#6 THE NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BO PELINI OVERALL RECORD (30-12)
AT HOME UNDER PELINI (17-5)
AWAY UNDER PELINI (10-4)
VS TOP 10 UNDER PELINI (1-5)
VS FORMERLY BIG 12 (17-9) FIRST SEASON IN BIG 10
RETURNING STARTERS 12 FIVE ON OFFENSE AND SEVEN ON DEFENSE
QB TAYLOR MARTINEZ 1631 YARDS 10-7 TD TO INT 965 YARDS RSH 12 TD
RB REX BURKHEAD (BACKUP LY) 951 YARDS AND 7 TD
MLB LAVONTE DAVID 152 TKLS 6 SACKS 9 FOR LOSS
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) CHATTANOOGA
SEP.10 (H) FRESNO STATE
SEP.17 (H) WASHINGTON
SEP.24 @ WYOMING
OCT.1 @ WISCONSIN
OCT.8 (H) OHIO STATE
OCT.15 BYE
OCT.22 @ MINNESOTA
OCT.29 (H) MICHIGAN STATE
NOV.5 (H) NORTHWESTERN
NOV.12 @ PENN STATE
NOV.19 @ MICHIGAN
NOV.25 (H) IOWA (FRIDAY)
DEC.3 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
WHY #6
Nebraska has returned to the national spot light the last few years under Bo Pelini. In the mid 90's Nebraska was the best college football program in the nation winning multiple national championships. Nebraska was hurt by being in the Big 12 North for those years after the amazing run in the 90's as they didnt play major spot light games every week. Kansas,Kansas State,Iowa State have not been major players for years. I will always argue that the Big 12 North held Nebraska back for the last few years due to the lack of good teams in the division as it created bad TV slots and possible high school players lost interest in the chance to play at Nebraska. Pelini has done a wonderful job of bringing back the hard nosed blackshirt defense that once was a terror on the nation. Allowing only 17.4 points per game last year that defense returns 7 players and they have been seriously good since the arrival of Pelini 3 years ago. I don't see any loss of production on the defensive side of the ball this year. On Offense I would say that it will honestly be all on the shoulders of Taylor Martinez's growth progress. If he is a improved passer by just 50% the Huskers offense will flourish. Taylor ran for almost 1000 yards last year and 12 TD more TDs then anybody on the team. If his passing numbers get to 18 and 7 TD to INT and he keeps up solid production on the ground the Huskers offense around him will fall into place. I Hate Nebraska's schedule. They play Wisconsin,Penn State,and Michigan all on the road with the last two being back to back games. They also draw Iowa and Ohio State this year. The three road games are to 3 of the hardest places to play in the nation and back to back at Penn state and Michigan is going to be a testament to this teams will. I think the huskers open 4-0 and the season will rest on the game @ Wisconsin on OCT.1st. If the Huskers go on the road and win that game I see a 11-1 season and a trip to the first ever Big Ten Championship game.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
AD Top 15.......# SEVEN
#7 THE FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY JIMBO FISHER OVERALL RECORD (10-4)
AT HOME UNDER FISHER (6-1)
AWAY UNDER FISHER (3-2)
VS TOP 10 UNDER FISHER (0-1)
VS ACC UNDER FISHER (6-3)
PREVIOUS RECORD (10-4)
RETURNING STARTERS 17 NINE ON OFFENSE AND EIGHT ON DEFENSE
QB JR. EJ MANUEL 861 YARDS AND 4-4 TD TO INT RATIO
RB CHRIS THOMPSON 845 YARDS AND 6 TD
WR WILLIE HAULSTEAD 551 YARDS AND 5 TD
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) ULM
SEP.10 (H) CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
SEP.17 (H) OKLAHOMA
SEP.24 @ CLEMSON
OCT.1 BYE
OCT.8 @ WAKE FOREST
OCT.15 @ DUKE
OCT.22 (H) MARYLAND
OCT.29 (H) NC STATE
NOV.3 @ BOSTON COLLEGE
NOV.12 (H) MIAMI
NOV.19 (H) VIRGINIA
NOV.26 @ FLORIDA
DEC.3 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP
WHY #7
The Bobby Bowden years were some of the most successful years in any programs history. We all knew that era had to come to an end at some point in time,and Florida State did a very good job preparing for that with the hiring of now HC Jimbo Fisher as the coach in waiting. Jimbo in his first season at the helm of the Seminoles in some of the biggest shoes that anybody could ever fill in for did a darn good job last season. Ten wins a good bowl win vs a SEC school and has plenty of returning talent coming back this season to challenge for a ACC championship and BCS Game birth. The Noles Return 17 starters on this team. Eight on a defense that was really good last year only allowing 19.6 points per game and 354 yards per game. Of the 354 only 129 of that was rushing allowed. I would bet that number will only improve this season with all of those returning starters on that side of the ball. The offense is really balanced three running backs that had at least 5 touchdowns and three wide receivers all with big play ability all return this season. The real question starts with EJ Manuel. Most people love him and think he is a future great QB in Florida State history. I believe he showed that potential but that he played vs the worst Florida team in 10 years also a battered South Carolina team in the Bowl. So I guess I am at minimal questioning how great he really is because I haven't yet seen him in a gigantic game vs a top 15 team. We will see just that very early in the schedule for the seminoles. They play at home vs Oklahoma in a game I label as a National Landscape game. A game that will change the course of this college football season for not just 2 teams but as many as ten. If EJ Manuel and Florida State can beat Oklahoma I honestly believe they will run the rest of the table and play for the national title. I don't think it is going to happen though. I see a loss to Oklahoma and somebody will sneak up on Florida State Throughout the season. I see 10-2 with a trip to the ACC Championship game.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY JIMBO FISHER OVERALL RECORD (10-4)
AT HOME UNDER FISHER (6-1)
AWAY UNDER FISHER (3-2)
VS TOP 10 UNDER FISHER (0-1)
