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.
Showing posts with label Big Ten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Ten. Show all posts
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
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….
- #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….
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, August 30, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
#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
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
Monday, July 26, 2010
#11 Iowa Hawkeyes
The 2009 Iowa Hawkeyes were one of the surprises of the season. Typically a strong program, Kirk Ferentz’s team had a breakthrough year and were 1 injury away (QB Ricky Stanzi) from possibly running the table and playing for a National Championship. Still, 2009 can be considered a great success for the Hawkeyes and they now enter 2010 as the top contender to dethrone Ohio State as the Big Ten Champs.
Iowa has a lot of skill position players returning on offense, highlighted by their signal caller Ricky Stanzi. The Senior QB finished 2009 with 2,417 yards passing and 17 TDs last year. Although his 15 INTs are cause for concern, the hope is that he will bring a different level of decision making maturity to the field as a veteran. Stanzi’s performance and consistency will hold the key to success of their 2010 offensive efforts.
In the backfield, Iowa is stacked. Rising Sophomore Adam Robinson had a breakout Freshman campaign tallying 834 yards on 181 carries. His growth, along with that of backup RB Brandon Wegher (630 yards and 8 TDs in ’09) could give Iowa the top rushing attack in the Big Ten Conference.
One area of great concern for Iowa is the Offensive-Line. They return only 2 starters to the unit. The Hawkeyes certainly have the talent on the roster to replenish the position, but there is no substitute for game-experience. Having to replace 3 starters in the trenches is sure to keep Coach Ferentz up at night during August’s Pre-season camp.
Not normally known for their talent at WR, the Hawkeyes had a few surprises in 2009. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos grabbed 45 passes and Marvin McNutt snagged another 34. Both return and their ability to stretch the defense and keep teams from stacking the line of scrimmage (i.e. putting an extra safety in the box) will really help out the running game in 2010. Expect Stanzi to have much better rapport with his wideouts this season and Iowa’s passing game will be the best it’s been in years.
Believe it or not, the Iowa defense, who only allowed 15 points per game in 2009, will be MUCH improved in 2010. Iowa got a huge boost from the return of All-Conference DE Adrian Clayborn. All 3 of the other defensive line starters will return as well, giving Iowa one of the best DL units in the country. Adding to the plethora of talent returning on defense are All-Conference Safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood. CB Shaun Prater also returns to take over the #1 CB spot vacated by early NFL entrant Amari Spivey. The Iowa defense will be the best unit in the Big Ten.
Iowa has the toughest in-conference schedule in the Big Ten as they face every conference team that made a bowl game in 2009. Their Week 2 annual rivalry game against Iowa State wont be as easy as in previous years as the Cyclones are coming off their first bowl win in 5 years and it came against a Big Ten team (Minnesota) nonetheless. Week 3 provides one of their toughest tests of the year in a road trip to Arizona to face the upstart Wildcats. After a short reprieve vs. Ball State, the Big Ten schedule starts with 4 straight games against Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State… an October gauntlet that would scare any team in America. They finish with 3 of their last 4 games being on the road.
The talent and experience on the roster spells BCS Bowl and possible Big Ten championship… but their schedule may spell Big Ten Mediocrity.
Key Returning Players:
QB Ricky Stanzi
RB Adam Robinson
WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
DE Adrian Clayborn
SS Tyler Sash
FS Brett Greenwood
Key Games:
Sept 18 - @ Arizona
Oct 2 - Penn State
Oct 16 - @ Michigan
Oct 23 - Wisconsin
Oct 30 - Michigan State
Nov 20 - Ohio State
Iowa has a lot of skill position players returning on offense, highlighted by their signal caller Ricky Stanzi. The Senior QB finished 2009 with 2,417 yards passing and 17 TDs last year. Although his 15 INTs are cause for concern, the hope is that he will bring a different level of decision making maturity to the field as a veteran. Stanzi’s performance and consistency will hold the key to success of their 2010 offensive efforts.
