News Archive for College Football

College Bowl Game Predictions

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

BSCThe college bowl schedule kicks off today with two opening games on the schedule as Wyoming meets Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl and Central Florida hooks up with Rutgers in the St. Petersburg Bowl.   College football fans will be treated to 34 games over 20 days culminating with Alabama and Texas deciding this year’s national champions.

This year’s matchups pair what appear to be some with three teams favored by double-digit spreads and twelve team favored by a touchdown or more.  While Vegas is seeing a lot of mismatches, there appears to be some great upsets brewing.   I am projecting right now seven underdogs achieving outright victories and sixteen underdogs covering the spread.

My biggest underdog covers include SMU, Boston College, Northwestern, East Carolina and Boise State.  My biggest underdog outright victories are Texas A&M and Stanford.

Bowl Matchup Spread Winner Cover
New Mexico Bowl Wyoming vs. Fresno State Fresno State by 11 Fresno State Fresno State
St. Petersburg Bowl Central Florida vs. Rutgers EVEN Central Florida Central Florida
New Orleans Bowl Middle Tenn St vs.Southern Miss Southern Miss by 4 Southern Miss Middle Tenn St
Las Vegas Bowl BYU vs. Oregon State Oregon State by 3 BYU BYU
Poinsettia Bowl Utah vs. California EVEN Utah Utah
Hawaii Bowl SMU vs. Nevada Nevada by 15 Nevada SMU
Little Caesars Bowl Ohio vs. Marshall Ohio by 3 Ohio Ohio
Meineke Care Bowl North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh Pittsburgh by 3 Pitt North Carolina
Emerald Bowl Boston College vs. USC USC by 9 USC BC
Music City Bowl Kentucky vs. Clemson Clemson by 7½ Clemson Clemson
Independence Bowl Texas A&M vs. Georgia Georgia by 7 Texas A&M Texas A&M
Eagle Bank Bowl UCLA vs. Temple EVEN Temple Temple
Champs Sports Bowl Wisconsin vs. Miami Miami by 3 Miami Miami
Humanitarian Bowl Bowling Green vs. Idaho Bowling Green by 2 Bowling Green Bowling Green
Holiday Bowl Nebraska vs. Arizona Arizona by 1½ Nebraska Nebraska
Armed Forces Bowl Air Force vs. Houston Houston by 4½ Air Force Air Force
Sun Bowl Stanford vs. Oklahoma Oklahoma by 8 Stanford Stanford
Texas Bowl Navy vs. Missouri EVEN Navy Navy
Insight Bowl Iowa State vs. Minnesota Minnesota by 3 Minnesota Minnesota
Chick Fil-A Bowl Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech Virginia Tech by 4½ Virginia Tech Tennessee
Outback Bowl Northwestern vs. Auburn Auburn by 7½ Auburn Northwestern
Capital One Bowl LSU vs. Penn St. Penn St. by 3 Penn State Penn State
Gator Bowl Florida State vs. West Virginia West Virginia by 3 West Virginia West Virginia
Rose Bowl Ohio State vs. Oregon Oregon by 3½ Oregon Oregon
Sugar Bowl Cincinnati vs. Florida Florida by 11 Florida Florida
International Bowl Northern Illinois vs. South Florida South Florida by 7 South Florida South Florida
Papa John’s Bowl Connecticut vs. South Carolina South Carolina by 4½ Connecticut Connecticut
Cotton Bowl Mississippi vs. Oklahoma State Mississippi by 3 Oklahoma State Oklahoma State
Liberty Bowl Arkansas vs. East Carolina Arkansas by 8 Arkansas East Carolina
Alamo Bowl Michigan State vs. Texas Tech Texas Tech by 8 Texas Tech Texas Tech
Fiesta Bowl Boise State vs. TCU TCU by 7 TCU Boise State
Orange Bowl Iowa vs. Georgia Tech Georgia Tech by 4 Georgia Tech Iowa
Gmac Bowl Troy vs. Central Michigan Central Michigan by 3 Central Michigan Central Michigan
BCS Championship Texas vs. Alabama Alabama by 5 Alabama Alabama

Looking at conference performance, here’s how I see it playing out:

Bowl Matchup
Atlantic Coast 4-3
Big East 4-2
Big Ten 2-4
Big 12 4-4
C-USA 2-4
Mountain West 4-1
Pac-10 3-4
Southeastern 4-6
Western Athletic 2-2

The SEC might be the power conference, but they got some unfavorable matchup.  I think the Big 12 and Big East are going to surprise some opponents.  The Mountain West is going to do some damage and really stoke the argument that they deserve an automatic BCS invite.

