Cnotes 2015 College Football All You Need To Know- Trends, Picks, News Etc.

[CNOTES]

Meyer mum on Ohio State QB


Sep 01, 2015


One of the great mysteries in college football during the 2015 preseason remains a secret.


Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday during his weekly news conference that the question on everyone's mind -- Will J.T. Barrett or Cardale Jones start at quarterback in the opener next Monday night at Virginia Tech? -- won't be answered publicly until game time (8 p.m. on ESPN).


"We'll announce the starter when the first guy takes the snap," Meyer said. "It's still very close. Both guys are performing well."


Meyer praised both quarterbacks and said he has seen little separation between the two since the start of fall camp. But he hinted that the coaching staff would likely zero in on a starter by Wednesday when the top-ranked Buckeyes begin game preparation for the Hokies.


"I imagine if one of them was way ahead I probably would announce it, but they're not, and it's more for our team than who we're playing," Meyer said.


Meyer also raised the possibility that both quarterbacks could play against Virginia Tech and that the competition could continue into the season.


"I'd like to see both guys involved," Meyer said.


It's a good problem to have for the Buckeyes. Both quarterbacks have sterling credentials.


Barrett was thrust into the starting job last August when Braxton Miller went down with a shoulder injury in preseason and proceeded to lead Ohio State to an 11-1 record during the regular season until he suffered a broken ankle against Michigan in late November.


Barrett was named one of six team captains by his peers last week, but Meyer said that doesn't mean he has an edge in the quarterback competition.


The strong-armed Jones stepped in and took control of the offense after Barrett went down without the Buckeyes missing a beat, calmly helping direct Ohio State to the Big Ten and College Football Playoff national championships. A top NFL prospect, Jones decided against entering the draft to return to school.


"I don't know J.T.'s record, but it's pretty good. Cardale, I believe, is 3-0. So who gives us at that moment a chance to win," Meyer said.


There's also a lot of interest in the guy they replaced at quarterback. Miller, the two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, has spent the summer and fall camp transitioning to wide receiver/H-back and is starting to get the hang of playing the position.


"Braxton has really the last two days has been outstanding," Meyer said. "He's the whole idea of his body getting used to basically a track practice every day is taking root."


The Buckeyes will be counting on Miller and experienced wide receiver Michael Thomas to shoulder much of the load on the outside after losing returning wideouts/H-backs Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson for the opener because of one-game suspensions for a violation of team rules during the offseason.


The Buckeyes also will be missing All-American defensive end Joey Bosa, who was suspended for the opener with the others. But they won't be lacking motivation after Virginia Tech put the only blemish on their record last year with an upset in Ohio Stadium.


"There is a little nudge around here because they beat us, and really the way they beat us," Meyer said. "Offensively, right now there is a lot of distaste for the way that thing happened, and that's not taking away from their personnel, because I think they have excellent personnel, especially on defense. But the way that happened, it was not -- a lot of it was lack of preparation."


NOTES, QUOTES


PLAYERS TO WATCH


--QB J.T. Barrett had a record-setting first season as a starter for Ohio State in 2014 before he sustained a broken ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan. He's fully recovered and contending with Cardale Jones to be the starter for the opener against Virginia Tech. Barrett, a redshirt sophomore, was named a team captain last week, an indication of the players' respect for him. Even if Jones is named the starter, Barrett is likely to see playing time.


--QB Cardale Jones had barely played when he was thrust into service at the end of last season when starting quarterback J.T. Barrett went down with injury, but all he did was lead Ohio State to a Big Ten and national championship. His performance didn't guarantee a starting job this year. Jones and Barrett were battling throughout fall camp. Coach Urban Meyer and his staff are charged with the difficult decision to choose Jones or Barrett. The good news for the Buckeyes is both have similar skill sets and are highly gifted.


--RB Ezekiel Elliott is listed as one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy after his romp through the postseason last year with 696 yards rushing on 76 carries and eight touchdowns in three games that netted a Big Ten and national championship. Elliott is primed for a new season and could reach the 2,000-yard plateau behind an experienced and talented offensive line.


--LB Joshua Perry is one of six team captains and a leader on defense of a strong linebacking corps. Perry's 124 tackles last season led the team and ranked second in the Big Ten and 19th nationally. He had a career-best 18 tackles against Penn State.


SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads Ohio State, 1-0, after winning 35-21 last season in Ohio Stadium.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're not deciding between average and good. We're deciding between good and good. We're pretty good at both spots. So we're trying to decide because, obviously, they've executed in games, big games, at a high level. So that's the thing that makes it tough and makes it the most intriguing story going." -- Ohio State co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner on the quarterback battle between J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones

 

[CNOTES]

Gophers play protection game vs. TCU


Sep 01, 2015


It's hard enough to beat elite teams, even when you're playing your best football.


Last year in Fort Worth, the University of Minnesota played nowhere near the vicinity of its best football in a 30-7 loss to Texas Christian University last Sept. 13.


The Golden Gophers turned the ball over five times in the loss, accounting for 20 of TCU's points, including a pair of touchdowns in the decisive first half, which gave the Horned Frogs a 24-0 lead at the break.


Minnesota hopes to turn the tables this time around when the two teams open the season in a nationally televised game at TCF Bank Stadium on Thursday night. TCU comes to town ranked No. 2 in the country, giving this one plenty of buzz around the Twin Cities.


"About everywhere I go, I think the people are excited," Gophers coach Jerry Kill said. "I think the state is excited. I don't know how you couldn't be. You're going to go first game out of the gate against a great opponent, first game live, 8 p.m. For a player and a fan and for our state, they get that recognition, you can't put a price on it."


Kill acknowledged his team's penchant for giving away the ball against TCU last season and said that must change if the Gophers hope to spring the first upset of the 2015 college football season.


"You turn the ball over five times, you're not beating anybody," Kill said. "There's a lot of things that we can do on our own to take care of business to be able to have a good outing."


In addition to protecting the football, the Gophers defense will be charged with finding a way to slow TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin. Boykin passed for 258 yards and two scores and also ran for 96 yards against the Gophers a year ago.


A preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy, Boykin will present Minnesota's stingy defense with perhaps its biggest test of the season right off the bat.


"Boykin is a guy that's got a very strong arm and he can throw bee-bees out there, gets the ball out quick so he's hard to sack, and he can run it as well as throw it," Kill said. "That's probably the toughest thing is being able to keep him locked in the pocket and don't let him get out of there and start running around everywhere."


NOTES, QUOTES


PLAYERS TO WATCH


--QB Mitch Leidner was near the bottom of the Big Ten in many passing categories a year ago, but is coming into this season with confidence after a good offseason of work, including a standout performance at a Manning Passing Camp. The Gophers offense will need a big-time performance from him if it hopes to knock off the No. 2 Horned Frogs. Gophers coach Jerry Kill said he believes it could happen. "The last two weeks, he's been unbelievably sharp," Kill said. "It's the best I've seen him look since I've been here. He's done a really, really good job."


--CB Eric Murray could be a high pick in next spring's NFL Draft, and with one of the most explosive offenses in the country coming to town on Thursday, the Gophers need him to be at his best. TCU's receivers are some of the quickest in the country, which will provide Murray and the entire Minnesota secondary with a good test. "We ran with them a year ago," Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said. "A couple of the fades, we were right there and their receivers made great catches. You're going to lose a jump ball every now and then. You go through all the film and they didn't outrun us."


--DE Theiren Cockran led all returning Gophers with four sacks a year ago and will need to provide plenty of heat on TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin, who carved up Minnesota to the tune of 354 total yards in their meeting last season.


SERIES HISTORY: The series is tied, 1-1. TCU defeated Minnesota 30-7 in Fort Worth last season. Minnesota won 9-7 in the only other meeting in 1974.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "Somebody said (we are) 17-point underdogs or something like that. What have we got to lose? We just go out there and have some fun and play hard and see what happens." -- Gophers coach Jerry Kill.

 

[CNOTES]

Sly Harbaugh leaning toward Rudock for Michigan's opener


Sep 01, 2015


New coach Jim Harbaugh is playing sly and not releasing the name of his starting quarterback, but all indications point to senior Jake Rudock taking the first offensive snap of Michigan's season-opening contest at Utah.


Rudock, a two-year starter at Iowa who transferred to Michigan during the offseason, has the overall game experience that competitor Shane Morris lacks. And Harbaugh wants to come in with a bang when the Wolverines face the Utes on Thursday.


Harbaugh said Tuesday that the two quarterbacks know which one will start the opener, but he wasn't ready to reveal a name.


"I feel like I want both of them to prepare that they're going to be the starter, I want both of them going into this game with the mindset that they're one play away or starting, that's the mindset I always want our quarterback and backup quarterback (to have)," Harbaugh said. "They know (who will start). ...


"We know who's going to start, we know who's going to go in second or who is going to go in next. We want them both to prepare like they're going to be the starter. I don't know how to make it any more clear than that. (Keeping Utah from knowing) is another positive or byproduct of it, then we'll take that as well."


Rudock passed for 16 touchdowns against five interceptions last season and his ability to avoid turnovers will be key if Michigan is to win Harbaugh's debut. He is an adept short passer but struggles when he attempts to stretch the field.


Morris has thrown five interceptions and zero touchdown passes in 87 career passes. He has progressed under Harbaugh's tutelage but starting him against the Utes -- who dominated the Wolverines 26-10 last season -- doesn't appear to be a solid option.


Regardless of the quarterback situation, the expectation is that Michigan will field a much better team than it did last season when it floundered to a 5-7 record under fired Brady Hoke.


Harbaugh's arrival has created plenty of buzz and his debut as coach makes the Michigan-Utah game one of the more intriguing contests of college football's opening week.


"Our expectations are very high," Harbaugh told reporters during one of the few times he met with them in August. "It will come through work but we have no predictions or crystal ball seeing into the future, not do we went it to be that way.


"We embrace the fact that there will be great competition and we have to get ourselves prepared for that."


NOTES, QUOTES


PLAYERS TO WATCH


--MLB Joe Bolden is the defense's emotional leader as well as being the unit's top player. He recorded 102 tackles last season as a junior and is primed to deliver big as a senior. He had five double-digit tackle outings last season, including a career-best 14 versus Maryland. The 6-foot-3, 237-pound Bolden has 12 tackles for loss and five sacks in his career.


--TE Jake Butt has shown glimpses of stardom over his first two seasons and could flourish this season. Coach Jim Harbaugh emphasized utilizing the tight end when he was leading Stanford's program and the philosophy will present Butt with the opportunity to take a step forward. The 6-foot-6, 248-pound Butt has started 13 games and caught 41 passes over the last two campaigns.


--SS Jabrill Peppers arrived on campus with a lot of hype but his 2014 season ended after just three games because of knee and ankle injuries. He later received a medical redshirt and had a strong fall camp and the Wolverines are expecting him to make a huge impact in the back end. Peppers will also be used in the return game and there's a chance he will see some time on offense.


SERIES HISTORY: Utah leads Michigan, 2-1, and posted a 26-10 victory last season in Ann Arbor.

 

[CNOTES]

Golson will start at QB for Florida State


Aug 31, 2015


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- At 1 p.m. on the Monday of game week, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher could only smile when he heard the question he knew was coming.


"So ... have you decided on a starting quarterback?" was the inevitable inquiry from the media just five days before the No. 10 Seminoles were scheduled to open the 2015 season at home against Texas State.


To which Fisher grinned and replied: "I have a good idea of where we're going with things. You'll all know very soon."


Some five hours later, Seminole fans finally had their answer when Fisher made the announcement after practice.


Leading Florida State in 2015 will be graduate transfer Everett Golson, the former Notre Dame quarterback who came to Tallahassee this offseason seeking a shot at redemption -- and another shot at glory. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior was chosen over Sean Maguire, a 6-3, 221-pound redshirt junior who had just one start to his credit coming into the season.


Golson, meanwhile, brings loads of experience to the position, having led the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship game as a freshman in 2012 before sitting out the following season (academic suspension) and eventually returning to Notre Dame, where he struggled with inconsistency last year. He opted to leave South Bend for his final season under the NCAA's graduate transfer rule that allows players who have already fulfilled their undergrad requirements to play for another school immediately without sitting out a season.


Golson has the chore of replacing Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, who led the Seminoles to the national championship in 2013 and to the four-team national playoff last season.


While the dual-threat Golson -- who last season passed for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 283 yards and eight more scores -- was the clear fan favorite in Tallahassee, Fisher said this year's competition was closer than expected.