VS ACC UNDER FISHER (6-3)
PREVIOUS RECORD (10-4)
RETURNING STARTERS 17 NINE ON OFFENSE AND EIGHT ON DEFENSE
QB JR. EJ MANUEL 861 YARDS AND 4-4 TD TO INT RATIO
RB CHRIS THOMPSON 845 YARDS AND 6 TD
WR WILLIE HAULSTEAD 551 YARDS AND 5 TD
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) ULM
SEP.10 (H) CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
SEP.17 (H) OKLAHOMA
SEP.24 @ CLEMSON
OCT.1 BYE
OCT.8 @ WAKE FOREST
OCT.15 @ DUKE
OCT.22 (H) MARYLAND
OCT.29 (H) NC STATE
NOV.3 @ BOSTON COLLEGE
NOV.12 (H) MIAMI
NOV.19 (H) VIRGINIA
NOV.26 @ FLORIDA
DEC.3 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP
WHY #7
The Bobby Bowden years were some of the most successful years in any programs history. We all knew that era had to come to an end at some point in time,and Florida State did a very good job preparing for that with the hiring of now HC Jimbo Fisher as the coach in waiting. Jimbo in his first season at the helm of the Seminoles in some of the biggest shoes that anybody could ever fill in for did a darn good job last season. Ten wins a good bowl win vs a SEC school and has plenty of returning talent coming back this season to challenge for a ACC championship and BCS Game birth. The Noles Return 17 starters on this team. Eight on a defense that was really good last year only allowing 19.6 points per game and 354 yards per game. Of the 354 only 129 of that was rushing allowed. I would bet that number will only improve this season with all of those returning starters on that side of the ball. The offense is really balanced three running backs that had at least 5 touchdowns and three wide receivers all with big play ability all return this season. The real question starts with EJ Manuel. Most people love him and think he is a future great QB in Florida State history. I believe he showed that potential but that he played vs the worst Florida team in 10 years also a battered South Carolina team in the Bowl. So I guess I am at minimal questioning how great he really is because I haven't yet seen him in a gigantic game vs a top 15 team. We will see just that very early in the schedule for the seminoles. They play at home vs Oklahoma in a game I label as a National Landscape game. A game that will change the course of this college football season for not just 2 teams but as many as ten. If EJ Manuel and Florida State can beat Oklahoma I honestly believe they will run the rest of the table and play for the national title. I don't think it is going to happen though. I see a loss to Oklahoma and somebody will sneak up on Florida State Throughout the season. I see 10-2 with a trip to the ACC Championship game.
AD Top 15........# EIGHT
#8 THE NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BRIAN KELLY OVERALL RECORD (61-27)
NOTRE DAME UNDER KELLY (8-5)
AT HOME UNDER KELLY (4-3)
AWAY UNDER KELLY (2-1)
VS TOP 10 UNDER KELLY NO GAMES PLAYED
PREVIOUS RECORD (8-5)
RETURNING STARTERS 17 NINE ON OFFENSE AND EIGHT ON DEFENSE
QB- EITHER DAYNE CRIST OR TOMMY REES OR ANDREW HINDRIX
WR MICHAEL FLOYD 1025 YARDS 12 TDS
LB MANTI TE'O 133 TKL
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) USF
SEP.10 @ MICHIGAN
SEP.17 (H) MICHIGAN ST
SEP.24 @ PITTSBURG
OCT.1 @ PURDUE
OCT.8 (H) AIR FORCE
OCT.15 BYE
OCT.22 (H) USC
OCT.29 (H) NAVY
NOV.5 @ WAKE FOREST
NOV.12 MARYLAND (LANDOVER)
NOV.19 (H) BOSTON COLLEGE
NOV.26 @ STANFORD
DEC.3 BYE
WHY #8
Notre Dame has finally found the coach of the future in Brian Kelly. A guy who can install a spread passing attack. What Notre Dame needed was something a bit newer age to compete at the highest level again. Notre Dame is willing to lax their admission process a bit but they do keep some integrity and some elite level guys just can't get in. That makes Brians job hard,but is exactly why I think he is the guy for the job. He has proven to do great things with less and he will fight that battle at Notre Dame each year. Not that high school players don't want to go to Notre Dame they do. ND just will not take them all like other major programs do. Now that we have went over the challenges of the job let's talk some positives. They are easy to find. National television every game and that is why they are perceived as media darlings. That in some since is true although ND won't play a top ten team every week this season a few wins in a row will place them in the top 10 for sure and it will be quickly like after the Michigan game. So part of this ranking is just based upon how I know the media will react to a nice start for the Fighting Irish out of the gates. Now to so real numbers. 17 returning starters is a great number. The one position that is a big question mark is the most important one and that is QB. CRIST Rees or even HINDRIX could be in play. Recent reports even mention up to four QBs taking snaps on a rotation. I Don't like unrest at QB, but the first two both played well last year and I just feel with Kellys playbook and play calling ability that he will keep them out of trouble on his own. Could be ND's best defense in years but I wouldn't call them elite. I would title them good and I really feel they will be able to bring some good pressure to opposing QBs this year with LB MANTI TE'O 133 TKL in command of the defense . I look over the schedule and I see a bunch of wins including Michigan and Michigan state both. I feel that USC,@Stanford and @Pittsburg are the toughest challenges. I will take ND at an even 10 wins and a at large BCS game.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BRIAN KELLY OVERALL RECORD (61-27)
NOTRE DAME UNDER KELLY (8-5)
AT HOME UNDER KELLY (4-3)
AWAY UNDER KELLY (2-1)
VS TOP 10 UNDER KELLY NO GAMES PLAYED
PREVIOUS RECORD (8-5)
RETURNING STARTERS 17 NINE ON OFFENSE AND EIGHT ON DEFENSE
QB- EITHER DAYNE CRIST OR TOMMY REES OR ANDREW HINDRIX
WR MICHAEL FLOYD 1025 YARDS 12 TDS
LB MANTI TE'O 133 TKL
