NCAA Football 2007

[Aggie87]

College football is just around the corner! To get things started, here are 100 reasons to love college football this season:

The drum lines are rehearsing. The co-eds are back on campus. The pads are crashing.

After a summer with more scandal than sport, college football is here, and not a moment too soon. So here are 100 things to enjoy between now and the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.

1.) Marching bands -- especially the Sonic Boom at Jackson State.

2.) The comeback-friendly 25-second play clock.

3.) Because no one will be talking about Michael Vick on Saturdays, not even at …

4.) … Virginia Tech, where the season will begin in a moving fashion on Sept. 1, the first game at Lane Stadium since this spring's campus tragedy.

5.) One week later, the Hokies travel to LSU for the first marquee matchup of the season, probably the best defensive matchup of 2007. In preparation, the Purple and Gold faithful have begun Early Times two-a-days. Speaking of which…

6.) … night games at Death Valley. 'Nuff said.

7.) The justified arrogance of the SEC, where each team outside Mississippi's borders has a chance at a bowl …

8.) … even Vanderbilt, led by the criminally underrated Earl Bennett, who caught more passes his first two seasons than anyone in SEC history.

9.) Still, it'll be fun to see if those blowhards stop their yappin' when no SEC team wins the national championship.

10.) Watching Arkansas' Darren McFadden, the best player in America, do his LaDainian Tomlinson impression (1,647 yards and 14 TDs rushing, three TDs passing last season) …

11.) … and his coach, Houston Nutt, who unwittingly taught us that the Freedom of Information Act belongs to everyone. And men say they don't do soap operas.

12.) Seeing if Tim Tebow can handle the rest of Florida's playbook after mastering one page last season.

13.) Locating Gators wide receiver Percy Harvin on every play, the closest most will come to being a defensive coordinator.

14.) The Swamp.

15.) Seeing all of LSU's talent, then remembering that four Tigers were drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, and trying to figure out how LSU lost a single game last season. That'll keep you busier than a Rubik's cube would.

16.) Starting a pool on Nick Saban's first meltdown of the season. Put me down for some time between Alabama's Oct. 20 grudge match with Tennessee and its Nov. 3 tilt with LSU.

17.) Laughing at futile attempts to separate the Georgia-Florida game from its rep as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." That's like ripping the label off a 40 of King Cobra calling it soda.

18.) Seeing how many Alabama fans will try to get into a game that actually counts for something.

19.) And how they'll cope when the Tide loses to Auburn and defensive end Quentin Groves.

20.) The Egg Bowl (Ole Miss-Mississippi State) on Thanksgiving, proving that a rivalry's intensity has nothing to do with whether the teams are any good.

21.) South Carolina at Georgia on Sept. 8. Probably the Ol' Ball Coach's most spirited performance, as he continues to avenge the loss to UGA in '66 that cost the Heisman winner an undefeated season in the SEC.

22.) Trying to find a decent quarterback in the ACC south of New England. Props to BC's Matt Ryan.

23.) Duke versus UConn, Sept. 1 in Durham, the best chance the Blue Devils have at a win this season.

24.) The first step in Miami's pistol-free return to prominence: upsetting Oklahoma on Sept. 8. The offense isn't great, but it won't have to score much as long as …

25.) … Calais Campbell, the 'Canes 6-foot-8 monster at defensive end, and safety Kenny Phillips, who's got Sean Taylor's muscle and Ed Reed's coverage skills, are on the field.

26.) Seeing who Florida State fans will blame this year if the 'Noles don't win 10 games. Bobby's boy isn't around this year to take the whippin'.

27.) Run-stopping linebacker Philip Wheeler and punishing tailback Tashard Choice, studs from Georgia Tech you might have missed while wondering why Reggie Ball couldn't just pass the ball to Calvin Johnson.

28.) Clemson breakaway threats James Davis and C.J. Spiller, the best one-two combo outside Fayetteville.

29.) Wondering if this is the year the "Bowden Bowl" just becomes a game between OK teams.

