2008/9 COLLEGE Football Thread

[MacDawg]

Although, I'd take them any day over either FSU or Miami.

Don't think you will have to worry about FSU or UM this season
How the mighty have fallen!

I think VT has a good shot...
your defense should be good and it will keep you in a lot of games (as usual)
Don't ever count Beamer out

Clemson is the poster child for underachieving though
This should be their year, which is precisely why they will probably choke

Edit: On another, more somber note for the Dawgs...

It appears that Georgia left tackle Trinton Sturdivant may have suffered a season-ending knee injury in Monday's scrimmage at Sanford Stadium. If so, it could be a devastating blow to the Bulldogs' offense.

"I don't know for sure how bad it is but it swelled up pretty good," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "[Head trainer] Ron [Courson] went to the hospital to get the pictures."

Asked if he thought it was a season-ender, Richt looked down at the floor of the team-meeting room.

"You always fear that," he said. " ... It makes you sick. It's just sad."

Sturdivant, a sophomore from Wadesboro, N.C., started every game at left tackle as a true freshman last season.

Left tackle is the most important of the five offensive line positions and the most difficult to play because that player is protecting the quarterback's blind side and must contain the opponent's best pass-rusher.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[MacDawg]

My Dawgs are not the only ones suffering the injury bug of late

The Gators are getting into the act big time too
These 5 ACL injuries are in addition to Percy Harvin's nagging heel injury

Link to ESPN Article

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Two more Florida players will miss the season after tearing knee ligaments.

Gators sophomore offensive lineman Jim Barrie and freshman linebacker Brendan Beal are the fourth and fifth players to tear their ACLs. Beal suffered his injury during Monday's practice and Barrie was injured Saturday.

"Five ACLs, that's a tough deal," Florida coach Urban Meyer said after announcing the latest injuries following Tuesday's morning practice.

Tight end Cornelius Ingram, who turned down the NFL to return for his senior season, tore his left ACL during Florida's second day of practice last week. Redshirt junior Dorian Munroe, a projected starter at safety, and senior safety John Curtis, a backup, tore ACLs in July.

All have had surgery and will miss the entire season.

Beal, who was expected to get playing time this year, was injured during one-on-one pass-blocking drills. Munroe, Curtis and Ingram were injured in non-contact drills.

"It's frustrating when guys are hurt," Meyer said. "Still, at our staff meeting this morning I drew up our starting offensive line and I drew up everybody when they're healthy, and [it's] a pretty good-looking football team.

"Right now it looks like Louie's hungry five out there," he said.

Woof, Woof – Dawg

 

[MacDawg]

Ready for a little Heisman Hype??

Looks like the Dawg's Knowshon Moreno is getting a little love!
(vote at ESPN.com for your choice)

Who is your front runner??

 

[dmr727]

Not really safe for work, but pretty hilarious:

http://deadspin.com/5036795/the-balls-deep-haters-guide-to-the-top-25

 

[MacDawg]

The AP Poll came out today...

Just guess who is #1 in it!

Dawgs #1 in the AP Poll

NEW YORK -- By the time Georgia was done demolishing Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, it was apparent the Bulldogs were well on their way to being No. 1 -- to start the 2008 college football season.

Seeking its first national championship in 28 years, Georgia is on top of The Associated Press preseason Top 25 for the first time.

The Bulldogs received 22 first-place votes and 1,528 points from a panel of 65 media members in the poll released Saturday.

Go Dawgs! Sic' em! Woof, Woof!

That is BOTH polls now!
USA Today/Coaches and the AP

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

The AP Poll came out today...

Just guess who is #1 in it!

Dawgs #1 in the AP Poll



Go Dawgs! Sic' em! Woof, Woof!

That is BOTH polls now!
USA Today/Coaches and the AP

Woof, Woof - Dawg

What a joke (I'm referring to Ohio State being second in the AP poll).

 

[MacDawg]

What a joke (I'm referring to Ohio State being second in the AP poll).

Ohio State, LSU and Florida are ALWAYS the media/poll darlings. They get more sappy love than any programs known to man (and I am an SEC guy). Consider last year when USC and UGA were clearly the 2 best teams at the end of the season, but Ohio State and LSU play for the championship. Heck, the Rose Bowl even passed on the game of the year and invited a crappy Illinois team. And on top of that, you would have thought a 4 loss Florida team had won it all with all of the hype surrounding them with "Superman" Tim Tebow.

