Flsunman: Man you are flat out paranoid. I simply referenced OU, Florida, and Texas who were the top teams LY. If anyone mentions the name Florida and/or any player or coach you go off the page. Get real man it is you not me that is obsessed. I have told you numerous times you do not need to defend your team, its coaches, or its players because they do not need defending. Nothing you can do or say can take Patty Cake University off of your schedule. It is there. It is a fact. If you don't like what I say or how I see something then don't read this thread. Fact of the matter is that should I chose to I will say whatever I want, whenever I want and if you don't like it go suck an orange gaytor man. What a wimp.
Russ, Thats the way these Florida guys are. If you mention Tebow and don't use "greatest college football player of all time" immediately, or say Gators and don't mention that they play in the hardest conference and get everybodies best shot week in and out, they take it real personal. They are still getting used to "the tradition of winning" thing, so they don't know how to handle it yet. They forget there are 100+ other teams and 100+ years of history
You are preaching to the choir, RLR. This has been going on here ever since the season ended. I didn't even mention O.U. because I would have been a homer. But now I will mention the FACT that OU has the 5th Toughest Schedule this year and the teams they play were 89-50 LY and 8 of them had winning records. We also have Utah State who I mentioned in a prior post.
When you see that Florida has the 18th toughest schedule you have to admit that it is tougher than 102 other teams. But when you stop to consider that S. Florida has the 19th toughest schedule you would think there would be more separation between those two teams. In other words if Florida played S. Florida's schedule it would be just about as tough. I was not going to bring that up but now that Flsunman has left his sun lounger long enough to cry a little, I will mention it. Oh, am I being obsessive again. Maybe it's something they put in the sun screen down there.
Back to the toughest schedule ratings - The Big 12 has 3 in the top 5 and 4 in the top 10. (O.S.U. #2, Texas Tech #3, OU #5, and Baylor #8). The SEC has 1 in the top 5 and three in the top 10. (So. Carolina #4, Auburn #6, Miss. State #8). The highest rated Pac 10 team is Oregon at #27. Highest rated Big 10 was Iowa @ #17. I have mentioned So. Miss as a sleeper this year and with th 108th toghest schedule I probably did not go out on a limb too far with that one. Alabama was ranked #92.
Just wanted to write a post without mentioning Florida.
Just wanted to write a post without mentioning Florida.
rivals.com spotlighted the 12 must-see non-conference matchups. They are as follows:
12. California @ Minnesota
11. Utah @ Oregon
10. Texas Tech @ Houston
9. Florida State @ BYU
8. USF @ Florida State
7. Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
6. T.C.U. @ Clemson
5. Oklahoma @ Miami
4. Oregon @ Boise State
3. Georgia @ Oklahoma State
2. Alabama @ Virginia Tech
1. U.S.C. @ Ohio State
I would add the following to OOC games that I would like to see:
Houston @ Oklahoma State
North Carolina @ Connecticut
Notre Dame @ Michigan (not really an OOC game?)
Cincinnati @ Oregon State
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
West Virginia @ Auburn
Arizona State @ Georgia
Southern Miss @ Kansas
Arizona @ Iowa (but that is just me I am sure)
Georgia Tech @ Vanderbilt
Some interesting matchups other than just these. I'm ready.
12. California @ Minnesota
11. Utah @ Oregon
10. Texas Tech @ Houston
9. Florida State @ BYU
8. USF @ Florida State
7. Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
6. T.C.U. @ Clemson
5. Oklahoma @ Miami
4. Oregon @ Boise State
3. Georgia @ Oklahoma State
2. Alabama @ Virginia Tech
1. U.S.C. @ Ohio State
I would add the following to OOC games that I would like to see:
Houston @ Oklahoma State
North Carolina @ Connecticut
Notre Dame @ Michigan (not really an OOC game?)
Cincinnati @ Oregon State
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
West Virginia @ Auburn
Arizona State @ Georgia
Southern Miss @ Kansas
Arizona @ Iowa (but that is just me I am sure)
Georgia Tech @ Vanderbilt
Some interesting matchups other than just these. I'm ready.
