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Sully’s CFP: Six Pack of Winners Week One

Tulsa @ Bowling Green -3.5: These teams have played once in the past five years, a 33-20 Tulsa win in 2010. Bowling Green is picked to win the East Division in the MAC, while Tulsa is the favorite to win the West in C-USA! Bowling Green returns 19 starters for the 2013 season, while Tulsa brings back only 10. That said, C-USA is clearly the better league and Tulsa the better program. Prior to the 2010 meeting, they Played in the GMAC Bowl where Tulsa set a record for the largest margin of victory, 56 points, with a 63-7 pounding of BGU. Tulsa will not only beat the spread, they will win this game outright!

Ole Miss -3 vs Vanderbilt: This is a great match-up in the SEC of two programs that are clearly on the rise. Vandy in the East Division & Ole Miss in the West. These teams have met five times in the past five years with Vanderbilt winning four and three in a row. Last year the Commodores beat the Rebels 28-27, Vandy drove the length of the field to win the game as time expired. Both teams won their bowl games last year, Ole Miss beat Pitt 38-17 & Vandy beat NC State 38-24.Against the better teams in the SEC East Vandy did not show up, losing to Florida 31-17 & Georgia 48-3 while Ole Miss lost to A&M 30-27 & LSU 41 35. I do not believe Vanderbilt got Ole Miss’ best  effort last year … they will this time…  Look for a very competitive game with Ole Miss winning by a touchdown. Take Ole Miss and give Vandy the 3!

Rutgers @ Fresno State -10.5:  This is a very good Fresno State team, they are picked by most preseason publications to win the West Division of the Mountain West Conference. They were 9-4 a year ago, but were hammered in the Hawaii Bowl by SMU, 43-10! This year they bring back 16 starters including their QB, Derek Carr, David Carr’s younger brother. Rutgers also was 9-4 last year, losing their bowl game to Virginia Tech 14-10, in OT. Rutgers has the best offensive line in the American Athletic Conference, one of the leagues best receivers, Brandon Coleman, & one of the AAC best runners, Savon Huggins. The concern for the Scarlet Knights is on the defensive side of the ball. Rutgers will score on Fresno, they just will struggle to stop them. Take Rutgers & the 10.5 points as Fresno wins but does not cover!  

BYU @ Virginia PK: Virginia is 2-1 vs BYU, the last meeting between the teams was in 2000, a game won by BYU, 38-35 in OT! The Cavaliers were 4-8 last year, while BYU finished the 2012 season @ 8-5, beating San Diego State, 26 -3 in the Poinsettia Bowl. The two best players in this game both play for BYU, LB Kyle Van Noy & WR Cody Hoffman, Virginia does have an outstanding Offensive Left Tackle, Morgan Moses, 6’6 325! In their last their last four opening day contests, BYU has beaten, Oklahoma 14-13 in 2009, Washington 23-17 in 2010, Ole Miss 14-13 in 2011 & Washington State 30-6 last year! Important to Note, only the Ole Miss game was on the road, all the other games were played at Lavell Edwards Stadium! That said, this is a pick ’em game neither team is giving points ,,, Take BYU to win the Game!

Florida State -10 @ Pitt: This is a pretty big mountain for the Panthers to be given to climb in their first ever ACC contest. That said, FSU is a surprising 3-5 vs Pitt. Their last meeting was in 1983, a game won by Pittsburgh, 17-16! Further the Seminoles have lost their last two, 1st road game of the season, @ Oklahoma, 47-17, in 2010 & @ Clemson. 35-30, in 2011. Ok, it sounds like Pitt has a good shot at the Seminoles … Forget it!! FSU has the best O-Line in the ACC, Center, Bryan Stork & OG, Tre, Jackson, the best receivers Rashad Greene, Nick O’Leary, & Kelvin Benjamin & RBs Devonte Freeman & James Wilder  in the conference, & a Red Shirt Freshman QB, Jameis Winston, who is being talked about as one of the best they have ever had at that position. On Defense, it is more of the same, best linebackers in the ACC, Christian Jones & Telvin Smith, best D Backs in the Conference; LaMarcus Joyner, Ronald Darby, & Terrence Brooks, while 2nd team All-American, Timmy Jernigan, leads a really good D-Line. FSU roster is just to good for Pitt! Take FSU and give the Panthers the 10 points!

University of Texas San Antonio @ New Mexico -3: I am at a loss to understand why New Mexico is only giving UTSA 3 points. Bob Davie did a very good job a year ago and could have won more games. They lost to the following teams, Air Force 28-23, Colorado State 24-20, Nevada 31-24, Wyoming, 28-23 & Boise State 32-29! New Mexico was competitive in the MWC Davie’s first year. This game has an ND & Miami head coach connection, Bob Davie guided ND and Larry Coker led the Hurricanes. Davie won four games last year, more than the previous three years combined. The Lobos have a chance to win 6 games this year, but they will need to win many of the six early. This game is a needed step for a New Mexico team that is more talented and deeper than a year ago. Take New Mexico and give UTSA the points!

