So, since we're about a month away from the start of the college football season, let's hand out some awards. These aren't your usual preseason Heisman, conference champions or major national title contenders, that's too formulaic and easy. Onto the awards...
The Homer Simpson Memorial "Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet?" Award- Pat White, QB, West Virginia I love the guy, he's a special talent and will rank among the all-time NCAA leaders for rushing yards by a QB. However, since his amazing freshman season he has been picked as a darkhorse Heisman contender on a team that is always picked as a possible national championship winner. Is this the year Mountaineer fans finally get their prayers answered. The fans have been getting their hopes up and maybe now that Steve Slaton and most of the defense is gone they can put together. It may not make much season, but neither have losses in 2 straight years to unranked teams at home when championships were at stake.
The Hunter Hearst Helmsley Memorial Award- Riley Dodge, QB, North Texas For those that don't know, Helmsley (HHH), of WWE/F fame has been getting heat for years that he only wins major titles because he married the boss' daughter. Well, nepotism always has a place in sports. Enter North Texas, who benefited by getting a top 10 HS QB recruit, Riley Dodge, because his dad coaches at NT. While nothing is 100% yet, he is a mortal lock to be the starting QB on a team that was 2-10 last year and returns superstar wideout Casey Fitzgerald. This reeks worse than the Mitch Mustain era at Arkansas, but who knows, maybe it will work out.
The "Maniac Cop Award"- Ben Mauk, QB, Cincinnati For anyone who has seen these horrible B-horror movies on Showtime, or any other low-budget cable channel at night, you know what I'm talking about. The cop just wouldn't die, and neither will Mauk, who apparently feels he will have to be forcibly removed from the college game before he officially ends his career. I know he's a better-than-average QB, but let's be honest, he screwed himself over by initially enrolling at Wake Forest. I mean, please, he had to have known that was career suicide, lol. Did he learn nothing from CJ Leak? On a personal note, I felt bad for CJ when he blew out his knee at WF, especially with his brother Chris' success at Florida, but still, it's like LeBron James going to college and playing for Akron.
The "Gee, Where Have I Heard That Before?" Award- This goes to 2 talented players, PJ Hill, RB, Wisconsin and Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State I'm tired of people always wanting to compare RBs from these two schools to Ron Dayne or Eddie George. Let's just face facts, these two schools produce RBs that put up a lot of yards; Michael Wiley, Pepe Pearson, Antonio Pittman, Anthony Davis, Michael Bennett. Ok, these schools usually have backs that put up a ton of yards, we get it, but Northern Illinois, Oregon, West Virginia and other schools have been doing the same, they just don't get their players overhyped every year.
The Halle Berry in "Catwoman" Lifetime Achievement Award- This goes to Missouri, Texas Tech and to a lesser extent, Oregon The Halle Berry mentions goes to the fact that sometimes one performance, either memorably bad, or so horribly heartbreaking that the stigma of it can never be erased. I'm sorry but some programs are so used to choking in big games that they just cannot change who they are. I don't care if Missouri has a ton of talent and returning starters, they will get beaten by one of the above A) Illinois in week 1, B) Texas, October 18th C) November 29th vs. Kansas or D) No, not all of the above but, Oklahoma, Texas or whoever they face in the Big 12 title game (assuming they make it there). I know Missouri and I know they couldn't win a big game to save their lives. They are not national title contenders. Texas Tech is good and will always make a bowl game while Mike Leach is coach thanks to their amazingly effective gimmick offense, but they won't ever unseat OU or Texas as Big 12 title contenders. They couldn't do it in a much weaker SWC and they won't now, even with all the hype. Lastly, Oregon, I hate to put them in here, they are such a consistent program, but with Dennis Dixon's injury last year, they are just never meant to be a legitimate national title contender. Dixon should have won the Heisman, faced Ohio State and possibly won the BCS title, but fate intervened. And that's what is going against these programs, fate, see Missouri in 1997 and having to face OU in the Big 12 title game rematch last year for proof.
Ok, we're done for now, maybe we'll present some more later, but those are the select, special few that get preseason awards for the moment. All the other nominees who didn't get selected, enjoy your consolation prizes.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
My Surprise Teams
Ok, so last year I got pretty lucky just picking 3 teams. They all made bowl games and all seemed like pretty obvious choices as breakout teams. Indiana was a squad that just needed a few breaks to finally get to their first bowl since 1993. It felt odd picking 2 Big 10 teams, but the Illini had too much talent not to pick them with their highly favorable schedule. Oklahoma State should have been the true breakout squad, but they had some ups and downs and ultimately crushed the Hoosiers in the bowl game.
This year I only have 4 squads who I think could be true breakout squads that I don't see many people picking as making a run at .500 or even bowl games. Some teams I'm picking not because I think they can win their conference or division title in some cases, but merely because I think they are underrated and with the right breaks (see Indiana last year) could make a bowl game. I excluded New Mexico State from consideration because unless they beat New Mexico at home, they should start 1-3 and probably won't make a bowl game. Wake Forest seemed like a sensible pick, but they recently made a BCS bowl, so, I took them out of the running as well. SMU I like, but with June Jones now on board that seems like a bandwagon pick. Anyways, onto the picks...