As for the National Championship game, I am seeing a major blowout.  Given Texas’ performance against ranked opponents and closing out its season on some very poor play, this just seems like a mismatch of grand proportion.  TCU and Cincinnati were much more deserving of a spot in the Championship Game and Alabama is going to apply a major smackdown that will likely drop Colt McCoy’s NFL stock drop tremendously when he loses the game single-handedly.

Overall, this bowl season looks to be exciting.  We have a lot of underdogs with solid shots at upsets which should make the next 20 days enjoyable for all to watch.

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Posted in Alabama University, Arizona University, Arkansas University, Auburn University, Boise State University, Boston College, Brigham Young University, California University, Cincinnati University, Clemson University, Connecticut University, East Carolina University, Florida State University, Florida University, Fresno State University, Georgia Tech University, Georgia University, Houston University, Idaho University, Iowa State University, Iowa University, Kentucky University, Lousiana State University, Marshall University, Michigan State University, Minnesota University, Missouri University, Navy, Nebraska University, Nevada University, North Carolina University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma University, Ole Miss University, Oregon State University, Oregon University, Penn State University, Pittsburgh University, Rutgers University, South Carolina University, Southern Cal University, Southern Methodist University, Southern Miss University, Stanford University, Tennessee University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, Texas University, UCLA University, University Central Florida, University Miami Florida, University South Florida, Utah University, Virginia Tech University, West Virginia University, Wisconsin University, Wyoming University, college football | 1 Comment »

Making The Heisman Case For Ndamukong Suh

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The Heisman Trophy finalist were announced on December 7th with a shocker…a defensive player from Nebraska was invited to the party.  His name is Ndamuko Suh and he is the first defensive player invited to the Downtown Athletic Club since 1997 when Charles Woodson won the award, albeit more for his playing multiple positions than just his defensive prowess.

The fact that a defensive player has yet to win the award for his position performance diminishes what the Heisman Trophy stands for.  The award is handed out annually to the  most outstanding collegiate football player.  So why has only one defensive player ever been recognized and only recognized for what he did when not playing defense?  Does it suggests that no defensive player can ever win this award and be acknowledged.

To take nothing away from Charles Woodson, the guy didn’t win it specifically just for his defensive play.  Woodson returned kicks and also played wide receiver on that great Michigan squad.  He won the award, fittingly, for being the best athlete, not specifically his play at cornerback.  If Woodson had not been so versatile it is unlikely he wins the award.

That’s brings us back to Suh.  Can he become the first Heisman winner selected because of his body of work just on defense.  Hugh Green came the closest with his second place finish in 1980.  Steve Emtman came close in 1991, but ended up fourth in the voting in what many describe as the greatest single season by a defensive player in the history of the game.  Emtman’s 1991 season earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

If we agree that Emtman’s 1991 season is the standard, then lets get the votes in now for Suh.  During that undefeated national championship season run, Emtman tallied 60 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.  Additionally, his team held opponents to 9.6 points per game.  Emtman was the star and his performance on the field merited him the #1 pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.

In comparison, here is how Suh stacks up playing the same exact position.  82 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 24 quartback hurries, 10 passes defended, 3 blocked kicks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.  Additionally, the Nebraska defense allowed just 11.2 points per game and opposing offenses averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.  In almost every category, Suh outperforms Emtman except in points per game because Washington had a better supporting cast.  One more thing, he still has one more game to play!

More importantly is how Suh performed in the “big game” against Texas in the Big 12 Championship.  He recorded 10 solo tackles, 12 total tackles and 4.5 sacks.  It was a truly dominating performance on national stage. During one play, Suh grabbed McCoy for a sack and threw him about 6 yards from where he was standing.  Catch the video included here to see that play.

All said, if the Heisman voters are not going to award Suh for what can be hailed as one of the truly greatest collegiate seasons by a defensive player in the history of the sport, we will never see a defensive player awarded the Heisman Trophy specifically on the merits of his defensive play.

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Posted in Nebraska University, college football | No Comments »

Texas Undeserving of BCS Title Game, Whose To Blame?

Sunday, December 6th, 2009
Colt McCoy Steers An Undesjavascript:;erving Texas To BCS Title Game

Colt McCoy Steers An Undeserving Texas To BCS Title Game

Very few college football fans will disagree that Texas University is questionable at best of deserving the opportunity to play in the BCS National Championship title game.  Talk with a handful of people, you’ll hear backing for TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State consistently in the conversation.  With 3 other undefeated teams on the outside looking in, the calls for a playoff system are sure to blow up at the end of this college football season.

