We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

That is upsetting! I know some people don't believe in moral victories, but I do! I believe this season was a moral victory!

I believe in moral victories in certain situations. But I agree, the whole season has been one big moral victory. As I said, it's a shame we couldn't deliver the knockout, so to speak, but it truly was the best year in program history.

There's no shame in 12-2, specially looking at your previous 2 seasons with the team. The key now is to continue the winning into next season and not slip back into mediocrity

Definitely. A 4 game improvement is incredible, personally coming in I would have been happy with 9-10 wins.

As for next season, IIRC we are only losing a couple guys off the line and a few role playing receivers in Thomas, Lemelle and Bradley. Marriner, Shirreffs, Mitchell, Lucas, Johnson and Tom Myers are all back.

The defense is a different story. Mikal Myers is gone in the middle and we need T.J. Newell to step up, we're getting real young at linebacker and safety (lose 2 starters there apiece), and we need to replace Jhavon Williams next season.

If we can hold up on defense, we'll be just fine. As I said, we're playoff hunting in 2017!

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

College Football Playoff Bracket

Underdog Marshall survived a scare against Wisconsin and UCLA used a 17 point 4th quarter to overcome a 7 point deficit to South Carolina as both advanced to the National Title Game, for UCLA their second straight.

The 3rd College Football Playoff Championship Game was not much of a contest at all, actually. UCLA pulled away in the second half to sink the unbeaten Herd 41-14, as Jerry Neuheisel (starter Asiantii Woulard went down hurt again) came in, did an admirable job and led the Bruins to their second straight football national championship, their third in program history.

Full Bowl Map

Gildan New Mexico: Stanford (8-5) def. Colorado State (6-7) 34-31

Famous Idaho Potato: Northern Illinois (8-5) def. San Diego State (6-7) 24-14

San Diego Country Credit Union Poinsettia: Air Force (9-4) def. #23 USF (8-5) 35-28

Bitcoin St. Petersburg: #13 Virginia Tech (10-3) def. Temple (7-6) 41-38

R&L Carriers New Orleans: Tennessee (8-5) def. Arkansas State (7-5) 31-3

Royal Purple Las Vegas: Arizona State (7-6) def. Boise State (10-4) 28-20

Sheraton Hawai'i: Florida International (8-5) def. UNLV (6-7) 34-20

Quick Lane (pres. by Ford): Western Michigan (7-7) def. Maryland (7-6) 30-13

CitiBank Military (pres. by Northrop Grumman): Army (10-3) def. Ohio (6-7) 35-20

Chevron Holiday: #19 Washington (9-3) def. Texas (6-7) 31-28

Belk: Houston (9-5) def. Florida State (7-6) 44-21

Duck Commander Independence: Auburn (8-5) def. #21 Miami-FL (8-5) 31-14

Advocare V100 Texas: Iowa (7-6) def. West Virginia (6-7) 38-13

Russell Athletic: #18 Virginia (9-4) def. #16 UCF (9-4)

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces: Old Dominion (8-5) def. Fresno State (7-7) 38-24

Foster Farms: Cal (7-6) def. Pitt (7-6) 34-27

Valero Alamo: TCU (8-5) def. Oregon (9-5) 35-33

TicketCity Cactus: Iowa State (8-5) def. #15 Michigan State (8-5) 45-28

Franklin American Mortgage Music City: #17 North Carolina (9-4) def. Alabama (6-7) 21-17

Hyundai Sun Bowl: #24 Georgia Tech (9-4) def. Arizona (8-5) 34-6

AutoZone Liberty: Texas A&M (8-5) def. Western Kentucky (8-5) 29-7

ExxonMobil Heart of Dallas: Penn State (7-6) def. Utah (6-7) 35-17

Outback Bowl: #20 Arkansas (9-4) def. #11 Ohio State (9-4) 19-17

TaxSlayer: #25 Nebraska (9-4) def. Missouri (7-6) 27-24

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus: #10 Michigan (11-3) def. #22 Florida (8-5) 38-31

