Sully's Big Blog! Commentary on College Football, Weekly Games, And Strange Statistics!

Sully’s Locks for Saturday’s Games in Week 1

ACC… Clemson vs Auburn (Atlanta) The Vegas Hot Sheets have Clemson a 2.5 to 4 point favorite… Last year Clemson snapped a 14 game losing streak to Auburn. The Tigers from Auburn led the Tigers from Clemson late in the 2nd Q 21-7 but allowed 4 straight drives from which they never recovered…. Clemson’s all everything receiver, Sammy Watkins, is out for the game after testing positive for Marijuana and will be missed. Auburn returns 15 starters … their QB Kiehl Frazier is athletic and did play in all 13 games a year ago. Clemson returns 14 starters including QB, Tajh Boyd, who many believe is the second best quarterback in the ACC. I always like the SEC over the ACC…although.. Clemson, like Florida State, is as athletic as the SEC teams… just not as tough! Auburn wins straight-up …. the points are a gift!

The Big Twelve…. Tulsa @ Iowa State: The Golden Hurricanes are giving the Cyclones 1.5 points on the Hot Sheets … I do not know why? The game is in Ames where the State has won four openers in a row by an average of 16 points and if you recall …last year…. they did beat another team from the Okey State…Oklahoma State … which kept the Cowboys out of the national championship game. Tulsa plays in the C-USA and is coming off an 8-5 season… returning 13 starters … but not their QB. Iowa State was 6-7 last year and is returning 12 starters including their QB, Jared Barnett. Giving the superiority of the Big 12, returning players, and the fact that the game is in Ames…  Take the points and enjoy the Cyclones blowing the Hurricanes back out to sea!

Big East …. Kentucky @ Louisville: Their is something inherently wrong with a SEC Team getting 13.5 to 14 points from a Big East Squad! The Cardinals are 10 and 4 in home openers… with all four loses coming at the hands of the Wildcats!  Kentucky has won four of the  last five meetings and the 2011 loss was by a single TD… 24-17! I think the coaching advantage  goes quickly to Louisville… Charlie Strong any day and twice on Sunday (it is a Sunday Game this year) over Joker Phillips … but the last time I checked, these guys ain’t playing … and they got plenty of help thinking! Louisville returns 15 starters including their QB …while Kentucky brings back 11 first teamers’ and their QB as well.Take Kentucky….The SEC…. and The Points 13 .5 to 14 is to many…. in this inter-state battle!

Big Ten…Michigan vs Alabama (Dallas): I do not know why analysts keeps saying the Tide has one of the best O-lines in the country… they HAVE the best O-Line in America…period… and it really is not close. DJ Fluker (6’6” 335 RT) & Chance Warmack (6’3” 320 LG) both all SEC and likely All Americans coupled with Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones (6’5” 302 C)…. oh yeah… do not forget … Cyrus Kouandijo (Phil Steele rated him as the #1 offensive lineman in the country coming out of High School (6’6 322 LT).. A knee injury a year ago slowed his development….he is back and anxious for round two!! Michigan counters with… Craig Roh… a third team All Big Ten…maybe… Brady Hoke won 11 games with smoke and mirrors in 2011.. the Wolves are back…. but not their talent … their D-Line will be tsunami d’ against the Tide’s surge from Dallas to places unknown. And Please… do not talk about how fast Denard Robinson is…I saw the Mississippi State Game (52-14 tail whipping… meanwhile “Little Brother” MSU was getting blasted by Bama 49-7) …He was just another guy who can run on an SEC field … and that was all! I know you have watched him run around and away from Big Ten D’s and those Irish Dopes in South Bend (I have accumulated several hundred years in Purgatory expressing my displeasure with cheeseburger Charlie and volcano top Kelly…. defensive schemes) In this game… take the points… and then…. offer them more…the Tide will Roll!

