Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Big Week in the NCAA

With the season wrapping down, this is proving to be one of the better seasons in recent history, the emergence of new teams, the fall of others (Ohio State and Alabama) and you have a completely different landscape in the NCAA than you did just a year ago. Conferences are anything but static but none the less the matchups keep getting better. Some key games to look out for this week..

#7 Wisconsin Badgers (10-1) @ #8 Illinois Fighting Illini (10-1)

This one decides who wins the Leaders division which is deadlocked at the top with Wisconsin and the Illini with the winner of this game playing the championship game next week. Nathan Scheelhaase has seen his heisman momentum die down in recent weeks but his Illini are still fighting strong. The Badgers recovered after a hiccup against the Minnesota Gophers falling 26-38 and rebounded to put themselves in position to win the Big Ten. White is towards the top of the NCAA with 1228 Rushing yards and eleven touchdown rushes and will be the Illinis focus on the defensive end. The Badgers bring the highest scoring offense of the Big Ten in against an upstart Illini team that has been playing way above potential. This showdown in Champagne will be huge.

#9 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2) @ #11 Iowa Hawkeyes

The Nittany Lions travel to Iowa to face off against the Hawkeyes who after winning six straight fell by eight to the conference leading illini and suffered an upset loss to the Cornhuskers two weeks ago but they regained their momentum beating up on the Spartans. Iowa boasts one of the best running backs in the country in Johnson who is rushing for 1316 yards (7 YPC) and eleven touchdowns. On the flipside, the Penn State Nittany Lions are led by heisman frontrunner, Silas Redd whom has been dynamic all season. The Lions are eliminated from contending for an appearance in the Big Ten championship game, but if they knock off the Hawkeyes and the Gophers win, it would be a Wisconsin/Illini vs Minnesota Big Ten Championship. Iowa can clinch the division with a win, holding the tie breaker over the Gophers.

#1 Oregon State Beavers (11-0) @ #4 Oregon Ducks

This may be one of the biggest games in the history of this rivalry, the winner would most likely be in the drivers seat for the National Championship Game. There is no reason to deny that the Ducks would leapfrog the Broncos with a win into the NCG, where as the Beavers would love nothing more than close out the regular season by knocking off their instate rivals and put only one game between themselves and a national championship. Oregon State has one of the NCAA's best passing attacks and the Ducks have one of the best defenses in the league. In a showdown of Offense v. Defense, it will determine which team from the State of Oregon will be coming fourth as a favorite to play in the National Championship Game.

Arizona State Sundevils (8-3) @ #13 Utah Utes (9-2)

Whomever wins this game will be heading to the Pacific Twelve championship game to face the winner of the Oregon/Oregon State game, in a defacto Pac 12 South Championship Game, the Devils will travel to Utah to face the Utes whom won the Pacific Twelve two consecutive seasons and look to extend to a three peat. Utah hasn't been as dominant as they had been in previous seasons and the Sun Devils have been towards the top in the NCAA defensively. Could this be the fall of the Utes?

#16 Arkansas Razorbacks (8-3) @ #5 Louisiana State Tigers (10-1)

In another game deciding a division, the SEC West is wide open with the Tigers and Razorbacks at the top and they will meet in a season ending game. For the Tigers this could mean a national championship game birth if the chips fall in their favor. For the Razorbacks it means knocking off a rival and holding them out of a National Title Game. The Razorbacks will have their hands full as the Tigers have been one of the most consistently dominant teams throughout the season with their only loss to the Utah Utes, they have run an undefeated SEC tilt thus far and would love to bring a title back to the Bayou.

[Knickerbocker91]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Been silently following, enjoying reading this. Good luck with the rest of the season

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

The Gophers jar the ball loose

Huskers taking the opening punches and respond with a knockout

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) - The Gophers have had their bowl locked up for two weeks now since passing the six win mark. Yet things aren't as positive for the 5-6 Cornhuskers who despite being projected into a bowl still had to go into hostile territory and beat a team that has been playing on fire led by their star linebacker Brendon Beal. Things looking bleak through the first quarter but would get much better as the day progressed. The better team won today, their records a far cry from the true potential of their 6-6 squad.

Many had the Cornhuskers fighting for a Big Ten title this season, that would not happen however as the Huskers fell flat on their faces especially in conference play. Missing a bowl game could've easily meant Bo Pelini's job, a team this talented should be at least having their sights on a Rose Bowl birth, not just fighting for a bowl game to begin with. The Huskers had a lot to prove in this game and while beating a 7-5 Gopher team won't turn many heads they at least salvaged a very bad season.

It took under two minutes for the first score to occur, the Gophers moving seemingly effortlessly against the Cornhusker defense setting up a Tom Parish seven yard score to put them up 7-0. After a three and out on a long Husker drive it was the Gophers again moving the ball downfield but this time getting stopped and having to settle for a 42 yard field goal putting them up 10-0, the score staying that way at the end of the first.

Again the Gophers opened a quarter with a long drive that brought in six points for the team, with back up running back Lamonte Edwards breaking out a nine yard run between guard and tackle for the score making it a 17-0 game and the TCF Bank Crowd was roaring. The Huskers needed a miracle, at least until things started to really work out for them.

On their next drive the Huskers moved downfield slowly but methodically driving the ball at the Gophers and slowly pushing them back yard by yard getting closer to the end zone. Receiver Vincent Williams catching a bullet from Brion Carnes for their first score of the day 17-7. They would manage to put the ball back into the end zone before the end of the half, with Kendrick Bell breaking past the secondary on a fly route for a twenty one yard score with thirty seconds left in the half. 17-14.

The momentum carried into the third with Jamal Turner putting points on the board after teams exchanged two kick drives, busting out on a wide receiver screen and following his blocking making his way downfield for a sixty two yard score putting them up early and just like that the 17-0 lead that the Gophers had built up gave way to a 17-21 deficit putting the Huskers on top, taking the whole quarter to put up points, the Gophers would only manage a field goal from close to the goal line only down 20-21.

