mind this year that Boise State, Utah, and TCU could beat any team in the country on a neutral field. Heck, I even think that they could go into some of the most hostile road environments, including SEC venues, and come away with victories. But let’s change that “or” to “and” and re-ask the aforementioned question.

“Do you think that Boise or TCU could beat Mississippi State, Clemson, South Carolina, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama?”

The answer to that question… is an emphatic NO.

But, that is what Auburn has been asked to do this year… and so far (with a 9-0 record) they have done it.

Ohio State has been asked to beat Miami, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue.

Oklahoma has been asked to beat Florida State, Cincinnati, Air Force, Texas, Missouri, Iowa State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State.

Even though Oklahoma and Ohio State both slipped up once, the fact that they are attempting to navigate such a difficult schedule is the point. Week-in and week-out, the BCS conference members have to play a schedule that requires their best effort. The Non-BCS schools do not have nearly the challenge that the BCS schools do. BCS teams are asked to beat more than 1 or 2 tough opponents every year, unlike the non-BCS teams.

Ponder this. In the heart of the season (October):
Boise State played New Mexico State, Toledo, San Jose State, and Louisiana Tech.
TCU played Colorado State, Wyoming, BYU, Air Force, and UNLV.

Now, during that same stretch:
Alabama played Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Ole Miss.

LSU played West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn.

Oregon played Stanford, UCLA, Washington State, and USC.

The bottom line is that these non-BCS schedules are not on par with their BCS brethren, so why should the non-BCS teams play for the same reward? Even the title of the game itself should be enough to drive home that point. It’s not called the “College Football Championship” or the “FBS National Title”. It’s called the “BCS Championship Game”. It is a reward for the top teams that come out of the BCS conferences. It’s not a reward for teams that play schedules with a strength ranking below 90th.

I have softened my stance on allowing the Non-BCS teams to participate in some of the BCS games. It is entertaining to see how a Boise or TCU matches up with some of the BCS powers every now and again. But the BCS Championship should remain reserved for schools that reside in BCS conferences. That is a question that is easy to answer.

Week 10 BCS Bowl Projections

There is a ton of football left to be played. After this week (Alabama vs. LSU and TCU vs Utah) there will be a lot more clarity as to how the BCS picture will shape up. For now, here is CFB Kings best prediction as to what teams will land where in the BCS Bowl Games:


BCS Championship Game: Oregon vs. Auburn

Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Pittsburgh

Fiesta Bowl: Utah vs. Oklahoma

Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Boise State

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Nebraska

2012 Season Opener Can't Come Soon Enough

I am often guilty of being too excited about the future. My future family, my future job, my future car, my future vacations. I am just the kind of person that always looks to the future. I’ve even been told at times “If you keep looking at the future, you’ll miss the present.”

Good advice, no doubt. But in this case, I’ll stick to my guns and look forward to the date of September 1, 2012. A deal that had been rumored for about 5 weeks is now completely official. I heard it in person straight from the mouth of the Michigan Athletic Director during a speech he gave Saturday evening in State College, PA.

The Michigan Wolverines will play the Alabama Crimson Tide to open the 2012 season. And the game will be played in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.

I know, I know… that’s eons away. We haven’t even finished the 2010 season and haven’t even started the 2011 season and here I am talking about 2012. Well, it’s hard not to think about Denard Robinson entering his Senior season as the clear cut Heisman favorite. And after a rebuilding year possibly in 2011 (losing McElroy, Jones, and Ingram), the Crimson Tide should be in top form to start the 2012 season. If Michigan can find a defensive coordinator (btw Rich Rod, I’m available), then it’s probable that both the Wolverines and Crimson Tide will enter the year ranked in the top 10.

So even as I learn to enjoy the present, the excitement brewing for that 2012 season opener will be hard to contain.

Week 9 Upset Alert

There are a lot of teams that have tough challenges this week. Missouri travels to Nebraska, Michigan State travels to Iowa, and Auburn goes on the road to face Ole Miss. But the 1 team that is sure to be upset on Saturday is the #2 Oregon Ducks. Shhhhh… wipe the surprised look off your face and let me explain.

Anyone reading this blog right now is surely thinking “didn’t this guy see Oregon crush UCLA and Stanford?” To be fair, I’ll answer that question and say “yes”. But those aren’t the 2 games that have me thinking this will be an upset. Its Oregon’s other games that give me reason for concern. Here’s a quick breakdown:

-Oregon was tied at halftime against the Tennessee Volunteers. Sure, the Tennessee name carries some weight, but in reality that Volunteer team is the worst in the program’s last 20 years. They are currently (2-5) with an (0-4) record in the SEC.

-Oregon trailed 24-14 to Arizona State before rallying to win 42-31. Sure, Arizona State is a Pac-10 team, but they are the 2nd worst team in the Pac-10 and are below .500 at this point in the season for the 3rd straight year.

-Then, there is the game against Washington State. Oregon was down 14-8 to the Cougars and Oregon only led the Cougars by a score of 36-23 entering the 4th quarter. Washington State scored 23 points on the Ducks. We’re talking about the same Cougars team that only could manage 23 points against Montana State and 21 points against SMU.

Now, in Oregon’s other 4 games, they have played dominant football, beating UCLA, Stanford, Portland State, and New Mexico. So, what has been the difference in the performance of the team in these games? Simple. The 4 games that they played dominant football all happened in Autzen Stadium in Oregon (one of the toughest places to play in the country). The 3 games where they struggled… yep, you guessed it… all came on the road.

It just so happens that this week’s matchup with #24 USC comes on the road in what will be a sold-out, raucous, “Red Out” Coliseum. Add to that the fact that College Football Gameday will be there (they have been at the site of past 3 weeks of #1 upsets), and also keep in mind that USC had an extra week of preparation to get ready for this contest.

Lastly, we can all agree that Oregon is a speedy team. Maybe one of the fastest in America. The only thing that nullifies speed is.... speed, which is something that the Men of Troy are never lacking. This will be the fastest defense that Oregon will face all season.

So, while everybody else in America may be surprised when the Oregon Ducks go down Saturday night… if you took the time to read this blog… you wont be one of those surprised individuals.

Current Heisman Picture

Here is CFB Kings current Heisman picture.

1. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn - Newton sits alone atop our charts. The QB of the undefeated Auburn Tigers has been a 1-man wrecking crew of late. He has a ridiculous 27 total TDs already this season and he has rushed for 1,077 yards (including 603 in the past 3 games).

2. Lamichael James, RB, Oregon - In 6 games, James has piled up 971 yards and 11 TDs on the ground while also notching 121 yards receiving along with a TD. His biggest test so far will be this weekend against USC.

3. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan - Robinson has fallen out of favor with a lot of voters because of Michigan’s losses, but let’s keep in mind, this is an individual award, not team award. Robinson currently has accounted for an insane 1,319 passing yards, 1,096 rushing yards, and 18 TDs.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St. - The sensational sophomore is torching the Big 12. He has 62 receptions and 1,112 yards to go along with 14 TDs. In his worst output game of the season, he still managed 127 yards.

5. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor - We knew Griffin would be good, but not this good. The Junior QB has led Baylor to Bowl Eligibility for the first time in 16 years. His 2,373 yards and 159 Passer rating are both tops in the Big 12.

6. Matt Barkley, QB, USC - Barkley is catching fire at the right time for the Trojans, having thrown for 742 yards and 8 TDs in the last 2 games. On the season he has 1,869 yards and 20 TDs.

Still have a Chance:
John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio St.
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Updated BCS Bowl Projections

Here is CFB Kings best projection as to what teams will land where in the BCS Bowl Games:


BCS Championship Game: Auburn vs. Boise State

Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. West Virginia

Fiesta Bowl: Utah vs. Oklahoma

Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Michigan State

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Ohio State

Don't Forget About Us

Who fits this profile? A non-BCS school that is undefeated, beat a pre-season BCS-conference favorite, has an average margin of victory of 30.1 pts per game, has a QB who’s pass efficiency rating is 158.7, has 2 RBs with over 300 yards, 2 WRs with 4 TDs each, and ranked in the Top 10 in the first BCS Standings of the season. If you answered Boise State or TCU, you’re dead wrong.

The only team that fits that profile is the Utah Utes. So why is it that only Boise and TCU are getting the talk about BCS crashers? Utah beat #15 ranked (at the time) Pittsburgh to start the season, and has since had blowout wins over Iowa State, UNLV, and Wyoming among others. Sure, Pittsburgh has sputtered a bit, but so has Virginia Tech (who Boise beat in week 1) and so has Oregon State (who TCU beat in Week 1). Virginia Tech lost to FCS James Madison and Oregon State now has 3 losses on the season. Since their week 1 overtime win, no team has been within 24 points of the Utes after the final buzzer. They are so deep in the roster, that when their starting QB was injured for 2 games, the backup (Terrance Cain) came in and threw for 496 yards, 5 TDs, and 0 ints.

Prior to the start of the season, Boise State had gotten all of the love. The Broncos have seemed to become the “People’s Champ” as almost everyone wants to see them get an opportunity to play for a championship… but I contend that the wrong team is being promoted.

A quick history lesson is in order. Most people continue to look at Boise’s miracle win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl as the “arrival” of the Non-Automatic Qualifying schools. But, much like Utah is being forgotten about by voters, experts, and fans this season, America seems to forget that it was actually the Utes who were the original BCS Busters. In 2004, the Urban Meyer led Utes finished 13-0 and won the Fiesta Bowl over Big East Champion Pittsburgh. And then 4 years later, that same Utah team finished unbeaten again and beat a 12-1 Alabama Crimson Tide team by 14 in the Sugar Bowl.

