Offseason College Football Thread
 

Okay, recruiting season is over. Spring practice is about to begin. September is so far off. I don't believe there is a general off-season thread, so let's get one going. Spring practice reports, arrests, non-qualifiers, scheduling changes, etc.

I'll start. Scheduling: Michigan has gotten Appalachian State for the opener in 2007. Somewhat disappointed (Michigan is sort of one of about 6 schools who has not scheduled a D-IAA school in its present incarnation), but OTOH they are almost certainly better than Eastern Michigan, a DIA team we are playing. Given the teams with open dates, probably just as well, as the only good opponent open was Hawaii, who we were not playing given our secondary + Colt Brennan returning + Notre Dame and Oregon in the non-conference schedule already. They're 2-time defending DIAA champion (maybe?), so they're maybe 60/70th best DIA team (help? yes/no?). Kinda bad b/c we'd get more credit by crushing Mississippi State or whatever, but such is life.

Let us gogogogo.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

South Carolina QB Steven Garcia was arrested for what appears to be public intoxication, nothing major but I'm sure the ol' ball coach won't be happy

Garcia arrest pic

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Appalachian St will be much worse than top 60/70 in DIA...much worse

game is a joke

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

If all goes to plan. I will be attending U of I vs WIU @ U of I. The two Illinois power houses will collide in a contest of titans. Two historic rivals battling out on the field of battle fighting for bragging rights. Forget ND v USC or Michigan v OSU this is where true men are created. I think the Ill will have to prep pretty hard for this game if they want to have a chance against the dub.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

More Michigan scheduling stuff. It sounds like we're looking at moving away from playing Notre Dame, at least every year. Bill Martin (AD) mentioned they are particularly looking to play home-and-homes in the NYC, SF, and Texas areas, so possibly BC, Rutgers, Cal, Texas, or A&M. I really hope we do play ND less, as I'd love the exposure to a wider variety of teams/areas. Playing an SEC school would be awesome too.

On App St, the game is a joke, but it's what happens when you have a last-second void and want an easy paycheck. At any rate, however bad they are, I'm pretty sure they'll be better than Eastern. Oh well, Florida played a crap DIAA team, every one else does it. The only people who should really care about it are the fulltime season ticket holders who are paying $50 + a personal seat license plus parking and such. They're suffering bigtime because of this.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
More Michigan scheduling stuff. It sounds like we're looking at moving away from playing Notre Dame, at least every year. Bill Martin (AD) mentioned they are particularly looking to play home-and-homes in the NYC, SF, and Texas areas, so possibly BC, Rutgers, Cal, Texas, or A&M. I really hope we do play ND less, as I'd love the exposure to a wider variety of teams/areas. Playing an SEC school would be awesome too.

On App St, the game is a joke, but it's what happens when you have a last-second void and want an easy paycheck. At any rate, however bad they are, I'm pretty sure they'll be better than Eastern. Oh well, Florida played a crap DIAA team, every one else does it. The only people who should really care about it are the fulltime season ticket holders who are paying $50 + a personal seat license plus parking and such. They're suffering bigtime because of this.

[/ QUOTE ]

During the season last year I think we (Auburn) tried to get a home and home with you guys but the Michigan AD declined.. that would've been an awesome matchup, would've loved a trip up to the Big House for a game.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Anyone care to clue me in on what are likely to be the most significant games next year, with extra weighting paid to games that are rivalry games? TIA.

