Oklahoma (12-1, 7-1 BIG 12) The Sooners spanked Missouri 62-21 in the Big 12 Championship Game, racking their 5th consecutive 60+ point offensive performance despite the non-throwing thumb injury to Heisman Trophy winner QB Sam Bradford and the loss for the season of star RB DeMarco Murray (179 for 1002 yards and 14 TD rushing, 31 for 395 yards and 4 TD receiving, 27.6 yards per kick return). The 6’4” 218 sophomore QB Bradford (302 of 442 for 4464 yards, 48 TD, 6 INT) has surgery following the Missouri game and has been practicing with a small cast on the thumb and hasn’t doesn’t appear to be having any problems handling the ball while few teams in the nation are as capable as Oklahoma of picking up the slack for the loss of an athlete like Murray. 5’11” 210 junior RB Chris Brown (195 for 1110 yards and 20 TD) is their OTHER 1000+ yard back while with Murray sidelined in the conference championship game, 6’0” 196 sophomore RB Mossis Madu (111 for 463 and 6 TD) complimented Brown quite well with 114 rushing yards on 15 carries while finding the endzone 3 times. Murry’s ability out of the backfield as a receiving target will be the main loss. The duties are many for the offensive line in the spread offense and this veteran (4 seniors and 1 junior, 6’5” and 311 pounds) crew has gotten better as the season progressed, allowing just 11 sacks in nearly 500 drop-backs while punching holes for 205.5 yards rushing per game at 4.8 yards per carry. Traditionally, teams protect left and run right but with behemoths the size of 6’8” 337 senior LT Phil Loadholt and 6’5” 335 senior LG Duke Robinson, “strong side” and “weak side” lose some of their meaning for defenses – especially when 6’6” 261 junior TE Jermaine Gresham (58 for 888 yards and 12 TD) operates down the field like an overgrown wide receiver. 45 rushing touchdowns and 49 passing touchdowns through 13 games eye-popping enough but the 2+ points this squad has piled up per minute of possession over the last 2 months makes this the single, most explosive offense we have seen – period – and it’s the passing game that destroys opponents. 6’5” 203 senior WR Quentin Chaney (27 for 467 yards and 2 TD), 6’0” 204 senior WR Juaquin Iglesias (69 for 1092 and 10 TD), 6’0” 183 senior WR Manuel Johnson (38 for 685 and 9 TD), and 5’11” 175 freshman slot WR Ryan Broyles (42 for 661 and 6 TD, 9.7 per punt return with TD) lead the way for a receiving attack that manages 356.5 yards per game at – get this – 9.7 yards per passing attempt! With just 7 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles all season, this is as flawless as a year any team has ever had with the ball and if Head Coach Bob Stoops (109-23 in 10th season in Norman) hadn’t called off the dogs it could have been even much more productive. The Sooners piled up 456 first-half points (allowed 150) in 2008. With games generally in hand, they added just 246 after halftime.
Big 12 Conference defenses have been knocked as being extremely generous this season and Oklahoma’s raw numbers at 24.5 points on 359.1 yards per game aren’t great but then they do have to face the explosive Big 12 offenses every weekend. For us, defense is equally about drive-ending or game-changing plays and with 42 sacks, 101 tackles for loss, 17 interceptions, and 15 forced fumbles the Sooners have more than their share. The first thing that strikes you about Stoops’ defensive front – just like with Coach Meyer’s – is their youth. With LDE Auston English (30 T, 9 TFL, 4 ½ S in 10 games) done for the season, 6’4” 249 freshman Frank Alexander (21 T, 3 ½ S) has been holding down the starting role alongside sophomores 6’4” 295 LDT Adrian Taylor (20 T, 6 ½ TFL, 4 ½ S), 6’4” 295 sophomore RDT Gerald McCoy (26 T, 10 TFL, 6 ½ S), and 6’3” 253 RDE Jeremy Beal (54 T, 14 TFL, 8 ½ S). Beal on the edge has been the most exiting play-maker but this week we’ll look for these interior linemen to make trouble for Florida’s young Pouncey Twins on the inside. The real question is does Oklahoma have the speed to play with the Gators and can they handle the option? We think yes. The Sooners face so much of the spread in conference that they routinely play with speedy 6’2” 221 freshman Austin Box (36 T, 6 ½ TFL, INT) at middle linebacker or pull the linebacker all together in favor of a 4-2-5 with 6’1” 190 junior Quentin Carter (34 T) entering the game as a third safety to the bigger 6’1” 201 senior FS Lendy Holmes (79 T, 1 ½ TFL, 5 INT) and 6’3” 230 senior SS Nic Harris (64 T, 3 TFL). Holmes is particularly motivated, feeling he let his mates down in missing the embarrassing 28-48 loss to the Mountaineers in last year’s Fiesta Bowl due to academic ineligibility. Cornerbacks Dominique Franks (39 T, 4 INT with TD, FR with TD) and Brian Jackson (67 T, 4 TFL, 2 INT) are decent, but to beat Florida stopping the run is paramount and the work from the outside linebackers will be the key. 6’2” 220 junior SLB Kennan Clayton (76 T, 10 TFL, 4 ½ S, INT) has been the strip machine with 6 forced fumbles and 6’2” 232 freshman WLB Travis Lewis (12 TFL, 3 ½ S) has been the tackle machine with a whopping 135 stops while adding 4 picks.