"(It was) very close (in camp). Just like (two years ago) between Jacob (Coker) and Jameis (Winston), when everyone said Jameis took off, both of those guys played tremendously well and both of these guys did, too," Fisher said of Golson and Maguire, whose lone start and win came last season when he filled in for a suspended Winston against Clemson. "Both (Everett and Sean) had their moments where they shined and both improved in a lot of the areas where they had weaknesses. I really feel confident with either guy playing ... I really do."


But rather than use a two-quarterback system -- "I don't coach like that, where one guy's always looking over to the sideline every mistake he makes," Fisher said Monday -- Golson will now be leading the team he almost single-handedly beat last season in Tallahassee as Notre Dame's starting quarterback. What would have been the Fighting Irish's go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute to play was negated by a penalty for offensive pass interference, and the Seminoles prevailed, 31-27.


"Where we're at right now, it's best for the team," Fisher said after Monday's practice. "But we're definitely going to need both guys throughout the year, so I'm glad it was a tough decision and both guys are playing so well.


Neither Golson nor Maguire was made available to the media after practice. But several of their teammates were, and they seemed pleased by Fisher's decision.


"I guess y'all figured out who the quarterback is," linebacker Terrance Smith said with a smile. "We support whatever decision they make. We like Everett -- when the play breaks down, he has the ability to use his feet to extend the play a little bit. And, if necessary, he can bring the ball down and run. Just having that x-factor, that probably gave him the edge (over Sean)."


Added starting linebacker Jacob Pugh: "Both of them are real good quarterbacks. And it was a great competition. I really didn't know which one was going to be the quarterback. Both of them are great."


So with a quarterback officially named, now the Seminoles can truly focus only on Saturday's season opener against the Bobcats, who are coached by former Dennis Franchione. Franchione's 210 career wins rank fourth all-time among active FBS coaches, and he's in his second stint at Texas State, which transitioned to Division I in 2011 under the coach's watchful eye.


And while this will be the first meeting in school history between the two programs, the Bobcats have their work cut out for them: Florida State is 31-1 in its last 32 games against unranked opponents and 12-0 at home against unranked opponents since Fisher took over in 2010.


Florida State hasn't played a team from the Lone Star State since 2006, when it beat Rice 55-7, while Texas State hasn't played in Florida in 12 years, last facing Florida Atlantic in 2003. The Bobcats play in the Sun Belt Conference, which the Seminoles have owned in recent history, winning 10 straight games against Sun Belt opponents.


Fisher, however, thinks Texas State presents some concerns for the Seminoles and a new starting quarterback just learning the offensive system.


"I think their versatility and experience they have in their coaching staff. They're very diverse on offense; they're very diverse on defense," said Fisher, who has twice met Franchione during their coaching careers, splitting a pair of wins while Fisher was an assistant. "They present a lot of different problems. They're aggressive. They're very well coached. They've got good players. I know that sounds cliche, but that's a fact. This is a good program."


The Bobcats return their leading rusher (Robert Lowe, 1,091 yards, 12 TDs in 2014), starting quarterback Tyler Jones (2,670 yards passing, 22 TDs) and top defender in defensive back David Mims, who picked off five passes last season, returning one for a score.


FSU, meanwhile, has some questions marks coming in.


The offensive line sent four of its five starters to the NFL, with only left tackle Roderick Johnson, a sophomore, returning. Elsewhere on offense, FSU has to replace starting tight end and John Mackey Award winner Nick O'Leary, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, and starting wideout Rashad Greene -- Florida State's all-time leading receiver, who was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars.


Florida State also lost four defensive starters to the NFL, and its second-year defensive coordinator Charles Kelly may be on the hot seat if the big dropoff the unit saw from 2013 to 2014 doesn't improve.


Still, all things considered, Florida State is a 35-point favorite entering Saturday's game against Texas State at Doak Campbell Stadium, where Florida State has won 14 straight dating back to last season. And no one has forgotten that Florida State is an NCAA-best 29-1 record over the last three seasons, with that one loss coming to Oregon in the semifinals of last year's inaugural College Football Playoffs.


"We're going to have to play our best and we're going to have to make a lot fewer mistakes then they make -- and we're going to have to force some mistakes to happen," Franchione said when asked what it would take to upset the Seminoles. "But it's a big challenge. They've got five bona fide NFL prospects I hear, and 16 more possibles. They've won 29 out of their last 30 and three straight conference championships in the ACC, played for the national championship and won it two years ago and in the final four last year.


"We're not playing a good team. We're playing a great program."


FLORIDA STATE PLAYERS TO WATCH


--RB Dalvin Cook, a sophomore and the Seminoles' leading returning running back, is "full-go" for Saturday's game against the Bobcats, Fisher said Monday. Cook's status with the team is no longer in question after he was acquitted on misdemeanor battery charges last week by a Tallahassee jury. However, the number of plays he'd split in Saturday's opener with backup Mario Pender was unclear considering Cook missed more than half of preseason camp on suspension as he awaited the outcome of his legal issue. But after less than a week of full-contact practice, Fisher said he wouldn't limit last season's breakout star -- who set the Seminoles' rushing record for a freshman with 1,008 yards -- in the season opener Saturday. "He kept himself in tremendous condition (during his suspension)," Fisher said Monday. "He's still got that burst. Only thing I was worried about was his feel to run the holes and not be over-anxious. A great back ... you only see his speed when speed's needed. Great backs know tempo running -- they know how to take the handoff and know if it's half-speed, or three-quarters speed you need to go. And sometimes it takes reps in practice to get back in the groove. But not him. He just walked back out there with a natural feel to run the ball."


-- WR Travis Rudolph, a sophomore, was last season's second most pleasant surprise behind Cook, finishing as the team's fourth-leading wideout with 38 catches for 555 yards and four TDs. He was one of two five-star freshman receivers who stood out last year for the Seminoles, with the other being Ermon Lane. And while Lane was a nice complement to the offense last season (13 catches, 267 yards, 1 TD), it was Rudolph who had the knack for making the big play or extra move to break a long run after the catch. When asked about his receivers Monday, including juniors Jesus Wilson and Kermit Whitfield and Lane, a sophomore, Fisher said it's the one part of his offense he feels best about at the moment. "I've been very pleased. Just like I said, the blitzes, the sights, the routes, we're being healthy back with consistency," he said. "I've been extremely pleased these last six, seven days. They have responded in a very good manner."


--CB Jalen Ramsey, a junior captain of the FSU defense and unquestioned leader of the entire Florida State team, is one of two near-consensus preseason All-Americans for the Seminoles (the other being kicker Roberto Aguayo). He's moving from safety this season back at his natural position of cornerback, where he became the first true freshman to start at the position since Deion Sanders in 1985. Ramsey, who is also an All-American long-jumper in track and field, will make his 29th consecutive start for Florida State on Saturday during the Seminoles' season opener against Texas State. He's recorded 128 tackles, three interceptions, forced three fumbles and broken up 13 passes in two seasons for Florida State.


--LB Reggie Northrup, a 6-1, 231-pound senior used to be known around Tallahassee for his awesome robot dance after big tackles. But in the last two years, Northrup has endeared himself to Seminoles fans as something else: a heck of a player. He led the team in tackles last season with a staggering 122 tackles in just 14 games. He missed the Seminoles' final game, the Rose Bowl loss to Oregon, with a knee injury he's since recovered from. He became the first Florida State player to record more than 100 tackles in a single season since Buster Davis in 2006 and if he crosses the century mark again this season, he'll become the first Seminole defender to post back-to-back 100-plus-tackle seasons since Peter Boulware in 2002.


SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meeting between Florida State and Texas State.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "I can't thank (Texas State) enough. They do not to have to do that. (Head coach Dennis Franchione) is a class guy, a great guy. I thank them for that. That happens to be our charity. Anytime we can help any childhood charities or any charity at all, we want to be that way. As an athlete, you can have a huge impact in the large window in which you're seen. I think for him to do that that's a huge gesture and I (know our school) would very willingly do (that for another program if they asked), whatever it is." -- FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher, on Texas State agreeing to wear a decal for Fisher's charity during Saturday's game in honor of the head coach's continued fight against Fanconi Anemia, a disease which afflicts his youngest son, Ethan. The decal will read, "I Fight Fanconi."

 

[CNOTES]

Arrested CB Adams suspended by UCLA


September 1, 2015


LOS ANGELES (AP) UCLA suspended cornerback Ishmael Adams indefinitely on Tuesday following his arrest last weekend on suspicion of felony robbery.


Coach Jim Mora announced the suspension after practice on campus for the 13th-ranked Bruins, who open their season Saturday at the Rose Bowl against Virginia.


''As a football coach, as a parent, you hate to see young men get themselves into bad situations,'' Mora said.


The redshirt junior was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly taking a phone from an Uber driver.


Adams' bail was set at $100,000, and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department records indicate Adams was released from custody Tuesday morning. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 22.


Mora said the Bruins have a responsibility ''to represent the highest ideals and moral values. Unfortunately ... when they do make a mistake, it's magnified. It tarnishes their reputation, and certainly tarnishes to some extent the reputation of this program.''


Adams has started every game in the past two seasons for the Bruins, making the All-Pac-12 team last season despite his undersized 5-foot-8 frame. He also returned kicks and punts for UCLA, repeatedly coming up with big returns.


Mora declined to provide any timetable for Adams' return.


''As facts become available, then we'll make our decisions as we go,'' Mora said.


Adams likely would have played extensively for the Bruins again this season, although UCLA doesn't release a preseason depth chart. Marcus Rios has been competing with Adams for a starting spot at cornerback opposite Fabian Moreau, which could have made Adams into the Bruins' nickel back.


Adams' teammates largely declined to speak about his absence after practice, but expressed support.


''You never want that to happen to your teammate,'' offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch said. ''But life goes on. We've got to play this game, and we wish the best for him.''


Adams is the son of Stefon Adams, who played most of his five NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders. Ishmael Adams was an elite recruit for UCLA as a defensive back out of nearby Woodland Hills, California.

 

[CNOTES]

After Edwards, Miami has many RB options


September 1, 2015


CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Of all the players who will be on the field for Miami this season, only one has scored multiple rushing touchdowns so far in his Hurricanes career.


That would be Dallas Crawford.


And he's now a starting safety for the Hurricanes, long removed from his running back days.


Losing Gus Edwards late last month to a season-ending foot injury means there's many more carries are up for grabs in a relatively untested Miami backfield. Edwards had 11 touchdowns in his first two Miami seasons, and he and Duke Johnson (now of the Cleveland Browns) combined for 16 of the 19 ground scores the Hurricanes had in 2014.


So when the season starts Saturday night against Bethune-Cookman, it'll be Joe Yearby, Mark Walton and Trayone Gray getting the bulk of the handoffs. Yearby was last year's backup who got 86 carries and most of those in second halves, Gray had just six carries in three games a season ago, and Walton is a true freshman.


''We don't feel like we're going to miss a beat there,'' Miami coach Al Golden said Tuesday. ''We feel badly for Gus, disappointed for him. He worked really hard but he's coming back, he's in great spirits and it's a great opportunity for the other three guys to step up and execute.''


The severity of the injury in Edwards' left foot - at first thought just to be a bruise of some sort - wasn't fully known until he underwent a surgical procedure on Saturday. Edwards has the mix of size (241 pounds was his listed weight on this year's roster) and speed (21 mph top-end sprinting speed according to the school's GPS data) that had him squarely in the mix to start.


''We didn't know how serious it was,'' Crawford said. ''I know he'll rehab and come back stronger than ever next year.''


But for this year, Yearby might have the edge on being the starter. A backfield-by-committee situation seems more than a little possible.


''That was heartbreaking,'' Yearby said of the news that Edwards' season ended before it started.


Yearby was then asked if he and Walton were ready to assume a heavier workload, and he nodded.


''Me, Mark and Choc,'' Yearby said, the last name being the moniker teammates have given to Gray.


Even with Edwards gone, Miami's backs could get off to a good start. Bethune-Cookman lost its top seven tacklers from last year, and Week 2 opponent Florida Atlantic gave up a staggering 34 touchdowns on the ground last season - only nine of the 125 teams at college football's highest level gave up more in 2014.


After that, the Hurricanes should have a much better feel for what the rotation taking handoffs from quarterback Brad Kaaya will look like.


''It is a big deal because (Edwards) is a weapon,'' Kaaya said. ''It sucks to lose a weapon but we also have three other guys who were recruited by us, good, athletic running backs.''

 

[CNOTES]

Tech Trends - Week 1


August 31, 2015


THURSDAY, SEPT. 3


Matchup Skinny Tech Edge




SOUTH CAROLINA vs. NORTH CAROLINA (from Charlotte)
Spurrier 1-7 as chalk last season, 1-3 vs. non-SEC in reg season LY. Gamecocks 1-5-1 as chalk away from home since 2012. Heels only 3-7 vs. non-ACC since 2013, Fedora 4-7 as dog same span.


