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Old 06-17-2007, 04:11 PM
orange orange is offline
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Default College Football Thread

I know this is a bit early, but with the WVU thread coming up and us in SSNL discussing CFB in the cheese thread, I wanted to get a thread in here.

I know that there are already preseason CFB preview magazines out as well.

So...Preseason predictions? Who is your team? What is going to be your strengths/weaknesses? Some good games on your team's schedule and dates?

My team is the Florida Gators. I grew up in Gainesville and have always been a Gator fan (my father taught there).

We are very strong on offense. Our Defense has been gutted though and we have only two remaining starters (a SS and DE). We had a few players who played a little bit last year (some LBs in Doe and Spikes) but for the most part, our defense is gone. We have to replace all 3 starting LBs, 3 of the 4 of our DL (which was 5th in rushing D in the NCAA last year), and a new secondary (where we had an all american and second team all american).

Thanks to Urban Meyer though, we got the #2 DT (Davis) and #1 DE (Dunlap) in the nation. We also have a great Corner in Finch that came in this year.

As stated earlier, Our offense is loaded. We have one of the best OL units in the nation and great WRs. Caldwell, Harvin, newcomer Murphy, and Ingram (as well as some sophmores like Fayson,Cooper,etc) will be a threat everywhere. We'll finally get to see Tebow throw the ball this time (and I've read that UM still wants to keep the dual QB system and use Cam Newton, a 6'5 240 frosh for short yardage situations).

I think there is definitely a possibility at another title in a year or two. But next year, the Gators are a bit TOO young to be competing.

Some exciting games next year for UF is
-Sept. 15th Tenn
-Sep.29th Auburn (sweet revenge)
-Oct 6. at LSU (dangerous game)
-Nov 24th FSU (gatorbait)

On a national level, everyone is jerking USC off. I'll have to agree that they look like a very very good team on paper (and with that thrashing they gave Michigan last year), but we'll see.

Some games that I'm excited to see next season are:

-Tenn at Cal Sept. 1
-VT at LSU Sept. 8th
-Miami at OU sept. 8th (not the U of old, but still should be a decent game).
-USC at NE Sept. 15th (I'll be at this game and will probably pop major wood on game day).
-OU vs. UT on Oct. 6th
-UL vs. WVU Nov. 8th
-Hawaii vs. Boise State Nov. 23rd

So....what do you guys have for me? I cannot wait until CFB season.
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  #2  
Old 06-17-2007, 04:16 PM
Mediocre_Player Mediocre_Player is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

I hate to be the first in what will be a legendary thread, but I need help.

Can someone ship a link to the marquee out of conference games schedule?

Or will ESPN/ABC have them all and I can just filter their TV sched?
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  #3  
Old 06-17-2007, 04:42 PM
orange orange is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

ESPN has a decent list. They dont have all of FOX and CBS i dont think though. ABC/ESPN have the best games typically (college gameday) but there is an occasional great game on FSN or CBS (CBS does all the SEC games IIRC).
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Old 06-17-2007, 05:36 PM
Your Mom Your Mom is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

I'd recommend saving this link as a fav:

http://www.lsufootball.net/tvschedule.htm
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  #5  
Old 06-17-2007, 05:38 PM
Your Mom Your Mom is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

Can't wait for NU/USC. Trying to get one of the companies that we do business with to take us to that game. Last year, they took us to the Texas game which was awesome for 59 minutes or so.
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Old 06-17-2007, 05:46 PM
orange orange is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

UT/NE was great. very cold though.
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  #7  
Old 06-17-2007, 06:22 PM
damaniac damaniac is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

Wisconsin/Michigan in November in Madison should be for the Big Ten title. I have tickets so I will be making the trip there for the first time. Very excited to go to a great venue; not as excited about the cold.

My Wolverines should be the opposite of last year: strong/elite offense, mediocre D. The problem is that DeBord is not likely to maximize our offensive output, so I
m nervous. OTOH, I'm cautiously optimistic that the D will still be fairly good, although every defensive back not named Morgan Trent terrifies me.

Schedule is very favorable: 8 home games, including Oregon, ND, OSU, and Penn State. IIRC, only Penn State and Oregon have returning starting QB's (of the teams that matter, anyway). Most worried about Wisconsin, with Oregon as my number #2 concern. I still have an irrational fear that maybe Morelli will not suck against us. They gotta beat us sooner or later right?