Of course by this point in the article, some of you are thinking “but Boise has the best chance to make it”. To borrow a line from my favorite sports analyst (Lee Corso), not so fast my friend. For the remainder of the season, Boise doesn’t play a single ranked team. The one team that was supposed to give them trouble and possibly be ranked (Nevada) lost last weekend to Hawaii. On the other hand, Utah still plays #5 ranked TCU (at home, nonetheless) and they also face Air Force (who was ranked #23 last week) and Notre Dame, who should be 6-3 at the time of the contest. If Utah finds a way to win all 3 of those games and then finish with wins over solid San Diego State and BYU teams, the Utes will have a great chance at passing Boise in the standings.

Boise State and TCU are great programs, and they deserve our respect, but if any team deserves to be the first Non-automatic qualifier to play for the BCS Championship, it should be the team that started it all back in 2004 (Utah), not the teams that have ridden the coattails of Utah’s success (Boise and TCU).

So, while everyone out there continues to tout the successes of TCU and Boise State, I implore you… don’t forget about the Utes.

What If there was no Laptop?

One Evening. One panicked 19-year old kid. One mistake. One suspension. One transfer. A struggling (4-3) football team. A program in turmoil. A coach in stress. A nation in despair. All because of one laptop.

Anybody that says that 1 player doesn’t make or break a football team hasn’t seen players like Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, Ray Lewis, and Chris Johnson play. Sure, it’s a team sport and you have to have solid players at every position to be competitive. But, the difference in being a (4-3) unranked team searching for answers in the brink of disaster and being a (7-0) 4th ranked team on a National Championship run can rest in 1-player. Don’t believe me? Just ask Urban Meyer and Gene Chizik. Both nationally recognized college football coaches, for Florida and Auburn respectively, have had their fortunes change because of one player… and more specifically, one laptop computer.

Cameron Jerrell Newton was a highly touted recruit out of Atlanta, Ga. Following his senior season of High School, he signed a letter of intent to play for Meyer and the Florida Gators. He was immediately tabbed as the QB of the future who would take the reigns after Tim Tebow departed. He showed flashed of his amazing athleticism and ability in a backup role in 2007. He was redshirted during the 2008 season in order to preserve eligibility, but late in the year something off the football field would change his life and the life of Gator fans everywhere. Newton was arrested for allegedly stealing another students laptop computer. When police arrived to question him, he threw that laptop out of his dorm window. Though he was never convicted, Meyer suspended Newton indefinitely. Instead of being labeled the “QB of the future” he was demoted to 3rd string and some thought he would never get out of Meyer’s doghouse. When Newton left the team in January of 2009, it didn’t create much of a blip on the radar. The Gators had just won a 2nd BCS Championship in 3 years and Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes had just announced that they’d be returning for their Senior seasons. All was well in Gator Nation.

While Newton trudged along during his unheralded 2009 stint at Blinn Junior College in Texas, Gator nation rode the wave of continued success going 13-1 and winning the Sugar Bowl. Nobody could imagine what 2010 would bring. Dan Mullen (Florida’s former offensive coordinator and current Mississippi St. head coach) as well as Charlie Strong (former Gator Defensive coordinator and current Louisville head coach) both tried to lure Newton to their programs following his JUCO campaign, which tells you that there clearly wasn’t a character issue with the young man. But Newton, longing for the big time, decided to enroll at Auburn University and his decision couldn’t have been better.
Let’s compare 2 quarterbacks that will remain nameless for now. QB “A” has thrown for 1,266 yards, rushed for (minus) 52 yards and has 6 total TDs so far this year. QB “B” has thrown for 1,278 yards, rushed for 860 yards, and accounted for 25 TDs. More importantly, QB B’s team is undefeated and he is leading the national Heisman prediction talk through 7 weeks. I’m sure you can deduce that the QB A is Florida’s John Brantley and QB B is Cam Newton.

Its not that Brantley is a bad QB. He has a solid arm and is a decent athlete. But the fact is that he is not made for Urban Meyer’s system in ANY way. But just glance at 2 or 3 Newton highlights from this season, and its clear that not only would he have flourished in Meyer’s spread option attack, he was practically built for it. In what has become a progressively less bold statement based on Newton’s weekly exploits, it is safe to say that the Florida Gators would not only be undefeated had Newton stayed, but they would be the clear cut favorites in the SEC and on the path to a 3rd national title in 5 years. Instead, that SEC favorite distinction currently belongs to an Auburn Tigers team that limped to a 7-5 regular season record last season, with only 3 conference wins.

This Saturday, as the Gators have a bye week following the program’s first 3-game losing streak since 1988, #4 ranked Auburn’s Cam Newton takes center stage in a showdown with the Top rated defense of #6 ranked LSU. Some Gator fans, may want to tune in and watch the highly anticipated SEC West matchup. But, for Meyer, current Gator players, coaches, fans, and all of “Gator Nation” I would suggest against it… because if they tune in, they will see the best player in College Football and wonder “what if”. What if that evening never happened? What if there was no suspension? What if there was no transfer? What if that 19-year old kid didn’t panic? What if……. there was no laptop?

Fact of the Week

We here at CFB Kings have stumbled upon an interesting fact.

The last time the Florida Gators have lost 3 consecutive regular-season games was 1988, which was Emmitt Smith's Sophomore season in Gainesville.

That is the longest current streak in the nation.

The Gators face Mississippi State this Saturday riding a 2-game losing streak.

Week 7 Upset Alert

There is an impressive slate of games on this week’s menu, and there is only 1 that makes my Alert sirens blare:

#5 Nebraska - The Cornhuskers are riding high after starting the season 5-0 and ranked in the Top 5 of most national polls. Most people consider them to have the best defense in the nation. And Redshirt Freshman QB Taylor Martinez has created quite a buzz with his impressive running ability. But if you take a close look at their schedule, you’ll notice that they have played 5 teams that aren’t anywhere near the caliber of opponent they will face on Saturday. The Huskers have beaten Western Kentucky, Idaho, Washington, South Dakota State, and Kansas State. But there have been glaring issues. Against Idaho the defense picked off the Vandals 5 times, but yet the offense (with great field position all day) could only muster 38 points against a much inferior opponent. Then a couple of weeks later, after 3 quarters of play the Huskers only led the Jackrabbits of SDSU by a score of 14-3. And ended up only winning 17-3.

So, while most of America has been praising, oo’ing, and ah’ing at the the fact that “The Cornhuskers are back”, I am still not convinced.

The Texas Longhorns come to town having lost 2 consecutive games. They dropped out of the national rankings for the first time in 10 years. Vegas has them as a double digit underdog for the first time in 7 years. Most of the country, outside of Austin, TX thinks that Nebraska will get revenge for their 2-point loss in last years Big 12 Championship game. But with 2 weeks to prepare (Texas had a bye last week) the Longhorns should be very prepared for Taylor Martinez and his option attack. Nebraska has not seen a team with the amount of speed that Texas possesses. The Longhorns ability to stop the run (particularly on 1st down) and Nebraska’s lack of a passing game (average less that 145 passing yards per game) will bring the “Big Red Machine” to a stop.
Texas wins on the road as Garrett Gilbert gets his first big win as the Longhorns signal caller.

Mid-Season Bowl Predictions

There's a long way to go, but here is our best shot at predicting how the Bowl Games will shape up this winter. Another update will be coming after Week 8.

BCS Championship Game: Oklahoma vs. Oregon
Orange Bowl: Miami vs. Florida
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. West Virginia
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Boise State
Fiesta Bowl: TCU vs. Nebraska
Capital One Bowl: Michigan vs. Auburn
Cotton Bowl: LSU vs. Texas
Champs Sports Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech
Gator Bowl: Iowa vs. South Carolina
Outback Bowl: Arkansas vs. Michigan State
Chick Fil-A Bowl: Florida State vs. Mississippi State
Mieneke Car Care Bowl: North Carolina vs. USF
Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Arizona
Sun Bowl: Stanford vs. Clemson
Dallas Football Classic Bowl: Kansas St. vs. Wisconsin
Birmingham Bowl: Rutgers vs. Tennessee
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Fresno St. vs. California
GMAC Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Idaho
Liberty Bowl: Houston vs. Georgia
Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. NC State
Pinstripe Bowl: Notre Dame vs. UConn
Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. Colorado
Alamo Bowl: Oregon State vs. Texas A&M
Texas Bowl: Penn St. vs. Missouri
Eagle Bank Bowl: Temple vs. Syracuse
Insight Bowl: Northwestern vs. Baylor
Independence Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Texas Tech
Little Caesars Bowl: East Carolina vs. Middle Tennessee State
Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Washington
Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. Arizona State
Las Vegas Bowl: UCLA vs. Utah
St Petersburg Bowl: SMU vs. Toledo
New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Troy
Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada vs. Tulsa
New Mexico Bowl: San Diego St. vs. UTEP

The Door Is Open

There is a door open. This door has been closed for quite a bit of time. Only 2 members had the ability to enter the exclusive room behind this closed door. A 3rd party attempted to walk through that door and gain membership, yet as soon as they entered, they were immediately given “the boot”. But as it stands, this year might be the year that a 3rd member is actually accepted.

In a division that has been completely dominated by the Sooners and Longhorns, there are 2 teams that face each other Thursday night in primetime with a chance to end that domination. The winner of that game has a legitimate shot at finally gaining membership to the exclusive club of Big 12 South Champions. The last time a team not named Texas or Oklahoma won the Big 12 South Bill Clinton was President, Y2K wasn’t even a concern yet, and Titanic just won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

In 2008, Texas Tech made a valiant attempt at infiltrating the stronghold of the aforementioned dominant programs, however, they were embarrassed by Oklahoma 65-17 in late November which ended all hope they had at representing the Big 12 South.

