WHAT TO WATCH IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL THIS YEAR

[Phoenix]

WHAT'LL BE THE MOST EXCITING, CLOSELY CONTESTED CONFERENCE THIS YEAR - I VOTE SEC

[GrantDawg]

Stop yelling.

[Phoenix]

sorry - guess I was a bit excited

[dawgfan]

The WAC.

[Blade6119]

Every expert ive read has said the PAC 10 is the closest top to bottom conference, and its prob. the most exciting conference to watch.

[Neuqua]

MAC baby!

[dawgfan]

Every expert ive read has said the PAC 10 is the closest top to bottom conference, and its prob. the most exciting conference to watch.
I think after the top 2-3 teams the Pac is going to be a toss-up, but I think it's pretty much going to be a 2-horse race at the top between USC and Cal. ASU has an outside shot to make things interesting if they can get over the QB controversy. Others think the Ducks can be a factor, but I'm not sold on Dixon & Leaf and they lost a lot of studs and starters off their defense, so I think they'll regress this year.

I'd still give the edge to USC based off the saltiness of their defense this year and the pure talent still there on offense - if the OL turns out OK, the running game should be fine and that means Booty or Sanchez just has to get the ball in the hands of the super-stud WR they have in Jarrett, Turner, Smith and Lewis.

[Blade6119]

I think after the top 2-3 teams the Pac is going to be a toss-up, but I think it's pretty much going to be a 2-horse race at the top between USC and Cal. ASU has an outside shot to make things interesting if they can get over the QB controversy. Others think the Ducks can be a factor, but I'm not sold on Dixon & Leaf and they lost a lot of studs and starters off their defense, so I think they'll regress this year.

I'd still give the edge to USC based off the saltiness of their defense this year and the pure talent still there on offense - if the OL turns out OK, the running game should be fine and that means Booty or Sanchez just has to get the ball in the hands of the super-stud WR they have in Jarrett, Turner, Smith and Lewis.
I think Oregon's new RB, Jonathan Stewart, is going to be a beast in time. When he comes around, i think the ducks will to. I think Cal really will win the title. I think soo many of their players are elite, yet underrated, and i think they take it as Longshore has potential at QB.

USC/ASU will both have good seasons, and beat most other squads...but im calling the upset with a cal title

[Greyroofoo]

dola for the MAC.

Toledo Rockets will OWN!

[General Mike]

Leonardmania is running wild.

[cthomer5000]

Leonardmania is running wild.
Yes. Watch for Brian Leonard (of Rutgers), that's my only suggestion. The guy is a freaking beast. I'm honestly thinking he ends up going in the late mid-to-late 2nd round next april. He's really that good.

[DanGarion]

I think the correct phrasing of the question is.

what watch in college football this year?

[RendeR]

THe Ohio State - Texas rematch in Texas will decide the National Champion. I think the buckeyes return the favor this year and steal a win down south and ride the emotional high to another title.

[Phoenix]

I think Oregon's new RB, Jonathan Stewart, is going to be a beast in time. When he comes around, i think the ducks will to. I think Cal really will win the title. I think soo many of their players are elite, yet underrated, and i think they take it as Longshore has potential at QB.

USC/ASU will both have good seasons, and beat most other squads...but im calling the upset with a cal title

Cal is definitely underrated

[Ragone]

Leonardmania is running wild.

hopefully next time rutgers comes to louisville, they'll keep the players off the mid field emblem :)

[Noop]

Florida State versus Rutgers for the national title.

[Joe]

THe Ohio State - Texas rematch in Texas will decide the National Champion. I think the buckeyes return the favor this year and steal a win down south and ride the emotional high to another title.

Agree

[Dr. Sak]

THe Ohio State - Texas rematch in Texas will decide the National Champion. I think the buckeyes return the favor this year and steal a win down south and ride the emotional high to another title.

So the Ohio State Defense that lost their entire secondary and 3 top notch LBs from last year is going to be able to hang with Texas and Michigan? Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr are the only reason the Buckeyes are ranked as high as they are. They have a ton of question marks on defense.

