ACC Rankings after Week 3

The major disappointment of week one across the league had turned into some positives over the past few weeks, and you need look no further than the state of Florida for those good stories…

 

1) Miami.  The Canes proved themselves in a week one win over Florida State, but it was their defensive dominance over Georgia Tech last Thursday that really shocked people.  Jacory Harris’ name is already on some Heisman lists.

2) Virginia Tech.  The Hokies needed a miracle to pull off a win against Nebraska Saturday.  Really all they needed was Tyrod Taylor to start playing like a quarterback. 

3) Florida State.  The Noles looked lost a few weeks ago against Jacksonville State, but their beatdown of BYU Saturday showed that perhaps Papa Bowden hasn’t lost his touch.

4) North Carolina.  The Heels are getting it done defensively, holding opponents to 11 points a game.  A trip to Georgia Tech this weekend should really help us see just how real this team is.

5) Georgia Tech.  The Jackets tricky offense was held in check against Miami, gaining just 95 yards on the ground.  Paul Johnson knows how to coach, but he’s gonna have to find a plan B when those triple option plays stop working.

6) Clemson.  The Tigers D held Boston College to 59 yards of total offense Saturday, winning 25-7.  Problem is, the Tigers failed to score an offensive touchdown.  That must change quickly if the Tigers are gonna compete for the ACC Atlantic crown.

7)  Wake Forest.  Riley Skinner is solid at QB, and Jim Grobe is a solid coach.  Wake lacks big time playmakers, and that could hurt them the rest of the way. 

8)  Boston College.  The Eagles are in the top ten of the nation defensively, but much of that comes from 2 games against Northeastern and Kent State.  Offensively, things could be better.

9) NC State.  The Wolfpack’s Russell Wilson set the NCAA mark for passes without an interception Saturday against Gardner-Webb.  Looks like Tom O’Brien finally has his team playing offense, something we didn’t see in week 1 against South Carolina.

10) Duke.  The blowout against Kansas was expected, but finally Duke has a coach that isn’t content to just “field a team”.  David Cutcliffe has done well in recruiting and is gonna turn this team around in time.  Heck, at least they’re not last in the ACC.

11) Maryland.  In the first of our two ACC coaches that need to go segment, we question how Ralph Friedgen allowed MTSU to beat the Terps…again.  It took a last minute drive to win against James Madison a few weeks ago. 

12) Virginia.  How bad is Al Groh?  The Cavs can’t even hold on to a big lead against Southern Miss.  Losses to TCU and (gasp!) William and Mary should cement Groh’s fate.

Ranking the SEC after Week 3

For the most part, things have gone as expected in the SEC through 3 weeks.  Here are my rankings going into week 4…

 

1) Florida.  Obviously.  They didn’t struggle as much against Tennessee as the Vols stepped up to the challenge.  Gators still have the best athletes and coaching staff in the league.

2) Alabama.  The win over Virginia Tech is obviously the hallmark of the season to this point, and nothing appears to be slowing down the Tide, even having a new starting QB this year.

3) LSU.  With Washington’s win over USC this weekend, the Tigers 8 point victory over the Huskies in week 1 is even more impressive. 

4) Auburn.  These Tigers have hammered opponents thus far, averaging over 40 points a game.  Perhaps Tommy Tuberville WAS the reason for the dismal season last year.  Hmm…

5) Ole Miss.  Yes, I realize Ole Miss is a top ten team.  I also realize they’ve played Memphis and SE Louisiana so far, and didn’t look overly impressive against Memphis. 

6) Georgia.  God bless Joe Cox, who after gaining starts in 2007 before being replaced by Matthew Stafford, is finally able to shine.  Having a big time target like A.J. Green to throw to doesn’t hurt either.  But when will the Dawgs’ defense show up?

7) Kentucky.  A big win Saturday over rival Louisville just sets the tone for a big nationally televised game this coming week against Florida.  Yeah…good luck with that.

8) Tennessee.  The Vols showed heart in a 10 point loss to Florida at the Swamp Saturday, something they didn’t show the previous week against UCLA. 

9) South Carolina.  The Gamecocks’ D was impressive against NC State in week 1.  It looked downright pathetic in week 2 against Georgia.  They’ve got something to prove Thursday night against Ole Miss.

10) Arkansas.  A lone win against Missouri State impresses no one, similar to the defensive performance the Razorbacks had against Georgia Saturday.  On a brighter note, QB Ryan Mallett has played well.

