2008 College Football: News, Opinions and Debates

[CWood97]

Terrelle Pryor ends up at one of the two top BIG TEN schools (OSU/UM). Both end up running the spread offense, (sooner or later) now will the BIG TEN be able to compete w/the SEC or Pac Ten? WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK????:shrug:

I think the B10 competed just fine with the SEC in bowl games this year. UM dominated the game and beat everybody's sweetheart in Florida. Michigan is now actually 7-2 vs the SEC in bowl games. If you include Vandy games 9-2 their last 11. Not too shabby. We all know what the hairless nuts' record is vs the SEC, save the keystrokes. I will say OSU played LSU a lot tougher than the score would indicate, and let's not forget that game was in New Orleans. They killed themselves with 15 yard penalties, plain and simple. In the other NYD matchup Wisky and Tennessee played to a stand still and Tennessee deservedly won a hard fought game.

As far as the PAC10 goes, well we know UM laid an egg vs Oregon. Illinois vs USC was also a debacle. USC has owned UM as well. I will say I think OSU will compete just fine with USC next September. Could be wrong, but at this point I don't see that game as a blowout. It certainly would be nice to see SC play OSU or UM somewhere outside of their backyard. I assume OSU gets a return visit from SC at some point.

It's clear that the B10 has fallen some distance behind the SEC and PAC10, but I don't think the gap is so great that it can't be closed. With UM adding a great coach (of course IMO) and Tre$$el recruiting better than ever I don't see why the very top of the B10 can't rank right up there. Wisky should continue to be solid under Bilema (2-1 last 3 vs SEC, btw) and Illinois looks to be on the rise thanks to Zook's cheating. We'll see how long that lasts. Don't be surprised to see Ferentz return Iowa to the top of the conference at some point, dude can coach.

 

[bjfinste]

It certainly would be nice to see SC play OSU or UM somewhere outside of their backyard. I assume OSU gets a return visit from SC at some point.

Yes, the following year. It's a 2-year home-and-home for 2008 and 2009.

 

[Dice34]

Couple of "experts" analyze the coaching moves..

Pete Fiutak

Best hires

1. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas ? Whether or not you think he's a jerk for bailing out on the sinking ship called the Atlanta Falcons that NO ONE in the coaching world wants any part of, the dude can actually coach. Remember, he was this close to being the Auburn head man before Tommy Tuberville started to turn things around, and now the Hogs got one of the best all-around college coaches with a great offense to follow. For a place like Arkansas, which hasn't been any sort of a BCS player, this could turn out to be a Nick-Saban-to-LSU like move.

2. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech ? Lost on the public is just how little D-I talent there is at Army and Navy. Hampered by the strictest of recruiting limitations, Johnson averaged 7.5 wins a year in Annapolis and was a regular in the bowl season. His offense is about to show the spread world there's still a place for the triple-option at a high level.

3. Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois ? Among the least-visible of all the coaching changes, Kill comes in from his highly successful stint as the head man for Southern Illinois, an FCS power. Don't be shocked if he does what Joe Novak couldn't and gets the program over the hump. This could be a rent-a-coach situation like Brian Kelly's move from Central Michigan to Cincinnati last year.


Questionable hires
1. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan ? Remember, as good as Rodriguez was at West Virginia, he failed to get the program over the hump and into the national title game despite playing in the weakest of the BCS leagues and continually having one of the conference's strongest teams. Just winning the Big Ten isn't going to be enough, and no, just beating Ohio State isn't going to do the trick alone (although that will certainly help). Rodriguez has to put Michigan in the national championship hunt on a semi-regular basis with anything less considered a failure. No pressure there.

Considering the way things ended with West Virginia, the microscope will be on if anything goes slightly wrong, and he's going to need to fight through a potentially tough transition period before his new offense gets rolling at an elite level. He'll get one year to put the pieces in place, but that's it. This is Michigan. The supposed Leaders and the Best. It's not supposed to rebuild.

2. Mike Sherman, Texas A&M ? There's something very Dave Wannstedt about this move. Texas and Oklahoma aren't going to fold up shop with the hire of the former Green Bay head man. Is he the "wow" hire Aggie fans were looking for? Of course, the proof will be in the record, but Dennis Franchione beat Texas the last two years, and if Sherman can't do that, and get the program to a Big 12-title level in the next three years, the Big 12 big boys might get that much stronger while A&M is starting from scratch.