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners |

AP Top 25… 5 through 1

5. Georgia (1) The Dwags accually had a first place vote before landing in the # 5 spot. This team is loaded offensively, QB Aaron Murray, RBs Todd Gurley & Keith Marshall, WR Malcome Mitchell, & TE Arther Lynch are all very talented, skilled, & experienced as we begin the 2013 season. Any questions this team has are with a very talented but inexperienced defense. Mark Richt’s record at Georgia is 118-40 as he begins his 13th season in Athens. The problem for Coach Ritch is the schedule, the young defense is being tossed into the deep end of the pool to start the season … Clemson… at Clemson & South Carolina at home. I do not believe any team in the country will have a more challenging beginning to their season than the Dwags. If Georgia emerges from the first two weeks of the season unbeaten, they should move into the second spot in both the coaches and AP polls based on these wins!

4. Stanford: A whole bunch of people, me included, thought when Jim Harbaugh departed, the program would begin to slide. Clearly, under Davis Shaw’s learedship it has not missed a beat, in fact, it has improved. Shaw, in his first two years with the Cardinal is 23-4, 11-2 in 2011 while winning the Fiesta Bowl & last year, 12-2 with a victory in the Rose Bowl. Their schedule is favorable, while they play SC on the road, the Cardinal get Oregon, Arizona State, Washington, UCLA, California (biggest rival), & Notre Dame all at home. Stanford does not open its season until September 7th, a bye the first week of the season is interesting; Stanford plays every week in September & October and get their second bye on the first Saturday of November. They then finish out the season with four straight games in November. That month Stanford plays Oregon, at home, on 11/7/13 followed by the 11/16/13 encounter @ USC and ends their season in Stanford Stadium vs ND. Pretty rough November … Oregon, USC, & the Irish …. oh yeah, do not forget “the game” vs California!

3. Oregon: Speed, Speed, & more speed… is always what I think of when I hear the word/state Oregon mentioned; even if they are talking about a “Big Foot sighting” I think “I’ll bet that Sasquatsh is faster than a Washington or Montana Yeti” … ok … that is probably just me … but at some level, when we think of the Oregon Ducks football team, we all think speed! Chip Kelly is gone to the NFL (four seasons … four BCS appearances) and former Offensive Coordiator, Mark Helfrich, has taking control of the helm. The Ducks play an ACC team, Virginia on the road & then an SEC team, Tennessee at home, not the best compettition those conferences have to offer, but with Butch Jones taking over at Tennessee… well that game could be interesting. QB Marcus Mariota & RB D’Anthony Thomas are all about speed, but this version of UO has power, Center, Hroniss Grasu & OT Tyler Johnstone are the best at their positions in the PAC 12. The strenght of the defense is in the secondary, CBs Ifo Expre-Olomu & Terrance Mitchall… per usual, the front 7 and their ability to stop the run … is the question for this team!

2. Ohio State: I have no idea why the Bucks are rated this high … none … well, ok… let me try to come up with an explanation or two  … while inexperienced, they are talented and their schedule is weak …. or … the college football moguls wants to see a Saban / Meyer match-up in the final BCS Championship! That said, let’s take a look @ OSU. QB Braxton Miller ran the ball 227 times last year for a net gain of 1273 yards … this is a huge problem. Miller needs to extend plays with his feet not escape with them puppies… in other words, he needs to move in the pocket with his eyes down the field and throw, not run, the ball up/down the field.  I have a novel idea for Braxton … give the ball to Carlos and let him run the ball down the field and take them pops! Another issue with Miller is he completed only 58% of his passes last year, 148/254 in 2012 ..same percentage as Wisconsin’s Joel Stave, who is not consider an elite QB. Look it, Miller is talented, but not as skilled as people like to make him out, he can get there … but he is not there yet. On Defense, the Bucks have only one of their front seven back, WLB Ryan Shazier, the front seven is talented, but woefully inexperienced to be ranted 2nd in the country. Now to the suspensions, RB Carlos Hyde is out for the 1st three games and All American Corner back Bradley Roby is out for the first game. This high of a ranking is related to the schedule, coach, & potential …  not the current roster, ……  at this time of the year, it is simply to inexperienced!

1. Alabama: This is the most complete team in the country. They are one of the best offensive teams in all of college football, QB, RB, & WR (maybe the best corp of receivers in the nation) are all outstanding; while the TE and O-Line are solid. Their defense has the best line backing crew in the nation, Mosley, DePriest, Hubbart, & Dickson & Ha Ha Clinton Dix is the best FS in America. Their D-Line is talented but lacks experience with only, DE, Ed Stinson, returning for the 2013 season. By SEC standards, the schedule is a gift, they avoid Florida, South Carolina, & Georgia when taking on the SEC East! I think every one in the country is looking forward to the Sept. 14th battle, in College Station, with A&M. Of the top five teams listed by the AP, in my view, the team that has the best shot at knocking off Alabama is Georgia … & … they have to survive @ Clemson & South Carolina @ home in the first two weeks of the season and later, Nov. 2nd, Florida, at a neutral site, Jacksonville. This ranking is clearly deserved and you will have to beat Bama, (as they will not beat themselves) Saban will have them focused each and every week!

Let the Games begin!