Personally I think there are going to be around 4 or 5 one loss teams at the end of the year. And the fight to get in the BCS title game is going to be epic. I also believe that WVU has the best chance of going undefeated. They have a lot of talent offensively (White and Slanton) and are really fun to watch. IMO Auburn is the best team in the country but getting out the SEC alive is going to be no easy task in itself.

[Logan]

hopefully next time rutgers comes to louisville, they'll keep the players off the mid field emblem :)

Most overblown incident the uneducated assholes at ESPN ever came up with.

[cthomer5000]

Most overblown incident the uneducated assholes at ESPN ever came up with.

Easily.

[IMetTrentGreen]

sec, i agree, but personally i'll be watching the adrian peterson/jamaal charles contest for best running back in the country.

i think jamaal wins.

[Scoobz0202]

So the Ohio State Defense that lost their entire secondary and 3 top notch LBs from last year is going to be able to hang with Texas and Michigan?

Yes. Their defense may be weaker, but they finally have what I believe to be an explosive offense. Also, they did VERY good in filling in a lot of their defensive players they lost with recruits.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Conference USA ok

[HerRealName]

So the Ohio State Defense that lost their entire secondary and 3 top notch LBs from last year is going to be able to hang with Texas and Michigan? Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr are the only reason the Buckeyes are ranked as high as they are. They have a ton of question marks on defense.


tOSU's front 7 is going to be very good. The defensive line in particular is going to be top notch. I have concerns over the secondary but I'm not sure how much Texas will be able to exploit that weakness with such an inexperienced QB. Texas does have some great WRs though so it is a matchup to watch in a couple weeks. It should be a great game.

By the Michigan game, the youngsters on defense will be all grown up and with the game at the Shoe, I like Ohio State's chances. I think the Iowa and MSU games could be dicey though.

[HerRealName]

DOLA - As for the original question, I agree with those mentioning the SEC. The ACC and Big Ten should also be interesting races to watch. I don't see anyone finishing ahead of USC in the Pac 10 and the Big 12 will effectively be decided by one game.

[st.cronin]

Conference USA ok

Go Army!

[Pumpy Tudors]

Go Army!
army gone

they gone back to being independent

i hearing memphis not being as good without deangelo william at rb

[st.cronin]

army gone

they gone back to being independent

i hearing memphis not being as good without deangelo william at rb

Ok, then - Go Louisville!

[WVUFAN]

Ok, then - Go Louisville!

I agree, go Cardinals ... until they meet WVU.

[Dr. Sak]

I have concerns over the secondary but I'm not sure how much Texas will be able to exploit that weakness with such an inexperienced QB. Texas does have some great WRs though so it is a matchup to watch in a couple weeks. It should be a great game.

I agree with you there. Texas also has a really goodoffensive line. The Texas vs OSU match up is going to be a good one but I don't think it decides a spot in the National Title like mentioned above. You can look at each team in the Top 15 to 20 and find a weakness or two in each. That is why I am so excited for this season. So many teams have the ability to play in the BCS Title game.

[Abe Sargent]

Can WVU live up to the hype and expectations?

[WVUFAN]

Can WVU live up to the hype and expectations?

I've been a fan for many years, so I can say this with the utmost confidence: probably not. They have a tendency to choke when they're supposed to be good.

[lynchjm24]

Most overblown incident the uneducated assholes at ESPN ever came up with.

While I don't disagree it was overblown, I would venture a guess that if I watched tonight there would be something even stupider that is more overblown.

[Logan]

While I don't disagree it was overblown, I would venture a guess that if I watched tonight there would be something even stupider that is more overblown.

Understood.

It just bothers me that ESPN decided to jump on something that they had no fucking clue about. "Yes, see that punt returner standing at midfield, that everyone is rushing to as he prepares to catch it? And when he catches it, they all crowd around him and jump around to pump themselves up, which is what they do every game, home or away? Let's cut into the picture only during the 'jump around' segment and tell the viewing public that Rutgers is disrespecting Louisville by STOMPING on their logo! Great TV!"

Fuckin morons.

[Ragone]

Understood.

