So, if it is bad, I apologize. I'm sure Perez Hilton will love your business. Or you could watch this informative video.
I would like to thank the 10 people who may actually read this Nobel Prize worthy trainwreck.
I would also like to thank the Pittsburgh Pirates for giving me the opportunity to play 1st Base, this year, but they have decided to trade me to this blog.
As Deion Sanders once said, "Anybody that knowed me would have knowed that I was going to be there." Similarly, anybody that knowed me would have knowed why I am creating a blog. No, it is not to show pictures of these guys, or to rail against this guy, or this guy, or this guy (How does the NFL not have an image problem but MLB does??) but it is instead to give the knowledge, the alacrity, the color, the pageantry of the greatest game going, College Football.
I mean, I have been sitting in my room watching stuff like this for the last couple of weeks:
Anyway, it is rare that so many great players on both sides of the ball come back. It is rare to have two Heisman winners playing in the same year (QB Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and QB Tim Tebow of Florida). There are defensive stars who could have gone in the top 5 of the NFL Draft, but decided to stay in college (S Taylor Mays of Southern Cal and DT Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma). There are 4 giants entering the season (Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and Southern Cal). There are great up-and-comers (Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, North Carolina).
There are great storylines with the two winningest programs in the history of the sport. With Notre Dame bringing back a lot of talent, or so says the recruiting rankings of the last 4-5 years. The Irish play a rather soft schedule (and it only includes 1 service academy!!). There is also the situation involving Head Coach, Charlie Weis. When Weis took the Irish to 4-1 in his first year, then pushed superpower Southern Cal to the brink in one of the greatest games in College football over the last 15-20 years, he was rewarded with a 10 year deal. We are entering year 4 of that deal, and the brass in South Bend are asking Regis for a handout, so they can buy Coach Chuck out. The Irish were 3-9 in '07, and a wildly mediocre 7-6 in '08. For Notre Dame to be as excited as they were after they beat Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl shows how far Notre Dame has fallen and how far they have to go before they are a legit national contender. There are no excuses for Weis this year. It seems to literally be BCS or bust for the Irish. Don't forget, it used to be like this...
Speaking of 3-9, the winged helmets of Michigan have gone from powerful to punching bag, too. The squad coach Rich Rodriguez trotted out last year might as well have been wearing bright orange helmets and bright green pants, because they were not the Meee-shegan that had been a rock of stability on the college football landscape literally since the turn of the century (the 20th Century). However, Rich Rod went 3-8 in his first season with West Virginia, and turned that around completely in his second year. Also remember that almost each of the current power teams in college football have gone through their struggles over the past decade or so (Southern Cal under Paul Hackett, Florida under Ron Zook, Oklahoma under John Blake). Each has come out on the other side and are now the kings of the sport. Also, when Michigan struggles, the already flagging reputation of the Big 10 plummets even lower. When you think of the Big 10, you think of Michigan. Now, when you think of Michigan, you think of Appalachian State (see below) and Toledo, too. It will not be a huge bounceback season for the Maize and Blue, but they will be better and they will be bowling.
Now that I have my previewing shoes on, here is a schedule as to how this blow-out-the-budget (Budget:$0) college football preview extravaganza will go:
Tonite: Nos. 40-31
Friday: Nos. 30-21
Monday: Nos. 20-11
Tuesday: Nos. 10-1
Wednesday: Bowl Match-ups/Way too early bowl previews
Thursday: Conference Breakdowns
Friday: All-Americans/Heisman Winner
With all that in mind, since the name of the blog is "Older than Paterno," I must ask whether a random item is older than Penn State Head Coach, Joe Paterno. This is a trial run, I am gonna try to ask this question every day. Here is the first older than Paterno question:
Band-Aids:
VERSUS
So, are Band-Aids Older than Paterno?:
A.)Yes
B.)No
C.)He is 82. He will coach forever. He does not need Band-Aids.
Now, as somebody once said, "It's time for the perculator."