The lead would be extended early with Nebraska's Tom Peat scooping up a loose ball on the ground after running back Roger Bryant took a punishing hit and would bring it back 71 yards for the lead putting the Huskers up by eight. The Gophers would try everything to get the ball back downfield but they would be unsuccessful, the Cornhuskers did just enough holding onto the victory and knocking off the now 7-5 Badgers.

"It's tough but it's football. I hate to say the better team won today but they did. We didn't stay focused we let our will collapse and they took advantage pulling out this win was not going to be easy for either of us. It took all of both teams combined efforts to come away with this and it was the Huskers who played better when it came to will versus will. I wish them the best of luck, they have a great coach and a great team." Said an obviously disappointed Starks in his post game interview, not answering too many questions. The loss hurts but the Gophers can look forward to a bowl game in the upcoming weeks. Despite their dismal 5-10 (.333) winning percentage in bowl games.

Pressbook

Spoiler

(Roger Bryant takes a hard shot)


(Beal picks off an overthrown pass)

[gomets97]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

this is amazing love reading this and i hope the ducks win soooo badddd

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Brendan Beal honored with awards

Coach Starks can hang his hat at the end of the day knowing he has coached two of the more successful middle linebacker prospects within two separate programs. First Trent Mackey and now Brendan Beal he is becoming known around the league for being capable of pulling the most out of linebackers, if he can develop them has yet to be seen.

First it was announced that Brendan had been named an All American, joining only Eric Jaques with holding that honor in a Gopher uniform. With both also making the All-Big Ten list, only Chris Hawthorne (kicker) joining the list of Gophers being honored.

Finally when it all the awards were announced it was made clear that Brendan Beal was bringing home a lot of hardware. Taking home the Bednarik award, he would also add the Nagurski and Best linebacking awards to his list of accomplishments this season. Beal had seventy-nine tackles, forty three of them were for a loss, his sack total wasn't impressive with only two, but his four interceptions and two forced fumbles played a big part in his selection for all of the honors.

Beal transferred from Florida to Minnesota and after sitting out for a year has made a huge impact for the team but his impact came on strong in his senior year raising his stock exponentially from a sixth round pick to an early second round pick in popular projections for the NFL Draft.

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Aug 24	vs Kentucky Wildcats	Won, 31-14
Aug 31	at North Carolina Tarheels	Lost, 44-10
Sep 7	vs Missouri Tigers	Lost, 39-30
Sep 14	at New Mexico Lobos	Won, 45-7
Sep 21	vs Purdue Boilermakers	Won, 45-33
Oct 5	at Indiana Hoosiers	Lost, 27-21
Oct 12	at #4 Wisconsin Badgers	Won, 38-26
Oct 19	at Michigan Wolverines	Won, 38-28
Oct 26	vs #24 Iowa Hawkeyes	Lost, 35-21
Nov 9	at Michigan State Spartans	Won, 17-9
Nov 16	vs Northwestern Wildcats	Won, 52-31
Nov 23	vs Nebraska Cornhuskers	Lost, 28-20
Jan 1	vs #23 Arkansas Razorbacks

NCAA Football Award Winners
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Maxwell Award	Joe Southwick	QB	Boise State
Walter Camp Award	Silas Redd	HB	Penn State
Chuck Bednarik Award	Brendan Beal	MLB	Minnesota
Bronko Nagurski Trophy	Brendan Beal	MLB	Minnesota
Davey O'Brien Award	Joe Southwick	QB	Boise State
Doak Walker Award	Silas Redd	HB	Penn State
Fred Biletnikoff Award	Geraldo Boldewijn	WR	Boise State
John Mackey Award	Jace Amaro	TE	Texas Tech
Outland Trophy	Tyrus Thompson	RT	Oklahoma
Rimington Trophy	Jay Finch	C	Georgia Tech
Lombardi Award	Tyler Dippel	RE	Wisconsin
Linebacker of the Year	Brendan Beal	MLB	Minnesota
Jim Thorpe Award	Kyle Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
Lou Groza Award	Niklas Slade	K	North Carolina State
Ray Guy Award	Jackson Rice	P	Oregon
Returner of the Year	Ken Malcome	HB	Georgia
Heisman Memorial Trophy	Drew Allen	QB	Oklahoma

Drew Allen finishes the season strong helping the Sooners to a Big Twelve Title for the third consecutive year, and slips ahead of Silas Redd to win the Heisman Trophy

NCAA Football Rankings - BCS Rankings - Updated: Dec 1, 2013
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	Connecticut Huskies	13	0	1.000
2	2	Boise State Broncos	12	0	0.994
3	3	Oregon Ducks	12	1	0.989
4	4	Wisconsin Badgers	12	1	0.983
5	5	Louisiana State Tigers	12	1	0.978
6	6	Oregon State Beavers	11	1	0.972
7	7	Oklahoma Sooners	12	1	0.967
8	12	Central Florida Knights	11	2	0.956
9	8	Penn State Nittany Lions	10	2	0.952
10	11	Illinois Fighting Illini	10	2	0.935
11	9	Utah Utes	10	3	0.932
12	10	North Carolina State Wolfpack	11	2	0.927
13	15	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	9	3	0.922
14	17	Nevada Wolfpack	9	3	0.911
15	13	Tennessee Volunteers	10	3	0.907
16	18	Georiga Tech Yellow Jackets	8	4	0.898
17	19	Houston Cougars	9	3	0.894
18	14	South Florida Bulls	10	3	0.873
19	21	Louisville Cardinals	9	3	0.862
20	20	Georgia Bulldogs	8	4	0.862
21	22	Arkansas State Redwolves	9	3	0.850
22	23	Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles	11	1	0.844
23	24	Arkansas Razorbacks	8	4	0.841
24	16	Iowa Hawkeyes	9	4	0.816
25	25	Kent State Golden Flashes	11	1	0.814

Boise State is set to meet the Connecticut Huskies in the 2013 National Championship game. The BCS Buster finally gets their shot at a title while the Connecticut Huskies look to quiet the talks of the Big East going soft.