In the backfield, Iowa is stacked. Rising Sophomore Adam Robinson had a breakout Freshman campaign tallying 834 yards on 181 carries. His growth, along with that of backup RB Brandon Wegher (630 yards and 8 TDs in ’09) could give Iowa the top rushing attack in the Big Ten Conference.
One area of great concern for Iowa is the Offensive-Line. They return only 2 starters to the unit. The Hawkeyes certainly have the talent on the roster to replenish the position, but there is no substitute for game-experience. Having to replace 3 starters in the trenches is sure to keep Coach Ferentz up at night during August’s Pre-season camp.
Not normally known for their talent at WR, the Hawkeyes had a few surprises in 2009. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos grabbed 45 passes and Marvin McNutt snagged another 34. Both return and their ability to stretch the defense and keep teams from stacking the line of scrimmage (i.e. putting an extra safety in the box) will really help out the running game in 2010. Expect Stanzi to have much better rapport with his wideouts this season and Iowa’s passing game will be the best it’s been in years.
Believe it or not, the Iowa defense, who only allowed 15 points per game in 2009, will be MUCH improved in 2010. Iowa got a huge boost from the return of All-Conference DE Adrian Clayborn. All 3 of the other defensive line starters will return as well, giving Iowa one of the best DL units in the country. Adding to the plethora of talent returning on defense are All-Conference Safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood. CB Shaun Prater also returns to take over the #1 CB spot vacated by early NFL entrant Amari Spivey. The Iowa defense will be the best unit in the Big Ten.
Iowa has the toughest in-conference schedule in the Big Ten as they face every conference team that made a bowl game in 2009. Their Week 2 annual rivalry game against Iowa State wont be as easy as in previous years as the Cyclones are coming off their first bowl win in 5 years and it came against a Big Ten team (Minnesota) nonetheless. Week 3 provides one of their toughest tests of the year in a road trip to Arizona to face the upstart Wildcats. After a short reprieve vs. Ball State, the Big Ten schedule starts with 4 straight games against Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State… an October gauntlet that would scare any team in America. They finish with 3 of their last 4 games being on the road.
The talent and experience on the roster spells BCS Bowl and possible Big Ten championship… but their schedule may spell Big Ten Mediocrity.
Key Returning Players:
QB Ricky Stanzi
RB Adam Robinson
WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
DE Adrian Clayborn
SS Tyler Sash
FS Brett Greenwood
Key Games:
Sept 18 - @ Arizona
Oct 2 - Penn State
Oct 16 - @ Michigan
Oct 23 - Wisconsin
Oct 30 - Michigan State
Nov 20 - Ohio State
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
New Conference Divisions and Championship Game Locations
Earlier in the summer, there was excessive talk of the realigning of conferences in College Football. Many analysts and websites were predicting a massive migration of teams to different conferences. Some even had six Big 12 teams, including Texas and Oklahoma, heading to the Pac-10.
As I predicted here on this site, the changes would be minimal. The only major defections ended up being:
-Nebraska to the Big 10
-Colorado and Utah to the Pac-10
-Boise State to the MWC
Now that the minor dust has settled, let’s assess what this means for those conferences that made a change.
The changes will take effect starting with the 2011 football season. The Pac-10 and Big Ten (now each having 12 teams) have aligned themselves to finally have much desired Conference Championship games. In order to do that, both conferences will have to break their schools into two 6-team divisions (like the ACC and SEC have done) and then a Conference Championship venue must be picked.
Here, I take a crack at predicting those things.