Posted in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, SEC, South Carolina, Stanford |

AP Top 25… 10 through 6

10. Florida: Will Muschamp is entering his third year as head Coach of the Gators and has posted a record of 18 -8 in his first two seasons at Floeida’s helm. His first year was rough, 7-6, however, he regrouped last year and his team went 11-1 in O12 That said, they stumbled in the Sugar Bowl to a very good Louisville Unit. Florida has a challenging schedule in 2013; @ Miami FL, @ LSU, @ South Carolina, & Georgia at a neutral site, Jacksonville. At home, they face a new look Arkansas team and an In-state rival, Florida State. While, in my view, Florida has a top 10 roster, their schedule will make it difficult for them to finish the season in the Top 10. The on-going dilemma between roster & schedule in the rating/evaluating a team may be best exampled through Florida. The Gators recruit some of the best talent in the nation and they need it as they are playing a top 5 schedule. A 10-3 finish may leave them ranked outside the top 10; yet, clearly better than some 11-2 or even 12-1 teams who may finsih the season in the Top 5.

9. Louisville: Charlie Strong has done a terrific job at every school he has coached (Texas A&M, Southern Illinois, ND, Florida, South Carolina & Ole Miss) yet, he may have saved his best for the Cardinals of Louisville (25-14 as HC). Charlie’s team finished at 11-2 last year and celebrated a  great regular season by beating Florida in the Sugar Bowl, 33-23! Teddy Bridgewater is consider to be one of the best QB in the country and two of his receivers (WR DeVanta Parker & TE Gerald Christian) are thought of as the best in the AAC @ their positions! That said, I do not believe Louisville’s roster is better or even as good as Florida’s, yet they clearly have a better chance of finishing the season ranked higher then the Gators given their respective schedules!

8. Clemson: Talent everywhere… heart nowhere…. Sad to say this has been Clemson’s legacy in rescent years. One would often hear how the Tigers have SEC talent and then … year after year, they would go out and underachieve (2007 6-6, 2008 5-7, 2009 4-8, 2010 7-6, 2011 7-6). Last year, they beat everyone on their schedule that they were better than, but stumbled in games where their roster gave them little, if any, advantage; losses to Florida State, 49-37 & In-State Rival, South Carolina, 27-17 are prime examples. Well … this is a new year, Clemson opens its season vs Georgia, a win here and the sky has no limit, a loss …. (The reality… Georgia can lose this game and recover all the way to the BCS National Championship Game … win the SEC & your in Baby, Clemson cannot lose this game and get to the BCS Championship Game…the ACC Champion does not have the power to leap frog a one loss team from the PAC 10, Big 12 or Big Ten) This one game will determine Clemson’s BCS National Championship asperations, as, even if they were to beat FSU & South Carolina later in the season, it would not be enough … close … but no cigar! To finish ranked one or two; Clemson needs to be perfect! It may not be fair … but it is real!

7. Texas A&M: Kevin Sumlin (11-2 1st year @ A&M…46-19 overall) is fast becoming a college football household name, his ability to adjust points of emphasis in his offense to accent his quarterbacks skill sets are most impressive! Case Keenum & Johnny Manziel are little, to nothing, alike, yet they both have thrived in Sumlin’s offense schemes. The question we all have for /about A&M is … Now that SEC teams are fully cognizant of how good Manziel & A&M are … What happens this year? Do the Aggies keep on marching or is Mike Leech (former Texas Tech Coach) right about A&M when he implied ( If that’s a Military school then I’ m a pirate… Leech’s reference to being a pirate is related to Texas Tech being known as the Red Raiders with a pirate as their mascot … so … I think if is fair to say Leech was somewhat skaptical of A&M being anything like West Point… Pretty funny) or do SEC defenses adjust and put A&M back to the perception of when they came into the SEC ….. being, a Big 12 team, that can’t play “Big Boy Football” and ain’t marching anywhere! The answer to this question  should/will be one of the top stories of the 2013 season! All this subject to and provided by the fact that Manziel is with us this season!!!

6. South Carolina: If I were asked which coach from the SEC Media Days is a “must see” … not close …  it is/would be the “Ole Balll Coach”! Steve Spurrier has become the Richard Pryor/ Bill Murray of the SEC with his down home wit and his subliminal sarcasm of any and all things. His record is 66-37 @ USC and 208-77-2 overall, a winning percentage far above what the Gamecocks were achieving prior to his arriaval in Columbia!   South Carolina may have the best, certainly the most feared, player in all of college football in Jadeveon Clowney, a  ferocious pass rusher. Just ask Vincent Smith of Michigan if you have doubts about Clowney’s ability to get off the LOS and into the backfied with a suddeness not seen anywhere else in the country! South Carolina has a tough opening to the 2013 season, as they take on UNC @ home, at Georgia in week two & Vandy in week three! Their next two biggest challenges are at home vs Florida & Clemson! The good news for SC is they avoid Bama, LSU & Texas A&M in their crossover games vs the SEC West. If the Gamecocks survive the first three weeks of the season, they will be ranked in the Top 5!