Kent State maintains its spot in the top 25 despite not winning the MAC.

Iowa continues their downward skid, midway through the season they were at #1, now find themselves at #24

Big Ten Conference Standings - Updated: Dec 1, 2013
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
Wisconsin Badgers	12-1	0.920	8-1	517	185	W-7
Illinois Fighting Illini	10-2	0.830	6-2	449	284	L-1
Penn State Nittany Lions	10-2	0.830	6-2	538	273	W-2
Minnesota Golden Gophers	7-5	0.580	5-3	368	321	L-1
Iowa Hawkeyes	9-4	0.690	5-4	344	326	L-2
Indiana Hoosiers	8-4	0.660	4-4	354	330	W-1
Nebraska Cornhuskers	6-6	0.500	4-4	307	350	W-1
Northwestern Wildcats	6-6	0.500	3-5	339	321	W-1
Michigan State Spartans	5-7	0.410	3-5	285	300	L-4
Michigan Wolverines	5-7	0.410	3-5	331	373	L-1
Ohio State Buckeyes	5-7	0.410	2-6	350	317	W-1
Purdue Boilermakers	1-11	0.080	0-8	244	432	L-9

Michigan State drops their last four games and misses out on a bowl game, first time in a long while that Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State will all be home instead of going bowling

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Gophers set to meet the Razorbacks outback!

The Minnesota Gophers have announced their acceptance to the Outback Bowl Bid they had received pitting them against the #23 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks in their final game of the year."This is a great opportunity for us, it gives us a chance to see how far we've come. The SEC is one of the best conferences in all of football and a chance to compete against a team towards the top of that..we couldn't pass it up!" Spoke Tyler Starks in a press conference.

Yet how excited should these Gophers be? They got destroyed by North Carolina, a team with similiar philosophies and strengths that the Razorbacks have. Both teams are coming off a loss, Arkansas coming off a 35-52 defeat from #5 Louisiana State, while the Gophers lost to the 6-6 Cornhuskers to end a short winning streak.

Mitchell has been deadly all season, his 28 touchdown to four interceptions producing a 7 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio, one of the best in the nation, and James Mitchell leads the Razorbacks with four interceptions. The offense needs to come alive for the Razorbacks, the Gophers defense has shown they are incapable of keeping up with a balanced attack. Walker needs to get going on the ground game, this Gophers defefense has allowed two hundred rushing yards on two seperate occassions this season and if he can get into that rhythm then he should be capable of making things ugly for the Gophers.

On the flip side, Tom Parish needs to play at a stellar level he has shown flashes of being capable of playing at. With a 22 to 11 Touchdown to interception (2 to 1), it isn't anything spectacular. He has shown frusturation however, if he gets rattled early this game could fall square on the shoulders of freshman runner, Roger Bryant (a freshman, all american selection)

Does this one get ugly? It could and it probably should but the Gophers have shown the ability to keep up with superior teams. The Razorbacks win in this one, but not without the Gophers making them sweat a bit. 37-30

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

(Crawford-Tuft making a clutch reception that would set up an AJ Barker score)

Late touchdown lifts Gophers in Outback Bowl

To say this was a great game would be an understatement, the Gophers came out of the gates firing, but it wouldn't take much for the Razorbacks to fire back with the same amount of intensity. Tom Parish would walk away with the school record of passing yards in a season passing for 2899, beating the old record of 2895. He also surpassed the record with his touchdown passes, breaking the record of 24, with 25 touchdown passes.

The Gophers opened up the game with a huge drive led by a smash mouth style of offense that led to all three running backs, Roger Bryant, Lamonte Edwards and Dorrell Wright getting carries on the drive. It was Lamonte Edwards running the ball up the middle for four yards to give them the go ahead score. The Razorbacks would end up going four and out and the Gopher offense started another drive this time utilizing the arm of Tom Parish that would lead into the second quarter.

In the first minute of the quarter, Tom Parish would hook up with AJ Barker for a eleven yard touchdown pass putting them up 14-0, but that lead would not hold. A long Arkansas drive would result in a punt and when Tom Parish went back on a pass he would hit an Arkansas cornerback, Bennett would bring it back sixty-two yards for the score to make it 14-7, followed by a Gopher three and out would leave to a quick Arkansas touchdown drive with Brandon Mitchell hooking up with Javonte Herndon, who was starting in place of top receiver Marquel Wade. It would result in a fifty one yard score and the game being tied going into the half.

"They hit us hard but we answered right back. I have nothing but respect for them. They've shown they can hit just as hard as we can." Spoke Bobby Petrino, coach of the Razorbacks whom were favored to win this one.

Minnesota would take the lead late in the third, with both teams trading punches they would manage to hit in a forty-five yard field goal that put them up 17-14, but the Razorbacks were threatening by the end of the third and in the fourth they made it a reality.

The Razorbacks would get into the end zone again from Brian Mitchell hooking up with Dean for a nine yard touchdown pass putting them up 17-21 and they had the momentum. The Arkansas fans making the stadium roar as their team held the lead through the majority of the fourth. Until an interception on Brian Mitchell turned the ball over to the upstart Gophers. Moving quickly Tom Parish hooked up with A.J Barker on fourth down on a deep out route dragging his feet in bounds for the go ahead score. 24-21, but the Razorbacks weren't done. Using a fast pace offense they would get downfield and manage to put up a field goal from thirty-one yards out to tie the game. 24-24.

Most teams would've run the clock and went to overtime. The aggressive playcalling of Tyler Starks came out. Starks called a play action pass and the safety bit just enough for Tom Parish to see Fitzgerald Toussaint streaking. Lobbing up a beautiful pass, he would have to stop running to catch it and would just barely manage to outrun the corner on his way to a game winning score. Toussaint tossed the ball back leaping up to the Gopher fans celebrating the bowl victory. The fans exploded as the Gophers upset the Razorbacks on a final second play.