Let’s start with the Big Ten. Here is how I see the conference divisions shaping up:
East
Ohio State
Penn State
Michigan
Michigan State
Indiana
Purdue
West
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Northwestern
Illinois
The Midwest is filled with possible venues to host a Big Ten Championship game. Here is a Top 5 list as to where I see the Big Ten staging this contest:
1. Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) - This is the premier facility in the Midwest. Newly opened in 2008 it provides the perfect indoor venue for a December football game. Capacity = 63,000
2. Ford Field (Detroit) - Another high-quality indoor facility. Opened in 2002, this field has already hosted a Super Bowl, so it knows how to handle a high-profile event. Capacity = 65,000
3. MetroDome (Minneapolis) - Although further west than the others on this list, the Metrodome provides protection from the harsh winter weather and also was newly refurbished this year with Sportexe (a new and improved field turf). Capacity = 64,111
4. Soldier Field (Chicago) - Probably the best city (Chicago) of the bunch, Soldier Field was newly reopened after massive overhauls in 2003. The weather might be an issue, but Big Ten players can handle the cold. Capacity = 61,500
5. Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati) - Opened in 2000, Cincy provides a nice central location with new facilities. Capacity = 65,500
On to the Pac-10. Here’s how I see the divisions forming:
South
USC
UCLA
Utah
Arizona
Arizona State
Colorado
North
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
California
Washington
Washington State
Like the Big Ten, the Pac-10 will have no trouble finding stadiums and cities that want to host the Conference Championship game. Here is a Top 5 list as to where I see the Pac-10 having the game:
1. University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, AZ) - A State of the art facility that was opened in 2006. It hosts the annual Fiesta Bowl, Arizona Cardinals, and has hosted a Super Bowl. Its retractable roof provides protection from the weather. Capacity = 63,000
2. Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego) - Although it’s not new, the stadium is still up to the task of hosting a Championship game. The mild San Diego weather is also an enticing factor. Capacity = 71,294
3. Rose Bowl (Pasadena) - Not much needs to be said about this classic venue. It would provide a perfect setting for the Pac-10 title game, with the winner getting to return for the Rose Bowl in January. Capacity = 90,000
4. Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (Oakland) - A solid stadium which had its last renovations in 1996. The centrality of location makes this venue a good choice. Capacity = 63,026
5. Qwest Field (Seattle) - A beautiful new stadium nestled in the Northwest, Qwest Field provides a beautiful setting for a West Coast Championship game. However, the poor Seattle weather in December may knock this venue out of the running. Capacity = 72,000
It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. Stay tuned.
As I predicted here on this site, the changes would be minimal. The only major defections ended up being:
-Nebraska to the Big 10
-Colorado and Utah to the Pac-10
-Boise State to the MWC
Now that the minor dust has settled, let’s assess what this means for those conferences that made a change.
The changes will take effect starting with the 2011 football season. The Pac-10 and Big Ten (now each having 12 teams) have aligned themselves to finally have much desired Conference Championship games. In order to do that, both conferences will have to break their schools into two 6-team divisions (like the ACC and SEC have done) and then a Conference Championship venue must be picked.
Here, I take a crack at predicting those things.
Let’s start with the Big Ten. Here is how I see the conference divisions shaping up:
East
Ohio State
Penn State
Michigan
Michigan State
Indiana
Purdue
West
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Northwestern
Illinois
The Midwest is filled with possible venues to host a Big Ten Championship game. Here is a Top 5 list as to where I see the Big Ten staging this contest:
1. Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) - This is the premier facility in the Midwest. Newly opened in 2008 it provides the perfect indoor venue for a December football game. Capacity = 63,000
2. Ford Field (Detroit) - Another high-quality indoor facility. Opened in 2002, this field has already hosted a Super Bowl, so it knows how to handle a high-profile event. Capacity = 65,000
3. MetroDome (Minneapolis) - Although further west than the others on this list, the Metrodome provides protection from the harsh winter weather and also was newly refurbished this year with Sportexe (a new and improved field turf). Capacity = 64,111