Florida (12-1, 7-1 SEC) The Gators have also dominated the first halves of games this season, with their dynamite defense key to their superb 321-51 edge at the breaks. Like the Sooners, Florida is young along the front wall with sophomores 6’5” 305 LDT Lawrence Marsh (25 T, 5 ½ TFL, 3 S) and 6’2” 300 RDT Terron Sanders (21 T, 4 TFL) holding the point for a crew that allows just 3.3 yards per carry (104.3 yards per game). These kids are simply beasts to move and draw blockers to free up pro-sized ends 6’3” 265 Justin Trattou (27 T, 4 TFL, 1 ½ S), 6’3” 250 Jermaine Cunningham (51 T, 10 TFL, 6 S, 2 FF) and 6’6” 290 Carlos Dunlap (35 T, 12 TFL, 9 S) to not just drop the quarterback (32 team sacks) for the loss but also create a ton of bad and rushed throws that have been snatched by the Florida defenders. The 24 interceptions racked by this crew may be the most decisive statistic for Coach Urban Meyer’s team this season, time and time again handing the offense short fields and momentum for the knockout blow. Safeties 5’9” 190 sophomore FS Ahmad Black (54 T, 6 INT), 6’0” 200 sophomore Major Wright (57 T, 3 INT), plus backup 6’3” 205 freshman SS Will Hill (45 T, 1 ½ TFL, 2 INT) have piled up 11 picks alone, making recognition of scheme by opposing triggermen positively critical. If Bradford has what it takes to play on Sunday’s, we’ll find out against these floaters. If he can consistently recognize schemes, we think there will be opportunities over the top against Florida’s modestly-sized and youthful cornerbacks. 5’10” 185 freshman Janoris Jenkins (34 T, S, 3 INT) and 5’11” 185 sophomore Joe Haden (77 T, 3 INT) have comported themselves well against the Southeastern Conference well enough but Thursday will be the first time in their careers they have faced an aerial assault like the best in the Big 12 can unleash so the front 7 simply must give these guys help with pressure early and often to keep the big plays to a minimum. Against an offensive line as dominant pass protection as Oklahoma’s can be, that means constant blitzing from the linebackers and Florida has both the quality and depth of personnel to make it happen. 6’2” 225 sophomore SLB Brandon Hicks (32 T, S), 6’3” 245 junior MLB Brandon Spikes (87 T, 8 TFL, 2 S, 4 INT), and 6’2” 232 junior WLB Ryan Stamper (35 T, 2 TFL, S) hold down the starting roles but expect multiple looks and heavy substitution by speedy backup outside linebackers A.J. Jones (33 T, 2 ½ TFL) and Dustin Doe (28 T, 2 TFL, INT) to keep the Heisman Trophy winner guessing. Only 19 touchdowns have been surrendered by this squad through 13 games.
Speaking of Heisman Trophy winners, how about the job that the 2007 winner and current 2008 Maxwell Award winner Tim Tebow (174 of 286 for 2515 yards passing) has done? Hey, the rush first and pass second quarterback has never been our bag but this kid showed us he’s more that a phenomenon of the option. The rushing ability is still there for the 6’3” 240 junior QB with 564 yards on 154 carries with 12 touchdowns via the feet but we dare anyone to cast a dismissive eye at just 2 interceptions versus 28 touchdown passes! Superb balance to varied targets 6’3” 255 sophomore TE Aaron Hernandez (29 for 324 yards and 5 TD), 5’11” 195 junior WR Percy Harvin (35 for 595 and 7 TD), 6’3” 205 senior WR Louis Murphy (36 for 611 and 6 TD), and 6’3” 215 junior WR Riley Cooper (16 for 233 and 3 TD) anywhere on the field indicates a maturity and vision that we only caught glimpses of last season. Key has been one of the best offensive lines in college football. We mentioned the 6’5” 312 sophomore Pouncey twins earlier (Maurkice at center, Mike at right guard) but we did not mention the 3 dynamite seniors that round out the squad. 6’6” 310 RT Jason Watkins is an underrated player that uses great footwork to key the technically difficult option while 6’6” 310 tackle Phil Trautwein and 6’3” 315 guard Jim Tarrt are each pro-caliber players that have keyed a rushing attack that averages a whopping 6.0 yards per carry while yielding only 16 sacks this season. OK, so the Gators can throw the ball and block but let’s get to the 600-pound gorilla in the room – Florida’s option rushing attack. Again, the option isn’t our bag but here’s one that gets us excited – that is an option that actually functions as designed with the ball distributed so well and equally that defenses must actually account for a minimum of 3 possible ball carriers on every play. Besides Tebow, who’s ball handling is as good as it gets at any level, running backs 5’9” 185 freshman Chris Rainey (83 for 655 yards and 6 TD), 5’8” 176 freshman Jeff Demps (69 for 582 and 7 TD), and 6’0” 210 sophomore Emanuel Moody (57 for 417 and TD) each average better that 7 yards per carry with the distinct possibility of a homerun in the minds of defenders before every snap. And then there’s WR Percy Harvin who time in the backfield has been just as productive as that spread out wide with 61 carries for 538 yards and 9 rushing scores. 41 total rushing touchdowns and 31 passing touchdowns while committing just 11 turnovers all season would qualify Florida as the best offense in just about any National Championship match up we’ve seen…just not this one.
FREE SELECTION: The Sooners lone blemish was their 35-45 loss to Texas in Dallas on September 11th while the Gators only setback was their 30-31 home loss to Mississippi on September 27th. The talking heads seem to think that Coach Meyer’s crew rolls but we’re not so quick to discount the best offense we have ever seen. Defensive scores (unlikely against a team that committed 9 turnovers in 13 games) and short fields have padded the Gators scoring well above where one would expect it to be for a crew that averages 442.4 yards per game. The Sooners allow few cheapies and we’ll take Oklahoma +3 to pull the minor upset.
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Fresno State (7-5, 5th place WAC) The Bulldogs were trailed just 13-10 at halftime to Boise State last trip out in a bid to win their final three games, but we’re stomped by the Broncos in the 2nd half to finish the regular season with a 61-10 loss. Frankly, this is the season that slipped away for Coach Pat Hill’s (92-60 in 12th season) group. Through the first month, Fresno has banked road wins over Rutgers, Toledo, and UCLA plus just missed in a 10-13 loss vs. Wisconsin who was ranked #10 in the nation at that point. From there the already mounting injuries were just too much, resulting in Coach Hill never able to start the same offensive lineup for consecutive games all year and a disappointing season for a school that had returned 51 letter winners and 16 of 24 starters. Throughout it all, 6’5” 225 senior QB Tom Brandstater (208 of 348 for 2478 yards, 17 TD, INT) has been a decent if not spectacular representative of “Quarterback U” with a 6’3” 210 junior WR Seyi Ajirotutu (44 for 714 and 5 TD) a dynamite target with NFL size. Fellow receivers Marlon Moore (20 for 233 and TD) and Chastin West (18 for 214 and TD) are decent enough but when opponents load up on Ajirotutu, it is the big senior TE 6’5” 260 Bear Pascoe (37 for 361 and 4 TD) that gets the action. Both his blocking and hands have been key to State’s success in the Red Zone where they have racked 33 TD and 11 FG in 55 trips. The Bulldog offensive line isn’t huge at 6’3 ½” and 289 pounds per man but they have come together very well along the way and have surrendered just 10 sacks over their last 9 games after giving up 6 through their first 3. With only decent talent, balance has been a hallmark of Coach Hill’s offensive approach this season with a 176.8 yards rushing per game at 4.8 yards per carry to pair with 206.5 yards passing to generate 29.2 points per contest. Junior backs 6’0” 215 Anthony Harding (129 for 702 yards and 4 TD) and 5’11” 215 Lonyae Miller (107 for 69 and 5 TD) have been evenly splitting the load after the loss of sophomore Ryan Mathews (109 for 593 and 6 TD) 5 games ago.