Ireland Notre Dame vs Navy: The Irish are giving the Midshipmen 14 to 15 points. In their last five meetings …. ND would have covered once…last year… a 56-14 shelling of Navy. Notre Dame has 14 starters returning (sort of) …. Their star running back, starting QB, a CB, LB and reserve D-End did not make the trip do to a variety of situations. Talent wise…, this is a no-brainer… ND should win by several scores…  The absence of these five dopes …should help ND players….. focus and concentration…Take ND and give the points

 

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners, ACC, Alabama, Clemson, Kentucky, Michigan, Navy, Notre Dame, SEC |

Let The Games Begin

SEC: South Carolina @ Vanderbilt 

The Gamecocks are giving the Commodores 6 to 6 1/2 on the Vegas Hot Sheets. The game is in Nashville and Vandy has not been in a bigger game in years… I am interested in seeing how Jordan Rodgers (Vandy’s QB) will play and I expect Vanderbilt’s defense to play with a ton of emotion… while good….Not enough … to stop Connor Shaw and Marcus Lattimore on offense and way to much Taylor, Clowney, & Holloman for Vandy’s O-line to handle. Look for Carolina to win this late… South Carolina 28 Vanderbilt 10 

Big Ten / Mountain West … Minnesota @ UNLV:

No question the fun guy in this game is MarQueis Gray (6’4 245) the Gophers QB and primary weapon on offense. Minnesota will go on offense as Gray goes… if UNLV is able to handle Gray the chances for the upset are very good. The Rebels return their leading rusher, RB Tim Cornett (671 yards, 7 TD’s, & 5.6 YPC) while LB Princeton Jackson leads the defense. Look for Minnesota to win this one (1st meeting between these teams) with Big Ten power overwhelming Mountain West speed. Minnesota 35 UNLV 20

WAC / Big 12 Louisiana Tech @ Texas A&M:

Postponed due to weather!

MAC / Big East …. Massachusetts @ Connecticut:

U-Mass in their first game as an FBS team take on a New England rival in traveling to U-Conn. A year ago the Minutemen struggled in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with a 5-6 record. Keep in mind the CAA is a FCS league and while a good… to maybe the … best conference in that subdivision …  it is a long, long way from the quality in the Big East. Check out RB Lyle McCombs, TE Ryan Griffin & OG Adam Masters potential All Big East Players for 2012. While on D U-Conn is led by DE Trevardo Williams and CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson.  U-Mass has few counter weapons … watch OT Nick Speller, TE Jerome Lewis and on defense… LB Perry McIntyre… all three should be able to compete on this level!     U-Conn 42 U-Mass 7

PAC 12 / C-USA … UCLA @ Rice:

The Bruins  are giving the Owls 15 1/2 to 17 points in their opener @ Rice Stadium in Houston. UCLA’s TE Joseph Fauriaand WR Shaquelle Evans (ND Transfer)will lead the offense; while Patrick Larimore, who was to spearhead the defense attack has left the team do to concussions. UCLA defense is a point of interest in tonight’s game! Rice counters with TE Luke Wilson and former Michigan RB… moved to WR, Sam McGuffie. On defense, the Owls have two very good LBs Cameron Nwosu & Kyle Prater and an outstanding CB Bryce Callahan..UCLA is picked second in the PAC 12 South to USC and should “out athlete” Rice for a relatively easy road win. UCLA 35 Rice 17 

Independent @ PAC 12… Washington State @ BYU:

A very interesting game! Mike Leach, former T-Tech coach has arrived and things look different in Pullman. WSU’s QB Jeff Tuel should be fun to watch in Leach’s offense and LB Travis Long is one of the best in the PAC 12. BYU is coming off a 10-3 season and with 14 starters back should find a way in this game. The Cougars (BYU) are giving the Cougars (WSU) 11 1/2 to 13. I do not think so…. WSU begins the Leach era with a stunning upset of BYU! Washington State 31 BYU 28

 

Posted in AAC, Big 12, Big Ten, C-USA, Connecticut, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, Mountain West, PAC 12, SEC, South Carolina |

Sully Talking Stuff

Three Wisconsin Dopes:  Three suspects in the Montee Ball attack have been arrested  but not formally charged in the assault on the star Wisconsin running back. Wendell J Venerable, Deonte J. Wilson, & Robert A. Wilks. The three face substantial battery-party to a crime charges which are pending as police continue to investigate.  Authorities believe that the attack on Ball was related to an earlier incident (fight at a party a few days before the altercation) to which Ball denies any involvement. The RB’s status for this week’s opener has not been determined as he suffered a concussion due to the attack. Ball scored 39 TDs last year and will be missed come Saturday; and while the Badgers should have their way with Northern Iowa… the Panthers are one of the best teams in the FCS and…. Iowa had to block not one (penalty on the first block) but two field goal attempts as time expired… to prevail against their in-state “Little Brother”!!! Badgers need to show up ready to play!