It just bothers me that ESPN decided to jump on something that they had no fucking clue about. "Yes, see that punt returner standing at midfield, that everyone is rushing to as he prepares to catch it? And when he catches it, they all crowd around him and jump around to pump themselves up, which is what they do every game, home or away? Let's cut into the picture only during the 'jump around' segment and tell the viewing public that Rutgers is disrespecting Louisville by STOMPING on their logo! Great TV!"

Fuckin morons.

i'm gonna try and find a youtube of it.. but if i recall they were stamping/stomping.. not jumping

if i'm wrong.. i'm wrong.. but thats just how i recall it

[JonInMiddleGA]

Fuckin morons.

Actually, I'd say that would apply to the Rutgers players who never considered that an opponent might just find a little motivation in their antics too.

[Ragone]

Actually, I'd say that would apply to the Rutgers players who never considered that an opponent might just find a little motivation in their antics too.
Save the classless, senseless pre-game act of dancing on the opposition’s logo for games with Buffalo or Villanova. Performing that routine against Louisville makes about as much sense as taunting a large and hungry animal. The Cardinals did all the stomping once the game began, embarrassing the Scarlet Knights 56-5. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano defended his team’s actions, but admitted he understood how a team could take it the wrong way.

If the coach admits another team could take it the wrong way.. why do it..
its kinda like saying "i know this is gonna sound bad.. but" nothing good ever comes after that statement

[Logan]

Actually, I'd say that would apply to the Rutgers players who never considered that an opponent might just find a little motivation in their antics too.

Whatever. That "tradition" has been in place for 5 seasons, since Schiano got here. Not once has anyone ever complained about it or called it classless. The fact remains that it wasn't a controversy until ESPN came back from a commercial to show the "stomping" that had taken place minutes earlier, without showing everything that led up to it.

Save the classless, senseless pre-game act of dancing on the opposition’s logo for games with Buffalo or Villanova. Performing that routine against Louisville makes about as much sense as taunting a large and hungry animal. The Cardinals did all the stomping once the game began, embarrassing the Scarlet Knights 56-5. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano defended his team’s actions, but admitted he understood how a team could take it the wrong way.

If the coach admits another team could take it the wrong way.. why do it..
its kinda like saying "i know this is gonna sound bad.. but" nothing good ever comes after that statement

If it's so senseless and classless, why do you advocate doing it against a lesser opponent? Don't they deserve the same amount of respect?

Yes they kicked our ass that game, even doing it without Michael Bush. But if you think any of it had to do with Louisville being angry, and not because they have one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country, while RUs pass D is among the worst, you're kidding yourself.

So why did Schiano say that? Because he's a politician, and its the right thing to say. If he had a big problem with it, he never would've allowed it to begin 5 years ago.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The fact remains that it wasn't a controversy until ESPN came back from a commercial to show the "stomping" that had taken place minutes earlier, without showing everything that led up to it.

Which doesn't matter one bit.

What mattered was how Louisville took it, and judging from their comments in various articles after the game, it was definitely an additional motivation for them (I gather they're particularly sensitive about it since it had been done a couple of times previously by other teams or something).

Obviously additional motivation was not something they needed, as you yourself pointed out in your post, so why on earth would anybody in their right minds give it to them?

And if Schiano is so okay with it, why was he quoted as saying that the ritual would be moved to the end zone in the future? If he's just being a politician about it and doesn't really think it's a bad idea to give a superior opponent additional motivation then he's as dumb as the players who supplied it in the first place.

[Logan]

Which doesn't matter one bit.

What mattered was how Louisville took it, and judging from their comments in various articles after the game, it was definitely an additional motivation for them (I gather they're particularly sensitive about it since it had been done a couple of times previously by other teams or something).

Obviously additional motivation was not something they needed, as you yourself pointed out in your post, so why on earth would anybody in their right minds give it to them?

And if Schiano is so okay with it, why was he quoted as saying that the ritual would be moved to the end zone in the future? If he's just being a politician about it and doesn't really think it's a bad idea to give a superior opponent additional motivation then he's as dumb as the players who supplied it in the first place.

I could care less about how Louisville took it, because just like in anything else, it doesn't take much for a person to take something the wrong way. Hell, there were some idiots here in NY that took offense to a rookie high-fiving fans between innings after he hit a huge HR in his 5th major league game.