Slight to UNC, based on team trends.




FIU at UCF


Ron Turner 7-4 as dog LY, 8-4 overall vs. number in 2014, also 3-1 vs. line away from home and vs. non-CUSA LY. O’Leary 4-1 as DD chalk in 2014, 5-1 vs. spread in Orlando, and 7-5 as DD chalk since 2013.


Slight to FIU, based on recent trends.




OKLAHOMA STATE at CENTRAL MICHIGAN


Gundy 18-13 as DD chalk since 2010, but just 6-7 in role past two years, and 2-4 last six as road DD chalk. Yet OSU is 8-4 last 12 vs. number against non-Big 12. CMU 0-7 as home dog or pick since 2012, also 3-13 vs. number in reg.-season non-MAC games since 2011.


OSU, based on CMU home dog woes.




MICHIGAN at UTAH


Harbaugh Michigan debut! Harbaugh was 7-5-1 as dog with Niners, and covered his season opener past four years. Harbaugh 6-1 vs. line last seven openers dating to 2008. Though Harbaugh was only 11-13 as Stanford dog from 2007-10. Harbaugh was 23-15 vs. line his last three years with Tree and 41-26-4 with Niners, so he’s 64-41-4 vs. number since 2008. Hoke was 4-9-1 as dog past three years with Big Blue. Utes have covered last 8 vs. non-Pac 12 foes but covered only 1 of last 4 at Rice-Eccles LY.


Michigan, based on extended Harbaugh numbers.




TCU at MINNESOTA


Frogs 11-2 vs. line LY, but were only 3-2 as chalk away from Fort Worth. TCU 6-1 as DD chalk LY though Patterson was only 4-12-1 in role the previous three years, and was 1-6 as road chalk from 2011-13. Frogs have covered last five vs. non-Big 12 foes, and did whip Gophers 30-7 LY. Jerry Kill 9-4 as dog past two years, but only 2-4 last six vs. line against non-Big 10.


TCU, based on recent trends.




DUKE at TULANE


Wave 0-4 as home dog LY after 3-0 mark in role in 2013. Overall, Tulane 2-8 as dog in 2014 after 7-2 mark the previous year. Cutcliffe 9-3-1 last 13 vs. line away from Durham, 14-4-1 as chalk since 2012 (2-1-1 as visiting chalk that span). Cutcliffe 19-8 vs. spread since 2013 and routed Wave at Wallace Wade LY.


Duke, based on team trends.




UTSA at ARIZONA


Coker only 4-8 vs. line LY but did cover at home vs. Cats. UTSA only 1-4 vs. line last 5 away LY, and 2-2 as DD dog. Cats 5-2 vs. line at home vs. non-Pac 12 since Rich-Rod arrived in 2012. UA 4-1 laying 20 or more since 2012.


Slight to UA, based on team trends.


COLORADO at HAWAII


Buffs 1-5 vs. line away from Boulder LY, 3-8 last 11 in role. CU 1-2 as chalk LY. Norm Chow 3-0 as non-MW home dog past two years, 6-1 last seven vs. non-conference foes in Honolulu. Hawaii has covered five straight openers, the last three with Chow. Home team has covered all three in series since 2010.


Hawaii, based on team trends.




WESTERN KENTUCKY at VANDERBILT
Dores were 1-3 as chalk LY for Mason, all at home vs. lesser non-SEC foes. James Franklin had been 14-6 as chalk the previous three years. Tops 2-3 as single-digit dog LY but were 12-1 in role previous four seasons.


WKU, based on team trends.




FRIDAY, SEPT. 4


Matchup Skinny Tech Edge


BAYLOR at SMU


Morris debut at SMU. Baylor routed SMU in 2012 & ‘14 by combined 104-24 score, covering each. But Briles only 3-7-1 as visiting chalk since 2011 (2-1-1 LY). Bears are 14-5-1 laying DDs since 2013, however, and have covered last 7 laying 30 or more. Ponies were just 1-5 as home dog in surrendering 2014 campaign, also 1-5 vs. spread as host (1-3 as home dog).


Baylor, based on team and series trends.




CHARLOTTE at GEORGIA STATE


Charlotte spread debut! GSU only favored once before and is 0-1 in role, also 1-5 vs. line at home LY. Expansion teams!


Slight to Charlotte, based on GSU negatives.




MICHIGAN STATE at WESTERN MICHIGAN
Dantonio great road chalk in recent years, 12-2 in role since 2010. Spartans also 8-3 last 11 vs. non-Big Ten foes. MSU 8-1 as DD chalk in 2014 but just 2-6 in role previous two years. Broncos were 4-1 vs. line at Waldo in bounce-back year of 2014 when covering 11 of 13. WMU 2-4 vs. line last six vs. Big Ten but did cover at East Lansing in 2013.


Slight to WMU, based on recent trends.



KENT STATE at ILLINOIS


Cubit debut for Illinois. In Kent State's last three at Big Ten sites, Flashes lost and failed to cover all and shut out each time (combined score 124-0). But none of those at Illinois. Kent 5-3 as DD dog under Paul Haynes since 2013, 6-3 in role since 2012. Illini 4-8 vs. line as chalk since 2012, 1-3 as DD chalk since 2013, and 1-4 vs. spread against non-Big Ten LY.


Slight to Kent State, based on team trends.


WASHINGTON at BOISE STATE


Petersen returns to Boise. Note Petersen just 5-14 vs. line his last 19 games on blue carpet before taking UW job. Though Huskies were 4-2 vs. spread as visitor LY. Broncos have covered last four as host vs. non-MW foes.


Slight to Boise, based on team trends.




SATURDAY, SEPT. 5


Matchup Skinny Tech Edge




OLD DOMINION at EASTERN MICHIGAN
ODU has been road chalk once, covering at Idaho in 2013. Monarchs 3-3 vs. points away LY compered to 1-5 at Norfolk. EMU 4-7-1 vs. line for Creighton LY, 10-25-1 overall vs. number since 2012, 5-11 last 16 vs. line at Ypsilanti.


Slight to ODU, based on EMU woes.




NEW MEXICO STATE at FLORIDA
McElwain debut for Gators. Jim M was 21-8 vs. line his last 19 at CSU, and 9-3 last 12 as home chalk with Rams. Gators were 3-1 as DD chalk LY and covered both at home vs. lower-echelon non-SEC foes. Ags 1-10 vs. line away since 2013, 4-10 as DD dog that span.


Florida, based on McElwain and NMSU trends.




PENN STATE at TEMPLE
Owls no SU wins vs. Penn State since pre-Pearl Harbor 14-0 job in 1941, 30 SU losses in row since! But not James Franklin was 0-3 as road chalk LY for Nittany Lions, and PSU 0-4 as single-digit chalk a year ago. After 7-1 dog mark in Matt Rhule debut in 2013, Temple sagged to 3-5 record in role LY, but Owls still 13-7 vs. spread last 20 on board since mid 2013.


Slight to Temple, based on recent trends.




FAU at TULSA


Montgomery Tulsa debut. Golden Hurricane just 3-9 vs. line since 2013 at home, 3-7 as chalk overall that span. Crushed 50-21 at FAU LY. Owls 14-4 as visiting dog since 2012, 3-2 in role for Partridge LY. FAU was 12-2 vs. line away in 2012-‘13 prior to 3-4 spread mark in role LY.


FAU, based on team trends.




VIRGINIA at UCLA
Cavs played Bruins tough LY en route to covering 5 of 7 as doggie, now 7-2 last 9 getting points. UCLA only 2-4 vs. line at Rose Bowl LY, first losing spread mark at home since Bob Toledo’s last season of 2002. Bruins also 0-4 as DD chalk in 2014 after Mora was 6-2 in role previous two years.


Slight to Virginia, based on team trends.




STANFORD at NORTHWESTERN


David Shaw just 3-6 as visiting favorite past two years, but Tree was 5-0 as DD chalk in 2014. Pat Fitzgerald just 8-16 vs. spread past two years after losing just once vs. line in 2012. Cats were 2-1 as home dog LY, but just 1-5 vs. spread last six vs. non-Big Ten foes.


Stanford, based on team trends.



LOUISVILLE vs. AUBURN (at Georgia Dome, Atlanta)


Petrino 5-2 vs. line away from Papa John’s LY but only 2-2 overall as dog. Cards were 8-1 as dog 2011-13 under Charlie Strong, bulk of that damage occurring in 2011 when 6-1 in role. After Auburn’s 13-game cover streak ended early last season, Malzahn just 2-9 vs. line thereafter, and Tigers only 3-7 as chalk in 2014 after 6-2 record in role previous year. Gus still 24-15 vs. line since 2012 at Ark State & Auburn.


Slight to Auburn, based on extended Malzahn marks.


ARIZONA STATE vs. TEXAS A&M (at NRG Stadium, Houston)
Todd Graham just 3-7 as dog at ASU, but was 2-2 in role LY. Sun Devils 2-5 vs. line last seven vs. non-Pac 12 foes. Graham only 13-14 vs. spread since 2013. Ags a bit worse lately, just 9-17 vs. spread since 2013, 5-11 last 16 on board, 2-7 last 9 as chalk. Though A&M was 4-3 vs. points away from Kyle Field LY.+


Slight to ASU, based on recent trends.



BYU at NEBRASKA


Riley Husker debut! Riley 1-1 SU and vs. spread against Bronco Mendenhall in 2011-12. Note that Riley OSU teams were 8-15 as home favorite from 2009-15, and his Beavers were 1-5 overall as chalk LY. His teams are 11-23 their last 34 as chalk. Huskers 6-8 as home chalk for Pelini past two years. Bronco was 8-2 as dog 2011-13 before 1-3 LY, all dog 2014 games after Taysom Hill injury.


BYU, based on team trends.


TROY at NC STATE


Neal Brown Troy debut. Trojans 7-4-1 as DD dog since 2012 though just 3-6 last nine vs. line against non-Belt. Dave Doeren 10-4 as DD chalk since 2012 (6-1 at NIU in 2012) and covered last 3 vs. non-ACC foes LY.


NC State, based on team trends.




UNLV at NORTHERN ILLINOIS


Sanchez UNLV debut! Rebs were 8-4 vs. line as visitor past two years after 5-20 spread mark away previous four years. But Rebs 1-8 vs. number last 9 vs. non-MW away from Sam Boyd Stadium. Huskies only 1-4 as DeKalb chalk LY, but are 20-14 as favorite since 2012.


NIU, based on UNLV extended road non-MW woes.




AKRON at OKLAHOMA


Stoops very middling in most spread categories lately, but is 6-2 last 8 vs. line when hosting non-Big 12 foes. OU 7-7 laying DD since 2013, 6-4 last 10 laying 20 or more. Bowden just 3-5 as DD dog since 2013, and Zips just 8-14-2 overall vs. spread past two years.


OU, based on team trends.


BOWLING GREEN vs. TENNESSEE (at Nissan Stadium, Nashville)


This game at Titans’ Stadium, and Vols were 3-4 as reg season chalk LY. Counting bowl win, UT 4-4 as chalk LY for Butch, improvement over 5-12 chalk mark 2012-13. BG 5-3-1 as dog since 2013 and 3-2-1 in role LY, 6-4 vs. line since 2013 against non-MAC foes.


Slight to Bowling Green, based on team trends.


ULM at GEORGIA


Richt only 4-7 as DD chalk since 2013, 2-3 laying 30 or more. ULM 3-5 as DD dog since 2013, 1-2 as dog of 30 or more since 2014, just 3-8 last 11 vs. line against non-Belt.


Slight to Georgia, based on recent ULM non-Belt mark.


UL-LAFAYETTE at KENTUCKY
Hudspeth only 5-5 as dog past two years but was 11-1 in role 2011-12. Ragin’ Cajuns also 0-4 as DD dog since 2013 after 5-1 mark previous two years in role. ULL 2-6 vs. spread last 8 vs. non-Belt FBS foes. Mark Stoops 5-1 as home chalk past two years, Cats 12-4 as Commonwealth Stadium chalk since 2010. Stoops 5-1 as DD chalk since 2013. Cats covered all four non-SEC games LY.


Kentucky, based on team trends.


UTEP at ARKANSAS


Miners improved to 3-3 as road dog LY after 0-6 mark in role previous year. Kugler 2-9 as DD dog past two years though 0-6 in 2013 in role. Bielema 3–0 as home chalk LY (all as DD chalk) and Hogs now 11-3 vs. number last 14 since late 2013. Bielema has not laid more than 26 ½ as Arkansas coach until this game.


Arkansas, based on team trends.


