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".
Showing posts with label Toughest Schedules. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toughest Schedules. Show all posts
Friday, August 20, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
#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
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
Thursday, July 29, 2010
#8 North Carolina Tar Heels
A lot of people will say that I have this team too highly ranked because of the NCAA Investigation, the lack of a star QB, the lack of star offensive skill position players, etc. But to those skeptics, I would simply say one thing:
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!
Head Coach Butch Davis brings back by far the best Defense in America in Chapel Hill. On most of these previews, I have started with the offense, but when a defense is as good as this, they deserve the headlines.
In all, the Heels return 6 All-Conference players on defense. Defensive Linemen Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin highlight the trenches. Austin finished 2009 with 6 Tackles for Loss and 4 sacks. LBs Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant anchor the 2nd level. Carter has started in 26 consecutive games while Sturdivant led the nation in unassisted tackles in 2008 with 87. In the secondary, Safety Deunta Williams was a standout in 2009 with 47 tackles, 6 ints, and 8 pass break-ups. Joining him as a First-Team All-ACC member in 2009 was CB Kendrick Burney who has started all 38 games since he stepped foot on the UNC campus. Believe it or not, all 6 of the aforementioned players are projected as first-rounders in the 2011 NFL Draft. They are joined by 4 other returning defensive starters that make up a unit that has the potential to hold ALL of their opponents to single digits.
While the defense highlights the squad, the offense has made strides in the Spring and QB TJ Yates has gotten much respect for the way he fended off the challenge of Freshman 4-star recruit Bryn Renner. Generally, Yates was not bad last year, throwing for 2,100 yards and 14 TDs. But his 15 Ints has Tar Heel nation wary.
Yates, however, will benefit from the return of all 10 starters (other than himself) on Offense, giving the Tar Heels undoubtedly the most experienced group in the conference, if not the country. Starting RB Shaun Draughn will enjoy the familiarity of running behind the veteran Carolina Offensive Line while backup Ryan Houston should expect at least 150 touches as well. At WR, Senior Greg Little’s 724 yards receiving and 166 yards rushing leads the pack. His playmaking ability is unmatched on the team, but his attitude has come into question following several on and off-field incidents in 2009. Maturity will be the key to his level of contribution this year.
All-ACC Kicker Casey Barth also returns. He is considered one of the best in America at his position and his 80% accuracy on Field Goals over 40 yards last year corroborates those claims. His consistency will be key for the Heels in close games throughout the year.
The schedule is going to be a grueling one. In the opening week, the Tar Heels face SEC Powerhouse LSU in Atlanta. They follow that with back to back games against Defending ACC Champion Georgia Tech and Big East stalwart Rutgers. October brings tough matchups with Clemson and Miami, while November brings back to back clashes with Florida State and Virginia Tech.
On Paper, the Tar Heels would be my pick for the National Title. The one thing that I feel they are missing is the experience of being a favorite. This recent Football success is new for the program, so until they can navigate their way through the first 5 games unblemished, I will hold judgment. However, it would not surprise me one bit to see Butch Davis’s crew in Glendale, AZ on the night of January 10th playing for the Championship.
Key Returning Players:
DT Marvin Austin
DE Robert Quinn
LB Bruce Carter
LB Quan Sturdivant
S Deunta Williams
CB Kendrick Burney
QB T.J. Yates
WR Greg Little
RB Shaun Draughn
OT Greg Elleby
Key Games:
Sept 4 - LSU (in Atlanta)
Sept 18 - Georgia Tech
Sept 25 - @ Rutgers
Oct 9 - Clemson
Oct 23 - @ Miami
Nov 6 - @ Florida State
Nov 13 - Virginia Tech
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!
Head Coach Butch Davis brings back by far the best Defense in America in Chapel Hill. On most of these previews, I have started with the offense, but when a defense is as good as this, they deserve the headlines.
In all, the Heels return 6 All-Conference players on defense. Defensive Linemen Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin highlight the trenches. Austin finished 2009 with 6 Tackles for Loss and 4 sacks. LBs Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant anchor the 2nd level. Carter has started in 26 consecutive games while Sturdivant led the nation in unassisted tackles in 2008 with 87. In the secondary, Safety Deunta Williams was a standout in 2009 with 47 tackles, 6 ints, and 8 pass break-ups. Joining him as a First-Team All-ACC member in 2009 was CB Kendrick Burney who has started all 38 games since he stepped foot on the UNC campus. Believe it or not, all 6 of the aforementioned players are projected as first-rounders in the 2011 NFL Draft. They are joined by 4 other returning defensive starters that make up a unit that has the potential to hold ALL of their opponents to single digits.
While the defense highlights the squad, the offense has made strides in the Spring and QB TJ Yates has gotten much respect for the way he fended off the challenge of Freshman 4-star recruit Bryn Renner. Generally, Yates was not bad last year, throwing for 2,100 yards and 14 TDs. But his 15 Ints has Tar Heel nation wary.
Yates, however, will benefit from the return of all 10 starters (other than himself) on Offense, giving the Tar Heels undoubtedly the most experienced group in the conference, if not the country. Starting RB Shaun Draughn will enjoy the familiarity of running behind the veteran Carolina Offensive Line while backup Ryan Houston should expect at least 150 touches as well. At WR, Senior Greg Little’s 724 yards receiving and 166 yards rushing leads the pack. His playmaking ability is unmatched on the team, but his attitude has come into question following several on and off-field incidents in 2009. Maturity will be the key to his level of contribution this year.
All-ACC Kicker Casey Barth also returns. He is considered one of the best in America at his position and his 80% accuracy on Field Goals over 40 yards last year corroborates those claims. His consistency will be key for the Heels in close games throughout the year.
The schedule is going to be a grueling one. In the opening week, the Tar Heels face SEC Powerhouse LSU in Atlanta. They follow that with back to back games against Defending ACC Champion Georgia Tech and Big East stalwart Rutgers. October brings tough matchups with Clemson and Miami, while November brings back to back clashes with Florida State and Virginia Tech.
On Paper, the Tar Heels would be my pick for the National Title. The one thing that I feel they are missing is the experience of being a favorite. This recent Football success is new for the program, so until they can navigate their way through the first 5 games unblemished, I will hold judgment. However, it would not surprise me one bit to see Butch Davis’s crew in Glendale, AZ on the night of January 10th playing for the Championship.
Key Returning Players:
DT Marvin Austin
DE Robert Quinn
LB Bruce Carter
LB Quan Sturdivant
S Deunta Williams
CB Kendrick Burney
QB T.J. Yates
WR Greg Little
RB Shaun Draughn
OT Greg Elleby
Key Games:
Sept 4 - LSU (in Atlanta)
Sept 18 - Georgia Tech
Sept 25 - @ Rutgers
Oct 9 - Clemson
Oct 23 - @ Miami
Nov 6 - @ Florida State
Nov 13 - Virginia Tech
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)