Birmingham: Georgia (7-6) def. Louisville (6-7) 38-28

GoDaddy.com New Mexico State (9-4) def. Kent State (8-6) 52-21

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Year's Six

Discover Orange: #7 Minnesota (11-3) def. #8 Clemson (11-3) 24-3

Goodyear Cotton: Ole Miss (9-4) def. #14 Oklahoma State (10-3) 31-21

Rose pres. by Northwestern Mutual: #6 LSU (10-3) def. #5 UConn (12-2) 41-30

Allstate Sugar: #12 Oklahoma (11-2) def. #9 North Texas (11-3) 34-17

VIZIO Fiesta: (CFP SEMIFINAL) #1 Marshall (14-0) def. #4 Wisconsin (9-4) 31-27

Chick-Fil-A-Peach: (CFP SEMIFINAL) #2 UCLA (11-1) def. #3 South Carolina (10-4) 35-28

College Football Playoff Championship (January 9, Tampa, FL): #2 UCLA (13-1) def. #1 Marshall (14-1) 41-14

All-Americans

2016 NCAA 1st Team All-Americans
Pos	Player Name	Ht	Wt	Year
QB	Kevin Olsen, Marshall			Jr.
HB	Devan Demas, Boise State			Sr.
HB	Willy Ivery, North Texas			So.
WR	Demarcus Ayers, Houston			Sr.
WR	Tee Goree, North Texas			So.
TE	Kevin Crosby, South Carolina			Jr.
OT	Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss			Sr.
OT	Caleb Benenoch, UCLA			Sr.
G	Alex Redmond, UCLA			Sr.
G	Scott Quessenberry, UCLA			Sr.
C	Cody Waldrop, South Carolina			Sr.
DE	Cameron Stapleton, UConn			Jr.
DE	Deondre Clark, LSU			So.
DT	Christian LaCouture, LSU			Sr.
DT	Noke Tago, Fresno State			Jr.
LB	Junior Joseph, UConn			Jr.
LB	Korrin Wiggins, Clemson			Sr.
LB	Skai Moore, South Carolina			Sr.
CB	Bryson Echols, Texas			Sr.
CB	Jamar Summers, UConn			Jr.
S	A.J. Leggett, Marshall			Sr.
S	Kendall Gant, Marshall			Jr.
K	Matt Wogan, Oregon			Sr.
P	Ian Wheeler, Oregon			Jr.
RS	Arkeel Newsome, UConn			So.

All-AAC First Team (Look at all those UConn Players

2016 1st Team All-AAC
Pos	Player Name	Ht	Wt	Year
QB	John O'Korn, Houston			Sr.
HB	Jahad Thomas, Temple			Sr.
HB	Josh Marriner, UConn			Jr.
WR	Demarcus Ayers, Houston			Sr.
WR	Jordan Akins, UCF			Jr.
TE	D.J. Dowdy, Cincinnati			Sr.
OT	Richard Levy, UConn			Sr.
OT	Andreas Knappe, UConn			Sr.
G	Trey Rutherford, UConn			Jr.
G	Colby Watson, UCF			Sr.
C	Kyle Bockeloh, UConn			Sr.
DE	Cameron Stapleton, UConn			Jr.
DE	Quintin Harrell, UConn			Jr.
DT	Mikal Myers, UConn			Sr.
DT	Brian Carter, Temple			Jr.
LB	Junior Joseph, UConn			Jr.
LB	Craig Suits, Tulsa			Jr.
LB	Justin McDonald, UCF			Sr.
CB	Jhavon Williams, UConn			Sr.
CB	Jamar Summers, UConn			Jr.
S	Jordan Floyd, UConn			Sr.
S	Steven Aikens, Houston			Sr.
K	Bobby Puyol, UConn			Sr.
P	Justin Wain, UConn			Sr.
RS	Arkeel Newsome, UConn			So.

Award Winners

2016 NCAA Football Awards
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Heisman Memorial Trophy	Kevin Olsen	QB	Marshall
Maxwell Award	Kevin Olsen	QB	Marshall
Walter Camp Award	Kevin Olsen	QB	Marshall
Davey O'Brien Award	Kevin Olsen	QB	Marshall
Chuck Bednarik Award	Junior Joseph	LB	UConn
Bronko Nagurski Trophy	Deondre Clark	DE	LSU
Lombardi Award	Deondre Clark	DE	LSU
Doak Walker Award	Willy Ivery	RB	North Texas
Fred Biletnikoff Award	Demarcus Ayers	WR	Houston
John Mackey Award	O.J. Howard	TE	Alabama
Outland Trophy	Cody Waldrop	C	South Carolina
Rimington Trophy	Cody Waldrop	C	South Carolina
Linebacker of the Year	Korrin Wiggins	LB	Clemson
Jim Thorpe Award	Jamar Summers	CB	UConn
Lou Groza Award	Matt Wogan	K	Oregon
Ray Guy Award	Ian Wheeler	P	Oregon
Returner of the Year	Arkeel Newsome	RB	UConn

Coach of the Year: Blake Anderson, Marshall

*With that, we close out 2016. Thanks for the continued support, and we're still going strong into 2017. Thanks!!