40. N.C. State: Tom O'Brien is at it again. He rebuilt Boston College in the Big
East then in the ACC. Now, his latest reclamation project is getting close to completion at North Carolina State. With wins over a strong East Carolina team, Miami (FL), Wake Forest and crushing cross-state rival North Carolina, there is a lot of momentum rolling with the Wolfpack. QB Russell Wilson (right) is one of the nation's best kept secrets. There is experienced talent on defense, as well, with DE Willie Young, DT Alan-Michael Cash and LB Ray Michel. The Atlantic Division of the ACC was supposed to be Florida State and the 5 dwarfs. However, Wake Forest and Boston College have won the last 3 division titles, with the Eagles taking it the last two years. So, who says that N.C. State can't come from 2-6 in mid-season in '08 to the ACC Championship Game in '09? This Wolfpack team will be tested with South Carolina and Pitt in the non-conference schedule and trips to Florida State and Virginia Tech. However, the is no questioning that N.C. State's program is on the upswing, and Tom O'Brien's teams always overachieve. This team could be one of the high-risers in '09.-Last Year: 6-7 (Lost to Rutgers in papajohns.com Bowl, 23-29)
-Prediction: 7-5 (Meineke Car Care Bowl)
-Key Game: October 31 @Florida State
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Because We Could All Use It...
39. Arkansas-It is a process for Bobby Petrino and the Hogs. They were not
going to move from a run-oriented, 20th Century team with Houston Nutt to a 21st Century passing O under Petrino in one year. That being said, 3 of Arkansas's losses came by a combined 6 points, last year. 18 starters return for the Woo Pig Sooey boys, not to mention highly touted Michigan transfer, Ryan Mallett. However, the question is whether or not all of that experience is talented enough to compete with the top-shelf talent of the SEC. At Alabama, at Florida, at Ole Miss and at LSU does not help things for Arkansas, but with 1000 yard rusher Michael Smith (right), and D.J. Williams, who caught 9 TDs from the tight end position, this could be one of the surprise teams in the country. DT Malcolm Sheppard must be an invigorating force to what was a lackluster pass rush, and the secondary is hoping that a couple of JUCO transfers, Anthony Leon and Rudell Crim can help a defense that was unable to hold any opponent under 21 points, last year. The Hogs showed that they can compete with and beat the best in the SEC when they came back and beat LSU in the last game of the year, last year, but with the daunting road slate, not to mention a non-conference meeting with Texas A&M, it hard to see the Razorbacks rising too far in the loaded SEC.-Last Year: 5-7 (No Bowl)
-Prediction: 7-5 (Liberty Bowl)
-Key Game: September 19 v. Georgia
-Go-to YouTube Clip: McFadden...Nasty
38. Miami (FL)-The U is always the U. The talent is always there. But I 
ask you for Miami's last big win on the National stage. Oh, and have you seen their schedule? To start the year, the 'Canes go at Florida State, home for Georgia Tech, at VA Tech, and Oklahoma at home, not to mention at North Carolina and South Florida later in the year. Ouch. It is not out of the question for Miami to be 0-4 in mid-October, which would probably put coach Randy Shannon undeservedly on the hot seat and make a late run vital. With the running back tandem of Graig Cooper (right) and Javarris James, and talent on the defensive end, with LB Sean Spence and DE Eric Moncur, it would not be a big surprise to see the Hurricanes contend for a division title in the ACC. With most of the talent on the 'Canes roster being underclassmen, perhaps Shannon can get another mulligan year. (Hey, it worked for Charlie Weis...) It probably will not be long until Miami is back where they should be, but this appears to be another rebuilding/middle of the road year for the U.
-Last year: 7-6 (Lost to California in Emerald Bowl, 17-24)
-Prediction: 7-5 (Music City Bowl)
-Key Game: September 7 @Florida State
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Fast, Tough, Confident, Devastating. When the U was the U…
37. South Florida: I will never jump on the South Florida bandwagon again. I
had the Bulls in my top 10 to start the year, last year. They rewarded my confidence by losing 4 of their last 5 regular season games, and playing on a baseball diamond in the St. Petersburg Bowl. There is no questioning USF's talent, with QB Matt Grothe back for his 12th year, and DE George Selvie (right) back chasing down QBs. Almost everyone has hope in a down and average Big East. The Bulls have Cincinnati, Pitt, West Virginia and Rutgers all in a row in late October and early November. Not only that, but the new kid on the block in the state of Florida has a chance to make their own mark with big bullies, Florida State and Miami (FL) on the schedule. This seems to be a make-or-break year for South Florida, with many of their talented players being experienced seniors. (ex: WR Jessie Hester, LB Kion Wilson) As I write this, and look at the talent on the USF team, maybe I should hop on Jim Leavitt's train.