My point is, once you start worrying about how someone could interpret something, you're screwed. Because even if you change how you've done things, someone will find a way to get pissed. You said Schiano was quoted saying that it would be moved to the endzone (which, by the way, never happened...they kept up with their tradition the following week). But what happens if they did move it...now, they're "stomping" on the smaller bird logo in the endzone. Could someone take offense to that? Absolutely, and now you're screwed this way.

Teams will always look for extra motivation before a game. That's why opposing players' quotes are placed on bulletin boards. Football is a high-emotion game, and a good coach will find every little thing to rile up their team. This incident was just one more example of that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

(which, by the way, never happened...they kept up with their tradition the following week).

I wondered about that, but didn't see any other references one way or the other when Googling it.

and a good coach will find every little thing to rile up their team.

Pretty much my point. I just don't think a very smart coach goes out of his way to make it easy for the other guy to accomplish that.

But hey, he's your problem, not mine. I have an incompetent head coach & an an utterly clueless OC to worry about, and that's really plenty already ;)

[Logan]

I wondered about that, but didn't see any other references one way or the other when Googling it.



Pretty much my point. I just don't think a very smart coach goes out of his way to make it easy for the other guy to accomplish that.

But hey, he's your problem, not mine. I have an incompetent head coach & an an utterly clueless OC to worry about, and that's really plenty already ;)

Well I'll disagree with you about "going out of his way." It's more like "I started this, and I'm not going to end it just because we received an ass-kicking."

The guy's a brilliant recruiter. The amount of talent he brought in when we were so down was remarkable. Now his success in that area is starting to pay off on the field, which is bringing in more recruits. Our class this year is on our way to being our best ever, as he's loading up with the best big uglies in NJ, a year after he stocked us with potential studs at the skill positions. But with that, its becoming more important that he improve his gameday coaching, as that's what will take us to the next level. He has a habit of making one truely remarkably bad decision a year, and that has to stop, since the program is at the point where one game could mean everything.

[Vegas Vic]

What to watch for?

All of the experts who are predicting Texas to play for the national championship again this year will have a case of mass amnesia at the end of the season, saying that the Longhorns were due to have a rocky season with a freshman quarterback at the helm.

[IMetTrentGreen]

who is picking texas? the strawmen you build don't count.

sooners are pretty stupid already, but texas wins one mnc and suddenly you guys turn into out and out retards about us.

[scooper]

Personally I think there are going to be around 4 or 5 one loss teams at the end of the year. And the fight to get in the BCS title game is going to be epic.

This sums up my thoughts pretty much. There is no team among the top that doesn't have some big questions to answer. And each "contender" has some major traps in their schedule (save for WVU.) This could be the year that gives up a big pile of 1 loss teams to choose from.

And before anyone cites this situation as a failure for the BCS, remember this is the reason the formula exists-for the years when there is a tough decision to be made about who makes the game. It's easy to choose when two teams finish undefeated.

That said, even a 1-4, 2-3, plus one playoff would be a better system.

[Fighter of Foo]

who is picking texas? the strawmen you build don't count.

sooners are pretty stupid already, but texas wins one mnc and suddenly you guys turn into out and out retards about us.

Every poll I've seen has Texas in the top 5

[Celeval]

who is picking texas? the strawmen you build don't count.

sooners are pretty stupid already, but texas wins one mnc and suddenly you guys turn into out and out retards about us.

Yeah.. the random ESPN program I saw this weekend had OSU and Texas playing for the Nat. Championship as well ("what if there was a playoff..."). Texas is good, but I can't see them losing less than twice in the regular season.

[Warhammer]

army gone

they gone back to being independent

i hearing memphis not being as good without deangelo william at rb

I think Memphis will be good this year. The defense should be much improved, and provided they can find a QB that can get the ball to their WRs, they'll be in great shape.

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm thinking the Solecismic 8 is gonna be tough to top this year.

[scooper]

I'm thinking the Solecismic 8 is gonna be tough to top this year.

The Anchorage-Kodiak showdown looms huge and could have BCS implications.