GEORGIA SOUTHERN at WEST VIRGINIA
GS 2-0 as DD dog LY for Willie Fritz, 3-0 in role since late 2013. Mounties 3-9 as chalk past two years, 4-17 last 21 in role. WVU 3-9 vs. spread at Morgantown since 2012.


Georgia Southern, based on team trends.



TEXAS at NOTRE DAME


Irish just 11-16 last 27 vs. line, and just 6-9-1 vs. spread last 16 at South Bend. Brian Kelly 5-11 as chalk past two years. Charlie Strong 3-5 as dog in difficult Texas debut LY but was 8-1 as dog in previous three years at ‘Ville. Horns 5-1 vs. spread away from Austin in reg season LY.


Texas, based on team trends.


TEXAS STATE at FLORIDA STATE


Franchione 4-0 as road dog LY, 6-1 overall as dog in 2014. Texas State also covered last six games in 2014 en route to 9-3 spread mark. Jimbo 1-6 as home chalk LY after 6-0 mark in role for 2013, also 1-8 as DD chalk in 2014 after 8-2-1 mark in role in 2013.


Texas State, based on recent trends.


WISCONSIN vs. ALABAMA (at Jerry Jones AT&T Stadium, Arlington)


Chryst Wiscy debut! Badgers 6-2-1 as dog since 2012, 11-4-1 since 2009. Though Wiscy only 7-10 last 17 on board overall. Nick only 3-9 vs. spread last 12 laying points away from Tuscaloosa, and 2-8 vs. number last 10 reg season games away from Bryant-Denny.


Wisconsin, based on team trends.

MISSISSIPPI STATE at SOUTHERN MISS


Dak only 4-5-1 as chalk LY despite MSU emergence. Bulldogs 3-3-1 as DD chalk LY. USM 0-4 as home dog LY and just 4-7-1 vs. line overall, though that was improvement from back-to-back 3-9 spread marks that preceded 2014. Golden Eagles were 2-2 as DD dog LY, but just 3-13-1 vs. line at home since 2012.


MSU, based on USM negatives.

ARKANSAS STATE at SOUTHERN CAL


Sark 2-3 as DD chalk LY, 7-9 in role since 2011 counting UW days. Trojans 13-22 as DD chalk since 2009, though Sark was 2-0 laying 20 or more LY. SC 4-9 vs. spread against non-Pac 12 foes since 2012. Ark State only 2-5 vs. spread since 2012 as visitor vs. non-Belt foes, but is 7-5 as DD dog since 2010. Note Trojans “over” 36-16 since 2011, Red Wolves “over” 35-17 same span.


“Over” and slight to Ark State, based on team trends.




SUNDAY, SEPT. 6


Matchup Skinny Tech Edge


PURDUE at MARSHALL
Purdue now 5-1 last six as dog away from Ross-Ade and 9-5 vs. spread last 14 overall since late 2013. Herd 3-3-1 as home chalk in 2014 after 6-0 mark in role previous year. Herd 18-10-1 last 29 on board.


Slight to Purdue, based on recent Boilermaker road success.


SATURDAY, SEPT. 7


Matchup Skinny Tech Edge


OHIO STATE at VIRGINIA TECH
Urban Meyer revenge from lone loss LY. But note Buckeyes were just 1-2 as visiting chalk LY, and had dropped three straight vs. line before closing with that tremendous rush last year vs. Wiscy, Bama, and Oregon. Urban just 17-17 as chalk with Buckeyes since 2012, but is 8-2 last 10 vs. non-Big Ten. Also just 10-10 as DD chalk since 2013, 12-15 in role since 2012. Beamer 4-2 as rare home dog since 2005, though just 18-34-1 last 53 on board. Beamer 2-1 as DD dog since 2012.


Slight to VPI, based on team trends.

 

[CNOTES]

Final Four Consensus Picks


September 1, 2015


College football season is finally here as the second go-around of the four-team playoff takes place. Florida State, Oregon, and Alabama were all no-brainers to head to the inaugural playoff in 2014, but Ohio State shocked the world with a pair of wins as the fourth seed to capture the national championship. Will the Buckeyes be the team to beat once again in 2015, or will the likes of TCU, Alabama, Georgia, or Baylor hoist the championship trophy?


We asked our panel of college football handicappers their thoughts on which teams will qualify for the playoff in 2015. Looking back at last season, none of our ‘cappers predicted Ohio State to win the title, as the run to the playoff will certainly be tough once again this season.


Joe Nelson believes you can’t go wrong by going with the defending champion Buckeyes once again in 2015, “Ultimately backing the talent-rich Ohio State Buckeyes is the safest choice for the championship and the oddsmakers don’t disagree. The Buckeyes will likely be a double-digit favorite in every regular season game and they have the depth to survive an injury at a key position. Urban Meyer’s big game record is incredibly impressive and even if Ohio State is upset at some point in the regular season they might get the benefit of the doubt if it is a close call for the final spot as they did last season.”


The Big 12 saw a pair of powerhouse teams not qualify for the playoff last season as both TCU and Baylor are looking to finish in the top four this season. Vince Akins is high on the Horned Frogs to break through in 2015, “TCU was left out of the playoffs last year and they had a legitimate gripe as one of the top teams in the country last year. This team has one of the most experienced squads in the country returning in 2015, particularly with their stacked offense, and they are on a mission led by their Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin at quarterback and 10 returning starters in the group. Playing the relatively weak Big 12, they are the second most likely power conference team to get through their schedule unblemished this year.”


What about Baylor? The Bears are expected to score plenty of points even with a new quarterback as Paul Bovi predicts Baylor will finish in the final four, “Baylor will once again feature a potent offense led by QB Seth Russell. They were an offensive juggernaut last year and managed an 11-2 record though allowing 58 and 46 to TCU and Texas Tech in wins, while giving up 41 and 42 to West Virginia and Michigan State in losses. They get nine starters back on both sides of the ball and should be vastly improved on defense though they lose leading tackler Bryce Hager. Kansas State, Oklahoma State and TCU on the road will be no easy task, but it is not out of the realm of possibility.


In the SEC, there is no overwhelming favorite to win the conference in 2015, but Alabama, Georgia, and LSU are three teams to watch out for. Auburn is looking to return to the national championship after falling short against Florida State in 2012. Brian Edwards is bullish on the War Eagle this season, “I love the addition of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to get things right on that side of the ball for Auburn. In addition, DE Carl Lawson returns after missing all of 2014, and I believe he's the second-best pass rusher in the SEC behind only Texas A&M Myles Garrett. Also, QB Jeremy Johnson is poised for a monster season and he might have the nation's best WR in Duke Williams. Perhaps most important, the schedule works. Auburn gets Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama at home down the stretch.”


NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS


Playoff team #1 Playoff team #2 Playoff team #3 Playoff team #4 Champion


Andy Iskoe TCU Auburn Michigan State Arizona State Michigan State


Antony Dinero Ohio State Alabama TCU Arizona Ohio State


ASA Baylor Ohio State USC LSU Ohio State


Brian Edwards Auburn TCU Ohio State UCLA Auburn


Bruce Marshall Ohio State TCU Georgia Michigan State TCU


Dave Cokin Ohio State TCU Alabama Oregon Ohio State


Don Anthony Ohio State TCU Auburn Florida State Florida State


James Manos LSU Ohio State TCU Michigan State Michigan State


Jim Feist Ohio State Alabama TCU Georgia Ohio State


Jimmy Boyd Ohio State TCU Alabama USC TCU


Joe Nelson TCU Alabama Ohio State Baylor Ohio State


Joe Williams Ohio State Michigan State Auburn Clemson Ohio State


John Fisher Ohio State LSU UCLA Baylor Baylor


KellyInVegas Wisconsin TCU Georgia USC TCU


Kevin Rogers LSU TCU Michigan State Arizona State TCU


Kyle Hunter Ohio State TCU Auburn Notre Dame Ohio State


Marc Lawrence Ohio State Alabama TCU USC USC


Mark Franco Ohio State TCU Oregon Georgia Ohio State


Michael Black Ohio State TCU Notre Dame UCLA Ohio State


Pat Hawkins Baylor Ohio State Georgia Stanford Baylor


Paul Bovi Ohio State Michigan State USC Baylor Ohio State


Scott Pritchard Ohio State TCU Alabama Oregon Ohio State


The SportsBoss Ohio State Michigan State TCU LSU Michigan State


Vince Akins Ohio State TCU Oregon Georgia TCU

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAF


Armadillo's Write-Up


Week 1


Thursday's games


South Carolina (-13) beat UNC 27-10 two years ago, running ball for 228 yards; Gamecocks lost 7 starters on offense, have new QB, were 1-7 vs spread when favored LY, are 9-5-1 in non-SEC games since 2012. Tar Heels are 4-8 in last 12 games as an underdog, 4-6 in last ten non-ACC games; they've got 105 starts back on OL and a senior QB. UNC has 17 starters back, ten on offense.


Harbaugh makes Michigan debut with new QB but four starters back on OL: Wolverines are 7-14 as road underdog since 2008, 4-9-1 in non-league games since '12- they were -16 in tunovers LY, when Utah (+3) won 26-10 in Ann Arbor. Utes had a +3 turnover ratio but were outgained 308-286. Utah covered five non-league games in row; since '10, they're 12-10-1 as a home favorite.


TCU has to have chip on shoulder after being shunned for shot at 4-team playoff LY. Horned Frogs have 10 starters back on offense and a senior QB; they're just 3-8 as road favorite since 2011, but waxed Minnesota 30-7 (-16) LY, outgaining Gophers 427-268- it was Minnesota's only loss LY by more than 10 points. Minnesota is 7-6 as a home underdog under coach Kill; they have a QB wth 16 career starts and an experienced (88 starts) OL.


Friday's game


Coach Petersen returns to Boise (92-12 as HC there) with Washington team whose QB quit (injuries) this spring and with OL that lost four of its starters (and 149 starts) from LY. Huskies hammered Boise 38-6 in last meeting in '13 opener, after Broncos beat U-Dub 28-26 in Las Vegas Bowl eight months earlier. Boise also has new QB but has all 5 starters back (96 starts) on OL- they're 9-16 as home favorites since 2011.


Saturday's games


Arizona State is 3-7 as an underdog under coach Graham; they're 1-7 in last eight neutral field games, 6-6 in non-league games. Sun Devils have a senior QB who made three starts LY. Texas A&M has soph QB with 5 career starts; Aggies are 3-10 vs spread in last 13 neutral field games, are 5-10 as a favorite since '13. Both teams have three starters back on OL. A&M is 8-7 vs spread in its last fifteen non-conference games.


Western Kentucky has 6th-year QB with 24 career starts and 3 starters back on OL: Hilltoppers are 13-7 as road underdogs since 2010, 10-5 in last 15 non-league games. Anytime a team like WKU plays an SEC club it is a big chance for them, even if it is Vanderbilt. Commodores have 4 starters back on OL; they're 3-5 in last eight games as home faves, 3-6 in last nine non-SEC games- their soph QB has made five career starts.


Stanford has a senior QB with 32 career starts and four starters back on its OL (65 starts), but Cardinal is just 3-6 in last nine games as a favorite on road, 4-6-2 in last 12 non-league games- since '12, they're 14-16 as a favorite. Northwestern covered just three of last 14 home games; since '08, they're 7-10 as a home dog- they're 3-8 in last 11 non-league games. Wildcats have a new QB and only two starters back on offensive line.


Nebraska has new coach in Riley; they're learning new offense, but their QB has 21 starts. Huskers lost 3 starters on OL: they're 6-8 as a favorite at home last two years, 10-5 in last 12 non-league games. BYU has a brutal September (Boise-UCLA-Michigan after this); they're 7-3 in last ten games as a road dog, 9-11 vs teams from Power-5 leagues. Cougars have a senior QB (20 starts) and three starters back on OL.


Petrino returns to Georgia Dome; he was Falcons' coach in '07 but quit before first season (3-10) was done. Louisville covered nine of last ten as an underdog but they lost 158 starts off their OL, have just one starter back there. Auburn is 9-8 as a favorite under Malzahn, 7-3 vs spread in neutral field games- they're 18-26 in non-SEC games since '08. Junior QB has made two starts; they've got three starters (60 starts) back on OL.


UCLA (-20) won 28-20 at Virginia LY; Bruins have 18 starters back but lost their QB- their 131 returning starts on OL is most in county. Since 2012, UCLA is 8-6 as a home favorite; they failed to cover its last four non-league games. Virginia is 9-6 in last 15 games as a dog, covering six of last eight non-ACC games; Cavaliers have four starters back on OL (68 starts) but their junior QB has made only three starters in his career.