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Posted in AAC, ACC, Alabama, Arkansas, Big 12, Big Ten, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami FL, Ole Miss, PAC 12, SEC, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt |

AP TOP 25… 15 through 11

15. Texas: Mack Brown is clearly one of college football’s best representatives, on and off the field. He is 150-43 at the Longhorn helm and when he speaks, he seems to be able to find something good to say about everyone. The last three years Mack has gone 5-7 in 2010, 8-5 in 2011, & 9-4 last year, while headed in the right direction, this record simply will not work at Texas.  As you may recall, 2009 was their championship run, 13-1, falling to Alabama, 37-21 in the BCS’ “Big Dog”! Coach Brown’s seat is getting hot, he needs to have his team play up the hype they come in with as recruits. Mack looked embattled the last time I saw him with the media, this team needs to step up now. UT’s Schedule is challenging heading to the Cotton Bowl & Oklahoma, but not overwhelming. The Horns take on BYU in Provo & Kansas State @ home. Speaking of the Sooners, Mack needs to bring his defense to Dallas this year, as Texas gave up 55 (3rd most in 107 games with Oklahoma) in 2011 & 63 last year (2nd most points allowed)

14. Notre Dame: Brain Kelly is heading into his 4th season @ ND (26-11) and did have the “breakout’ season his highly successful counterparts, Ara Parseghian & Lou Holtz experienced in their third year. That said, they won national championships, Kelly battled for one … well sort of … played … ok .. they were at the game!! Wait a minute,  I’m starting to sound like everybody else, ….  look it, I have been watching college football since the 1950’s and that offensive Bama Line was the best I have ever seen. The Irish schedule is good and good early, middle & late … at Michigan, play Michigan State & Oklahoma @ home in back to back games … all in September. Face two very good PAC 12 teams in October, Arizona State in Cowboy Stadium (the Irish are 11-1 in neutral sites since 2000) & SC at home, and end their season vs BYU in South Bend & Stanford in Stanford Stadium! Nothing new here, the Michigan Game, in Ann Arbor is key, if the Irish come out of Semtember unbeaten, they will be ranked in the top 8 & on their way to BCS land!

13. Oklahoma State: Mike Gundy has had a great run Ok State, 67-35 overall and 5-2 in Bowl games. They return 15 starters, 8 on offense, including two of the best wide receivers in the Big 12, Tracy Moore & Josh Stewart. The schedule is interesting, play Mississippiu State from the Mighty SEC in their season opener in Houston and travel to Morgantown, to take on West Virginia on September 28. OSU plays @ Texas, but get K-State, TCU & Oklahoma all at home. Gundy’s team can make some noise, if it gets out of the season’s first month unscathed (MSU at a neutral site & @ the Mountaineers in WV)

12. LSU:  I have LSU going 8-4 this season, maybe to much Jameson!! I do think they will be better on offense, Zach Mettenburger, their QB showed signs of being quite capable last season and their running backs (Hill, Hillary & Blue) are all powerful & fast. Their defense (4 starters back) is a concern. I know they have the ability to reload on that side of the ball and as they have done so in the past. The real concern is their schedule, @ Bama, Ole Miss & Georgia, host Florida & Texas A&M & open with a very good TCU in Cowboy Stadium. To much to ask from a young defense ! / ?  … All that said, Les Miles is 85-21 @ LSU and does not agree with any of this 8-4 stuff! This is one team I will be watching with a great deal of interest!

11. Florida State: Jimbo (not Jumbo as I like to write) Fisher is entering his 4th season and has a won/loss record of 31-10 overall and 3-0 in bowls @ FSU. That said, they have lost 4 games the past three years to teams that they were double diget favorites to beat. If they are going to make a run at the top 5 or better (a position they were in for 14 straight years… but not once since 2000)  they really need to keep thier focus in these types of games. Two teams on their schedule have the rosters to beat the Seminoles (were talking on paper …. anything can & does happen in the real world), Clemson & Florida. If Fisher is able to keep these guys focused in their 10 other games … all FSU has to do is go 2-0 in the deep water …. to be playing for all the marbles in 2013!

Posted in Alabama, Arizona State, Big Ten, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas State, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Wisconsin |

AP TOP 25… 20 through 16

20. TCU: Gary Patterson is one of the winningest coaches in the FBS, 116 -36, there is a 76% chance when Patterson’s teams line up, that they will win that game. Last year they entered the Big 12 and were a mediocre 7-6, Patterson’s critics were all over this, saying “they stepped up to the big time and got stepped on” … Ok, they struggled…. with a young defense and they lose their QB, Casey Pachall, early in the season. This year they have 16 starters back, including their QB. Thier schedule is tuff, as they do have to play both Oklanoma schools on the road and LSU at Arlington to start the season. Look for the Horned Frogs to open some eyes as they knock off the Tigers of LSU in their opener!

19. Boise State: If TCU’s Gary Patterson is one of the winningest coaches in the FBS, Chris Petersen is the winningest, with a 84-8 record at Boise the past 8 years. Coach Petersen has won an amazing 92% of his games! That said, I believe Boise is ranked this year on past accomplishments, not current circumstances; they have only 9 statrers coming back, 5 on offense & 4 on defense. They open their season at Washington, a team they survived in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl, 28-26. Look for them to stumble early @ Washington & at Fresno State. 