News from La La Land: What is going on with Billboards? I thought with Instant Messaging, E-Mailing, Texting, & Tweeting that “big signs” would have gone the way of the Buffalo… oh yeah… they’re back… a couple million of them are wandering around the Dakotas. That said; USC decided to put up a billboard of star QB, Matt Barkley, a block or so from the UCLA campus (Barkley is looking to the sky ((Hollywood affect)) with the words “WE PLAY TO FINISH … written to his left in all capital locks! Maybe Kiffin learned Billboard Communication 101 from Mississippi State’s head coach, Danny Mullen, while spending time (however brief) at Tennessee. Meanwhile, the billboard has been painted over … I’m shocked… shocked….that it took the Beach Boys at UCLA… a week …. to paint, draw a mustache, a unibrow… do something to Barkley’s heavenly image!  USC is saying they had nothing to do with the billboard being painted over (gave no one permission to do so… perhaps…. related to pressure from UCLA administration to take it down?) UCLA officials say they had no involvement … at any level. The company who put up the billboard is owned by two brothers who attended USC… go figure! Wait.. not only did Brian & Drake Kennedy attend SC…. they built and donated one of their practice football fields. When the news starved California media contacted the Irish brothers (why the H ain’t these guys ND fans… must be Presbyterians) about the billboard … they became irate and told the media types…..to buzz off (serious California verbiage) and hung up on them (Big put down in the land of….. let’s talk about our feelings)! All documented in the LA Times! Will somebody…somewhere…. please… kick off!!!

Da’Rick Rodgers’ Tennessee Site-Seeing Tour: The star wide out, who was the leading receiver in the SEC a year ago (67 receptions for 1040 yards and 9 TDs) was thrown a Dear John Letter, by Tennessee coach Derek Dooley after… yet… another…. failed drug test…. has enrolled @ Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles play in the Ohio Valley, an FCS affiliate and because Rogers has elected to play in the lower division… he is eligible immediately. Rogers was quick to point out that he is young and immature and that he has things to work on…. really… good sound bite for the NFL! I do not know about you… but I think I’ll reserve judgement on the verbal and wait for the actual arrival of the behavioral alterations!

Posted in Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin |

Sully Talking Stuff

USC:  Oh No! Another USC starter, defensive back, Isiah Wiley has been lost for the season. Well…. actually he never participated in fall camp because of academic eligibility  questions. Wiley, a junior college transfer, started 6 games a year ago and played a big role in the Oregon ( a fumble recovery) and Stanford (11 tackles) games in 2011. Lane Kiffin is saying the fact that they kept Wiley out of fall camp has minimized his loss and that red-shirt sophomore, Anthony Brown is ready to go for the Trojans opener on Saturday against Hawaii. While Kiffin is right about the fact that holding him out and preparing Brown reduces the shock of losing Wiley … say this week… it does not minimize the fact that the Trojans are down 10 scholarship players to other elite programs. As for Wiley, he is most likely to transfer to another junior college and then try to find a FBS program that would be interested in his services for his remaining year of eligibility.

ND: The Irish announced that RB Cierre Wood and D-End Justin Utupo have been suspended for two games (Navy & Purdue) and that neither player will travel to Ireland for the Navy Game. This means Notre Dame will be down 5 players for their opener as QB Tommy Reese and LB Carlo Calabrese were suspended for an off season incident in May and DB Lo Wood was lost to an injury in fall camp. It was likely that four (not Utupo) of the above would have started this game if not for their choices or injures. The speculation has been that Wood & Utupo failed a mandatory drug test (tested positive for Marijuana) while the party line for the suspensions is….. failure to meet coaches expectations.