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) USF
SEP.10 @ MICHIGAN
SEP.17 (H) MICHIGAN ST
SEP.24 @ PITTSBURG
OCT.1 @ PURDUE
OCT.8 (H) AIR FORCE
OCT.15 BYE
OCT.22 (H) USC
OCT.29 (H) NAVY
NOV.5 @ WAKE FOREST
NOV.12 MARYLAND (LANDOVER)
NOV.19 (H) BOSTON COLLEGE
NOV.26 @ STANFORD
DEC.3 BYE
WHY #8
Notre Dame has finally found the coach of the future in Brian Kelly. A guy who can install a spread passing attack. What Notre Dame needed was something a bit newer age to compete at the highest level again. Notre Dame is willing to lax their admission process a bit but they do keep some integrity and some elite level guys just can't get in. That makes Brians job hard,but is exactly why I think he is the guy for the job. He has proven to do great things with less and he will fight that battle at Notre Dame each year. Not that high school players don't want to go to Notre Dame they do. ND just will not take them all like other major programs do. Now that we have went over the challenges of the job let's talk some positives. They are easy to find. National television every game and that is why they are perceived as media darlings. That in some since is true although ND won't play a top ten team every week this season a few wins in a row will place them in the top 10 for sure and it will be quickly like after the Michigan game. So part of this ranking is just based upon how I know the media will react to a nice start for the Fighting Irish out of the gates. Now to so real numbers. 17 returning starters is a great number. The one position that is a big question mark is the most important one and that is QB. CRIST Rees or even HINDRIX could be in play. Recent reports even mention up to four QBs taking snaps on a rotation. I Don't like unrest at QB, but the first two both played well last year and I just feel with Kellys playbook and play calling ability that he will keep them out of trouble on his own. Could be ND's best defense in years but I wouldn't call them elite. I would title them good and I really feel they will be able to bring some good pressure to opposing QBs this year with LB MANTI TE'O 133 TKL in command of the defense . I look over the schedule and I see a bunch of wins including Michigan and Michigan state both. I feel that USC,@Stanford and @Pittsburg are the toughest challenges. I will take ND at an even 10 wins and a at large BCS game.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
AD Top 15........ # NINE
#9 THE TEXAS A&M AGGIES
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY MIKE SHERMAN OVERALL RECORD (19-19)
AT HOME UNDER SHERMAN (13-8)
AWAY UNDER SHERMAN (6-7)
VS TOP 10 UNDER SHERMAN (1-4)
VS BIG 12 UNDER SHERMAN (11-13)
PREVIOUS RECORD (9-4) BOWL LOSS VS LSU (COTTON)
RETURNING STARTERS 18 TEN ON OFFENSE AND EIGHT ON DEFENSE
QB SR RYAN TANNEHILL 1638 YARDS 13-6 TD TO INT RATIO
RB SR CYRUS GRAY 1123 YARDS AND 12 TDS
WR SR JEFF FULLER 1066 YARDS AND 12 TDS
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.4 (H) SMU (SUNDAY)
SEP.10 BYE
SEP.17 (H) IDAHO
SEP.24 (H) OKLAHOMA STATE
OCT.1 ARKANSAS (ARLINGTON)
OCT.8 @ TEXAS TECH
OCT.15 (H) BAYLOR
OCT.22 @ IOWA STATE
OCT.29 (H) MISSOURI
NOV.5 @ OKLAHOMA
NOV.12 @ KANSAS ST
NOV.19 (H) KANSAS
NOV.24 (H) TEXAS
DEC.3 BYE
WHY #9
11 of the 18 returning starters for the Aggies are Seniors on a team that won 9 games last year. The Previous season started with Jerrod Johnson at QB and Johnson was erratic and not the leader that the team needed under center. Insert Ryan Tannehill and he is a true game manager. Controls the ball. Understands defensive concepts and how to limit turnovers. A perfect fit for the Aggies with the balanced attack that they have with the 1000 yard running back in Cyrus Gray and 1000 yard Receiver in Jeff Fuller. Those two offensive powers will be the rock of the offensive attack in 2011. The Defense in College Station will be just as solid this year as last since the unit returns 8 of 11 starters and 7 of which are seniors. The biggest challenge for the Aggies will be games AT Oklahoma and vs Arkansas in Jerry Jones's palace. Outside of those two games I see winnable games and I forecast a 10 win season for Texas A&M this season.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY MIKE SHERMAN OVERALL RECORD (19-19)
AT HOME UNDER SHERMAN (13-8)
AWAY UNDER SHERMAN (6-7)
VS TOP 10 UNDER SHERMAN (1-4)
VS BIG 12 UNDER SHERMAN (11-13)
PREVIOUS RECORD (9-4) BOWL LOSS VS LSU (COTTON)
RETURNING STARTERS 18 TEN ON OFFENSE AND EIGHT ON DEFENSE
QB SR RYAN TANNEHILL 1638 YARDS 13-6 TD TO INT RATIO
RB SR CYRUS GRAY 1123 YARDS AND 12 TDS
WR SR JEFF FULLER 1066 YARDS AND 12 TDS
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.4 (H) SMU (SUNDAY)
SEP.10 BYE
SEP.17 (H) IDAHO
SEP.24 (H) OKLAHOMA STATE
OCT.1 ARKANSAS (ARLINGTON)
OCT.8 @ TEXAS TECH
OCT.15 (H) BAYLOR
OCT.22 @ IOWA STATE
OCT.29 (H) MISSOURI
NOV.5 @ OKLAHOMA
NOV.12 @ KANSAS ST
NOV.19 (H) KANSAS
NOV.24 (H) TEXAS
DEC.3 BYE
WHY #9
11 of the 18 returning starters for the Aggies are Seniors on a team that won 9 games last year. The Previous season started with Jerrod Johnson at QB and Johnson was erratic and not the leader that the team needed under center. Insert Ryan Tannehill and he is a true game manager. Controls the ball. Understands defensive concepts and how to limit turnovers. A perfect fit for the Aggies with the balanced attack that they have with the 1000 yard running back in Cyrus Gray and 1000 yard Receiver in Jeff Fuller. Those two offensive powers will be the rock of the offensive attack in 2011. The Defense in College Station will be just as solid this year as last since the unit returns 8 of 11 starters and 7 of which are seniors. The biggest challenge for the Aggies will be games AT Oklahoma and vs Arkansas in Jerry Jones's palace. Outside of those two games I see winnable games and I forecast a 10 win season for Texas A&M this season.