18. Nebraska: Bo Pelini is 49-20 in 6 years at Nebraska, last year the Huskers were a solid 10-4. That said, some of their losses were head turners, most notably, the 70 to 31 tail whipping the Badgers put on them in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Huskers have a big game at home, on September, 14th, vs UCLA;  a win here at the Cornhuskers could be headed to a top 10 ranking …. based more on their schedule than the talent on their roster. The Bruin game is their only real challenge, until November 2nd when they face Northwestern in Evanston. In fact, November is the month we will find out how good Nebraska is, as after their Wildcat hunt on the 2nd, they play @ Michigan & Penn State and battle Michigan State & Iowa @ home.

17. Michigan: Brady Hoke is 19-7 @ Michigan as he enters his 3rd year. Their schedule is difficult, the Wolverines play two teams from a year ago that were a combined 24-0, in the regular season, Notre Dame & Ohio State. They also have to play at Michigan State & Northwestern, with Nebraska sandwiched between  the Spartans & Wildcats. Like the Cornhuskers, the Wolverines could get into the top 10, if they beat ND at home on Sept. 7, and then comes November & Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, @ Iowa & Ohio State! The Wolves must beat the Irish in September and then play well in November against the toughest part of their schedule to advance their current ranking. LB, Jake Ryan will be missed (ACL in Spring Game)

16. Oklahoma: Bob Stoops is an impressive 149-37 @ Oklahoma as he enters his 15th year. In the last 10 years, Stoops’ teams have won in the double digets 8 times and have never won less than 8 games in  any of those years (2003 through 2012). If they are to move into the top 10, they must beat Notre Dame in South Bend on 9/28/13, and then find at way the next two weeks, at home vs TCU & then take care of business in the Cotton Bowl vs Texas! The Key to the Sonners season is between 9/28 & 10/12. Win those three and the Sonners are on their way to a top 5 ranking!

Posted in Boise State, Fresno State, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, TCU, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin |

AP Top 25 … 25 through 21

Let’s do this list starting from the bottom up…

25. Oregon State… Mike Riley is a well thought of coach with a pretty good record at OSU, 81-67, as he enters his 13th season.  Brandin Cooks is a very good receiver, who has the talent to play on Sunday; while RBs Storm Woods rushed for over 900 yards last season and Terron Ward averaged 6.1 yards per carry. Scott Crichton is one of the best D-linemen in the PAC 12 and will get All American consideration in 2013. Rashaad Reynolds will give the Beavers outstanding play at Corenerback. Schedule is tuff, play @ Oregon & Arizona State and host Stanford, USC, & Washington.

Sully’s CFP thinks OSU finishes at 7-5 and out of the Top 25 by season end!

24. USC … I would like to know who is right about Lane Kiffin? SC’s AD, Pat White or damn near everybody else! I really think alot of how Pat White presents himself in his community/public interactions and do trust that persona. That said, are Lane’s many, many critics without merit? Just do not know what to make of Coach Kiffin. While SC has 57 letter winners back and 15 starters returning for 2013 … they have only 75 players on schalorship, instead of the alloted 85. This will remain the case through 2014. So clearly, depth can be / is an issue when guys go down! SC starting line up is a top ten group (if one of the Max’ …  Wittek or Browne step up) their 24 spot is related to their lack of depth on the roster not the quality of their starters!

Sully’s CFP thinks USC stays healthy & finishes in theTop 10 @ 11-2!

23. Wisconsin: In Gary Anderson’s first year as the Badgers Head Coach, Bucky goes go 9-3. All 3 losses coming on the road, to Airzona State, Ohio State, & Iowa.  Early on, it looks like Joel Stave will get the nod at QB over Curt Phillips and Melvin Gordon may start in front of James White. Jared Abbredaris, one of the best, if not the best receiver in the conference, & Jordan Fredrick have both size and speed at the wide out position, while Jacob Pederson, one of the best TEs in the Big Ten… if not the best & Brian Wozniak will assist the run game and create issues for defensives with drags & delays off play action. Chris Borland is one of the best linebackers in the country & he will get LB help from Ethan Armstrong while Beau Allen will lead the defensive line at Nose tackle supported by D-End Ethan Hemer.

Sully’s CFP thinks Wisconsin finishes in theTop 20 @ 9-3!

22. Northwestern: Many people around the country think that Pat Fitzgerald is one of the best coaches, not only in the Big Ten, but in the nation. I think after Urban Meyer, he is clearly the second best coach ..  given what he has been able to accomplish in Evanston! Last year his team went 10-3 and beat Mississippi State, 34-20, in the Gator Bowl. MSU, an SEC team, started the 2012 season at 7-0 before running into Bama, LSU & A&M in a 3 week time frame! The Wildcats are led on offense by QB Kain Colter, RB Venric Mark & Center Brandon Vitabile. On Defense, Tyler Scott should be a first team All Big Ten performer, Safety Ibraheim Campbell, & LB Chi Chi Ariguzo will lead the Cats in 2013!.

Sully’s CFP thinks Northwestern is difficult to predict, 10-2, a top 20 ranking to 6-6 & not ranked!