3. Bill Stewart, West Virginia ? Off the field, the Mountaineers situation is a total and complete mess with enough bizarre things happening for a daily soap opera. On the field, the team is still good enough to win the Big East title and be on the short list of 2008 BCS title contenders. Was it just a knee-jerk reaction to the win over Oklahoma and did the upset force the hire? Would Sherman have been the new head man if the Mountaineers lost the Fiesta Bowl?

 

[Dice34]

Richard Cirminiello

Best hires

1. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA ? Neuheisel may make you hold your breath from time to time, but he made too much sense to not take a chance. If he can avoid the tabloid stuff, what's not to like about this hire? He's a UCLA guy who's won in the Pac-10 before and loves to recruit, the perfect answer to Pete Carroll across town. Neuheisel's first two big catches? DeWayne Walker to run the defense and Norm Chow to coordinate the offense, two quality coaches he beat out for the top job. That alone says a ton about Neuheisel's power of persuasion.

2. June Jones, SMU ? When you're trying to climb a mountain at a place like SMU, you've got to have a coach with a hook. Jones is one of those guys. He's got a national name, a proven track record as a program builder, and an offense that's going to attract more talent than he was able to get at Hawaii. In a couple of years, Jones will have some undersized, Chase Daniel clone that Texas didn't want throwing for 5,000 yards a year. The Mustangs are closer to a bowl game than last year's record indicates, and Jones is the guy to get them over the hump.

3. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas ? Set aside your personal feelings about Petrino. The fact is he can coach, and has a history of success at this level, something the Hogs had to have after cutting ties with Houston Nutt. If quarterback guru Petrino isn't in Fayetteville, does one-time mega-recruit Ryan Mallett choose Arkansas after leaving Michigan? Maybe not.


Questionable hires
1. Bill Stewart, West Virginia ? Is it just me, or did this look like a major knee-jerk reaction to the Fiesta Bowl win from an administration that did nothing right after Rich Rodriguez resigned? What exactly has Stewart accomplished to warrant a head coaching job of this caliber? The fact that the players overwhelmingly endorsed Stewart should have been cause for concern, rather than a reason to offer a contract. There's too much returning talent for him to get exposed in 2008, but look out in 2009. I'm thinking Larry Coker at Miami or Bill Doba at Washington State, coaches that did well with someone else's players, yet couldn't maintain that success for very long.

2. Mike Sherman, Texas A&M ? Sherman might get the last laugh, but I just don't get it. The Aggies wasted no time searching for other candidates, tapping a coach who was fired by the Green Bay Packers after six decent seasons, and hasn't been on a college sideline in almost 12 years. OK, so he does have a history in College Station, but that was a long time ago, and hardly something that can be pointed to as an asset. Understanding what Texas A&M is hoping to accomplish in the Big 12 South, it needed a home run with this hire. Mike Sherman just doesn't look like a four-bagger.

3. Bo Pelini, Nebraska ? I accept that I'm alone on this one, but considering what the Huskers endured during the Bill Callahan years, they needed the closest thing possible to a slam dunk, someone who's proven himself as a head coach. Pelini is not that guy. Yes, he's a terrific defensive coordinator who'll help bring the pride back to the Blackshirts, but we've seen a million times before that top coordinators don't always equate into top head coaches. Pelini may wind up being the answer, but at such a crossroads moment for the Nebraska program, it needed more of a sure thing than someone with no head coaching experience.

 

[Dice34]

John Harris

Best hires
1. David Cutcliffe, Duke ? The Blue Devils program can only go up and the former Ole Miss head man had the Rebels in the Cotton Bowl, the last bowl the Rebels have seen. I don't know that Duke could've done any better than Cutcliffe.

2. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan ? Sorry, West Virginia fans, but it's obvious how good a coach he is with the backlash that transpired when Coach Rod departed for Ann Arbor. Just keep Pitt off the schedule and Michigan football will be fine.

3. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA ? I can't believe I'm saying this and I wouldn't have hired him, but I think this was the only place that he could've landed. The fact he left two programs in ruins concerns me, but this is his alma mater, so hopefully he can keep his nose clean. And, if he does, this hire might be the best.


Questionable hires
1. Bill Stewart, West Virginia ? This might appear to be piling on (after putting Michigan in my list above), but I just have a problem making a decision after one game. Recall the Michigan State hire of Bobby Williams and how that program performed after his hiring. MSU is still trying to recover. Hopefully what WVU got with Stewart in Glendale will translate over a complete season.

2. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas ? One year, maybe two tops in Fayetteville before he starts looking again. Arkansas got its splashy hire and will be looking again shortly. It'd be irresponsible for any of us to think that Petrino is here for the long haul.

3. Bo Pelini, Nebraska ? Not so much because of Pelini, but this program and Jim Grobe would've been a match made in red and white heaven. I think what Pelini will do for the defense, Grobe could've done for the entire program. I understand why Pelini was hired, but going after a guy like Grobe would've been worth the slight risk of the unknown.

 

[Dice34]

I'm shocked that the Titans fired Chow. I definitely do not think our offensive woes were primarily on his shoulders.

Back to college:

I think the Big Ten is going to turned upside down by Michigan over the next 3-5 years. i think with Big Ten talent (especially OSU/UM talent) and the spread offense, they are going to be an absolute force. It may take a year or two to really start catching on, but it's coming.

And, of course, I can't leave the thread without at least mentioning how high my expectations are for Georgia next year.

I hope next season lives up to this year. the only disappointing thing about this college football season were the bowl match-ups.

I play college fantasy football with a group of 10 guys...league started 3 years ago, only using bcs schools and ND......so I'm always looking for the hidden gems and big play potential guys that no one knows about

I was high on Knowshon Moreno in spring ball last year, as he was the star and the better of 3 backs....and now the coveted recruit Caleb King will join him in the backfield this year.........the Geogia running game will be very good next year. Stafford will be even better......I'm sure you can't wait until the start of next season as a GA fan

and Knowshon was the only Georgia RB drafted back in our August draft....I leaked info and got shafted...

 

[CWood97]

I play college fantasy football with a group of 10 guys...league started 3 years ago, only using bcs schools and ND......so I'm always looking for the hidden gems and big play potential guys that no one knows about

I was high on Knowshon Moreno in spring ball last year, as he was the star and the better of 3 backs....and now the coveted recruit Caleb King will join him in the backfield this year.........the Geogia running game will be very good next year. Stafford will be even better......I'm sure you can't wait until the start of next season as a GA fan

and Knowshon was the only Georgia RB drafted back in our August draft....I leaked info and got shafted...

A handful of B10 sleepers for you next year:

Mark Dell, WR Michigan State
Greg Matthews WR UM
Adam Weber QB Minny

 

[Dice34]

A handful of B10 sleepers for you next year:

Mark Dell, WR Michigan State
Greg Matthews WR UM
Adam Weber QB Minny

The cat is out of the bag on Weber....his coming out party to the ncaa fantasy world was I think the 3rd game of the season against Fla Atlantic...the good thing about Weber is hes not afraid to run the ball which is a good thing in our league......he did end up on a roster before the season was over

I like Greg Matthews and he may be worth a flyer in the later rounds, but how do you think he will be utilized in the new offense, at 6'3 230 hes a big target....do you like him over Clemons and Hemmingway? Thats a situation I would definately get more info on over the course of the offseason.

Mark Dell I do not know, thanks for the info, I will keep an eye out on him, I see he'll be a sophomore and listed at 6'2....BJ Cunningham is supposedly another WR from state the coaches like the potential of....


last August I drafted Rashard Mendenhall in the 4th round, they thought I was crazy with all the other backs left on the board....thats why i start my HW early

 

[CWood97]

T
I like Greg Matthews and he may be worth a flyer in the later rounds, but how do you think he will be utilized in the new offense, at 6'3 230 hes a big target....do you like him over Clemons and Hemmingway? Thats a situation I would definately get more info on over the course of the offseason.

I'll be able to let you know after spring ball but I expect that (a) this is going to be more of a passing spread early on and (b) Matthews will get most of the red zone looks.

Don't be afraid to draft Terrelle Pryor if he goes to UM. He'd start from day one and Pat White put up some sick numbers towards the end of the season his true freshman season. I suspect Pryor could do the same.

 

[Dice34]

I'll be able to let you know after spring ball but I expect that (a) this is going to be more of a passing spread early on and (b) Matthews will get most of the red zone looks.

Don't be afraid to draft Terrelle Pryor if he goes to UM. He'd start from day one and Pat White put up some sick numbers towards the end of the season his true freshman season. I suspect Pryor could do the same.