-Last Year: 8-5 (Beat Memphis in St. Petersburg Bowl, 41-14)
-Prediction: 9-3 (papajohns.com Bowl)
-Key Game: October 24 @Pittsburgh
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Is it too late to jump on the USF train??
36. Brigham Young-Last Year, the Y came into the season with thoughts of a BCS
game. This season they come in as near afterthoughts in their own conference, with TCU and archrival Utah having had scintillating seasons in '08. However, the Cougars are not to be forgotten. With talent coming back at all the skill positions in QB Max Hall (right), RB Harvey Unga and TE Dennis Pitta, BYU should be a factor in the suddenly hot Mountain West race. However, no offensive linemen and starting the season against Oklahoma makes things a little tough for the fighting Bronco Mendenhalls. With a secondary that had only 9 interceptions in the entire '08 season, it is incumbent upon DE Jan Jorgensen and the 3 returning linebackers to put pressure on the opposing QB, especially with Sam Bradford, right off the bat. This is a Brigham Young team that sat at 10-1 going into the Holy War game with Utah, but ended the season with a thud losing to the Utes and then against Arizona in the bowl game. However, with TCU and Utah both having to head to Provo, the Cougars could have the year in '09 that they were expecting in '08.
-Last Season: 10-3 (Lost to Arizona in Las Vegas Bowl, 21-31)
-Prediction: 9-3 (Armed Forces Bowl)
-Key Game: October 24 v. Texas Christian
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Is the play-by-play guy on the BYU payroll?
35. Iowa-So that's why they pay Kirk Ferentz all that money. It was quite a charge
at the end of last season in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes ended Penn State's hopes for a National Championship with a last-second kick, closed the Metrodome with a 55-0 shellacking of Minnesota and brought home the Big 10's only bowl victory over (gasp) an SEC school, South Carolina. But, the Hawkeye offense may have just left the building with the departure of RB Shonn Greene. Fireplug DTs Mitch King and Matt Kroul are gone from the defense, as well. The schedule makers have the Hawkeyes heading to Happy Valley, the Horseshoe and East Lansing. Still, while these things may be cause for concern, Iowa is hot again and a far cry from where they were at midseason in '08. QB Ricky Stanzi needs to be solid and consistent while RB Jewel Hampton tries to fill the shoes left by Greene. Stanzi and Hampton should be greatly assisted by earth-moving tackles Bryan Bulaga (above) and Kyle Calloway. We should be able to tell about the team of the pink locker rooms after their first Big 10 game, a trip to defending Big 10 champ and very revenge-hungry Penn State. A win in JoePa's house may set up a Pasadena run for the Hawkeyes.
-Last Season: 9-4 (Beat South Carolina in Outback Bowl, 31-10)
-Prediction: 8-4 (Champs Sports Bowl)
-Key Game: September 26 @Penn State
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Hard to watch?? Yes...Kind of Awesome?? Yes, also...
34. Oregon State-When will anybody ever notice these guys?? The chance was there
, last year, but the Beavers let their Rose Bowl dreams get run over by a train against Oregon, in the Civil War, 65-38. This year will be another opportunity for Mr. Underrated, Mike Riley to prove 'em wrong again. The Rodgers boys return, (RB Jacquizz (right) and WR James) which is good news. QBs Lyle Moevao and Sean Canfield are back, too. So, we'll have more Beaver believers by the end of the year again, right?? Eh, I'm not so sure...at Arizona State, at Southern Cal, at California, at Oregon. Ouch. Did we mention defending Big East champion, Cincinnati in the non-conference slate, too? The schedule is unquestionably difficult, but no program in the Pac-10 gets more out of less than OSU. If you want to underestimate the Beavers, fine, because as the sign in the stands during last year's upset of SC read, "We Ain't Scared."
