Going into the Super Bowl, it would be tough to find a better match-up at quarterback with the playoff experience so one sided. Super Bowl XLV gives the viewers just that as Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings and Aaron Rogers just has three playoff victories (all this season). Does experience make the biggest difference in who has the edge at this position?
Ben Roethlisberger is no doubt a top 3 quarterback in the NFL right now. He might not be flashy like the other top quarterbacks but his determination to win is what sets him apart from the rest. He knows how to manage a game very well and also can break out of potential sacks unlike any other quarterback that is known as a "pocket passer." Being 6'5 and 241 pounds is not like most quarterbacks either also throw in an above average arm with good but not great accuracy and that has been the making of a multiple Lombardi winning trophy quarterback.
Aaron Rogers has become of age this season. Many thought coming out of California that Rogers did not have what it took to play in the NFL coming from a Jeff Tedford system. Rogers has proved that he was worth the "gamble" to draft late in the first round. Rogers has been dubbed as the second best running quarterback only behind Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback). Rogers has been here hot of late but the Bears defense really confused him and pressured him well in the last ball game and Rogers did not have a good game but I would not expect that to be the case in the Super Bowl.
Edge: Steelers- Rogers is still learning the ropes of what it takes to play high-level football. After each playoff round the games get tougher and tougher. Roethlisberger has already been down this road before and should not have as many jitters as Rogers does early in the game and thus give the Steelers the edge.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Is it time for South Alabama to part ways with Ronnie Arrow?
Four years ago South Alabama brought back a coach many thought would continue the basketball programs success. Not only though did coach Ronnie Arrow accept the challenge but also has been at the University of South Alabama before and had pretty good success. Many will remember back in 1989 when South Alabama upset Alabama in the NCAA tournament, South was seeded 15th and Alabama 2nd. Since upon returning back to South Alabama coach Arrow has posted two twenty win seasons and made the NCAA tournament as an at-large team, which is hard to accomplish coming out of the Sunbelt conference.
However, fans are starting to become impatient with Arrow's success since arriving on campus. Ever since the 2008 season the Jaguar basketball program has not been improving but rather declining. In 2007-08 season the Jaguars returned perhaps two of the best players in South Alabama basketball history in guards Doan Merrit and Demetric Bennett and they were able to lead the Jaguars to the Sunbelt tournament as the top overall seed but lost to Middle Tennessee State and had to enter "March Madness" as an at-large bid and not as an automatic bid. The Sunbelt tournament was held at the Mitchell Center that year, so home-court advantage was on the Jaguars side. In the NCAA basketball tournament that year they got a match-up with Butler Bulldogs who like South Alabama is a mid-major team. South Alabama got blown out by Butler 81-61 in Birmingham, Alabama.
That was considered to be coach Arrow's best season since he has been back. Was it a good season? Yes, anyone can see that but the way they looked in the Birmingham regional game was a sign of what was to come. Since then South Alabama basketball has been less than stellar to say the least. 2008-09 had a conference record of 10-8, 8-10 2009-10, and 2010-11 2-5(still in progress). The past three years in the conference alone progression has not been shown clearly but on a slow decline. South Alabama has been known since coach Bill Mussleman as a competitive team that will compete for forty minutes with everything they have playing team basketball.
Now when South Alabama plays it looks more like a bunch of chaos. This year whenever a team plays a type of zone defense the offense looks dead as all of the players stand around behind the three point line waiting for someone to make a move. Most of the time a player will stand in the back-court just dribbling the ball waiting for the shot clock to run down to ten and then start passing it to the wings instead of dribbling in the middle of the zone passing it back out for a shot or finding another open shot. It looks like they are a little unorganized on the court and the defense is still pretty decent at times when it decides to show up but usually it shows up too late.
The season is slowly winding down and it looks like South Alabama is going to have a losing season in the conference in back to back seasons. Coach Ronnie Arrow has done a tremedous job at South Alabama in his two stints as head coach but it is time to move on and hire someone else to take over the program. If coach Ronnie Arrow stays it will just be putting the program back and not moving them forward and two to three years from now South Alabama basketball will go from being a once proud program to being a Sunbelt bottom feeder.