Well, it’s now 2010. And if there’s ever been a year to make it happen, this is it. Garrett Gilbert is no Vince Young or Colt McCoy. Landry Jones is no Sam Bradford or Jason White. Mike Leach has departed Lubbock. There’s no Roy Williams, no Adrian Peterson, no Jermaine Gresham, no Brian Orakpo, no Ricky Williams. And as UCLA showed the world on Saturday by spanking Texas 34-12 in Austin, there are no longer any strongholds in the division.

The 2 teams with the best shot at crashing the party face off tonight in a must win for both. Texas A&M enters tonight’s game riding a 3-0 record and touting a Heisman Trophy caliber QB in Jerrod Johnson. The running game has been the biggest area of improvement for the Aggies as they have 2 backs capable of going over 1,000 yards this year in Christine Michael (331 yards so far) and Cyrus Gray (188 yards so far). Defensively, they have added a new Defensive Coordinator to the staff in Tim DeRuyter. He has switched the base defense to a 3-4 which allows their All-American LB, Von Miller, to fully utilize his talents rushing off the edge.

Oklahoma State (3-0) was thought to be rebuilding this year after the departure of record holders Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant. But somebody forgot to tell that to the 2010 offense. New starting QB Bradon Weeden has already thrown for 11 TDs while completing 75% of his passes and WR Justin Blackmon has already caught 8 TDs. And that familiar face in the backfield is none other than Kendall Hunter. The 2008 All-Big 12 RB who had an injury riddled 2009 season is back at full strength. His 473 yards and 6 TDs highlights the ground game of the Cowboys.

This game might have flown under the radar of some people minds, but the fact is that the winner of this game will be in a prime position to challenge Oklahoma and Texas for the Big 12 South Division title. Thursday night games don’t get much bigger than this.

Here We Go...

As I was watching football on Saturday night, I saw one of those Bud Light Commercials. You know, the ones that start with a serious dilemma like a plane crash. Nobody knows how their going to overcome the issue at hand when suddenly a character in the commercial discovers a couple cases of Bud Light and somebody then inevitably says the beer company’s catch phrase: “Here we go”.

It got me to thinking. As I do with almost everything in life, I compared it to football. I related the first part of those commercials (the dilemma portion) to the first month of this season. The hectic, wild ride of non-conference play that provided us with some great matchups. It provided us with “Monster Saturday”. It provided us with UCLA over Texas and Miami over Pitt and Michigan over Notre Dame. The first 4 weeks has indeed been fun.

But…… Here we go.

Just as the commercial turns to a chaotic party of drunkenness, so does the season now turn to the chaotic beauty that is Conference Play. Gone are the dream matchups such as Ohio State vs. Miami and Florida State vs. Oklahoma. Now we start playing the part of the season that matters. No longer will teams be fighting the stranger at the bar. Instead teams will be fighting their next door neighbor, their brother-in-law, their parents.

Conference play puts an end to the first quarter of the season and it takes us into the month of October which is where inevitably the war of attrition truly begins. Slowly, but surely teams fall along the waste side. Upsets, injuries, coaches being fired. This is when the season and conference championship races really takes shape.

Sure there is an excitement about playing a team that you only play once every 20 years (e.g. USC vs. Minnesota). But there is something even more special about turning on the TV and seeing that matchup that has stayed consistent throughout the years. These are backyard brawls. Texas and Oklahoma start the brawling out in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. Florida and Alabama will continue the bitter emotion well into the night. And so, it begins.

The glitz and glamour of the first quarter of the season is over.

Full fledged Conference Play is upon us.

Week 4 Upset Alerts

Last week, 3 of the 4 games that we called “Upset Alerts” came down to the last possession, with #9 Iowa losing to Arizona, #20 Michigan needing to recover an onside kick to beat UMass, and #7 Oklahoma hanging on to escape with a 3-point win against Air Force.

Here are the 3 teams this week that the CFB Kings are putting on Upset Alert:

#4 Texas - The last time the Longhorns hosted UCLA, they were smashed 66-3. Granted that game occurred the year before Mack Brown became the head coach, but there is valid reason for concern about this weeks Bruin visit in our eyes. First, the Texas offense has been spotty at best. Against Wyoming, Rice, and Texas Tech, the offense never was able to get the ground game going, which is something that Coach Brown promised they would be better at during the offseason. Sophomore QB Garrett Gilbert has the talent, but he still shows the expected signs of a youngster that has only started 3 games in his career. UCLA has a fresh sense of confidence after convincingly beating Houston on Saturday night. And oh by the way, after this game, Texas enters it’s most difficult 2 game stretch of the season. There is the matter of a little game called the Red River Rivalry next week and then after that Texas goes on the road to Lincoln to face a team who many have lauded as this year’s Big 12 favorite (The Cornhuskers of Nebraska). Can this young team focus enough to handle the task at hand or can a rejuvinated Bruin team steal a much needed signature win early in Rick Neuheisel’s tenure?

#20 Penn State - The Nittany Lions have played solid football up to this point in the season. Even in a loss to the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide, Penn State was able to move the ball against the tough SEC defense. To most people flipping through Saturday’s games, they’ll be stunned when they stumble upon a tight score in the fourth quarter of this contest. But we have reason to believe that Temple will challenge the Lions deep into this game. The Owls are 3-0. And last week they beat a UConn team that many experts (including Kirk Herbstriet) touted as the Pre-season Big East favorites. Heisman Darkhorse Bernard Pierce is a fierce runner that plays with a chip on his shoulder due to his lack of quality recruitment. And although we think that eventually true freshman QB Robert Bolden will be touted as the best QB in Penn State history, as of now he is still vulnerable to freshman mistakes… mistakes that an underrated and opportunistic Temple defense will pounce on.

#16 Stanford - While the records (3-0 vs. 1-2) and rankings (#16 vs. unranked) would say different, I think that this game will be MUCH closer than it looks on paper. Notre Dame is literally 2 plays away from being 3-0. The Irish have a steady QB in Dayne Crist and a defense that is improving each week, even though the results don’t necessarily show it. This will be Stanford’s first game outside of the state of California. A cross-country trip is never easy, but compounding the troubles of this trip is the expectation that the Cardinal will be without their best wide receiver, Ryan Whalen, who suffered an apparent left arm injury in last week’s game. And then there is the age old issue of the “look ahead”. Stanford travels to Autzen Stadium to face #5 Oregon next week. Can the young Cardinal team keep their focus in the here and now? I expect Notre Dame to earn their 2nd win of the season in an upset over the highly ranked Stanford Cardinal.

Names You Should Know

Ryan Mallett. Denard Robinson. Mark Ingram. If you have even watched a remote amount of college football this season, then those are 3 names that you’ve heard at a constant rate. By this point in the season, the superstars are typically established. But after their performances in this weekends upcoming games, there are 3 new names that will be almost as widely discussed. Lucky for you, I’m gonna give you a head start on those 3 names.

Randall Cobb, WR/KR/QB/RB, Kentucky - Judging by his position title I’m sure you can surmise just how versatile this young man is. He has already produced touchdowns in 4 different ways this season (passing, receiving, punt return, and rushing). Arguably the most versatile player in the country, this Junior do-everything performer will get his chance to shine in the limelight as his Kentucky Wildcats visit the Florida Gators in the Swamp. If Kentucky is to have a chance at breaking their 23-year long losing streak to Florida, then Cobb must be at his best.

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas - This former Running Back originally committed to USC in 2007. He subsequently changed that commitment to Arkansas after the hiring of Bobby Petrino and he has developed into one of the best big-play threats at the WR position in the country. He had an 85 yard TD catch in the season opener and then last week accounted for 130 yards on 6 catches in a hostile SEC environment (at Georgia). Ryan Mallett will look to test the young Alabama secondary early and often on Saturday, so expect Mr. Adams to have plenty of opportunities to make plays in front of a national TV audience.

Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple - The Sophomore Running Back burst onto the scene during his freshman season by tallying 1,361 yards and 16 TDs while leading Temple to a bowl game. And this year he has picked up where he left off. He’s averaging 5.4 yards per carry and notched 169 yards and 2 TDs in a stunning upset of UConn last week. The team has started 3-0, yet even with last year’s success, Temple has remained under the radar. On Saturday that all changes. The Owls head to Happy Valley for a matchup with #23 Penn State on national TV. If Temple pitches an upset bid, expect Pierce to be leading the charge.

Heisman Update

Week 3 was tough on a few of the pre-season favorites. Both Jake Locker (4 for 20 passing) and Case Keenum (torn ACL) are now out of the picture. And there are some new faces to replace them. Here is how CFB Kings sees the Heisman race heading into the 4th Weekend:

1. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan - The frontrunner kept his torrid pace with a 241 yard passing and 104 yards rushing performance.

2. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio St. - 235 yards passing and 2 TDs (also 1 rush TD) in light work against Ohio.

3. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas - Threw a game-winning TD in the final minute to cap an impressive 380 yard day. His true test comes this week against Alabama.

4. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska - 1 of 2 QBs trying their best to keep up with Robinson. Martinez had 3 rushing TDs at Washington.

5. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada - In an upset of Cal, he tallied 181 yards passing yards, 148 rushing yards and 5 total TDs. Has 12 TDs on the season.

6. Lamichael James, RB, Oregon - One of the fastest guys in the country. Had 227 yards on 14 carries on Saturday.

7. Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas St - The best RB in the Big 12 had 181 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Iowa State.

8. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn - Had a rough night against a swarming Clemson defense. Still managed 2 TD passes and 68 yards rushing.

9. Brandon Weeden, QB. Oklahoma St. - Has burst onto the scene as a first-year starter. Threw for 409 yards and 6 TDs against Tulsa on Saturday. He has 975 yards and 11 TDs so far this year.

10. Demarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma - He continues to pile up yards and TDs. 148 total yards and 3 TDs against a stingy Air Force defense.

11. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise St - Had a typical big night against Wyoming. Needs a big performance in primetime this Saturday night against Oregon State.

12. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - 4 passing TDs and a 52 yard rushing TD highlighted Luck’s big night on Saturday.

13. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma St. - had a light night of duty against Tulsa. Only managed 59 yards on 11 carries.

14. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia - The fastest RB in the Big East had his 3rd consecutive 100 yard game to open the season.

15. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina - The freshman bruiser had 97 yards and 1 TD in a tune-up game. He faces Auburn on Saturday night.

16. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma - Had his 3rd straight 100 yard game receiving.

17. John Clay, RB, Wisconsin - The most consistent back in the nation so far this year. Has 3 straight 100-yard games.

18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona - Had 303 yards and 2 TDs in a big win over #9 Iowa. May be the best QB in the Pac-10.

19. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU - The best CB in America boosted his chances for the award by having 2 ints in LSU’s home debut.

20. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama - He’s back!!! 151 yards in the first half against an outmatched Duke.


Still have a Chance:
Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern
Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
Jacory Harris, QB, Miami
Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
Kyle Parker, QB, Clemson
Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
John Brantley, QB, Florida
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Jeff Demps, RB, Florida
Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
Bernard Price, RB, Temple
Dayne Crist, QB, Notre Dame

BCS Bowl Predictions

We know its way to early to truly know who’s gonna be where. But based on what we’ve seen so far, here is our best prediction for how the BCS Bowls will shape up (we’ll do a full scale bowl prediction after week 5):

BCS Championship Game: Alabama vs. Ohio State

Orange Bowl: Miami vs. West Virginia

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. TCU

Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Nebraska

Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Boise State

Week 3 Upset Alert

Lots of solid games this weekend. Most of the favorites should win, but there are a few teams that need to listen to the sirens, because an Upset Alert is headed their way:

#7 Oklahoma - The Sooners were impressive against Florida State last Saturday in a 30 point win. Besides the obvious possibility of a letdown after such a hyped game, there is another reason for concern. The Sooners haven’t fared well against the MWC recently. We all recall their Week 1 loss to BYU last season and back in 2005, the Sooners lost their opener to TCU. Could a strong Air Force team that will control the time of possession upset Stoops Troops?

#4 TCU - Speaking of those Horned Frogs, they have truly gone from the hunter to the hunted. In an All-Texas affair, TCU will face the upstart Baylor Bears in Forth Worth, TX. While most people will scoff at this notion, they should recognize that this is the type of game where 1 superstar player can make all the difference. That possible superstar is Baylor’s Junior QB Robert Griffin III. If he gets it going early, the Bears have a chance.

#9 Iowa - The Hawkeyes have struggled recently against West Coast opponents on the road. They travel to Arizona to face the Wildcats on Saturday night. Not only will the Hawkeyes have to make a long road trip, but they will have to play one of the hottest offenses in America led by Heisman Trophy candidate Nick Foles.

#20 Michigan - After what we’ve seen in the first 2 weeks, people must think we’re crazy for including Michigan as a possible upset alert team when they are hosting the UMass Minutemen of the FCS division. But we all remember that 2007 home opener in which the Wolverines stumbled at the hands of FCS Appalachian State. Also, in an interesting side-note, UMass’s fellow Colonial Athletic Conference member, James Madison, rolled into Blacksburg last Saturday and upset #13 Virginia Tech. Hmmmmm….

We’re not saying that these teams will lose… we are just saying they better be wary.

Heisman Race So Far

After 2 weeks of football, we have a few new faces on the list and a few that we expected to be there. Here is how CFB Kings sees the Heisman race heading into the 3rd Weekend:

1. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan - Could he become the 4th straight sophomore to win? Well, if he even remotely keeps up his pace, he is on track to become the first ever 2,000 yard passer/2,000 yards rusher in one season. Barring injury he might run away with this award (pun intended).

2. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio St. - The pre-season favorite has performed on par with expectations and his big Week 2 win against the Miami Hurricanes solidified his candidacy.

3. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn - The former Florida Gator has dominated defenses running Gus Malzahn’s spread attack. His 322 yards passing and 241 yards rushing are impressive.

4. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma St. - The former All-Big 12 selection (2008) is back to form. 414 yards and 6 TDs in 2 games.

5. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas - He has dominated lesser competition to the tune of 701 yards and 6 TDs. Now he gets his first real test on the road at Georgia.

6. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise St - Virginia Tech losing to James Madison makes Boise’s win look a bit less impressive. But the Broncos signal caller is still a prime candidate.

7. Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M - The athletic Aggie Pro Prospect has 671 yards passing and 59 yards rushing in the first 2 games.

8. Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas St - Has 371 yards and 4 Tds in 2 games.

9. Demarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma - The Senior has finally started a season in top health. It shows by his 311 total yards and 4 TDs so far.

10. Matt Barkley, QB, USC - The sophomore QB has 7 passing TDs to start the year. He should pile up stats agaist an overmatched Minnesota team this Saturday.

11. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina - The lone Freshman on the list got here with a 182 yard performance against Georgia.

12. Jake Locker, QB, Washington - After a disappointing Week 1 loss, Locker rebounded with a solid showing against Syracuse. A high profile matchup with Nebraska will either see him skyrocket or plummet in the contention.

13. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma - The only WR on the list has 266 yards and 3 TDs so far this year.

14. Jeff Demps, RB, Florida - As the Gators enter conference play, he has been the lone brightspot on an underachieving offense. Can he find the 100 yard mark at Tennessee?

15. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia - Might be the best player in a talented Big East conference. 303 total yards and 2 TDs so far.

16. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma - He makes 3 Sooners on the list. 380 yards and 4 TDs against the Seminoles.

17. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU - Intriguing prospect. His opening night performance against North Carolina which included a Punt Return TD has preliminarily perched him as this years Defensive Heisman Darkhorse. He’s somebody to keep an eye on.

18. John Clay, RB, Wisconsin - 260 yards and 4 TDs is a nice way to start a year. Can he keep it up come Big Ten play?

19. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska - His 157 yards rushing and 101 yards passing this weekend was impressive enough to get notice. He might be the best dual-threat QB in America behind Robinson.

Dropped, but still on the radar:

Jacory Harris, QB, Miami - Even though only 1 of them was his fault, anytime you throw 4 interceptions in a primetime game, you have to drop on the list. The good news is that he has 3 more high profile games coming up against Pittsburgh, Clemson, and Florida State to rebound.

Christian Ponder, QB, FSU - Rough outing in Oklahoma (113 yards and 2 Ints) but can bounce back this week against BYU.

Case Keenum, QB, Houston - Needed to put up monster numbers all season to be considered. Still has time to rebound, but had a head injury and his status in uncertain.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - Looked below average (11 for 24 passing) against rival UCLA. Needs to pick up his play to be considered.

Dropped, and are probably out of the running:

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama - Missing 2 games wont help his chances. Especially considering that his backup has performed great.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech - After a home loss to FBS James Madison, his darkhorse chances are probably over.

Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh - Needed to have a quick start, but after a dismal showing in a loss to Utah, he could only manage 27 yards in a win against New Hampshire. Not the way to start a Heisman campaign.

Josh Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech - Was ineffective in a loss to Kansas.

Outside Chance:
Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
B.J. Daniels, QB, USF
Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
Kyle Parker, QB, Clemson
Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
John Brantley, QB, Florida
Marc Tyler, RB, USC
Lamichael James, RB, Oregon

A Surprisingly Tasty Slate

To the naked eye, this weeks slate pales in comparison to last weeks proclaimed "Monster Saturday". But, for true College Football fans, there is PLENTY to be excited about. Here are just a few of the matchups that have my appetite primed:

#12 Arkansas vs. Georgia - The Razorbacks have their highest ranking since 2006. All of the offseason hype was surrounding Ryan Mallet and the chance they have to supplant Auburn, LSU, and Alabama as the perennial favorites in the SEC West. Well after 2 warmup games, they get their first true test against a Georgia team that is in a must win situation after their Week 2 loss at South Carolina. Are the Razorbacks really as good as advertised?

#21 West Virginia vs. Maryland - The Mountaineers escaped Marshall with an overtime victory. A team that was supposed to contend for the Big East title has looked extremely vulnerable in the first 2 weeks. Maryland provides an out of conference test against a young but excited 2-0 ACC team. WVU travels to Death Valley (LSU) next week, so a good showing here is vital to any hopes they have at being a national contender.

Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina - The ACC has been embarrassed during the first 2 weeks of the season. Both Georgia Tech and UNC lost out of conference matchups (to Kansas and LSU respectively). The winner of this game takes the driver’s seat in a competitive ACC race, while the loser will have trouble keeping its head above water.

#10 Florida vs. Tennessee - This has become one of the most exciting early season rivalry games in all of College Football. Florida seemed to “find itself” in the 2nd half of a win over USF last week. Now the Gators, led by John Brantley, hit the road for the first time. Can they start their SEC run out with a win?

#8 Nebraska vs. Washington - The Huskers go on the road with their new starting QB for the first time. Jake Locker has the chance to prove his Heisman worth in front of a national audience. Are the Huskers truly a title contender?