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Boston College (9-3, 5-3 ACC) The Golden Eagles held Maryland to –6 yards rushing and added some creative scoring with a fake field goal/touchdown pass by QB/WR/P/KH Billie Flutie (nephew) plus a 36-yards interception return touchdown by WLB Robert Francois to earn a chance to revenge their 16-30 loss to Tech in the 2007 Conference Championship Game. There’s not much to say about Coach Jeff Jagodzinski’s (20-6 in 2nd season at Chestnut Hill) offense other than it will bore you to death. 151.2 yards rushing per game at 4.0 yards per carry and 168.2 yards passing per game at 5.5 yards per attempt but they commit very few penalties (53 for the entire team all season) and generally work with superior field position thanks to the stoppers. For a pair of smallish true freshmen 5’8” 182 RB Josh Haden (103 for 439 yards and TD) and 5’10” 192 Montel Harris (155 for 798 and 5 TD) have been effective and 6’4” 198 freshman QB Dominique Davis (31 of 59 for 288 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) kept the ball out of the Terrapins’ hands in his first start of the season for injured Chris Crane (broken collarbone). Boston College’s offensive line is big (6’5” 307 per man), durable (completed all 60 possible starts), and as good as ever (23 offensive linemen selected in the last 27 NFL Drafts) but if you need to take a trip to the little boy’s room on Saturday, make the run while the Eagles hold the ball.
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Oklahoma (10-1, 6-1 Big 12) The Sooners demolished the previously undefeated Red Raiders in Norman last week, piling up 625 offensive yards while keeping WR Michael Crabtree (18 TD catches in 2008) out of the end zone. Sophomore QB Sam Bradford (238 of 349 for 3710 yards, 42 T, 6 INT) has built legitimate Heisman Trophy caliber season behind an experienced line of four seniors and a junior, averaging 6’5” and 310 pounds, with a simply ridiculous assortment of weapons at his disposal. Running backs sophomore DeMarco Murray (164 for 929 yards and 13 TD), junior Chris Brown (149 for 890 and 15 TD), and sophomore Mossis Madu (95 for 349 and 3 TD) make up one of the nation’s best groups and lead a unit that grinds out 203.8 yards per game at 4.7 yards per carry with 35 touchdowns. Wide Receivers senior Quentin Chaney (22 for 393 yards and 2 TD), senior Manuel Johnson (35 for 653 and 9 TD), senior Juaquin Iglesias (52 for 881 and 7 TD), and freshman Ryan Broyles (31 for 528 and 6 TD) provide just too many quality targets for most teams to match up with down the field and with a player that possess the size/ball skills combination of 6’6” 261 junior TE Jermaine Gresham (41 for 648 and 10 TD) in the middle, defenses can only pick which poison. For the season, this crew has averaged 52.6 points (#1 NCAA) on 556.6 yards (#3 NCAA) per game and they are only getting better with 58, 62, 66, and 65 points their last four games versus Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.
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Brigham Young (10-1, 6-1 Mountain West) The Cougars ground out a tough come from behind 38-24 win at Air Force last Saturday, giving up 323 yards on the ground to the Falcons while tallying 354 yards of their own through the air to earn their 3rd-consecutice double-digit win season and now have a chance to earn Co-Conference Championship Honors over their state rivals at Rice Eccles Stadium. Anyone who says that violence is against the Mormon code just hasn’t seen this defense play ball. A NCAA-best 17 times BYU this season has turned over their opponents via the fumble with 3-4 linebackers 6’3” 233 senior SLB David Nixon (67 T, 9 ½ TFL, S, 3 INT, FR), 6’1” 232 junior ILB Matt Bauman (84 T, 8 ½ TFL, 2 S, FR), 6’2” 232 junior ILB Shawn Doman (51 T, TFL, 2 FR), and 6’3” 220 junior WLB Coleby Clawson (40 T, 9 ½ TFL, 4 S, FR) plus key rotation backups Daniel Sorenson (11 T, 3 TFL, S, INT) and Matt Ah You (35 T) extremely quick to the ball and ready to lay the licks while teammates strip. 61 team tackles for loss including 20 sacks have help opposing squads to just 18.2 points per game on 337.5 yards (130.2 rush at 3.6 per carry, 207.3 pass at 6.5 per attempt) – a feat against the wide-open Mountain West Conference – with a superior 5 man rotation up front setting the tone. 6’4” 260 junior LDE Brett Denney (25 T, 7 TFL, S, 3 FR), 6’3” 300 junior NT Russell Tialavea (16 T, 2 ½ TFL, BLK), and 6’3” 274 junior RDE Jan Jorgenson (42 T, 7 ½ TFL, 5 S, FR, BLK) – who owns conference record with 21 ½ career sacks – will get the starts this week against the Utes but you will also see all kinds of sharp play from NT Ian Dulan (18 T, 4 TFL, 3 S, FR) and freshman phenom 6’6” 237 DE Matt Putnam (21 T, 3 TFL, 2 S, INT) whom the pro scouts will be drooling over once he grows into his body. Keep your depth chart at the ready; Defensive Coordinator Jamie Hill likes to use all the toys in his toy box! And speaking of toys, check out 6’0” 210 sophomore CB Brandon Bradley (25 T, FR with 34-yards TD return) who was snubbed by his hometown Seminoles, brought his dynamite size out west, and looked pretty damn good last Saturday in his first career start. SS David Tafuna (39 T, INT), NB/S Andrew Rich (20 T, INT, FR), and CB Brandon Hayward (29 T) join him in the defensive backfield plus 5’11” 187 senior FS Kellen Fowler (58 T, FR) who pound for pound must be one of the surest tacklers in college football. Say a little pre-game prayer, bust you in the chops for 60 minutes, then say a little post-game prayer…just another Saturday in Utah.