However, fans are starting to become impatient with Arrow's success since arriving on campus. Ever since the 2008 season the Jaguar basketball program has not been improving but rather declining. In 2007-08 season the Jaguars returned perhaps two of the best players in South Alabama basketball history in guards Doan Merrit and Demetric Bennett and they were able to lead the Jaguars to the Sunbelt tournament as the top overall seed but lost to Middle Tennessee State and had to enter "March Madness" as an at-large bid and not as an automatic bid. The Sunbelt tournament was held at the Mitchell Center that year, so home-court advantage was on the Jaguars side. In the NCAA basketball tournament that year they got a match-up with Butler Bulldogs who like South Alabama is a mid-major team. South Alabama got blown out by Butler 81-61 in Birmingham, Alabama.
That was considered to be coach Arrow's best season since he has been back. Was it a good season? Yes, anyone can see that but the way they looked in the Birmingham regional game was a sign of what was to come. Since then South Alabama basketball has been less than stellar to say the least. 2008-09 had a conference record of 10-8, 8-10 2009-10, and 2010-11 2-5(still in progress). The past three years in the conference alone progression has not been shown clearly but on a slow decline. South Alabama has been known since coach Bill Mussleman as a competitive team that will compete for forty minutes with everything they have playing team basketball.
Now when South Alabama plays it looks more like a bunch of chaos. This year whenever a team plays a type of zone defense the offense looks dead as all of the players stand around behind the three point line waiting for someone to make a move. Most of the time a player will stand in the back-court just dribbling the ball waiting for the shot clock to run down to ten and then start passing it to the wings instead of dribbling in the middle of the zone passing it back out for a shot or finding another open shot. It looks like they are a little unorganized on the court and the defense is still pretty decent at times when it decides to show up but usually it shows up too late.
The season is slowly winding down and it looks like South Alabama is going to have a losing season in the conference in back to back seasons. Coach Ronnie Arrow has done a tremedous job at South Alabama in his two stints as head coach but it is time to move on and hire someone else to take over the program. If coach Ronnie Arrow stays it will just be putting the program back and not moving them forward and two to three years from now South Alabama basketball will go from being a once proud program to being a Sunbelt bottom feeder.
Friday, January 14, 2011
The rest of the 25
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys- Brandon Weeden is coming back along with Justin Blackmon and these two alone make the Cowboys offense one of the best in the nation. Defense is losing a lot but a great offense can cover up a less than stellar defense.
12. TCU Horn Frogs- Gary Patterson is building a dynasty in Fort Worth and not just to dominate the Mountain West but also the Big East in the coming years. They will be losing Andy Dalton but they have enough depth easily to be considered a top 15 team still.
13. Wisconsin Badgers- Scott Tolzien is leaving so is John Clay but with Montee Ball returning and three of the five offensive line coming back so they will be continuing their dominating running attack.
14. Auburn Tigers- Auburn is losing twenty-six players most likely next season (24 seniors, Cam and Nick) at-least. They might have great younger talent but when you lose your leader on offense and defense from the previous season it is tough to compete at the same level. Auburn should find themselves a top 10 team in the 2012 season.
15. South Carolina Gamecocks- Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery return to the offense but the key will be Conner Shaw and if he can't only match Garcia's play but be better if they want to repeat as Eastern division champions again.
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers- Crick is returning and that alone gives a major boost to the defense also QB Martinez will be a sophomore but the offensive line will be replacing three starters.
17. Mississippi State Bulldogs- Dan Mullen has this program on the upswing but the problem is that they play in the toughest division in the FBS. This team could win most other leagues and even the Eastern division but is only third best in the west.
18. Missouri Tigers- Ryan be proud! Even Blaine Gabbert leaving the Tigers offensive line is going to be senior heavy and James Franklin is prime to continue the great QB play and also the defense should be among the best in the Big 12.
19. Virginia Tech Hokies- I think this might be too high for them but also not in the top 20 might be too low. They are losing the best tandem of runningbacks in the ACC, Darren Evans and Ryan Williams, also quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The defense last year did not look much of a Bud Foster defense but I would not count on it two years in a row.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks- Bad news is Mallet is gone but good news is Tyler Wilson had experience this past season also Knile Davis and Ronnie Wingo could be the best tandem coming back in the SEC.