#4 Temple Owls- I think this is a program that made the right choice by switching to the MAC and playing a relatively easy schedule. They should have beaten UConn last year, had officials made the right call on a TD pass in the end zone; even with replay proving the WRs foot was in bounds, they still missed it. Nonetheless, with Adam DiMichele at QB, this team is finally on the way to respectability. He has all his receivers back, as the team only loses 2 letterman collectively. With Bruce Francis, Jason Harper (moving from RB) and KR specialist Travis Shelton, this team will finally be able to put up points. I only see one truly winnable non-conference game at Army, but UConn at home could be an upset special since they should have beaten them last year. Everything depends on the progression of the defense. Ohio, Akron and Buffalo should be wins in conference play. Also, Miami OH and Eastern Michigan are susceptible and could help pull their record to 6-6, 7-5 with some lucky breaks. This team won't garner any top 25 votes, but a 6-6 record would be considered a major victory for a program on life support recently.
#3 Rice Owls- What is it with the Owls and defense? Rice is very weak defensively, but with 7 returning starters they could pull a 3-9 record up to 7-5, maybe even 8-4 with a road upset (like at UTEP or Vanderbilt). The Owls do have one bright spot on defense, a veteran secondary, and with Ja'Corey Shepard hopefully returning to his regular form, they could surprise many folks in C-USA. And, a good pass defense will be vital with SMU, Tulsa and Houston roaming around in their division. The offense is solid with maybe the best WR in the country in Jarett Dillard catching lots of TDs from Chase Clement. Dillard had 15 straight games with a TD and the attention he commands will only help players like James Casey and Toren Dixon improve every game. Now, if only the running game can find any life, they will be C-USA title contenders. CJ Ugokwe and Justin Hill have talent, but they need to be more consistent. Clement leading the team in rushing again won't help them much in their search for a 2nd bowl in 3 years. The schedule looks tough but beating SMU in week 1 at home could be crucial as the Mustangs adjust to their new offense. Then, 3 straight road games isn't easy, but they should beat Memphis, Vandy is ripe for an upset, and beating North Texas could put them at 3-2 or 4-1 if they're lucky. Coming out with a winning record would mean smooth sailing for a bowl.
#2 Iowa State Cyclones- This pick sounds insane, but it's not like I'm predicting them to win the Big XII North from Kansas or Missouri. I merely have a hunch that they could vault to bowl eligibility thanks to a very easy non-conference schedule. I know they lost to Kent State, but with more focus that shouldn't happen two years in a row. South Dakota St. will be a W, they beat Iowa last year, but probably won't be as easy since they play in Iowa City this year. Another road game at UNLV should put them at 3-1, possibly 4-0 then they get a bye week. Baylor will be an easy W and I think Colorado is on par talent wise. Texas A&M could also be vulnerable since it's homecoming for the Cyclones. I think with Austen Arnaud taking over and being a versatile dual-threat QB they will take off offensively. Marquis Hamilton and RJ Sumrall are underrated, veteran WRs who are capable of big plays. They're 3-deep at RB with JJ Bass, Alexander Robinson and Jason Scales and could help them win a few games they shouldn't. This is a matter of experience breeding success. They have all 4 starters returning in the secondary so they should be solid there, and as long as the LB corps develops nicely, they will be good enough defensively. I know it's a stretch, and probably out of the realm of possibility, but I see their easy schedule early on giving them enough confidence to barely make bowl eligibility.
#1 Ball State Cardinals- This was a team that really broke out last year against Nebraska, beat Navy and played Indiana and Illinois tough late in the season. I don't see why many people are picking them 3rd in the MAC West. Granted, Central Michigan has a ton of talent and should win the division, but the Cardinals could easily hop over Western Michigan for 2nd. All 11 starters return from one of the best offenses anywhere. Nate Davis is an amazing talent at QB who will only get better with Dante Love and TE Darius Hill returning. If HB MiQuale Lewis can return to form from an ACL injury last year they will be even better shape. Once again we encounter a team who's strength is in the secondary as their 3 best players return, accounting for 14 INTs combined. Their LB corps is good enough and with DE Brandon Crawford (8 sacks) they can rush the passer effectively. With their P returning, Ian McGarvey emerging as a solid K and Dante Love an effective KR, even the special teams is well above average. I see games at Central Michigan and Indiana as their toughest tests, along with a home game against Navy (whom they beat last year). I see as many as 10 wins for this mid-major power.
Have a fun year everyone. Enjoy all the games you can watch.