AD Top 15........ #10
#10 THE WISCONSIN BADGERS
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BRET BIELEMA OVERALL RECORD (49-16)
AT HOME UNDER BIELEMA (32-3)
AWAY UNDER BIELEMA (14-10)
VS TOP 10 UNDER BIELEMA (1-5)
VS BIG 10 UNDER BIELEMA (27-13)
PREVIOUS RECORD (11-2) BOWL LOSS TO TCU (ROSE)
RETURNING STARTERS 12 SIX ON BOTH SIDES
QB (NC STATE) RUSSELL WILSON 3563 YARDS 28-14 TD-INT & 9 RUSH TD
RB JR MONTE BALL 996 YARDS AND 18 TDS
RB SO JAMES WHITE 1052 YARDS AND 14 TDS
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.1 (H) UNLV (THURSDAY)
SEP.10 (H) OREGON STATE
SEP.17 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (CHICAGO)
SEP.24 (H) SOUTH DAKOTA
OCT.1 (H) NEBRASKA
OCT.8 BYE
OCT.15 (H) INDIANA
OCT.22 @ MICHIGAN STATE
OCT.29 @ OHIO STATE
NOV.5 (H) PURDUE
NOV.12 @ MINNESOTA
NOV.19 @ ILLINOIS
NOV.29 (H) PENN STATE
DEC.3 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
WHY #10
Until a few weeks ago Wisconsin wasn't on this list Ohio State was. Then Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel both either left or were fired and that left me searching for a replacement for them because as I will explain over time I just don't believe you replace a legend and a really good QB in a short off season. That story is for another day this is about the Badgers who in the last week went from having an average to below average QB in Jon Budmayr to having a seasoned star QB in Russell Wilson who in a loophole in NCAA rules has transferred from NC State to Wisconsin. Wilson a true big time college QB makes Wisconsin immediately a contender to repeat a trip to the rose bowl if not beyond. Two 1000 yard backs line up behind him with a combined 32 touchdowns. You can add the total between some two team combination backfields and not get 32 it really is a gigantic number. We do have some pitfalls. First the schedule looks to be in good shape at first with the first 6 games either at home or a neutral site but, then two sets of back to back road games with one of those being at Michigan state and Ohio State back to back. That is a serious road block and even Wisconsin fans have to be hoping for just a split. The other is much more winnable in @ Minnesota and @Illinois. If They get past Nebraska Early then I could see 11-1. I don't however think at this time they will beat Nebraska. I see a loss in that game vs Nebraska and a Split in the back to backs vs Mich St and Ohio State which leaves the Badgers at 10-2 and still very good. I see a possible At large BCS game for the Badgers.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BRET BIELEMA OVERALL RECORD (49-16)
AT HOME UNDER BIELEMA (32-3)
AWAY UNDER BIELEMA (14-10)
VS TOP 10 UNDER BIELEMA (1-5)
VS BIG 10 UNDER BIELEMA (27-13)
PREVIOUS RECORD (11-2) BOWL LOSS TO TCU (ROSE)
RETURNING STARTERS 12 SIX ON BOTH SIDES
QB (NC STATE) RUSSELL WILSON 3563 YARDS 28-14 TD-INT & 9 RUSH TD
RB JR MONTE BALL 996 YARDS AND 18 TDS
RB SO JAMES WHITE 1052 YARDS AND 14 TDS
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.1 (H) UNLV (THURSDAY)
SEP.10 (H) OREGON STATE
SEP.17 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (CHICAGO)
SEP.24 (H) SOUTH DAKOTA
OCT.1 (H) NEBRASKA
OCT.8 BYE
OCT.15 (H) INDIANA
OCT.22 @ MICHIGAN STATE
OCT.29 @ OHIO STATE
NOV.5 (H) PURDUE
NOV.12 @ MINNESOTA
NOV.19 @ ILLINOIS
NOV.29 (H) PENN STATE
DEC.3 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
WHY #10
Until a few weeks ago Wisconsin wasn't on this list Ohio State was. Then Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel both either left or were fired and that left me searching for a replacement for them because as I will explain over time I just don't believe you replace a legend and a really good QB in a short off season. That story is for another day this is about the Badgers who in the last week went from having an average to below average QB in Jon Budmayr to having a seasoned star QB in Russell Wilson who in a loophole in NCAA rules has transferred from NC State to Wisconsin. Wilson a true big time college QB makes Wisconsin immediately a contender to repeat a trip to the rose bowl if not beyond. Two 1000 yard backs line up behind him with a combined 32 touchdowns. You can add the total between some two team combination backfields and not get 32 it really is a gigantic