The funny thing is, Ohio State plays 1 game this year... at USC, and it is early. They can still lose that game and run their table and be back in the BCS Championship because "on paper" they are stacked. Puh-leaze, uh, you win on the field, not on paper. Oklahoma takes a rap because of their BCS record, and rightfully so, but Ohio State has been clobbered in the BCS Championship 2 years straight. I don't think they deserve a 3rd shot unless they beat USC, go undefeated and everyone else has 2 losses. Just kidding... sort of.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[dmr727]

Texas at #11 is a little optimistic for us, I think. We have a lot of question marks, and our defense won't be very good at all. I'm guessing we'll finish the season #20-25 or so. Of course, that doesn't stop me from saying:

HOOK'EM!!!!

 

[iDAG]

Ohio State, LSU and Florida are ALWAYS the media/poll darlings. They get more sappy love than any programs known to man (and I am an SEC guy). Consider last year when USC and UGA were clearly the 2 best teams at the end of the season, but Ohio State and LSU play for the championship. Heck, the Rose Bowl even passed on the game of the year and invited a crappy Illinois team. And on top of that, you would have thought a 4 loss Florida team had won it all with all of the hype surrounding them with "Superman" Tim Tebow.

The funny thing is, Ohio State plays 1 game this year... at USC, and it is early. They can still lose that game and run their table and be back in the BCS Championship because "on paper" they are stacked. Puh-leaze, uh, you win on the field, not on paper. Oklahoma takes a rap because of their BCS record, and rightfully so, but Ohio State has been clobbered in the BCS Championship 2 years straight. I don't think they deserve a 3rd shot unless they beat USC, go undefeated and everyone else has 2 losses. Just kidding... sort of.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Just wait till OSU beats USC, then we shall see who is #1 my friend.

 

[gibbz]

Texas at #11 is a little optimistic for us, I think. We have a lot of question marks, and our defense won't be very good at all. I'm guessing we'll finish the season #20-25 or so. Of course, that doesn't stop me from saying:

HOOK'EM!!!!

Now this kills me to say as an Oklahoma fan, but I think Texas is a scary team this year. Young and inexperienced, but talented nonetheless. I think they could sneak up on an Oklahoma or Missouri. That being said, I do think OU will make it out of the south this year. I really hope OU makes it to the title game because if they have to go to another Fiesta Bowl, I'll scream. I am realistic though because the last 8 years have been riddled with late season losses when the title game was in reach, and against foes that should have been beaten (i.e. Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma State).

 

[MacDawg]

Texas at #11 is a little optimistic for us, I think. We have a lot of question marks, and our defense won't be very good at all. I'm guessing we'll finish the season #20-25 or so. Of course, that doesn't stop me from saying:

HOOK'EM!!!!

Your schedule at Texas...

Florida Atlantic - scary opener, a Schnellenberger team that went 7-5 (6-1), but you should win this game

At UTEP - bad team, 4-8 last year... a win

Arkansas - new coach (no integrity) with lots of turmoil in the program, lost McFadden and more, you should win this game at home

Rice - awful team, 3-9 last year... another win

At Colorado - you get a bye week to prepare, but this will be tough, and you are on the road, coin toss

At Oklahoma - I don't think you have the horses to win this this year, unless injuries bite the Sooners (which is always possible)... a loss

Missouri - they are playing well and have a better QB than you do... loss even though it is at home

Oklahoma State - depends on a lot of factors, but after 2 (maybe 3 losses) you need a rebound... win at home

At Texas Tech - on the road, this is the year the Red Raiders lay wood to you (sorry)... loss

Baylor - give me a break... you take out your frustrations here... win

At Kansas - I think you redeem your season with a win over an overrated Kansas team on the road... win

Texas A&M - a bye week to prepare for A&M at home, and you take care of business... win

So... looks like 9-3 or 8-4 depending on the Colorado game to me
But I think Oklahoma takes the division
Colt McCoy was better as a freshman

Just wait till OSU beats USC, then we shall see who is #1 my friend.

Boasting is reserved for after the game
USC has questions at QB, but their defense should be solid
As a Buckeye, you need a win in this game to have ANY credibility this year

Now this kills me to say as an Oklahoma fan, but I think Texas is a scary team this year. Young and inexperienced, but talented nonetheless. I think they could sneak up on an Oklahoma or Missouri. That being said, I do think OU will make it out of the south this year. I really hope OU makes it to the title game because if they have to go to another Fiesta Bowl, I'll scream. I am realistic though because the last 8 years have been riddled with late season losses when the title game was in reach, and against foes that should have been beaten (i.e. Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma State).