"It's unbelievable, I saw him bite.. and I knew.. I took off.. Sprinted as hard as I could.. and the ball was underthrown but it was all good. I outran him.. I will never forget that moment." Spoke an excited yet out of breath Ferdinand Toussaint, the senior is expected to be a late pick in the draft if at all after missing most of the season. But no catch he made was as big as the one that brought the trophy to Minneapolis.

Pressbook

Spoiler

(AJ Barker catching a beautiful pass for the score)


(Brendan Beal pulls down Mitchell from behind)

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Aug 24	vs Kentucky Wildcats	Won, 31-14
Aug 31	at North Carolina Tarheels	Lost, 44-10
Sep 7	vs Missouri Tigers	Lost, 39-30
Sep 14	at New Mexico Lobos	Won, 45-7
Sep 21	vs Purdue Boilermakers	Won, 45-33
Oct 5	at Indiana Hoosiers	Lost, 27-21
Oct 12	at #4 Wisconsin Badgers	Won, 38-26
Oct 19	at Michigan Wolverines	Won, 38-28
Oct 26	vs #24 Iowa Hawkeyes	Lost, 35-21
Nov 9	at Michigan State Spartans	Won, 17-9
Nov 16	vs Northwestern Wildcats	Won, 52-31
Nov 23	vs Nebraska Cornhuskers	Lost, 28-20
Jan 1	vs #23 Arkansas Razorbacks	Won, 31-24

Minnesota Gophers Key Performers

Tom Parish (QB)
Junior
140 QB Rating
178-343 for 2899 Passing yards (yardage is school record)
25 Touchdowns (school record) 12 interceptions
92 Rushes for 200 yards and 2 Touchdowns

Roger Bryant (HB)
Freshman
Freshman All America Selection
228 Rushes for 1410 Rushing Yards and 8 Touchdowns
24 Catches for 181 Yards and 2 Touchdowns


AJ Barker (WR)
Senior
31 Catches for 595 Yards and 10 Touchdowns

Brendan Beal (MLB)
Senior(RS)
First Team All American
112 Tackles - 45 For loss - 3 Sacks
4 INT - 2 FF - 1 DTD

Eric Jacques (DT)
Senior(RS)
First Team All American
40 Tackles - 13 For Loss - 11.5 Sacks
2 FF - 1 FR

Brock Vereen (CB)
Senior
40 Tackles - 5 For Loss
4 INT - 10 Deflections - 3 DTD (Tied for NCAA Lead)

Coach Starks: "It's been a fantastic year and I could not be happier, we are losing our receiving corp. AJ Barker and Ferdinand Toussaint are both projected for the NFL Draft and we wish them the best of luck, both have fulfilled expectations and shattered all of our desires for them. Our secondary will also be impacted by graduations. We have an offseason of work ahead of us, but I am really liking the way our recruiting class is coming together. There is no reason to believe we cannot compete next year. If we improve to eight or nine regular season wins I will be estatic. Now I need to hit the recruiting trail and then head back home to get everybody ready for another year of Gopher football. Our offensive MVP was undoubtably Tom Parish who came up huge and our defensive MVP is Brendan Beal, he was absolutely shut down and whomever selects him in the NFL draft is getting one hell of a player. It was an honor to have coached him."

Minnesota Golden Gophers
OFFENSE	TOT	OFF	PASS	RUSH	PPG	PTD	RTD	SACK	1DWN
Minnesota	6904	4973	3122	1851	30.6	28	17	35	184
DEFENSE	TOT	PASS	RUSH	PTS	SACK	FUMB	INT
Minnesota	4644	2738	1906	345	39	9	17
CONVERSIONS	3DC	3DA	3D%	4DC	4DA	4D%	2PC	2PA	2P%
Minnesota	58	151	38	17	29	58	3	4	75
RED ZONE	ATT	TD	FG	OFF%	DATT	DTD	DFG	DEF%
Minnesota	54	26	9	64	36	21	5	72
PENALTIES	PEN		YARDS
Minnesota	16		145
TURNOVERS	DIFF	GIVE	INT	FUMB	TAKE	INT	FUMB
Minnesota	3	23	13	10	26	17	9

NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll - Updated: Jan 18,
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	2	Boise State Broncos	13	0	1525
2	3	Oregon Ducks	13	1	1368
3	6	Oregon State Beavers	12	1	1235
4	1	Connecticut Huskies	13	1	1225
5	8	Penn State Nittany Lions	11	2	1129
6	4	Wisconsin Badgers	12	2	1063
7	11	North Carolina State Wolfpack	12	2	1025
8	5	Louisiana State Tigers	12	2	989
9	7	Oklahoma Sooners	12	2	938
10	15	Tennessee Volunteers	11	3	866
11	13	Utah Utes	11	3	830
12	9	Central Florida Knights	11	3	767
13	10	Illinois Fighting Illini	10	3	698
14	17	Houston Cougars	10	3	680
15	23	Louisville Cardinals	10	3	474
16	25	Fresno State Bulldogs	10	3	409
17	20	Southern Miss Golden Eagles	11	2	386
18	NR	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	9	4	378
19	NR	Virginia Tech Hokies	9	4	375
20	NR	Oklahoma State Cowboys	10	3	346
21	12	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	8	3	340
22	14	Nevada Wolfpack	9	4	302
23	NR	Miami Hurricanes	8	5	275
24	NR	Maryland Terrapins	9	4	266
25	NR	Ohio Bobcats	11	3	257

The Boise State Broncos escape with the national title heading to Idaho. The Broncos take home the first national championship in school history and sets up a huge future for mid majors. "I'm so proud of these boys, and everyone that has come through the system. without everyone, current and past Broncos we would not stand here as national champions. This is unreal. All the work and finally we have it!" Emotionally charged Chris Peterson in a post game interview during the celebration. Peterson is the second most winningest coach in recent history just behind Bob Stoops who is at (37-3). Peterson is at (36-3).