Since 2005, Notre Dame is 18-31-3 as a home favorite; they're 8-13 vs Power 5 teams, 12-18 in last 30 games as a favorite anywhere. Irish have three starters (68 starts) back on OL but a new QB who started only one game LY. Texas are 3-5 SU in last eight games away from Austin; they're 5-11 as an underdog since '06, 10-12 in last 22 road games. Longhorns are 3-4 as a road dog since '11; their junior QB has made 12 starts.


Wisconsin has its third HC in four years but has a senior QB; Badgers covered five of last seven as an underdog- they're 7-3 in last ten games out of conference. Only two of their top 10 on OL are seniors- they have 58 starts back on OL (6 of top 10 back). Alabama is 7-12 vs spread in last 19 non-SEC games, 9-4 in last 13 neutral games; Tide has new QB, three new starters on OL (40 starts)- they lost eight starters on offense.


Sunday's game


Purdue is 7-point dog to a MAC team? Boilers are 4-5 as road dogs in Hazell era, 9-13 in last 22 non-league games. Marshall is 9-3-1 as home favorite since '13 but has new QB-- they're 12-5-1 out of conference.


Monday's game


Ohio State won national title LY but lost 35-21 (-11) to Virginia Tech at home in September; Buckeyes completed only 9-29 passes in game that yardage was 327-324. OSU covered eight of last 11 non-league games, are 16-15 as favorites under Meyer. Hokies covered five of last seven as an underdog but since '06 are 13-25-6 vs spread in non-ACC contests. Buckeyes have four starters back on OL; Tech has two (42 starts).


Notes on other games.........


-- Central Florida is 29-16 as home favorite since '05; they beat FIU last two years 38-0/33-20, after losing 17-10 to Panthers in '11. Since 2011, FIU is 10-8 as a road underdog.


-- Oklahoma State has four starters back on OL but its QB is starting for only 4th time; since '12, Cowboys are 2-6 as road faves. CMU covered once in its last nine tries as a home underdog.


-- Duke is breaking in new QB but is 11-4 vs spread in last 15 non-ACC games; Blue Devils whacked Tulane 47-13 LY ; total yardage was just 437-391. Green Wave was 0-4 as a home dog last season.


-- Ohio (-13) beat Idaho 36-24 LY, running ball for 272 yards; Bobcats are 10-8-1 as road favorites since '08. Vandals are 5-10 in last 15 as a home dog; their QB is son of Dallas Cowboy OC Scott Linehan.


-- Arizona beat Tx-San Antonio 38-13/26-23 last two years; Wildcats are 8-9 as home faves under RichRod- they lost three starters off OL. UTSA lost 179 starts from LY's OL, plus they have a new starting QB.


-- Colorado (-8) beat Hawai'i 21-12 LY, outgaining them 405-286; since '08, Buffs are 0-3 as road favorites- they have junior QB with 18 starts. Hawai'i is 5-9 as home dog since '11; they have options at QB.


-- Baylor is breaking in new QB but has 106 starts back on OL; they've beaten SMU 59-24/45-0 in last two meetings. Bears are just 3-7-1 in last 11 tries as road favorite. Mustangs have new coach, but whole OL back.


-- Georgia State is favored for second time ever despite being 2-33 last three years with a -49 turnover ratio. This is Charlotte's first year as a D-I team; they've got four starters back on OL and a vet (24 starts) QB.


-- Michigan State hosts Oregon next, could be looking ahead, but State is 16-3-1 as road favorite since '07- they've got four starters back on OL and a senior QB (26 starts). WMU is 3-8-1 in last 12 tries as home dog.


-- Illinois had rough offseason; they're 6-12 in last 18 tries as favorite at home (4-7 with Beckman). Kent State has four starters back on OL and vet QB (21 starts); since '07, they're 16-21 as a road underdog.


-- Eastern Michigan lost 17-3 at Old Dominion LY; outgained by 152 yards; Eagles are 11-21 as home underdogs since '06, 4-8 in non-MAC games. ODU has new QB but four starters back on OL.


-- Florida has a new QB, new coach, very thin OL; two freshmen, two sophs could start- they're 5-11 in last 16 games as a HF. New Mexico State is 2-13-1 in last sixteen games as a road underdog.


-- Penn State (-12) beat Temple 30-13 LY, running ball for 254 yards; Lions are 2-6 as road favorite since 2011. Since '05, Temple is 17-10-1 as a home dog-- they have all 11 starters back on defense.


-- Florida Atlantic is 14-4 in last 18 games as a road dog; they crushed Tulsa 50-21 (even) LY, averaging 14.8 ypa, outgaining Tulsa 518-363. Tulsa covered once in its last seven games as a home favorite.


-- Since 2012, Troy is 7-5-2 as a road underdog; they're 3-6 vs spread in last nine non-league games. NC State is 4-5 as home fave under Doeren; they're 5-4 vs spread in last nine non-ACC games.


-- Georgia Southern is 6-1 as road underdog since '10; they lost four of LY's starters from OL. West Virginia is 5-12 as home favorite since '11; their QB has started only two games.


-- Florida State lost 164 starts off its OL, QB who was 27-1; ;they were 1-6 as home favorite LY. Texas State is 12-7 in last 19 games as a home underdog; they covered seven of last nine non-league games.


-- Mississippi State plays LSU next week; they're 8-4-1 as road faves under Mullen. Bulldogs lost 114 starts off LY's OL. Since '09, Southern Miss 9-17-1 out of conference, 1-6 in last seven as a home dog.


-- USC has senior QB with 27 starts, but they're 6-14 vs spread in last 20 non-Pac-12 games- theya also have whole OL back. Arkansas State is 8-4 in last 12 games as road dog- they have a senior QB (13 starts).

 

[CNOTES]

Conference title game odds for every NCAAF team


Online sportsbook Bookmaker.eu released odds for every college football team to win its respective conference's title game Monday.


Here's a look at what prices the shop is offering:


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 BIG TEN TITLE GAME


ILLINOIS +20000
INDIANA +9000
IOWA +5500
MARYLAND +12500
MICHIGAN +2003
MICHIGAN STATE +781
MINNESOTA +3517
NEBRASKA +1400
NORTHWESTERN +8000
OHIO STATE -375
PENN STATE +1752
PURDUE +20000
RUTGERS +20000
WISCONSIN +793


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 SEC TITLE GAME


ALABAMA +224
ARKANSAS +1002
AUBURN +475
FLORIDA +2515
GEORGIA +475
KENTUCKY +10000
LSU +695
MISSISSIPPI STATE +3533
MISSOURI +2262
OLE MISS +851
SOUTH CAROLINA +3024
TENNESSEE +1101
TEXAS A&M +1716
VANDERBILT +20000


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 BIG 12 CONFERENCE


BAYLOR +253
IOWA STATE +20000
KANSAS +30000
KANSAS STATE +1007
OKLAHOMA +476
OKLAHOMA STATE +625
TCU +170
TEXAS +754
TEXAS TECH +4500
WEST VIRGINIA +1516


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 PAC-12 TITLE GAME


ARIZONA +1699
ARIZONA STATE +788
CALIFORNIA +4000
COLORADO +20000
OREGON +265
OREGON STATE +20000
STANFORD +350
UCLA +350
USC +225
UTAH +4000
WASHINGTON +8500
WASHINGTON STATE +20000


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 ACC CONFERENCE


BOSTON COLLEGE +15000
CLEMSON +215
DUKE +4500
FLORIDA STATE +250
GEORGIA TECH +499
LOUISVILLE +1297
MIAMI FLORIDA +1250
NC STATE +2001
NORTH CAROLINA +1250
PITTSBURGH +1990
SYRACUSE +15000
VIRGINIA +15000
VIRGINIA TECH +600
WAKE FOREST +20000


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 AAC TITLE GAME


CENTRAL FLORIDA +623
CINCINNATI +200
EAST CAROLINA +1101
HOUSTON +425
MEMPHIS +265
NAVY +1201
SMU +15000
SOUTH FLORIDA +6500
TEMPLE +650
TULANE +15000
TULSA +10000
UCONN +20000


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 C/USA TITLE GAME


CHARLOTTE +30000
FIU +5000
FLORIDA ATLANTIC +4500
LOUISIANA TECH +230
MARSHALL +150
MIDDLE TENNESSEE +1200
NORTH TEXAS +10000
OLD DOMINION +8000
RICE +815
SOUTHERN MISS +6000
UTEP +4000
UTSA +15000
WESTERN KENTUCKY +270


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 MAC TITLE GAME


AKRON +1000
BALL STATE +2001
BOWLING GREEN +450
BUFFALO +7500
CENTRAL MICHIGAN +5500
EASTERN MICHIGAN +30000
KENT STATE +3004
MIAMI OHIO +15000
NORTHERN ILLINOIS +300
OHIO +1100
TOLEDO +270
UMASS +1250
WESTERN MICHIGAN +399


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 MOUNTAIN WEST TITLE GAME


AIR FORCE +1823
BOISE STATE -299
COLORADO STATE +1517
FRESNO STATE +3586
HAWAII +3062
NEVADA +3062
NEW MEXICO +10000
SAN DIEGO STATE +652
SAN JOSE STATE +3586
UNLV +20000
UTAH STATE +659
WYOMING +8500


ODDS TO WIN 2015/2016 SUN BELT CONFERENCE


APPALACHIAN STATE +110
ARKANSAS STATE +473
GEORGIA SOUTHERN +350
GEORGIA STATE +10000
IDAHO +6500
NEW MEXICO STATE +6000
SOUTH ALABAMA +3006
TEXAS STATE +1001
TROY +4500
UL LAFAYETTE +475
UL MONROE +2504

 

[CNOTES]

Mid-Major Money: Big profits from NCAAF small conferences


Brandon Doughty, the C-USA Player of the Year, is back for Western Kentucky after being granted a sixth year of eligibility.


Some of the best betting value in college football is hiding beyond the BCS, in the small conferences. Each week, Sports Profits System Investors will look at the little programs that could help you make big cash this college season.


Team to Watch: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers


This week: +1 at Vanderbilt


The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were a team that flew very much under the radar last season but managed to pick up momentum in the second half, winning five of their last six games, including a win over Marshall in their season finale. Jeff Brohm is entering his second season as head coach, having posted an 8-5 record in 2014, and is poised to have an even more successful campaign in 2015.


Quarterback Brandon Doughty has been granted a sixth-year of eligibility, which means WKU has the reigning C-USA Player of the Year as the engine that runs its potent aerial attack. He led the nation with 4,344 passing yards and 44 touchdown passes last season and, even though Vanderbilt resides in a much tougher SEC conference, Doughty is likely one of the top quarterbacks that the Commodores will see this season.


Vanderbilt's best chance to win this game is to keep their offense on the field for prolonged periods of time in order to keep Doughty on the sidelines. With their inconsistent play at the quarterback position, the Commodores could struggle to score enough points to keep up with the Hilltoppers on the scoreboard.




Team to beware of: Navy Midshipmen


This week: -28.5 vs. Colgate


The Midshipmen are coming off a solid 8-5 season and will be entering the 2015 season as a member of the American Athletic Conference after spending the last 134 years as an Independent. Navy returns starting QB Keenan Reynolds, but he’s one of just three returning starters on offense. The biggest turnover for the Middies triple-option attack is on the offensive line, where the team’s career starts drop from 85 to 39 games.


On defense, Navy has long-term issues defending the pass, allowing opposing QBs to complete 65 percent of their attempts over the last five seasons. They’ve also lost three of their four starting linebackers, including Joran Drake who was the leader of this defensive unit a year ago. Drake had accounted for 109 tackles which was a team best and 23 more than the next leading tackler in 2014.


Navy should have an advantage in the AAC as very few teams have experience defending the Triple-Option. However, that mass turnover in talent on both sides of the ball could hurt the Middies in the early going. Colgate is nowhere near the same level as the Midshipmen, but this spread may be just a bit too much for Navy to cover in the first game of the season.




Total Team: Old Dominion Monarchs


This week: 66 at Eastern Michigan


The Monarchs were known for their offense last season but all of that is likely to change, at least in the early part of this season. They will need to recoup from the loss of their starting QB Taylor Heinicke, who threw for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns a season ago. The experience and production of Heinicke will be missed especially on the road in a hostile Week 1 environment.


Eastern Michigan had a 2014 to forget under first-year head coach Chris Creighton, going just 2-7 overall. The Eagles couldn’t stop opposing teams from running up the score nor could they create turnovers, however, that should change heading into 2015. Creighton returns for his second year and his defense brings back eight starters from a season ago. Famili

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAF


Thursday, September 3




Possible thunderstorms in Florida Thursday


Weather forecasts are predicting about a 55 percent chance of thunderstorms in Orlando as the UCF Knights kick off their 2015 college football season with the FIU Golden Panthers in town Thursday evening.


Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with wind blowing across the field around seven miles per hour.