But is the BCS system really to blame?

In actuality, the BCS system is just a mathematical model…nothing more.  It combines data inputs from various polls, both human and computer, to give weight to multiple voices in the debate.  Its democracy in action.  The only drawback is the included conferences / at-large bid issues that determine who plays, which doesn’t impact the final two choices at all.

People are up in arms once again that perhaps the wrong teams are playing in the final game.  The BCS is not to blame, it is the people casting votes in the polls and the inappropriate weight being applied to certain conferences.  The story behind Texas getting into this title game details the problem.

Texas began the season rated #2 in both the coaches poll and AP poll.  Alabama leapfrogged Texas in the AP poll during week 6 after a dominating victory over Ole Miss, but it maintained the #3 spot until the final poll.   Those voting in these polls maintained a standard that you don’t drop until you are beaten, regardless of schedule or opponent.  And this rang extremely true for Texas.

The first signs of trouble in Austin showed up in Game 3, when Texas got outplayed on the field but took the victory on the scoreboard against Texas Tech.  Next up was the pathetic showing against an Oklahoma squad which lost its Heisman Trophy winning quarterback early in the first quarter.  Then came the Thanksgiving Night embarrassment against Texas A&M where the #3 defense in NCAA football was lit up for 532 yards.  Finally, they win a nail-biter against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game while displaying embarrassing clock management on the game-winning drive.

Despite the evident lackluster results on the field, none of the voters deemed it necessary to drop Texas a peg when teams like TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State racked up impressive performances one after another.  In fact, two AP voters and four Coaches poll voters still believe Texas is the best team in the country.   These voters disregarded what was seen on the field and cast their vote based solely on the fact Texas escaped with a victory.   Due to this short-sightedness, we are robbed of seeing a more fitting national championship game.

More concerning is that Texas got a pass on a weak schedule.  Loading its schedule with patsies like Louisiana-Monroe, Wyoming and UTEP, all of which failed to post winning records in second-tier conferences.  Its toughest non-conference foe was UCF, which is not saying much.  As for the Big 12 conference this year, calling it a down year is being nice.

On the other hand, TCU posted impressive victories over BYU and Utah, Boise State scored a big victory over Oregon and Cincinnati has shown mettle all year long with tremendous 4th quarter performances.

So in the end, it is not the BCS that is to blame, it is the people filling out the polls.  The BCS just computes what the voters submit.  And we can blame the six people that voted Texas #1 in the two human polls from robbing TCU, Cincinnati, and Boise State, whom on their merits earned the right to play in the big game much more than Texas with their performance on the field.

They just didn’t get the proper recognition in the preseason polls as Texas did and are now being punished for it.

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Posted in Alabama University, Boise State University, Cincinnati University, Texas Christian University, Texas University, college football | 2 Comments »

Cincinnati Pulls Off Thriller, National Championship Hopes Still Alive

Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Mardy Gilyard Speaks Cincinnati Comeback

Mardy Gilyard Speaks Cincinnati Comeback

The National Championship hopes of Cincinnati were almost dashed by an upstart Pitt defense, pulling off a huge comeback victory at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.  With its 45-44 victory, Cincinnati earned an automatic bid to a BCS bowl game and must await the results of the Big 12 Championship game between Texas and Nebraska.   A Texas loss will likely lead to Cincinnati earning an invite to the Rose Bowl and a shot at the national championship.

Flustered by the Pitt defense, the high-powered Cincinnati offense failed to fire as it had all season leading up to the Big East championship game, often looking unprepared and out of sync.  Entering the game, Cincinnati led the NCAA in least turnovers, having only 2 fumbles lost and 5 interceptions for the entire season.  Heisman Trophy candidate Tony Pike committed three interceptions that hamstrung his team and led to a sideline verbal altercation with head coach Brian Kelly.

Pitt initiated its game plan to perfection in the first half, feeding the ball to its star running back Dion Lewis 12 times on the opening drive as Pittsburgh got on the board first at 7-0.   Cincinnati responded quickly on the next drive with a quick touchdown drive, highlighted  by 40 yard run by Isaiah Pead, to tie the score at 7-7.

Riding the legs of Lewis, Pitt fed the ball over and over again to their offensive stud, driving them down the field before a 22 yard TD pass from Bill Stull to Jonathan Baldwin to open the second quarter.  Cincinnati once again moved quickly down the field, but was halted by a terrific goal line stand by Pitt, settling for a field goal to bring the score to 14-10.