If I had to predict, I'd say 12-1, either 12-0 and a loss in the title game or 11-1 and a bowl win. I think we're good enough to run through the schedule but a step behind USC/whoever else is up there.
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  #8  
Old 06-17-2007, 09:13 PM
MyTurn2Raise MyTurn2Raise is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

The ILLINI will be one of the most interesting stories of the year.
They can legitimately have anything from 3 to 9 wins this season. That's what happens with young talent.
I fully expect them to pull off one upset that makes the midwest take notice. One of the online pundits picked Illinois over Michigan as one of the upset surprises of the next season. I'm not sure about that, but I expect one of Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan to go down at Illinois.

Last year, Illinois was statistically one of the best 2-10 teams ever looking at many offensive and defensive metrics. The problems were the turnover ratio and the special teams play. Both of those have been addressed coming into this season.

Zook brought in the doggies.

The defense last year was great. 9 Starters return-evenly dispersed. Vontae Davis is the best corner I've seen at Illinois (sorry Eugene Wilson and Henry James). He was a good get, but his talent level has blown everyone away. He could very well be the best corner in the big10. J Leman is a solid stud at MLB. He fits the traditional big10 mold of strong, physical play. Derek Walker is a solid defensive end that will play in the NFL. The only flaw the Illini D had last year was it didn't cause many turnovers and didn't have depth. Zook addressed both those needs and some of the DL developed alot. It will be interesting to see how the 5-stars Martez Wilson and D'angelo McCray add to the mix as freshman. The Illini defense was real good last year and looks to be improved coming into the season. I fully expect the defense to be among the best in the Big10.

The offense last year was sporadic. The run game was exceptional and 4 starting linemen return. Mendenhall (8 ypc) will be the starter at RB, but there is lack of depth at that position. The pass game really struggled last year. A true freshman QB, Juice Williams, didn't read defenses too well and often lacked 'touch' on his passes. The question is how much has he improved in one year. A big question! The guy is a great talent. He has a rocket arm. He ran for over 500 yards. He had a great two minute drive to win the game at Michigan State. He is a leader. Juice Williams resembles a younger Troy Smith. (Illinois beat tOSU in a big recruiting battle to get Juice.) Whether he fulfills that potential is another question.
One thing is for sure. Juice should get alot of help on two fronts. One, the WRs last year were dreadful. They didn't 'want' the ball and had far too many drops. IIRC, the Illini lead the BCS conference schools in drops. Well, most of those guys are gone (prison...haha) and new blood is in, including a phenom. Get used to hearing the name Arrelious 'Regis' Benn. Benn was arguably the top WR prospect in the nation last year and a huge victory for Illinois over ND and FSU. Benn finished high school early and has been on campus in Champaign since January. The guy is unreal. He has blown everyone away in spring camp. He catches everything...deep balls, over-the-middle, short routes. He runs. He loves contact. He has open-field moves. Look to see Benn, Benn, Benn this year. More than that, the guy has the warrior personality off-the-field that I love....reminds me of Jameel Cook. Benn is not a lone soldier. TE Jeff Cumberland (5* recruit) is returning for his sophmore year after a very successful freshman year. He was the best option by the end of last season. I cannot wait to see him a year older. In addition, DaJuan Warren, Chris James, and Anthony Morris are great athletic threats while Kyle Hudson should fill in the slot position well. The rest of the big10 will be shocked to see Illinois offensive skill positions consisting of 5* and high 4* talent. Hopefully, they can blow up defenses like Lloyd, Young, Morehead, Lewis, and Kittner did in 2001.

While the offensive line was great with the run game, it struggled in pass protection. That should be much improved this year, but, again, the question is how much. Juice, as a second year QB, should identify defenses better and help with some of the pass protection. In addition, the line is healthier and has more depth. Akim Millington, a solid pro prospect, couldn't left his arm above shoulder height last year and struggle to stop athletic pass rushers. Rumor is he is finally healthy and ready to show his second round potential. In addition, there are 2-3 solid back-ups to fill in this year on the o-line. Hopefully, the line that blocked for over 6ypc can keep the opponents D from Juice's face on pass plays.

