What would my total blogger rating be??
I can just hear my man, Gruden, saying, "This guy...he's as smart as a set of encyclopedias."
As in, me eating cheeseburgers is "isolated..."
This would be bad for the College game.
How is it that we can split up two huge rivals in a state that breathes football. If the Big 12 came close to ending, last year, when Nebraska left for the Big 10, and Colorado left for the Pac-12, this would be it. Soon, Oklahoma and Texas may go and just be a conference on their own.
The NFL preseason started last night. This was my reaction:
I watched the Eagles-Ravens game. Saw some guys I recognized. Tyrod Taylor looked OK. Jaiquawn Jarrett had a pick. (Go TU!) It was nice to see the pigskin getting hurled around, but the real stuff comes 3 weeks from tomorrow.
While watching preseason NFL is sometimes a struggle. It is better than this.
Chad, I too will be looking for a place soon. Maybe we could split a place, split the utilities, etc...
It's rare that Indiana Hoosier football is interesting, but Kevin Wilson has certainly spiced things up. First he signed a top QB in this year's recruiting class. Then there's this...
Get 'em coach. I doubt Cam Cameron or Bill Lynch would have stood up for IU like that.
With that in mind, here are numbers 25-21 in the MTA Poll:
25.) Miami (FL)- Once again, perhaps it is my wild amount of man love for a head coach that leads me to believe that his team will be a little bit better than they actually will be. Al Golden performed a miracle at my alma mater, Temple, and I think highly of him for it. Now, he is no Clint Hurdle in my book, but still...He coaxed the ultimate dead end job into a job at the U. Can you say jump in talent level?
Still though, how high the 'Canes can rise depends on the QB spot. Jacory Harris has been impressive at times and a space cadet at other times. Stephen Morris has added a bit more spice to Miami's O, but his TD-INT ratio is not much better. Losing Leonard Hankerson will hurt, but Travis Benjamin is a solid playmaker and if Lamar Miller can provide a running game behind an earthmover like Seantrel Henderson, beware of the 'Canes
Sean Spence is a Miami linebacker in the mold of Jonathan Vilma, Dan Morgan or Mike Barrow (he's not quite Raymond Lewis, though...). The 'Canes led the nation in Tackles for Loss, and the back four is being anchored by Ray Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque. So, maybe the U can be the U again soon.
Golden and D Coordinator Mark D'Onofrio led overachievers at Temple. Randy Shannon led underachievers in his time at Miami. It won't be long until the 'Canes-'Noles game is like this again...
Last Year: 7-6 (lost to Notre Dame in Sun Bowl, 33-17)
Key Losses: WR Leonard Hankerson, LB Colin McCarth
Key Returnees: RB Lamar Miller, LB Sean Spence
Key Game: September 5 @ Maryland
Prediction: 8-4 (Champs Sports Bowl)
24.) Missouri- Mizzou has won 10+ games in 3 of the last 4 years. Has anyone done it in a more nondescript way? Every big win the Tigers get (Kansas in '07, Oklahoma in '10) is followed by a painful defeat (Oklahoma in '07, Nebraska in '10), and their thought of a National Championship flower and fade quickly. Gary Pinkel has still done one of the most underrated coaching jobs in the country, and MU has a lot of talent returning.
Mizzou has actually built a solid quarterback run, with Brad Smith, Chase Daniel, and Blaine Gabbert. James Franklin hopes to be the next in line. He certainly has the talent around him with WR TJ Moe, TE Michael Egnew and RB De'Vion Moore. The Tigers will need it with road trips to Arizona State, revenge-minded Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
As much as losing Gabbert on offense hurts, losing 1st Round Pick Aldon Smith may hurt the defense equally as much. There is still certainly some skill left as Smith's backup, Brad Madison will anchor the defensive front. Also returning are Zavair Gooden, who led the team in tackles, and Kenji Jackson and Kip Edwards as returners in the secondary.
The Tigers went 8-5 the last time that they had to replace a prolific quarterback with an unproven player with a lot of potential. Expect similar results from MU, this season.
Last Year: 10-3 (Lost to Iowa in Insight Bowl, 27-24)
Key Returnees: WR T.J. Moe, LB Zaviar Gooden
Key Losses: QB Blaine Gabbert, DE Aldon Smith
Key Game: September 24 @Oklahoma
Prediction: 8-4 (Pinstripe Bowl)
23.) Georgia- Well, let's see. If Georgia wins their first 2 games, they will be in the Top 10, and a definite threat for the National Championship. If they lose their first 2 games, they will likely be looking for a new coach. No pressure. Not long ago, Mark Richt was one of those teflon SEC coaches. Now, he may be looking for a job before October 1. I guess that is what happens when you go 14-12 over 2 seasons, slip below .500 last season and lose to UCF in the Liberty Bowl.
