Spring Football...news and notes

[cloverleaf]

Kentucky

Mark Stoops will enter his third season in Lexington with a 7-17 record. With 17 starters returning, he will have some experience this season but faces one of the toughest schedules in the country. It's been a difficult rebuilding project the last two years for Stoops, although the Wildcats did win five games in 2014. The offense will have some stability at quarterback with the return of junior Patrick Towles, who started twelve games last season. However, the offense is otherwise light on proven playmakers especially in the passing game. On the defensive side of the ball the Cats have a pair of senior standouts at defensive tackle, but lacks proven pass rushers at the end positions. The linebackers have some holes to fill but the secondary should be fairly solid with good experience back at all positions. Bottom line, Stoops needs a few consistent playmakers on offense and a reliable pass rush on defense.

 

[bobbyjones2]

Bobby, I think I'm the lone wolf here at RX who likes the Cardinal. Haven't heard a single other poster show any love for Stanford.

stanford, imo, gets a little worse every year, i .they ve been good to me over the years, cause they re like a military team, you typically get maximum effort from them every week..i just dont think shaw is a very good play caller, and hogan has been given ample time "to get it"..see jeff driskel last year..some guys will never get it...

where do you get your info/trends? you and sooners and the others provide a must read every football season..you guys are like a year round phil steele..i certainly enjoy reading...peace

 

[cloverleaf]

Thanks for the kind words Bobby.....

I agree, theRX college football forum is blessed with some loyal, knowledgeable people.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SEC Meetings

Last week at the SEC Coaches Meetings, the athletic directors approved the following actions along other things.

* An independent "medical observer" will be in the press box for all SEC and non-conference games to help with spotting concussions.

* The SEC will eliminate the conference's restriction on football coaches attending off-campus camps effective the summer of 2016, but will continue to advance legislation to the NCAA to nationally outlaw coaches' involvement in such camps.

* The SEC's athletic directors also approved a campaign to raise awareness of prostrate cancer prevention during the 2015 football season to honor former commissioner Slive, who recently stepped down. Each school will wear a blue helmet sticker for a game of its choosing with the potential to add additional "awareness initiatives" at their discretion.

* The SEC reaffirmed its position that it does not support an early signing period for football.



* In a further attempt to curb fans from running onto the field of play following a big victory, the violating school will be subject to a $50,000 fire for the first offense, $100,000 for a second offense and $250,000 for a third or any subsequent offense.

* SEC says NO to players with violent pasts. The rule proposed by Georgia, states that any student-athlete seeking to transfer into a SEC institution will not be eligible for "athletically-related financial aid, practice or competition" if they have "been subject to official university or athletics department disciplinary action" related to "serious misconduct," otherwise considered anything related to sexual assault, domestic violence or other forms of sexual violence.

 

[cloverleaf]

Ole Miss

The Rebels had an up and down 9-4 season during 2014 mainly because of a mediocre offense. Many of us think Ole Miss will be more productive this year...even if the record doesn't show it. The main reason Ole Miss will be a difficult out this season is simple...Defense. The defense ranked No. 1 in the nation in points allowed last year and should be even better this season with seven veterans returning. The defensive line will be one of the best in the country. The linebacker core is solid and the secondary is loaded. Add in both the kicker and punter return and you have a recipe for a tough ass defense.

The offense will breaking in a new quarterback but will have nine starters returning including the entire offensive line. The offensive line has 103 starts giving Ole Miss the most veteran line in the SEC. Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and tight end Evan Engram are as good as any WR/TE combo in the country. Add senior WR Cody Core and you have a dangerous trio of pass catchers. Ole Miss was 51st in total offense last year...that should improve greatly this season even with a new quarterback.

At Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State is a handful for any team. A talented Ole Miss team seems ready for the challenge.