Then, there are the special teams. Last year, they were downright awful. One big reason was that special teams show depth. With Zook's recruits coming into the fold, hopefully there will be that depth for kick coverage and kick blocking. Athleticism and speed have been upgraded in a major way on the Illini squad. The other huge issue is the punter. Unfortunately, that is still a problem with many possible helps, but just as many questions.


Finally, there is Zook's game coaching. To only win 2 games last year was awful. Zook's coaching was the decisive factor in losses to Indiana and Ohio. Both should've been easy wins. Zook is a great recruiter, a great defensive mind, a great developer of defensive players, and a great motivator. He is not good at managing game/clock situations. He has been improving. Hopefully, he will improve more and be held in check by his assistants. Mike Locksley, the OC, is great. He called at least 4 sensational games by my count last year (and I'm a huge critic of most coaches). I just hope no one hires him away for a few years.


So, the Illini are a HUGE QUESTION MARK

they upgraded their defeciencies:
1) better receivers
2) better pass protection
3) more special teams depth
4) better pass rush
5) better punting game

They actually have the talent to compete against anyone in the nation. The question is will the young team piece it together, or will they blow it. This was not your typical 2-10 team. They had Wisconsin in a bad way. They were in it to the end at Penn State. They went out of their way to lose to Indiana and Ohio. Purdue was there for the taking. They should've been a bowl team last year, but didn't know 'how to win' and had horrid special teams play (especially the punter).
If things get rolling well, this team could pile up huge wins. If things get off crappy, the team is in trouble again.
It sounds weird, but the first four games are tremendous indications:
V Mizzou in St. Louis (Mizzou is borderline top20)
V WIU (W)
@ Syracuse (toss-up: Illini have better talent, but 'Cuse has been a better team)
@ Indiana (toss-up: Illini have better talent, but IU has a few great individuals that can hit big as they did against Illinois and Iowa last year)

Things could be great rolling into Penn St and Wisconsin at home. Or, it can be another long year.

So far, though, Zook has been right on schedule for rebuilding the program

year 1: LOSE BIG while upgrading talent and playing younger guys
year 2: lose small while upgrading talent and playing younger guys
year 3: win small
year 4 or year 5: WIN BIG
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  #9  
Old 06-17-2007, 09:18 PM
Your Mom Your Mom is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

[ QUOTE ]
UT/NE was great. very cold though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not near as bad as the Big 12 champ. game.
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  #10  
Old 06-17-2007, 09:19 PM
Your Mom Your Mom is offline
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Default Re: College Football Thread

[ QUOTE ]
The ILLINI will be one of the most interesting stories of the year.
They can legitimately have anything from 3 to 9 wins this season. That's what happens with young talent.
I fully expect them to pull off one upset that makes the midwest take notice. One of the online pundits picked Illinois over Michigan as one of the upset surprises of the next season. I'm not sure about that, but I expect one of Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan to go down at Illinois.

Last year, Illinois was statistically one of the best 2-10 teams ever looking at many offensive and defensive metrics. The problems were the turnover ratio and the special teams play. Both of those have been addressed coming into this season.

Zook brought in the doggies.

The defense last year was great. 9 Starters return-evenly dispersed. Vontae Davis is the best corner I've seen at Illinois (sorry Eugene Wilson and Henry James). He was a good get, but his talent level has blown everyone away. He could very well be the best corner in the big10. J Leman is a solid stud at MLB. He fits the traditional big10 mold of strong, physical play. Derek Walker is a solid defensive end that will play in the NFL. The only flaw the Illini D had last year was it didn't cause many turnovers and didn't have depth. Zook addressed both those needs and some of the DL developed alot. It will be interesting to see how the 5-stars Martez Wilson and D'angelo McCray add to the mix as freshman. The Illini defense was real good last year and looks to be improved coming into the season. I fully expect the defense to be among the best in the Big10.

