Three Week 7 Questions To Be Answered

1. Who is the better quarterback after Saturday’s Red River Shootout?  Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford?

So far this year, it’s been very difficult to call either one of them Heisman candidates.  Bradford of course has been injured most of the season, and McCoy hasn’t lived up to his runner-up status from last year (10 TDs and 6 INTs thus far).  Colt does have a 73% completion percentage though, and that was his key stat from last year that really opened eyes to his talent.  McCoy won’t have it easy Saturday.  The Sooner defense is one of the most stingy in the nation, giving up just 8.2 points a game, already pitching 2 shutouts this season.  I don’t see either QB falling out of the NFL hype machine after this game, but each player has a lot to lose with a poor performance Saturday.  Bradford has to prove he’s healthy enough to beat a top 5 team, and Colt McCoy has to show 2008 wasn’t a mirage.

2. Is South Carolina for real?

We’ve seen this movie before: it starts out great, with plenty of action sequences to get you excited.  But then before you know it, the plot falls apart and you begin to just feel embarrassed for the actors.  Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks gave us this very script back in 2007, when they climbed as high as #6 in the AP poll before going on a 5 game losing streak and failing to make a bowl.  This year, Gamecock fans have reasons to be cautiously optimistic.  The defense is as good as it’s been since Spurrier’s arrival with perhaps the best pass rusher in the nation (Eric Norwood) and solid bookend Cliff Matthews anchoring a defense ranked 3rd in the SEC behind Alabama and Florida.  On offense, Stephen Garcia is slowly turning out to be the star QB Spurrier has hoped for, knowing how to manage the game well with his mind and feet, something previous QBs Chris Smelley and Blake Mitchell were never great at.  The Gamecocks get what will be their toughest test this weekend at Alabama.  Their win over Ole Miss on a Thursday nighter a few weeks back is proving to be less impressive by the week, but if Spurrier can pull some magic against Bama, the Gamecocks may just proven themselves to be SEC title contenders.

3. Can a win over Southern Cal save Charlie Weis?

Were it not for ESPN, NBC, and decades-ago traditions, Notre Dame would be on the equivalent scale of MLB’s Chicago Cubs: often talked about, typically overhyped, but always irrelevant halfway through the season.  Well, here we sit near the mid-season mark, and we still aren’t sure whether or not the Irish are a good football team or not.  If you ask Lou Holtz, he’ll draw up a formula as to why Notre Dame is still a national title contender.  But for those of us not quite at the age of senility, we see Notre Dame hasn’t beaten a team yet with a winning record.  The Irish are giving up nearly 30 points a game to BCS opponents, a stat not indicative of a team destined for a BCS bowl game.  Freshman QB or not, I don’t see USC losing a game against a team with such a porous defense.  And that’s what it will come down to.  You’ll hear all week about Jimmy Clausen, but it’s really a showdown of defenses, and not even Touchdown Jesus will be able to help Notre Dame.  And if Weis loses another one to their west coast rivals, more and more Irish alumni will be scratching their heads, wondering who they can bring in that will actually be able to beat teams that are good.  Maybe Charlie should use a Lou Holtz pep talk?

 

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SEC Power Rankings after Week 6

1. Alabama -The Tide overtakes Florida, who while impressive at LSU, still don’t have the overall body of work the Tide do.

2. Florida. -Could their D be even better than we thought? 

3. LSU. -Struggled against the Gators, but still better than the other 9 teams.

4. South Carolina. -Not overwhelming against Kentucky, but the defense keeps them in any game.

5. Arkansas. -Ryan Mallet is the 2nd best QB in the league.  Too bad the D doesn’t match.  Good luck against Florida.

6. Auburn. -Shell-shocked from the Razorbacks, the Tigers still look solid offensively.

7. Tennessee. -Embarassed Georgia in their first solid game of football in 2 years.

8. Ole Miss. -The Rebels are like a high school summer romance: you’re in love with them in July, but you’ve forgotten about them come fall.