If you don't check in on rivals.com once in a while you might give it a shot. Lots of info. They have an article in there today headlined as "Gators formidible, but are they perfect?). I can hear Flsunman's blood pressure rising from here but it is a pretty unbiased article. It starts out by saying that during 17 years of the SEC's divisional format, on 4 teams have finished unbeaten. Pretty good article and it also lists a conference-by-conference breakdown of teams with perfect records heading into bowl games since 1992 when the SEC split into two divisions. Good stuff.
I count 40 spring games scheduled for this weekend. Boise St., Louisville, Navy, and UNLV have night games scheduled for tonight. Some spring games of note on saturday are: Alabama, California, Florida, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Misssissippi, Utah, and West Virginia.
Best I can tell that leaves about 36 more to go after this weekend.
Best I can tell that leaves about 36 more to go after this weekend.
You can go to espn.com and they have listed the ESPN.ABC 2009 College Football Schedule for the games they will cover on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPN360. It all starts on Thursday, Sept 3rd.
I will be up late watching Oregon @ Boise St. which kicksoff at 10:15 PM EST. That was the latest kickoff time I saw on the list but times on some games are TBA. So. Carolina and NC St kick it off at 7:00 or 7:30 PM.
I will be up late watching Oregon @ Boise St. which kicksoff at 10:15 PM EST. That was the latest kickoff time I saw on the list but times on some games are TBA. So. Carolina and NC St kick it off at 7:00 or 7:30 PM.
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To me the most impressive aspect of spring football practices have been the size of the crowds in attendance for the final spring game. Florida had 65,000. I went to the OU Spring game and we had 29,000 or so and it was exciting, Notre Dame had 31,000, Tennessee had 51,000+, and the Alabama game on TV had a near full stadium.
Florida sat the entire first team defense and show cased their second team QB John Brantley.
Nebraska solidified the QB situation with Zac Lee having an impressive and steady performance.
Alabama found it has more than just one WR coming into 2009
Notre Dame concentrated on the running game. (did you know that under Coach Weiss's watch ND has had three years of the worst ground games in their illustrious history)
Tennesee unleashed the offense for 655 yards and 5 TD's. Their defense had dominated earlier practices. Kiffin stressed that preventing TO's and sustaining drives was their ultimate goal.
One theme is dominate in this years spring drills, preventing injuries. Many teams held out their playmakers or restricted their exposure. Spring practice is a necessary evil in some cases where teams have many retuning starters but it gives some players a chance to shine who might not otherwise. USC is finding a QB, OU is trying to find an OL, ND is looking for a running game, Arizona is looking for a QB, Nebraska apparently found a QB, Alabama is reloading in the biblical sense and could be dangerous, it goes on and on. It is all good and the practice attendance indicates the fans are into it and looking forward to next season. Now comes the grunt work in the weight rooms and for some too much time read about themselves in the magazines and blogs. The countdown to kick off(s) is officially a little closer now.
Florida sat the entire first team defense and show cased their second team QB John Brantley.
Nebraska solidified the QB situation with Zac Lee having an impressive and steady performance.
Alabama found it has more than just one WR coming into 2009
Notre Dame concentrated on the running game. (did you know that under Coach Weiss's watch ND has had three years of the worst ground games in their illustrious history)
Tennesee unleashed the offense for 655 yards and 5 TD's. Their defense had dominated earlier practices. Kiffin stressed that preventing TO's and sustaining drives was their ultimate goal.
One theme is dominate in this years spring drills, preventing injuries. Many teams held out their playmakers or restricted their exposure. Spring practice is a necessary evil in some cases where teams have many retuning starters but it gives some players a chance to shine who might not otherwise. USC is finding a QB, OU is trying to find an OL, ND is looking for a running game, Arizona is looking for a QB, Nebraska apparently found a QB, Alabama is reloading in the biblical sense and could be dangerous, it goes on and on. It is all good and the practice attendance indicates the fans are into it and looking forward to next season. Now comes the grunt work in the weight rooms and for some too much time read about themselves in the magazines and blogs. The countdown to kick off(s) is officially a little closer now.