Note that I also have a predisposition to SEC games.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

two above the rest IMO based on your criteria:

Florida v LSU -- Baton Rouge -- October 6th
Texas v Oklahoma -- Dallas -- October 6th -- Red River

early non-conf ideas here the top5 look interesting if you're trying to fill in some September weekends--not many rivalries, but that V Tech game at Baton Rouge looks thrilling

Wisconsin v Ohio State
Michigan v Ohio State
USC v UCLA
Tennessee v Georgia 10/6 -- Knoxville, TN
Georgia v Florida 10/27 -- Jacksonville, FL -- Cocktail Party
Georgia v Auburn 11/10 -- Athens, GA
Georgia @ G Tech 11/24 -- Atlanta, GA
South Carolina v Clemson 11/24 -- Columbia, SC
Auburn v Alabama 11/24 -- Auburn, AL -- Iron Bowl
Auburn @ LSU 10/20 -- Baton Rouge

resource for predicitions

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
two above the rest IMO based on your criteria:

Florida v LSU
Texas v Oklahoma

early non-conf ideas here the top5 look interesting if you're trying to fill in some September weekends--not many rivalries, but that V Tech game at Baton Rouge looks thrilling

Wisconsin v Ohio State
Michigan v Ohio State
USC v UCLA
Tennessee v Georgia

resource for predicitions

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. The top two would work nicely.

Last year a small group of friends and I decided to go to one game like this a year, with the goal of hitting as many cool stadiums and rivalries as possible. Last year, we hit Florida at Tennessee, which was obviously a huge success. Bonus was that it was in prime time.

Wouldn't be thrilled about Florida two years in a row, but seeing a game in LSU is defintely a priority.

We are all trying to save ND/Mich/tOSU games for a few years as we grew up in the area. Plus, scUM v tOSU is absurdly expensive.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

too bad they are both on the same day...threw in some more suggestions

edit: oh yeah, Baton Rouge games are typically night games. Occassionally, CBS moves them to 2:30 CST. Sure beats the pants off the 11AM big10 starts.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Thanks.

I'm just going to type as we are trying to write a list of qualifiers and I can just paste this into an email to the group. I think you've given a pretty sweet list. I appreciate it.

Things we want
1. National impact
2. Rivalry
3. Be able to root for home team
4. Prime time
5. SEC preference
6. Not likely to be freezing cold


Games we want to see at some point, venue specific:

scUM at tOSU
Florida at Florida State
Miami at Florida
Alabama at Auburn
Auburn at LSU
Florida at LSU
Georgia vs. Florida
Texas at Oklahoma
Nebraska at Oklahoma
UCLA vs USC
scUM at ND
ND at USC
scUM at PSU
A&M at Texas
Georgia at Tennessee (god that stadium ruled)
scUM at Illinois, 2009 (Championship season for Juice)
Texas at Nebraska
Oregon St at Oregon
Clemson at South Carolina

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

FSU @ Florida >>>>>>> UF @ FSU
You have no reason to go to Doak.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

USC comes to Lincoln this year. Sam Keller led USC 21-3 at halftime the last time he had them at home. Giddy up.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
FSU @ Florida >>>>>>> UF @ FSU
You have no reason to go to Doak.

[/ QUOTE ]

Except that there's no way I'd root for UF in that game. Plus, I want to see that flaming spear chucking Seminole. I can definitely get behind UF against the U though.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
FSU @ Florida >>>>>>> UF @ FSU
You have no reason to go to Doak.

[/ QUOTE ]

Except that there's no way I'd root for UF in that game. Plus, I want to see that flaming spear chucking Seminole. I can definitely get behind UF against the U though.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's kind of cool but a bit overrated.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
scUM at Illinois, 2009 (Championship season for Juice)

[/ QUOTE ]

Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot imagine me not being in Champaign for that one

Juice to Benn, Juice to Benn

I'm actually looking forward to Illinois-Mizzou in St. Louis to open up 2007. Depending on that, I might go out to Syracuse and catch Niagara Falls as well (since I've never been there).


I really like your list and have thought about doing the same thing myself.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Illinois championship without Ron Zook, right?

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

nope....I believe in the Zooker

I'm hoping with experience, he'll manage timeouts and scoring scenarios better. He has done a great job at developing players at Illinois so far (the improvement on defense this past season was incredible). Locksley does a good job at playcalling. Unfortunately, Locksley will be gone soon enough. He deserves a high profile job. That guy is a get.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Hmm, just checked Sagarin and App State was 53rd last season. Don't know what they have coming back or anything, but that's very interesting. Does this change your opinion MTR?

