Sunday, July 19, 2009
2009 WAC Preview
I consider this a BCS Conference, so I will treat it as such. I will profile the player to watch this year, as well as my commentary on each team. The WAC used to be called the WACky conference in the 80's when most of the current Mountain West was in it, and the scores were usually 41-38. That is no longer the case, as this conference can hold up to the other BCS schools. While 8th out of my BCS Conferences, this is not a pushover by any stretch.
1. Boise St.-The Broncos under Chris Petersen have won more games in the last 3 years than USC, LSU, and Florida. Despite returning 11 starters (6 on Offense), this team has the best upside with a lot of name recognition across the country. Going 12-0 last year got them the Poinsettia Bowl and a 17-16 loss to TCU last year, but if they can pull it off this year, Tempe is calling once again.
Player to watch: QB Kellen Moore
2. Louisiana Tech-The Bulldogs under Derek Dooley improved by leaps and bounds to tie for 2nd last year. The good news is that the bulk of starters are back (16-9 on Offense) but the bad news is road games at Nevada. But with Boise coming to Ruston, an upset is not unlikely, and neither is one at Auburn to start the season.
Player to watch: WR Phillip Livas
3. Nevada-Don't turn your back on the Wolfpack. They lead the conference in rushing, and balance out with 7 starters back ono each side. This teams strenghts are in the trenches, and if games come to that, Nevada will win this conference outright. But wrapping it up on Smurf turf later in the year isn't the best way to close things out.
Player to watch: RB Vai Taua
4. Fresno St-Pat Hill wishes it were 2001 again. He had the Bulldogs on cloud 9, a good College QB and upsets galore. Now, things are tough at Fresno, but he has a safe cushion in the Valley. The good news is that 15 starers are back (8 on Defense), but with a new QB to break in, there are a lot of questions as Fresno looks to get back in the WAC hunt.
Player to watch: G Andrew Jackson
5. San Jose St-The Spartans have had a lot of success under Dick Tomey, who made Arizona a PAC 10 power with their Desert Swarm Defense. Now with his "Dine in Hell" defense (I made up the name) he has them on the right track. The numbers are fovorable (15 starters, 8 on Offense) but the road games hurt-Boise St, Fresno St and La. Tech are conference roadies. The big one is the killer-USC is not very forgiving espiecially if it's your opener. Ouch.
Player to watch: QB Kyle Reed
6. Utah St-The Aggies welcome a rival coach as their new head man as Gary Andersen left the Utes of Utah to try and revive a program that hasn't had success in 12 years. There is a lot of experienced starters returning but for a 1st year coach that is meaningless as he implements his system. The good news is that he inherits a better program than his predecessor inherited, so there could be an upswing. Armed with an experienced college staff, the future is bright-in 2010.
Player to watch: QB Diondre Borel
7. Hawaii-June Jones and Jerry Glanville left here, and the Warriors struggled. Guess what looks the same this year? Hawaii fans will miss the days of Chang and Brennan, but for a defensive coach like HC Greg McMackin to have only 2 starters back on defense he must be losing sleep. At least they play in the most beautiful place in the US, even if they are a few hours back of the Pacific Time Zone. Trust me, I am being generous with this pick.
Player to watch: QB Greg Alexander
8. Idaho-Not the potatoes, but the Vandals. Yet potatoes may have been better to put in at times. The Vandals coach Rob Akey replaced Dennis Ericson, and has 3 wins in 2 years. I don't think he will finish the season but the schedule is a help-La Tech, Hawaii and Fresno come to Moscow this year.
Player to watch: DE Aaron Lavalais
9. New Mexico St-Is being an Aggie a prerequisite to being in this conference? Do you have to take Mascot 102 to get a better name? DeWayne Walker replaces Hal Mumme and is installing a new spread offense different from the Air Raid that Mumme ran. Walker will call the defense and that is good for the worst unit in America. I think Walker will be competitive, but nobody has won here in almost 50 years. Remember that.