30.) Ralph Friedgen's next quarterback success story, Florida transfer Josh Portis. Yes, he and Clinton are related (cousins).

31.) Seeing if Butch Davis is really the savior he's believed to be in Chapel Hill, or just a really good football coach. A savior could pull out seven wins this year. A good coach will get four or five.

32.) At least Davis has a great return man in Brandon Tate, who took a kickoff and punt to the house in the same game last season. That's impressive, even if it was against Duke.

33.) To see if Chuck Amato will break out the red shoes, even though he's back on the staff at Florida State. They kinda go with garnet, right?

34.) Enduring the conflicting emotions of finding the Seminole War Chant offensive while singing along with the crowd.

35.) The Greatest Show on Turf: The College Years -- starring Pat White, Steve Slaton and the rest of the West Virginia Mountaineers.

36.) And, hopefully, the occasional cameo from WVU's freshman phenom, running back Noel Devine.

37.) The best bet for the most exciting game of the season -- the Mountaineers versus Louisville on Nov. 8 in Morgantown. Set the over/under at 80.

38.) The quarterback matchup of the season -- Louisville versus Kentucky on Sept. 15 in Lexington. The Cardinals' Brian Brohm is metronome accurate …

39.) … but UK's Andre Woodson (31 TD against 7 INT last season) is better. Just hope his line doesn't get the big-armed senior hurt.

40.) The mere thought of Rutgers going to a third straight bowl game.

41.) The mere thought of Rutgers having its second preseason Heisman candidate in as many years. Take a bow, Ray Rice.

42.) The agonizing possibility that New Yorkers might claim Rutgers as their own, which would turn a feel-good story into further "proof" that everything's better up north.

43.) Looking at it that way and lustily hoping Rutgers goes 0-12.

44.) Watching coach Jim Leavitt and South Florida mess up someone's dreams of waltzing through the Big East and into the BCS Championship. If you're curious, the Bulls play at Rutgers on Oct. 18.

45.) It's the Big 12! It ain't intramurals!

46.) It is, however, the best-quarterbacked conference in the country, featuring 10 returning starters and Nebraska's Sam Keller, who passed for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in '05 for Arizona State.

47.) Part two of the four-year miniseries "The Legend of Colt McCoy." Tying the NCAA record for TD passes as a freshman was just the beginning.

48.) The coolest character in the game, Bevo.

49.) Texas A&M's 263-pound running back, Jovorskie Lane, the hardest man in America to bring down. Last season's 19 touchdowns attest to that.

50.) Just like 6.7 yards per carry show that the Aggies' other back, sophomore Mike Goodson, is just as hard to catch from behind as Lane is to tackle.

51.) The guaranteed offbeat yuks of a news conference from Texas Tech coach Mike Leach.

52.) This year's lesson in Oklahoman philosophy: If your receivers are great, but no one can get them the ball, will you lose to Texas for a third straight year?

53.) Yes, in fact, you will.

54.) The Bobby Reid-Adarius Bowman connection at Oklahoma State. Ask Kansas what they can do together (13 catches, 300 yards, four TDs).

55.) But don't hold it against Aqib Talib, the Jayhawks' great corner, who pulled in seven picks in spite of teams trying to avoid him.

56.) Watching Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and the best pair of receivers in America, Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker, turn the ace formation into a high-powered set.

57.) Figuring out the last time the Big Ten was actually big. Probably back when it was actually 10.

58.) Script Ohio.

59.) Watching Michigan's loaded offense lead Michigan to an 11-0 season …

60.) … before losing to Ohio State.

61.) Imagining how glad Lloyd Carr preferred beating John Cooper to becoming the maize and blue version of Cooper.

62.) Illinois freshmen Martez Wilson and Rejus Benn, the keys to the excitement surrounding the Zooker's Illini.

63.) Illini quarterback Juice Williams, owner of the best name in college football for the second straight year.

64.) Wisconsin sophomore running back P.J. Hill, likely the next man to rush for 2,000 yards and not win the Heisman.