 

[rolltide]

I sure hope i'm wrong , but i think this is the year that Richt gets over the hump and wins the SEC.

they have more qb questions than bama .... scary to think uva's junk qb might be their answer

 

[cloverleaf]

RT, I can't remember when the SEC was breaking in some many new quarterbacks in the same season. Some will do well and some probably won't...will be interesting to watch who steps who and who doesn't as the season progresses.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Missouri

The Tigers have only four 11 win seasons in school history and two of those have come since joining the SEC. Mizzo hopes to continue the winning ways this season with 9 games in either Arkansas or Missouri and every game within driving distance. Quarterback Matty Mauk returns and MUST improve his erratic play of last year. He will have 7 other offensive starters joining him but all three wide receivers must be replaced. The offensive line has 5 players back with starting experience plus talented senior running back Russell Hansbaough who ran for 1084 yards and 10 TDs last year. Some caution needed with an O-Line that gave up 44 sacks last year and was fronting the 95th ranked offense in the country. The defensive line is a major concern with just one veteran back and with little depth. The linebackers and secondary will be the strength for the stoppers with some pretty good players returning. Finding impact players at end will determine how effective the defense can be. Last year the Tigers accounted for only 23 sacks but still had the No. 23 ranked D in the country. How far Missouri will go this season is unclear...they certainly have surprised me since changing conferences.

 

[cloverleaf]

Arizona

The defending Pac 12 South champion Wildcats don't seem to be getting a lot of love after finishing 2014 with two straight losses. Losing to Oregon in the conference championship game and to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl put a cloud over a nice ten win season. Arizona returns their starting quarterback (Anu Solomon), running back (Nick Wilson), six of their top receivers and defensive player of the year (Scooby Wright). Despite the amount of playmakers returning, Rodriguez has a few problems to solve on the offensive line. Both tackles and the center have graduated posing the question of how effective the front guys can be protecting all the playmakers. The defense was nothing to write home about last year ranking 101st, while giving up 30 points per game. Linebacker Scooby Wright is the bright spot but he needs help for any improvement over last year. Both kickers are back offering some experience there. For Arizona to come anywhere near a 10 win season again, Rodriguez will need to solidify the offensive line and improve a porous defense. I don't see a repeat of last year's success but do see a winning season and good bowl in reach.

 

[cloverleaf]

Tennessee

Expectations are the highest in Knoxville in a number of years and for good reason. The Vols only lose five contributing players and return 10 of 11 on offense and 8 of 11 on defense. Tennessee built depth and experience by playing 23 true freshman during the 2014 season, which should serve them well in the coming years. For 2015, everyone knows keeping quarterback Josh Dobbs healthy is the top priority. There are nothing but true freshman behind him. Another player Jones needs to keep healthy is center Mark Crowder. Crowder missed two out of Tennessee's last three games. With him, the offense averaged 280 rushing yards per game over that span. Without him, it averaged 112 yards. It's important to keep Dobbs and Crowder on the field for Tennessee to have any chance of posting their best record in years. With Dobbs playing, I have the Vols winning eight games with losses to Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama and Missouri. To get to eight wins, Tennessee will have to beat Arkansas which I have as a tossup.

Tennessee adds pair of graduate transfers.....Former Cincinnati running back/receiver Ralph Albernathy and former Maryland punter Nate Renfro have joined the Vols as graduate transfers. Albernathy averaged 25.1 yards per kickoff return and compiled 917 yards rushing and 540 yards receiving from 2011-2014. He was limited to two games for Cincinnati last year because of foot and hamstring injuries. Renfro was Maryland's punter the last three seasons and averaged 41.5 yards per kick in 2014.

 

[cloverleaf]

Florida - Flashback 1991

Florida blew away Alabama 35-0 in Week 2, and went from there, driving to its first 10-win season, its first ever official SEC championship and the real beginning of a 20 year rise of Gator football. In Steve Spurrier's second season, quarterback Shane Matthews and defensive tackle Brad Culpepper helped to establish the kind of passing game and defensive dominance now expected in Gainesville. Florida rolled to five of the next six SEC championships. Alabama, meantime, responded to the humiliating loss to Florida by starting an SEC-record-tying 28-game winning streak that continued through their perfect 1992 national championship season and beyond.

Florida - Flashback 1996

After No. 2 Florida State had beaten No. 1 Florida, 24-21, in the showdown at the end of the regular season, the Gators still managed to finish No. 3 in the polls. That put Florida in the Sugar Bowl in a strange rematch with the Seminoles. When No. 2 Arizona State was knocked off by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl that left the Sugar to claim an undisputed national title game, and Spurrier and his Gators would not disappoint. Danny Wuerffel had a big game, as Florida rolled to a surprisingly easy 52-20 victory...Florida's first national title. Wuerffel led the SEC record breaking offense to 46.6 points a game and became the first Heisman winner to play for a Heisman winner (Spurrer, 1966).