BCS losses aside, Oklahoma is a solid team and has been during the whole Stoops regime. USC with Pete Carroll, Oklahoma with Stoops and UGA with Richt have all shown stability and a high quality of program. I wouldn't give you 2¢ for Meyer and Florida or Miles and LSU. The Sooners woes in the BCS are hard to explain, but at least they have earned their shots, unlike the Buckeyes (in my opinion). The loss to Boise was devastating (although it made for good viewing).

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[MacDawg]

A quick rundown of the AP TOP Five

1. Georgia 6 Top 25 teams on schedule (3 Top 10 with 1 of those Top 5)
5 Suspensions over first 2 games
Starting LT out for the season

2. Ohio State 4 Top 25 teams on schedule (1 Top 5)
Pair of DBs suspended for first 2 games

3. USC 3 Top 25 teams on schedule (1 Top 5)
Injuries at QB and RB
USC QB Sanchez hopes to be healthy for opening game
Trojans RB McKnight sidelined again with hyperextended elbow

4. Oklahoma 3 Top 25 teams on schedule (0 Top 10 or Top 5)
Releases wide receiver from team

5. Florida 3 Top 25 teams on schedule (2 Top 10 with 1 of those Top 5)
Five season ending ACL injuries
Percy Harvin still not 100%


Now for the BOTTOM Five
When can you remember a season when these 5 teams started the season unranked?

Florida State
Miami
Michigan
Nebraska
Notre Dame


Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Denny Crane]

Two words: ROLL TIDE!!!!

 

[MacDawg]

Two words: ROLL TIDE!!!!

Tough opener in the Dome with Clemson
Should give you a good idea of what JPWilson is made of this year

Gotta get over the Auburn hump too... 7 straight is it??

LSU, the Dawgs
Gonna be a rough road for the Tide

How do you feel about Saban?
Love him or hate him?

Woof, Woof – Dawg

 

[Denny Crane]

Tough opener in the Dome with Clemson
Should give you a good idea of what JPWilson is made of this year

Gotta get over the Auburn hump too... 7 straight is it??

LSU, the Dawgs
Gonna be a rough road for the Tide

How do you feel about Saban?
Love him or hate him?

Woof, Woof – Dawg

It is a tough opener, but for some reason, Clemson always chokes on a big stage. Hopefully they do this time too.

We have lost to Auburn 6 straight times, but the streak ends this year in Bryant-Denny.

I think Saban walked into a tough spot at Alabama after four years of the Shula experiment. He has drastically upgraded the talent. It is still young, but with another top five class this year, we should be very tough in 2009 and beyond. I think we probably lose to LSU, UGA, and either Tennessee or Clemson, so I am predicting 9-3 for the regular season. I think by mid year we will be salty on defense. Julio Jones, the freshman receiver seems to be the real deal as well.

As far as Saban goes, I could care less whether he is a nice guy or not. I want to win. People have this image of Bear Bryant being this nice grandfatherly man. He was.....when he was 65. Prior to that he was a man of intensity, much like Coach Saban.

 

[MacDawg]

It is a tough opener, but for some reason, Clemson always chokes on a big stage. Hopefully they do this time too.

You are right about that... they are great underachievers in the clutch
But it is usually in the middle of the year... they start fast and finish strong
Should be a GREAT game and great new tradition for Chick-fil-a and the Dome

We have lost to Auburn 6 straight times, but the streak ends this year in Bryant-Denny.

Gonna be tough, even at home... but I think this is the game you HAVE to win to establish your program as on the way back. 9-3 or 8-4 and lost to Auburn and there are still going to be grumblings over the inability to beat Auburn. Watch out for the new offense... it may be clicking by then. Many feel they are the team to beat in the West over LSU.

I think Saban walked into a tough spot at Alabama after four years of the Shula experiment. He has drastically upgraded the talent. It is still young, but with another top five class this year, we should be very tough in 2009 and beyond. I think we probably lose to LSU, UGA, and either Tennessee or Clemson, so I am predicting 9-3 for the regular season. I think by mid year we will be salty on defense. Julio Jones, the freshman receiver seems to be the real deal as well.

Yours schedule is going to be challenging!

At #9 Clemson (Ga. Dome) - toss up - will set the tone for season
Tulane - win
Western Kentucky - win
At Arkansas - win
At #1 Georgia - LOSS
Kentucky - win
Mississippi - win
At #18 Tennessee - toss up
Arkansas State - win
At #7 LSU - LOSS
Mississippi State - toss up
#10 Auburn - LOSS, sorry, not a believer yet

That's how I see your season
At Tennessee
At Georgia
At LSU

That's tough... probably 3 losses there because you are on the road
Depending on what you do with Clemson... a loss to Auburn could drop you to 7-5

Mississippi State is a wild card... they always play you tough, but you get them at home

As far as Saban goes, I could care less whether he is a nice guy or not. I want to win. People have this image of Bear Bryant being this nice grandfatherly man. He was.....when he was 65. Prior to that he was a man of intensity, much like Coach Saban.