9. Georgia. -Rough times for the Georgia D.  AJ Green still bright spot for Bulldog offense.

10.  Mississppi St. -The cowbell ringers in Starkville have to be pleased despite the losses.  Dan Mullen will get this ship righted.

11. Kentucky.  -Wildcats lose QB Hartline for the season.  Basketball season is right around the corner Wildcat fans.

12.  Vanderbilt. -You lost to Army?  Wow.

SEC Thoughts through 5 Weeks: Lame Penalties, Lame Tebow, and Coach Lame Kiffin

5 weeks are done, and it’s gone by too fast.  You knew it would.  Good things always do.  What’s surprised us so far?

1) Who needs a Tuberville?  Auburn is just fine thank you very much.  Gene Chizik could very easily hold a press conference and demand apologies to the fans who doubted him, but he’d best be careful to take too much credit.  Though he is the one who brough Guz Malzahn, offensive extraordinaire over to the plains.  Before putting up 26 Saturday night, the Tigers were running up 45+ on opponents.  Let’s see how the Auburn D handles surprising offensive powerhouse Arkansas this weekend. 

2) The Florida-LSU tilt this weekend could very well be a SEC Championship preview, though I still see Bama getting there over LSU.  I had all but a few nails hammered into the LSU coffin after seeing them escape with a W against Miss St a few weeks back, but they showed serious balls pulling out a win between the Athens hedges Saturday.  Biggest question of course surrounding this weekend’s game is whether or not Tebow will play after this hit against Kentucky 

If Tebow does play, I can see Florida winning big.  That said, the UF offense still hasn’t quite looked like itself this year.  LSU’s got a defensive coordinator who knows how to at least contain Florida, and if the Gators can’t get things going early, this could be their first loss of the year.  One thing’s for sure: should Tebow play, look for LSU to be after him like Gator fans get after a big sale on jean shorts.

3) Celebration penalties are going too far as evidenced by the UGa-LSU game this past Saturday.    It’s time to give up on this idea that NCAA refs and the policies in general can “tame” the game of football.  The handshakes before games are a bad joke that reeks of pee wee football where players almost care more about sharing their lunchbox food than the actual game.  Then you throw in celebration penalties, as if we expect these guys who are helping earn universities millions of dollars NOT to be excited about scoring a TD?  If the NCAA really wants to turn these players into nothing more than boring “unpaid by the hour” Saturday afternoon employees, then go the whole way with it.  Penalize teams for Gatorade showers.  Penalize linebackers if after they sack a QB they don’t help him back up.  Penalize fans if they boo a call. 

It’s absurd to tell an 18 year old kid to go out, knock someone’s helmet off, score touchdowns in front of 100,000 fans and millions of viewers and NOT show emotion about it.  Give it up already.

4) Wanna know what kids in Knoxville are wearing for Halloween?  Scapegoat costumes.  Every but Lane Kiffin, that is.  We all pile on Jonathan Crompton because honestly he’s one of the worst starting QBs in SEC history.  We now trash the Vols wideouts that couldn’t catch a pass of their QB was throwing Erin Andrews to them (yes, we mean you Quinton Hancock).  Then many of the UT faithful are STILL putting the bus in reverse to knock ex-coach Phil Fulmer some more for the bad players he brought.  But what about Lane Kiffin?  Sure it’s his first year, but is he completely immune to criticism?  His play calling against UCLA was downright awful, and at times Saturday was at best very questionable.  Why after a great trick play to start the game would you go with 3 passes with your pathetic passing game?  Makes no sense.  Kiffin’s in no danger of being fired this year, but make some changes to show you’re trying.  Why have you left Crompton in so long?  Why have you hired an offensive coordinator if YOU are still gonna call the plays? 

5) South Carolina may very well be the 3rd best team in the SEC.  Yes, I said it, as a Clemson fan it pains me to do so.  But what’s going on down in Columbia is flying under the radar largely because of other big name SEC schools making headlines.  Eric Norwood and Cliff Matthews are both 1-2 in sacks in the league, and rank 3rd in the league in total D behind…you guessed it: Florida and Alabama.  QB Stephen Garcia has gotten his act together, and, should he stay sober the rest of the season, could lead the Cocks to a 8-9 win season.