Oregon improves to #2 in the nation and fans rally claiming they deserved a chance at the title over the Connecticut Huskies.

NCAA Football Leaders - Updated: Jan 17, 2014
Passing Yards	yards	Passing Touchdowns	TD
1. Phillip Butterfield (ARK ST)	4472	1. Phillip Butterfield (ARK ST)	48
2. Cody Vaz (ORE ST)	4428	2. Joe Southwick (BOISE)	46
3. Tyler Brosius (NCST)	4384	3. Cody Vaz (ORE ST)	45
4. David Piland (HOU)	4375	4. Bryan Bennett (ORE)	42
5. Joe Southwick (BOISE)	4278	5. Drew Allen (OU)	42
Rushing Yards	yards	Rushing Touchdowns	TD
1. Rajion Neal (TENN)	1560	1. Chris Dixon (FRESNO)	19
2. James White (WISC)	1558	2. Silas Redd (PSU)	17
3. DeAndre Johnson (IOWA)	1527	3. Thretton Palamo (UTAH)	16
4. Ricky Pringle (OHIO)	1499	4. RaJion Neal (TENN)	16
5. Silas Redd (PSU)	1488	5. Ricky Pringle (OHIO)	16
Receptions	R	Receiving Yards	yards
1. Jordan Najvar (ARK ST)	113	1. Bryan Underwood (NCST)	1890
2. Bryan Underwood (NCST)	112	2. Jordan Najvar (ARK ST)	1799
3. Chance Blackmon (HOU)	107	3. Shawn Corker (TTU)	1767
4. Geraldo Boldewijn (BOISE)	106	4. Geraldo Boldewijn (Boise)	1677
5. Shawn Corker (TTU)	101	5. Keenan Holeman (SMU)	1591
Receiving Touchdowns	TD	Interceptions	INT
1. Geraldo Boldewijn (BOISE)	21	1. Darwin Cook (WVU)	10
2. Jace Amaro (TTU)	20	2. Darren Woodard (UTEP)	9
3. Obum Gwacham (ORE ST)	19	3. Taylor Mack (UCONN)	9
4. Xavier Brown (AUB)	18	4. Marqueston Huff (WYO)	8
5. DuWyce Wilson (IND)	17	5. Kyle Fuller (VT)	8

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recruiting - 2013
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Drew Wade	HB	HS	Perry, GA	6'1	219
Matt Wilkerson	OLB	HS	Breaux Bridge, LA	6'2	215
James Johnson	WR	HS	Clanton, AL	6'3	187
Josh Wilson	DE	HS	Mount Lebanon, PA	6'2	232
J.J. Jones	WR	HS	Watauga, TX	5'11	168
Brian Myers	ATH	HS	Corona, CA	6'1	183
Maurice Landry	WR	HS	McAllen, TX	6'1	202
Darnell Williams	OLB	HS	Griffith, IN	6'2	212
Darren Davis	SS	HS	Belle Glade, FL	6'1	204
Dominique Duckett	QB	HS	Minot, ND	6'3	189
Mark Ross	P	HS	Highland Village, TX	6'2	184
Dave Riley	K	HS	Tacoma, WA	6'1	172
Casey McKeon	CB	HS	Port Neches, TX	5'9	173
Derek Hagen	OLB	HS	Cottage Grove, MN	6'2	210
Jim Reid	FS	HS	Champlin, MN	6'1	195
Chad Hayes	QB	HS	Euless, TX	6'4	175
Kyle Chaavez	C	HS	Oshkosh, WI	6'4	321
Scott Madsen	T	HS	Sioux Falls, SD	6'3	303
Scott Bates	G	HS	Sioux City, IA	6'2	271
Travis Clarke	DE	JUCO Jr	Lake Forest, IL	6'0	219

Coach Starks: "This is an exciting class, we had a top ten class brought in for the first time in forever and there is a lot of excitement on campus. We signed a five star half back for the second consecutive year and we are quickly getting a reputation as a half back haven. I have no problem with that. We took a lot of work on the defensive side of the ball, most of our valuable prospects shoring up the defensive positions which were weak and in some cases lack depth. Our linebacking corp was going to be extremely weak with the loss of Brendan Beal but signing Wilkerson and Williams is going to be huge for us. We went after a few guys before signing day that will have to make our roster or be cut. We signed a few quarterbacks for depth purposes and they had talents that we could not just ignore when they fell to us. Overall I am very happy with where our class is and expect an improved squad next year. Big Ten championship? This is where it all begins."

Top Recruiting Classes - 2013
RK	TEAM	5	4	3	2	1	TOTAL
1	Louisiana State Tigers	2	10	12	1	0	25
2	Oklahoma Sooners	5	5	5	0	2	17
3	Penn State Nittany Lions	2	9	9	0	0	20
4	Ohio State Buckeyes	1	11	7	2	0	21
5	Texas Longhorns	1	10	7	2	3	23
6	Oregon Ducks	3	8	4	0	1	16
7	Minnesota Golden Gophers	1	7	11	5	1	25
8	Wisconsin Badgers	1	11	5	0	2	19
9	Oregon State Beavers	0	9	12	2	0	23
10	Utah Utes	1	5	16	1	0	23
11	Texas Christian Horned Frogs	0	11	7	0	0	18
12	South Florida Bulls	0	5	18	1	0	24
13	Texas Tech Red Raiders	0	6	14	4	1	25
14	Georgia Bulldogs	1	10	3	0	2	16
15	Florida Gators	1	8	5	2	3	19
16	Florida State Seminoles	1	3	14	3	0	21
17	Stanford Cardinal	0	5	12	5	2	24
18	Miami Hurricane	0	9	6	2	0	17
19	Central Florida Knights	0	2	19	3	1	25
20	Alabama Crimson Tide	2	2	12	1	1	18
21	Nebraska Cornhuskers	0	9	5	2	1	17
22	Brigham Young Cougars	0	6	9	6	0	21
23	Oklahoma State Cowboys	0	4	14	3	1	22
24	West Virginia Mountaineers	0	6	10	3	0	19
25	Tennessee Volunteers	0	2	17	4	2	25