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Report: Diaco tied to USC opening, among others

An independent report out of East Hartford says that UConn football coach Bob Diaco is the front-runner for the vacant head coaching position at USC, and is a candidate for other openings at Syracuse, Virginia, and with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

Diaco, who led UConn to a school record 12 wins and a berth in the Rose Bowl in 2016, declined comment.

Diaco signed an early 5 year extension last offseason, which would keep him on the UConn sideline until 2023. However, no mention of a specific opt-out clause ever developed, which may mean that Diaco is free to view other jobs if he wishes.

The report also states that offensive coordinator Tim Albin is "strongly" considering taking the head coaching job at Toledo, and defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter may also be leaving.

If either of those are true, rumors have linked Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock, Marshall offensive coordinator Quinn Shea and Ohio offensive coordinator Brian Woodard, as well ousted Syracuse coach Scott Shafer to the respective positions.

We are intent on keeping quiet on this situation until we have specific details and a decision from all parties involved. We are letting all of parties openly weight their options, and we anxiously await a decision from each.

We will provide more information as it becomes available.

[kswgrad2012]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

If Diaco leaves, I wouldn't mind seeing Quinn Shea take over.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Robinson transferring, Bradford incoming

Piece of good and bad news here.

UConn defensive end Demarcus Robinson has announced his intention to transfer to UL Lafayette, to be closer to his ailing father. The redshirt freshman saw garbage time last season, and was a solid bet to contend for time in 2017.

I appreciate Coach Diaco and the staff for all they have done for me, for graciously allowing me to do this and for making this process as seemless as possible. I am looking forward to getting to work at UL Lafayette.

But in brighter news, UCLA linebacker Marcus Bradford becomes the third transfer into Storrs in three years. The true freshman redshirted last season, and will use his transfer year to continue to develop. He is expected to contend for playing time by the time he is eligible in 2018.

If Diaco leaves, I wouldn't mind seeing Quinn Shea take over.

Oh goodness. If only... As we clearly saw last season, Shea is good enough to coach anywhere in the country. Thing is, if Diaco does go, is Manuel willing to open the checkbook again to get him?

Also, could there be another familiar name in the running for either the HC job or OC job that was haven't mentioned? (Hint; Duh, of course there is).

[RoundingThird]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

If there is one thing UConn is good at, it is keeping their coaches. Ollie turned down the Lakers and Thunder jobs, and Geno has been there since the Civil War. I'm sure Diaco will fall victim to the same path. If not, Coach Freday's OTHER dream job is at UConn.

Oh btw, I'm going to have a tough decision on my hands down the road. The major I want to pursue in college is offered at BOTH UConn and Bowling Green....

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Somewhat abbreviated 2016 Stats