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Oklahoma State (8-1, 4-1 Big 12) crushed Iowa State 59-17 last week at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, racking up 682 yards of total offense including 395 yards through the air by 6’3” 210 junior QB Zac Robinson (129 of 187 for 2082 yards, 20 TD, 5 INT) who found 6’2” 215 sophomore WR Dez Bryant (60 for 1054 and 15 TD) four times for scores. As impressive as that win was, Special Teams Coordinator Joe Deforest must have some concern. His crew has been largely sharp and includes Ray Guy ward Finalist senior P Matt Fodge (43.6 yards per punt, 1 blocked) but the Cyclones’ Leonard Johnson broke the All-Time NCAA single game kick return record with 319 yards on 9 returns with runs of 48, 72, and 73 yards. Now they hit the road again for their 3rd contest in 5 weeks against the NCAA’s Top 5 (won 28-23 at Missouri, lost 24-28 at Texas). The Cowboys have remained remarkably healthy this season just losing a handful of player-games all season including none by their experienced offensive line (just 10 sacks allowed) that has powered a blistering attack of 45.3 points on 512.0 yards per game (273.6 rush and 5.7 per with 29 TD, 238.4 pass at 10.9 per attempt and 24 TD). In addition to Bryant, who also returns punts at 19.2 yards per with a pair to the house, 6’5” 178 sophomore WR Damian Davis (9 for 222 and 2 TD) and 5’10” 186 junior WR Bo Dowling (9 for 172 and 2 TD) also work through the air where State has averaged a ridiculous 16.0 yards per completion. 6’6” 255 senior TE Brandon Pettigrew (21 for 236) missed 3 games this season and was used mostly in blocking against Iowa State but will become a bigger threat again as he gets healthier. And it only gets better on the ground. 5’8” 190 sophomore RB Kendall Hunter (182 for 1220 yards and 11 TD) may be the nation’s best small back while backups Keith Tolston (76 for 565 and 8 TD) and Beau Johnson (48 for 303 and 3 TD) offer opponents simply no drop off. With the set offense to dynamic, QB Robinson (92 rushes for 341 yards and 5 TD) hasn’t needed to run as much this season but with 1332 career yards on the ground he can unleash his wheels at any time.
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Oregon (6-2, 4-1 PAC 10) pounded Arizona State 54-20 last trip out, doing what they do best – running the ball with authority – but also saw improvement in the passing game led by JUCO-transfer quarterback, 5’11” 214 sophomore QB Jeremiah Masoli. A series of serious injuries at the position gave the former City College of San Francisco standout a shot and his wheels (56 for 391 yards and 2 TD rushing) plus his improving ability to get the ball downfield (68 of 122 for 726 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT) have kept the starting role his, even though 6’5” 204 sophomore QB Justin Roper (44 of 80 for 570 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT) is back from a knee injury. At Arizona State, Masoli even earned PAC 10 Offensive Player of the Week honors partly due to his 17 completions in 26 attempts for 147 yards and a score before handing the reigns to Roper for the fourth quarter. Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly’s teams have racked 600+ yards in a game 6 separate times since coming on at the beginning of 2007 and he could be happier with the added option of attacking through the air again. With all the injuries at the trigger, Kelly has employed all of his top receivers plus 6’5” 243 junior TE ED Dickson (23 catches for 310 yards and TD) in the rushing game just to get these athletes touches and as the ability to get vertical improves we expect 6’5” 242 senior WR Jaison Williams (25 for 331 and 3 TD), 6’1” 175 sophomore WR Jeff Maehl (28 for 263 and 2 TD), and 6’0” 171 senior WR Terence Scott (29 for 383 and 3 TD) to balance out this offense at make the Ducks even more dangerous than the 41.5 points and 479.9 yards per game they average heading into this week. Of course, when you talk Oregon football, you still have to address their simply dominating ground attack. Four seniors man a line that busts holes for a 5th in the nation 278.8 yards per game rushing at 6.0 yards per attempt and 30 touchdowns. The Ducks have bested the 300+ yards rushing mark in 5 of their 8 games this season led by the tandem of 5’10” 200 speedy senior RB Jeremiah Johnson (98 for 573 yards and 9 TD) and 6’2” 229 bruising junior RB LeGarrette Blount (90 for 650 and 12 TD). Past late seasons have been short-circuited by Duck injuries at the quarterback position…this one may be helped by them.
Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) has outscored opponents 171-23 in the first half this year, trailing for just 1 minute and 15 seconds this season, and it’s good thing for Tide fans or their crew may have lost each of their last 2 games. Coach Nick Saban’s (14-6 in 2nd year at Tuscaloosa) offense managed a total of just 3 second half points in narrow home victories over Kentucky (17-14) and Mississippi (24-20) amassing just a combined 30 first downs over the two week stretch. 6’2” 211 John Parker Wilson (92 of 152 for 1072 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT) runs the show, this year surpassing Brodie Croyle’s team career marks for completions (579), passing TD (45), and passing yards (6723). 6’4” 210 freshman WR Julio Jones (23 for 341 yards and 4 TD) is the favorite target of JPW so far alongside of junior Mike McCoy (10 for 142 and TD) and freshman Marquis Maze (8 for 76 and TD) but keep your eye out for #88 Nick Walker. The 6’5” 255 senior tight end (20 for 208 and 2 TD) was the reliable target last week with 5 grabs including a key 40-yarder. The Crimson Tide offensive line hasn’t been particularly good in pass protection, allowing 12 sacks in about 70 drop-backs but they have dominated in the run game. The upperclassmen wall of LT Andre Smith, LG Mike Johnson, C Antoine Caldwell, RG Marlon Davis, and RT Drew Davis have mixed and matched is an ever-changing line but have consistently owned the line of scrimmage throughout with 209.3 rush yards per game at 5.1 yards per carry. 6’1” 198 junior RB Glenn Coffee (108 for 760 and 5 TD) leads the ground attack and has demonstrated NFL-caliber explosion with TD runs of 87 and 78 yards under his belt already. 5’10” 215 freshman RB Mark Ingram (78 for 419 and 6 TD) brings the power and is the player to key at the goal line. Overall, first-year Offensive Coordinator Jim McElwain’s squad has piled up 32.3 points per game on 371.1 yards while holding possession for 32:44 minutes per contest.