number. We do have some pitfalls. First the schedule looks to be in good shape at first with the first 6 games either at home or a neutral site but, then two sets of back to back road games with one of those being at Michigan state and Ohio State back to back. That is a serious road block and even Wisconsin fans have to be hoping for just a split. The other is much more winnable in @ Minnesota and @Illinois. If They get past Nebraska Early then I could see 11-1. I don't however think at this time they will beat Nebraska. I see a loss in that game vs Nebraska and a Split in the back to backs vs Mich St and Ohio State which leaves the Badgers at 10-2 and still very good. I see a possible At large BCS game for the Badgers.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
AD top 15........ #11
#11 THE ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BOBBY PETRINO OVERALL RECORD (64-24)
ARKANSAS UNDER PETRINO (23-15)
AT HOME UNDER PETRINO (16-5)
AWAY UNDER PETRINO (4-9)
VS TOP 10 UNDER PETRINO (1-7)
VS SEC UNDER PETRINO (11-13)
PREVIOUS RECORD (10-3) BOWL LOSS TO OHIO STATE (SUGAR)
QB JR TYLER WILSON
WR SR GREG CHILDS 659 YARDS AND 6 TD
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) MISSOURI STATE
SEP.10 (H) NEW MEXICO (LITTLE ROCK)
SEP.17 (H) TROY
SEP.24 @ ALABAMA
OCT.1 TEXAS A&M (ARLINGTON)
OCT.8 (H) AUBURN
OCT.15 BYE
OCT.22 @ MISSISSIPPI
OCT.29 @ VANDERBILT
NOV.5 (H) SOUTH CAROLINA
NOV.12 (H) TENNESSEE
NOV.19 (H) MISSISSIPPI (LITTLE ROCK)
NOV.25 @ LSU (FRIDAY)
DEC.3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (ATLANTA) IF QUALIFIED
WHY #11
Bobby Petrino has Arkansas ready to play in back to back BCS bowl games and that really could be the end result. The schedule for the Razorbacks sets up where winning the big games could leave them as a contender for the national title. Now back to reality because Arkansas doesn't have the fire power to win all of the games of the schedule but I do feel that they could duplicate the 10 wins from last year. QB Tyler Wilson showed vs Auburn last year that he could sling it around the ball field and move the offense efficiently down the field. With 6 other returning starters on offense and Petrinos playbook I don't foresee the Razorback offense slowing down. On Defense they might have there best unit in years. Seven returning starters five in the front Seven. I look at Petrino and the talent that has came to Fayetteville under his watch along with the improvement from each year and just see no way that the razorbacks won't be very competitive all season long.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY BOBBY PETRINO OVERALL RECORD (64-24)
ARKANSAS UNDER PETRINO (23-15)
AT HOME UNDER PETRINO (16-5)
AWAY UNDER PETRINO (4-9)
VS TOP 10 UNDER PETRINO (1-7)
VS SEC UNDER PETRINO (11-13)
PREVIOUS RECORD (10-3) BOWL LOSS TO OHIO STATE (SUGAR)
QB JR TYLER WILSON
WR SR GREG CHILDS 659 YARDS AND 6 TD
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) MISSOURI STATE
SEP.10 (H) NEW MEXICO (LITTLE ROCK)
SEP.17 (H) TROY
SEP.24 @ ALABAMA
OCT.1 TEXAS A&M (ARLINGTON)
OCT.8 (H) AUBURN
OCT.15 BYE
OCT.22 @ MISSISSIPPI
OCT.29 @ VANDERBILT
NOV.5 (H) SOUTH CAROLINA
NOV.12 (H) TENNESSEE
NOV.19 (H) MISSISSIPPI (LITTLE ROCK)
NOV.25 @ LSU (FRIDAY)
DEC.3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (ATLANTA) IF QUALIFIED
WHY #11
Bobby Petrino has Arkansas ready to play in back to back BCS bowl games and that really could be the end result. The schedule for the Razorbacks sets up where winning the big games could leave them as a contender for the national title. Now back to reality because Arkansas doesn't have the fire power to win all of the games of the schedule but I do feel that they could duplicate the 10 wins from last year. QB Tyler Wilson showed vs Auburn last year that he could sling it around the ball field and move the offense efficiently down the field. With 6 other returning starters on offense and Petrinos playbook I don't foresee the Razorback offense slowing down. On Defense they might have there best unit in years. Seven returning starters five in the front Seven. I look at Petrino and the talent that has came to Fayetteville under his watch along with the improvement from each year and just see no way that the razorbacks won't be very competitive all season long.