As of Wednesday evening, the Knights are 14-point home faves after opening -17 and the total is 46.




Conditions could be windy as Utes host Wolverines


According to weather forecasts, wind is expected to blow toward the north end zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium at around 16 miles per hour when the Utah Utes host the Michigan Wolverines Thursday evening.


Temperatures will be in the high-70s under partly cloudy skies with a small 8-14 percent chance of rain.


The Utes opened as 5.5-point home favorites in their season opener, but that has been adjusted to -4.5. The total is presently 46.5.




Toledo is a popular play on Thursday's board


According to Consensus, the Toledo Rockets are the most supported team on Thursday's NCAAF board, seeing just under 74 percent of the support as of Wednesday evening.


The Rockets are presently 26.5-point home favorites (5Dimes) with Stony Brook in town.


Toledo was 5-7-1 against the spread last season, opening the 2014 campaign with a 54-20 win over New Hampshire as 11-point home faves in Week 1.




TCU was perfect versus non-conference foes in 2014


The Texas Christian Horned Frogs were one of the best bets in the college game last season, posting a record of 11-2 against the spread on the season a went unbeaten (4-0 ATS) in four games against non-conference opponents.


TCU backers will look for that hot betting trend to continue at the Minnesota Gophers Thursday evening.


At the time of writing, the Frogs were tabbed as 17-point road favorites.




Gators go with Harris as starting QB


Sophomore Treon Harris will start at quarterback for Florida in the season opener on Saturday against New Mexico State, but redshirt freshman Will Grier also will play.


New Gators coach Jim McElwain announced after Wednesday's practice that Harris won a close battle for the job between the two quarterbacks but cautioned, "I wouldn't read that much into. It's a painting in progress."


Harris replaced ineffective Jeff Driskel last season and started Florida's final six games, throwing for 1,019 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions and rushing for 338 yards and three touchdowns.


Grier, more of a drop-back passer and less mobile than Harris, also will see playing time after sitting out last season because of a back injury suffered while lifting weights.

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAF


Thursday, September 3


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Michigan at Utah
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Michigan Wolverines head into Utah 0-8 against the spread in their last eight games versus teams from the Pac-12.


Michigan Wolverines at Utah Utes (-4.5, 46.5)


Expectations are modest in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season, but Michigan expects a gradual return to greatness with the mercurial former quarterback at the helm. Harbaugh will get his first chance to lead his alma mater when the Wolverines visit Utah to open the 2015 campaign on Thursday.


Harbaugh was lured back from the NFL after leading the San Francisco 49ers to three NFC Championship games and is expected to do for Michigan what he did for Stanford – mold the team into a consistent Rose Bowl contender. Harbaugh has yet to officially announce his starting quarterback, though transfer Jake Rudock is the presumed favorite to win the job. Utah went into Michigan and put a 26-10 beating on the Wolverines last season and will be motivated to do the same after the noted football gurus at Popular Mechanics magazine caused a mini controversy by referring to the opener as a “cupcake game” for Michigan. The Utes begin the campaign outside the top-25 and are predicted to finish fifth in the Pac-12 South after losing some talent to the NFL, most notably linebacker Nate Orchard.


TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Utah -5.5


LINE HISTORY: The Utes opened as 5.5-point home favorites, but that is now -4.5. The total opened at 46.5.


INJURY REPORT: Michigan - WR Amara Darboh (Probable, finger), RB Drake Johnson (Questionable, knee).


WEATHER: Temperatures in the high-70s with wind blowing toward the north end zone at around 18 mph.


WHAT BOOKS SAY: "For the spread we are fairly split with the public bettors mostly backing Michigan and the sharper ones on Utah. The sharps liked Utah weeks ago but now we're seeing the mainstream guys come in and they're loving Harbaugh. More than two-thirds of our moneyline wagers are on the Wolverines. I think the smart play is the under and so do many of our professional clients."


ABOUT MICHIGAN (2014: 5-7 SU, 5-7 ATS, 5-7 O/U): Rudock or anyone else stepping under center for the Wolverines will need some help from the running attack in the opener, and the team is still waiting to see if Drake Johnson is ready to go after suffering a torn ACL against Ohio State last fall. "Drake is cleared, practicing and haven't decided whether he's going to play in this ballgame yet or not,” Harbaugh told reporters. “He's doing a fantastic job. He's in practice and an explosive football player.” Johnson did not get a carry against Utah last season but came alive down the stretch and ended up averaging six yards per carry.


ABOUT UTAH (2014: 9-4 SU, 9-4 ATS, 4-8-1 O/U): The Utes are going with senior Travis Wilson, who is beginning his fourth season as the starting quarterback in coach Kyle Whittingham’s high-scoring attack. Wilson threw for 18 touchdowns and ran for five more in 2014 and will again lean hard on running back Devontae Booker, who is coming off a 1,512-yard, 10-TD campaign. “Devontae Booker will carry the ball as many times as it takes to get a win,” Whittingham told reporters.


TRENDS:


* Wolverines are 0-8 ATS in their last eight vs. Pac-12.
* Utes are 5-0 ATS in their last five vs. Big Ten.
* Under is 7-3 in Utes last 10 home games.
* Utes are 37-17-2 ATS in their last 56 non-conference games.


CONSENSUS: Fifty-three percent of users are backing the Wolverines.

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday's Tip Sheet


September 2, 2015




College football is back and gone are the days of just one marquee game on opening night. This season’s Thursday night card features 10 contests, including several major conference teams in action in important games. Here is a look at three of the biggest games that will open up the 2015 college football season Thursday night.


Match-up: South Carolina Gamecocks vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Venue: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina (Neutral Site)
Time/TV: Thursday, Sep. 3, 6:00 PM ET – ESPN
Line: South Carolina -2.5, Over/Under 64.5
Last Meeting: 2013, South Carolina (-12) 27-10 at home


South Carolina has been accustomed to playing on opening night and it usually has been a successful outing, including beating the Tar Heels to open the 2013 season the last time these programs met. Last season, a South Carolina squad that opened the season in the top 10 of the national rankings was blown out at home against Texas A&M. The Gamecocks lost 52-28 as a 10-point favorite and the final score was closer than the game ever felt as the Aggies made a big opening statement and wiped away the lofty season goals for the Gamecocks immediately.


This season, the expectations are far more grounded for Steve Spurrier’s squad entering his 11th season with the program. Sophomore Connor Mitch won a multi-player battle at the quarterback position and the Gamecocks will have new personnel throughout the offense with very few starters from 2014 returning. One of those returnees is wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, who had the second most yardage in the SEC last season and figures to rate as a 2016 NFL draft prospect as a receiver and a kick returner despite lacking great height.


South Carolina has been a sound defensive team for most of Spurrier’s tenure, but that changed in 2015 with over 30 points per game allowed and over 430 yards per game allowed. The Gamecocks allowed 34 or more points in six of the eight SEC games. The defense has most of last season’s key players back, but this will be a difficult opening matchup going up against a potentially explosive North Carolina offense. The Tar Heels fell short of expectations last season as has been the norm on the football field in the last decade in Chapel Hill. North Carolina returns junior quarterback Marquise Williams, who was the team’s top rusher as well as passer last season and most of his teammates from starting roles last season on the offense are also back.


Larry Fedora has seen the Tar Heels decline in wins each of the last two seasons after going 8-4 in 2012 and last season the Tar Heels allowed 39 points per game and 498 yards per game, featuring the worst defense in the ACC. This is a program known for producing NFL talent on defense but the front seven has lacked that type of talent the last two years and the defense is not likely to make a huge leap forward in 2015 as more high scoring showdowns could be possible. The total on this game is set rather high and it seems likely that South Carolina might have a more conservative approach early with a young quarterback while hoping to keep the Tar Heels off the field. Despite looking like a great offensive team on paper, it is worth noting that the Tar Heels posted just 28 points combined in the final two games last season with ugly losses to average NC State and Rutgers teams.


Historical Trends: South Carolina is just 3-6 ATS in neutral site games going back to New Year’s Day 2009, but the Gamecocks are on an 11-3-1 ATS run since 2000 when favored by 3 or fewer points. South Carolina is 7-10 ATS in season openers going back to 1998 though 5-5 ATS under Spurrier with the defeat last season as the first S/U loss. Under Fedora, North Carolina is just 5-8 ATS as an underdog with only three S/U upset wins, all of which came as an underdog of fewer than seven points. The Tar Heels are 2-6 S/U in neutral site games going back to 2004, but they did win the Belk Bowl against Cincinnati in this stadium after the 2013 season. North Carolina has just one S/U win in six meetings between these teams since 1988.


Match-up: Michigan Wolverines at Utah Utes
Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah
Time/TV: Thursday, Sep. 3, 8:30 PM ET – FOX Sports 1
Line: Utah -5.5 Over/Under 46.5
Last Meeting: 2014, Utah (+3.5) 26-10 at Michigan


Even in a down cycle, Michigan remains one of the most prominent college football programs in the nation and the hiring of Jim Harbaugh back to Ann Arbor puts the Wolverines back in the national spotlight. Harbaugh inherits a veteran roster and his reputation for quick success in his previous stops has many feeling very optimistic about Michigan’s chances to seriously compete right away in the Big Ten. Harbaugh has not officially announced a starting quarterback with Iowa transfer Jake Rudock and junior Shane Morris both in the mix. While it was a very disappointing 5-7 season for Michigan in 2014 under Brady Hoke, a -16 turnover margin and a handful of close losses are things that could turn around this season to produce better results with a similar roster.


Michigan actually had very respectable defensive numbers last season allowing just 22 points per game and 311 yards per game with particular success against the run, allowing just 3.2 yards per rush. The Wolverines also allowed only one 300 yard passing game all season. Seven starters are back on the defense and there is little reason to expect much of a drop off with the secondary for Michigan looking especially strong. In last season’s home meeting with Utah, Michigan lost 26-10 at home, but the Wolverines had more yards only to be burned by four turnovers and a punt return touchdown as Utah did not look like a vastly superior team.


The Utes wound up 9-4 last season for the most successful season for the program since moving to the Pac-12. Utah was in the Pac-12 South race for much of the season, but while it could be argued that Michigan underachieved last season, the Utes certainly overachieved with all five Pac-12 wins coming by six or fewer points and some great fortune with two double-overtime wins. Travis Wilson returns at quarterback after posting efficient numbers last season, but the Utes are a bit depleted at the receiver position with only one last season’s top four receivers back. Devontae Booker will carry a heavy load for the offense after rushing for over 1,500 yards last season, but Michigan will not be an easy team to rush against and Booker had just 34 yards in the matchup last season.


Utah will be a productive defensive team with the potential to force turnovers again as the front seven looks very promising even with the departure of Nate Orchard who had 18.5 sacks and was a second round pick in the NFL draft. The secondary remains the question mark for the Utah defense with injuries taking a toll on the defensive backs last season and limited experience for this season’s group. This is a huge home date for Utah with a truly marquee matchup for a home opener, something that has not occurred since at least 2010 when Utah beat a ranked Pittsburgh team to start the season. This will be a key game in determining the trajectory of the season for two programs looking to take the next step.


Historical Trends: Michigan last opened the season with a true road game in 1998 though the Wolverines did lose to Alabama to open the 2012 season in Arlington. Michigan is 5-1 ATS in season openers since 2009 with the loss to the Tide as the lone miss, but they were a heavy home favorite in most of those games. Michigan is on a 6-10 ATS run as a road underdog since 2009 and since 2007, Michigan is just 12-24-1 ATS in all road games. Utah is just 11-21 ATS as a home favorite of fewer than 10 points since 2000 while going just 3-7 ATS in season openers under Kyle Whittingham, though with just two S/U losses.


Match-up: TCU Horned Frogs at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Venue: TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Time/TV: Thursday, Sep. 3, 9:000 PM ET – ESPN
Line: TCU -14.5, Over/Under 57.5
Last Meeting: 2014, TCU (-16.5) 30-7 at home


Coming off a 4-8 season in 2013, TCU was certainly pegged as a team likely to improve in 2014 and when the Frogs dominated Minnesota in week 2 of the season, TCU started to get some attention. That game was in Fort Worth and while the Frogs had a big early lead, they were aided greatly by turnovers to pull away and were held well below their eventual season production average in the 30-7 win. Trevone Boykin was mostly unknown nationally at the start of last season and he did not have a great game vs. the Gophers, but by the end of last season, he was one of the most productive quarterbacks in the nation. He will enter the 2015 season in the spotlight as one of the Heisman favorites on a national title contender.