65.) 107,000-plus at Beaver Stadium in all white.

66.) Wishing Tom Arnold still paid fans to do ridiculous -- and sometimes illegal -- things at Iowa games.

67.) Giving Jimmy Clausen every bit of scrutiny he's got coming. Which, unfortunately, is more than any 18-year-old deserves. 'Tis the price of self-promotion.

68.) Seeing Charlie Weis' genius shine without being obscured by all that experienced talent on offense.

69.) Touchdown Jesus, whose presence at Notre Dame means He really does love us all.

70.) Hoping the chain gang takes its time when your team needs a quick score.

71.) Using the memory of Reggie Bush's legendary performance against Fresno State two years ago as motivation to stay up late enough to watch the Pac-10's night games … then waking up on the couch in time for the fourth quarter.

72.) Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson's campaign to make the cover of EA Sports NCAA '09. He'll be giving defenders some of that R3 all season (18.0 yards per catch and nine TDs receiving, 18.2 yards per and four TDs on punt returns last season).

73.) The comical contrast between opposing fans at the Tennessee-Cal game on Sept. 1 in Berkeley. Yes, Vols fans, that smell is what you think it is.

74.) The transfer derby in USC's backfield, where eight backs that could start almost anywhere else just hope to get off the oak …

75.) … including freshman jitterbug Joe McKnight from River Ridge, La., who better get ready for Reggie Bush comparisons, fair or not.

76.) Another Louisianan at Southern Cal -- and the next Heisman Trophy winner -- John David Booty.

77.) The madhouse that is Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

78.) Making jokes about Oregon's uniforms, sent straight from the year 3000. However, not even Andre 3000 would want to wear them.

79.) Enjoying Jim Harbaugh's candor … until Stanford's losses start stacking up. What was refreshing tends to become annoying when a coach isn't winning.

80.) Watching UCLA coach Karl Dorrell earn a little job security with a nine-win season. And I do mean a little.

81.) Dennis Erickson's return to the big time. Either success or probation is on the way to Arizona State. Or both.

82.) Another glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.

83.) Ian Johnson, Chris Petersen, blue turf and the sound of "your Fiesta Bowl champion Boise State Broncos" over the PA system at Bronco Stadium.

84.) Purported "system quarterback" Colt Brennan's battle against the legacy of Timmy Chang. McCoy's got a cooler name, but Brennan's got the better game.

85.) Watching Tulsa, just to see if the fuss about exiled Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's no-huddle offense is justified.

86.) Seeing what scheme TCU coach Gary Patterson cooks up for a vulnerable Texas squad on Sept. 8. A win there could mean a BCS bowl and his program's elevation to the next level.

87.) The best player off the big time radar: the diminutive Jarrett Dillard, Rice's star receiver. The 2006 Biletnikoff finalist looks to top last season's 91 catches, 21 of which went to the house.

88.) The Miami-Florida International rematch, guaranteed to feature the best behavior of any game this season. Man, that sounds boring.

89.) Army-Navy.

90.) The greatest play ever invented -- the option.

91.) Improved highlight shows, now that kickoffs have been moved to the 30.

92.) Watching the clock start when a kickoff is received, not kicked. It's the little things, you know?

93.) Bowl games, more fun for more people than a playoff. When else could a trip to Shreveport, La., pass for a good time?

94.) Eating Tostitos during the Fiesta Bowl without feeling like a total sellout.

95.) Paying respects to Fowler, Corso and Herbstreit without feeling like a total sellout.

96.) Ordering pizza from PapaJohns.com during the PapaJohns.com Bowl without feeling like a total sellout, but only because you still can't believe such a game really exists.

97.) The Bayou Classic, still the best party around. No, it's not a Bowl Championship Series rivalry, but the bands, step shows and Friday night in the French Quarter make it as good as any I-A spectacle.

98.) The fact that the Pioneer Bowl, where Hayden Fox's Minnesota State Screamin' Eagles won a national championship on "Coach," really exists. Look it up if you don't believe me.