AD Top 15........ #12
#12 THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY STEVE SPURRIER OVERALL RECORD (186-73-2)
SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER SPURRIER (44-33)
AT HOME UNDER SPURRIER (29-13)
AWAY UNDER SPURRIER (14-15)
VS TOP 10 UNDER SPURRIER (3-10)
VS SEC UNDER SPURRIER (23-26)
PREVIOUS RECORD (9-5) BOWL LOSS TO FLORIDA ST (CHICK-FIL-A)
RETURNING STARTERS 13 SEVEN ON OFFENSE AND SIX ON DEFENSE
QB IS A ? WILL SAY CONNOR SHAW FOR NOW COULD BE STEPHEN GARCIA
GARCIA SUSPENSION QUESTION MARKS
RB SO MARCUS LATTIMORE 1230 YARDS AND 17 TD ALSO 412 REC AND 2 TD
WR JR ALSHON JEFFERY 1517 YARDS AND 9 TD ALL AMERICAN CANIDATE
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 EAST CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE)
SEP.10 @ GEORGIA
SEP.17 (H) NAVY
SEP.24 (H) VANDERBILT
OCT.1 (H) AUBURN
OCT.8 (H) KENTUCKY
OCT.15 @ MISSISSIPPI STATE
OCT.22 BYE
OCT.29 @ TENNESSEE
NOV.5 @ ARKANSAS
NOV.12 (H) FLORIDA
NOV.19 (H) THE CITADEL
NOV.26 (H) CLEMSON
DEC.3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (ATLANTA) IF QUALIFIES
WHY #12
The old ball coach has done a good job. This is not the talent rich area that Steve once coached in at Florida. It is South Carolina a team with no tradition of being even competitive in the SEC for years and years. Slowly but surely Steve has brought in talented pieces to Columbia and the gamecocks have now started to turn the corner. 2010 was the best year in the history of the program while being a member of the SEC earning a trip to Atlanta to represent the East in the championship game. Building upon that success from last year the gamecocks want to return to the SEC championship game and win so that they can enjoy a trip to one of the BCS Bowl games. To do so I believe Three Factors become key. First and foremost as listed above in who they are..who in the world is going to be the QB and will that person either Garcia or Shaw be just good enough to not turn the ball over in bad locations. If they can get reasonable production from one of those two then the rest on offense should be easy. An All SEC and All American Candidate at running back and wide receiver in Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery both with explosive play potential on every play. Second can the Defense remain solid. Defense under Spurrier has been pretty good the entire stint he has been the coach. They have always gotten enough stops in the past but the offense just couldn't score. If the Defense still bends but doesn't break then they should be fine. Last the Powder puff soft Schedule for the Gamecocks looks deceiving it does have some problems. I have said before I hate back to back road games and the Gamecocks have a tough set with at Tennessee and At Arkansas back to back. Plus they also play At Georgia in week 2 and that game could very well determine the entire season. If the cocks get past UGA in the 2nd week then they will have a chance to be 7-0 before they play the back to back road games. starting off 7-0 would almost assure them of a 10 win season and a trip to at least a January bowl game.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY STEVE SPURRIER OVERALL RECORD (186-73-2)
SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER SPURRIER (44-33)
AT HOME UNDER SPURRIER (29-13)
AWAY UNDER SPURRIER (14-15)
VS TOP 10 UNDER SPURRIER (3-10)
VS SEC UNDER SPURRIER (23-26)
PREVIOUS RECORD (9-5) BOWL LOSS TO FLORIDA ST (CHICK-FIL-A)
RETURNING STARTERS 13 SEVEN ON OFFENSE AND SIX ON DEFENSE
QB IS A ? WILL SAY CONNOR SHAW FOR NOW COULD BE STEPHEN GARCIA
GARCIA SUSPENSION QUESTION MARKS
RB SO MARCUS LATTIMORE 1230 YARDS AND 17 TD ALSO 412 REC AND 2 TD
WR JR ALSHON JEFFERY 1517 YARDS AND 9 TD ALL AMERICAN CANIDATE
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 EAST CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE)
SEP.10 @ GEORGIA
SEP.17 (H) NAVY
SEP.24 (H) VANDERBILT
OCT.1 (H) AUBURN
OCT.8 (H) KENTUCKY
OCT.15 @ MISSISSIPPI STATE
OCT.22 BYE
OCT.29 @ TENNESSEE
NOV.5 @ ARKANSAS
NOV.12 (H) FLORIDA
NOV.19 (H) THE CITADEL
NOV.26 (H) CLEMSON
DEC.3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (ATLANTA) IF QUALIFIES
WHY #12
The old ball coach has done a good job. This is not the talent rich area that Steve once coached in at Florida. It is South Carolina a team with no tradition of being even competitive in the SEC for years and years. Slowly but surely Steve has brought in talented pieces to Columbia and the gamecocks have now started to turn the corner. 2010 was the best year in the history of the program while being a member of the SEC earning a trip to Atlanta to represent the East in the championship game. Building upon that success from last year the gamecocks want to return to the SEC championship game and win so that they can enjoy a trip to one of the BCS Bowl games. To do so I believe Three Factors become key. First and foremost as listed above in who they are..who in the world is going to be the QB and will that person either Garcia or Shaw be just good enough to not turn the ball over in bad locations. If they can get reasonable production from one of those two then the rest on offense should be easy. An All SEC and All American Candidate at running back and wide receiver in Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery both with explosive play potential on every play. Second can the Defense remain solid. Defense under Spurrier has been pretty good the entire stint he has been the coach. They have always gotten enough stops in the past but the offense just couldn't score. If the Defense still bends but doesn't break then they should be fine. Last the Powder puff soft Schedule for the Gamecocks looks deceiving it does have some problems. I have said before I hate back to back road games and the Gamecocks have a tough set with at Tennessee and At Arkansas back to back. Plus they also play At Georgia in week 2 and that game could very well determine the entire season. If the cocks get past UGA in the 2nd week then they will have a chance to be 7-0 before they play the back to back road games. starting off 7-0 would almost assure them of a 10 win season and a trip to at least a January bowl game.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