TCU has almost everyone back on offense and it was a team that scored over 46 points per game with over 530 yards per game. Top returning wide receiver Josh Doctson is recovering from a broken hand but he is expected to play and Boykin and senior running back Aaron Green will provide great threats on the ground. The questions for TCU are with an inexperienced defense that lost six of the top seven tacklers from last season on a defense that allowed a lot more yardage than the 19 points per game average against suggests. Five times TCU allowed 27 or more points and the statistics were padded a bit facing two lightweight foes in non-conference play.


The Big Ten West looks a bit wide open this season with three teams making coaching changes and if not for a more difficult schedule than its peers, Minnesota might be tabbed to take the title. The Gophers draw both Michigan and Ohio State from the East for a big disadvantage in the division race, but it has been a steady climb forward in four years for the program under Jerry Kill. With back-to-back 8-5 seasons, this is now a respectable program and the Gophers have started to win some big games, winning at Michigan and at Nebraska last season while also blowing out rival Iowa at home. This is a great opportunity for the program with a chance to make a huge national splash to start the season in one of the biggest home dates in many years.


Minnesota lacks flash on offense and with few returning receivers and the loss of 1,600 yard rusher David Cobb as the offense will lean heavily on imposing junior quarterback Mitch Leidner’s legs and a conservative offensive approach. The offensive line will be a strong point and against a formidable offense expect Minnesota to aim to move the chains and limit the possessions in the game. Minnesota does have some promise on defense with a quality linebacker corps and great depth up front as they should be a fairly difficult team to run against despite some inconsistency last season. It is a tough task for the Gophers in the opening week, but also a great opportunity while being a statement chance for TCU to pick up a quality road win and earn a spot on top of the national playoff conversation after being left out last season.


Historical Trends: TCU is just 4-8 ATS as a road favorite going back to 2011, going 1-4 ATS when laying 10 or more points in that span. In any venue, TCU is on a 31-18 ATS run when favored by at least 14 points, including a 49-0 S/U record as the last outright loss for the Frogs under Gary Patterson as this big of favorite came at SMU early in the 2005 season. Minnesota is 9-5 ATS as a home underdog since 2011 under Kill with the Gophers 6-1 ATS as a double-digit home underdog under Kill, including six straight ATS wins with three outright upset wins.

 

[MackDonald]

Whew !!!!!!!!!!!!! That was quite the "read"...........Thank you for your input/insight.

Good luck to you this year.

 

[CNOTES]

ACC Report - Week 1


September 3, 2015

2014 ACC STANDINGS


Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under


Boston College 7-6 4-4 8-5 5-7-1


Clemson 10-3 6-2 6-7 4-9


Duke 9-4 5-3 8-4-1 4-8


Florida State 13-1 8-0 3-11 6-8


Georgia Tech 11-3 6-2 10-4 8-6


Louisville 9-4 5-3 7-6 5-7-1


Miami (Fla.) 6-7 3-5 5-8 4-9


North Carolina 6-7 4-4 5-8 5-7


North Carolina State 8-5 3-5 8-5 6-6-1


Pittsburgh 6-7 4-4 5-7-1 7-5-1


Syracuse 3-9 1-7 4-8 2-9-1


Virginia 5-7 3-5 7-4-1 4-8


Virginia Tech 7-6 3-5 6-7 5-7


Wake Forest 3-9 1-7 4-8 2-9-1


North Carolina at South Carolina (in Charlotte) (Thursday - ESPN, 6:00 p.m. ET)


The wait is over, and the battle of the Carolinas will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte early Thursday night. South Carolina has had a little more success in recent seasons, but they have a bunch of relative unknowns heading into the 2015 season. In fact, on offense the 'Cocks are returning a total of just four starters, while eight starters are back on defense. It will be interesting to see if South Carolina's unproven offensive attack can take advantage of a North Carolina defense which was putrid in 2014. The Tar Heels have all of the key components on offense back for another turn, including QB Marquise Williams and WRs Quinshad Davis and Ryan Switzer. UNC is 1-4 ATS in their past five non-conference games, while South Carolina is 5-1 ATS in their past six against ACC foes.


Duke at Tulane (Thursday - CBS Sports Network, 9:30 p.m. ET)


Duke rolls into this season looking for its third straight trip to a bowl game. It will be interesting to see if the Blue Devils can reload, something that seemed unthinkable just a few seasons ago. QB Thomas Sirk takes over under center full-time. In a part-time roll, he shined, including 94 rushing yards and a touchdown in last season's win over Tulane. For the Green Wave, they have plenty of offensive talent returning, including Rob Kelley who missed the 2014 season due to suspension. Duke enters this game with 10 straight victories against non-conference opponents, including a 47-13 win Sept. 20, 2014 at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham. The Blue Devils are 5-1-1 ATS in their past seven non-conference games, and 19-7-1 ATS in their past 27 overall. Tulane is 11-5 ATS in the past 16 at home, although they're 0-4 ATS in their past four against ACC teams and 3-8 ATS in their past 11 in the month of September.


Virginia at UCLA (FOX, 3:30p.m. ET)


UVA heads out for the coast looking to take down UCLA and repay them for a home loss at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville last fall. This Bruins team has a much different makeup, including under center, where true freshman Josh Rosen starts at quarterback, replacing the departed Brett Hundley. Virginia also lost its top two rushers, but top-flight recruit Taquan Mizzell takes over and will get first crack. Dependable QB Matt Johns is back and looking to get the Cavaliers over the hump. He performed well in a 28-20 loss to the Bruins Aug. 30, 2014. UVA is 4-0 ATS in their past four non-conference games, and the over is 6-1 in their past seven against non-conference foes. The under went 4-1-1 in six home games for UCLA last season.


Louisville vs. Auburn (in Atlanta) (CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET)


The Cardinals and Tigers do battle in Georgia, and it will likely be a pro-Auburn crowd. That will help spur on QB Jeremy Johnson, who takes over under center with QB Nick Marshall having moved on. While Auburn has a fairly green QB going, that's nothing compared to Louisville, which lists four potential starters for Saturday. It's a bit of gamesmanship from head coach Bobby Petrino, who has already settled on a starter. Will Gardner and Reggie Bonnafon have the most experience at QB for the Cards. Auburn has several new starters on offense, including RB Roc Thomas, and two fullbacks who have zero games experience. It could mean a fairly sloppy start for both sides, making the total difficult to forecast. Struggling offenses could mean few points, but costly turnovers could mean plenty of points.


Ohio State at Virginia Tech (Monday - ESPN, 8:00 p.m.)


The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes roll into Blacksburg looking to avenge its only loss of the season, a stunning early-season 35-21 home loss to Virginia Tech Sept. 6, 2014. The Buckeyes were obviously a much more complete team down the stretch and into the four-team playoff than that early-September club. RB Ezekiel Elliott was a stud, and is a Heisman Trophy candidate, while former QB Braxton Miller looks to shore up an inexperienced wide receiver corps. The quarterbacks Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett are both back and likely to each see action against the Hokies. The defending champs are a two-touchdown favorite. Ohio State is 36-15-1 ATS in their past 52 road games, while the Va. Tech is 5-13-2 ATS in their past 20 non-conference games and 2-5 ATS in their past seven in Blacksburg. The over was the dominant trend down the stretch for both sides, going 21-6 in the past 27 for Ohio State and 5-1 in Va. Tech's past six non-conference games.


Other ACC teams in action


Elon at Wake Forest (THU - ESPN3, 7:00 p.m.)


Alcorn State at Georgia Tech (THU - ESPN3, 7:30 p.m.)


Rhode Island at Syracuse (FRI - ESPN3, 7:00 p.m.)


Wofford at Clemson (SAT - ESPN3, 12:30 p.m.)


Maine at Boston College (SAT - ESPN3, 1:00 p.m.)


Youngstown State at Pitt (SAT - ESPN3, 1:00 p.m.)


Bethune-Cookman at Miami (SAT - ESPN3, 6:00 p.m.)


Troy at North Carolina State (SAT - ESPN3, 6:00 p.m.)


Texas State at Florida State (SAT - ESPNews, 8:00 p.m.)

 

[CNOTES]

Hey Mack..................take all this reading to the shit house you'll be in there for hours.......lol

 

[CNOTES]

Ohio State-Virginia Tech matchup highlights ACC's Week 1


September 3, 2015


A look at things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the opening week of the season:


GAME OF THE WEEK:


No. 1 Ohio State at Virginia Tech. This marks the first time the reigning national champion opens on the road since USC visited Hawaii to open the 2005 season and only the third time in 20 seasons, according to STATS. Throw in the fact that the Hokies handed the Buckeyes their only loss last season - a curious result since Virginia Tech finished 7-6 - and this Labor Day tilt has plenty of national interest. ''The whole country will be watching,'' Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. ''People will have an opinion of Virginia Tech after that game, so we're going to determine whether it's a good opinion or not.''


BEST MATCHUP:


Louisville's defense vs. No. 6 Auburn's ground game. The Cardinals' defense, which lost half its starters, must try to slow the Southeastern Conference favorite in Atlanta on Saturday. Louisville had the nation's No. 6 total defense last year (309.5 yards), while the Tigers must replace SEC top rusher Cameron Artis-Payne in a ground attack that ranked 13th nationally.


INSIDE THE NUMBERS:


ACC player of the year James Conner is back at Pittsburgh and ready to put up more impressive numbers. The junior ranked among the nation's rushing leaders with 1,765 yards and an ACC-record 26 touchdowns. He enters Saturday's game against Youngstown State already ranked 10th in program history in rushing yards (2,564).


LONG SHOT:


Virginia travels to No. 13 UCLA on Saturday as a roughly 20-point underdog. The Cavaliers can at least take some hope from last year's season-opening meeting. Virginia hung around with then-No. 7 UCLA at home before falling 28-20. The trick now is trying to play tough again after traveling to the West Coast.


PLAYER TO WATCH:


North Carolina State's Matt Dayes. With top rusher Shadrach Thornton suspended for two games, the junior running back will start Saturday against Troy. He's in an offense that averaged 204.5 yards rushing last year in the program's best total since 1992. Dayes thrived once before when Thornton was suspended in 2013, running for 84 yards and three touchdowns in his college debut against Louisiana Tech.

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday's Top Action


September 3, 2015




LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (0-0) vs. AUBURN TIGERS (0-0)
Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Auburn -10.5, Total: 56


No. 6 Auburn looks to kick off its season on the right foot when it travels to Atlanta Saturday to face Louisville.


The Cardinals have piled up 32 wins over the past three seasons, going 9-4 SU (7-6 ATS) last year. They have also been a great bet away from home this decade at 23-9 ATS (72%) since the 2010 season. Head coach Bobby Petrino has yet to name a starter between junior QB Will Gardner and sophomore QB Reggie Bonnafon, but what is known for Louisville is that RB Brandon Radcliff will be the focal point of the offense. The Tigers followed up their national championship appearance in 2013 with five straight wins to begin the 2014 campaign. But the team was only 3-5 SU (1-7 ATS) after that quick start to finish with just eight wins.


Do-it-all QB Nick Marshall is gone, but the Auburn coaches know that QB Jeremy Johnson is a better pure passer and should keep the passing attack lethal. Bettors should note that excellent rushing teams (5.25+ yards per carry last year) are 40-14 ATS (74%) over the past 10 seasons when favored between 10.5 and 21 points, which obviously favors Auburn. But if Louisville's offense can put up 28 points against a rebuilt defense, the team is 98-47 ATS (68%) when scoring 28 in a game since 1992. With Tigers star WR D'haquille Williams (ankle) upgraded to probable, both programs have relatively healthy rosters to begin the season.


Whoever is eventually named the starter between QB Will Gardner (1,669 pass yds, 7.6 YPA, 12 TD, 3 INT) and QB Reggie Bonnafon (864 pass yds, 7.2 YPA, 5 TD, 4 INT) will not have much experience to work with, as five of the top six receivers from last year are gone. The best remaining options are junior WR James Quick (566 rec yds, 3 TD) and UAB transfer WR Jamari Staples (648 rec yds, 5 TD in two seasons). Junior RB Brandon Radcliff (737 rush yds, 5.1 YPC, 12 rush TD) is the clear focal point of the offense and he should greatly improve the team's subpar 143 rushing YPG (92nd in nation) on 3.6 yards per carry from a year ago.


The defense departed with seven starters, but returning DE Sheldon Rankins (9 sacks, 54 tackles, 14.5 TFL) is a monster up front, and a pair of sure tacklers remain with ILBs Keith Kelsey (87 tackles) and James Burgess (71 tackles). The team's biggest question mark is in the secondary that lost all four starters on a unit that led the nation with 26 interceptions, including 14 by Gerod Hollimon. Louisville hopes Georgia transfer S Josh Harvey-Clemons (65 tackles, 3 FR in 2013) is even better than advertised.