Agreed. I don't particularly care for him personally, but he has been a winner (except in Miami).

Good luck on your season and I hope you are on your way back!
It is good for the SEC!

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Denny Crane]

You are right about that... they are great underachievers in the clutch
But it is usually in the middle of the year... they start fast and finish strong
Should be a GREAT game and great new tradition for Chick-fil-a and the Dome



Gonna be tough, even at home... but I think this is the game you HAVE to win to establish your program as on the way back. 9-3 or 8-4 and lost to Auburn and there are still going to be grumblings over the inability to beat Auburn. Watch out for the new offense... it may be clicking by then. Many feel they are the team to beat in the West over LSU.



Yours schedule is going to be challenging!

At #9 Clemson (Ga. Dome) - toss up - will set the tone for season
Tulane - win
Western Kentucky - win
At Arkansas - win
At #1 Georgia - LOSS
Kentucky - win
Mississippi - win
At #18 Tennessee - toss up
Arkansas State - win
At #7 LSU - LOSS
Mississippi State - toss up
#10 Auburn - LOSS, sorry, not a believer yet

That's how I see your season
At Tennessee
At Georgia
At LSU

That's tough... probably 3 losses there because you are on the road
Depending on what you do with Clemson... a loss to Auburn could drop you to 7-5

Mississippi State is a wild card... they always play you tough, but you get them at home



Agreed. I don't particularly care for him personally, but he has been a winner (except in Miami).

Good luck on your season and I hope you are on your way back!
It is good for the SEC!

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Thank you. I would like to see UGA have a chance to play for the title, but something tells me that your schedule may prevent that from happening. You need so much luck to play for the national championship in today's world (see LSU last year---I still think UGA got the shaft on that one). I think Richt is a class act.

One other thing...I like the idea of playing a neutral site game since we now have 12 regular season games. We played FSU in Jacksonville last year, and we will most probably open next season in the Georgia Dome against Virginia Tech. Saban thinks they are great recruiting tools. There is some talk about setting up a game with either Notre Dame or Texas in the Louisiana Superdome a year or so after that. Of course with the fact that we are about to expand the stadium to over 100,000 after the 2009 season, that might put an end to those type of games.

 

[MacDawg]

Thank you. I would like to see UGA have a chance to play for the title, but something tells me that your schedule may prevent that from happening. You need so much luck to play for the national championship in today's world (see LSU last year---I still think UGA got the shaft on that one). I think Richt is a class act.

I would love to see us get a shot. I felt USC and UGA were the 2 best teams and it was the game most everyone wanted to see (except the idiots at the Rose Bowl who somehow thought USC/Illinois was compelling).

I think if UGA can navigate their schedule with 1 loss (not the SEC Championship game) then they deserve a shot... the schedule is BRUTAL... see post above for comparison with the other top 5 teams.

Honestly, the Dawgs have not played well as as a frontrunner historically. While I love the expectations and hype, I could easily see their season unravel with a loss... and snowball to 3 or even 4 losses... but with kids, you never know! That's part of what I love about college football... you never know what to expect when Boise plays Oklahoma, App State plays Michigan or Stanford plays USC. Everybody starts the season 0 - 0.

One other thing...I like the idea of playing a neutral site game since we now have 12 regular season games. We played FSU in Jacksonville last year, and we will most probably open next season in the Georgia Dome against Virginia Tech. Saban thinks they are great recruiting tools. There is some talk about setting up a game with either Notre Dame or Texas in the Louisiana Superdome a year or so after that. Of course with the fact that we are about to expand the stadium to over 100,000 after the 2009 season, that might put an end to those type of games.

I love the neutral site game and what the Dome is doing. A kickoff game with ACC/SEC will be a hit every year, just like the Chick-fil-a bowl game is. Always exciting, always competitive. And I like the way the SEC is scheduling non-conference now... you guys with the games you mentioned... Tennessee plays UCLA this year (the always have a good non conference game like Notre Dame, etc), the Dawgs go to Arizona State and then Colorado soon. Sweet.

I am ready for them to T it up!!

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[RamblinWreck]

Just wait till OSU beats USC, then we shall see who is #1 my friend.

HAHA....this is exactly what college football needs. Let's take an already overrated Ohio State team and put them at #1. Then let's let the BCS "get it right" and put them in the national championship game where they can once again get raped by an SEC team. Nobody gets more love in the polls than OSU and I'm absolutely sick of it.