Cwood, I would never be scared to draft Pryor if he went to Michigan.....actually if he did go to UM, he would be my first pick after my reserve, so 2nd round...........my reserve this year will be Michael Crabtree(I drafted him in the 3rd round last year and he never stepped foot in a college game at that point).....so I like to take stabs at talented athletes.....Crabtree will be gone after this even though hes only a red shirt soph.....so I would be able to reserve Pryor for the next few years..........

hopefully Charlie Batch can give this kid some great advice and to choose U of M

 

[CWood97]

Cwood, I would never be scared to draft Pryor if he went to Michigan.....actually if he did go to UM, he would be my first pick after my reserve, so 2nd round...........my reserve this year will be Michael Crabtree(I drafted him in the 3rd round last year and he never stepped foot in a college game at that point).....so I like to take stabs at talented athletes.....Crabtree will be gone after this even though hes only a red shirt soph.....so I would be able to reserve Pryor for the next few years..........

hopefully Charlie Batch can give this kid some great advice and to choose U of M

Might want to consider McGuffie too. Fred Jackson is telling people he will be carrying the load by mid season.

 

[Dice34]

Might want to consider McGuffie too. Fred Jackson is telling people he will be carrying the load by mid season.

really?? he will unseat both Brown and Minor, I'm sort of skeptical of McGuffie, yeah I saw his youtube clips and hes lightning fast with unbelievable moves....but for some reason I'm not sold on him at the next level.....I hope i'm dead wrong......

where does that leave Grady?? will he be back this year?

 

[Dice34]

5 days left until the official signing period..........updating the unofficial ranking order of those that have verbally committed per scout.

Rnk----School-----Com----Conf-------Pts----Mov
1. Notre Dame----22---I-A Ind-- 4420-----0
2. Alabama---------27-----SEC--- 4413------0
3. Georgia----------24-----SEC--- 4275------0
4. Texas A&M-----28-----Big 12-- 3902-----(+1)
5. Miami (Fl)--------27-----ACC--- 3876-----(-1)
6. Florida State----25-----ACC--- 3785-----(+4)
7. LSU----------------24----SEC--- 3782------(-1)
8. Florida------------22-----SEC---- 3733-----(+7)
9. UCLA--------------23----Pac-10--- 3726----(+4)
10. Washington---26----Pac-10--- 3615---(-3)
11. Oklahoma------20----Big 12--- 3545----(-2)
12. Texas-----------20----Big 12--- 3461----(-4)
13. Arizona State-27----Pac-10--- 3371----0
14. USC--------------17----Pac-10--- 3222----(Not in top 15)
15. Ohio State-----17----Big Ten--- 3207---(-4)


Other notables:

17. Illinois-------------26---Big Ten--- 3185
19. Michigan---------19---Big Ten--- 3155
31. Arkansas---------20---SEC------- 2295
35. Colorado---------16---Big 12----- 2158
51. North Carolina--12---ACC-------- 1616
62. West Virginia----17---Big East-- 1269

It will be interesting to see how this last week or so plays out.....terrelle pryor may push his signing day back, as it looks like he'll be taking a last minute visit to Oregon....the kid appears to love the spotlight..........

Is it a coinincidence that 13 of the top 15 schools, if you include Washington, are warm weather areas?...I think not

 

[justin22g]

I'd like to have a 2008 college offseason thread go, well, all off-season long........feel free to contribute anything and everything, if not, sit on your finger and rotate..........I'll do it myself so I can look back on.........


Here is a first look from foxsports and collegefootballnews of the top 25 as they rank them now(I gave the top 15)......not sure if its including recruitment yet, just returnees

1. Ohio State ? 2007 Record: 11-2

2. Georgia ? 2007 Record: 11-2

3. Oklahoma ? 2007 Record: 11-3

4. Florida ? 2007 Record: 9-4

5. USC ? 2007 Record: 11-2

6. LSU ? 2007 Record: 12-2

7. Wisconsin ? 2007 Record: 9-4

8. Missouri ? 2007 Record: 12-2

9. West Virginia ? 2007 Record: 12-2

10. Texas Tech ? 2007 Record: 9-4

11. Penn State ? 2007 Record: 9-4

12. Tennessee ? 2007 Record: 10-4

13. Kansas ? 2007 Record: 12-1

14. Auburn ? 2007 Record: 9-4

15. Texas ? 2007 Record: 10-3


Here is the link.......http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7687842

I like Ga being #2.