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

New moves announced

Finally a new wave of moves and in the case of the Big Ten, they will be extended to fourteen members for a one season trial. They have brought in three teams while losing one and plan to drop back down to twelve by 2016. "We have to look for the best interests of the conference and we feel the moves give us an even better and more level playing field." Said Jim Delaney, commissioner of the Big Ten conference. In extending to fourteen teams that have become the largest conference in the NCAA.

To start, the one and eleven Purdue Boilermakers are out, they were moved to the Big East after it looked like a move to the MAC was eminent. After Drew Brees left the school, it seemed to falter and in recent years hasn't been playing on par with the rest of the conference. There were rumors of Penn State making the leap to the Big East or Atlantic Coast Conference but that was quickly shaken off as it would be a downward step to a lower conference.

The Big Ten would take teams from three separate conferences all of them BCS Conferences. The Kentucky Wildcats move to the Big Ten in what was regarded as a move for location purposes. The Wildcats had a rough season a year ago and after the magic that existed when Andre Woodson was at helm, the Wildcats haven't been a contender in the SEC. With that the Big Ten reached to the Big East taking instate rival Louisville (ranked #15) from the Big East who took Purdue in the loss of the Cardinals.

Finally a move that has been expected for a while, the Missouri Tigers leapt from the Big Twelve to the Big Ten, fitting in more with the region and with rival Illinois in the same division (Leaders) it will give them the opportunity to blossom as a power. The Big Ten didn't add any immediate contenders like they did with the addition of Nebraska, yet they added some solid teams that will make a solid contribution to the Big Ten which extended its reach throughout the Midwest.

The Mountain West prize, the Boise State Broncos seemed content with staying in the Mountain West especially after a national title. So the Big Twelve went for the next best thing to fill the void left by the Tigers heading North. They would add the #22 ranked Nevada Wolfpack to their South division, which starts pushing their reach towards Pacific 12 region, a dangerous motion that could cause some issues between the two conferences.

The Southeastern conference had no problems finding the replacement for the Kentucky Wildcats and they would actually improve as a conference. They would bring in the Southern Mississippi Eagles (#17) to join the West division adding another instate yearly rival for the Rebels and Bulldogs. The major conferences being the only ones shaking things up is undoubtably odd, but in the current state of College Football, it makes sense. The Big Ten added the most teams while the Southeastern conference got even better.

Will these moves pan out? It is unknown. The Big Ten made it clear that some teams will be left out within a year or two to get back down to twelve and the ACC and Pacific 12 are the only BCS conferences to remain static. (Pacific 12 has not made any changes). Schools are seemingly begging for a contract to be put in place to prevent further consecutive movements between schools but it's obvious commissioners are still unhappy with the football being played infront of them.

All we can say is...

Time for some football!

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Sep 6	vs Wyoming Cowboys
Sep 13	at #14 Miami Hurricanes
Sep 20	vs Kentucky Wildcats
Sep 27	at Indiana Hoosiers
Oct 4	at #12 Boise State Broncos
Oct 11	vs #2 Wisconsin Badgers
Oct 25	vs Michigan Wolverines
Nov 1	vs Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov 8	at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nov 15	vs Michigan State Spartans
Nov 22	at Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 29	vs #7 Louisville Cardinals

Coach Starks: "We aren't getting much breaks here. Our preseason projection is the top half of the Big Ten. We should expect to be Wyoming, then a tough ranked Miami squad that will give us a lot of problems. Then two winnable Big Ten games, Kentucky is close to us but the experts give us the slight edge on them in conference standings. Indiana is on the fall, again. If they don't get relegated it would be just short of a miracle. At this point we should be at worst 2-2. I want to aim for 3-1. Than we go on a two game ranked trip heading up to Idaho where I'll get to coach again against the Broncos on their turf. Some are saying this is one of the worst returning national championship teams and they lost a lot of their senior and junior starters. I wouldn't count them out though, the Blue Turf is just deadly. Then we come home for our rivalry with Wisconsin. We upset them last year and cost them a national title. They are going to come out for blood in this one. At worst I want to be 2-4, but I expect to be at least 3-3 at this point.

We get a week of R&R before a two game homestand, the Michigan Wolverines are coming to town. They are strong on paper, but they were last year and they didn't even go bowling. It's a toss up, but I will go with our squad in this one. I have faith in them. For our next game the Hawkeyes come into town in what should be our revenge game for last year. They skidded into the post season last year, not even ranked at the end of the season after beating us they were #1. Embarrassing. We should be up to 4-4 or more so 5-3 if things go right.

Then there is the three game road trip to start rounding out our season. Nebraska punched us in the jaw last year and took us out of our game when we could've kept them out of a bowl. They are strong on paper again, and Bo [Pelini] is reeling after that last season. I expect a come back of sorts and a loss here isn't good but it is understandable. Then it's off to Lansing to face the Spartans, whom experts project us to be extremely similar to in terms of talent. I love these games, gives me a sense of accomplishment more so when we win. Its a battle of wits and determination and our guys are determined. To end the road trip, we head to Evanston to face the Wildcats. We throttled these guys last year thanks to our defense. Were better and they lost a step, this should be a great tune up game for the final contest of the season.