[JeeberD]

Conference USA ok

I know you're joking, but the CUSA West race between UTEP, Tulsa, and Houston should be very close and exciting.

[MylesKnight]

Jeebs, and Golden Eagle, good luck to your schools (UTEP and Memphis) in OOC play.

At this point, my biggest thought is will there be football in the Sunshine State this weekend? We've got the big game (UCF/Villanova) :), Florida/Southern Miss, USF/McNeese State, and Miami/FSU on Monday Night.

Go Away Ernesto!! How about a year or two of no hurricanes for a change.

[DanGarion]

HRm Phoenix is a "Registered User" interesting...

[Pumpy Tudors]

I know you're joking, but the CUSA West race between UTEP, Tulsa, and Houston should be very close and exciting.
I remember the good old days when Memphis was at least as competitive as Houston. Too bad the Tigers don't have an experienced running back anymore. :(

(DeAngelo -- never forget)

[Galaxy]

Who plays this Thrusday and Saturday?

[hitmanwa]

And who is Texas going to loose to? tOSU is the only real question I think. UT is loaded save the QB position and I still think most will be suprised with McCoy...I may be wrong but that's just my opinion.

[JeeberD]

Who plays this Thrusday and Saturday?

UTEP at San Diego State this Thursday at 9:30pm CST

That's the only game that matters, right? ;)

[digamma]

Early thing to watch for in Saturday's Notre Dame-Georgia Tech game is how often Kenny Scott is matched up against Samardalkjoaua. In the Tenuta years at Tech, the Jackets have made a living off of a blitz scheme backed by zone defense. If Tech plays predominantly zone against ND, I think Quinn will pick them apart. However, Scott has developed into one of the best corners in the ACC, battling with Mr. Johnson every day at practice. If he's able to lock up "Jeff S." and the Jackets can shut down McKnight by committee on the other side, the vaunted Notre Dame offense might not get off to the start ESPN has been hyping.

[dawgfan]

In a game that about 5 people in the country will care about, Washington opens at home against San Jose State on Saturday. If the Huskies can't win this one, it's gonna be another looooooong season in Montlake...

[WSUCougar]

In a game that about 5 people in the country will care about, Washington opens at home against San Jose State on Saturday. If the Huskies can't win this one, it's gonna be another looooooong season in Montlake...
I care. Really, I do.

Please pull for us against Auburn. Heh. :p

[GoldenEagle]

I remember the good old days when Memphis was at least as competitive as Houston. Too bad the Tigers don't have an experienced running back anymore. :(

(DeAngelo -- never forget)

Memphis will never, ever lose to Houston again in football.

This year, Memphis will be throwing the ball much more. We have three QB's and the starter Hankins is going to be good. Plus, we have some excellent receivers.

The D-line is suppose to much deeper and better. That will help JLD with his crazy defensive schemes.

[Vegas Vic]

who is picking texas? the strawmen you build don't count.

Quite a few preseason previews have Texas ranked #1, and almost all of them have Texas in the top two or three teams, including most of the members of the FOFC forum:

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=52073

This, in spite of the fact that the starting QB for Texas has never taken a snap in a college game and still has peach fuzz over his upper lip.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3427/mccoyvv6.jpg

[BishopMVP]

Early thing to watch for in Saturday's Notre Dame-Georgia Tech game is how often Kenny Scott is matched up against Samardalkjoaua. In the Tenuta years at Tech, the Jackets have made a living off of a blitz scheme backed by zone defense. If Tech plays predominantly zone against ND, I think Quinn will pick them apart. However, Scott has developed into one of the best corners in the ACC, battling with Mr. Johnson every day at practice. If he's able to lock up "Jeff S." and the Jackets can shut down McKnight by committee on the other side, the vaunted Notre Dame offense might not get off to the start ESPN has been hyping.As a Notre Dame fan, I must confess I think Samardzija is the most overhyped/overrated WR in the nation (actually, and I know OSU fans will jump on me for this, but 2nd most overrated to Ted Ginn Jr.) If McKnight didn't lose anything from surgery, Samardzija isn't even the best WR on the team. Both are clearly a notch below the Calvin Johnson category of elite WR's, and draft day will prove that. That being said, what might make them better college receivers is Charlie Weis, and to a lesser extent Brady Quinn. I haven't read up on GT, so Scott may be amazing, but remember Weis runs the New England offense, so they'll pick apart any mismatches, and if Scott is as good as you say, they'll just go to the other WR's/TE/Darius Walker out of the backfield. I think a much more important match-up is seeing whether ND's new starters on the O-line can give Quinn time to throw and exploit the holes.