 

[Cie]

I'd like to have a 2008 college offseason thread go, well, all off-season long........feel free to contribute anything and everything, if not, sit on your finger and rotate..........I'll do it myself so I can look back on.........


Here is a first look from foxsports and collegefootballnews of the top 25 as they rank them now(I gave the top 15)......not sure if its including recruitment yet, just returnees

1. Ohio State ? 2007 Record: 11-2

2. Georgia ? 2007 Record: 11-2

3. Oklahoma ? 2007 Record: 11-3

4. Florida ? 2007 Record: 9-4

5. USC ? 2007 Record: 11-2

6. LSU ? 2007 Record: 12-2

7. Wisconsin ? 2007 Record: 9-4

8. Missouri ? 2007 Record: 12-2

9. West Virginia ? 2007 Record: 12-2

10. Texas Tech ? 2007 Record: 9-4

11. Penn State ? 2007 Record: 9-4

12. Tennessee ? 2007 Record: 10-4

13. Kansas ? 2007 Record: 12-1

14. Auburn ? 2007 Record: 9-4

15. Texas ? 2007 Record: 10-3


Here is the link.......http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7687842

I think florida will not be as good as expected next season. I see right through Urban Meyer. IMO, he is pompous, spiteful, petty, and, more importantly, vastly overrated.

I bet Mich will be better than most think next season, and Vols will be worse.

 

[ageecee]

Did Pryor commit yet?

 

[Dice34]

Did Pryor commit yet?

No he did not....he was taking a last visit to Oregon....scheduled to announce on ESPN on wed., but that may be pushed back now......


other news:

NCAA grants waiver for QB Freeman

Given a waiver by the NCAA, former University of Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman enrolled at Baylor, started classes on Monday and went through his first off-season workout with his new teammates.

?Obviously it worked out perfect,? said Freeman, who got the word on Friday from Kevin Price, Baylor?s associate athletic director for compliance. ?It was like getting a huge monkey off my back.?

Under NCAA Division I transfer rules, Freeman would have to sit out and lose his last year of eligibility. But with the waiver, the former all-state quarterback from Brownwood High School is immediately eligible for the 2008 season and will go through spring training.

?I think it shows that you?ve got to have faith in the NCAA. It?s a fair and honest system,? Baylor coach Art Briles said. ?This is a benefit for Kirby and a benefit for Baylor University.?

?The more that it moved along, the more I realized, ?You?re not doing anything wrong,? ?? said Freeman, who threw for 1,311 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career at Miami. ?I?m moving closer to home, closer to family, because of some things that have happened. This is what this situation is made for.?
--------------------------------------------------------------------


I missed this when it happened........he has fantasy value if of course he gets the starting position.....Baylor has been starved for a talented QB. Freeman has the talent, we'll see if he can live up to it..........Baylor runs a Pass heavy attack just like the Red Raiders of Texas Tech, they will throw the ball around 60 times a game......

 

[Dice34]

Pryor to decide Wednesday
Monday, February 04, 2008
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Decision day will be at noon Wednesday for Terrelle Pryor.
Pryor, star quarterback at Jeannette High School, said today he is "80 to 90 percent sure" he will announce his choice at a news conference Wednesday. He had been considering pushing back his decision a week or so, and possibly visiting the University of Oregon.

But Pryor said he will not visit Oregon and the Ducks are out of the picture.
"I have to call them today and tell them," Pryor said.

Pryor said he will decide among Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State, although Ohio State and Michigan have been the leaders all along.
Jeannette school officials are also making preparations for the announcement Wednesday in the school gymnasium. Jeannette principal Stu Albaugh said only Pryor's invited guests and media members will be permitted to attend. The public is not welcome.

ESPN and CSTV plan to announce Pryor's decision live. Sports Illustrated and the Washington Post are sending reporters and newspapers from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan also will be represented.

 

[CWood97]

On Pryor, OSU people are as confident as ever. Less optimism than before on the UM side due to some outside factor$

 

[Sun Tzu]

Wood sorry but I told ya...OSU does things that would make Switzer blush....

Have seen McGuffie up close multiple times ...and he is a great athlete but he cant carry the load. He goes straight down when hit and just isnt big enough. He has 3rd down back written all over him.

Darrel Scott headed to Texas will be a fantastic pick up. Now if Greg Davis can remember what the I formation looks like....