Whomever gave us this schedule must really not like us. We face the #7 Cardinals to close out the season. Louisville is new to the conference but they are one hell of a squad. I wont put it past them to hand us a beating. Hate to say it but we are going to struggle bad in this game. At least we will be looking at another bowl game this year. I project us to finish at worse 6-6, with my expectations at an eight and four season. Anything higher would be fantastic. Not making a bowl game is unacceptable for this team.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Depth Chart - 2014
Regular Offense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
WR	JD Pride	Jason Simmons	Nate Breedlove
TE	Peter Avery	Jared Burrell	Reggie Holley
LT	Kyle McAvoy	Jeff McKinney
LG	Matt Eggen	Luke McAvoy	Jeff McKinney
C	Zac Epping	Darryl Harwell
RG	Jonathan Ragoo	Jon Christensen	Antwan Walker
RT	Jimmy Gjere	Joe Bjorklund
WR	Devon Crawford-Tuft	James Johnson*	J.J. Jones*
QB	Tom Parish	James Johnson	Ryan Wilson
FB	Nick Olsen	Reggie Holley
HB	LaMonte Edwards**	Drew Wade*	Adam Mack*	Reggie Holley
Base 4-3 Defense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LDE	Darnell Williams*	Ben Perry
LDT	Rashede Hageman	Stacey Chase
RDT	Alex Manson	James Coker
RDE	Josh Wilson*	Robert Wilkinson
WLB	Jason Bernard**	Derek Hagen*
MLB	Matt Wilkerson*	Curtis McCutcheon	Joe Ricks
SLB	Jephete Matilus	Quinn Bauducco	Victor Jordan
CB	Steven Montgomery	Demetrius O'Neill	Tyrone Bouie
SS	Trey Chambers	Terrence Quinn
FS	Jamar Thomas	Jim Reid*
CB	Chris Lee	Demetrius Salas
Special Teams
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
K	Dave Riley*
P	Mark Moss*

* Indicates true freshman
** indicates team captain

NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll - Updated: Aug 1, 2014
RK	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	Oregon Ducks (32)
2	Wisconsin Badgers (27)
3	Penn State Nittany Lions (1)
4	Louisiana State Tigers (1)
5	Tennessee Volunteers
6	Oklahoma Sooners
7	Louisville Cardinals
8	Utah Utes
9	North Carolina State Wolfpack
10	Oklahoma State Cowboys
11	Connecticut Huskies
12	Boise State Broncos
13	Oregon State Beavers
14	Miami Hurricanes
15	Texas Christian Horned Frogs
16	Florida Gators
17	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18	Auburn Tigers
19	Maryland Terrapins
20	Houston Cougars
21	Central Florida Knights
22	Virginia Tech Hokies
23	Illinois Fighting Illini
24	Southern Mississippi Eagles
25	Wake Forest Demon Deacons

After finishing #2 to end last season, the Oregon Ducks open the season as the top team in the nation.

Boise State falls to the double digits after a national title season, losing 14 of 22 starters

Big Ten holds three teams in top Ten

Heisman Watch - Updated: Aug 1, 2014
NAME	POS	SCHOOL		SEASON STATS
Matt Brown	QB	Texas Christian		Senior (RS)
Bryan Bennett	QB	Oregon		Senior (RS)
Troy Jones	QB	Maryland		Junior (RS)
Teddy Bridgewater	QB	Louisville		Senior
Frankie Jackson	HB	Arkansas State		Senior (RS)

Can Frankie Jackson stun the country and win the heisman out of Arkansas State?

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

(Lee pulls in a bad pass for the interception)

Gophers left sweating at home

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) - This game had a three touchdown favorite in the favor of Big Ten member Minnesota. Yet after the first quarter the game was tied and the division between the two teams never hit the full three touchdown spread it was projected and there was some fear that the Cowboys could actually upset the Gophers.

As stated before, the teams were unable to do much with their first quarter. Tom Parish looked confused and struggled throwing both of his interceptions in the game in the first quarter leaving Gopher fans groaning. The Cowboys on the flipside didn't get much yards besides the occasional first down on the ground or through the air.

The Gophers started to blow it open in the second quarter but it would be the best quarter of football their team would play in this game. The Gophers finally scoring when they intercepted Wyoming quarterback, Brian Smith. Chris Lee (SS) would bring it back thirty-three yards for the score ending the dead lock. But both teams offenses would go back to stumbling. The Gophers would finally break the monotony with a Lamonte Edwards thirty yard run to the outside for the 14-0 lead. The Cowboys managing to drive downfield and knock in a field goal before half time. 14-3.

Minnesota would manage to extend their lead midway through the third after both teams defenses came out firing and stopped both teams outside of field goal range consistently. JD Pride would pull in a thirty-five yard pass for the score making it a 21-3 lead and the stadium was rocking as things seemed to return back to normal. That wouldn't stay that way long as the Cowboys drove downfield and Brian Smith would hook up with Brynn Robinson for a twenty-two yard touchdown 21-10 to end the third.

The Cowboys would bring it closer with a thirty-three yard field goal to bring it up to 21-13, a one possession game. The Gophers would manage to respond with recovering the onside kick and bring it downfield fast leading to Tom Parish hooking up with Jason Simmons for a fifteen yard touchdown. 28-13. The Cowboys would stutter and take too long, managing to score but not leaving any time on the clock for a final drive and failing the two point conversion would leave them at 28-19, the Gophers managing a win, even though it seemed like they were getting beat up on.

The Cowboys managed 297 yards through the air and 113 yards on the ground where as the Gophers only had 250 yards through the air and 80 on the ground paling in comparison to the Cowboys. The Cowboys also benefitted from going 3-4 on fourth down and having one less turnover (2) than Minnesota (3).

Pressbook

Spoiler

(Matilus punishes the Wyoming runner forcing the fumble)


(Simmons on the ground after scoring a touchdown)

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

(Crawford-Tuft breaks through the Hurricane)

Hurricanes fall flat against the Gophers

(Miami, Florida) - Favored to win by ten points, the Hurricanes couldn't keep up with the projections falling apart throughout the game and not showing enough life until the final quarter when the game was safetly in tow for the Gophers.