(Yeah, I understand it shouldn't be challenging and they are still just a paycheck. But 53rd is pretty respectable for a paycheck.)

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
USC comes to Lincoln this year. Sam Keller led USC 21-3 at halftime the last time he had them at home. Giddy up.

[/ QUOTE ]
God I can't wait until that game.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, just checked Sagarin and App State was 53rd last season. Don't know what they have coming back or anything, but that's very interesting. Does this change your opinion MTR?

(Yeah, I understand it shouldn't be challenging and they are still just a paycheck. But 53rd is pretty respectable for a paycheck.)

[/ QUOTE ]

nope...flaw in the statistical method as they don't have a sample size to compare them to A level teams.
They played one power division team and lost 23-10 at NC State.
This team is worse than the bottom of the Big10 as a challenge to the Wolverines.

Remember, Iowa took on lower power Montana at the start of last year and beat them 41-7 IIRC. I expect the same thing out of this game.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

nope...flaw in the statistical method as they don't have a sample size to compare them to A level teams.
They played one power division team and lost 23-10 at NC State.
This team is worse than the bottom of the Big10 as a challenge to the Wolverines.

Remember, Iowa took on lower power Montana at the start of last year and beat them 41-7 IIRC. I expect the same thing out of this game.

[/ QUOTE ]

All of what MT2R said is correct. App. State is the best of the best of the FCS (big follower of FCS football here) teams right now. They have won the last 2 National Championships at that level. But they don't belong on the same field as Michigan or any other top FBS program. Would App State stand a fair chance against Eastern Michigan or someother bottom level MAC or Sunbelt team? Definitely. But not against the top I-A teams in the country.

I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the Mountaineers keep it close for the 1st half, but this game will wind up being a blowout in the end.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, just checked Sagarin and App State was 53rd last season. Don't know what they have coming back or anything, but that's very interesting. Does this change your opinion MTR?

(Yeah, I understand it shouldn't be challenging and they are still just a paycheck. But 53rd is pretty respectable for a paycheck.)

[/ QUOTE ]

nope...flaw in the statistical method as they don't have a sample size to compare them to A level teams.
They played one power division team and lost 23-10 at NC State.
This team is worse than the bottom of the Big10 as a challenge to the Wolverines.

Remember, Iowa took on lower power Montana at the start of last year and beat them 41-7 IIRC. I expect the same thing out of this game.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah ok, good to know about the flawed methodology. I know you're a big believer in Sagarin in general, so good to hear. And hopefully you're right about the result, although memories of Ball State are still fresh in my head. Go for the jugular Lloyd, please.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Being a Vol and living in Arizona means I never see my team live ... unless they travel to a place like Berkeley.

Tennessee @ Cal - Sept. 1st

Also, Tennessee @ Florida will be huge nationally. Winner will probably win the SEC East.

UGA @ Tennessee
LSU @ Alabama
Tennessee @ Alabama
USC @ Cal for the Pac 10

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Auburn released their schedule:

DATE OPPONENT
Sept. 1 KANSAS STATE
Sept. 8 SOUTH FLORIDA
Sept. 15 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 22 NEW MEXICO STATE
Sept. 29 at Florida
Oct. 6 VANDERBILT
Oct. 13 at Arkansas
Oct. 20 at LSU
Oct. 27 OLE MISS
Nov. 3 TENNESSEE TECH
Nov. 10 at Georgia
Nov. 24 ALABAMA

The hype for the Bama game will be out of control. Saban coming to town for his first Iron Bowl and Auburn going for 6 in a row.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Michigan's schedule

Sat., Sep. 1 Appalachian State
Sat., Sep. 8 Oregon
Sat., Sep. 15 Notre Dame
Sat., Sep. 22 Penn State
Sat., Sep. 29 At Northwestern
Sat., Oct. 6 Eastern Michigan
Sat., Oct. 13 Purdue
Sat., Oct. 20 At Illinois
Sat., Oct. 27 Minnesota
Sat., Nov. 3 At Michigan State
Sat., Nov. 10 At Wisconsin
Sat., Nov. 17 Ohio State

8 home games. Two sort of marquee opponents. ND will be away down this year: I expect 7-5 or so given all that they lose. OSU will be down, so I'm pretty confident we beat them (finally). The game at Wisconsin is by far the scariest. Fortunately we have always matched up well against their teams/style of play.