Jon
This year I only have 4 squads who I think could be true breakout squads that I don't see many people picking as making a run at .500 or even bowl games. Some teams I'm picking not because I think they can win their conference or division title in some cases, but merely because I think they are underrated and with the right breaks (see Indiana last year) could make a bowl game. I excluded New Mexico State from consideration because unless they beat New Mexico at home, they should start 1-3 and probably won't make a bowl game. Wake Forest seemed like a sensible pick, but they recently made a BCS bowl, so, I took them out of the running as well. SMU I like, but with June Jones now on board that seems like a bandwagon pick. Anyways, onto the picks...
#4 Temple Owls- I think this is a program that made the right choice by switching to the MAC and playing a relatively easy schedule. They should have beaten UConn last year, had officials made the right call on a TD pass in the end zone; even with replay proving the WRs foot was in bounds, they still missed it. Nonetheless, with Adam DiMichele at QB, this team is finally on the way to respectability. He has all his receivers back, as the team only loses 2 letterman collectively. With Bruce Francis, Jason Harper (moving from RB) and KR specialist Travis Shelton, this team will finally be able to put up points. I only see one truly winnable non-conference game at Army, but UConn at home could be an upset special since they should have beaten them last year. Everything depends on the progression of the defense. Ohio, Akron and Buffalo should be wins in conference play. Also, Miami OH and Eastern Michigan are susceptible and could help pull their record to 6-6, 7-5 with some lucky breaks. This team won't garner any top 25 votes, but a 6-6 record would be considered a major victory for a program on life support recently.
#3 Rice Owls- What is it with the Owls and defense? Rice is very weak defensively, but with 7 returning starters they could pull a 3-9 record up to 7-5, maybe even 8-4 with a road upset (like at UTEP or Vanderbilt). The Owls do have one bright spot on defense, a veteran secondary, and with Ja'Corey Shepard hopefully returning to his regular form, they could surprise many folks in C-USA. And, a good pass defense will be vital with SMU, Tulsa and Houston roaming around in their division. The offense is solid with maybe the best WR in the country in Jarett Dillard catching lots of TDs from Chase Clement. Dillard had 15 straight games with a TD and the attention he commands will only help players like James Casey and Toren Dixon improve every game. Now, if only the running game can find any life, they will be C-USA title contenders. CJ Ugokwe and Justin Hill have talent, but they need to be more consistent. Clement leading the team in rushing again won't help them much in their search for a 2nd bowl in 3 years. The schedule looks tough but beating SMU in week 1 at home could be crucial as the Mustangs adjust to their new offense. Then, 3 straight road games isn't easy, but they should beat Memphis, Vandy is ripe for an upset, and beating North Texas could put them at 3-2 or 4-1 if they're lucky. Coming out with a winning record would mean smooth sailing for a bowl.
#2 Iowa State Cyclones- This pick sounds insane, but it's not like I'm predicting them to win the Big XII North from Kansas or Missouri. I merely have a hunch that they could vault to bowl eligibility thanks to a very easy non-conference schedule. I know they lost to Kent State, but with more focus that shouldn't happen two years in a row. South Dakota St. will be a W, they beat Iowa last year, but probably won't be as easy since they play in Iowa City this year. Another road game at UNLV should put them at 3-1, possibly 4-0 then they get a bye week. Baylor will be an easy W and I think Colorado is on par talent wise. Texas A&M could also be vulnerable since it's homecoming for the Cyclones. I think with Austen Arnaud taking over and being a versatile dual-threat QB they will take off offensively. Marquis Hamilton and RJ Sumrall are underrated, veteran WRs who are capable of big plays. They're 3-deep at RB with JJ Bass, Alexander Robinson and Jason Scales and could help them win a few games they shouldn't. This is a matter of experience breeding success. They have all 4 starters returning in the secondary so they should be solid there, and as long as the LB corps develops nicely, they will be good enough defensively. I know it's a stretch, and probably out of the realm of possibility, but I see their easy schedule early on giving them enough confidence to barely make bowl eligibility.
#1 Ball State Cardinals- This was a team that really broke out last year against Nebraska, beat Navy and played Indiana and Illinois tough late in the season. I don't see why many people are picking them 3rd in the MAC West. Granted, Central Michigan has a ton of talent and should win the division, but the Cardinals could easily hop over Western Michigan for 2nd. All 11 starters return from one of the best offenses anywhere. Nate Davis is an amazing talent at QB who will only get better with Dante Love and TE Darius Hill returning. If HB MiQuale Lewis can return to form from an ACL injury last year they will be even better shape. Once again we encounter a team who's strength is in the secondary as their 3 best players return, accounting for 14 INTs combined. Their LB corps is good enough and with DE Brandon Crawford (8 sacks) they can rush the passer effectively. With their P returning, Ian McGarvey emerging as a solid K and Dante Love an effective KR, even the special teams is well above average. I see games at Central Michigan and Indiana as their toughest tests, along with a home game against Navy (whom they beat last year). I see as many as 10 wins for this mid-major power.
Have a fun year everyone. Enjoy all the games you can watch.
Jon
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