99.) The last year of Miami football at the Orange Bowl.

100.) Capping the season with a joyous piece of schadenfreude -- watching Les Miles eat his words when USC beats LSU in the BCS Championship in New Orleans.

[AndrewHill]

58.) Script Ohio.

59.) Watching Michigan's loaded offense lead Michigan to an 11-0 season …

60.) … before losing to Ohio State.

[Aggie87]

My team is going to have a great running game this year (see #49, 50). Our QB is tough, and supposedly has a good arm, though it was MIA last year. With a good OL and hopefully decent passing game, we'll do well there.

Our defense is suspect to me though. We run a 4-2-5 base D, which is basically a nickel/prevent defense, on every play. Seems like we're going to allow teams to march down the field on us every time, so every game we play could be a close game, like last season.

We also have a tough schedule this year - road games at Miami, Texas Tech, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, and a home game with Texas. I can easily see a record of 7-5 up to 9-3.

[Free For All]

It will be interesting to experience my first football season at FSU. I haven't been at a school with a program this big since I was a student at UT-Austin. This is a huge school with 40,000 students (but only about 12,000 parking places!).

I think the 'Noles are going to have a good, but maybe not great season. On Fridays before home games they have a big block party downtown. I plan on going to a game or two, maybe a little later in the season when it's not quite so MF hot!

Edit: It still feels funny to be a proponent of a team I used to root against (I'd never been a fan of FSU, UF or Miami). I guess since I became a "free agent" all that has changed!

Edited August 23, 2007 by Free For All

[Aggie87]

This is a huge school with 40,000 students (but only about 12,000 parking places!).

There is a spot with a sign that says "Reserved for Professor McKee", right?

[Noj]

Bruins should be tough. Hopefully they will build on last year's success, and beat the Trojans again!

The Trojans are ranked number one, but there's question marks at receiver. Apparently they have a RB who is supposedly "faster than Reggie Bush." Yikes!

College football and basketball are about the best sports going in Los Angeles right now.

[Free For All]

This is a huge school with 40,000 students (but only about 12,000 parking places!).

There is a spot with a sign that says "Reserved for Professor McKee", right?

Ha! I wish.....I get the "priviledge" of purchasing a parking permit which then allows me to compete for a space.

[Dan Gould]

It will be interesting to experience my first football season at FSU. I haven't been at a school with a program this big since I was a student at UT-Austin. This is a huge school with 40,000 students (but only about 12,000 parking places!).

I think the 'Noles are going to have a good, but maybe not great season. On Fridays before home games they have a big block party downtown. I plan on going to a game or two, maybe a little later in the season when it's not quite so MF hot!

Edit: It still feels funny to be a proponent of a team I used to root against (I'd never been a fan of FSU, UF or Miami). I guess since I became a "free agent" all that has changed!

It won't be long before you'll be a true-blue Seminole fan, Paul. Considering how long its been since my alma mater had a "great" season, I'll be happy if we qualify for "good". And as far as the parking situation goes, you should feel lucky. You know the parking garage across from the Union? That was just a plain old lot when I was in school. At least back then home games started at 7 pm, so the heat wasn't quite as brutal.

[Aggie87]

Still in shock about App. State's upset of Michigan today! First time a Div 1-AA team (I don't think I'll get used to their new name, whatever it is) has ever beaten a ranked team.

edit - just saw that another thread was created for this topic, but I'll keep my comments in this college football thread anyway.

Aggie87 doesn't agree with Aloc that this loss will cost Lloyd Carr his job, as embarrassing as it was.

Edited September 1, 2007 by Aggie87

[NaturalSoul]

Still shocked about the michigan upset. On the Nebraska telecast the announcers were saying that the APP state QB was a very special player, and that they could not believe the bigger ACC schools didn't get him.

Oh yeah, the Huskers sure are looking dominant (they just cut off the telecast though!) Well, what the hell is that pistol offense Nevada was running? It sure isn't work today. Sam Keller looked decent, a bit nervous at the beginning. But oh boy, Marlon Lucky looked like a bad MFer.