Mississippi State the Apple of the NCAA’s Eye… Not: Danny Mullen, who likes to put information up on billboards around the state of Mississippi bragging about how they own in-state recruits… may not want to publicize the latest recruiting news! Mississippi State has announced and HC Mullen has confirmed that they are being investigated for irregularities in recruiting and of course…. we are getting the standard verbiage … “I’m not allowed to comment” … true but tiring. While I, and many others, think Mullen had done a good job as a coach @ MSU…. I, for @ least one, never cared for Mullen’s approach to recruiting! He seemed more like politician…. finding fault with others  (especially aimed at running down Ole Miss… wonder where thee NCAA is getting their info???) …… rather than selling the merits of MSU’s program! Wide receivers Coach, Angelo Mirando, has resigned this week as a result of the investigation or as the school & Mirando stated ….. “unforeseen personal issues”… C’mon!  The one player whose name has surfaced in the investigation is defensive back, Will Redmond, for which Mullen criticized ESPN and stated that Redmond is still practicing with the team! To replace Mirando, the Bulldogs have hired former Minnesota Coach and high powered Texas recruiter,  Tim Brewster… More to follow on this.

Oregon & Florida QB Status: The Oregon Ducks announced that red-shirt freshman Marcus Mariota has won the starting QB position over sophomore Bryan Bennett. LaMichael James (former Duck & currently playing for the NFL’s 49ers) is happy about the choice as he posted on twitter… “he will possibly be the best QB to ever play at Oregon… He’s the real deal” Meanwhile…. at Florida…. HC Will Muschamp is still wandering the abyss trying to decide between Jeff Driskel & Jacoby Brissett. Muschamp stated that while neither QB has distanced themselves from the other… they both have earned the right to play in September 1st opener against Bowling Green. Driskel is still recovering from a bruised shoulder and will be cleared to play or not…. this week. Muschamp said the determination as to who gets the first snap (if Driskel is ready) will be made later this week!

Posted in Minnesota, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, USC |

Sully Talking Stuff

Tennessee’s Da’Rick Rogers removed  from Team: Derek Dooley (Tennessee HC) announced that Rogers has been dismissed from the team and that his return to the Vols this season seemed remote.  In a brief statement, Dooley told the media that the #1 hazard in D-I coaching is the unpredictable behavior of 18 year old’s. The coach further stated that no team member was bigger than the program and that any player, irrespective of his on-field contributions, whose off-field behavior violated team rules would be evaluated and dealt with by the established criteria…. period… no exceptions. Personally, I like Derek Dooley (even though he is a lawyer) as I think he tries to do things the right way; knowing fully well the effect of dismissing of Rogers on his (Dooley’s) “Hot Seat” status … he did the right thing… period.. no exceptions! Rogers led the SEC in receptions (67) for 1040 yards and 9 TD’s in 2011 and is/was recognized as one of the best receivers in the country coming into the 2012 season. Coupled with the fact the Justin Hunter (the remaining terrific Vol receiver) is reportedly not fully recovered from knee (ACL) surgery, it is absolutely essential that, Cordarrelle Patterson, the #2 ranked JC receiver, step up…big time… I hope he does!

Texas David Ash Beats out Case McCoy?: Sully’s CFP was hoping that Mack Brown (Texas HC) would come and name a starting QB for the opening game vs Wyoming. So it was disappointing when their offense coordinator, Bryan Harsin, revealed that both David Ash and Case McCoy would… again… be splitting time @ QB. I wonder if the  announcement set off a fire storm in Austin? As a day later, Hooken.con reported that Davis Ash had beaten out Case McCoy and would start against Wyoming! A good decision… or is it…. Major Applewhite (Co Offensive Coordinator) did not mention the change in his presser yesterday …. so is Hooken.com  full of Texas Bull or as right as describing Texas’ four seasons as… Drought, Flood, Blizzard, & Twister! We’ll see!

 ND announces Golson as starting QB: In a move sure to leave the Irish faithful thinking that they have found a pot of gold, Brian Kelly (ND HC) has named Everette Golson as the man to lead the treasure hunt in 2012. Golson beat out Andrew Hendrix and Gunner Kiel, although the general perspective was that it was a two man race between Golson & Hendrix. EG can extend plays with his feet in the pocket and can also escape pursuit to advance the ball up the field. He is a defensive coordinator’s nightmare… as long as Golson demonstrates a command of the offense! Clearly, Kelly has made a good choice… how he handles Golson will be the key! Last year he displayed a tendency to lose perspective to frustration when things went south on the field! This will not serve a red shirt freshmen in one of (if not thee) most scrutinized positions in all of college football!