On the other side of the ball, I think our defense, especially the secondary, is a bit underrated at this point. Last year was Ndukwe's first at Safety, and Ambrose Wooden was essentially a RS Freshman last year. Zbikowski everyone knows about (although making him 1st team AA is again a joke.) Then there is Mike Richardson, and um, well, I hope he doesn't get matched up against Johnson. But a lot of the problems in the secondary came from a lack of a pass rush, and that should be much improved this year. Victor Abiamiri is a beast and should be a 1st round pick next April.

[scooper]

As a Notre Dame fan, I must confess I think Samardzija is the most overhyped/overrated WR in the nation (actually, and I know OSU fans will jump on me for this, but 2nd most overrated to Ted Ginn Jr.) If McKnight didn't lose anything from surgery, Samardzija isn't even the best WR on the team. Both are clearly a notch below the Calvin Johnson category of elite WR's, and draft day will prove that. That being said, what might make them better college receivers is Charlie Weis, and to a lesser extent Brady Quinn. I haven't read up on GT, so Scott may be amazing, but remember Weis runs the New England offense, so they'll pick apart any mismatches, and if Scott is as good as you say, they'll just go to the other WR's/TE/Darius Walker out of the backfield. I think a much more important match-up is seeing whether ND's new starters on the O-line can give Quinn time to throw and exploit the holes.

On the other side of the ball, I think our defense, especially the secondary, is a bit underrated at this point. Last year was Ndukwe's first at Safety, and Ambrose Wooden was essentially a RS Freshman last year. Zbikowski everyone knows about (although making him 1st team AA is again a joke.) Then there is Mike Richardson, and um, well, I hope he doesn't get matched up against Johnson. But a lot of the problems in the secondary came from a lack of a pass rush, and that should be much improved this year. Victor Abiamiri is a beast and should be a 1st round pick next April.

Overhyped, maybe. But not overrated. If you get a chance, watch the highlight video that's floating around the ND boards right now. Samardzija made some spectactular athletic catches that most WR's would not make. Quinn is a very good QB, but his receivers gave him some help last year on some over and underthrown balls. Outside of the OSU game, he has tremendous hands, a must for a great WR and the Shark is also faster than a lot of people give him credit for.

That said, you're right about Rhema McKnight. Other fans may not realize it, but he was the best WR on ND's roster last season pre-injury. Now that he's healthy, they will not miss a beat with him in the offense. If anything, he gives them a bigger threat to take a shorter pass the distance than Samardzija and Stovall ever did.

You are also right about the defense. The backfield was young and often out of position. But they are not as slow as the national media makes them out to be. That's lazy journalism. It all boils down to the pass rush. That aspect was awful last year and if it doesn't improve, the defense will have a long season.

[Butter]

As a Notre Dame fan, I must confess I think Samardzija is the most overhyped/overrated WR in the nation (actually, and I know OSU fans will jump on me for this, but 2nd most overrated to Ted Ginn Jr.).

Nah, Ginn is overrated. Anthony Gonzalez, on the other hand.... not so much.

[Ksyrup]

Unfortunately, I'll likely be watching way too much UK football and having to follow FSU online.

[WSUCougar]

Unfortunately, I'll likely be watching way too much UK football and having to follow FSU online.
Speaking of UK football, I was watching a bit of preseason NFL last weekend, and saw Lorenzen (sp.?) play. He's still a marvel to look at...a 280-pound QB who looks like the fat kid from junior high school.