21. Penn State- After a disappointing 2010 campaign is looking to have a better 2011 season. Matt McGloin came out of nowhere to start and thus Robert Bolden has left. Evan Royster might be gone but the Nittney Lions have plenty of tailbacks to step in and fill the void but the scary thing is...all five offensive lineman will be replaced.
22. Arizona State Sun Devils- There record might have been a unflattering 6-6 but they lost many games by less than a touchdown. Steven Threet should be the starting quarterback next year also with 21 of 22 starters coming back this could be the sleeper in the Pac-10
23. West Virginia Mountaineers- Geno Smith returns as the quarterback and also with new head coach in waiting Dana Holgorsen taking over the offense expect it to produce more fireworks even though they are going to lose Noel Devine.
24. Florida Gators- After a less than expected 7-5 season Gator Nation welcomes Will Muschamp. The defense got a boost when Jenoris Jenkins came back for another season to solidify one of the cornerback spots. Expect the offense to look more like the 2009 offense with Charlie Weiss' arrival.
25. Texas Tech Red Raiders- Tommy Tuberville figured out quick that he was back in the Big 12 with the lack of defensive execution. The offense should still be solid and also expect the defense look more like a SEC defense and not Big 12 in his second season.
12. TCU Horn Frogs- Gary Patterson is building a dynasty in Fort Worth and not just to dominate the Mountain West but also the Big East in the coming years. They will be losing Andy Dalton but they have enough depth easily to be considered a top 15 team still.
13. Wisconsin Badgers- Scott Tolzien is leaving so is John Clay but with Montee Ball returning and three of the five offensive line coming back so they will be continuing their dominating running attack.
14. Auburn Tigers- Auburn is losing twenty-six players most likely next season (24 seniors, Cam and Nick) at-least. They might have great younger talent but when you lose your leader on offense and defense from the previous season it is tough to compete at the same level. Auburn should find themselves a top 10 team in the 2012 season.
15. South Carolina Gamecocks- Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery return to the offense but the key will be Conner Shaw and if he can't only match Garcia's play but be better if they want to repeat as Eastern division champions again.
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers- Crick is returning and that alone gives a major boost to the defense also QB Martinez will be a sophomore but the offensive line will be replacing three starters.
17. Mississippi State Bulldogs- Dan Mullen has this program on the upswing but the problem is that they play in the toughest division in the FBS. This team could win most other leagues and even the Eastern division but is only third best in the west.
18. Missouri Tigers- Ryan be proud! Even Blaine Gabbert leaving the Tigers offensive line is going to be senior heavy and James Franklin is prime to continue the great QB play and also the defense should be among the best in the Big 12.
19. Virginia Tech Hokies- I think this might be too high for them but also not in the top 20 might be too low. They are losing the best tandem of runningbacks in the ACC, Darren Evans and Ryan Williams, also quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The defense last year did not look much of a Bud Foster defense but I would not count on it two years in a row.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks- Bad news is Mallet is gone but good news is Tyler Wilson had experience this past season also Knile Davis and Ronnie Wingo could be the best tandem coming back in the SEC.
21. Penn State- After a disappointing 2010 campaign is looking to have a better 2011 season. Matt McGloin came out of nowhere to start and thus Robert Bolden has left. Evan Royster might be gone but the Nittney Lions have plenty of tailbacks to step in and fill the void but the scary thing is...all five offensive lineman will be replaced.
22. Arizona State Sun Devils- There record might have been a unflattering 6-6 but they lost many games by less than a touchdown. Steven Threet should be the starting quarterback next year also with 21 of 22 starters coming back this could be the sleeper in the Pac-10
23. West Virginia Mountaineers- Geno Smith returns as the quarterback and also with new head coach in waiting Dana Holgorsen taking over the offense expect it to produce more fireworks even though they are going to lose Noel Devine.
24. Florida Gators- After a less than expected 7-5 season Gator Nation welcomes Will Muschamp. The defense got a boost when Jenoris Jenkins came back for another season to solidify one of the cornerback spots. Expect the offense to look more like the 2009 offense with Charlie Weiss' arrival.