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.

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

Setting up the 2009-10 Bowl Matchups and Conference Winners

CONFERENCE WINNERS

SEC: FLORIDA over Alabama

BIG TEN: OHIO ST.

BIG 12: TEXAS over Kansas

ACC: VIRGINIA TECH over Florida St.

PAC-10: CALIFORNIA

BIG EAST: WEST VIRGINIA

MOUNTAIN WEST: TCU

CONF. USA: HOUSTON over East Carolina

WAC: BOISE ST.

MAC: CENTRAL MICHIGAN over Buffalo

SUN BELT: TROY

 

BCS BOWLS

TITLE GAME: Texas vs. Florida

ROSE: Ohio St. vs. California

SUGAR: Alabama vs. Boise St.

FIESTA: USC vs. Oklahoma St.

ORANGE: Va. Tech vs. W. Virginia

OTHER BOWLS

HUMANITARIAN: Colorado St. vs. Nevada

NEW MEXICO: Utah vs. La. Tech

POINSETTIA: BYU vs. Arizona

LAS VEGAS: TCU vs. UCLA

NEW ORLEANS: Southern Miss vs. Fla. Atlantic

ARMED FORCES: Tulsa vs. Air Force

HAWAII: East Carolina vs. Fresno St.

LIBERTY: Houston vs. South Carolina

MOTOR CITY: Michigan vs. Central Mich.

OUTBACK: Illinois vs. Georgia

CAPITAL ONE: Penn St. vs. Ole Miss

ST. PETERSBURG: Arkansas St. vs Marshall

PAPAJOHNS.COM: Cincinnati vs. MTSU

INTERNATIONAL: S. Florida vs. Bowling Green

TEXAS: Kansas St. vs. Navy

INDEPENDENCE: Nebraska vs. Kentucky

INSIGHT: Baylor vs. Northwestern

SUN: Colorado vs. Rutgers

ALAMO: Kansas vs. Iowa

HOLIDAY: Texas Tech vs. Oregon St.

COTTON: Oklahoma vs. LSU

GMAC: Wake Forest vs. Buffalo

EAGLE BANK: NC State vs. Memphis

EMERALD: Boston Coll. vs. Oregon

MEINIKE CAR CARE: Miami vs. Pittsburgh

MUSIC CITY: North Carolina vs. Auburn

CHAMPS SPORTS: Clemson vs. Michigan St.

GATOR: Ga. Tech vs. Notre Dame

CHIK-FIL-A: Tennessee vs. Florida St.

2009 SEC Football preview

(Each of my conference previews are determined in part by using a simple formula using certain nine variables to determine a teams ability to win games. These nine categories are as follows: Quarterback, RB/WR/TE, Offensive Line, DE/LB, Secondary, Coaching, Schedule Difficulty, Home Field Advantage, and Player Experience. Each team is ranked in descending order according to their strength in these areas. For example, the team in a conference with the best QB will be given a one, the second best rated team by QB will be given a 2, and on down through the remaining teams in that conference. This formula goes on for all categories. After all categories and teams are ranked, those rankings are added up to give the team’s a total score. The lower the score, the more likely a team will be successful this year and win more games than teams with higher overall scores. By no means is it an exact science, just my personal predictions for the upcoming season.)

 

 

The best conference in the nation brings back a mix of veteran stars and hard-nosed coaches. Combined with drama filled story lines, and the SEC is once again the most exciting conference to watch.

 

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS

 

1. Tim Tebow will be Tim Tebow and lead Florida to another SEC title.

    

   Not like it’s a big shocker, but the Florida Gators will once again enter a football season as the favorite to win the SEC. Bringing back the best QB in the league as well as the best coach makes them the obvious choice. Not to mention a schedule that is fairly easy given the regular opponents the Gators must face (i.e. Georgia and LSU). 