UConn Huskies Stats - 2016
Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	YDS/G	LONG	TD	INT	RAT
Bryant Shirreffs	176-277	2662	15.1	190.1	71	17	18	151.5
Tim Boyle	15-27	216	14.4	18.0	52	0	3	100.5
Rushing	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	20+	TD	YDS/G	FUM
Josh Marriner	282	1315	4.6	50	9	10	101.1
Ron Johnson	147	631	4.2	26	2	16	45.0
Bryant Shirreffs	73	219	3.0	30	4	2	15.6
Arkeel Newsome	20	72	3.6	10	0	5	5.1
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG	DROPS	YDS/G	YAC
Damon Mitchell	48	783	16.3	4	71
Noel Thomas	41	623	15.1	6	52
Thomas Lucas	32	611	19.0	1	46
Tommy Myers	26	347	13.3	3	28
Dhameer Bradley	16	213	13.3	1	23
Josh Marriner	13	149	11.4	1	44
Ron Johnson	6	52	8.6	0	14
Alec Bloom	3	33	11.0	0	15
Brian Lemelle	2	30	15.0	0	22
Jeff Matthews	1	12	12.0	1	12
Blocking					PCAKE		SACK
Kyle Bockeloh					8		1
Tommy Myers					5		0
Damon Mitchell					4		0
Richard Levy					4		1
Matthew Walsh					3		0
Zach Rugg					3		1
Trey Rutherford					2		3
Tommy Hopkins					1		2
Andreas Knappe					1		8
Joshua Parrish					0		1
	Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions
Defense	SOLO	AST	TOT	SACK	TLOSS	PD	INT	TD
Junior Joseph	81	2	83	2.0	8	2	2
Jordan Floyd	51	2	53	0	1	1	3
Vontae Diggs	49	4	53	1	12	4	0
Omaine Stephens	53	0	53	1	10	0	0
Obi Melifonwu	42	3	45	0	4	6	0
Jon Hicks	41	1	42	2	9	0	1
Jhavon Williams	38	1	39	0	3	3	6
Jamar Summers	37	1	38	0	1	5	7
Quintin Harrell	27	0	27	7	15	0	0
Cameron Stapleton	26	0	26	10	12	0	0
Mikal Myers	17	0	17	5	7	0	0
Javon Hadley	12	1	13	1	0	0	2
Anthony Watkins	13	0	13	0	1	0	0
John Green	13	0	13	0	1	2	0
Luke Carrezola	10	1	11	0	0	0	0
Cole Ormsby	8	0	8	1	5	0	0
Ellis Marder	7	0	7	0	0	0	0
Sean Mariner	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mike Stokes	2	0	2	0	2	0	1
Gene Jackson	1	0	1	1	1	0	0
Demarcus Robinson	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
T.J. Newell	1	0	1	1	1	0	0
Folorunso Fatukasi	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
Derek Robinson	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
	Kickoffs					Punts
Returning	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD	RET	AVG	TD
Arkeel Newsome	71	2188	30.8	102	4	25	255	0
	Field Goals				Extra Points
Kicking	FGM	FGA	PCT	LONG	XPM	XPA	PCT	PTS
Bobby Puyol	17	21	80	48	54	56	96	105
Punting	PUNTS	YDS	LONG	AVG	NET	BP	IN20	TB
Justin Wain	33	1500	59	45.4	35.6	0	7	9

UConn Hall of Fame; Class of 2016

CB Jhavon Williams
K Bobby Puyol
P Justin Wain

(Yeah I know, pathetic class. But we have no one off offense really, Williams was a great corner for us, Puyol was ice, ice baby for years, and Wain is the best punter in UConn history. So....

If there is one thing UConn is good at, it is keeping their coaches. Ollie turned down the Lakers and Thunder jobs, and Geno has been there since the Civil War. I'm sure Diaco will fall victim to the same path. If not, Coach Freday's OTHER dream job is at UConn.

Oh btw, I'm going to have a tough decision on my hands down the road. The major I want to pursue in college is offered at BOTH UConn and Bowling Green....

'Tis true. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Diaco has a lot of thinking to do tonight. So does Mr. Shea.

NOTE: All stats/dynasty info has been updated in the opening 9-10 posts with the exception of season recaps, I'll get to tomorrow once I can dig up the 2015 information.

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

A quarter of Newsome's carries this year were touchdowns. Talk about efficiency lol. And with under 100 yards rushing on the season you know he wasn't breaking too many long runs. Seems like coach Diaco spoonfed Newsome a bit, lots of goal line carries, easy touchdowns

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Albin going to Toledo; you'll never believe who UConn is targeting

Tim Albin has accepted the Toledo head coaching job, being introduced earlier today. This leaves a vacancy of the offensive coordinator position for the second straight year at UConn. While there is no replacement yet, rumors have linked UConn to some, er....interesting, choices.

The frontrunner is Mike Denbrock, a former colleague of Diaco at Notre Dame, and it just makes sense that he would reunite with Diaco.

But do you want a pick that will make you drop your jaw in disbelief? Try Kurt Warner. The former NFL MVP has voiced interest in coaching at the college level, and sources close to the Warner family have indicated that UConn, Oklahoma State and Iowa State are potential destinations if he goes through with this.