25. Texas Tech Red Raiders- Tommy Tuberville figured out quick that he was back in the Big 12 with the lack of defensive execution. The offense should still be solid and also expect the defense look more like a SEC defense and not Big 12 in his second season.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Pre Pre Preseason top 10 for college football 2011
Alright now that they confetti has fallen and the crystal ball has been given out for 2010 it is time and never too early to reveal top 25 preseason poll for the 2011 college football season. Of course this is not official and most likely to change when the season approaches in early August but never the less the pre pre preseason top 25 for college football 2011:
1. Oregon Ducks- Most of their offensive weapons are going to come back especially lead man LaMichael James and if they get the offensive line situation sorted out then they should be able to find themselves back into the national championship game.
2. LSU Tigers- LSU? How could I have the crazy madhatters here? Have you seen who they will return and how they looked in the bowl game. Patrick Peterson might be leaving but LSU reloads, not rebuilds.
3. Oklahoma Sooners- Landry Jones and Coach Bob Stoops got their five star recruit Ryan Broyles to come back to school another year and Broyles alone makes the Sooners a top 5 offense in the nation.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide- The young secondary has a year under its belt and they proved towards the end of the how good they were. Alabama would be ranked higher but I'm not totally sold on A.J. McCarron.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes- Yes there "top 5" players will be missing five games but the only tough team they will play is Nebraska and that will be the fifth game but after that they should dominate the Big 10.
6. Stanford Cardinal- Jim Harbough might be gone but its Andrew Luck returning that makes this team a legitimate PAC-10 contender next year and possibly should have won the PAC-10 this year.
7. Boise State Broncos- Kellen Moore will be losing their top 2 receiving targets but lets face it when it becomes distributing the football Kellen Moore takes a backseat to no one.
8. Florida State Seminoles- Christian Ponder might be gone but EJ Manuel is more than ready to take over the helm and that Seminole defense is beginning to look a lot like the Seminole's defense of the 90's
9. Texas A&M Aggies- Ryan Tannehill taking over at quarterback was the turning point of the season this year for the Aggies and he will be back next year so will Cyrus Gray and Jeff Fuller so the offense should be aplenty in College Station.
10. Michigan State Spartans- Kirk Cousins is coming back and so is BJ Cunningham but three of the five offensive lineman will not be returning and Greg Jones will be the toughest player to replace at MLB in the nation next year.
The rest of the top 25 will be finished in the next couple of days...So stay tuned and see where your favorite team might land....
1. Oregon Ducks- Most of their offensive weapons are going to come back especially lead man LaMichael James and if they get the offensive line situation sorted out then they should be able to find themselves back into the national championship game.
2. LSU Tigers- LSU? How could I have the crazy madhatters here? Have you seen who they will return and how they looked in the bowl game. Patrick Peterson might be leaving but LSU reloads, not rebuilds.
3. Oklahoma Sooners- Landry Jones and Coach Bob Stoops got their five star recruit Ryan Broyles to come back to school another year and Broyles alone makes the Sooners a top 5 offense in the nation.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide- The young secondary has a year under its belt and they proved towards the end of the how good they were. Alabama would be ranked higher but I'm not totally sold on A.J. McCarron.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes- Yes there "top 5" players will be missing five games but the only tough team they will play is Nebraska and that will be the fifth game but after that they should dominate the Big 10.
6. Stanford Cardinal- Jim Harbough might be gone but its Andrew Luck returning that makes this team a legitimate PAC-10 contender next year and possibly should have won the PAC-10 this year.
7. Boise State Broncos- Kellen Moore will be losing their top 2 receiving targets but lets face it when it becomes distributing the football Kellen Moore takes a backseat to no one.
8. Florida State Seminoles- Christian Ponder might be gone but EJ Manuel is more than ready to take over the helm and that Seminole defense is beginning to look a lot like the Seminole's defense of the 90's
9. Texas A&M Aggies- Ryan Tannehill taking over at quarterback was the turning point of the season this year for the Aggies and he will be back next year so will Cyrus Gray and Jeff Fuller so the offense should be aplenty in College Station.
10. Michigan State Spartans- Kirk Cousins is coming back and so is BJ Cunningham but three of the five offensive lineman will not be returning and Greg Jones will be the toughest player to replace at MLB in the nation next year.
The rest of the top 25 will be finished in the next couple of days...So stay tuned and see where your favorite team might land....