As productive as Bama’s offense has been this season, their defense may be better under the leadership of Cody, McClain, Woodall, and Arenas. First of all, you just can run on the Tide with 66.1 yards per game allowed on 2.7 yards per carry. 6’5” 365 junior NT Terrence Cody (15 T, 3 ½ TFL, FF, FR) is an absolute beast in the middle of Saban’s 3-4 alignment, crushing the point of attack an surrendering just a single rushing score through 7 games, book-ended by 6’5” 278 senior LE Bobby Greenwood (15 T, 2 TFL, S) and 6’4” 287 junior RE Brandon Deaderick (14 T, 2 S). These guys don’t rack up a pile of sacks but they were unmovable against some of the best like Clemson (0 net rushing yards), Georgia (50 yards), and Kentucky (35 yards). Making the hits behind the wall are SAM Cody Reamer (19 T, 4 ½ TFL, S, FF), WILL Dont’a Hightower (30 T, FR), JACK Brandon Fanney (28 T, 5 ½ TFL), and 6’4” 249 sophomore MLB Rolando McClain (3 ½ TFL, FR) who packs one heck of a wallop and leads Alabama in tackles with 48. Get past the front 7 and you have a couple of serious play-makers to deal with that can take your mistakes to the house. 6’2” 200 junior SS Justin Woodall (24 T, 4 INT, TFL, 2 FF) has the NFL scouts breathing heavy with his size, 10 passes defensed, 6 passes broken up, and a 74 pick return for touchdown. 5’9” 198 junior LCB Javier Arenas (30 T, INT, S) has not only returned his interception for a 63-yard score, he also averages 25.9 yards per kick return and 15.9 yards per punt return including an 87-yard trip to the bank. FS Rashad Johnson and RCB Kareem Jackson have also snagged interceptions as have nickel and dime backs Chris Rogers and Marquis Johnson. Alabama is very young with16 true plus 7 red shirt freshmen getting playing time in 2008 and a NCAA-lowest 9 scholarship seniors on the roster so we will be very interested to see how they hold up under the pressure of a National Championship homestretch chase.
Tennessee (3-4, 1-3 SEC) is coming off their best game of the season, a dominating 34-3 effort over Mississippi State last Saturday at Neyland Stadium, in which they held the Bulldogs to just 69 rush yards on 30 carries while racking 3 turnovers and committing only a single penalty. Much has changed for the Volunteers on offense and special teams since the beginning of the year but Coach Phil Fulmer’s (150-49 in 17 season at Knoxville) crew is about defense so let’s start there. The stopper numbers are pretty impressive with 16.0 points on 276.0 yards (95.7 rush, 171.3 pass) allowed per game with 14 sacks and a national-best 14 interceptions and some individual performances really stand out. LDE Wes Brown (22 T, 3 TFL, 1 ½ S) has been solid opposite of explosive 6’3” senior RDE Robert Ayers (25 T, 8 TFL, INT, S) who is closing in on the 12 tackles for loss he registered in 2007. Walter Fisher (14 T, S) and Demonte Bolden (18 T, 3 TFL) have both benefited by rotating at LDT while 6’3” 310 Big Daddy Dan Williams (30 T, 6 ½ TFL) has held the point for just 2.8 yards per rush allowed while showing a remarkable ability to split the gaps. At backer, 5’10” 225 senior MLB MLB Ellix Wilson (56 T, 4 ½ TFL, S, INT) leads the SEC in tackles per game at 9.3 and leads the small but speedy group filled out by 6’1” 215 junior WLB Rico McCoy (36 T, S) and 6’2” 215 senior SLB Nevin McKenzie (27 T, 5 TFL, 3 S, INT). Wilson is one heck of a player to watch on the field but at what position can the NFL employ him? Seven different Volunteers have bagged picks this season including each member of a defense backfield who’s starters have racked 11 by themselves. Cornerbacks 6’0” 200 senior DeAngelo Willingham (26 T, TFL) has three and 5’10” Dennis Rogan adds another in addition to averaging 25.9 yards per kick return. 6’2” 195 FS Demetrice Morley (2 T, TFL) adds a pair but the kid everybody has their eyes on is SEC Defensive Player of the Week 5’11” 195 sophomore SS Eric Berry (44 T, 5 INT, 4 ½ TFL, 2 S). Berry has pocketed interceptions in each of his last 3 games, has a 72-yard pick for TD and a 96-yard pick for TD this season, and his 397 career interception return yards are just 122 short of the NCAA record set by Terrell Buckley. Keep in mind, this kid is just a sophomore and unlike Buckley he loves to hit!
Tennessee’s offense has undergone changes as the year has progressed and the results have been positive. 6’1” 215 senior RB Arion Foster (79 for 381 yards and 0 TD) began the season just 684 rush yard short of the career school record but after piling up 196 yards on 25 carries in his first two games, Foster has lacked spark with just185 yards on 54 carries over his last 5 games. This has opened an opportunity for change of pace and red zone back 6’0” 210 junior Montario Hardesty (53 for 199 and 5 TD) to get key carries while 6’1” 210 sophomore Lennon Creer (32 for 186 and 3 TD) was the primary ball carrier against Mississippi State with 17 rushes for 68 yards and a score. Foster will get his 25th consecutive start this week but it looks like Fulmer may have moved on to Creer as the man. After poor offensive production early in the season, Jonathan Crompton (64 of 123 for 658 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT) lost his starting job at the trigger to 6’4” 215 sophomore QB Nick Stephens (34 of 69 for 542 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT). The completion percentage does not impress but Stephens has certainly stretched the field with 8 of 34 completions of 20+ yards through his first 3 starts. The key targets have also changed. Seniors Lucas Taylor (21 for 269 and TD) and Gerald Jones (19 for 251 and 3 TD) were Crompton’s guys and still get the majority of throws but the addition of the deep ball has been keyed by the Stephens to 6’1” 185 sophomore WR Denarius Moore (7 for 195 and TD) connection. In each of Stephens’ starts, Moore made a big play with catches of 45, 52, and 60 yards. Special teams has been a headache much of the season for Coach Fulmer – almost entirely due to his five game suspension of senior P Britton Colquitt to start the year. 2 blocked punts and 2 punts returned for touchdowns were the result (as well as screwing this very talented kid’s head back on straight). Since his return, Colquitt has averaged a whopping 46.4 yards per punt and a Tennessee weakness is again one of their strengths.