Player to watch: WR Marcus Anderson
1. Boise St.-The Broncos under Chris Petersen have won more games in the last 3 years than USC, LSU, and Florida. Despite returning 11 starters (6 on Offense), this team has the best upside with a lot of name recognition across the country. Going 12-0 last year got them the Poinsettia Bowl and a 17-16 loss to TCU last year, but if they can pull it off this year, Tempe is calling once again.
Player to watch: QB Kellen Moore
2. Louisiana Tech-The Bulldogs under Derek Dooley improved by leaps and bounds to tie for 2nd last year. The good news is that the bulk of starters are back (16-9 on Offense) but the bad news is road games at Nevada. But with Boise coming to Ruston, an upset is not unlikely, and neither is one at Auburn to start the season.
Player to watch: WR Phillip Livas
3. Nevada-Don't turn your back on the Wolfpack. They lead the conference in rushing, and balance out with 7 starters back ono each side. This teams strenghts are in the trenches, and if games come to that, Nevada will win this conference outright. But wrapping it up on Smurf turf later in the year isn't the best way to close things out.
Player to watch: RB Vai Taua
4. Fresno St-Pat Hill wishes it were 2001 again. He had the Bulldogs on cloud 9, a good College QB and upsets galore. Now, things are tough at Fresno, but he has a safe cushion in the Valley. The good news is that 15 starers are back (8 on Defense), but with a new QB to break in, there are a lot of questions as Fresno looks to get back in the WAC hunt.
Player to watch: G Andrew Jackson
5. San Jose St-The Spartans have had a lot of success under Dick Tomey, who made Arizona a PAC 10 power with their Desert Swarm Defense. Now with his "Dine in Hell" defense (I made up the name) he has them on the right track. The numbers are fovorable (15 starters, 8 on Offense) but the road games hurt-Boise St, Fresno St and La. Tech are conference roadies. The big one is the killer-USC is not very forgiving espiecially if it's your opener. Ouch.
Player to watch: QB Kyle Reed
6. Utah St-The Aggies welcome a rival coach as their new head man as Gary Andersen left the Utes of Utah to try and revive a program that hasn't had success in 12 years. There is a lot of experienced starters returning but for a 1st year coach that is meaningless as he implements his system. The good news is that he inherits a better program than his predecessor inherited, so there could be an upswing. Armed with an experienced college staff, the future is bright-in 2010.
Player to watch: QB Diondre Borel
7. Hawaii-June Jones and Jerry Glanville left here, and the Warriors struggled. Guess what looks the same this year? Hawaii fans will miss the days of Chang and Brennan, but for a defensive coach like HC Greg McMackin to have only 2 starters back on defense he must be losing sleep. At least they play in the most beautiful place in the US, even if they are a few hours back of the Pacific Time Zone. Trust me, I am being generous with this pick.
Player to watch: QB Greg Alexander
8. Idaho-Not the potatoes, but the Vandals. Yet potatoes may have been better to put in at times. The Vandals coach Rob Akey replaced Dennis Ericson, and has 3 wins in 2 years. I don't think he will finish the season but the schedule is a help-La Tech, Hawaii and Fresno come to Moscow this year.
Player to watch: DE Aaron Lavalais
9. New Mexico St-Is being an Aggie a prerequisite to being in this conference? Do you have to take Mascot 102 to get a better name? DeWayne Walker replaces Hal Mumme and is installing a new spread offense different from the Air Raid that Mumme ran. Walker will call the defense and that is good for the worst unit in America. I think Walker will be competitive, but nobody has won here in almost 50 years. Remember that.
Player to watch: WR Marcus Anderson
2009 MAC Preview
This is the most odd of the Super Conferences. While most have 12, the MAC has 13. That makes for interesting scheduling, and gives one weight over the other. Is it fair? No, but it shouldn't matter. The MAC is getting better as a conference, and could have had a big star last year in Ball State had they beaten Buffalo in the title game last year.
MAC East
1. Ohio-Frank Solich has transformed Bobcat football for the better since arriving in 2005. With 14 starters back (7 on each side) and playing in tight games last year, the Bobcats are a team with a lot of upside in them. This is despite going 4-8 last year, but they could easily have been 9-3.