The Canes would leave the first quarter with the lead, too bad that would be the only quarter they would lead and it would only be thanks to a field goal by Morris from 29 yards out that put them on top, but the Gophers would respond on their following drive to open up the second quarter.

It would be Devon Crawford-Tuft making a huge play his first of three touchdowns on the day from Tom Parish , this one coming from sixty-eight yards out on a fly route. After a Hurricane three and out, the Gophers extended their lead with Tom Parish scrambling on a first and ten play running up field turning it into a sixty-three yard touchdown the crowd quiet. 14-3. The Hurricanes would have a long drive towards the end of the half but it wouldn't amount to much. It would turn into a field goal from twenty-six yards out.

Opening the half with a 14-6 lead in hostile territory against 'superior' talent is a great position to be in. They improved their position with a long drive ending with Lamonte Edwards breaking off a ten yard touchdown rush going untouched for the score making it 21-6. Again the Gophers owuld answer after a Hurricane turnover with Devon Crawford-Tuft pulling in a beautiful pass from Tom Parish in the corner of the end zone to extend the lead. 28-6 in favor of the Gophers now heading into the final quarter and the fans were sucked out of the game.

Opening the fourth with a touchdown made some of the fans stay to hang around but it wasn't enough to stem the tide. The Gophers surrendered an eighty yard pass to Chris Roberts and they would convert the two point conversion for a 28-14. Devon Crawford-Tuft showing why he earned player of the game would score again this time on a slant that went really wrong for the Canes, turning into a forty-yard touchdown completion. The Gophers adding a twenty-yard field goal after another Hurricane turnover. Miami was pretty much out of it. 2 Minutes left down 38-14 and the Gophers were celebrating on the sidelines. Yet the Canes kept fighting and true freshman quarterback, Damien Allen broke out a forty-eight yard touchdown run, the final score of the game and they would convert the two point conversion. 38-22.

What caused the loss? Turnovers undoubtably, the Gophers had one, the Hurricanes had three. Punter Mark Moss had a phenominal day, pinning the Hurricanes three times inside the twenty with one touchback and had one punt travel sixty yards. If you want to know how much of an influence a punter can have look no further. Especially when it involves a freshman signal caller at the helm. Tom Parish was dynamic in the air and on the ground, outrunning halfback Lamonte Edwards by six yards (Edwards - 84 Parish - 90). "This was a great testament to showing how much defense and special teams can impact a game. We follow a bend and not break rule. We give up a lot more yards than we should be, but what matters is opposing teams aren't scoring in high volumes. We kept opposing offenses in check and that makes me a happy coach." Tyler Starks was reported to have said in a post game interview.

Pressbook

Spoiler

(Lamonte Edwards takes a punishing hit)

[K0ZZ]

Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll - Updated: Sep 4, 2014
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	Oregon Ducks	2	0
2	2	Wisconsin Badgers	2	0
3	3	Penn State Nittany Lions	3	0
4	4	Louisiana State Tigers	2	0
5	6	Oklahoma Sooners	1	0
6	7	Louisville Cardinals	2	0
7	8	Utah Utes	2	0
8	10	Connecticut Huskies	1	0
9	11	Boise State Broncos	1	0
10	5	Tennessee Volunteers	1	1
11	14	Florida Gators	2	0
12	16	Auburn Tigers	2	0
13	17	Houston Cougars	1	0
14	18	Central Florida Knights	2	0
15	13	Texas Christian Horned Frogs	1	1
16	9	North Carolina State Wolfpack	2	1
17	19	Virginia Tech Hokies	2	0
18	20	Illinois Fighting Illini	2	0
19	21	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	2	0
20	22	West Virginia Mountaineers	2	0
21	NR	South Florida Bulls	2	1
22	12	Miami Hurricane	1	1
23	25	Maryland Terrapins	1	1
24	NR	Kansas Jayhawks	2	0
25	NR	Nebraska Cornhuskers	1	1

Heisman Watch - Updated: Sep 4, 2014
NAME	POS	SCHOOL		SEASON STATS
Matt Brown	QB	Texas Christian		Senior (RS)
Verlon Reed	WR	Ohio State		Senior (RS)
Bryan Bennett	QB	Oregon		Senior (RS)
Andy Smith	HB	Penn State		Sophomore (RS)
Isiah Williams	WR	Wisconsin		Senior (RS)

Big Ten Conference Standings - Updated: Sep 5, 2014
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
Louisville Cardinals	2-0	1.00	1-0	96	21	W-2
Indiana Hoosiers	2-0	1.00	1-0	64	42	W-2
Penn State Nittany Lions	3-0	1.00	1-0	120	58	W-3
Wisconsin Badgers	2-0	1.00	0-0	76	51	W-2
Minnesota Golden Gophers	2-0	1.00	0-0	66	41	W-2
illinois Fighting Illini	2-0	1.00	0-0	77	39	W-2
Michigan Wolverines	1-0	1.00	0-0	24	7	W-1
Ohio State Buckeyes	3-0	1.00	0-0	150	88	W-3
Iowa Hawkeyes	2-0	1.00	0-0	66	52	W-2
Northwestern Wildcats	2-1	.666	0-0	89	66	L-1
Nebraska Cornhuskers	1-1	.500	0-0	59	52	W-1
Michigan State Spartans	1-1	.500	0-0	66	41	L-1
Missouri Tigers	0-1	.000	0-0	35	38	L-1
Kentucky Wildcats	0-3	.000	0-3	56	108	L-3

Oklahoma wins their season opener against ranked Tennessee 26-10
South Florida upsets the favored Wolfpack at home 49-35
NC State and Miami looking to get on track in ACC opener
Connecticut travels to Florida to take on the UCF Knights
Auburn blows out Mississippi State to open SEC play 38-17
Cal manages to hold off the Arkansas State Redwolves at home 31-26