   

   Don't worry, Tebow haters. You've only got one more year left to hear about the Superman-esque QB. (Photo courtesy of thewholegardenwillbow.com)

    

2. Lane Kiffin will become the most hated coach in the SEC (you’re welcome Nick Saban) but still lead the Vols to at least 8 wins. When UT decided to hire Kiffin, many fans were just glad to see someone other than Phil Fulmer listed beside the “Head coach” title. Kiffin has already made himself known to the SEC, tossing barbs at Florida in the way Spurrier used to do to UT back when he was coaching the Gators. Topped with a phenomenal staff (including his dad Monte and recruiting master Ed Orgeron) Kiffin has risen new hope in Knoxville that could lead UT back into SEC title contention in 3 years. Just imagine what he could do if he had a quarterback.

3. The SEC West will feature three 10 win teams. You expect a great season from LSU, and Alabama is bound to continue what they began last year. But Ole Miss, who came out of nowhere last year beating Florida and Texas Tech in a bowl game could easily finish with 10-plus wins with their rather pedestrian schedule. The Rebels don’t have to play Florida this season, and they get Alabama and LSU both at home.

 

THREE GUYS READY FOR DRAFT DAY

 

1. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee- As if the Heisman promotions from his own school aren’t telling enough, perhaps a NCAA leading 7 picks last year and a plaque proclaiming him SEC Defensive POY will convince you. Berry is an absolute freak on the field, and is practically a shoe-in as a top 10 pick, if not higher.

   

   Eric Berry hits hard, plays hard, and will most likely be the first DB taken in the 2010 draft. (Photo courtesy of media.scout.com)

2. Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida- The 6′3, 258 pound linebacker is a ball hawk and a physical specimen. He was a key to the Gators title run last year, helping them finish in the top ten nationally in defense.

3. Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama- If you want to talk about size, talk about Cody. Standing at 6′5 and weighing in at a hefty 365 pounds, he wreaks havoc on offensive linemen. He may not get a ton of sacks, but helps defenses by forcing double and even triple coverage.

 

THREE “CAN’T MISS GAMES”

 

1. Virginia Tech vs. Alabama, September 5- Could be the best non-conference game nationally this year. More to prove for the Hokies, but another dismantling of a quality ACC team for Bama could set precedent for another huge year.

2. Florida at LSU, October 10- If Florida is to lose a game this year, this would be the most likely one for a collapse. Most likely a night game on the Bayou, expect more of a defensive battle this year than last year’s 51-21 thrashing by Florida provided.

3. Alabama at Ole Miss, October 10- Huge West battle with big implications. Should LSU lose to Florida, winner of this game may have clear path to West division title.

 

 

THREE THINGS WE WON’T SEE THIS YEAR

 

1. Nick Saban wearing a hounds tooth hat. Even after an incredible season, folks in Tuscaloosa aren’t quite ready to proclaim Saban as the next Bear Bryant. One thing’s for sure though, he’s well on his way to earning that prestigious comparison. Saban coached the Tide to a phenomenal 12-2 record last year, falling short of the SEC Title to Florida. This year, according to rivals.com, Saban has pulled in the top recruiting class in the SEC. Until there’s national titles won, Saban won’t be “the Bear” quite yet. Will he stick around long enough to make that happen?

   

   Saban is quickly turning Alabama into one of the nation's best programs. Will he stay long enough to lead the Tide to a title? (Photo courtesy of nydailytimes.com)

2. Urban Meyer sending Lane Kiffin SEC championship game tickets. The Florida/UT rivalry took a big hit in recent years with the Gators’ complete domination over the Vols, winning 4 straight. Then came the ax of Phil Fulmer, and young Lane Kiffin took the reigns, immediately rekindling the trash-talking relationship with Florida. Now he’s even putting UT billboards in Florida, in an impressive attempt to steal recruits. If UT’s talent can match up to the boldness of it’s coach, the Vols may make that late September matchup with Florida a rivalry again.