4. Soldier Field (Chicago) - Probably the best city (Chicago) of the bunch, Soldier Field was newly reopened after massive overhauls in 2003. The weather might be an issue, but Big Ten players can handle the cold. Capacity = 61,500
5. Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati) - Opened in 2000, Cincy provides a nice central location with new facilities. Capacity = 65,500
On to the Pac-10. Here’s how I see the divisions forming:
South
USC
UCLA
Utah
Arizona
Arizona State
Colorado
North
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
California
Washington
Washington State
Like the Big Ten, the Pac-10 will have no trouble finding stadiums and cities that want to host the Conference Championship game. Here is a Top 5 list as to where I see the Pac-10 having the game:
1. University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, AZ) - A State of the art facility that was opened in 2006. It hosts the annual Fiesta Bowl, Arizona Cardinals, and has hosted a Super Bowl. Its retractable roof provides protection from the weather. Capacity = 63,000
2. Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego) - Although it’s not new, the stadium is still up to the task of hosting a Championship game. The mild San Diego weather is also an enticing factor. Capacity = 71,294
3. Rose Bowl (Pasadena) - Not much needs to be said about this classic venue. It would provide a perfect setting for the Pac-10 title game, with the winner getting to return for the Rose Bowl in January. Capacity = 90,000
4. Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (Oakland) - A solid stadium which had its last renovations in 1996. The centrality of location makes this venue a good choice. Capacity = 63,026
5. Qwest Field (Seattle) - A beautiful new stadium nestled in the Northwest, Qwest Field provides a beautiful setting for a West Coast Championship game. However, the poor Seattle weather in December may knock this venue out of the running. Capacity = 72,000
It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. Stay tuned.
Friday, June 25, 2010
#17 Penn State Nittany Lions
The man that started his Penn State coaching career 11 years before Barack Obama was born, now enters his 60th season on the sidelines in Happy Valley, PA. Another chapter will be written in the legendary career of the winningest D-1 Coach of All-Time. Will that chapter be pleasant or disappointing? The answer to that question hinges upon a few things.
The Nittany Lions enter 2010 coming off an 11-2 season, capping it with a strong Capital One Bowl win over SEC Powerhouse, LSU. To have an equally successful season or better, the first question that has to be answered is Who will play Quarterback for the Blue and White? The early favorite for the position is Sophomore QB Kevin Newsome. Newsome got playing time sparingly last year behind star QB Daryl Clark, but nothing of significance. In the spring, he held off a tough charge by fellow sophomore Matt McGloin to win the starting job heading into fall camp. But in the summer, Blue Chip 5-star recruit Robert Bolden arrives on campus. He is projected as the future of the Nittany Lions program and he will be given a chance to earn the job according to Offensive Coordinator Galen Hall. A dual threat guy, he is said to be as fast as Michael Robinson with passing skills that rival Kerry Collins… comments that have PSU fans everywhere giddy.
The Running game will by far be the best part of Penn State’s attack. Senior RB Evan Royster returns after rushing for 1,169 yards and 6 TDs. While those numbers weren’t as good as his 1,300 yards and 12 TDs from 2008… anything over 1,000 in the Big Ten is to be commended. A 3-year starter now, Royster will go into this season running behind the most veteran Offensive-Line in the Big Ten as the Nittany Lions return 4 starters up front, including 2009 All-Conference selection C Stefan Wisniewski. Backing up Royster will be Junior Stephfon Green who is capable of a few big plays himself. He will be used primarily on 3rd downs as a “change of pace” back, but could easily fill in for Royster should the injury bug strike.
A unit that was expected to be down last year (the WRs) really took most of the Big Ten by surprise. Led by Derek Moye and Graham Zug, the young crew stepped up to provide quite the weapons for Daryl Clark and this bunch should make the transition for the new starting QB easier than most expect. Chaz Powell is another guy to keep an eye on lining up as a tough cover in the slot.
Defensively, the Lions are stout (as usual) and they return 7 starters. Interestingly, with superstars Sean May and Navarro Bowman leaving for the NFL, the one position that lacks experience for Joe Pa’s crew is the LB position. But expect Linebacker-U to stick in a couple of Blue-Chip athletes and not miss a beat. Senior DT Ollie Ogbu will anchor one of the tougher Defensive Lines in America and CB D’Anton Lynn has a chance to be the best cover-corner in the nation.