Monday, January 10, 2011
The National Championship
After over three weeks of watching bowl games we have finally arrived at the Climax. Tonight's match-up pits the Oregon Ducks vs the Auburn Tigers (in case you had not heard yet). For the past three weeks we have all heard about if Cam Newton does this or that and if LaMichael James does this or that then there team should win the game. I'm here to tell you that while Cam and LaMichael will have an important say in what goes on during the game, the difference will all hinder on to about four players per team. Two players from each side of the ball.
For Oregon the offense starts and ends with QB Darren Thomas. He is what makes the Ducks high speed offense run as smoothly as possible. Like most quarterbacks Darren Thomas needs to have a go to receiver and the one he hooked up with most this year is senior Jeff Maehl. He leads the Ducks receiving corps with sixty-eight receptions for nine hundred and forty-three yards along with twelve touchdowns. Now on to the defense, Linebacker Casey Matthews is a beast at the spot although he might not be a prototypical SEC linebacker, Casey could still hold his own against the SEC's best. The last players to watch for Oregon would be there defensive ends Terrell Turner and Kenny Rowe. If they can keep contain and not let Cam Newton run out of the pocket and scramble then it should keep the DB's at ease.
For Auburn on defense everyone knows that the catalyst is Nick Fairley but he still needs help on the outside and corners Demond Washington and Neiko Thorpe need not to get out run on the outside by LaMichael James but need to keep the corner closed so James has to stay inside to run. Also on defense Craig Stevens needs to play bigger than ever in his career. Stevens might be playing with a cast but he should still be effective. On offense the Tigers has two other play-makers in wide out Darvin Adams and running-back Michael Dyer. If Darvin Adams is able to be a big threat deep that could leave the mid-range passing attack open and thus give fellow receiver Emory Blake a big game. Michael Dyer is the X-factor on the Tiger offense. If he is able to run the football with purpose and able to gain major yards then Auburn's offense will be unstoppable.
Predicting a game like this is about as tough as they come because both team's offense is so good and both defenses have trouble stopping offenses. It now becomes who might be able to either stop the opposing offense or posses the ball last. You can look at this game multiple ways on how who you are going to determine a winner. You can go by who played in the toughest conference, and many believe the SEC is the toughest thus Auburn would win. You can look back and see that Heisman winners are 2-6 in National Championship games the same year they won the award thus Oregon would win. Another way is looking at each teams mascots. The tiger is known as one of the most intimidating beast in the wild although a duck has a heck of a kick to them and can fly it can not out duel a tiger thus Auburn would be victorious. So here is my best shot at it 35-31 Auburn, because you just cant stop the SEC.
For Oregon the offense starts and ends with QB Darren Thomas. He is what makes the Ducks high speed offense run as smoothly as possible. Like most quarterbacks Darren Thomas needs to have a go to receiver and the one he hooked up with most this year is senior Jeff Maehl. He leads the Ducks receiving corps with sixty-eight receptions for nine hundred and forty-three yards along with twelve touchdowns. Now on to the defense, Linebacker Casey Matthews is a beast at the spot although he might not be a prototypical SEC linebacker, Casey could still hold his own against the SEC's best. The last players to watch for Oregon would be there defensive ends Terrell Turner and Kenny Rowe. If they can keep contain and not let Cam Newton run out of the pocket and scramble then it should keep the DB's at ease.
For Auburn on defense everyone knows that the catalyst is Nick Fairley but he still needs help on the outside and corners Demond Washington and Neiko Thorpe need not to get out run on the outside by LaMichael James but need to keep the corner closed so James has to stay inside to run. Also on defense Craig Stevens needs to play bigger than ever in his career. Stevens might be playing with a cast but he should still be effective. On offense the Tigers has two other play-makers in wide out Darvin Adams and running-back Michael Dyer. If Darvin Adams is able to be a big threat deep that could leave the mid-range passing attack open and thus give fellow receiver Emory Blake a big game. Michael Dyer is the X-factor on the Tiger offense. If he is able to run the football with purpose and able to gain major yards then Auburn's offense will be unstoppable.