Georgia’s Ken Malcolm to start @ Running Back: Sully’s CFP is a little surprised  by this move. The general thought here was that after Isaiah Crowell’s dismissal… prize recruit, Keith Marshall would be named the starter. Malcolm ran for only 183 yards on 42 attempts for a 4.1 average per carry in 2011. Hardly impressive numbers, other than the 4.1 YPC which is good …. and … while Keith Marshall is just a freshman & light… weighting in @ 190 …Malcolm is only a sophomore and also light @ 184 pounds (Keep in mind…the defensive beating the front 7’s will put on running backs in the SEC).  Mark Richt (Georgia’s HC) said he is “pretty sure” that sophomore, Ken Malcolm will get the starting nod for the Buffalo game on September 1st. Ok… but Look for Marshall’s playing time to gradually increase as the season progresses… given his talent … this is not a leap of faith… but rather a testimony to his ability!

Posted in Georgia, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas |

Opening of College Football Just Days Away

We are now inside of two weeks to the start of the 2012 college football season and here are the best games of week one!

South Carolina vs Vanderbilt: The 9th ranked Gamecocks travel to Nashville on Thursday, August 30, to take on James Franklin’s Commodores. Vandy was 6-6 last year and actually made a bowl game (Lost Liberty to Cincinnati 31-24) for the second time since 1982. This game is a huge opportunity for Vandy and a potential trap game for Carolina. The Commodores starting QB Jordan Rodgers (Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers younger brother)  couples with Jordan Matthews to form one of the most dangerous passing combinations in the SEC. The running game is led Zac Stacy, who rushed for over 1200 yards a year ago while Rodgers added another 500 yards.  This could be a springboard to Vandy’s best season in decades if they can defend their home turf against the Cocks!. That said, South Carolina will show up loaded for bear, first game of the season, first road game, & first SEC game. The Commodores will have the full focus of the Gamecocks and thensome…. given these factors. Running back, Marcus Lattimore and QB, Connor Shaw will lead the offense and D-ends Devin Taylor and  Jadeveon Clowney along with LB, DeVonte Holloman will bring a very formidable defense to this ho-down in the Music City. Vandy’s good… no better …. in 2012 than in 2011….. it will not matter…. USC is both good and better than Vandy!  South Carolina 19 Vandy 7

Boise State @ Michigan State:  On Friday, August 31, college football’s Little Big Man, Boise State travels to East Lansing to take on the Spartans of Michigan State.  Both programs will be breaking in new QB’s  this season. Andrew Maxwell will replace Kirk Cousins @ MSU, while Joe Southwick will step in for Kellen Moore at Boise. Both teams also lost outstanding RB’s, the Broncos lost Doug Martin, who rushed for 1299 yards while the Spartans graduated Edwin Baker, who rushing for 665 yards in 2011.  MSU will feature RB, Le’Veon Bell, (948 rushing yards) and a strong defense led by D-Ends William Gholston & Marcus Rush, LB Max Bullough, & D-Back Johnny Adams.   Boise State has losses everywhere and a great deal more to overcome than the Spartans. Michigan State 24 Boise 10

Michigan vs Alabama: A rare Big Ten  / SEC regular season match-up… we do not see these conferences playing one another prior to the bowl season. Given that and Brady Hoke’s quick restoration of the Michigan program, this game is the # one game of the opening week. Look for the Tide to move the ball effectively against an improving but undermaned Wolverines defense. Bama’s QB, AJ McCarron’s and RB, Eddie Lacy are playing behind the best O-line in college football, led by Barrett Jones, the Outland Trophy winner in 2011. Michigan’s offense is led by Denard Robinson, one of the most exciting players in the country. That said, in the SEC, Robinson is just another real fast guy on the field. The things he does that overwhelm defenders in the Big Ten… will simply not work when facing the quickness of an SEC defense. Alabama 31 Michigan 10

Posted in Alabama, Boise State, Michigan, Michigan State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt |

Texas Two Step… Not Again

I think Mack Brown (Texas Head Coach) presents himself as well or better than any coach in college football. He always accents the positive, seems genuinely concerned about the people in his program, after games (win or lose) you see him warmly greet opposing coaches and players, and he interacts very effectively with the media. The last two years are proof positive, that Mack is deeply integrated into the Texas college football psyche as I do not believe anyone else could go 5-7 (in 2010) and then 8-5 (in 2011) @ Texas and not experience extreme heat.  Not only has Mack not suffered 3rd degree burns, his seat does not even appear to be warm. I think in today’s world of “you better win and win yesterday or else”… this is remarkable!