2. Akron-The Zips used to be a joke, but now they are a force to be reckoned with in the MAC, and should have a break out 2009. Penn St and Indiana are the 2 big NC games, and only Buffalo is the major road test in the conference. Look for a surprising 2009 here, especially if they knock off Indiana on Sept 19.
3. Buffalo-Many didn't think Turner Gill would return the last 2 years after not getting jobs at Nebraska and Auburn, but he is back and Bulls fans couldn't be any happier. He has lead them to their first winning seasons in years, and has done an excellent job in recruiting. Now Buffalo is no longer a pushover, but this is a rebuilding year, and the defense with 8 starters back has to carry this team.
4. Temple-My joke of the NCAA, Temple is best known as Bill Cosby's alma mater. They were kicked out of the Big East b/c they were horrible and used to bring in homeless people to fill the stands while they recruited football players. The Fighting Bill Cosby's under head coach Al Golden have a conference, and an impressive return with 15 starters back, 9 on defense. Temple would be higher if they had a proven track record of winning, but I think they are on the verge of being good.
5. Bowling Green-The Falcons haven't flown so high lately, but 1st year HC Dave Clawson hopes to bring back the intensity they had when Urban Meyer was there. The good news is that the future is bright. But they will take some lumps this year breaking in a new coach.
6. Kent St-The alma mater of Lou Holtz and Nick Saban has a lot of work to do. Doug Martin may be out this year, unless the Golden Flashes can pull it together. If the Flashes Special Teams can improve, it may be another long year, but the positives outweigh the negatives this year-15 starters return (8 on offense).
7. Miami, OH-Mike Haywood steps in after being at the 3 biggest programs in college football the last 15 years (LSU, Texas, and Notre Dame). He has a big task ahead of him as the Redhawks are in a rebuilding phase. Former Texas and LSU DC Carl Reese should get the defense up to speed, as this is a team to watch out for in the future.
MAC West
1. Central Michigan-WHat do you call a team that returns all of its weapons on offense, 10 defensive starters and losing only 10 lettermen from last years team? No it isn't Florida (the numbers are close) but the Chippewas have had that type of success and could replicate it like thye did in 2006. All the big playmakers on both sides are back, and this could be a special year. The 1st 2 games though-Arizona and Michigan St are tough tests.
2. Toledo-Holy Toledo! Okay, bad joke aside (sorry :( ) the Rockets break in Tim Beckman who replaces Tom Amstutz who is moving up to the AD job. Despite going 3-9 last year, the system isn't changing and that is good news for the 16 returning starters (9 on offense).
3. Northern Illinois-Jerry Kill has the coolest name of any coach in College Football, and when he played the game in his younger days. The Huskies can be a breakout team, but only 4 starters are back on Defense, and 7 on offense. It may be another year for the Huskies to break out of the fold, but they should be better in year 2 of the Kill era.
4. Western Michigan-Bill Cubit has had his teams come close to big things here, abut this is a tough task this year. The Broncos have 10 starters back, with 7 on offense but only 3 back on defense. This is a tough team to call, but I am going a bit pessimist here, only because the numbers don't favor the Broncos.
5. Eastern Michigan-Ron English has the task of getting things looking up for the Eagles. The good news is he is a good defensive coach and recruits in state fairly well (Former Michigan DC). He has brought an NFL type defense and offense to the Eagles, and has 17 returning starters, which may not mean much, but if they grasp the new systems thay should be decent and make a jump to 6-6.
6. Ball State-The best college name now that Beaver College changed its name, the Fighting David Letterman's gave him something to be proud of a year ago, but now have a new HC in Stan Parrish, who 6 years as a HC in other schools has a total to 2 wins. He follows a pattern of being an assistant to a successful coach who takes over when that coach leaves for what that coach thinks is a better job. Looks like Ball State won't be on Letterman's top 10 list this year.