 

[cloverleaf]

Michigan

There's more talent, depth and potential for a quick turnaround than most people give the Wolverines credit for. At least that's my view. All five offensive linemen are back on a line that was very young and inconsistent last year. New offensive coordinator Tim Drevno is a line coach by nature which should serve the line well. Harbaugh's tough guy mentality and wanting to pound the ball in a physical way is something the line must adapt too. Two talented running backs will challenge the line to be more physical and open some holes...something they did little of last season. The offense can't get any worse than last year's play: 109th total offense, 112th passing, 112th scoring, 64th rushing. It's obvious the defense is and will be the backbone of team. Last year they were 7th in total defense including 15th against the run giving up just 118 yards per game. Nine of the same guys are back offering a solid nucleus for another strong outing. The five best players on this Michigan squad are on the defensive side of the ball. The September schedule will be an early test with a trip to a good Utah team and home games against Oregon State and BYU. Missing Wisconsin and Nebraska from the West is a big positive. Also, the Michigan State and Ohio State games are in Ann Arbor. If Harbaugh can find a consistent quarterback who can hand the ball off and complete an occasional pass while playing field position with his tough defense...he just may surprise some folks this year.

@Utah.....Oregon St.....UNLV.....BYU.....@Maryland.....Northwestern.....Michigan St.....Open Date.....@Minnesota.....Rutgers
@Indiana.....@Penn St.....Ohio State

 

[cloverleaf]

Some Crazy Scheduling

Exhibit A: In what's not much of a road trip, Miami will travel 38 miles north from 76,500 seat Sun Life Stadium to the 29,419 seat Florida Atlantic Stadium in Boca Raton to face the Owls. Must not be expecting strong ticket sales.

Exhibit B: Hawaii will visit Big Ten members twice this season, traveling 4,500 miles to Ohio State on September 12 and then returning to the mainland on September 26 for a 4,152 mile trip to Wisconsin. It means the Rainbows will travel 17,304 miles round trip in a matter of 14 days.

Sidenote: I'll take Wisconsin anywhere up to -100.
I've flown from Atlanta to Hawaii twice in my lifetime and loved the visit but caught myself dreading the long flight home both times. It wore my ass out.

 

[rolltide]

I noted so alabama's new scheduling quirk to backfill the UAB game. away at Lincoln then away to San Diego then home vs NC State. brutal trio...many miles vs what was expected

 

[CoachCB]

Some Crazy Scheduling

Exhibit A: In what's not much of a road trip, Miami will travel 38 miles north from 76,500 seat Sun Life Stadium to the 29,419 seat Florida Atlantic Stadium in Boca Raton to face the Owls. Must not be expecting strong ticket sales.

Exhibit B: Hawaii will visit Big Ten members twice this season, traveling 4,500 miles to Ohio State on September 12 and then returning to the mainland on September 26 for a 4,152 mile trip to Wisconsin. It means the Rainbows will travel 17,304 miles round trip in a matter of 14 days.

Sidenote: I'll take Wisconsin anywhere up to -100.
I've flown from Atlanta to Hawaii twice in my lifetime and loved the visit but caught myself dreading the long flight home both times. It wore my ass out.

I have a good friend from Hawaii and we've gone there a few times (2009 & 2011) during the Christmas time frame....and the flight from the east coast IS definitely brutal.

If you've never been to Costa Rica, that's my recommendation for east coast travelers. It is just as pretty and tropical as Hawaii....much, much closer (and cheaper) to travel to....and much, much cheaper upon arrival (from the hotel to the food and everything else you do on a vacation). You can do it as cheaply as you want and as expensive as you want...

 

[BigdaddyQH]

Coach, if you really think that Costa Rica is as good as Hawaii you obviously have not been to the right places in Hawaii. How many Islands have you been to? Costa Rica is to Hawaii what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. Not even close.

 

[BigdaddyQH]

At any rate getting back to my point about recruit statistics being basically worthless, LSU lost one of it's 5 star 2014 recruits today. 5 star LB Clifton Garrett has left the school to go to a Junior College. This guy was allegedly the #2 OLB in the 2014 class according to 247. I guess 247 is as stupid as this guy is. Point proven.