Predicting a game like this is about as tough as they come because both team's offense is so good and both defenses have trouble stopping offenses. It now becomes who might be able to either stop the opposing offense or posses the ball last. You can look at this game multiple ways on how who you are going to determine a winner. You can go by who played in the toughest conference, and many believe the SEC is the toughest thus Auburn would win. You can look back and see that Heisman winners are 2-6 in National Championship games the same year they won the award thus Oregon would win. Another way is looking at each teams mascots. The tiger is known as one of the most intimidating beast in the wild although a duck has a heck of a kick to them and can fly it can not out duel a tiger thus Auburn would be victorious. So here is my best shot at it 35-31 Auburn, because you just cant stop the SEC.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
What if South Alabama had played a regular Sunbelt schedule this season?
Now that the bowls have been picked and people are making travel plans to go root for their teams, it got me to thinking would South Alabama be able to make it to one of the three bowl games this year. If you already do not know Middle Tennessee, Florida International, and Troy each made a bowl game. In this hypothetical season I took what would be a normal Sunbelt schedule and I predicted how I thought the game would end up. Most Sunbelt schools play two higher level teams from conferences from the ACC, Big 12, or SEC, also play 1 mid-major game against a Conference USA opponent. I put South Alabama's schedule like this, University of Florida and University of Texas (two big schools), UAB (Mid-Major), then filled it out with conference games. So how would South Alabama far this season?
September 4- @University of Florida- Coming into the year ranked in the top 5 South Alabama would start the season on a low note. However, the game would be closer than most people expect. South Alabama would hang around for a half, possibly three quarters, but in the end Florida would pull away and win...UF 42 USA 21 (L)
September 11- UAB- This is the first game of the year most people would think South Alabama would have a chance at winning. UAB is not known for having a powerful football program. South Alabama would come out and be pumped up to play the first home game of the season and win the ball game...UAB 21 USA 31 (W)
September 18- @University of Texas- Just like the first game of the season South Alabama is playing against too great of an opponent in Texas. South Alabama collects their money but once again shows that for a half or three quarters they can play with a higher level conference team...UT 34 USA 17 (L)
September 25- Troy University- South opens up Sunbelt play against their in-state rival Troy University. Troy has won at-least a share of the Sunbelt championship 4 out 5 seasons. Troy comes into Mobile and steals a tough road win...Troy 21 USA 17 (L)
October 2- bye week
October 9- @ Arkansas State University- The Red Wolves featured the best throwing quarterback in the Sunbelt Ryan Applin but South Alabama's defensive schemes helped out the corners and safeties. They were able to defend the pass and frustrate Ryan Applin while getting the victory...USA 28 ASU 14 (W)
October 16-@ Florida International- Carrol to Hilton proved to be too much for the Jaguars as they would fall to 1-2 in SBC play....FIU 45 South 31 (L)
October 23- Florida Atlantic- South just proved to be to mentally and physically tough against Florida Atlantc. They would win their second conference game of the year...USA 30 FAU 10 (W)
October 30-@ North Texas- One the best programs in the SBC history as North Texas won the first three but since then it has not been so good. Lance Dunbar is the best overall runningback in the SBC but South is too strong...USA 24 UNT 3 (W)
November 6- Middle Tennessee State- The Blue Raiders Dwight Dasher is the best dual threat quarterback in the league and quite possibly top 5 in the NCAA. Besides Dasher MTSU does not have much help and the Jaguars have too many play-makers...USA 28 MTSU 21(W)
November 13- Western Kentucky- Head Coach Willie Taggart has this program on the rise as they have won two conference game. Bobby Rainey is the best running back in the SBC and top ten in the nation. South has a great duo of backs in Kendall Houston and T.J. Glover and the Hilltoppers defense is not as strong as the Jaguars....USA 35 WKU 21 (W)
November 20-Louisiana Lafayette- The Rajun Cajuns are a bottem feeder team in the Sunbelt and compete well but they do not have the players to compete with the Jaguars...USA 42 ULL 14 (W)
November 27- Louisiana Monroe- Frank Goodin is a player to watch for the Warhawks but overall as a team they are just not that strong...USA 35 ULM 20 (W)
Overall Record 8-4, Sunbelt Record (7-2)-Third Place Finish, Projected Bowl: Godaddy.com (Mobile, Al)
September 4- @University of Florida- Coming into the year ranked in the top 5 South Alabama would start the season on a low note. However, the game would be closer than most people expect. South Alabama would hang around for a half, possibly three quarters, but in the end Florida would pull away and win...UF 42 USA 21 (L)
September 11- UAB- This is the first game of the year most people would think South Alabama would have a chance at winning. UAB is not known for having a powerful football program. South Alabama would come out and be pumped up to play the first home game of the season and win the ball game...UAB 21 USA 31 (W)