AD Top 15........ #13
#13 The OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY MIKE GUNDY OVERALL RECORD (47-29)
AT HOME UNDER GUNDY (28-12)
AWAY UNDER GUNDY (16-15)
VS TOP 10 UNDER GUNDY (1-8)
VS BIG 12 UNDER GUNDY (25-23)
RETURNING STARTERS 14 NINE ON OFFENSE FIVE ON DEFENSE
PREVIOUS RECORD (11-2) BOWL GAME WIN VS ARIZONA (ALAMO)
QB SENIOR BRANDON WEEDEN 4277 YARDS AND 34-13 TD TO INT
WR JUNIOR JUSTIN BLACKMON 1782 YARDS AND 20 TD ALL AMERICAN
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) LOUISIANA
SEP.8 (H) ARIZONA (THURSDAY)
SEP.17 @ TULSA
SEP.24 @ TEXAS A&M
OCT.1 BYE
OCT.8 (H) KANSAS
OCT.15 @ TEXAS
OCT.22 @ MISSOURI
OCT.29 (H) BAYLOR
NOV.5 (H) KANSAS ST
NOV.12 @ TEXAS TECH
NOV.18 @ IOWA ST (FRIDAY)
NOV.26 BYE
DEC.3 (H) OKLAHOMA
WHY #13
I am a man I'm 40...that was long ago. Oklahoma State and the entire program has came along way since seven and eight win seasons back at the start of the Mike Gundy era. When Mike Gundy arrived in Stillwater Oklahoma state was a basketball school in a football crazy area. Oklahoma thought of state as a little sister and pounded the cowboys in recruiting on the regular. Then a young Mike Gundy showed up and started winning small battles along the way and now has an offensive juggernaut in Stillwater. 44 points per game last season and 520 total offense production per game. Nine returning offensive starters including senior All Big 12 QB Brandon Weeden and Heisman candidate JR WR Justin Blackmon lead the way. With a tough schedule ,but a powerful offense I see the Cowboys going 9-3 with a trip to a good bowl game.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY MIKE GUNDY OVERALL RECORD (47-29)
AT HOME UNDER GUNDY (28-12)
AWAY UNDER GUNDY (16-15)
VS TOP 10 UNDER GUNDY (1-8)
VS BIG 12 UNDER GUNDY (25-23)
RETURNING STARTERS 14 NINE ON OFFENSE FIVE ON DEFENSE
PREVIOUS RECORD (11-2) BOWL GAME WIN VS ARIZONA (ALAMO)
QB SENIOR BRANDON WEEDEN 4277 YARDS AND 34-13 TD TO INT
WR JUNIOR JUSTIN BLACKMON 1782 YARDS AND 20 TD ALL AMERICAN
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 (H) LOUISIANA
SEP.8 (H) ARIZONA (THURSDAY)
SEP.17 @ TULSA
SEP.24 @ TEXAS A&M
OCT.1 BYE
OCT.8 (H) KANSAS
OCT.15 @ TEXAS
OCT.22 @ MISSOURI
OCT.29 (H) BAYLOR
NOV.5 (H) KANSAS ST
NOV.12 @ TEXAS TECH
NOV.18 @ IOWA ST (FRIDAY)
NOV.26 BYE
DEC.3 (H) OKLAHOMA
WHY #13
I am a man I'm 40...that was long ago. Oklahoma State and the entire program has came along way since seven and eight win seasons back at the start of the Mike Gundy era. When Mike Gundy arrived in Stillwater Oklahoma state was a basketball school in a football crazy area. Oklahoma thought of state as a little sister and pounded the cowboys in recruiting on the regular. Then a young Mike Gundy showed up and started winning small battles along the way and now has an offensive juggernaut in Stillwater. 44 points per game last season and 520 total offense production per game. Nine returning offensive starters including senior All Big 12 QB Brandon Weeden and Heisman candidate JR WR Justin Blackmon lead the way. With a tough schedule ,but a powerful offense I see the Cowboys going 9-3 with a trip to a good bowl game.
AD Top 15........ #14
#14 The Georgia Bulldogs
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY MARK RICHT OVERALL RECORD (96-34)
AT HOME UNDER RICHT (51-12)
AWAY UNDER RICHT (34-10)
VS TOP 10 UNDER RICHT (8-10)
VS SEC UNDER RICHT (55-28)
PREVIOUS RECORD (6-7) BOWL GAME LOSS VS CENTRAL FLORIDA (LIBERTY)
RETURNING STARTERS 12 FIVE ON OFFENSE AND SEVEN ON DEFENSE
QB SOPHOMORE AARON MURRAY 3049 YARDS 24-7 TD-INT RATIO
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 BOISE STATE (ATLANTA)
SEP.10 (H) SOUTH CAROLINA
SEP.17 (H) COASTAL CAROLINA
SEP.24 @ MISSISSIPPI
OCT.1 (H) MISSISSIPPI ST.
OCT.8 @ TENNESSEE
OCT.15 @ VANDERBILT
OCT.22 BYE
OCT.29 FLORIDA (JACKSONVILLE)
NOV.5 (H) NEW MEXICO ST.
NOV.12 (H) AUBURN
NOV.19 (H) KENTUCKY
NOV.29 @ GEORGIA TECH
DEC.3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (ATLANTA) IF QUALIFIES
WHY #14
Nobody is taking about the Georgia bulldogs. A lot of things play right into the hand of the bulldogs. A returning polished QB in Murray 24 TOUCHDOWNS and only 8 INTs as a Freshman that is really good for a rookie in the SEC and those numbers can only look to improve. Mark Richt is on the hottest of seats in the country. I think it is 9 wins or bust for the Bobby Bowden coaching descendant this year. I want to say Mark has done a great job and is an elite level coach. If the bulldogs fire him he will be successful elsewhere. Look at the Schedule this year and I will make my case. NO LSU,NO ALABAMA,NO ARKANSAS They draw the weakest three teams from the west and of those only have to play Ole miss on the road. If any SEC team has a workable schedule it is the Georgia Bulldogs. Also Credit to Georgia and Richt for being out side of the box on opponents the last few years. This year Boise State in Atlanta,Last year at Colorado and in 2009 at Oklahoma State. I look for the experienced defense 7 returning starters including the entire secondary to lead a growing UGA offensive attack in a 9 win season which will help Mark Richt keep his job and sets up for a big 2012.