MAC Championship Game
Ohio vs Central Michigan
MAC Champ
Central Michigan
MAC East
1. Ohio-Frank Solich has transformed Bobcat football for the better since arriving in 2005. With 14 starters back (7 on each side) and playing in tight games last year, the Bobcats are a team with a lot of upside in them. This is despite going 4-8 last year, but they could easily have been 9-3.
2. Akron-The Zips used to be a joke, but now they are a force to be reckoned with in the MAC, and should have a break out 2009. Penn St and Indiana are the 2 big NC games, and only Buffalo is the major road test in the conference. Look for a surprising 2009 here, especially if they knock off Indiana on Sept 19.
3. Buffalo-Many didn't think Turner Gill would return the last 2 years after not getting jobs at Nebraska and Auburn, but he is back and Bulls fans couldn't be any happier. He has lead them to their first winning seasons in years, and has done an excellent job in recruiting. Now Buffalo is no longer a pushover, but this is a rebuilding year, and the defense with 8 starters back has to carry this team.
4. Temple-My joke of the NCAA, Temple is best known as Bill Cosby's alma mater. They were kicked out of the Big East b/c they were horrible and used to bring in homeless people to fill the stands while they recruited football players. The Fighting Bill Cosby's under head coach Al Golden have a conference, and an impressive return with 15 starters back, 9 on defense. Temple would be higher if they had a proven track record of winning, but I think they are on the verge of being good.
5. Bowling Green-The Falcons haven't flown so high lately, but 1st year HC Dave Clawson hopes to bring back the intensity they had when Urban Meyer was there. The good news is that the future is bright. But they will take some lumps this year breaking in a new coach.
6. Kent St-The alma mater of Lou Holtz and Nick Saban has a lot of work to do. Doug Martin may be out this year, unless the Golden Flashes can pull it together. If the Flashes Special Teams can improve, it may be another long year, but the positives outweigh the negatives this year-15 starters return (8 on offense).
7. Miami, OH-Mike Haywood steps in after being at the 3 biggest programs in college football the last 15 years (LSU, Texas, and Notre Dame). He has a big task ahead of him as the Redhawks are in a rebuilding phase. Former Texas and LSU DC Carl Reese should get the defense up to speed, as this is a team to watch out for in the future.
MAC West
1. Central Michigan-WHat do you call a team that returns all of its weapons on offense, 10 defensive starters and losing only 10 lettermen from last years team? No it isn't Florida (the numbers are close) but the Chippewas have had that type of success and could replicate it like thye did in 2006. All the big playmakers on both sides are back, and this could be a special year. The 1st 2 games though-Arizona and Michigan St are tough tests.
2. Toledo-Holy Toledo! Okay, bad joke aside (sorry :( ) the Rockets break in Tim Beckman who replaces Tom Amstutz who is moving up to the AD job. Despite going 3-9 last year, the system isn't changing and that is good news for the 16 returning starters (9 on offense).
3. Northern Illinois-Jerry Kill has the coolest name of any coach in College Football, and when he played the game in his younger days. The Huskies can be a breakout team, but only 4 starters are back on Defense, and 7 on offense. It may be another year for the Huskies to break out of the fold, but they should be better in year 2 of the Kill era.
4. Western Michigan-Bill Cubit has had his teams come close to big things here, abut this is a tough task this year. The Broncos have 10 starters back, with 7 on offense but only 3 back on defense. This is a tough team to call, but I am going a bit pessimist here, only because the numbers don't favor the Broncos.
5. Eastern Michigan-Ron English has the task of getting things looking up for the Eagles. The good news is he is a good defensive coach and recruits in state fairly well (Former Michigan DC). He has brought an NFL type defense and offense to the Eagles, and has 17 returning starters, which may not mean much, but if they grasp the new systems thay should be decent and make a jump to 6-6.
6. Ball State-The best college name now that Beaver College changed its name, the Fighting David Letterman's gave him something to be proud of a year ago, but now have a new HC in Stan Parrish, who 6 years as a HC in other schools has a total to 2 wins. He follows a pattern of being an assistant to a successful coach who takes over when that coach leaves for what that coach thinks is a better job. Looks like Ball State won't be on Letterman's top 10 list this year.