With all of the spring games that went on in the last couple of weeks I missed one of note. Charleston Southern held their 2009 Memorial Spring Football Game and the Offense edged the Defense 25-22. That marked the first ever victory for the offensive unit during the Jay Millsera era ( I assume he is the head coach). Last Year C.S. had an opening game win over Coastal Carolina (24-0) and went on to post a 7-5 record. They lost to Miami Ohio 38-27 and Miami Florida 52-7 so when they open up this year against Florida it will not be their first rodeo, maybe just their last. Good Grief.
I'm a bit late to the party, but damn Russ, after contributing that much solid info I felt like I had to contribute.
I see you've been big on AZ. As others pointed out, they had a really tough time putting away opponents. Two games lost (OSU, Stan) on last minute drives were pretty demoralizing.
However, when they've played USC these last two years, they've been tough as nails. Not many people remember it was 13-10 going into the 4th quarter at USC two years ago. Very well played game by the Cats, but a Gronkowski fumble let that victory slip away. Holding USC to 17 was not a fluke either this year. They do have the ability to step up when necessary, and I think getting to and winning that bowl game will give them a bit more heart when it comes to closing this year.
That said, Tuitama was the best QB they've had in forever and his numbers will be missed. But not many people realize that AZ had two plays: Gronkowski slant, or the short dump pass to the WRs. If you saw the BYU bowl game you saw Tui throw down field with great success. After watching him play all season, I was shocked to see him do that. Surprised the hell out of me. Matt Scott (I bet he gets the start) does not need to be outstanding in this system to win. The receivers do the majority of the work and the throws he will need to make won't be that difficult at all. Look for games to be won by methodically chewing up the clock and getting into a lot of third and short situations. Third and 10+ will be where AZ stuggles this year.
With two the RBs in Antolin and Grigsby, a mobile QB, promising WRs, and the #1 TE in the country, I don't think their offense will slip too much from last years production.
I see you've been big on AZ. As others pointed out, they had a really tough time putting away opponents. Two games lost (OSU, Stan) on last minute drives were pretty demoralizing.
However, when they've played USC these last two years, they've been tough as nails. Not many people remember it was 13-10 going into the 4th quarter at USC two years ago. Very well played game by the Cats, but a Gronkowski fumble let that victory slip away. Holding USC to 17 was not a fluke either this year. They do have the ability to step up when necessary, and I think getting to and winning that bowl game will give them a bit more heart when it comes to closing this year.
That said, Tuitama was the best QB they've had in forever and his numbers will be missed. But not many people realize that AZ had two plays: Gronkowski slant, or the short dump pass to the WRs. If you saw the BYU bowl game you saw Tui throw down field with great success. After watching him play all season, I was shocked to see him do that. Surprised the hell out of me. Matt Scott (I bet he gets the start) does not need to be outstanding in this system to win. The receivers do the majority of the work and the throws he will need to make won't be that difficult at all. Look for games to be won by methodically chewing up the clock and getting into a lot of third and short situations. Third and 10+ will be where AZ stuggles this year.
With two the RBs in Antolin and Grigsby, a mobile QB, promising WRs, and the #1 TE in the country, I don't think their offense will slip too much from last years production.
I read something that referred to some dialog/comments that some announcers doing the spring game made when they thought their mike's were off. Does anyone know what was said? I can't find anything in the local papers, etc. Evidentally the announcers apologized to the university and others about the remarks. Just peaked my curiosity is all.
GS: I have kept a lid on this until I got your response and it may or may not come into play or in any way have an effect on the upcoming game between Arizona and Iowa. Stoops was a two time all conference safety at Iowa (1982-1984). In 1987 Stoops played as a replacement player in the NFL for the Chicago Bears during the NFL strike. Some former Iowa players who belonged to the NFL players had some words for Stoops and his actions.
Stoops responded with "I don't give a damn what they think. I wan't trying to hurt anybody, and deep down, I think they know that. But if they feel that way, fine, don't ever talk to me again."
Now I am sure a lot of things have changed since then but I see this as a little bit of incentive and something Stoops may have stuck in the back of his mind. That Iowa game could literally turn Arizona around in terms of gaining some national respect and getting the team fired up for 2009. Just some food for thought.