 

[CoachCB]

Coach, if you really think that Costa Rica is as good as Hawaii you obviously have not been to the right places in Hawaii. How many Islands have you been to? Costa Rica is to Hawaii what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. Not even close.

I'm in the US Coast Guard. I've been to every island in the Hawaiian chains...plus plenty of other pacific islands. I lived in Guam as well, and have done most of those islands.

What I'm saying; coming from the east coast, for the time and money, Costa Rica is just as nice/fun/enjoyable, etc. I grew up w/ a white guy named Maurice who is from Costa Rica. We went several times in our youth (college years through early 30's). Hawaii is a tourist trap, for the most part....over priced....and a BITCH to get to. You live in California, your flight to Hawaii is a pleasure cruise compared to east coast residents.

 

[cloverleaf]

Notre Dame

It's been a bumpy ride for Brian Kelly and the Irish since they got hammered a couple years back by Alabama in the 2012 championship game. But even taking into account the fact the Irish don't have a reliable quarterback at the moment, and even taking into account that they will face a rigorous schedule, this team looks poised for a big rebound in 2015. Nineteen starters return overall that should easily ensure another bowl season, but how high the Irish place in the postseason will depend on consistency...especially on defense. Notre Dame finished 2014 losing five of its last six games and the defense gave up 41.6 points per game in the regular season's final seven game. The defense ranked 71st nationally under coordinator Brian VanGorder, a guy who has worn out his welcome in the SEC (Ga & Aub). The schedule is attainable for a successful season but the Irish have hurdles throughout the season to test them beginning with Texas and ending with Stanford. This may be the deepest, most well-equipped team Kelly has fielded. If the Irish can maximize the quarterback position, establish a consistent ground game and play more stout up front defensively...then this could be one of Kelly's best teams. My caution with this year's squad would be the defense with VanGorder as the leader. As I said earlier, he was run off at Georgia and Auburn and is not that well respected in the SEC.

Texas.....@Virginia.....Georgia Tech.....UMass.....@Clemson.....Navy.....Southern Cal.....@Temple.....@Pittsburgh.....Wake Forest.....Boston College.....@Stanford

 

[rolltide]

At any rate getting back to my point about recruit statistics being basically worthless, LSU lost one of it's 5 star 2014 recruits today. 5 star LB Clifton Garrett has left the school to go to a Junior College. This guy was allegedly the #2 OLB in the 2014 class according to 247. I guess 247 is as stupid as this guy is. Point proven.

thank you for finally giving me the impetus to put you on ignore. somehow in the rotting grey matter you call a brain you actually believe that one 5-star who shits the bed proves that recruiting stats are worthless.

i actually lost 3 IQ points reading that drivel so you are now my #2 ignore of all time. CP will always hold that other slot. congrats!

 

[cloverleaf]

God I love this place. It's almost like a family with five brothers.....

I always tried to stay out of brother/bar/cat fights unless my name was brought into the tussle...

Think I will just stay out of this one....................

 

[groundhog11]

Notre Dame

It's been a bumpy ride for Brian Kelly and the Irish since they got hammered a couple years back by Alabama in the 2012 championship game. But even taking into account the fact the Irish don't have a reliable quarterback at the moment, and even taking into account that they will face a rigorous schedule, this team looks poised for a big rebound in 2015. Nineteen starters return overall that should easily ensure another bowl season, but how high the Irish place in the postseason will depend on consistency...especially on defense. Notre Dame finished 2014 losing five of its last six games and the defense gave up 41.6 points per game in the regular season's final seven game. The defense ranked 71st nationally under coordinator Brian VanGorder, a guy who has worn out his welcome in the SEC (Ga & Aub). The schedule is attainable for a successful season but the Irish have hurdles throughout the season to test them beginning with Texas and ending with Stanford. This may be the deepest, most well-equipped team Kelly has fielded. If the Irish can maximize the quarterback position, establish a consistent ground game and play more stout up front defensively...then this could be one of Kelly's best teams. My caution with this year's squad would be the defense with VanGorder as the leader. As I said earlier, he was run off at Georgia and Auburn and is not that well respected in the SEC.

Texas.....@Virginia.....Georgia Tech.....UMass.....@Clemson.....Navy.....Southern Cal.....@Temple.....@Pittsburgh.....Wake Forest.....Boston College.....@Stanford

i think nd is an underrated team...they have the potential to make the playoff...easy schedule