FREE SELECTION: “The Third Saturday in October” is the traditional meeting of these schools and Coach Fulmer has a decisive edge over ‘Bama at 11-4 in his tenure. The Tide fans aren’t going to be happy about this but we have concerns this week for their Crimson. First, their offensive struggles in the second half each of the last 2 weeks when the Volunteers have outscored the opposition 88-42 this year. Second is their youth and depth. Third is laying big points on the road in a conference as tough as the SEC – especially against a noticeably improved team. Take Tennessee + 6 ½ at Neyland Stadium
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Vanderbilt (5-1, 3-1 SEC) took their first loss of the season last week, 14-17 at Mississippi State, in which they scuffled badly on offense with just 107 totals yards, prompting Coach Bobby Johnson to make a change at the trigger. Out is 6’1” 212 senior QB Chris Nickson (36 of 70 for 311 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) who’s rushing skills (73 for 317 yards and 6 TD) have earned him all 6 starts this season. In is 6’3” 215 junior QB Mackenzi Adams (21 of 37 for 231 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) who’s superior arm earned 6 starts in 2007 (101 of 182 for 1043 yards and 9 TD) and has sparked the Commodores offense off the bench repeatedly this season. He sure can’t hurt a Vanderbilt passing game that is averaging a measly 90.3 yards per game on just 5.0 yards per attempt. This is good news for receivers Sean Walker (15 for 198 and TD), Jaime Graham (6 for 40) and Justin Wheeler (11 for 105 and TD) plus tight end Brandon Braden (10 for 93 and 2 TD). Each of these kids is a quality player and have been underutilized with Nickson under center. Coordinator Ted Cain needed to draw up running plays for Walker (10 for 108 yards and TD) and Graham (6 for 49 and TD) just to get the ball into the hands of his best athletes. Still, the ground game that has averaged 159.8 yards per game at 4.1 yards per attempt will be the centerpiece of Vandy’s attack. The line of 6’5” 275 sophomore LT Reilly Lauer, 6’3” 295 junior LG Ryan Custer, 6’3” 292 junior C Bradley Vierling, 6’2” 290 junior Nick Forte, and 6’7” 305 junior RT Thomas Welch make up the best group this team has fielded in years, paving the way for 5’10” 202 junior RB Jared Hawkins (79 for 333 yards and 3 TD rushing, 4 for 22 yards and TD receiving) to lead a squad that has banked 12 rushing scores in 2008. Against Georgia’s brutal rush defense, this unit must get off first.
Defensive Coordinator Bruce Fowler loves to send them and the results through 6 games have been big plays aplenty. The pressure that has racked up the SEC’s best 19 sacks has also been key to generating a whopping 11 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries. 6’5” 272 junior LDE Steve Stone (14 T, 4 TFL, 3 S), 6’4” 290 junior LDT Greg Billinger (14 T, 3 ½ TFL, 2 S, BLK), 6’4” 285 sophomore RDT Adam Smotherman (7 T, 2 S), and 6’5” 230 Broderick Stewart (9 T, 4 TFL, 2 S, FF) plus backup end 6’3” 278 freshman TJ Greenstone (12 T, 4 ½ TFL) all have chased down quarterbacks this season as have each member of the speedy linebacking corps of 6’0” 220 junior WLB Patrick Benoist (44 T, 5 ½ TFL, 2 S), 6’0” 225 freshman MLB Chris Marve (33 T, 2 TFL, S, FF), and 6’5” 228 sophomore SLB John Stokes (8 T, 1 ½ S) plus backup 6’3” 218 junior LB Brent Trice (8 T, 2 S, FF, FR). No less than 12 different Commodores have recorded sacks this season and this front 7 is here to tell you that Vanderbilt isn’t the laugher on your schedule that it used to be. Maybe the best player Coach Johnson has to work with is 5’10” 182 senior RCB DJ Moore. Not only has Moore averaged 19.7 yards per punt return and 22.5 yards per kick return but he has been all over the ball on defense. 17 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble, and 2 picks fill up the stat sheet even though opponents rarely choose to test Moore. 6’3” 202 junior LCB Myron Lewis (31 ½ T, 4 TFL, 3 S, 2 INT) has been more than up to the task he takes on with a physical style. Fielding the middle are 6’2” 212 senior SS Reshard Langford (31 T, 2 INT) and 6’2” 210 FS Ryan Hamilton (33 T, 2 TFL, S, 3 INT, 2 FR, FF). Each of these kids brings major pop and dynamite ball skills to the table. By the numbers, Vanderbilt’s defense has allowed 16.3 points on 318.7 yards per game and the way they turn the ball over, they have the ability to shock any team in the nation on any given Saturday.
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Oregon (4-1, 2-0 PAC 10) crushed Washington State last week by the score of 63-14 while racking up 507 yards of total offense – a mark that actually drops their season average to 531.6 yards per game (47.4 points per game), despite being forced to play 4 different quarterbacks due to numerous injuries. The Ducks have actually lost 5 QBs to injury over their last 9 games and that doesn’t include this season’s projected starter Nate Costa who was lost to a knee injury in fall practice. Sophomore QB Justin Roper (40 of 76 for 484 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT) was expected to be back after partially tearing his MCL on September 13th but a flu bug is complicating the return so we expect 5’11” 214 sophomore QB Jeremiah Masoli (28 of 48 for 381 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT) to get the call. Masoli’s junior college transfer from City College of San Francisco, where he won the 2007 National JUCO Championship, didn’t seem big news at the time but he’s spread the ball around well enough to 6’5” 243 junior TE Ed Dickson (20 for 266 and 2 TD), 6’5” 242 senior WR Jaison Williams (20 for 188 and 3 TD), 6’1” 175 sophomore WR Jeff Maehl (18 for 205 and 2 TD), and 6’0” 171 senior WR Terrence Scott (18 for 271 and 2 TD) to keep 14th-year Coach Mike Belotti’s crew on top the Pac 10. Four seniors on the offensive line, led by 6’5” 300 C Max Unger’s 43 consecutive starts, have been strong in pass protection with 4 sacks allowed and have simply dominated on the ground by punching holes for 308.6 rush yards per game at 6.3 yards per carry with 21 rushing touchdowns scored by 8 different Oregon players. 5’10” 200 senior RB Jeremiah Johnson (65 for 440 yards and 6 TD) and 6’2” 229 junior RB LeGarrette Blount (66 for 481 yards and 8 TD) each racked 3 scores against the Cougars with Johnson slippery on the edges and Blount a physical tackle-breaker. 11 turnovers has plenty to do with the quarterback situation in Eugene and may improve as they go.