11) Mississippi State.  The Bulldogs defense looked good against Vanderbilt.  Then again…it was Vanderbilt.

12) Vanderbilt.  The Commodores aren’t looking like a bowl bound team this year.  A valiant effort against LSU and Mississippi State failed with a total of 12 points scored in the two games.  Ouch.

Thoughts on the Vols: Crompton, Kiffin, and Those Pesky Gators

The Tennessee Vols find themselves standing with a 1-1 record after 2 weeks of games.  Those 2 games could not have been more opposite in spirit and play.  Granted, the opponents were vastly different.  Western Kentucky came into Neyland like a group of foreign tourists in helmets and shoulder pads.  This past weekend, UCLA did nothing of the sort, “out-physicaling” the Vols in a stiff test, one that rings true even in the score of 19-15.  So as we enter the “rivalry” (and I use that term loosely) game against Florida, here’s a few thoughts to consider…

 

1) Jonathan Crompton, wasn’t going to change with a new coach.  It’s mind-boggling how bad the kid’s performance was Saturday.  He threw 3 picks, and really could’ve had twice that amount.  Some of his throws even late in the 4th quarter looked like he was hurrying throws that he didn’t need to rush.  He constantly missed wide open receivers, and made poor decisions throwing into coverage. 

That said, Crompton was a big reason for the failures of last year’s team.  However, he never really became the scapegoat as much as Fulmer did.  Granted, Fulmer’s years of perceived mediocrity lit a fire under his own seat, but Fulmer wasn’t out there throwing the ball last year.  UT fans are sorely mistaken if the believed a change of coach would bring about a change of quarterback. 

2) The 4th quarter play calling Saturday was eerily similar to previous years.  There’s no question that any strength the Vols’ offense has lies in its impressive stable of running backs.  That said, when you show the opposing defense that you have no confidence in your quarterback throwing the ball, they immediately zero in on the run.  Before the final drive where UT had no choice but to throw, the ratio of run-to-pass plays was 17-5.  Unless you’re running some type of wing or option offense, consistently running with no variation doesn;t work (unless you’re playing Western Kentucky).  Certainly Crompton could’ve made matters worse had he passed more in the 4th, but by not mixing it up, it only hurt the team’s chances more.

3) UT must start winning the field position battle.  Only twice on Saturday did UT’s offense start a drive  on its own 35 or better.  That’s a problem, especially in a scheme where the passing game is non-existent.  Meanwhile UCLA began on its own 35 or better 6 times, not including the last victory formation drive. 

4) Kiffin is going to be a good coach.  He’s got the cocky swagger UT fans love, and even named his kid Knox, which endears him to the soccer moms around Knoxville.  He’ll get a pass on this year, and will get touted for a strong coaching staff and top ten recruiting classes.  But surely he doesn’t think the road will be easy.  Without a QB, winning in the SEC is next to impossible.  Winning without a crafty offensive scheme to outsmart SEC defenses is also tough.  Kiffin has a grace period, but grumblings will begin in December if the Vols fail to make a bowl.

5) If Florida wins Saturday by 50, will it really surprise anyone?  When I moved to Knoxville 4 and a half years ago, I couldn’t help but get inundated with the flair of UT football.  Part of that was the Florida/Tennessee rivalry, spurned on by years of back and forth smack between Phillip Fulmer and Steve Spurrier.  However, since UT last beat Florida in 2004, the Gators have outscored UT 126-53.  Ouch.  That doesn’t make for much of a rivalry.  Now with Kiffin at the helm, things have heated up again between the schools.  Kiffin talked some trash in the pre-season and even had the audacity to put up UT billboards in and around Gainesville.  That may be lauded in Knoxville as bold and ballsy, but for Gator fans (and most importantly players) it becomes bulletin board material.  Not that Florida needs any extra incentive to escort the Vols directly behind the woodshed, but Kiffin has added fuel to a fire that quite frankly wasn’t needed.  UT has a defense that can keep any ball game close, but when you’re playing one of the best teams in SEC history, it’s difficult to lay any claim to having some kind of edge, especially when visiting the swamp.  My prediction?  Florida 46, UT 17

NFL Predictions

AFC North

Pittsburgh (14-2)

Baltimore (12-4)

Cincinnati (6-10)

Cleveland (5-11)

AFC East

New England (13-3)

NY Jets (8-8)

Buffalo (6-10)

Miami (5-11)