21. UCLA: These UCLA dopes needed a wake up call and Jim Mora was the right guy to get this “senior skip practice day” put on the ‘Midnight train to Georgia’! Could you guess what would happen if the seniors at Bama told Saban they were going to skip practice as part of a senior prank. Think about all the time coaches and players put towards getting ready to play FBS Football and then your leaders on the team skip out on preperation day! I, for one, am glad to see them back in the top 25 and Thank You Jim Mora! The Bruins are led by QB Brett Hundley, OG Xavier Su’a Filo, & WR Shaq Evans, while the Defense features, LB’s Anthony Barr & Eric Kendricks and DE Cassius Marsh.

Sully’s CFP thinks UCLA goes 9-3 in 2013 & finishes the season in the Top 25 

Posted in Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin |

Sully’s College Football Page, What’s Up

Best Receiving Duos in the country: Clemson’s: Martavis Bryant & Sammy Watkins; Texas’: Mike Davis & Jaxon Shipley; Fresno State’s Davante Adams  & Isaiah Burse; Miami’s: Phillip Dorstett & Rashawn Scott; Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews & Chris Boyd; Ole Miss’: Donte Moncrief & Vince Sanders; Oklahoma State’s: Josh Stewart & Tracy Moore; Georgia’s Michael Mitchell & Michael Bennett; Alabama’s: Amari Cooper & Chris Black; & USC’s: Marqise Lee & Nelson Agholor

Fastest Players in the Big Ten: 1) Illinois: WR Ryan Lankford, 4.35 (5th),  Indiana: WR Shane Wynn 4.34 (4th), Iowa: Athlete, Tevaun Smith 4.42 (10th); Michigan: RB Dennis Norfleet 4.37 (6th); Michigan State: CB Darqueze Dennard 4.40 (7th); Minnesota: WR Derrick Engel 4.40 (7th); Nebraska: QB Taylor Martinez 4.32 (2nd); Northwestern: RB Vennic Mark 4.32 (2nd); Ohio State: CB Bradley Roby 4.31 (1st); Penn State: Athlete Akiel Lynch 4.40 (7th);   Purdue: WR Raheem Mostert 4.53 (12th); Wisconsin: RB James White 4.42 (10th)

Ohio State’s Braxton Miller Top Duel Threat QB in Country: If I were a big OSU Fan, I would not celebrate the the fact that Miller accounted for 65% of the Bucks total yardage in 2012 and carried the ball 227 times for over 1200 yards. He needs to learn to use his athleticism to extend plays ….. with his eyes down field. In other words, he needs to move in the pocket and throw, not run, the ball down the field. The number of hits a QB can take is finite and Miller is at the threshold! OSU coaches have stated … Miller has to learn to extend a play with his feet and complete the play with his arm. Amen to that!    

Oregon To Find ways to Get De’Anthony Thomas the Ball!   As teams prepare for Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas, his name is written all over the scouting report. Kick-offs … Kick the ball into the endzone … with Thomas lined up back there … we need touchbacks not run backs! Punts, kick the ball away from Thomas, if we allow him to play the game in space, we are asking for trouble. Motion, anytime Thomas is put in motion, we need to be cognizant of it and respond accordingly. Defenses know that they have to keep DAT (De‘Anthony Thomas) in front of them, inside of them, and then punish him as they force him to play in the meathouse! These tactics have kept Thomas, somewhat, under control! No more, says Oregon’s new coach, Mark Helfrich! Thomas will be a much bigger factor in the passing game and Marcus Moriota has been put on notice … Get the ball to Thomas in space. This should be fun to watch this season …. move over Marqise Lee!

Penn State QB Battle:  The Battle between, Tyler Ferguson, a junior college transfer, who is currently a red shirt sophomore and five star recruit, Christian Hackenburg, is a dead heat. Penn State’s coach, Bill O’Brein, who has stated that he is a “one QB kind of coach”, may be changing his mind. With the Syracuse looming big on August 31 & remember, Penn State lost its opener to Ohio last year and then lost to Virginia. O’Brein wants to get off to a good start in 2013, and he said he will name the starter in a day or two. That said, he was quich to indicate that will not mean as much as it normally would given the close nature of quarterback competition. O’Brein may be a “two QB kind of Guy”! More to follow on this…

Posted in Alabama, Big Ten, Fresno State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Miami FL, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Texas, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin |

Sully’s College Football Page, What’s Up

Wisconsin Defensive Lineman Transfers to Miami: David Gilbert has left Wisconsin and is heading south to play for the Miami Hurricanes. Gilbert had 7 sacks and 52 tackles in his last 18 games at Wisconsin. No question the Hurricanes need help in their D-Line … the real questions are, has the injury to Gilbert right foot healed and if he is part of the answer to Miami’s defensive woes?

Ohio State Cornerback, Najee Murray suspended for team rules violation:  While it was first reported that Murray would be dismissed from the team, that report was false as Urban Meyer stated Sunday that Murray will be suspended indefinitely. Murray played in six games last year, most of his playing time came on special teams. His role this year, 2013, was expected to be the same as 2012. While his loss hurts, the real question is the status of Bradley Roby, their All-American cornerback, who was arrested for a bar fight on July 22, his fate remains in Limbo? With OSU’s starting running back, Carlos Hyde, out for the first three games (minimum) the Murray incident and Roby’s issue unresolved, one wonders if Meyer is thinking Florida has followed him to Ohio State?