The momentum shifted fast into the direction of Pitt, as Stull completed a 23-yard pass to Mike Shanahan, followed by a 40 yard touchdown strike to Baldwin that gave Pitt a 21-10 lead.  Cincinnati went to the air to close the gap, but Pike was intercepted on a sideline thrown by Dom Decicco.  Pitt seized the opportunity feeding the ball once again to Lewis and scoring a field goal to extend their lead to 24-10.  On the ensuing drive, the Pittsburgh defense held serve again.  Cincinnati punter Jake Rogers then mishandled the punt snap and Pittburgh took over on downs at the Cincinnati 5.  Pittsburgh quickly capitalized with a 3 yard plunge by QB Stull to extend the lead to 31-10.

Looking down-and-out, Cincinnati needed a big play to shift the momentum.  All-American WR Mardy Gilyard responded by returning the kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to close the gap to 31-17.  The Cincinnati defense then came up big, getting a stop deep in Pitt territory with time running out.  A poor Pitt punt, combined with a 15-yard personal foul gave Cincinnati the ball on the Pitt 35.  QB Tony Pike then telegraphed a rollout pass that was intercepted by Elijiah Field.  On the very next play, Pitt turned the ball back over when Stull was intercepted by Cincinnati’s Aaron Webster as the first half came to an end.

Cincinnati got on the board first in the second half, with Tony Pike engineering another scoring drive which was highlighted by a 68-yard catch and run by Gilyard to bring the score to 31-24.  Pitt coach Dave Wannestedt kept with his conservative approach, grinding it out on the ground, but not with the same success as in first half, as Cincy got the ball back again after holding Lewis in check.

Following a great 50-yard punt out-of-bounds by Pitt’s Dan Hutchins, Cincy went back on offense with a quick attack mentality.  After a 7 yard rush by Pead and 16 yard catch by Armon Binns, Pike made an ill-advised heave down field that was intercepted by Pitt’s Jarred Holley at the Pitt 17.  As Pike came of the field, heated words were exchanged between Pike and Coach Brian Kelly.  Kelly called for backup QB Zach Collaros to begin warming up on the sidelines, signaling an end to Tony Pike’s day at the helm.

As the game moved into 4th quarter, fireworks exploded as the teams went back and forth with scoring drives.  Cincinnati sent Tony Pike back on the field to finish what he started and Coach Brian Kelly was not to be disappointed in his decision.   Pitt struck first with a 15-yard touchdown run by Lewis to make the score 38-24 with 12:26 to go.  Cincy’s Gilyard once again stood up and delivered a 49 yard kick return to setup a D.J. Wood touchdown reception, but Cincy kicker Jake Rogers nailed the upright, missing the extra point to leave the score at 38-30.

Pitt followed with a 3-and-out, giving Pike another chance to drive his team down the field and he delivered, directing a 7 play, 68 yard drive to close the gap to 38-36.  Pike then hooked up with Gilyard for a two-point conversion reception to tie the score at 38-38 with 5:46 left in the game.

The ball was placed back into Dion Lewis’ hands, as Pitt fed their workhorse all the way down the field for a final 5-yard touchdown run by Lewis.  The star running back ended the day with 47 carries for 195 yards, as well as 5 catches for 34 yards.  Unfortunately for Pitt, bad luck turned their way, as they mishandled the extra point snap, leaving the door open for a comeback with the lead at 44-38 with 1:36 to play.

Cue Tony Pike…Superstar.   Pike put his struggles behind him, completing four straight passes for 70 yards, culminating in the game winning touchdown to Armon Binns with 0:33 left on the clock.  The Cincy defense then did its job, shutting down the Pitt passing game for the victory.

Despite all the media attention shone on Brian Kelly this week and the rumors he is leaving Cincinnati to take the head coaching job at Notre Dame, Cincinnati was able to pull it all together in the 4th quarter to keep its championship hopes alive.  And Tony Pike made sure that references to another Tony famous for choking in big games…Romo…would not be levied upon him by delivering when it counted in the end.

Given the performance put on today by the Cincinnati Bearcats, if they are not in the national championship game, a playoff system needs to be instituted to award such great play.