A little concerned about MSU and PSU. MSU because I came of age in the 90's when we lost 3 times in East Lansing (and again in 2001 when I went to the game), although obviously they shouldn't be very good. PSU because Morelli might actually come around and be decent. Not that they should beat us, but if he improves to anywhere near what his potential is/was, they could give us a fight.

All in all, very good home schedule, both for the team and far fans (nice way to go out as a college student). Also love the away schedule, as all 4 games are makeable. I am going to make an effort to go to every one. Champaign is the only one that is up in the air, being far away and not having friends there. Hopefully they make this a special year in my (and probably Lloyd's) last year.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Eh, I figure I'll post Rutgers too while were doing this:

Thu Aug. 30 Buffalo
Fri Sept. 7 Navy (ESPN 7:00)
Sat Sept. 15 Norfolk State
Sat Sept. 29 Maryland
Sat Oct. 6 Cincinnati
Sat Oct. 13 @ Syracuse
Thu Oct. 18 South Florida(ESPN 7:30)
Sat Oct. 27 West Virginia
Sat Oct. 3 @ UCONN
Fri Nov. 9 @ Army(ESPN2 8:00)
Sat Nov. 17 Pittsburgh
Thu Nov. 29 @ Louisville(ESPN 7:30)


First 6 games are home with a 1AA and Buffalo. I'm very glad they kept the Navy game as it has turned into a semi-rivalry. Maryland is the only OOC BCS team Rutgers will play. Army appears on the Rutgers schedule again after not being on it last year. It's your typical SUNJ schedule.

It's a very possible 9 wins for Rutgers, hopefully 10. I see Rutgers with a possibilty of being 8-0 before WVU comes into Jersey, I don't see RU beating WVU this year. They will then have to split with Pitt/UL to have a "successful" season. I say that with quotes because honestly, any season that ends above .500 is successful for the time being. Bowl bids are all the school needs right now.

I'm ecstatic to see 4 national TV games even if 2 are Buffalo and Army.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

I don't think Bama will come out of their brutal schedule in good shape. Fortunately they UT, LSU & UGA at home.

Overall
vs LSU
vs UGA
vs UT
neutral vs FSU
@ Auburn

That's tough. @ Vandy & vs Arky are always interesting too.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Guys, how good is LSU going to be this year? I don't have a great idea. It's going to matter so much.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

Thu Aug. 30 Buffalo
Fri Sept. 7 Navy (ESPN 7:00)
Sat Sept. 15 Norfolk State
Sat Sept. 29 Maryland
Sat Oct. 6 Cincinnati
Sat Oct. 13 @ Syracuse
Thu Oct. 18 South Florida(ESPN 7:30)
Sat Oct. 27 West Virginia
Sat Oct. 3 @ UCONN
Fri Nov. 9 @ Army(ESPN2 8:00)
Sat Nov. 17 Pittsburgh
Thu Nov. 29 @ Louisville(ESPN 7:30)


[/ QUOTE ]

It's too bad the WVU game isn't on national television. Both teams could very well be 7-0 when that game happens with 3 common opponents between them (Maryland, Syracuse and USF).

Not too different from last year, right? Maryland instead of UNC is an improvement...but Army instead of Illinois is a step down. Making this OOC schedule for 2007 pretty much a wash with the 2006 schedule. Also, hopefully this is that last of these MEAC teams (Howard last year and Norfolk State in 2007). Scheduling 1 FCS team is fine but at least get one from a good FCS conference like the CAA or SoCon or Gateway...

Anyway, it is really good to see this program continue to move in the right direction.