AFC West

San Diego (11-5)

Denver (6-10)

Oakland (3-13)

Kansas City (2-14)

AFC South

Indianapolis (12-4)

Tennessee (10-6)

Houston (8-8)

Jacksonville (5-11)

NFC North

Minnesota (12-4)

Green Bay (10-6)

Chicago (9-7)

Detroit (5-11)

NFC East

Philadelphia (11-5)

NY Giants (10-6)

Dallas (9-7)

Washington (8-8)

NFC West

Arizona (10-6)

Seattle (9-7)

St. Louis (3-13)

San Francisco (3-13)

NFC South

New Orleans (10-6)

Atlanta (9-7)

Carolina (8-8)

Tampa Bay (4-12)

 

AFC PLAYOFFS

Pittsburgh, New England, Indianapolis, San Diego (Wild Card- Baltimore, Tennessee)

WILD CARD ROUND

SAN DIEGO over Tennessee

BALTIMORE over Indianapolis

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

PITTSBURGH over San Diego

NEW ENGLAND over Baltimore

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

PITTSBURGH over New England

 

NFC PLAYOFFS

Minnesota, Philadelphia, Arizona, New Orleans (Wild Card- Green Bay, NY Giants)

WILD CARD ROUND

GREEN BAY over Arizona

NEW ORLEANS over NY Giants

DIVISONAL PLAYOFFS

NEW ORLEANS over Philadelphia

MINNESOTA over Green Bay

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

NEW ORLEANS over Minnesota

 

SUPER BOWL

NEW ORLEANS 34, Pittsburgh 31

NCAA Football Week One: Top Ten Games

10.  Western Michigan @ Michigan – Do or die time for Rich Rod and company.  Anything less than a 2 TD win here only darkens the cloud of his short tenure in Ann Arbor   Prediction: Michigan 35, W. Mich. 13

9.  Baylor @ Wake Forest -  This game was a lopsided affair last year in favor of Wake 41-13.  This year it should be much closer.  Two of the most underrated QB’s in action>  Robert Griffin (Baylor) and Riley Skinner (Wake).  Prediction: Baylor 27, Wake Forest 21

8. Cincinnati @ Rutgers-  Last year’s Big East champ meets one of this year’s favorites.  The Knights lose some big play makers, but a solid secondary should help them contain Bearcat QB Tony Pike.  Prediction:  Rutgers 23, Cincinnati 20

7.  South Carolina @ NC State-  The Wolfpack are much improved this year, starting with QB Russell Wilson.  The question will be can he lead this team past one of the SEC’s stingiest defenses?  Homefield advantage wins this one.  Prediction: NC State 24, S. Carolina 23

6.  Nevada @ Notre Dame- OK Irish fans, let’s hear it.  How great you’ll be this year, how you’re BCS bound, how 10 wins is a “worst case scenario”.  I don’t buy it yet.  Nevada had the 5th overall offense in the nation last year.  Hope Charlie Weis has his team focused.  Prediction:  Notre Dame 37, Nevada 31

5.  Miami @ Florida State- Who would’ve thought we’d see the day that this became an unappealing matchup of two “has beens”?  The Seminoles are creeping back to relevance, but they’re still a few years away.  Miami may be light years away.  Prediction: Florida St. 37, Miami 24

4.  Oklahoma vs. BYU- No doubt the Cougars will be ready for this game.  At a “neutral” site, BYU has the chance to play lead in a big upset.  Max Hall can throw the ball, and the Sooners porous pass D is bound to give up some yards.  Look for a shootout.  Prediction: Oklahoma 45, BYU 35

3.  Oregon @ Boise St.-  Is there anyone out there that doesn’t root for the team with the Blue Turf?  Boise State has managed to be one of the top college programs NOT from a BCS conference.  Should be fun to see their D try to contain Oregon’s potent offense.  Prediction: Boise State 31, Oregon 26

2.  Georgia @ Oklahoma St.- The Dawgs defense will have their hands full with a Cowboy offense that managed 40.8 PPG last year.  All their playmakers return, making this trip for Georgia a rough one.  Prediction: Oklahoma St. 39, Georgia 29

1.  Alabama vs. Virginia Tech-  The prime time special will feature two programs coming off BCS bowl appearances.  VT lost starting RB Darren Evans about a month ago, but the D is still in tact.  Look for a close, low scoring affair that goes down to the wire.  Prediction: Va. Tech 23, Alabama 20