MAC Championship Game
Ohio vs Central Michigan
MAC Champ
Central Michigan
2009 Conference USA Preview
C-USA is not exactly a BCS conference, but it does have a couple of Giant Killers in Southern Miss, Tulsa and last years one hit wonder East Carolina who knocked off Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Yet this could still field a team in a BCS Bowl game, provided that one can go unbeaten, or a damn good one loss team. Having a conference championship game helps, but to be a contender, they may need to drop the Liberty Bowl or move it until on or after January 1 to help give them more of a high profile.
C-USA East
1. Southern Miss-Not only known for being a giant killer and Brett Favre's alma mater, the Golden Eagles enter Larry Fedora's 2nd season as HC, and have a lot of weapons returning-19, the most in the conference. The schedule also favors the Eagles with a late season showdown at East Carolina that could decide the East. The schedule only features 1 potential NC big timer in Kansas, so this could be the year the Golden Eagles make it to the big show-if they stay healthy.
2. East Carolina-Skip Holtz and his Pirates pulled a couple of big upsets, yet faltered down the stretch and found a way to win C-USA. The problems for the Pirates this season may be the defense-they are near last in yards allowed. The offense is in great shape however and it looks like shootouts are going to be plentiful this year.
3. UCF-George O'Leary's team flip flops more than a politician. One year they have a winning season, the next the basement. I'll take the winning season this year, they have a tough Defense and a young offense last year is more veteran this year. Odd numbered years favor the Knights, but with Southern and East Carolina in strong shape, the Knights don't go the Championship game this year.
4. Marhsall-Gone are the days that Chad Pennington hooked up with Randy Moss for big TD passes, and the Thundering Herd being one of the most impressive teams in Div I-A. But those days could soon come back. Mark Snyder is on a warm, if not hot seat this year, but with 16 startes back, the Thundering Herd could break out this season.
5. UAB-Neil Callaway enters year 3 with one of the most starter heavy teams in C-USA, returning all 11 on Offense and 7 on defense. The bad news, well they went 4-8 with this bunch a year ago. The good news is for Callaway year 3 in his offenses have put up big numbers (Georgia and Alabama are proof). This scrappy team could be at .500 or better this year.
6. Memphis-Tommy West may be out if things don't change quickly. While his offenses are exciting, the wins don't show up. The Tigers return 12 starters this year (7 on defense) and the limited offense experience is going to show. Don't be surprised if West is out before the end of the season.
C-USA West
1. Houston-This is year 2 of the Kevin Sumlin era, and the Cougars may just be hte best team you haven't heard of. Even though the defense returns a paltry 4 starters, but have 5 senior starters on that unit, and they are hungry. I am giving the Cougars the edge, despite road trips at UTEP and Tulsa, because this is a very talented team.
2. Tulsa-The Golden Hurricanes can trip up bigger powers than they are in any sport. This year Todd Graham has his hands full, as only 5 starters return on offense, while his defense should carry them this year with 8 back on that side. Big game is Sept 19 when they travel to Norman to face off against Oklahoma.
3. UTEP=Mike Price has done a great job transforming a losing program into a respectable one here in El Paso. 15 starters (8 on offense) coming back is good news for the Miners, but WR ?'s linger on the offense, while the defense has a couple of DB's converted to LB. I think they have the talent to win the division, but that's why they play the games.
4. Tulane-My first shock pick here, as universally Tulane is last. I have a bit more optimisim about the Green Wave because of HC Bob Toledo. He has done a great job recruiting, and has 13 starters, with 7 on offense that includes the QB and RB. The athletes are there for the Greenies, but they still have a way to go.
5. Rice-Often the but of jokes, this has had recent success. The Defense has to carry the Owls this season (9 back) while the offense has only 4 back on a team that went 10-3 last year. The Owls have a lot of growing up to do, but expect a contender in 2010.