You have any info on 2008 and beyond OOC schedules for Rutgers? I know in 2010 Rutgers starts a 7 game series with Notre Dame. But I'm hoping that the OOC schedule improves before then...

Edit:

Nevermind. Found it. Link.

2008: @Navy, UNC, Buffalo, Army
2009: Navy, Buffalo, @Maryland, @Army
2010: UNC, @ Navy, Army, @ Notre Dame
2011: @ UNC, Navy, @ Notre Dame, @ Army
2012: Notre Dame, Army

2010 might actually be pretty tough OOC depending on who the 5th opponent that they add will be and assuming Butch Davis has UNC respectable by then.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

2008: @Navy, UNC, Buffalo, Army
2009: Navy, Buffalo, @Maryland, @Army
2010: UNC, @ Navy, Army, @ Notre Dame
2011: @ UNC, Navy, @ Notre Dame, @ Army
2012: Notre Dame, Army


[/ QUOTE ]

I know Schiano wanted to keep Navy when he first arrived so I have no problem with them on the schedule. When they decided on Buffalo/Army the team was still struggling and the Star-Ledger(local newspaper) was ecstatic that Schiano was able to keep those two teams on the schedule instead of scheduling big schools and getting trounced. Of course, 3 years later it looks dumb and most likely Rutgers will get criticized, especially if they are doing well.

I think UNC will be a wash soon, as you said they should be respectable soon and could become a good game. And it will be interesting to see ND in 2010. If Rutgers can continue to dominate NJ(and MD/NY) in recruiting that could become a decent little semi-rivalry.

We'll have to see on the 12th game from year to year, I still hate that they play 12 games now but maybe they can take advantage of it and schedule Penn State or get Michigan State back on the schedule. Those would be the two teams I would like to see.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Not terribly on-topic, but this is a video of a Penn State/Notre Dame fan from 2005. He is watching the Penn State-Michigan game, as well as the Notre Dame-USC game. Alcohol is consumed. You can only imagine what ensues.

Hilarity


His tears taste sweet...

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Not terribly on-topic, but this is a video of a Penn State/Notre Dame fan from 2005. He is watching the Penn State-Michigan game, as well as the Notre Dame-USC game. Alcohol is consumed. You can only imagine what ensues.

Hilarity


His tears taste sweet...

[/ QUOTE ]

jesus, this guy is crazy

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Sounds like we have some football players in trouble for some sort of drug-related offense. Maybe still on team, maybe not, conflicting information. Important players, supposedly. (We = Michigan)

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like we have some football players in trouble for some sort of drug-related offense. Maybe still on team, maybe not, conflicting information. Important players, supposedly. (We = Michigan)

[/ QUOTE ]

Tell me more plz.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like we have some football players in trouble for some sort of drug-related offense. Maybe still on team, maybe not, conflicting information. Important players, supposedly. (We = Michigan)

[/ QUOTE ]

Tell me more plz.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, but remember, these are all crazy unverified rumors from the Internets(TM). Adrian Arrington (#2 WR), Carson Butler (starting TE), and Eugene Germany (DL, probably backup, but talented) are supposedly in trouble for drugs. Rumors saying both that they are off the team and that they aren't and will merely be disciplined (running the stairs at the Big House all spring at 6am is not uncommon, and also horrifying). The law is not involved.

Will update as info comes/is made up.

Re: Offseason College Football Thread
 

Still kind of a dead time, but since my Wolverines have decided to be generous and allow someone else a chance to play in the NCAA tournament for like the 20th straight season, I have some free time (plus I've forgone learning this semester).

Since we all love stats in this forum, here's a breakdown of NCAA-wide 3rd down statistics. It gives you some idea of how your team does at a given down and distance vs. the NCAA average, as well as the distribution of it's 3rd down distances. Our (Michigan's) 3rd down and short D in particular was something short of sick. 35% allowed on 3rd and 1, vs. 65% or so for the national average. And people are doubting the power of Alan Branch.

Stats Stats Stats Stats