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Posted in Cincinnati University, Pittsburgh University, college football | No Comments »

Can anyone lasso the Gators

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators Cannot Be Tamed

Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators Cannot Be Tamed

The college football season is winding down and the only question on my mind is; Can anyone take down the mighty Gators. My answer is No. Florida is clearly leaps and bounds ahead of any of the teams that pose a threat to them repeating as National Champions.  Florida has the most and deepest  talent among any team. Add the best college football player of all-time in Tim Tebow, and you have a unstoppable machine. Oh yes, they have a pretty good head coach in Urban Meyer.

Florida will begin their march for this national championship in the SEC championship game on DEC 5 against second rated Alabama. This is a good test before the championship game ,but it will be the combination of  talent and Tebow that will carry the Gators to victory. When they defeat Bama, they will probably either face Texas, TCU or Cincinnati for the title. Those teams are good but not good enough to lasso a victory from the Gators. I think TCU would give them the best game.

Tim Tebow is one of my favorite College Football players of All-Time. I love his intensity and his drive to win is second to none. Like me, he justs hates to lose.  He has the heart of a champion. This is infectious to his teammates and  gets the most out of them because of it. Florida, Tebow, and Meyer will go out unbeaten and add another Championship trophy to the mantle. I  consider it a privilege to be able tow watch a player like Tim Tebow perform over the years, you will never see another player like him. Don’t miss his last two games.

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Posted in Alabama University, Alabama University, Cincinnati University, Florida University, Texas Christian University, Texas University, college football | 1 Comment »

It’s Time For a College Football Playoff

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Tony Pike Has Lead Cincinnati To Undefeated Record

Tony Pike Has Lead Cincinnati To Undefeated Record

Don’t you think it is time for a playoff in college football. In my opinion the BCS standings are flawed. To narrow it down to just two teams based on the current standings just doesn’t work for me. I do not like the fact that you can defeat a team early in the season and then get penalized later in the season because that team suffered another loss further into the season.  Another factor is the biased that can be shown for a particular school by the people voting.

My solution is to take the top eight teams and have a playoff. You would have 1-8,2-7 and so on. Yes this would add a couple more games for the schools but they could get rid of one game during the regular season. You would do this January of course and the students are off during this time for winter recess. This playoff would lead to no disputing of a true national champion. This playoff also incorporates the BCS standings so that will still stay vital in determining the playoff teams.

Right now you have six unbeaten teams. Florida, Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati, and Boise St. Teams seven and eight are Oregon and Ohio State respectively. Ohio State at # 8 is a full 103 points ahead of the number nine team Iowa. So you see this would work ,and who would not like to see a team like TCU or Boise St. get a chance to knock off a bigger power in a playoff.

I love college football with a passion. It is time to get away from tradition and give the fans what they want and deserve. I only hope that in the near future this dream playoff becomes a reality.

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Posted in Alabama University, Boise State University, Cincinnati University, Florida University, Ohio State University, Oregon University, Texas Christian University, Texas University, college football | No Comments »

Bowden Wants To Return in 2010

Sunday, November 29th, 2009
Bobby Bowden Says He Wants To Return in 2010

Bobby Bowden Says He Wants To Return in 2010

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach is reporting that Bobby Bowden has shared his desire to return as head coach in 2010.   After declining comment about his future after the 37-10 rout to rival Florida on Saturday, Bowden expressed his desire to meet with FSU officials to extend his contract for another year.

After completing his third six loss season in four years, the pressure has been on Bowden to step down and retire with dignity from alumni.  According to ESPN’s report, Bowden said he would only return to the sideline next season if he was FSU’s head coach, eliminating the possibility of him returning in an advisory role next season.  With Bowden’s statement, the gauntlet has be laid down for a difficult December in Tallahassee as Bowden attempts to wield his legacy for one more year to continue to build on his 388 career wins.

Sitting in the middle of the impending fiasco is Head Coach in Waiting, Jimbo Fisher.  Hired in 2007, Fisher signed a contract with Florida State University that provided for a balloon payment of $5 million if not placed into the head coach position by 2011.

Perhaps there is any easy resolution to this quandry around Bowden’s coaching future.  Based on USA Today’s database of college football coaching salaries, Bowden earned slightly over $2.3 million for his 2009 campaign.  This rates him as the 16th highest paid college football coach and the highest paid Florida state employee.  If Bowden’s desire is to leave on his terms and complete unfinished business, then accepting a $1 salary for 2010 seems to make sense. Not only will this cement his legacy as one of the most dedicated coach, he can provide significant help towards Florida’s state budget deficit crisis.

What do you say Bobby?  Is it about winning or is it money?  We’ll soon find out.

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Posted in Florida State University, college football | No Comments »