Still, this is Georgia and they reeled in another Top 10 recruiting class. One of those recruits, RB Isaiah Crowell will be counted on to be a huge contributor a la Marcus Lattimore at fellow SEC East rival South Carolina, especially with the loss of Caleb King to academic ineligibility. Oh, and what about that AJ Green guy? Yeah, he is gone, too. Still, Aaron Murray has another year under his belt at QB, he has a reliable target in TE Orson Charles, and all of the big games (South Carolina, Mississippi State, Auburn, Boise State) will take place either between the hedges or in the state of Georgia. The heavy hitters in the SEC, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas, are noticeably missing from UGA's schedule, as well...
The defense is still looking iffy, with the loss of leading tackler Akeem Dent and reliable Justin Houston. But look out for Kwame Geathers (6'6", 350). Think mini-Terrance Cody. With Geathers eating up blockers, also look for LB Christian Robinson to roam free and make plays. Look out for the Georgia Specialty Teams, as well, with a pair of All-Americans, K Blair Walsh and P Drew Butler. Ultimately, Mark Richt is a great coach, and even a split in the two opening games (Boise State, South Carolina) could set the 'Dawgs on a path to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
If this were a mascot poll, though. UGA would be #1. I mean look at this guy, he's #1 in my book...
Last Year: 6-7 (Lost to Central Florida in Liberty Bowl, 10-6)
Key Losses: WR AJ Green, LB Akeem Dent
Key Returnees: QB Aaron Murray, LB Christian Robinson
Key Game: September 10 v. South Carolina
Prediction: 8-4 (Chick-fil-A Bowl)
22.) West Virginia- Perhaps no team outside of Columbus had more eventful/stressful off-season as they did in Morgantown. I can't think of too many "coach-in-waiting" situations that have gone smoothly, but what happened at WVU took it to a new level. "Awww shucks" Bill Stewart digging up dirt on a guy who was supposed to be his friend and successor? Ouch. Don Nehlen and Sam Huff would not be pleased. However, the final product may work for the best if you are a Mountaineer fan.
West Virginia won under Stewart, but there was always a sense that WVU was underachieving for the talent that they had. Now with Dana Holgorsen, the latest offensive genius in control, the Mountaineer offense may hum the way it did with Pat White and Steve Slaton (and Rich Rodriguez), even without Noel Devine. It certainly has a premier pilot with Geno Smith, who may be tailor-made for Holgorsen's offense. Veteran wideouts Tavon Austin and Brad Starks may set the stage for a Mountaineer explosion, especially in the average (at best) Big East.
Bruce Irvin may have been the best backup, at any position in the country. The animal D-End had 14 sacks and was only a 3rd Down guy! Chris Nield will be missed in the middle of Jeff Casteel's 3-3-5 defense. The linebackers are a little bit less experienced, but Najee Goode is coming off of a solid season. The back 5, anchored by multiple-year starter, Keith Tandy should be solid, as Casteel's defense always seems to be. There is a reason Holgorsen kept Jeff on board.
In the end, I think the Big East will come down to December 1 in Tampa. Going on the road to face the Bulls has been bad news for the Mountaineers in each of their last 2 visits. I think that that will continue, this season. Still, talking about WVU allows me to play one of my favorite tunes...
Last Year: 9-4 (lost to N.C. State in Champs Sports Bowl, 23-7)
Key Losses: RB Noel Devine, DT Chris Nield
Key Returnees: QB Geno Smith, DE Bruce Irvin
Key Game: December 1 @South Florida
Prediction: 9-3 (Champs Sports Bowl)
21. Clemson- Surprised? Well, one of these years, the Tigers are going to have to put it all together, right? I know, I know, no one does less with more than Clemson. But it seems that Clemson works in reverse order, when much is expected, little is delivered and vice versa. Now, Dabo Swinney's job is on the line, and he recruited that way, with the Tigers landing a top 15 class.
I don't think that many Tiger fans will be in despair over the loss of average QB Kyle Parker to baseball. Where is the great difference between E.J. Manuel at Florida State and Tajh Boyd at Clemson? Both are yet unproven with great physical skills. People are gaga over the 'Noles but doubting the Tigers. Why? I love Andre Ellington. This dude runs with bad intentions, and I think he could be the next 1st Round NFL guy from Clemson. Bringing back four Offensive Lineman should help, too.
Losing Da'Quan Bowers obviously hurts the defense, but Andre Branch may be a smaller version of Mr. Bowers. Corico Hawkins is coming off a solid season at linebacker. Though he only had 1 start, he ended 3rd on the team in tackles.
In the end, it does not much matter who is returning and who isn't, because Clemson always has talent. A three week grind of Auburn, Florida State and at Virginia Tech will likely set the road map for the season, and don't forget that Clemson had the eventual National Champions down big at halftime at Auburn.
Perhaps Coach Swinney should show this video to his team at the half and that would cure their ills.
You ready now?
Last Year: 6-7 (Lost to South Florida in Meineke Car Care Bowl, 31-26)
Key Losses: RB Jaime Harper, DE Da'Quan Bowers
Key Returnees: RB Andre Ellington, DE Andre Branch
Key Game: September 24 v. Florida State
Prediction: 9-3 (Sun Bowl)
In keeping with the game show theme. This is my favorite...
Now, off to Wegman's...
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