Stoops responded with "I don't give a damn what they think. I wan't trying to hurt anybody, and deep down, I think they know that. But if they feel that way, fine, don't ever talk to me again."
Now I am sure a lot of things have changed since then but I see this as a little bit of incentive and something Stoops may have stuck in the back of his mind. That Iowa game could literally turn Arizona around in terms of gaining some national respect and getting the team fired up for 2009. Just some food for thought.
One spring game I am really interested in comes up this saturday - Illinois.
I have been mulling over a bit of info I came across that stressed that in games where Juice Williams throws more than 30 passes that Illinois was 1-9. Also that in 2007 when they went to the Rose Bowl he only had to throw that many times once. So I am interested in seeing how well their running game has improved. I also understand that Illinois is deeper at WR this year so I also have some second thoughts that the 30 passes/game may not be as bad in 2009. But I am convinced that an improved running game is the key to their success. If anyone knows something let me know. This team interests me and there are some indications they could fly under the radar early on.
I have been mulling over a bit of info I came across that stressed that in games where Juice Williams throws more than 30 passes that Illinois was 1-9. Also that in 2007 when they went to the Rose Bowl he only had to throw that many times once. So I am interested in seeing how well their running game has improved. I also understand that Illinois is deeper at WR this year so I also have some second thoughts that the 30 passes/game may not be as bad in 2009. But I am convinced that an improved running game is the key to their success. If anyone knows something let me know. This team interests me and there are some indications they could fly under the radar early on.
That is a good question because I'm not sure what happened to the Illini's running game last year (aside from losing Mendenhall). Here's what I hear in regards to the running game in '09 Russ:
Jason Ford who was a true freshman last year has lost 15 lbs and is a great combination of power and speed. He is getting some high remarks from the coaches, press and eye witnesses from the scrimages. Most think he could be big this year for the Illini. He showed a lot of potential last year so he's one to keep an eye on.
Daniel Defrene is a Sr. back ('08 starter) who will get a lot of touches, is really quick, and catches the ball well out of the back field. He is the Illini's "Big Play" guy among the RB's.
Marcus Pollard is a scat back that did some nice things as a freshman in '07 behind Mendenhall before getting hurt and should be in the rotation this year.
Mike LeShore is a between the tackles back that got some goal line carries last year as a freshman. He should help in short yardage situations again and should be a little less green.
Bud Golden is a true freshman that may get a little action if he proves himself this summer.
All in all, the RB's should be a strength as long as they O-line can make some holes. Losing two key linemen from an average line in '08 makes for a big question mark. I will say, Zook has recruited some pretty good o-linemen the last few years so it could be a productive unit.
Illinois has had the top running game in the big 10 3 of the past four years. In 2008 they were 5th, which was really a surprize and I'm sure had a lot to do with a disappointing season.
Hopefully this helps and your right, the Illini need a good running game if they are going to rebound from a losing season. I don't care how good their receivers are.
Jason Ford who was a true freshman last year has lost 15 lbs and is a great combination of power and speed. He is getting some high remarks from the coaches, press and eye witnesses from the scrimages. Most think he could be big this year for the Illini. He showed a lot of potential last year so he's one to keep an eye on.
Daniel Defrene is a Sr. back ('08 starter) who will get a lot of touches, is really quick, and catches the ball well out of the back field. He is the Illini's "Big Play" guy among the RB's.
Marcus Pollard is a scat back that did some nice things as a freshman in '07 behind Mendenhall before getting hurt and should be in the rotation this year.
Mike LeShore is a between the tackles back that got some goal line carries last year as a freshman. He should help in short yardage situations again and should be a little less green.
Bud Golden is a true freshman that may get a little action if he proves himself this summer.
All in all, the RB's should be a strength as long as they O-line can make some holes. Losing two key linemen from an average line in '08 makes for a big question mark. I will say, Zook has recruited some pretty good o-linemen the last few years so it could be a productive unit.
Illinois has had the top running game in the big 10 3 of the past four years. In 2008 they were 5th, which was really a surprize and I'm sure had a lot to do with a disappointing season.
Hopefully this helps and your right, the Illini need a good running game if they are going to rebound from a losing season. I don't care how good their receivers are.