That being said.....I'm expecting huge things from Clemson this year. They have tons of talent coming back and should easily take a weak ACC this year. As far natl championship hopes, there are none. They will blow at least one game(fewer than normal), and I'm putting my money on them blowing it against Wake Forest. It's too bad too, because the talent is definitely there.....I just wish the coach was too.

UGA (as much as it irks me to say it MacDawg) was hands down the hottest team at the end of last year. It's the school's first time being #1 in the preaseason polls and will be interesting to see if they hold on to it. Way too tough a schedule though....

 

[MacDawg]

Nobody gets more love in the polls than OSU and I'm absolutely sick of it.

Wait till Notre Dame wins 2 in a row and listen to the media love fest begin!
And the Gators rank right up there with them

That being said.....I'm expecting huge things from Clemson this year.

They play much better as underdogs than they do as frontrunners
But they look ready to make a run at the ACC this year
If they stumble this time... well... they will be typical Clemson

ONE WEEK AWAY FROM KICKOFF!!

Notable Thursday night games:

NC State at South Carolina - Early look at Tom O'Brien's squad that needs to rebound from an awful season. Steve Spurrier is in his 4 years at South Carolina and has yet to distinguish himself. These are his players now... let's see what 2008 brings. Should be an interesting game.

Oregon State at Stanford - Early Pac 10 matchup that could get Oregon State off to a good start to build on last year. Oregon State should win, but could be a close game.

Wake Forest at Baylor - Wake wants to keep the momentum they have built over the past few seasons. Clemson is getting the hype in the ACC, but Wake could steal the show from them. Wake wins big.

Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech - Interesting story lines. Former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux will start for Jax State and Paul Johnson brings a new look and offense to Georgia Tech. New scheme for Tech, could be closer than expected.

Charleston Southern at Miami - A chance to see if Randy Shannon's recruiting is paying off. The starting QB for Miami will be suspended for this game and that should make it more interesting.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[RamblinWreck]

Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech - Interesting story lines. Former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux will start for Jax State and Paul Johnson brings a new look and offense to Georgia Tech. New scheme for Tech, could be closer than expected.

It's certainly going to be interesting to see how many times the ball gets coughed in their first game running the triple option. But the defense will prove solid and they should easily hold onto this one.

Not to mention the debut of the new mustard yellow on Tech uni's. Paul Johnson is bring back the white tops at home after years of Gailey breaking tradition.

 

[MacDawg]

It's certainly going to be interesting to see how many times the ball gets coughed in their first game running the triple option. But the defense will prove solid and they should easily hold onto this one.

Not to mention the debut of the new mustard yellow on Tech uni's. Paul Johnson is bring back the white tops at home after years of Gailey breaking tradition.

I haven't seen the pictures of the new uniforms yet, but I have heard about them. Listening to 'sports talk radio' it seems like the Tech nation is taking a 'wait and see' attitude. Some are less than enthusiastic about Paul Johnson being named coach, but he has been a winner everywhere he has been. I think some see his offense as a 'gimmick' and that it will not play well in big time football where the defenses have the speed to compensate. It will be interesting to see how they do. If they can execute, they will win some games, but he doesn't really have the personnel for it yet. Will they give him the time to recruit? And will big time athletes come to a less than pro style offense? I don't know. Yes, the defense should be solid, but that it because the were left in good shape from your former coordinator who was let go and is now at ND. Can they maintain? We shall see that too. Tech is at a crossroads and they can either go up or down from being mediocre. The good news is that the ACC is not very competitive these days, so that works in your favor. Good luck to the Ramblin' Wreck on Thursday and kick that former LSU QBs butt!

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[MacNut]

I went to the UConn home opener tonight against Hofstra. The game was a blowout but it was stuff fun. The one thing I hate about going to live games is the amount of breaks for TV timeouts. You don't realize how much it slows up the game.

 

[Daveman Deluxe]

My team almost tied it in regulation... almost. Stanford beat Oregon State, 36-28.

So on our last play, one of our receivers got within a yard of Stanford's end zone, but then fumbled it from inside the field of play, into, and out of the end zone. That results in a touchback for Stanford. Would somebody please explain the logic of this to me? Anywhere else on the field, if the ball is fumbled out of bounds, the last team to have possession retains possession. I don't understand why it's different if you fumble it out of the end zone.

IMO, if the offense loses possession directly through the end zone, the offense should retain possession on the two-yard line, with a first down if that distance would have earned it. Maybe I'm missing something, so if somebody can explain why it should be otherwise, I'm all ears.

 

[stoich]

Arizona State!!

ASU all day!!