[BishopMVP]

Overhyped, maybe. But not overrated. If you get a chance, watch the highlight video that's floating around the ND boards right now. Samardzija made some spectactular athletic catches that most WR's would not make. Quinn is a very good QB, but his receivers gave him some help last year on some over and underthrown balls. Outside of the OSU game, he has tremendous hands, a must for a great WR and the Shark is also faster than a lot of people give him credit for.I watched all the games last year, so I saw the catches and know what he can do, and for the record I still like him a lot. But when I see people on ESPN (Herbstreit, Maisel) putting him as a preseason 1st-team AA, and the #1 WR in the nation, that's overrated. I guess it kind of evens out with the other half hating everything ND (May, Corso). And Quinn is a little overrated too. There are probably 6-7 QB's that could do just as well with 2 years under Weis (#1 on my list would be Chris Leak. Just imagine if Urban Meyer had come to ND and forced Quinn to run that offense.)

So basically, just so I get my opinions/biases out there - Samardzija=Very good, top 10 receiver, but not #1; Quinn=Same; Weis=Best offensive coach alive.

And to contribute something not related to ND, I really like LSU this year. Tough schedule, but even with one loss they have a good shot of playing in the BCS title game.

[Butter]

Who is Lorenzen playing for?

[Ksyrup]

I think he's actually got a good shot at backing up with the Giants, from what little I heard during the Giants game that was on TV last week.

[Ksyrup]

Here's an article about his chances:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/specials/preview/2006/08/26/bc.fbn.giantsquarterbac.ap/index.html

[scooper]

I watched all the games last year, so I saw the catches and know what he can do, and for the record I still like him a lot. But when I see people on ESPN (Herbstreit, Maisel) putting him as a preseason 1st-team AA, and the #1 WR in the nation, that's overrated. I guess it kind of evens out with the other half hating everything ND (May, Corso). And Quinn is a little overrated too. There are probably 6-7 QB's that could do just as well with 2 years under Weis (#1 on my list would be Chris Leak. Just imagine if Urban Meyer had come to ND and forced Quinn to run that offense.)

So basically, just so I get my opinions/biases out there - Samardzija=Very good, top 10 receiver, but not #1; Quinn=Same; Weis=Best offensive coach alive.

And to contribute something not related to ND, I really like LSU this year. Tough schedule, but even with one loss they have a good shot of playing in the BCS title game.

I don't think he's the #1 WR. I like Calvin Johnson and Duane Jarrett a lot. However, being a preseason All American is not far fetched considering he was a post season All American last year. All American lists are not scouting lists.

I do think Quinn is that good. But he has things to tighten up. Actually, I thought he was a much better passer down the stretch than he was early. In spite of a high completion percentage, for example, he was a bit off in the Michigan game. He overthrew some wide open guys over the middle that probably would have continued drives that would have left no doubt in that game.

And while I agree, others would do that well in Weis' system, there is a minimal amount of physical ability needed and I think Quinn far exceeds that level of ability.

[dawgfan]

Please pull for us against Auburn. Heh. :p
Opening at Auburn? Ouch, that'll be a tough one.

I generally root for the Cougs 10 games out of 11 each year. Good luck in the opener - that'd be a hell of a boost for the Pac-10 to steal an upset in SEC territory...

[Ksyrup]

So what games are going on this weekend? I know of 3 - ND/GT on Saturday night, UK/Louisville on Sunday night, and FSU/POS on Monday night. Are those basically the only good games? I guess the season crept up on me, or maybe it's because the NFL doesn't start for another week, but I didn't realize the season got started this weekend (other than the games I mentioned above).

[dawgfan]

Cal at Tennessee should be a good guage for both teams.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I just looked at the schedule for Saturday. I had no idea there were so many games going on. I always think of the first college football weekend as having very few games, but then again, I recall that first weekend occurring in August, and it'll be September this weekend. I'm only really concerned with the FSU game on Monday (although I guess I have to get into the Bluegrass spirit and watch Sunday night's game as well).

[Ksyrup]

Well shit, here I am all surprised at the weekend schedule, and there are a bunch of games tomorrow. Looks like 2 or 3 on ESPN.

[TazFTW]

Hawaii at 'bama today. A matchup of great offense vs great defense. It looks like the Warriors will bust out the Haka during pregame.

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXcXyWEgeY&NR

Hope it doesn't pump up 'bama more than it does the Warriors.