NCAA is questioning Mississippi State’s Chris Jones on Ole Miss’ recruitment behavior:  Jones was a 5 star recruit coming out of high school and was being recruited by Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, & Mississippi State. Jones took three visits to Ole Miss, one official, January 25 and two unofficial, February 1 & 3 (he paid out of his own pocket). The only other campus Jones went to was MSU’s, where he is currently attending. Jones said he received death threats from fans of both Mississippi schools prior to deciding to attend Mississippi State. Jones mother said she was unaware of the fact that the NCAA had interviewed her son and stated that she had not noticed anything unusual about Ole Miss’ behavior in her son recruitment. The current Old Miss recruiting class has a top 10 rating, quite an improvement over what the Rebels have been able to attract to their University. Any Questions?

Four Vanderbilt Players have been charged with Rape & Sexual Battery: Brandon Vandenberg, 20, from California, Eric Banks, 19, from Maryland, JaBorian McKenzie, 18, from Mississippi, & Corey Batey from Nashville have been arrested. They have been charged with 5 counts of Aggravated Rape and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery. Vandenburg has also been charged with one count of tampering with evidence and one count of unlawful photography. Vanderbilt’s Head Coach, James Franklin, issued a statement, that ended with this, “We have not prejuged anyone’s guilt or innocence”. Interesting …  since the four players have been dismissed from the team and the Vanderbilt Administration have expelled the four students, accused of this crime, fromthe University. While these actions may be appropriate, they are certainly incongruient with Franklin’s statement.  Clearly, their is perception of guilt, or why not suspend, the accused from the University & Football Team, pending the outcome of the legal process?

Look it, if these guys did this, they need to prosecuted to the full extent of the law, in a court of law, not in the print, electronic or social medias. From the victin’s & yes … from those accused perspectives (that pesky concept of innocent until proven guilty), it is a little late for the coach and the administration to put Vanderbilt’s image in front of the safety of their students …all their students (the girl who was brutalized and the students who have been thrown under the bus prior to a legal vertict) . Protect everyone with suspentions (remove the accused from campus …  why … for their protection from reprisal or false accusation) and let the legal process run its course. You can always expell / dismiss the student-athletes from the University / Football Team once a verdict is reached. I’m happy to tell the Coach Franklin, the AD, & the University President that Aggravated Rape and Aggravated Sexual Battery is a criminal act beyond the scope of their authority and that the University’s role, is to report the attack, fully cooperate with law inforcement’s investigation, and once a legal finding is rendered… then … make the appropriate decision at the University level!

Back to Football!

Best Games in FBS Weeks 1 through 15:   Week One: Georgia @ Clemson; Week Two: Loaded with Great Games … Our Choice; South Carolina @ Georgia (ND @ Michigan & Florida @ Miami were close); Week Three: No Question here … Bama @ A&M; Week Four: Michigan State @ ND (although Arizona State @ Stanford was close); Week Five: Wisconsin @ Ohio State; Week Six:  Ohio State @ Northwestern; Week Seven: Red River Shootout Texas vs Oklahoma @ Cotton Bowl; Week Eight: Florida State @ Clemson; Week Nine: Texas @ TCU; Week Ten: Florida vs Georgia; Week Eleven: Oregon @ Stanford; Week Twelve: Florida @ South Carolina; Week Thirteen: Texas A&M @ LSU; Week Fourteen: Michigan @ Ohio State (ND @ Stanford BCS implications); Week 15: SEC Championship / Winner to the BCS Championship Game!

Posted in Alabama, Arizona State, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami FL, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin |

Sully’s College Football Page, What’s Up

Johnny Manziel’s family has gone Legal: Even though the NCAA’s investigation is just getting statted the Manziel’s have hired an attorney, Jim Darnell, from an El Paso based firm. If you think Manziel is good at spinning defenders, wait until you get a load of this guy’s moves on the media & the NCAA!

An elusive rustler (at least on the football field, now you see him, now you don’t) from College Station being guided by a legal gunslinger from El Paso… this is all Texas! I have a less expensive suggestion for the family to consider… keep Johnny at home & tell him to sign nothing, unless it’s contract from Kevin Sumlin and A&M requiring him to stay home & shup up!

NCAA to stop selling Student Athlete’s jerseys with their Names on the back: NCAA President, MarkEmmert, do to increasing public pressure, announced that college athletics ruling body will cease profiting from using its athletes to gain revenue for the association. Basketball analyst, Jay Bilas, has been especially critical of the NCAA for this practice, telling its athletes they cannot sign autograpghs or use items they have earned on the playing surfaces for profit, while the NCAA makes millions by using the popularity of its athletes names! Check out: ShopNCAAsports.com to get a better perspective of why, at the very least, this practice is hypoctitical behavior by the NCAA. Emmert said he had no idea why the NCAA got into this undertaking, but that it needed to stop and stop immediately.