3. A top-tier SEC school play USC. Despite all the great bowl matchups we’ve seen in recent years, we’ve yet to see one we really want: an upper-crust SEC team face off against Southern Cal. With USC expected to have a down year (and by down, I mean maybe 2 or 3 losses instead of just one), the chances aren’t great we’ll see that this year. The best chance we’ve got to see it is a playoff system, but that just wouldn’t make any sense, would it?

 

THREE REASONS TO WATCH THE SEC

 

1. New Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. Mullen comes over from Florida where he served as the offensive coordinator. He’ll bring that spread offense over to MSU that helped Florida rack up nearly 44 points a game last year. The Bulldogs may not be great this season, but given time, Mullen could turn Miss. St. into a contender in the next few years in the SEC West.

2. Tennessee’s revival of relevance. Don’t look for big upsets this year, but Kiffiin is a young dynamo that has already pulled in an impressive recruiting class. UT has largely been an afterthought in the SEC in recent years, even in 2007 when they backed their way into the SEC title game. Now the Vols seem to have landed a coach to help them compete with the other stalwarts in the league. Will the Vols of the 2010’s match the Vols of the 1990’s?

3. Because it’s the best football conference in the nation. There’s a reason ESPN was clamoring to sign a multi-year television deal with the SEC. The conference features the best teams with the best players on any given Saturday. I’m as much of an ACC homer as they come, but you won’t find a Duke or Virginia or Maryland game featured on Saturday prime-time. Virtually every SEC team has been featured during a Saturday night game over the past 2 years. Yes, even Vanderbilt.

 

BOWL QUALIFIERS

Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn

 

 

2009 ACC Football Preview

ACC PREVIEW

 

Each of my conference previews are determined in part by using a simple formula using certain nine variables to determine a teams ability to win games. These nine categories are as follows: Quarterback, RB/WR/TE, Offensive Line, DE/LB, Secondary, Coaching, Schedule Difficulty, Home Field Advantage, and Player Experience. Each team is ranked in descending order according to their strength in these areas. For example, the team in a conference with the best QB will be given a one, the second best rated team by QB will be given a 2, and on down through the remaining teams in that conference. This formula goes on for all categories. After all categories and teams are ranked, those rankings are added up to give the team’s a total score. The lower the score, the more likely a team will be successful this year and win more games than teams with higher overall scores. By no means is it an exact science, just my personal predictions for the upcoming season.)

 

 

The expansion of the ACC just a few years ago was supposed to bring a mediocre football conference into the realm of superiority. However, the opposite has happened. Florida State has fallen off from being a feared dynasty, Miami has embarrassed themselves on the field, and Clemson has yet to live up to lofty expectations. Can anyone in the ACC lay claim to national respect this year?

 

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS

 

1. Half the league will finish with 8 or more wins. The league isn’t quite the caliber of the SEC, but it is turning out some programs who’s football prestige is growing. Most notably schools like Boston College, NC State, and North Carolina.

2. Another losing season will finally cost Al Groh his job. Can you remember a year where Groh wasn’t on the hot seat at Virginia? Last year, the Cavs finished 5-7, a year which included a few nice wins but more notably some really bad losses. Uva managed to lose to Connecticut and Duke by a combined 63 points. In this, Groh’s 9^th season, a winning record is more important than ever.

   

   Groh needs wins to avoid the axe. (Photo courtesy of weblogs.newsday.com)

3. Virginia Tech will finish ACC play undefeated. It’s certainly no surprise that the Hokies are ranked top of the conference, but they’ve got to end the ACC season with a clean slate. That could very easily happen this year, with the only real test coming on the road against Georgia Tech. If they do finish undefeated in conference play, it will be the fourth time in the five years of the ACC title game in which the Hokies have participated in the championship tilt.

 

THREE GUYS READY FOR DRAFT DAY

 

1. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson- With James Davis gone, Spiller is the Tigers’ featured back. His play making ability has led many college football talking heads to refer to him as the “Reggie Bush of the East Coast.” AS long as Spiller keeps things north-south and doesn’t try to dance too much (as has been his tendency), he’ll be a stud in the NFL.