September 18- @University of Texas- Just like the first game of the season South Alabama is playing against too great of an opponent in Texas. South Alabama collects their money but once again shows that for a half or three quarters they can play with a higher level conference team...UT 34 USA 17 (L)
September 25- Troy University- South opens up Sunbelt play against their in-state rival Troy University. Troy has won at-least a share of the Sunbelt championship 4 out 5 seasons. Troy comes into Mobile and steals a tough road win...Troy 21 USA 17 (L)
October 2- bye week
October 9- @ Arkansas State University- The Red Wolves featured the best throwing quarterback in the Sunbelt Ryan Applin but South Alabama's defensive schemes helped out the corners and safeties. They were able to defend the pass and frustrate Ryan Applin while getting the victory...USA 28 ASU 14 (W)
October 16-@ Florida International- Carrol to Hilton proved to be too much for the Jaguars as they would fall to 1-2 in SBC play....FIU 45 South 31 (L)
October 23- Florida Atlantic- South just proved to be to mentally and physically tough against Florida Atlantc. They would win their second conference game of the year...USA 30 FAU 10 (W)
October 30-@ North Texas- One the best programs in the SBC history as North Texas won the first three but since then it has not been so good. Lance Dunbar is the best overall runningback in the SBC but South is too strong...USA 24 UNT 3 (W)
November 6- Middle Tennessee State- The Blue Raiders Dwight Dasher is the best dual threat quarterback in the league and quite possibly top 5 in the NCAA. Besides Dasher MTSU does not have much help and the Jaguars have too many play-makers...USA 28 MTSU 21(W)
November 13- Western Kentucky- Head Coach Willie Taggart has this program on the rise as they have won two conference game. Bobby Rainey is the best running back in the SBC and top ten in the nation. South has a great duo of backs in Kendall Houston and T.J. Glover and the Hilltoppers defense is not as strong as the Jaguars....USA 35 WKU 21 (W)
November 20-Louisiana Lafayette- The Rajun Cajuns are a bottem feeder team in the Sunbelt and compete well but they do not have the players to compete with the Jaguars...USA 42 ULL 14 (W)
November 27- Louisiana Monroe- Frank Goodin is a player to watch for the Warhawks but overall as a team they are just not that strong...USA 35 ULM 20 (W)
Overall Record 8-4, Sunbelt Record (7-2)-Third Place Finish, Projected Bowl: Godaddy.com (Mobile, Al)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Championship Saturday!!!
Usually on this time of year we are only witnessing three championships being crowned--The Big 12, SEC, and ACC--but this year Big East will be decided as well. This has usually been a boring Saturday and was the worst Saturday in college football caused on three games "matter." This year I'm going to try and not look at it that way but rather as just another exciting Saturday in College Football. Of course, after Saturday is over we all know what Sunday means...Bowl Selections!!!!
This past two years this game has been more like a national semi-final game as the winner would go on and play in the National Championship game, however; this game still is an intriguing match-up, especially since both opponents have already played each other this year. University of South Carolina and Auburn University are both known for their offensives than their defense. I would expect this game to be high in points and low in defensive stops so this could come down to who has the ball last. Cameron Newton has been on a tear of late and thats not just with his legs. Earlier in the year if you stopped Newton's running game the offense would be non existent but later in the year he has gotten better at the passing game. Not only can he throw lasers ten to fifteen yards out but also thirty to forty yards down the field as well. However the key to Auburn's offense will be the offensive line and how they protect Newton and not just when he decides to tuck and run it but also when he drops back to pass. If you look back and notice in some Auburn games their line looks like it will take plays off and thats not a good thing with four senior starters. Auburns defensive key will be if linebackers Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes are able to stop South Carolina's rushing attack. Stephen Garcia can not win games on his own and will need the run support. Auburn stops Lattimore they stop the Gamecock offense. Stephen Garcia has grown into more of a mature quarterback since the last time they met, in other words Spurrier will not pull him with the game on the line. He has been the main reason for South Carolina's offensive success this late of the season. If he can continue to make smart plays then South Carolina should be in good shape in winning. The offensive key would be Marcus Lattimore. He is the best offensive player in the nation that is a freshman. If he is able to rush the ball with great effectiveness then Auburn's defense will be playing on the back of their heels the entire game. South Carolina's defensive key will be to stop or just be able to slow down Newton. Alabama showed how to do that last week for one half. South Carolina's defense must not give up the big plays either, Auburn has not been known to be able to sustain long drives.