I don't know what UConn is thinking, but being flashy will not at all help. I like what he could bring to the table for Bryant Shirreffs and, eventually, David Hamilton, but it following 2016 it is clear that UConn is a run-first team, and I'm not sure Warner wants that.

Coaching carousel up next, we'll see what happens.

A quarter of Newsome's carries this year were touchdowns. Talk about efficiency lol. And with under 100 yards rushing on the season you know he wasn't breaking too many long runs. Seems like coach Diaco spoonfed Newsome a bit, lots of goal line carries, easy touchdowns

Yeah, being the third string back behind Marriner and Johnson didn't help him, as they took all the carries. However, with Jeff McNeal able to play next year, you can bet I'm setting up McNeal and Newsome with some formation subs to run some sweeps, wildcat, etc. Carries likely to be very spread out next year between our top 5 backs.

Whoever our coach is next year, we're getting creative.

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Kurt Warner?! I guess I could see him coaching. But that one surprised me. I think you're right though, not sure how well he'd like running Diaco's run first game plans

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

2016-17 Coaching Carousel

Diaco stays at UConn, Warner to Oklahoma State while Shea takes USC gig

A very hectic coaching carousel wrapped up today, as UConn coach Bob Diaco announced he was staying at UConn after mulling offers from USC and the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

That was a big save, as UConn lost OC Tim Albin to Toledo and DC Anthony Poindexter to Oklahoma at the same position. After rumors circulated that UConn was in position to land two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner, Warner eventually signed a 3 year, $3 million contract with Oklahoma State. UConn ended up with the favorite in Mike Denbrock, the former Notre Dame OC and Diaco's colleague.

For DC, UConn went off the path by tabbing Marty English to fill that spot. English, who had spent the past 5 years at Colorado State, led the Rams to annually having one of the nation's toughest defensive units.

In CAC news, the only move was Marshall OC Quinn Shea signing with USC to fill Steve Sarkisian's head coaching vacancy. Shea led Marshall to a 14-1 season and a national title game berth in his first season as an OC at any school, and was widely considered the top coordinator available this offseason.

Despite rumors that Central Michigan OC Max Crenshaw would be released with the DC and headman Dan Enos, Crenshaw was extended to stay one more year, as were Rice's Kaelyn Willingham, Ohio's Brian Woodard, and Bowling Green's Sam Freday.

New CAC entry Jordan James, at the ripe age of 22, has been tabbed to be the offensive coordinator at UTSA.

Guru's Thoughts:

- Former UConn OC Mike Cummings to Boston College. Crap.

- Doug Martin did a phenomenal job at New Mexico St. Curious to see what he'll do at Central Michigan.

- UMass, Purdue need to get their sh*t together and find a coach. This wheel is clearly not working for either.

- Skip Holtz makes a statement with his lateral move from UVA to Syracuse. Josh Conklin is counting his blessings, I'm sure.

- Steve Spurrier Jr. and Rutgers are wicked intriguing, as are Bud Foster and Western Kneutcky.

- USC made the hire of the century with Shea. Won't be hard for him to win, right now at that.

Notable New Coordinator Gigs

OC:
UConn - Mike Denbrock
Minnesota - Steve Sarkisian
Missouri - Matt Campbell
Oklahoma State - Kurt Warner
UCLA - Ron Caragher
USC - Rick Stockstill
West Virginia - Mike Leach

DC:
Central Michigan - Tim Banks
UConn - Marty English
USC - Pat Narduzzi
Virginia Tech - Scott Shafer

And now..... let's meet our Operation Sports Create-A-Coaches!!

kswgrad2012

Name: Kaelyn Willingham
Position: Rice OC
Offensive Playbook: Spread Option
Defensive Playbook: 4-3
Alma Mater: Ohio State
Age: 32
Coaching Style: Run, and run some more. Innovative coach who uses the option and pistol forms in his sets. Likes the challenge of academic universities, and getting folks to Rice can sometimes be a challenge. But Willingham is a great recruiter, and he should have no problems in Texas.

What to expect in 2017: Following a 3-0 start that ended at a sour 5-7, the entire coaching staff was retained for 2017. Fortunately, most of Rice's contributors from 2016 are back again. Jeremy Jones is now a junior and anxious to put last year's struggles behind him. Kyle Hicks is a capable senior tailback, and speedy junior Austin Walter is behind him. However, Rice's next 3 tailbacks from last year are gone, and no one is proven behind them. Temi Alaka and James Mayden are big, athletic senior receivers, and tight end Cole Hunt is back for his final season. The line is deep and versatile, led by junior center Cory Klingler. A bowl is well within reach for the Owls, and for the sake of job safety, it better be.