#7 Oklahoma vs. Air Force - The Sooners got a huge win against Florida State last week that put them squarely in the conversation for the National Championship. But, a hangover against Air Force will result in a loss. Air Force is 2-0 and has 3 players over 100 yards rushing this season already.

Florida State vs. BYU - Both teams were embarrassed last week, but both have the chance for big rebound wins. The ‘Noles annihilated the Cougars in Provo last year. Can Bronco Mendenhall’s team exact revenge in Tallahassee?

#4 TCU vs. Baylor - Most folks will brush this game off and Vegas has already made Baylor 21 point underdogs. But Bears QB Robert Griffin III is the type of player that can lead a team to an upset. This game could be one to watch as the afternoon shifts to evening.

#16 Auburn vs. Clemson - Tigers vs. Tigers. ACC vs. SEC. Primetime. Doesn’t get much better. Both teams are looking for a signature win early in the year. This will be most people’s first look at Heisman candidate Cam Newton, the dual-threat Auburn QB.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan State - Can Brian Kelly rebound from the heartbreaking loss to Michigan? It will be his first road trip as the Irish Head Coach.

#6 Texas vs. Texas Tech - Tommy Tuberville gets his indoctrination into Big 12 football from Mack Brown as the 2 clash for early season Texas supremacy. The last time the Longhorns traveled to Lubbock, the biggest upset in Red Raider history occurred. Is an encore on tap?

#9 Iowa vs. #24 Arizona - Iowa looks to show the nation that their Preseason Top 10 ranking is justified. Arizona looks to grab a statement win for the Pac-10. Wildcat QB Nick Foles could spring himself into the Heisman conversation with a winning performance.

Teams That Make You Say Hmmmmm....

There are 3 teams that started the season unranked, yet have had impressive wins in the first 2 weeks that have given them cause for excitement. For all 3 of these schools, the odds to represent their conference as champions has gone from average to great in a mere 9 day stretch. Conventional Wisdom says to take a “chill pill” as these teams have teased us before with their great starts. But you can’t help but be impressed.

- #13 South Carolina Gamecocks - Many people thought that this might be Spurrier’s best chance at South Carolina to win the SEC East and compete for the league title. With Tebow gone and Tennessee having a new coach, the door was open. Well, the Gamecocks have burst through that door… and after starting the season unranked, they are currently #13 in the latest AP Poll. They held the mighty Georgia Bulldogs to 6 points in a week 2 win. QB Stephen Garcia has produced equitably through the air and more importantly only has 1 turnover (a fumble). Also, True Freshman RB Marcus Lattimore has rushed for 236 yards and 4 TDs in his first 2 collegiate games. After beating Georgia, they have a leg up in the SEC East race. Is this finally South Carolina’s breakthrough year??? Hmmmmm….

- #19 Stanford Cardinal - Many pundits, including myself, wondered how the Cardinal would deal with the loss of Heisman runner-up Toby Gerhart. Well, they dealt with it by smashing UCLA in Pasadena, 35-0. Even though UCLA isn’t the cream of the crop of the Pac-10, this game was a statement win for Stanford. Heisman candidate Andrew Luck has been solid and the Cardinal defense seems to have taken on the blue-collar mentality of their coach. Their next 4 games are against Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Oregon, and USC, so we will revisit this team again in 4 weeks to see if they really belong in the national picture, but for now, they make you say hmmmmmm….

- #20 Michigan Wolverines - Denard Robinson. Enough said. In what has been by far the best 2 game stretch of any player that we’ve seen in recent college football, the Michigan QB has thrown for 430 yards and rushed for 455 yards, which includes 5 TDs. After a challenging start, the Wolverines enter a soft spot in the schedule and they wont be tested again until Week 6 against Michigan State. They will enter that game 5-0 and by then could be knocking on the door of the Top 10. Is the Rich Rodriguez investment finally paying off??? Hmmmmm….

Week 2 Upset Alert

We’ll start our conversation this week with our Upset Alerts. There are 3 teams that better have their eyes Wide Open this Saturday and all 3 games involve SEC teams:

- #1 Alabama Crimson Tide - Some people might think this one is far fetched, particularly because Penn State will be starting a True Freshman QB (Robert Bolden). But Bolden is not the player that will be the most critical for the Nittany Lions. RB Evan Royster has all but been forgotten by most of America, yet he still has the talent to be one of the best RBs in the country. The Crimson Tide will once again be without star DT and NFL 1st Round prospect Marcell Dareus. If the Penn State O-Line can get nasty and create a few openings for Royster, it could really get them out to a good start. Then, utilizing a heavy dose of play-action passes, Bolden could take advantage of the young Bama secondary who is still shaky trying replacing 2 All-SEC CBs from 2009.

- #8 Florida Gators - By now, everyone has heard how poorly the Florida offense played in Week 1, only managing 26 first half yards against a Miami (OH) team that had all of 1 win in 2009. That poor offensive play included 13 botched shotgun snaps between C Mike Pouncey and QB John Brantley. The defense was stout, as expected, but if the offense could only manage 26 yards in a half against a poor team, how will it produce against the most athletic team in the Big East? The South Florida Bulls pack quite a larger punch than Miami (OH) and in the past 3 years, USF has upset ranked powerhouses West Virginia (2007, 2009), FSU (2009), and Auburn (2007). Could #8 Florida be the next victim?

- #7 Oregon Ducks - The Ducks went wild in week 1, beating New Mexico 72-0. They clicked on all cylinders and completely dismantled an inferior opponent. Now they take their high scoring show on the road to one of the biggest stadiums in all of sports: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN which will have more than 100,000 fans screaming Rocky Top on Saturday night. A lot of people will think I’m crazy with this one considering how talented Oregon is. But keep in mind, Tennessee is an SEC team and although they haven’t done great in their own conference over the past few years, they still have been recruiting Top notch southern talent and speed, so they will matchup with the Ducks better than almost any opponent on their 2010 Pac-10 schedule. Furthermore, this will be Sophomore Oregon QB Darron Thomas’s first career road start. Lastly, but also most importantly, Tennessee’s defense is coached by Justin Wilcox. Many of you will say “Who’s that?” Well, Wilcox just happens to be the former 2009 Boise State defensive coordinator. And if you recall he lead a unit that completely shut down Oregon’s fast paced attack and held them to 8 points in a early season upset (and that was with Heisman hopeful Jeremiah Masoli as the starter). Can he pull off the same magic on Saturday?

Legendary Broncos Aren't the One's You're Thinking Of...

When a football fan is asked to list “Legendary Broncos”, the names John Elway, Terrell Davis, Gary Zimmerman, Floyd Little, Tom Jackson, Steve Atwater, Champ Bailey, Rod Smith, and Shannon Sharpe are a few of the people that come to mind. You might even be inclined to mention a couple of the legendary coaches like Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves. But after 2010, I predict that at least 3 new names will be added to that “Legendary Broncos” list:

Kellen Moore
Austin Pettis
Chris Petersen

Yes, you read that correctly and unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 3 days, then you know exactly who they are.

I have long been a believer that the Non-BCS teams just simply would not and could not consistently beat BCS programs. Coming into College Footballs much anticipated 2010 Week 1, I predicted that there was no way that all 4 of the Non-BCS powers (Utah, Boise St., TCU, and BYU) could survive a weekend in which they would be playing 4 teams that many pundits thought would vie for their respective conference championships. But in a weekend where Florida looked average, Texas looked human, and USC looked mediocre, those 4 Non-BCS teams looked like the dominant programs across college footballs vast landscape. Utah defeated the preseason Big East favorite #18 Pittsburgh in overtime. BYU outslugged Heisman hopeful Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies. TCU stopped last years Pac-10 runner up Oregon State. And saving the best for last, the Boise State Broncos put the icing on the cake by defeating Virginia Tech in front of a Fed Ex Field crowd that was easily made up of 80% Hokie fans (a virtual road game for Boise).

After seeing the Broncos in person on Monday night, I came to a realization that this is a team and a program that no longer fits the title of “Non-BCS” or “Non-AQ” and it may have been that way for longer than I realized. The talent, the size, the coaching, the discipline, the speed, and most impressively the swagger that the Broncos brought to the stadium fits the mold of a team that has earned their way into the ranks of the elite and has EVERY intention of staying there.

Junior QB Kellen Moore catapulted himself to the Top 5 of the list of Heisman front-runners with his poise and efficiency when the game was on the line. WR Austin Pettis had 2 TD receptions, including the game winner, against an ACC defense that has been one of the best in the nation for the past 10 years. He also had a blocked punt against the perennial best special teams unit in America. And carrying the Blue-Collar mentality of their Head coach Chris Petersen, the Broncos KO’d the thoughts of every critic, including myself, with their 2nd consecutive opening game win over a Top 10 BCS school.

I still hold reservation on the assumption that Boise St. could win 11 games against an SEC schedule that consisted of LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee or a Big Ten Schedule that would see them face Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan. But, the light that was shed on my pigskin loving eyes Monday night showed me a team that could and would certainly compete with every program in America on a 1-game basis. And for now, that’s good enough.

We are only through week 1, so, there is much football to be played. But the next time someone asks you to name some of the best Broncos to ever play the game, make sure your list includes a few of the gentleman that call Boise, Idaho their home.

Q & A

Our next question comes from Big Hastie in Florida.

Q: I don't understand how you have Tyrod Taylor and Noel Devine higher than Ryan Williams in the Heisman rankings. Just would like to know your reasoning behind that.