Prediction- This game will be tight through the first half with South Carolina winning at halftime, but the Auburn coaches have been great at making halftime adjustments and that will be the difference...Tigers 35 Gamecocks 31
This is a rematch of the first ACC Championship game that was held in 2005. In 2005 Virginia Tech lost to Florida State 27-22. Can the Seminoles repeat what happen in 2005? If they are going to Christina Ponder will need to outplay Tyrod Taylor. Ponder came in this season as the best quarterback in the ACC, depending who you ask, and has not been able to live up to the billing. Of course injuries have played a part in it but usually all great quarterbacks play through the pain. If Ponder has the kind of game he is capable of then Seminoles will win but he will need help from his receiving corps if that is going to happen. Taiwan Easterling and Willie Haulstead both need to have major games to help out Ponder. The defensive key will be to make the Hokies one dimensional. If they are able to stop the rushing attack and make Taylor win the game on his arm Florida State should win the game. Virginia's Tech Tyrod Taylor is the best offensive play maker in the ACC. He can run and pass with effectiveness and if he is on his game Florida States defense will be in trouble. The key though to the offense will be what Tyrod gets from the rest of his backfield. If Ryan Williams and Darren Evans can be the tandem everyone before the season thought they could be then the offense should have no trouble moving the ball. Defensively if the Hokies cand get pressure on the Ponder and rattle his cage then it will make things easier.
Prediciton- Im going with Frank Beamers head coaching experience over Jimbo Fishers in this one but expect Florida State to be back sooner rather than later...Hokies 31 Seminoles 28
This year is a great match-up between old rivals that date back to the Big 8 days, Oklahoma Sooners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers. How fitting is it that Nebraska is going to the Big 12 championship their last season in the Big 12 before moving on to the Big 10. Nebraska has won a Big 12 championship in every decade except this one so far. If they plan on winning it Taylor Martinez will need to step up BIG. The freshman has been great all year running the football and throwing but nothing is like the lights in Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Taylor will need to get the jitters out early and to help him out will need to be Niles Paul. If he is able to catch a couple of passes early in the game and get the confidence high for Martinez then offense should be clicking. On Defense the secondary is under watch as the Oklahoma passing attack is just as good as any in the nation. If the passing game goes then that will open up holes in the running game so the secondary needs to be able to be on lock-down against the Sooner receivers. Oklahoma's offense has had its up and downs this year but with the experience of Landry Jones there should not be any worries about being in the big time. Landry has proven to be in the nations talk as being a top ten quarterback this year and should show it in the Championship game. Demarco Murray is the key for the offense and the wild-card. If he is able to play the game full speed and not be slowed down by injuries then the offense will not be stopped. On Defense the defensive line will need to get pressure against the line of Nebraska and be able to stop their option running game. If they are able to make Martinez throw instead of run then their blitzes should confuse the Cornhusker offensive line.
Prediction- Nebraska's secondary is one of the best in the big 12 and their defensive front seven is stout and should make it a pain for Oklahoma's Landry Jones all night throwing the ball and they should continue their streak of winning a conference championship in every decade....Nebraska 35 Oklahoma 27.
Other top Games for the weekend
Connecticut @ South Florida- If UConn wins then they go to the BCS bowl as the Big East representative, lose then they do not and West Virginia goes. Watch out for B.J. Daniels the South Florida quarterback. If he has a great game then expect Bulls to upset Huskies...USF 28 UConn 14
SMU @ Central Florida- This is the C-USA conference championship game, the winner gets SEC's 7th best bowl team usually turns out the 8th depending on the BCS....UCF 31 SMU 21
Middle Tennessee @ Florida International- Florida International already has the Sunbelt Championship locked up but Middle Tennessee is playing for a chance to be bowl eligible....MTSU 21 FIU 20.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)