-Last Year: 9-4 (Beat Pittsburgh in Sun Bowl, 3-0)
-Prediction: 8-4 (Sun Bowl)
-Key Game: November 7 @California
-Go-to YouTube Clip: It Could Happen to You...Isn't College Football Wonderful??
33. Pittsburgh-OK, Wanny, any time now. This team seems to crumble when the crucible
is at its hottest. Now, with their best offensive player, LeSean McCoy donning Philadelphia Eagle green, and their best defensive player, Scott McKillop with the 49ers, Pitt seems even more vulnerable. However, with Mick Williams, Aaron Berry and Greg Romeus (right) back on defense, Dave Wannstedt's great recruiting classes, and no clear-cut favorites in the Big East, Pitt is far from finished. The pressure seems to fall to 9th year QB Bill Stull, who can no longer lean on McCoy. This is also a program, much like conference foes, Rutgers and South Florida, who always seem to be unable to take that final big step as shown by the Panthers feeble offensive effort in the Sun Bowl, last year. Still, if Stull and the O can provide even a little help to what should be a solid defense, it could be Pitt (and maybe the Steelers, eventually too...) headed to Miami in the postseason.
-Last Year: 9-4 (Lost to Oregon State in Sun Bowl, 0-3)
-Prediction: 8-4 (St. Petersburg Bowl)
-Key Game: October 16 @Rutgers
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Tony Dorsett, how do you do??
32. Michigan State-The barrier is invisible, but Michigan State has
yet to cross it. The barrier is to the exclusive club atop the Big 10. Those other guys from Ann Arbor have been kicked out of the club, but the guy in the sweater vest and the old guy with the big glasses haven't invited any new members. Whenever the men in green try to enter the club, they are rudely received. (7-45 v. Ohio State, 18-49 v. Penn State, last season) Now, all-everything RB Javon Ringer is gone. But Mark Dantonio has built a program at Michigan State, not a team built around one guy. With a strong defense anchored by LB Greg Jones, and a boatful of wideouts, led by Blair White (right), coming back, perhaps this is the year for Sparty. With Ohio State cycling off the schedule and Penn State heading to East Lansing to close the season, perhaps the club can be open to one more member. -Last Year: 9-4 (Lost to Georgia in Capital One Bowl, 12-24)
-Prediction: 9-3 (Alamo Bowl)
-Key Game: September 26 @Wisconsin
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Team
31. Rutgers-Since busting on to the national scene in 2006, the State University of
New Jersey has seemingly been running in place over the last couple of years. Good enough to make a bowl game, (which used to be a Rutgers rarity) but not good enought to win the Big East. With the Big East seriously up for grabs, this year, Rutgers has as good a chance as anyone to go bowling in the BCS. A schedule that includes Howard, Florida International, Texas Southern and Army doesn't hurt either. However, with the uncertainty at the quarterback position and loss of game-breaking wideouts Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, Schiano's team has it's share of question marks. Having a big ugly like OT Anthony Davis (right) back should be a big help to the new Scarlet Knight O, though. Rutgers ended the season with a flurry, last year, winning 7 in a row to end the season. That momentum will be challenged in Week 1, this year, when defending conference champion, Cincinnati comes to newly renovated Rutgers Stadium. Pitt, South Florida and West Virginia all have to visit Piscataway, as well. So, there is no better time than now for the Scarlet Knights.-Last Year: 8-5 (Beat N.C. State in the papajohns.com Bowl, 29-23)
-Prediction: 9-3 (International Bowl)
-Key Game: September 7 v. Cincinnati
-Go-to YouTube Clip: The Birth of Rutgers Football...No, it was not in 1869
Much like the great Casey Kasem, were counting down America's Top 40, "and we won't stop 'til we get to number 1," as the great Mr. Kasem would say. Numbers 40-31 are in the books. If you don't agree with my predictions, that's fine. Just don't do this to me.
Now, play my theme song:
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