Edited September 1, 2007 by NaturalSoul

[Tim McG]

College Football pre-season polls:

AP Top 25

1. USC (62) 0-0 1,622

2. LSU (2) 0-0 1,511

3. West Virginia (1) 0-0 1,396

4. Texas 0-0 1,375

5. Michigan 0-0 1,371

6. Florida 0-0 1,276

7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,192

8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,166

9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,148

10. Louisville 0-0 1,031

11. Ohio State 0-0 876

12. California 0-0 790

13. Georgia 0-0 782

14. UCLA 0-0 605

15. Tennessee 0-0 571

16. Rutgers 0-0 560

17. Penn State 0-0 542

18. Auburn 0-0 519

19. Florida State 0-0 392

20. Nebraska 0-0 377

21. Arkansas 0-0 376

22. TCU 0-0 283

23. Hawaii 0-0 256

24. Boise State 0-0 187

25. Texas A&M 0-0 162

USA Today Poll

1. USC (45) 0-0 1,481

2. LSU (4) 0-0 1,372

3. Florida (9) 0-0 1,278

4. Texas 0-0 1,231

5. Michigan (2) 0-0 1,218

6. West Virginia 0-0 1,205

7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,114

8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,026

9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,005

10. Ohio State 0-0 919

11. Louisville 0-0 836

12. California 0-0 763

13. Georgia 0-0 604

14. Auburn 0-0 595

15. Tennessee 0-0 583

16. Rutgers 0-0 466

17. UCLA 0-0 454

18. Penn State 0-0 440

19. Nebraska 0-0 388

20. Arkansas 0-0 360

21. Florida State 0-0 301

22. TCU 0-0 233

23. Boise State 0-0 222

24. Hawaii 0-0 214

25. Texas A&M 0-0 209

I gotta say I am suprised to see Rutgers, Boise State and Hawaii even mentioned. Excluding Rutgers of course, the WAC is one weak conference.

I'm pullin' for Wisconsin and UCLA

Edited September 2, 2007 by GoodSpeak

[NaturalSoul]

Cal vs. Tennessee was a good game. Desean Jackson is a special player, as is Forsett. Shit, alot of their players are.

USC looks good so far. I wonder how many yards Hawaii's QB is going to throw tonight.

[Aggie87]

Our defense is suspect to me though. We run a 4-2-5 base D, which is basically a nickel/prevent defense, on every play. Seems like we're going to allow teams to march down the field on us every time, so every game we play could be a close game, like last season.

The Aggies gave up 304 yrds in the air to Division 1-AA Montana State yesterday (the 4-2-5 is a terrible base defense - does any other program out there run it with any success?) However, M-State missed 3 field goals, had an interception, and a fumble on their drives to squelch any chance of being in the game.

The better teams on our schedule are going to eat us up in the air.

I think in some ways this is karma for stealing Franchione away from Alabama the way A&M did. I still don't understand why basically his first decision as A&M coach was to do away with the 3-4 defense the Aggies were known for, the Wrecking Crew.

[Tim McG]

Cal vs. Tennessee was a good game. Desean Jackson is a special player, as is Forsett. Shit, alot of their players are.

USC looks good so far. I wonder how many yards Hawaii's QB is going to throw tonight.

Cal game was a good one, too.

Hawaii was playing a tomato can....I figure the passing yards will be off the charts again next weekend against Louisiana Tech, too.

Brennan tosses for 416 yards, 6 TDs in first half of blowout

Edited September 2, 2007 by GoodSpeak

[Aggie87]

Clemson's up 21-0 over Florida State, not even mid way through the second quarter yet.

What's going on, Free??

[Free For All]

Any team I feel obliged to root for immediately sucks. Once I move on they have a "storybook season".

[Dan Gould]

Any team I feel obliged to root for immediately sucks. Once I move on they have a "storybook season".