A: Excellent Question. The reasoning that we have behind leaving Ryan Williams out of our Top 20 is the same reason that we don’t have Mark Ingram repeating as the Heisman Trophy winner: Lack of carries. There is no doubt that Sophomore Ryan Williams is one of the most talented running backs in America. He proved it last year with his 1,655 yards and 21 TDs. If he were to repeat that performance then he’d certainly be in contention. But fellow sophomore Darren Evans is returning to the backfield for the Hokies after running for a then freshman record 1,265 yards in 2008. After missing all of 2009 with an ACL injury, reports are that Evans is back at full strength and will share carries with Williams. Also, a 3rd back, David Wilson, who rushed for 334 yards as a backup in 2009 will garner carries throughout the season. All in all, I think that Virginia Tech will have one of the Top 3 backfields in the country and Ryan Williams will certainly be a star, but because of the wide ranging talent, I don’t think he will get enough carries to put up the numbers to win the award.

The reason we have RBs like Demarco Murray and Noel Devine higher than Williams is because they will be the lone feature backs on Conference Championship contending teams. They should both average 25+ carries per game giving them a better chance to put up huge numbers.

As always, send your questions to TheCFBGuru@gmail.com and we will be sure to answer.

CFB Kings 2010 Bowl Predictions

BCS Championship Game: Miami vs. Oklahoma

Orange Bowl: Iowa vs. Florida

Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. West Virginia

Rose Bowl: Ohio St. vs. Oregon

Fiesta Bowl: Texas vs. North Carolina

Capital One Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Alabama

Cotton Bowl: Nebraska vs. South Carolina

Champs Sports Bowl: Florida St. vs. Pittsburgh

Gator Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Arkansas

Outback Bowl: Michigan vs. Auburn

Chick Fil-A Bowl: Georgia vs. Virginia Tech

Mieneke Car Care Bowl: Clemson vs. UConn

Holiday Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Oregon St.

Sun Bowl: Arizona vs. Georgia Tech

Dallas Football Classic Bowl: Penn State vs. Missouri

Birmingham Bowl: Rutgers vs. Ole Miss

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Boise St. vs. UCLA

GMAC Bowl: Troy vs. Temple

Liberty Bowl: Tennessee vs. Houston

Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. Boston College

Pinstripe Bowl: Kansas vs. Cincinnati

Armed Forces Bowl: TCU vs. East Carolina

Alamo Bowl: Washington vs. Oklahoma State

Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Michigan State

Eagle Bank Bowl: Duke vs. SMU

Insight Bowl: Baylor vs. Tulsa

Independence Bowl: Navy vs. Utah

Little Caesars Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Army

Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs. Stanford

Poinsettia Bowl: Air Force vs. California

Las Vegas Bowl: Northwestern vs. BYU

St Petersburg Bowl: South Florida vs. UCF

New Orleans Bowl: Middle Tennessee St. vs. FAU

Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada vs. Central Michigan

New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming vs. Idaho

Conference Predictions

Curious how the Conference races will pan out? Here is how we here at CFB Kings are predicting the order of finish:

ACC

Coastal
Miami
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
Duke
Virginia

Atlantic
Florida State
Clemson
Boston College
N.C. State
Maryland
Wake Forest

ACC Championship Game: Miami defeats Florida State

SEC

East
Florida
South Carolina
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Vanderbilt

West
LSU
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Ole Miss
Mississippi State

SEC Championship Game: Florida defeats LSU

Big Ten

Ohio State
Wisconsin
Iowa
Michigan
Penn State
Michigan State
Northwestern
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana
Minnesota

Big 12

North
Nebraska
Missouri
Kansas
Kansas St.
Iowa St.
Colorado

South
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Oklahoma St.
Texas Tech
Baylor

Big 12 Championship Game: Oklahoma defeats Nebraska

Pac-10

USC
Oregon
Oregon State
Arizona
Washington
UCLA
Stanford
California
Arizona St
Washington St

Big East

West Virginia
Pittsburgh
UConn
Rutgers
Cincinnati
USF
Louisville
Syracuse

CFB Kings Heisman Trophy Top 20

There are a multitude of players that have a chance at winning sports most coveted individual award. As the race to New York begins, here is the list, in order, of who we here at CFB Kings think will take home the hardware:

1. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State - The Junior finally seemed to put it all together in his Rose Bowl MVP performance. His dual threat capabilities garner comparisons to Vince Young and may propel him to the award.

2. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas - If he even slightly improves on his 3,627 yards and 30 TDs from 2009, he will be in the hunt.

3. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State - Coaches are raving at Ponder’s ability. Some say he might have the best senior year in FSU history. The last 2 QBs they said that about won the Heisman (Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke).

4. Jacory Harris, QB, Miami - If Miami wins 10 or more games, Harris will be the reason. His 3,352 yards in 2009 led the ACC.

5. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama - The defending Heisman winner will be in the mix, but the Crimson Tide coaching staff has made it clear that backup Trent Richardson will get more carries in 2010, therefore diminishing Ingram’s repeat aspirations.

6. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State - The diminutive back has tallied 2,693 yards and 32 TDs in his 2 year career. With a new starter at QB expect his workload and output to increase.

7. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State - Had a 13 to 1 TD to Int ratio in 2009. A win against Virginia Tech in Week 1 might make him a front-runner. A loss will put him in the middle of the pack.

8. Jake Locker, QB, Washington - A poor man’s Tim Tebow… Locker will have the numbers, but will Washington have the wins?

9. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia - Has averaged 6.5 yards per carry for his career. Should eclipse the 1,600 yard mark this year, which was enough for Ingram in 2009.

10. Demarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma - Finally healthy, this versatile senior should lead the Big 12 in total yards from scrimmage.

11. Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh - If he avoids a sophomore slump, the reigning Big East Offensive Player of the Year will have a run at the trophy.

12. Matt Barkley, QB, USC - The sophomore QB has more offensive weapons than anybody in America. With Lane Kiffin’s tutelage, expect Barkley to put up massive numbers out west.

13. Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M - The best returning QB in the Big 12 has a shot at breaking 4,000 yards passing this season.

14. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech - The Senior has finally found stability and consistency. His dual threat abilities make him a wildcard in this years Heisman race.

15. Case Keenum, QB, Houston - Will put up big numbers, but lack of competition will relegate him to Colt Brennan-like comparisons.

16. John Clay, RB, Wisconsin - The bruising back should lead the Big Ten in rushing, which is always a good title to have when searching for a Heisman.

17. Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina - If he can stay out of Steve Spurrier’s Dog-House, then the most tenured SEC QB might have a monster year.

18. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon - If he didn’t get into offseason legal issues, he’d be much higher. His explosiveness is matched by no one.

19. Evan Royster, RB, Penn State - If the most experienced RB in the Big Ten can regain his 2008 form, he will help Penn State fight for the conference title.

20. Kyle Parker, QB, Clemson - The Rockies outfielder made Clemson fans happy by returning for 2010. He is a sleeper in this race.

Outside Looking In:

Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
Josh Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech
Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy
Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Greg McIlroy, QB, Alabama
John Brantley, QB, Florida
Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
A.J. Jones, WR, Georgia
B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida

Friday Q & A

Jimmiemac from Texas provides our next question.

Q: You said this year’s opening game will be the toughest in decades for TCU. But, in the last 2 decades TCU has opened up at Lincoln twice, twice at Norman, once with OU at TCU and once against the Big-10 champ at home. OSU is not the toughest opening game in decades.

A: Notice we didn’t say "toughest opening opponent". We said "toughest opening game". There hasn't been a single time in the last 3 decades where TCU has opened up a season ranked in the Top 10 while playing their first game against a fellow Top 25 opponent. Sure, the Horned Frogs have played tougher opening opponents at times, but never has the pressure of being a preseason Top 10 team weighed so heavily on Horned Frog Players, Coaches, and fans as it will this year.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a person associated with their last National Title (1938) that is still living.
Being a former College Football Player, I can attest to the fact that Top 10 pressure on a 20 or 21 year old kid can eat away at psychology of even the best during the grueling spring and summer weeks leading up to Week 1.
Do I think that Gary Patterson will have them ready to play on Sept 4? Yes.
But, do I think that they will beat the Beavers of Oregon State? Unfortunately, no.

I hope this clears up our meaning of "toughest opening game".

CFB Kings Preseason All-Big East Team

QB B.J. Daniels, South Florida
RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
RB Noel Devine, West Virginia
WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
WR Armon Binns, Cincinnati
WR Jock Sanders, West Virginia
OL Zach Hurd, Connecticut
OL Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh
OL Art Frost, Rutgers
OL Mario Benavides, Louisville
OL Moe Petrus, Connecticut
TE Ben Guidugli, Cincinnati
AP Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

K Dan Hutchins, Pittsburgh
KR Robbie Frey, Connecticut

DL Chris Neild, West Virginia
DL Terrell McClain, South Florida
DL Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
DL Scott Valone, Rutgers
LB Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut
LB Darrell Smith, Syracuse
LB Scott Lutrus, Connecticut
CB Brandon Hogan, West Virginia
S Dom Decicco, Pittsburgh
S Robert Sands, West Virginia
CB Johnny Patrick, Louisville
P Rob Long, Syracuse
PR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

AP = All Purpose

CFB Kings Preseason All-Pac 10 Team

QB Jake Locker, Washington
RB Jaquizz Rogers, Oregon State
RB Lamichael James, Oregon
WR James Rogers, Oregon State
WR Ronald Johnson, USC
WR Jermaine Kearse, Washington
OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
OG Butch Lewis, USC
C Kristofer O’Dowd, USC
OG Andrew Phillips, Stanford
OT Bo Thran, Oregon
TE Joe Halahuni, Oregon State

K Kai Forbath, UCLA
KR Chris Owusu, Stanford

DE Kenny Rowe, Oregon
DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
DT Jurrell Casey, USC
DE Gabe Miller, Oregon State
LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
LB Mike Mohamed, California
LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
CB Shareece Wright, USC
S Rahim Moore, UCLA
S Trevin Wade, Arizona
CB Talmadge Jackson, Oregon

P Trevor Hankins, Arizona State
PR James Rogers, Oregon State

CFB Kings Preseason All-Big 12 Team

QB Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
RB Demarco Murray, Oklahoma
RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
WR Detron Lewis, Texas Tech
WR Scotty McKnight, Colorado
OT Nate Solder, Colorado
OG Austin Wuebbels, Missouri
C Ben Lamaak, Iowa State
OG Ryan Miller, Colorado
OT Kyle Hix, Texas
TE Tim Biere, Kansas

K Grant Ressel, Missouri
KR Eric Stephens, Texas Tech

DE Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma
DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
DT Adrian Taylor, Oklahoma
DE Sam Acho, Texas
LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
LB Brian Duncan, Texas Tech
CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
S Quinton Carter, Oklahoma
S Blake Gideon, Texas
CB Aaron Williams, Texas

P Tress Way, Oklahoma
PR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

Q & A #2

Our next question comes from Brett S. of Chapel Hill, NC.