   

   Is Spiller the most dynamic back in ACC history? (Photo courtesy of daylife.com)

2. Kam Chancellor, S, Va. Tech- The best defensive secondary in the ACC is led by the best DB in the league, Kam Chancellor. The senior DB has skills that set him apart, even though this is his first full season playing free safety. He’s got great range and can cover big spaces, which is exactly what you was a FS to do.

3. Dekoda Watson, LB, Florida St.- He’s got rushing abilities beyond most other Lbs in the league, and NFL scouts love him. He considered leaving early each of the last 2 seasons, and now as a senior, has a chance to fully polish his skills and look for a 1^st or 2^nd round draft spot.

 

THREE “CAN’T MISS GAMES”

 

1. Clemson at Georgia Tech, Sept. 10- Early season test between rivals. Can Dabo Swinney make his mark early in his first full season as the Tiger’s coach?

2. Va. Tech vs. Alabama, Sept. 3- Hokies fight for ACC respectability against tough Bama squad, who embarrassed Clemson in same game last year 34-10.

3. North Carolina at NC State, Nov. 28- Won’t be a decider in the ACC title hunt, but should be a great game to watch between two up and comers in the league. The Heels got trounced by the Pack last year 41-10.

 

 

THREE THINGS WE WON’T SEE THIS YEAR

 

1. Clemson in the ACC Title Game. Frustrations over Tommy Bowden’s ineptitude came to a head last season, and Bowden was politely asked to not let the door hit him on the backside on his way out of town. Dabo Swinney, a young Alabama kid takes over at the helm and did a decent enough job last season, guiding Clemson to wins in 5 of their last 7 games. However, they’re not at the level yet to be a title contender, at least not this season. Florida State will just edge them out for the Atlantic spot.

2. Duke making a bowl game. No question Dave Cutcliffe is making the Blue Devils into a recognizable program. It’s tough to climb out of the cellar after being there for years and years. Recruiting is improving, and students are starting to see that there is another sport other than basketball on campus. However, the Dukies aren’t quite there yet. Only 12 starters return, and a tough ACC slate won’t help break a 14 year bowl-less streak.

3. National respect for ACC football. It still is viewed as a basketball league, and nothing that takes place this year will change that. Even if VT stops Alabama in that season kickoff in Atlanta, most NCAA fans will refer to it as nothing more than an “old Big East team” knocking off a SEC team. For the ACC to climb back into national title discussions, teams like Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia Tech have to return to the programs they once were.

 

THREE REASONS TO WATCH THE BIG EAST

 

1. Tobacco Road: All 4 NC schools have shot at a bowl. Never in the history of college football have all 4 of the ACC schools from North Carolina been in bowl games in the same season. There’s a chance that could change this year. North Carolina and Wake Forest seem almost a lock in the pre-season to make bowls, and sleeper NC State has all the makings of a team destined for the post season as well. Duke, while unlikely to make a bowl, isn’t a definite lock to NOT make one. Could be interesting to see if all 4 can sneak into bowls in the same year.

2. Virginia Tech’s BCS Title run. If the schedule was completely flipped upside down, the big SEC/ACC clash between the Hokies and Crimson Tide would possibly be a de facto play-in game for a spot in the BCS title game. As it were, if VT can beat Saban’s Bama boys, Frank Beamer controls his own destiny.

   

   With 17 returning starters, the Hokies are looking BCS bound. (Photo courtesy of myspace.com/kennyowens)

3. To determine if Paul Johnson and his crazy run-the-ball-every-play system is for real. Georgia Tech was one of the strongest teams in the ACC last year, and it was all due to the fact that they dominated the running game. The Ramblin’ Wreck finished 4^th in the nation in rushing, thanks to Paul Johnson’s system and a young man named Jonathan Dwyer, picked by many as a Heisman dark horse this season. As good as the Jackets were as rushing, their passing game was equally as bad. Johnson will have to mix things up more, as he was exposed in an ugly Chik-fil-A Bowl loss to LSU 38-3.

 

BOWL QUALIFIERS

Clemson, Florida State, Boston College, NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Miami