Newsflash for you, FFA:

The Noles lost SIX games last year. We've SUCKED for a long time.

In fact, one can say that from the moment I got married, the team went into the crapper:

I moved back to Florida in 1993. From that season through the 2000 season, they were never ranked lower than 5th, never lost more than two games in a season and won two national championships.

In 2001, a young QB named Chris Rix started out with two wins against unranked opponents, and then on my Wedding Day, turned the ball over three times in a crushing loss to North Carolina, a pattern that would be repeated virtually week after week until he finally graduated.

Since that season, the Noles haven't sniffed a National Championship, a top ten ranking, or given any reason to have any hope whatsoever.

21-3 late in the first half, and the beat(ing) goes on ...

[Free For All]

Thanks, Dan. Always the voice of hope.

Anthony Bourdain is touring Honk Kong in ten minutes. Maybe I'll watch that instead.

[Aggie87]

Sheesh, could the Aggies play (or look) any worse against the Hurricanes tonight? It's 24-0 at the half, and I think the Ags have less than 40 (?) yards of offense. The crappy 4-2-5 defense is being exposed, and the offense isn't doing anything.

I've been on the "Get Rid of Franchione Bandwagon" for a while, but this game convinces me he's never going to do it for the Ags at all. It's time to go Fran!

[Free For All]

Sheesh, could the Aggies play (or look) any worse against the Hurricanes tonight? It's 24-0 at the half, and I think the Ags have less than 40 (?) yards of offense. The crappy 4-2-5 defense is being exposed, and the offense isn't doing anything.

I've been on the "Get Rid of Franchione Bandwagon" for a while, but this game convinces me he's never going to do it for the Ags at all. It's time to go Fran!

I caught part of the fourth quarter. I feel your pain; I can't even bring myself to make a smart-ass comment.

...........just yet.

[Bright Moments]

Sheesh, could the Aggies play (or look) any worse against the Hurricanes tonight? It's 24-0 at the half, and I think the Ags have less than 40 (?) yards of offense. The crappy 4-2-5 defense is being exposed, and the offense isn't doing anything.

I've been on the "Get Rid of Franchione Bandwagon" for a while, but this game convinces me he's never going to do it for the Ags at all. It's time to go Fran!

I caught part of the fourth quarter. I feel your pain; I can't even bring myself to make a smart-ass comment.

...........just yet.

hopefully the CANES are back on track!!!

[Jim Alfredson]

Sheesh, could the Aggies play (or look) any worse against the Hurricanes tonight? It's 24-0 at the half, and I think the Ags have less than 40 (?) yards of offense. The crappy 4-2-5 defense is being exposed, and the offense isn't doing anything.

I've been on the "Get Rid of Franchione Bandwagon" for a while, but this game convinces me he's never going to do it for the Ags at all. It's time to go Fran!

I caught the last part of the first half while channel surfing and catching a glimpse of a really fine looking Miami cheerleader (my wife was not home, okay?) and I immediately thought of you, Aggie87, watching that debacle.

[Aggie87]

I caught the last part of the first half while channel surfing and catching a glimpse of a really fine looking Miami cheerleader (my wife was not home, okay?) and I immediately thought of you, Aggie87, watching that debacle.

There I was, sitting in front of the tv, in my maroon A&M t-shirt, waving my 12th Man Towel.... for the first 2-3 minutes of the game. My daughter even sat with me for a bit and rooted them on. I had hopes this would be maybe an actual step towards respectability.

After a while it was apparent that we sucked, and sucked bad. I mean really, really sucked. Craig James said our defense was playing a high school version of the zone D that nobody even plays anymore.

What's gonna be fun is Franchione mocked Oklahoma last month, and Stoops didn't like it. They beat us a couple of years ago 77-0. This year's whooping is going to be worse, I think.

Ah well.

[alocispepraluger102]

syracuse 38

louisville 35

final score

[NaturalSoul]

The UNL blackshirts are fuckin' pathetic this year! Oh well, at least we won..