WHO THEY ARE
COACHED BY MARK RICHT OVERALL RECORD (96-34)
AT HOME UNDER RICHT (51-12)
AWAY UNDER RICHT (34-10)
VS TOP 10 UNDER RICHT (8-10)
VS SEC UNDER RICHT (55-28)
PREVIOUS RECORD (6-7) BOWL GAME LOSS VS CENTRAL FLORIDA (LIBERTY)
RETURNING STARTERS 12 FIVE ON OFFENSE AND SEVEN ON DEFENSE
QB SOPHOMORE AARON MURRAY 3049 YARDS 24-7 TD-INT RATIO
WHO THEY PLAY
SEP.3 BOISE STATE (ATLANTA)
SEP.10 (H) SOUTH CAROLINA
SEP.17 (H) COASTAL CAROLINA
SEP.24 @ MISSISSIPPI
OCT.1 (H) MISSISSIPPI ST.
OCT.8 @ TENNESSEE
OCT.15 @ VANDERBILT
OCT.22 BYE
OCT.29 FLORIDA (JACKSONVILLE)
NOV.5 (H) NEW MEXICO ST.
NOV.12 (H) AUBURN
NOV.19 (H) KENTUCKY
NOV.29 @ GEORGIA TECH
DEC.3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (ATLANTA) IF QUALIFIES
WHY #14
Nobody is taking about the Georgia bulldogs. A lot of things play right into the hand of the bulldogs. A returning polished QB in Murray 24 TOUCHDOWNS and only 8 INTs as a Freshman that is really good for a rookie in the SEC and those numbers can only look to improve. Mark Richt is on the hottest of seats in the country. I think it is 9 wins or bust for the Bobby Bowden coaching descendant this year. I want to say Mark has done a great job and is an elite level coach. If the bulldogs fire him he will be successful elsewhere. Look at the Schedule this year and I will make my case. NO LSU,NO ALABAMA,NO ARKANSAS They draw the weakest three teams from the west and of those only have to play Ole miss on the road. If any SEC team has a workable schedule it is the Georgia Bulldogs. Also Credit to Georgia and Richt for being out side of the box on opponents the last few years. This year Boise State in Atlanta,Last year at Colorado and in 2009 at Oklahoma State. I look for the experienced defense 7 returning starters including the entire secondary to lead a growing UGA offensive attack in a 9 win season which will help Mark Richt keep his job and sets up for a big 2012.
Monday, July 4, 2011
AD Top 15........Guidelines to rankings and # 15.
To start off the AD Top 15 I am going to give some guidelines to my ranking system.
I have a weighted scale that I use to rank my Top 15 and that scale includes the following components: Coach,QB,Schedule,Returning Players, and other Tangibles such as history,conference strength, Heisman candidates, potential NFL players. The order of importance on the weighted scale is the same as it reads above. Coaching and Recruiting are the same category. I place so much importance on QB because it is a position in college football that can make or break a football team see the 2010 Auburn Tigers. Some main things I look at in the Schedule are non-conference BCS Opponent games home or away with emphasis on a non conference away games and if you play any back to back road games of any kind. Odd stretches like Away Home Away Away also are looked at. Those are hard scenarios for any team to win national titles with. Then We look at returning starters and It is a basis of just numbers how many and which side of the ball. Typically I like teams with more returning starters on defense with that side being so important. Last is the Other category which is described above. That information I record manually and with some simple math come up with the top 15 shown in this preseason poll. As we move forward throughout the season I will of course take actual games into account along with some of the predefined reasons for my weekly rankings.#15 THE TEXAS LONGHORNS
WHO ARE THEY:
COACHED BY MACK BROWN OVERALL RECORD (213-103-1)
AT HOME UNDER BROWN 68-11
AWAY UNDER BROWN 46-10
VS TOP 10 UNDER BROWN 10-15
VS BIG 12 UNDER BROWN 84-24
PREVIOUS RECORD (5-7)
RETURNING STARTERS 12 SIX ON BOTH SIDES
QB GARRETT GILBERT
WHO THEY PLAY:
SEP. 3 (H) RICE
SEP. 10 (H) BYU
SEP. 17 @ UCLA
SEP. 24 BYE
OCT. 1 @ IOWA ST
OCT. 8 OKLAHOMA (DALLAS)
OCT. 15 (H) OKLAHOMA ST
OCT. 22 BYE
OCT. 29 (H) KANSAS
NOV. 5 (H) TEXAS TECH
NOV. 12 @ MISSOURI
NOV. 19 (H) KANSAS ST
NOV. 24 @ TEXAS A&M
DEC. 3 @ BAYLOR
WHY #15
It's Texas that is why. 5-7 last season isn't going to keep me away. Mack Brown has done a great job at Texas while he has been the HC. 2 NC appearances and one win. They have the talent. Talent wasn't the issue last year offense changes along with a QB who really hadn't played in a pro style set much in his life really slowed down the Longhorn production on offense. Gilbert 10 TD and 17 INT's turned the ball over more then he scored it and that will get you beat at this level of football. New running back true freshman Malcolm Brown (Number 1 HS incoming back per phil steele) looks to be the immediate starter and most believe he will instantly add some punch to this Texas offense. If Gilbert can just flip flop his TD to INT ratio and Mack has done a good job replacing coordinating coaches EX. Will Muschamp-HC Florida then I can see Texas going no worse then 9-3.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Welcome to AD NCAA Football Top 15 Blog
Hello All and welcome to my NCAA football discussion blog. I have decided to start this blog with the intent of taking a lot of information from around college football to help me come to an educated top 15 teams. Along with listing my top 15 I will also bring a list of unknown players and best weekly match-ups . On weekly match-ups I will try to give you the time and TV listing for each game as those become available. At all times I will reference facts of many sources such as: Phil Steele's and Athlon Sports National preview annuals along with ESPN.COM NCF stories and SI.COM. In doing so I will only be taking factual stories and doing commentary from those pieces. My ideas and Opinions will always be of my own and will bare facts with thought. I hope all readers of my blog will enjoy and comment on the Top 15 and any other commentary or story I bring forth. At the time of this writing the college football season is less then 60 days away and I am sure everybody is excited for it. Enjoy the Blog and God Bless
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)