Po1soNNN

Name: Sam Freday
Position: Bowling Green OC
Offensive Playbook: Run and Shoot (with a little more running)
Defensive Playbook: 3-4
Alma Mater: Connecticut
Age: 34
Coaching Style: Unlike Willingham, Freday has a tendency to air it out a little more. However, he likes to run as well, making for a potential explosive combination when in the right hands. A clear offensive guru.

What to expect in 2017: After a string of dominance in the MAC East, BGSU stepped back and failed to qualify for a bowl at 6-6 last season as QB James Knapke struggled and a running game was inconsistent. However, the entire staff is back, and new names are raring to go. Sophomore QB Chris Williams takes over for Knapke, and is a much better fit for Freday's system. Junior Brandon English and redshirt frosh Jasper Haley are an exciting one-two punch, and Roger Lewis heads BGSU's receiving corps as a senior. Another veteran line should protect Williams well, and BGSU should bounce back just fine in 2017.


whughes

Name: Max Crenshaw
Position: Central Michigan OC
Offensive Playbook: Alabama/I-Form/2-back
Defensive Playbook: Central Michigan's D (looks like a 4-2-5)
Alma Mater: Central Michigan
Age: 36
Coaching Style: Run, and run some more. Even more than Willingham. Bit of a laid back coach, and intent on turning around his alma mater's poor fortune as of late.

What to expect in 2017: With a new coach in Doug Martin, CMU can wipe the slate clean and start again, which may be exactly what Crenshaw needs. Cooper Rush was under fire all year under center, but he is gone. Sophomore Darius Wood is next in line, and has a lot of room to grow before he's done. Devon Spalding is the favorite to take the tailback job, but mega-freshman Cam Stith turned down offers from big schools like Michigan State and Wisconsin to play for the Chips. He will see time. Chris Overton and Eric Cooper are serviceable wideouts, but junior Jonathan Carson had a monster year and is not only on the Mackey watch list, but he's an All-American candidate. 4 seniors head the offensive line, and CMU could be in line to push for 6 wins in an important year for Crenshaw.


mattynokes

Name: Brian Woodard
Position: Ohio OC
Offensive Playbook: Pro (run preference)
Defensive Playbook: 4-3 (conservative)
Alma Mater: Louisville
Age: 43
Coaching Style: Another run-friendly coordinator. A former college QB, Woodard is an intriguing prospect. His playbooks seem very basic, yet can overpower his opponents on the sideline. Having played the game in the NFL in the late '90s, he knows his way around.

What to expect in 2017: Ohio surprised last year and worked to 6-6, good enough for second in the MAC East and a Military Bowl appearance, where the Bobcats were spanked by Army. Junior QB Joey Duckworth played well and is back again, along with all of his supporting cast from last year. Dorian Brown is once again the only capable tailback, and Brendan Cope emerged as the top receiver with Herman Brunis, and Sebastian Smith, buoyed by 3 more juniors. Mason Morgan is a huge target at TE for Duckworth to throw to. Marcelys Jones is arguably the top line prospect in the MAC, and all 5 starters are upperclassmen. Ohio is in good position to surprise again in the MAC, and shouldn't be taken lightly as a candidate to break 8 or 9 wins this year.


thesportsguru11

Name: Quinn Shea
Position: USC HC
Offensive Playbook: Spread Option (with pistol and shotgun elements)
Defensive Playbook: 3-3-5
Alma Mater: Boston College
Age: 25
Coaching Style: Very much from this generation, Shea is a pass first coordinator with a funky defense to go with it should he land a head coaching job. Very high energy, and it translates on the field. Not only that, but he is a very smart kid who does his homework each week.

What to expect in 2017: After a dream season at Marshall, USC scooped up Shea following a 2-10 campaign last year to make him the youngest coach in FBS history. Shea turns 25 in June. Shea has openly called this a similar situation compared to what he saw at Marshall, and is confident that he can turn the program around quickly. QB Max Browne, now a 5th year senior, has one last try to make good in L.A. following an awful debut in 2016. This time, though, he has a good cast around him with talented young backs Dontrell Marshall and Lamar Holycross, and veteran receivers in JuJu Smith, Adoree' Jackson and Ajene Harris. Quinn Bassler, Toa Lobendahn and Damien Mama are the leaders on yet another deep offensive line. A suspect defense still has holes, but USC is in position to win at least 9-10 games this year if things go Shea's way.