 Tressel for President?: University of Akron President, Luis Proenza, has announced he will be  stepping down this coming June, after 14 years of service at Akron. Tressel is currently serving at the University, as Vice-President for Stretigic Engagement. Sounds a lot like fund raising? The Board of Trustees will meet in September to begin the process of considering Proenza’s successor. Richard Pogue, the University Trustee Chairman, only comment was,”we’re not in any rush”! I wonder if Jimmy will get a tattoo that say “Pres” if he gets the job?

 Top 10 Freshmen in Fall Camp likely to contribute immediately:  This list is driven by talent & team needs, while these players may or may not represent the best players entering college football in 2013. Clearly, their team’s need then to contribute in big ways if they are to stay on top or be headed in that direction. Check it out…!

1) DE: Robert Nkemdiche/Ole Miss; 2) WR: Marques North/Tennesse; 3) QB: Max Browne USC; 4) DE: Jonathon Allen/Alabama; 5) RB: Riley Bullough/Michigan State; 6) RB: Greg Bryant/ND; 7) WR: Laquan Treadwell/Ole Miss; 8) QB: Christian Hackenberg/Penn State; 9) QB: Jameis Winston/Florida State;& 10) LB: Jaylon Smith/ND.

Florida QB returns to practice after Appendectomy: Jeff Driskel returned to practice on Thursday, 8/8/13 after having his appendix removed on 7/30/13. Driskel is a big reason why there are high expectaions in Gainsville this season. Florida’s offense is poised to return to the days when it was feared. Driskel is the unquestioned leader of their offense, which as implied, has struggled the past few seasons.

While the Gators did go 11-2 last year, most football analyst contribute that success to a high functioning defense compensating for a sputtering offense. Keep an eye on this one, Florida is currently picked anywhere from 3rd to 1st in the SEC East. To that end, 1st or 3rd, Driskel is a difference maker!

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Sully’s College football Page: What’s Up!

Game Day location on Week One in College Football: The Game Day crew will be at the Georgia / Clemson Game to kick off the 2013 season. Great choice as this is easily the best game of week one. The result of this heavyweight match-up is more important for Clemson then Georgia! Given the strength of the SEC, the Bulldogs could lose and still make the BCS National championship by winning the SEC East and beating the the SEC West champ in the Georgia Dome! If the Tigers fall … sorry … but they are out… the loss would be at home & winning the ACC would not provide enough juice to propel them into the National Championship Game! Just a fact!

Johnny Manziel under NCAA Investigation: Johnny Football may have violated NCAA rules on amateurism by signing Texas A&M memorabilia for a fee of $7,500. 00. He is on tape saying he will deny this and making it clear he will not do business with these autograph brokers in the future, if they go public with this information. The Broker told ESPN that Manziel said he needed the cash for new rins for his “Ride” (car). That said, no money was seen changing hands and the the Autograph Brokers said they would not cooperate with any NCCA investigation. Since the NCAA does not have the power to subpoena, the investigation may be dead before it gets live!

TCU’s Patterson questions LSU’s Miles reinstatement of Jeremy Hill: Gary Patterson, on Jeremy Hill being reinstated by a team vote, was  wondering outloud! If LSU was playing the famous Italian school “what’s a-mod-a U” instead of the very formable TCU, if Hill would not be held out, “to be taught a life lesson”, for a game or so.? The answer is a resounding YES … he would be held out if LSU had an FCS opponent! Millions of dollars are at stake in earning a berth in the BCS National Championship Game… & LSU wants to be part of the last BCS Championship Series… go around. A loss to the Frogs and the lights will be so low that the Tigers would not be able to find their way back with one more loss! I know, LSU did make it to the championship game with 2 losses in 2007 … but it will not happen again. The major conferences are in a no hold bars race for the dollars (the best team be damned) this is about the money and the NCAA under attact (that;s about the money… too) looking for various parts of its anatomy!

Clowney cleared of autograph signing violations by the USC officials:  Jadevoen Clowney was cleared of any wrong doing by the South Carolina Athletic Department (Note USC .. not the NCAA) and that the school is satisfied the Clowney violated no NCAA rule or guideline. As a result of the allegations, USC’s Coach, Steve Spurrier, has provided more security around Clowney to deter autograph seekers.

Georgia Kicker Malcolm Morgan pleads guilty to BUI (Boarding Under the Influence): Morgan’s status early in the season is very important, the Bulldogs open their season at Clemson and then face South Carolina in their second game @ home. The Clemson game could be high scoring and the South Carolina game points may be difficult to come by, in either case Morgan’s availability may be critical to the outcome. As a freshman, Morgan kicked 63-0f 67 PAT’s and connected on 8 of 14 FGs. Georgia’s Head Coach, Mark Richt, said he will not comment on Morgan status until halftime of the Clemson game … then added “you may not have to ask … as you will already know the answer!” So, I guess Richt ain’t talking about Morgan…  Wonder what  South Carolina’s Head Coach, Steve Spurrier thinks about Morgan’s status?… As he is always saying … he likes to play Georgia early … as they always seem to be missing key players 🙂 … Got to love Spurrier and that mouth of his!

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