By Totals 4 U
Tennessee (1-2, 0-1 SEC) out-gained the Gators on offense last Saturday at Neyland Stadium, but were still stomped 6-30 largely due to 3 critical turnovers, including a pair inside Florida’s 5-yard line, plus a surrendered 78-yard punt return touchdown. Dean of SEC Coaches Phil Fulmer (148-47) has seen too much to panic and has some facets of the Volunteers game to be excited about. On defense, the experienced line of starters 6’4” 265 LDE Wes Brown (9 T, TFL), 6’6” 290 LDT Demonte Bolden (7 T, 2 TFL), 6’3” 310 RDT Dan Williams (10 T, 2 ½ TFL), and 6’3” 270 RDE Robert Ayers (5 T, 2 ½ TFL) plus versatile backup 6’3” 275 Walter Fischer (7 T, S) have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season (10 in 2007), holding opponents to 94.7 yards per game at just 3.0 yards per carry and just a single rushing score. The pressure they bring hasn’t shown up in sack numbers yet but it has been key to producing 7 picks. Tennessee has always favored quickness over size at the linebacker position with 5’10” 225 senior Ellix Wilson (25 T, 3 ½ TFL, S, INT) the best of the current crop but it is the defensive backs that stand out for us. The crew of 6’2” 195 junior FS Demetrice Morley (11 T, TFL, INT), 5’11” 195 sophomore SS Eric Berry (18 T, S, 2 INT), 6’0” 200 senior LCB DeAngelo Willingham (10 T, TFL, 2 INT), and 5’10” 185 sophomore RCB Dennis Rogan (12 T, 26.9 kick return, 8.4 punt return) lead the deepest and most talented group that the Volunteers have fielded in many years. Offensive Coordinator Dave Clawson’s squad is also plenty talented and it all starts up front. The wall of Scott, Parker, McNeil, McClendon, and Foster (average 6’4” and 307 pounds) have combined for 102 career starts and plough holes for 179.7 rush yards per game at a brisk 5.1 yard clip and 6 scores on the ground while being tagged with just 2 sacks through 3 games. 6’1” 215 senior RB Arian Foster (39 for 233 yards rushing, 7 for 53 receiving) is the prime beneficiary while 6’0” 210 RB Montario Hardesty (24 for 109 and 3 TD) handles the goal and short-yardage work plus 6’1” 210 sophomore Lennon Creer (9 for 97 and 2 TD) has displayed explosive ability. So far, first year starter at the trigger 6’4” 220 junior QB Jonathan Crompton (56 of 100 for 591 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT) hasn’t be phenomenal but has shown some ability outside the pocket and has connected with 8 different Volunteers in each game led by receivers Lucas Taylor (14 for 193 yards) and Gerald Jones (12 for 119 and 2 TD). Don’t let sophomore K Daniel Lincoln’s 1 of 4 field goal mark. A pair of those misses were from 50+ and he hit 21 of 29 in 2007.
By Totals 4 U
Notre Dame (2-0) turned 28 points off 6 forced turnovers in a South Bend driving rainstorm into a decisive 35-17 victory over Michigan last week, their 4 consecutive win dating back to last season. Charlie Weis’s crew that was so raw to begin 2007 is gaining experience and confidence with each contest – especially along the offensive line. Senior LT Mike Turkovich, senior LG Eric Olsen, and junior RT Sam Young are vastly improved returning starters from a squad that was flat abused for 58 sacks (including 8 by Michigan) and generated only 75.2 yards rushing per game. This season the Irish have averaged 109.0 rush yards per tilt and have yet to surrender a single sack. QB Jimmy Claussen (31 of 55 for 384 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT) has his entire receiving corps back for his second season at the trigger including starters 6’5” sophomore WR Duval Kamara (2 for 38 yards and TD) and 5’10” 177 senior WR David Grimes (6 for 38 yards and TD) but it has been the 5’1” 195 sophomore WR Golden Tate (10 for 220 yards and 2 TD) lighting up the opposition with blazing speed and great ball skills while adding 21.5 yards per punt return. No replacement has been found for John Carlson with tight ends Rudolph and Yeatman only combining for 2 catches. Big backs 5’11” 237 Robert Hughes (36 for 133 yards and 2 TD) and 6’0” 225 James Aldridge (9 for 31 yards vs. Michigan) have been getting a ton of carries with victory in hand but we expect to see much more of 5’10” 195 sophomore RB Armando Allen’s (18 for 63 yards rushing) moves this week that have been on display with 14.7 yards per punt return. This isn’t a great offense (301.0 yards per game and 34 first downs) but they are getting better.