Nick Marshall left this Auburn offense that averaged 35.5 PPG (25th in nation) and 485 total YPG (16th in FBS), but QB Jeremy Johnson (858 pass yds, 9 TD, 2 INT career) is a better passer than Marshall in the spread offense. He stands tall at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, and has been extremely accurate in his collegiate career with a 73% completion rate. Auburn's ground game chewed up 256 YPG (13th in nation) last year, but lost its top three rushers. Expect a committee approach with sophomore RB Roc Thomas (214 rush yds, 5.0 YPC, 2 TD) as the most experienced back on the roster.


The below-average defense (399 YPG allowed, 64th in nation) brought in new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and provided him with eight returning starters to work with. That includes talented DT Montravius Adams (43 tackles, 8 TFL), tackling machine LB Cassanova McKinzy (91 tackles, 11 TFL) and star CB Jonathan Jones (6 INT).Muschamp's biggest worry is a thin pass rush that recorded only 1.62 sacks per game in 2014 (95th in FBS).


ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (0-0) vs. TEXAS A&M AGGIES (0-0)
NRG Stadium - Houston, TX
Kickoff: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Texas A&M -3, Total: 67


No. 15 Arizona State opens the 2015 campaign on Saturday night in Houston with a tough test versus a Texas A&M team that will have plenty of fans in the seats.


The Sun Devils won 10 games for the second consecutive year, going 10-3 SU (6-7 ATS) and rolling up 41.0 PPG in the final three contests. Although top QB Taylor Kelly and No. 1 WR Jaelen Strong are both gone, Arizona State does return 16 starters to help with the maturation of strong-armed senior QB Mike Bercovici. With Houston being a short two-hour drive from College Station, this is a virtual home game for Texas A&M, but the Sun Devils were 5-2 SU (3-4) ATS in non-road games last year.


The Aggies posted their fifth straight winning season in 2014, going 8-5 SU (5-8 ATS), but they closed the campaign with five losses in the final eight games, losing those five contests by an average of 20.8 PPG. The Texas A&M defense surrendered 517 total YPG in its final three games. Sophomore QB Kyle Allen beat out highly-recruited freshman Kyler Murray for the much-publicized starting job. Allen will be asked to throw early and often in a pass-heavy offense that rolled up 37.4 PPG and 507 total YPG in non-home games last season, going 5-2 SU (4-3 ATS).


While the Aggies are virtually injury-free, the Sun Devils are riddled with ailments, especially among pass catchers, as WR Cameron Smith (knee) is out, WR Jalen Harvey (collarbone) is doubtful and TE Grant Martinez (ankle) is questionable for Saturday. LB Laiu Moeakiola (foot) and OL Sam Jones (knee) are also questionable to suit up for Arizona State.


ASU's stacked backfield will allow former RB D.J. Foster (1,081 rush yds, 9 TD; 688 rec yds, 3 TD) to now wreak havoc as a slot receiver catching passes from senior QB Mike Bercovici (1,445 pass yds, 7.8 YPA, 12 TD, 4 INT). Bercovici will also rely heavily on seldom-used WRs Gary Chambers (204 rec yds, 2 TD) and Fred Gammage (127 rec yds, 1 TD). The ground game expects to improve its middling 169 rushing YPG (56th in nation) from a year ago, as sophomore RB Demario Richard (478 rush yds, 5.7 YPC, 4 TD) has a punishing running style. Foster will still take some handoffs as a change of pace.


ASU lost its two best defensive players (DE Marcus Hardison and S Damarious Randall) from a unit that surrendered 27.9 PPG (74th in FBS) and 417 total YPG (81st in nation). However, the cupboard is not bare with returning LBs Antonio Longino (94 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and Salamo Fiso (83 tackles, 11 TFL), as well as CBs Kweishi Brown (3 INT, 9 PD, 46 tackles) and Lloyd Carrington (6 PD, 58 tackles).


Texas A&M QB Kyle Allen (1,322 pass yds, 6.9 YPA, 16 TD, 7 INT) played very well as a freshman, and will continue his progression by targeting top WR Josh Reynolds (842 rec yds, 16.2 avg, 13 TD), as well as sophomore WR Speedy Noil (583 rec yds, 5 TD) and junior WR Ricky Seals-Jones (465 rec yds, 4 TD). The ground game was subpar last season with 150 YPG (82nd in nation), and was a big reason the team held the football for a mere 26:15 (4th-fewest in FBS). Senior RB Tra Carson (581 rush yds, 4.7 YPC, 5 TD) is the lead back with his 235-pound frame, and explosive sophomore RB James White (7.0 YPC) complements him nicely.


New defensive coordinator John Chavis, who comes from LSU, inherits a unit with plenty of upside, but they have to make more plays after a season of only 13 takeaways (119th in FBS). The lack of turnovers allowed teams to run up 451 total YPG (102nd in nation), including 216 YPG (109th in FBS) on the ground. DT Alonzo Williams (57 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and LB Shaan Washington (64 tackles) are the leaders in the front seven. They will do their best to help a poor passing defense that recorded only five interceptions (119th FBS) and surrendered 235 YPG (80th in nation) last season.


WISCONSIN BADGERS (0-0) vs. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (0-0)
AT&T Stadium - Arlington, TX
Kickoff: Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Alabama -10, Total: 53.5


A pair of top-20 programs open their 2015 season on Saturday night when No. 20 Wisconsin and No. 3 Alabama collide in Arlington, TX.


The Badgers are coming off their third 11-win season in the past five years, going 11-3 SU, but only 6-8 ATS. While they return 13 starters for new head coach Paul Chryst, only five are on an offense that no longer has RB Melvin Gordon. He was a big reason why the team ran for 320 yards per game (3rd in nation), but backup RB Corey Clement was just 51 yards shy of the century mark last year. Wisconsin was a respectable 4-3 SU (3-4 ATS) in road/neutral games last year, but averaged only 24.1 PPG away from Camp Randall.


The Crimson Tide were 12-2 SU last year, but fell short of their national championship quest and posted a weak 5-8-1 ATS mark, including 2-5 ATS in non-home games. Seven offensive starters from last year are gone, including the top three players in WR Amari Cooper, RB T.J. Yeldon and QB Blake Sims. New QB Jacob Coker, a Florida State transfer, still has plenty of depth to work with though. He'll also be helped out by Alabama's elite defense (18.4 PPG, 6th in nation) providing great field position for this offense.


There are no recent meetings between these schools and no significant injuries for either program as well. Although the Tide are a dismal 4-10 ATS in non-conference games in the past three seasons, their head coach Nick Saban is 113-83 ATS when playing on a Saturday as a college head coach.


New head coach Paul Chryst is not expected to hand the ball off 647 times like the Badgers did last year (13th-most in FBS), but he inherits a team that led the nation with 6.9 yards per carry. Junior RB Corey Clement (949 rush yds, 9 TD) rumbled for 6.5 YPC and ran for at least 100 yards in four of seven games in which he had 10+ carries. Chryst wants more balance this year, and new offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph -- formerly the Pittsburgh OC -- will implore senior QB Joel Stave (1,350 pass yds, 6.6 YPA, 9 TD, 10 INT) to not force the issue. The 6-foot-5 Stave tossed six interceptions in his final two games, the first of which was a 59-0 humiliating loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game. WR Alex Erickson (772 rec yds, 3 TD) is the clear No. 1 receiver, but will need help from another wideout or two to keep the double teams away.


The Wisconsin defense was outstanding last year in allowing just 294 total YPG (4th in FBS) and 20.8 PPG (17th in nation). The unit should remain top-notch with eight returning starters that include LB Vince Biegel (7.5 sacks, 16.5 TFL, 56 tackles, 2 FF), LB Joe Schobert (3 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 69 tackles) and S Michael Caputo (106 tackles, 6 PBU). The defensive line is the weak spot of the team, but big things are expected out of DE Chikwe Obasih (1.5 sacks) in his sophomore season.


Even without superstar WR Amari Cooper, senior QB Jake Coker (403 pass yds, 6.8 YPA, 4 TD, 0 INT) should be able to keep the Alabama passing offense just as potent as it was last year (278 YPG, 28th in FBS). Coker will get plenty of protection from an elite offensive line to throw to green-but-talented sophomore WRs ArDarius Stewart (149 rec yds) and Robert Foster (44 rec yds), as well as five-star freshman recruit Calvin Ridley. The Crimson Tide didn't run the ball as well as they would have liked last year (207 YPG, 35th in FBS), but RB Derrick Henry (990 rush yds, 5.8 YPC, 11 TD) is a 6-foot-3, 240-pound mountain of a man that will make this offense thrive as the lead back.


The nation's 12th-ranked defense returns seven starters, including superstars NT A’Shawn Robinson (49 tackles, 11 TFL) and ILB Reggie Ragland (95 tackles, 10.5 TFL) up front. The secondary underachieved last year in allowing 226 passing YPG (58th in FBS), but the unit has great depth at the cornerback position, including playmaking CB Eddie Jackson (6 PBU, 2 FF), who can also play safety.

 

[CNOTES]

Coach Ferentz overhauls Hawkeyes


September 2, 2015


IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) It all seemed so very unlike Kirk Ferentz.


There was the 60-year-old Iowa coach, whose approach to football has often been mocked for being too old-fashioned, teasing new ''blackout'' uniforms in front of his Hawkeyes as a song by rapper Rick Ross played in the background.


A fashion show during fall camp?


That would seem to be the last thing the Ferentz of old would ever allow.


''We had some sharp young guys think about some stuff and come up with some ideas and did a little unveiling with our players. It was well-received,'' Ferentz said.


Ferentz couldn't help himself from chuckling that he found it ''amazing'' that anyone would be so interested in new uniforms. Still, it was a sign that Ferentz is trying to adapt to changing times after winning just 34 games in the last five seasons.


''It's a new era, right? New millennium and all that stuff,'' said Ferentz, who will open his 17th season at Iowa on Saturday against Illinois State.


And instead of the new coach many fans were hoping for, Iowa has apparently gotten a new Ferentz.


Ferentz, the nation's second-longest tenured coach, has spent the last eight months overhauling the program. It began in January, when Ferentz seemingly acceded to the howls of a frustrated fan base by elevating backup quarterback C.J. Beathard over two-year starter Jake Rudock.


The move came just a week after Tennessee blew Iowa out in a bowl game and was announced in a depth chart released to the media, a first for Ferentz for that time of year.


It was costly, too. Rudock responded by transferring to Michigan.


It was around that time that players and staff members finally moved into the Hansen Football Performance Center, a 76,000-square foot building that, paired with a new indoor field, is as modern as any football facility in the country.


Ferentz and his staff took advantage of the new digs by snagging way more early commitments than they have in the past. The Hawkeyes currently have their best-ranked recruiting class in about a decade as a result.


Ferentz, who visited with a number of schools in the offseason for new ideas, also switched Iowa's practices from the afternoon to the morning. The move has been met with wide approval by the players, who've said they've felt fresher as a result of the switch.


''You're always looking to get better and always looking for better ways to do things. The world of recruiting has changed dramatically. I think we've picked up the pace a little bit. You have to because it's a national trend, and then this facility has made a big difference,'' Ferentz said.


But it's not as though Ferentz has made all these changes in a vacuum.


Unlike contemporaries like Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Georgia's Mark Richt, Ferentz doesn't have a ranked team that appears poised to compete for a playoff spot.


Ticket sales have also plummeted in recent years for the Hawkeyes. After years of sellouts, they could have as many as 12,000 empty seats for Saturday's opener.


And even though the $13 million buyout Ferentz would be owed if Iowa fired him before the season starts apparently makes him safe, change could be on the horizon for the entire athletic department.


Longtime university President Sally Mason retired on Aug. 1 - coincidentally the day Ferentz turned 60. Her replacement could be named as early as this week.


Whoever takes over will surely take a long look at the athletic department and director Gary Barta, who's come under heavy criticism of late.


An internal e-mail from head track coach Layne Anderson obtained by The Associated Press alleges that athletic department administrators ordered a female to be hired over male candidates for an assistant coaching job regardless of qualifications. The Education Department is also investigating gender bias complaints against Barta over his firing of field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum and other female head coaches.


But Barta's decision in 2010 to sign Ferentz to what amounted to a lifetime contract - highlighted by that Ferentz-friendly buyout - has been the move that fans have been harping on as Iowa's fortunes took a downturn.


So even though alternate uniforms, fancy facilities and more aggressive recruiting have been trends for years around the country, it's symbolic that Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have joined in.


The game has undergone a revolution since Ferentz took over in 1999, and he finally appears ready to accept it.


''He knows that we have to adapt to the current situation,'' Iowa running back LeShun Daniels Jr. said. ''I never thought we'd do blackout uniforms and stuff like that. I guess he's sort of changing in his ways.''