Q: "No Bruce Carter on 1st team all acc? ridiculous!"

A: Linebacker Bruce Carter is an athletic freak and I think he is a sure fire 1st Round Pick in next year's NFL Draft, but, I think it's clear that he benefits greatly from having two of the best defensive linemen in the country on his line. When players like Marvin Austin, arguably the best Defensive Tackle in America and DE Robert Quinn can demand double teams and keep the Offensive linemen from getting to the 2nd level, Carter often goes unblocked and his job is made much easier. Kuechly (Boston College) and Wujciak (Maryland) deserve credit. Although less-known, their 2009 numbers were actually better than Carter's and they are doing it with less impressive athletes in front of them.
Besides, I have 7 Tar Heels on the 1st team. You guys can't have every position.


Remember, you can post questions in the blog comments section or send your questions to TheCFBGuru@gmail.com and we'll be sure to get back to you.

CFB Kings Preseason All-Big Ten Team

QB Tyrelle Pryor, Ohio State
RB John Clay, Wisconsin
RB Evan Royster, Penn State
WR Devier Posey, Ohio State
WR Keith Smith, Purdue
WR Tandon Doss, Indiana
OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
OG Justin Boren, Ohio State
C Mike Brewster, Ohio State
OG Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State
OT Lou Eliades, Penn State
TE Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern

K Stefan Demos, Northwestern
KR Daryl Stonum, Michigan

DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
DT Ollie Ogbu, Penn State
DT Karl Klug, Iowa
DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
LB Ross Homan, Ohio State
LB Greg Jones, Michigan State
LB Martez Wilson, Illinois
CB Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State
S Tyler Sash, Iowa
S Jermale Hines, Ohio State
CB D’Anton Lynn, Penn State

P Brad Nortman, Wisconsin
PR Keyshawn Martin, Michigan State

CFB Kings Preseason All-ACC Team

QB Christian Ponder, Florida State
RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
RB Montel Harris, Boston College
WR Leonard Hankerson, Miami
WR Donovan Varner, Duke
WR Marshall Williams, Wake Forest
OT Blake Dechristopher, Virginia Tech
OG Thomas Claiborne, Boston College
C Sean Bedford, Georgia Tech
OG Rodney Hudson, Florida State
OT Anthony Castanzo, Boston College
TE Zack Pianalto, North Carolina

K Casey Barth, North Carolina
KR Torrey Smith, Maryland

DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
DT Marcus Fortson, Miami
DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina
DE Allen Bailey, Miami
LB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
LB Alex Wujciak, Maryland
CB Kendrick Burney, North Carolina
S Deunta Williams, North Carolina
S Deandre McDaniel, Clemson
CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia

P Matt Bosher, Miami
PR Greg Reid, Florida State

CFB Kings Preseason All-SEC Team

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
RB Jeff Demps, Florida
WR A.J. Green, Georgia
WR Julio Jones, Alabama
WR Darvin Adams, Auburn
OT Lee Ziemba, Auburn
OG Barrett Jones, Alabama
C Mike Pouncey, Florida
OG Josh Dworazcyk, LSU
OT Clint Boling, Georgia
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina

K Caleb Sturgis, Florida
KR Warren Norman, Vanderbilt

DE Cliff Matthews, South Carolina
DT Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss
DT Marcell Darius, Alabama
DE Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss
LB Josh Bynes, Auburn
LB Justin Houston, Georgia
LB Chris Marve, Vanderbilt
CB Patrick Robinson, LSU
S Ahmad Black, Florida
S Mark Barron, Alabama
CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

P Drew Butler, Georgia
PR Randall Cobb, Kentucky

Q & A #1

I’m happy to post our first reader question.
It comes from Steve P. of Dallas, TX.

Q: Hey Guru, I noticed Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter was missing from your pre-season All America team. While he had an injury riddled season in 2009, how do you see him doing this year? Isn’t he still one of the best backs in the country?

A: First off, we’d like to thank Steve for becoming our first reader to submit a question. Here’s my take on Kendall Hunter. He undoubtedly proved his worth in 2008, rushing for 1,555 yards and 16 TDs. His versatility was also used effectively out of the backfield to the tune of 198 yards receiving. But there within lies the downside to the Hunter conversation. 3-year starter Zac Robinson is gone at QB. With an inexperienced guy calling the signals for the Cowboys (likely Brandon Weeden), I expect the offense to sputter, particularly when Big 12 conference play starts for them in early October. On sheer talent, Hunter is one of the Top 10 RBs in America. But, due to the bleak prospectus of the OSU offense, I don’t expect his production to come close to the All-American caliber numbers he put up in 2008.

CFB Kings Q&A

We’re introducing a new feature to our website. It’s the College Football Kings Q&A. Have a question that you want answered regarding your favorite team or favorite player? Want to know who's going to win the upcoming weekends Big Game? Saw a play and you want to know why it was so effective? Ask anything regarding college football and we will try our best to respond to your questions. And you might even get your question posted on the site for all to see.

Send Questions to:

TheCFBGuru@gmail.com

CFB Kings Preseason All-American Team

1st Team

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
FB Stanley Havili, USC
WR A.J. Green, Georgia
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
OT Lee Ziemba, Auburn
OG Barrett Jones, Alabama
C Mike Pouncey, Florida
OG Rodney Hudson, Florida State
OT Marcus Cannon, TCU

DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina
DE Allen Bailey, Miami
LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
LB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
CB Patrick Robinson, LSU
S Rahim Moore, UCLA
S Deandre McDaniel, Clemson
CB Kendrick Burney, North Carolina

K Kai Forbath, UCLA
P Drew Butler, Georgia
KR Tyron Carrier, Houston
PR Jeremy Kerley, TCU

2nd Team

QB Kellen Moore, Boise St.
RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
RB Jaquizz Rogers, Oregon State
FB Owen Marecic, Stanford
WR Julio Jones, Alabama
WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
OT Clint Boling, Georgia
OG Justin Boren, Ohio State
C Kristofer O’Dowd, USC
OG Stephen Schilling, Michigan
OT James Carpenter, Alabama

DE Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma
DT Marcell Darius, Alabama
DT Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
LB Ross Homan, Ohio State
LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
LB Bruce Carter, North Carolina
CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
S Deunta Williams, North Carolina
S Quinton Carter, Oklahoma
CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska

K Caleb Sturgis, Florida
P Tress Way, Oklahoma
KR Chris Owusu, Stanford
PR Greg Reid, Florida State

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide

The defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide have earned the top billing in the GURU’s Pre-season poll partly due to talent and partly due to respect. Nick Saban has resurrected the success of his predecessors Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings and has turned Alabama back into a perennial National Title contender.

The Crimson Tide return the most experienced offense in the SEC. 8 starters return and that group is led by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Ingram will be shooting to be only the 2nd player in history to grab 2 of the prestigious award. Interestingly, one of his teammates may prevent him from having a legitimate shot at that honor. Back-up RB Trent Richardson teams with Ingram to create one of the most talented backfields in the nation. While Ingram had a mammoth year in 2009 gaining 1,658 yards and scoring 17 TDs, Richardson tallied an impressive 751 yards and 8 TDs… numbers that would be impressive for a starter in the SEC. It wouldn’t surprise me if both guys went over 1,000 yards this year.

At QB, the consistent and un-flashy Greg McIlroy returns to lead the offense. His 14-0 record in 2009 came as a bit of a surprise, and now there will be more pressure put on him to perform at the high standard that SEC quarterbacks are judged by. His 2,508 yards in 2009 were in the middle of the SEC pack, but the fact that he only threw 4 ints was key in Alabama being able to execute its ball control attack.

AT WR, the Tide have Julio Jones, arguably the best athlete in the country, returning. He started 2009 in the familiar “sophomore slump”. He was double-teamed for much of the year as he watched Ingram carry the load. Jones’ 596 yards was far below what was expected of him, but after healing some lingering injuries, he looks to reclaim his place as the SEC’s most talented WR in 2010. Marquis Maze will line up opposite Jones to create one of the better tandems in the south. While TE is a position of concern, the Tide can take solace in the fact that they return 2 of the best Offensive Linemen in the conference in James Carpenter and Barrett Jones.