The offense last year was sporadic. The run game was exceptional and 4 starting linemen return. Mendenhall (8 ypc) will be the starter at RB, but there is lack of depth at that position. The pass game really struggled last year. A true freshman QB, Juice Williams, didn't read defenses too well and often lacked 'touch' on his passes. The question is how much has he improved in one year. A big question! The guy is a great talent. He has a rocket arm. He ran for over 500 yards. He had a great two minute drive to win the game at Michigan State. He is a leader. Juice Williams resembles a younger Troy Smith. (Illinois beat tOSU in a big recruiting battle to get Juice.) Whether he fulfills that potential is another question.
One thing is for sure. Juice should get alot of help on two fronts. One, the WRs last year were dreadful. They didn't 'want' the ball and had far too many drops. IIRC, the Illini lead the BCS conference schools in drops. Well, most of those guys are gone (prison...haha) and new blood is in, including a phenom. Get used to hearing the name Arrelious 'Regis' Benn. Benn was arguably the top WR prospect in the nation last year and a huge victory for Illinois over ND and FSU. Benn finished high school early and has been on campus in Champaign since January. The guy is unreal. He has blown everyone away in spring camp. He catches everything...deep balls, over-the-middle, short routes. He runs. He loves contact. He has open-field moves. Look to see Benn, Benn, Benn this year. More than that, the guy has the warrior personality off-the-field that I love....reminds me of Jameel Cook. Benn is not a lone soldier. TE Jeff Cumberland (5* recruit) is returning for his sophmore year after a very successful freshman year. He was the best option by the end of last season. I cannot wait to see him a year older. In addition, DaJuan Warren, Chris James, and Anthony Morris are great athletic threats while Kyle Hudson should fill in the slot position well. The rest of the big10 will be shocked to see Illinois offensive skill positions consisting of 5* and high 4* talent. Hopefully, they can blow up defenses like Lloyd, Young, Morehead, Lewis, and Kittner did in 2001.

While the offensive line was great with the run game, it struggled in pass protection. That should be much improved this year, but, again, the question is how much. Juice, as a second year QB, should identify defenses better and help with some of the pass protection. In addition, the line is healthier and has more depth. Akim Millington, a solid pro prospect, couldn't left his arm above shoulder height last year and struggle to stop athletic pass rushers. Rumor is he is finally healthy and ready to show his second round potential. In addition, there are 2-3 solid back-ups to fill in this year on the o-line. Hopefully, the line that blocked for over 6ypc can keep the opponents D from Juice's face on pass plays.

Then, there are the special teams. Last year, they were downright awful. One big reason was that special teams show depth. With Zook's recruits coming into the fold, hopefully there will be that depth for kick coverage and kick blocking. Athleticism and speed have been upgraded in a major way on the Illini squad. The other huge issue is the punter. Unfortunately, that is still a problem with many possible helps, but just as many questions.


Finally, there is Zook's game coaching. To only win 2 games last year was awful. Zook's coaching was the decisive factor in losses to Indiana and Ohio. Both should've been easy wins. Zook is a great recruiter, a great defensive mind, a great developer of defensive players, and a great motivator. He is not good at managing game/clock situations. He has been improving. Hopefully, he will improve more and be held in check by his assistants. Mike Locksley, the OC, is great. He called at least 4 sensational games by my count last year (and I'm a huge critic of most coaches). I just hope no one hires him away for a few years.


So, the Illini are a HUGE QUESTION MARK

they upgraded their defeciencies:
1) better receivers
2) better pass protection
3) more special teams depth
4) better pass rush
5) better punting game

They actually have the talent to compete against anyone in the nation. The question is will the young team piece it together, or will they blow it. This was not your typical 2-10 team. They had Wisconsin in a bad way. They were in it to the end at Penn State. They went out of their way to lose to Indiana and Ohio. Purdue was there for the taking. They should've been a bowl team last year, but didn't know 'how to win' and had horrid special teams play (especially the punter).
If things get rolling well, this team could pile up huge wins. If things get off crappy, the team is in trouble again.
It sounds weird, but the first four games are tremendous indications:
V Mizzou in St. Louis (Mizzou is borderline top20)
V WIU (W)
@ Syracuse (toss-up: Illini have better talent, but 'Cuse has been a better team)
@ Indiana (toss-up: Illini have better talent, but IU has a few great individuals that can hit big as they did against Illinois and Iowa last year)

Things could be great rolling into Penn St and Wisconsin at home. Or, it can be another long year.

So far, though, Zook has been right on schedule for rebuilding the program

year 1: LOSE BIG while upgrading talent and playing younger guys
year 2: lose small while upgrading talent and playing younger guys
year 3: win small
year 4 or year 5: WIN BIG

[/ QUOTE ]

nice post. I am really interested in how Illinois does this year. It should give us an idea of how good a coach he is and maybe how good of a coach Urban Meyer is.
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