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Michigan (1-1) Michigan got in the win column last Saturday with a 16-6 win over Miami-Ohio by getting back to the basics of rushing the football and relying on your defense to get stops and provide field position. Replacing your starting wide receivers, running back, quarterback, and 4 of 5 offensive linemen wasn’t going to be easy for 1st season Coach Rich Rodriguez and it showed in the Wolverine opener, losing 23-25 vs. Utah, but Big Blue may have found it’s new offensive identity behind the line of junior LT Mark Ortmann, junior LG Tim McAvoy, freshman C David Molk, junior RG David Moosman, and sophomore RT Steven Schilling. O-Line Coach Grey Frey’s crew returns only Schilling and can’t boast of a single 300-pounder (6’5” 288# average) but they are athletic and punched holes for 178 yards and 2 scores on the ground against the Red Hawks, led by the freshman back tandem of 5’11” 185 Sam McGuffie (25 for 82 and TD) and 6’0” 177 Michael Shaw (4 for 46) who were also key leaking out to combine for 9 grabs for 74 yards and a touchdown. For now, 6’1” 207 sophomore Nick Sheridan (15 of 24 for 138 yards, TD, INT) and 6’6” 230 freshman Steven Threet (14 of 32 for 132 yards, TD) will split time at the trigger with 5’9” 168 freshman WR Martavious Odoms (8 for 64) the favorite target. Run the ball, dump off the ball, and run the ball some more will is the plan for now in Big Blue’s quest for their 34th consecutive Bowl bid. The present is much brighter for Michigan’s defense with 7 returning starters including the defensive line of 6’3” 265 senior LDE Tim Jamison, 6’5” 282 senior LDT Will Johnson, 6’0” 308 senior RDT Terrence Taylor, and 6’2” 273 RDE Brandon Graham who have registered 7 of the squads 9 sacks so far. This front is equally stout against the run allowing 83 total yards on the ground through their first pair, supported by a man in the middle to keep your eyes on in 6’2” 248 sophomore MLB Ezeh (20 T, 1 ½ TFL, INT). Safeties Brandon Harrison and Stevie Brown are new starters that have looked pretty physical with 24 combined tackles while corners 6’1” 193 senior Morgan Trent (31 consecutive starts) and 6’0” 185 sophomore Donovan Warren (10T) should pile up big numbers behind the Wolverine pass rush. Senior K K.C. Lopata has already connected from 47 and 50 yards while junior P Zoltan Mesko (41.9 yards per) is one of the best in the nation.
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Oregon State (0-1) The Beavers opened a very tough schedule (face 8 bowl teams) with a 28-36 loss at Stanford despite out-gaining the Cardinal 490 yards to 301 with mistakes (3 turnovers and 100 penalties) the deciding factor. A real issue in the early going for Coach Mike Riley’s (47-39 in 8th season) team will be a defense that replaced its entire front 7 (combined 9 career starts) and was pushed around for 210 rush yards and 2 scores in their opener. Blazingly DEs 6’2” 238 senior Victor Butler (Hendricks Watch List) and 6’3” 245 senior Slade Norris give up anchor in favor of quickness leaving DTs 6’1” 302 senior Pernell Booth and 6’1” 293 sophomore Stephen Paea to hold the point in front of an undersized linebacker corps led by 6’1” 233 senior MLB Bryant Cornell (11 tackles vs. Stanford). Maybe this group will mature but for now the veteran backfield must lead. 6’1” 196 senior LCB Keenan Lewis (35 starts) is a big hitter that can support the run while 5’11” 178 senior RCB Brandon Hughes’s (32 starts) cover skills earn him a place on both the Thorpe and Lott Watch Lists. The return of 5’11” 212 junior FS Al Afalava (suspension, 25 starts) gives this unit a huge boost alongside of 5’10” 208 senior SS Greg Layborn. Offensively, Oregon State is much better positioned and will soon get even better. 6’3” 317 senior LT Andy Levitre (Outland, Lombardi, 26 starts) and 6’3” 286 senior LG Adam Speer (14 starts) have the blind side handled and may be joined this week by the 26 career starts of NFL prospect senior RG Jerry Perry (Outland, Lombardi) who missed Stanford with a knee injury and senior C Marcus Henderson who is recovering from mononucleosis. We’ll keep our eyes on the situation. At the trigger this season is 5’11” 220 junior QB Lyle Moevao (34 of 54 for 404 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT last week) who started and won the final four games in 2007 and has trimmed down considerably in the off-season. Targets are aplenty with returning starters 5’11” 179 sophomore WR Darrnell Catchings and 6’0” 186 senior WR Sammie Stroughter (12 for 157 and 2 TD last week) plus 6’1” 209 senior WR Shane Morales who lit the Cardinal up for 12 catches, 151 yards, and a score. Twin brothers 5’7” 193 freshman Jacquizz and 5’7” 180 sophomore James Rodgers are each threats to catch the ball out of the backfield, in the return game, and perfectly compliment the raw power of 6’1” 240 starting RB Ryan McCants. Posting another 9-4 season is out of the question and a new kicker (Kahut) and punter (Hekker) could cost the crew from Corvallis close games.
Michigan State (0-0, 0-0) improved greatly over the course of the 2007 season (7-5), moving from 88th in the nation to 32nd on defense while racking up 33.1 points per game, culminating with a pair of wins over bowl-bound Purdue and Penn State to finish the Big 10 season before giving Boston College and Matt Ryan all they could handle in a 21-24 Spartan loss in the Champs Sports Bowl. Back on offense is senior QB Brian Hoyer who started all 13 games last season as is 3-time team rush leader and senior RB Javon Ringer who looks to best his 1447 rush yards in 2007 behind an offensive line that averages 6’5” 311 and returns their entire power right side of 6’3” 297 junior C Joel Nichman, 6’5” 330 senior RG Roland Martin, and 6”6” 316 senior RT Jesse Miller. If coach Mark Dantonio (7-5 in 2nd season) can develop another Devon Thomas (2nd round NFL draft) out of either Mark Dell (8 starts), Deon Curry (10 starts), or B.J. Cunningham (huge spring) at wide receiver this will be an attack to be reckoned with. Keep your eye on 6’4” 252 sophomore TE Charlie Gantt. All of Coach Dantonio’s top tight ends both at Cincinnati and here in East Lansing have graduated to the NFL. On defense, developing the Spartan front 7 will be key. 1st year starters 6’0” 286 senior LDE Dwayne Holmes, 6’3” 273 sophomore RDT Oren Wilson, and 6’1” 248 sophomore RDE Collin Neely will get plenty of help from strong backup ends Brandon Long (played in 13 games in 2007) and Trevor Anderson (transfer from Cincinnati) by replacing the 10 sacks of defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic will not be easy. At backer, young returning starters WLB Eric Gordon and SLB Greg Jones look primed for breakout sophomore seasons. If the “seven” holds, the Michigan State defensive backfield will put up big numbers and be represented during Award Season. 9 returning letter winners make up the core of this group including all 4 returning starters led by 6’2” 210 senior SS Otis Wiley who moves from free safety and 6’1” 202 junior FS Kendall Davis-Clark. Throw in a returning punter and place kicker and Sparty will be bowl bound again!