This years schedule sets up well. After an early season clash with defending champion Alabama, the Nittany Lions will navigate through a schedule that should have them favored in all but 2 of their last 10 games (OSU and Iowa). A key 3-game stretch late in the season against Michigan, Northwestern, and Ohio State will let us know if Joe Pa should make plans for a BCS game or an Outback Bowl. But regardless, this team should win at a minimum 9 games… and we will undoubtedly see Joe Pa crack the 400 win mark this year (he is currently at 394).
Key Returning Players:
RB Evan Royster
WR Derek Moye
WR Graham Zug
WR Chaz Powell
C Stefan Wisniewski
DT Ollie Ogbu
CB D’Anton Lynn
S Nick Sukay
Key Games:
Sept 11 - @ Alabama
Oct 2 - @ Iowa
Oct 30 - Michigan
Nov 13 - @ Ohio State
Nov 27 - Michigan State
The Nittany Lions enter 2010 coming off an 11-2 season, capping it with a strong Capital One Bowl win over SEC Powerhouse, LSU. To have an equally successful season or better, the first question that has to be answered is Who will play Quarterback for the Blue and White? The early favorite for the position is Sophomore QB Kevin Newsome. Newsome got playing time sparingly last year behind star QB Daryl Clark, but nothing of significance. In the spring, he held off a tough charge by fellow sophomore Matt McGloin to win the starting job heading into fall camp. But in the summer, Blue Chip 5-star recruit Robert Bolden arrives on campus. He is projected as the future of the Nittany Lions program and he will be given a chance to earn the job according to Offensive Coordinator Galen Hall. A dual threat guy, he is said to be as fast as Michael Robinson with passing skills that rival Kerry Collins… comments that have PSU fans everywhere giddy.
The Running game will by far be the best part of Penn State’s attack. Senior RB Evan Royster returns after rushing for 1,169 yards and 6 TDs. While those numbers weren’t as good as his 1,300 yards and 12 TDs from 2008… anything over 1,000 in the Big Ten is to be commended. A 3-year starter now, Royster will go into this season running behind the most veteran Offensive-Line in the Big Ten as the Nittany Lions return 4 starters up front, including 2009 All-Conference selection C Stefan Wisniewski. Backing up Royster will be Junior Stephfon Green who is capable of a few big plays himself. He will be used primarily on 3rd downs as a “change of pace” back, but could easily fill in for Royster should the injury bug strike.
A unit that was expected to be down last year (the WRs) really took most of the Big Ten by surprise. Led by Derek Moye and Graham Zug, the young crew stepped up to provide quite the weapons for Daryl Clark and this bunch should make the transition for the new starting QB easier than most expect. Chaz Powell is another guy to keep an eye on lining up as a tough cover in the slot.
Defensively, the Lions are stout (as usual) and they return 7 starters. Interestingly, with superstars Sean May and Navarro Bowman leaving for the NFL, the one position that lacks experience for Joe Pa’s crew is the LB position. But expect Linebacker-U to stick in a couple of Blue-Chip athletes and not miss a beat. Senior DT Ollie Ogbu will anchor one of the tougher Defensive Lines in America and CB D’Anton Lynn has a chance to be the best cover-corner in the nation.
This years schedule sets up well. After an early season clash with defending champion Alabama, the Nittany Lions will navigate through a schedule that should have them favored in all but 2 of their last 10 games (OSU and Iowa). A key 3-game stretch late in the season against Michigan, Northwestern, and Ohio State will let us know if Joe Pa should make plans for a BCS game or an Outback Bowl. But regardless, this team should win at a minimum 9 games… and we will undoubtedly see Joe Pa crack the 400 win mark this year (he is currently at 394).
Key Returning Players:
RB Evan Royster
WR Derek Moye
WR Graham Zug
WR Chaz Powell
C Stefan Wisniewski
DT Ollie Ogbu
CB D’Anton Lynn
S Nick Sukay
Key Games:
Sept 11 - @ Alabama
Oct 2 - @ Iowa
Oct 30 - Michigan
Nov 13 - @ Ohio State
Nov 27 - Michigan State
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