6. SMU-June Jones is trying to get the program to the success of the 1980's without the NCAA probations that killed the program later in that decade. The problem last year is that SMU switched from an option oriented attack to the Run and Shoot, and that hurt this team. The defense was average, but being put in bad situations meant short field situations a plenty. While they will be more competitive, don't expect a miracle turnaround in 2009.
C-USA Championship Game
Southern Miss vs Houston
Southern Miss overall champion
C-USA East
1. Southern Miss-Not only known for being a giant killer and Brett Favre's alma mater, the Golden Eagles enter Larry Fedora's 2nd season as HC, and have a lot of weapons returning-19, the most in the conference. The schedule also favors the Eagles with a late season showdown at East Carolina that could decide the East. The schedule only features 1 potential NC big timer in Kansas, so this could be the year the Golden Eagles make it to the big show-if they stay healthy.
2. East Carolina-Skip Holtz and his Pirates pulled a couple of big upsets, yet faltered down the stretch and found a way to win C-USA. The problems for the Pirates this season may be the defense-they are near last in yards allowed. The offense is in great shape however and it looks like shootouts are going to be plentiful this year.
3. UCF-George O'Leary's team flip flops more than a politician. One year they have a winning season, the next the basement. I'll take the winning season this year, they have a tough Defense and a young offense last year is more veteran this year. Odd numbered years favor the Knights, but with Southern and East Carolina in strong shape, the Knights don't go the Championship game this year.
4. Marhsall-Gone are the days that Chad Pennington hooked up with Randy Moss for big TD passes, and the Thundering Herd being one of the most impressive teams in Div I-A. But those days could soon come back. Mark Snyder is on a warm, if not hot seat this year, but with 16 startes back, the Thundering Herd could break out this season.
5. UAB-Neil Callaway enters year 3 with one of the most starter heavy teams in C-USA, returning all 11 on Offense and 7 on defense. The bad news, well they went 4-8 with this bunch a year ago. The good news is for Callaway year 3 in his offenses have put up big numbers (Georgia and Alabama are proof). This scrappy team could be at .500 or better this year.
6. Memphis-Tommy West may be out if things don't change quickly. While his offenses are exciting, the wins don't show up. The Tigers return 12 starters this year (7 on defense) and the limited offense experience is going to show. Don't be surprised if West is out before the end of the season.
C-USA West
1. Houston-This is year 2 of the Kevin Sumlin era, and the Cougars may just be hte best team you haven't heard of. Even though the defense returns a paltry 4 starters, but have 5 senior starters on that unit, and they are hungry. I am giving the Cougars the edge, despite road trips at UTEP and Tulsa, because this is a very talented team.
2. Tulsa-The Golden Hurricanes can trip up bigger powers than they are in any sport. This year Todd Graham has his hands full, as only 5 starters return on offense, while his defense should carry them this year with 8 back on that side. Big game is Sept 19 when they travel to Norman to face off against Oklahoma.
3. UTEP=Mike Price has done a great job transforming a losing program into a respectable one here in El Paso. 15 starters (8 on offense) coming back is good news for the Miners, but WR ?'s linger on the offense, while the defense has a couple of DB's converted to LB. I think they have the talent to win the division, but that's why they play the games.
4. Tulane-My first shock pick here, as universally Tulane is last. I have a bit more optimisim about the Green Wave because of HC Bob Toledo. He has done a great job recruiting, and has 13 starters, with 7 on offense that includes the QB and RB. The athletes are there for the Greenies, but they still have a way to go.
5. Rice-Often the but of jokes, this has had recent success. The Defense has to carry the Owls this season (9 back) while the offense has only 4 back on a team that went 10-3 last year. The Owls have a lot of growing up to do, but expect a contender in 2010.
6. SMU-June Jones is trying to get the program to the success of the 1980's without the NCAA probations that killed the program later in that decade. The problem last year is that SMU switched from an option oriented attack to the Run and Shoot, and that hurt this team. The defense was average, but being put in bad situations meant short field situations a plenty. While they will be more competitive, don't expect a miracle turnaround in 2009.
C-USA Championship Game
Southern Miss vs Houston
Southern Miss overall champion
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