HARLEE23

Name: Jordan James
Position: UTSA OC
Offensive Playbook: Ohio State
Defensive Playbook: 4-3
Alma Mater: Ohio State
Age: 22
Coaching Style: Another new-school coach like Shea, the high-energy James is one of the youngest coordinators in NCAA history at 22. Fresh off graduation from Ohio State, he built up a reputation for his knowledge of the game and became like a top assistant to Urban Meyer. Loves rotations and tries to get as many as possible involved for the good of the team.

What to expect in 2017: UTSA has struggled since Erik Soza's graduation in 2013. Program patriarch Larry Coker retired, and Kevin Kelly is working to build the Runners to at least mediocrity. However, Kelly is no offensive guru. UTSA has four QB's all capable of starting, but junior dual threat Austin Robinson appears to have the upper hand over fellow junior Josh Thomas. Freshman Justin DeAngelis is one to watch. Speedy Juniors Ryan Childs, Kris Walker and freshman Matt Nance will head James' first rotation in San Antonio. Kerry Thomas is a consistent receiver, but the most exciting receiver is 6'7 sophomore Sean Poole, who not only has height, but speed to burn. Speed is also prevalent lower in the depth chart, as Keith Chase, Lawrence Burks and Jon Martinez are anxious for time. Cam Oliver is an All-American potential tight end. Senior tackle Reed Daragh and center Juan Perez anchor the O-Line. Hard to predict UTSA's season, but 5 wins is not out of reach.

Kurt Warner?! I guess I could see him coaching. But that one surprised me. I think you're right though, not sure how well he'd like running Diaco's run first game plans

Good thing we'll never find out. I can't wait to see Warner at OK State...

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

This Cam Stith that came to Central, what's his overall? Was he like a 4* that we someone managed to steal away from bigger schools? Hopefully he can carry the load for my Chips this year. MACC here we come!

Also, the Kurt Warner thing. Was that something you threw in for fun? Or is it a little hidden gem in this game that I need to pay more attention for?

[HARLEE23]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Excited to see Jordan James at UTSA! Texas is kinda a football state so instate recruiting won't be too bad!

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

This Cam Stith that came to Central, what's his overall? Was he like a 4* that we someone managed to steal away from bigger schools? Hopefully he can carry the load for my Chips this year. MACC here we come!

Also, the Kurt Warner thing. Was that something you threw in for fun? Or is it a little hidden gem in this game that I need to pay more attention for?

Stith I want to say is 74 or 75 overall. May not do everything immediately as Spalding is still only a junior, but he'll be a monster if you both stick it out.

Warner I added for giggles. I'm planning on adding a few more former prominent CFB players in upcoming seasons.

Excited to see Jordan James at UTSA! Texas is kinda a football state so instate recruiting won't be too bad!

Kind of a football state is a gross understatement haha. You guys have some exciting young talent for sure. In addition to the offensive young guns, I noticed a strong safety, a sophomore who is already 86 overall. You guys may not set the world on fire this year, but 2018 and 2019 I've got my eyes peeled.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Heisman Winner Olsen returning for senior season

Coming off a season in which he won the Heisman convincingly and nearly led the little team from Huntington, W.VA to a national title, Marshall QB Kevin Olsen is coming back for one more. Looking to win the big one, the Miami transfer Olsen, amid a chorus of cheers from the Marshall crowd in attendance of Olsen's press conference, announced his intent to return for his senior campaign. He says this is solely for the purpose of trying to win a national title.

"We were so close. I have all the accolades I need. But I know we can do it, and that's why I am returning for my senior season."

Olsen was the biggest name to announce his return to school. Big names like Michigan's standout corner Jabrill Peppers, Florida St. RB Dalvin Cook, Stanford TB Christian McCaffrey, LSU defensive teammates Jamal Adams, Cliff Garrett and Florida DT Thomas Holley, all announced they were declaring for the NFL Draft. All are projected to range between Day 1 to early Day 2 picks.