This is where the “respect” part of my ranking process comes into play. The Tide only return 3 starters on defense, which would normally be a red flag that would knock a team down in my rankings, but I have long been a proponent of the saying “They are the Kings until they are dethroned.” Last I checked Alabama hasn’t lost a game in over 19 months, so they retain the top spot in my poll. Those 3 returning defensive starters are LB Dont’a Hightower, and safeties Mark Barron and Robbie Green. DL Marcell Dareus showed his worth in the National Championship game with his effective QB pressure that included an interception for a TD. The CB position will worry Coach Saban all year, but if he can identify 2 solid starters prior to the late September matchup with Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks, then the Tide should be OK.

The schedule will provide a daunting challenge for Alabama. After a Week 1 cupcake, the Tide host Joe Paterno and the Penn State Nittany Lions. A Week 4, 5, 6 gauntlet of Arkansas, Florida, and South Carolina will truly determine how good this Bama team will be. They have a challenging October that includes Tennessee and Ole Miss and then start November with a contest against LSU at Death Valley in Baton Rouge. Then, as always, they close the year against a tough Auburn squad that could be in position to win the SEC West themselves.

Although Alabama is talented at every position and potentially explosive on offense, I simply don’t think that they can navigate such a tough schedule with such an inexperienced defense. I expect the Crimson Tide to be in position for a BCS Bowl berth, but a back-to-back National Championship appears out of reach.

Key Returning Players:
QB Greg McIlroy
RB Mark Ingram
RB Trent Richardson
WR Julio Jones
OT James Carpenter
DL Marcell Dareus
LB Don’t’s Hightower
S Mark Barron

Key Games:
Sept 11 - Penn State
Sept 25 - @ Arkansas
Oct 2 - Florida
Oct 9 - @South Carolina
Nov 6 - @ LSU
Nov 26 - Auburn

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes

Say what you want about the Ohio State Buckeyes. Hate them, love them. It doesn’t matter. Jim Tressel has created arguably the most consistent program in the country. And with the recent struggles of USC, Ohio State now holds the top streak with 5 consecutive BCS Bowl game appearances (including 2 National Championship appearances). And this year, the expectations are as high as they’ve ever been in Columbus.

Junior QB Tyrelle Pryor has had hype built for his Junior year ever since he first signed with the Buckeyes back in the spring of 2008. He earned the starting QB job early in the 2008 season which led to high expectations for his sophomore year. Even with his 2,094 yards passing and 779 yards rushing, the opinion was that he had somehow underachieved. All of the skepticism was erased on January 1st when he torched Oregon for 266 yards passing and 72 yards rushing en route to earning Rose Bowl MVP honors. Coach Tressel couldn’t have drawn up a better springboard into the 2010 season for his prized QB. Pryor has all of the potential and talent to win the Heisman and lead Ohio State to a National Championship, but only time will tell if what we saw in Pasadena was the norm or an aberration.

The Buckeyes bring back an impressive 10 starters on offense. The Backfield is highlighted by the return of Senior Brandon Saine and Junior Dan “Boom” Herron. They have emerged as one of the best 2-back combos in the country. Saine had 739 yards while Herron added 600. Redshirt Freshman and Top 2009 recruit Jaamal Berry should also enter the mix and provide some big plays on the ground.

At WR, two of the better performers in the Big Ten return in Devier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher. Many experts are touting Posey as a possible first round selection as he is getting many comparisons to former Buckeye great, Santonio Holmes.

All 5 starting Offensive Linemen return, including All-Conference selection Justin Boren. The Tight End position is the only offensive area of inexperience of the starting 11. Jake Stoneburner looks to nab the starting spot after not playing much last year.

Defensively, there has become an expectation of excellence from the Buckeyes and that doesn’t appear to be lost on this year’s team. Six starters return to a group that ranked in the Top 2 in all major Big Ten categories in 2009. Experienced Senior CBs Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence give Defensive Coordinator Jim Heacock the ability to blitz on any down while knowing that the big play wont be given up. Safety Jermale Hines will roam the middle. 2009 All-Conference performer Ross Homan will be the beneficiary of the multiple blitzes as he looks to be in contention for the coveted Butkus Award. On the line, DE Cameron Heyward is among the best in the nation.

The Buckeye schedule is probably the easiest of any of the Top 10 teams, which bodes well for a Championship run. An early Week 2 matchup against the Miami Hurricanes will be the gage that determines how far this team goes. Outside of the Miami game, the Buckeyes might not even be challenged in their first 6 contests which include games against Ohio, Marshall, and Eastern Michigan. A mid-October trip to Wisconsin presents a potential stumbling block. But the Buckeyes have a great chance to enter their final three games with an unblemished record. Those final 3 games are against Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan, so all eyes will be on the Scarlet and Gray starting on November 13. Even with a loss to Miami, the Buckeyes would have a great chance at finding their way to the BCS Championship game. Anything less than 11 wins should be considered a disappointment.

Key Returning Players:
QB Tyrelle Pryor
RB Brandon Saine
RB Dan Herron
WR Devier Posey
OG Justin Boren
DE Cameron Heyward
LB Ross Homan
CB Chimdi Chekwa
CB Devon Torrence

Key Games:
Sept 11 - Miami
Oct 16 - @ Wisconsin
Nov 13 - Penn State
Nov 20 - @ Iowa
Nov 27 - Michigan

Coming Soon

Tuesday, Aug 10 - The GURU's #2 Preseason Team
Wednesday, Aug 11 - The GURU's #1 Preseason Team
Friday, Aug 13 - The GURU's Preseason All-American Team
Monday, Aug 16 - The GURU's Preseason All-SEC Team
Tuesday, Aug 17 - The GURU's Preseason All-ACC Team
Wednesday, Aug 18 - The GURU's Preseason All-Big TenTeam
Thursday, Aug 19 - The GURU's Preseason All-Big 12Team
Friday, Aug 20 - The GURU's Preseason All-Pac 10 and All-Big East Teams

#3 Miami Hurricanes

Da U is back!!! At least, that is the prediction. The “surprise team” of my Top 25 lands at #3. A lot of people will look at this and think I’m crazy. But wait until after reading to pass judgment.

Coach Randy Shannon brings back the most talented bunch of his 4-year tenure back to South Beach as he attempts to win his first ACC Title and lead Miami to a BCS Bowl game for the first time since 2003. A quick review of recent Hurricane history shows Shannon’s development and recruiting process paying off in a gradual increase in victories: 5 (2007), 7 (2008), 9 (2009)… so it gives credence to an expectation of 11 wins in 2010.

QB Jacory Harris returns as an All-Conference caliber passer and is on the short list for the Heisman Trophy. The Miami native threw for 3,352 yards and 24 TDs in 2009. His confidence soared and was often unshaken as he surprised even his biggest pre-season skeptics. Some of that skepticism was realized, however, due to Harris accounting for over 20 turnovers, including 17 Ints. That is a number that MUST be kept down in order for Miami to have a realistic shot at winning the conference.

The backfield is one of the most talent-laden in the nation. 5 four-star or higher caliber recruits populate this unit, including Damien Berry (616 yards and 8 TDs), Lamar Miller, Storm Johnson, Graig Cooper, and Mike James. Cooper suffered a knee injury in the Bowl game in December, but has made solid progress and hopes to return to the field after posting 695 yards in 2009.

With the recent dismissal of Florida State’s Jarmon Fortson, Miami now holds the banner as the undisputed best WR group in the ACC. Leonard Hankerson leads the way after grabbing 45 receptions for 801 yards in 2009. Speedster Travis Benjamin joins him as the Hurricanes #1 Big Play threat. LaRon Byrd, Aldarius Johnson, and Thearon Collier also return to give the unit unmatched depth. 3 starters come back to the offensive line, and incoming Freshman Tackle Seantrel Hendersen (Top rated Offensive Lineman in the 2010 recruiting class) has a chance to impact the field immediately. The Miami offense has all of the pieces of the puzzle that will allow them to be one of the most potent in the nation.

Defensively, the ‘Canes bring back 9 starters, including 3 All-ACC selections. DE Allen Bailey is rated by most experts as a sure-fire 1st rounder in next April’s draft. Coach Shannon has often called him the “most athletic player on our team”. LBs Colin McCarthy and Sean Spence have a chance to remind people of the Vilma/Williams combination from 2002. The secondary returns all 4 starters including All-Conference CB Brandon Harris. Safties Vaughn Telemaque and Ray Ray Armstrong will cause nightmares for ACC QBs with their ability to swarm the middle of the field. Kicker Matt Bosher also returns after nailing 88% of his field goals in 2009.

The one area that scares me about the Hurricanes 2010 season is an area that they cannot control. Miami will have one of, if not the, toughest schedules in America. After a tune-up against FAMU, Miami faces Ohio State in Columbus in a game that many are calling the Game of the Year. They follow that matchup with 2 more road games against Big East Favorite Pittsburgh and perennial ACC power Clemson. They return home for a clash with rival Florida State and then 2 weeks later face North Carolina, who is predicted to have one of the best defenses in the country. If that weren’t enough, they end the season with 3 consecutive games against former ACC Champions Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, and Big East stalwart South Florida.

The road to a BCS Bowl is long and hard. 11 wins is not out of the question, but there is practically no room for error for this 2010 squad. The resurrection of “Da U” starts now.

Key Returning Players:
QB Jacory Harris
RB Damien Berry
RB Graig Cooper
WR Leonard Hankerson
WR Travis Benjamin
DE Allen Bailey
LB Sean Spence
LB Colin McCarthy
CB Brandon Harris

Key Games:
Sept 11 - @ Ohio State
Sept 23 - @ Pittsburgh
Oct 2 - @ Clemson
Oct 9 - Florida State
Oct 23 - North Carolina
Nov 13 - @ Georgia Tech
Nov 20 - Virginia Tech