My brother Pat (coached basketball for 30 plus years) always says that coaches’ critics have an absolute foolproof way to describe you negatively: 1) if you lose … your a Bum… forget lack of team talent… it is not relevant; 2) If you win….. you cannot win the “big one” …a choke artist to be sure, …and….  3) If you win and win the “big one” … you have talent and who couldn’t win with those players… so maybe talent is relevant?! Pat actually did the things in his personal / professional life (this I know … he’s my brother) that my very public perception suggests about Mack’s behavior!

That said, Mack’s persona …like Oklahoma’s talent on the O-line …  is not without limit. He really needs to get this thing done this year and, in Texas, that means a double digit win season. So why have the Longhorns not settled on a QB? Bryan Harsin ( the trick artist from Idaho… Boise State), Texas Offensive Coordinator, has announced that both David Ash and Case McCoy will play in their opener against Wyoming. Harsin (you remember him … the Statue of Liberty play against Oklahoma in the 07 Fiesta Bowl) basically said, try as may, there are more reasons (based on their practice performances) to play both Ash & McCoy. …. then to name one of them the starter and sit the other. Since the departure of Garrett Gilbert, Texas has played musical chairs with their QB and by their standards, done so, with disastrous results.

I, for one, was hoping Mack would come out and name  a starting QB… I really did not care who… but if they called Sully’s CFP for advise… I would recommend Ash or McCoy… but not both! Neither one of these guys had very good numbers (Ash had a 56.6 completion percentage…. to McCoy’s 61.4 rate…. while Ash threw 4 TD’s to 8 INT’s…. to McCoy’s 7 TD’s to 4 INT) … maybe focusing on not making a mistake … becoming your dominate thought and all that psych stuff! After McCoy turned the ball over five times against Baylor in their final regular season game… Ask took every snap against California, in Texas’ 21-10 Holiday Bowl  victory. Based on the bowl result…. I thought it would be Ash to lead the Horns this year.

While I like Mack’s public image and wish him well… I think this two QB approach is a bad idea… real bad…. name one and go forward. The QB leads the team… he needs to have his eyes down the field not over his shoulder! Yes injuries happen and QB’s go down … and the guy who comes in … becomes the unquestioned leader of the team … with two QB’s … all you have are unanswered questions!

Posted in Boise State, Oklahoma, Texas |

Sully Talking Stuff

Wisconsin: The Badgers announced that Danny O’Brian has won the starting QB position for the 2012 season. This was not unexpected as O’Brian has a great deal of talent although his numbers (17 starts, 4,086 passing yards, & 29 TD to 18 INT) may not indicate this,  as he played on a weak Maryland team a year ago. Danny Boy beat out senior Curt Phillips and red shirt freshmen, Joel Stave to secure the starting role. This will be the second year in a row that the Badgers will have a transfer from the ACC starting at QB.  Last year, Russell Wilson, a North Carolina State graduate, elected to leave that program and come to Wisconsin… the results were fantastic! The Badgers were two Hail Mary’s from being in the BCS National Championship Game in 2011. It is important to note…. Danny O’Brian is not Russell Wilson (Wilson was selected 1st team all Big Ten in 2011)! That said… he is a very good player (O’Brian) and the Badgers will make their third straight trip to Pasadena!

AP’s FBS Poll: The writers have spoken… and …. have declared USC as the # one team in America, followed by Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, & Oregon… rounding out the top five! Two PAC 12 teams, 2 SEC and 1 Big 12 squad! Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, South Carolina, & Arkansas are 6 through 10…. 3 SEC teams, 1 ACC & 1 Big Ten! Big 12 newcomer, West Virginia is 11th, followed by two Big 10 teams, Wisconsin & Michigan State @ 12 & 13, the ACC’s Clemson is 14 and Texas, from the Big 12, 1s 15th. The ACC’s Virginia Tech is 16 right in front of 2 Big Ten teams, Nebraska 17 & Ohio State 18, followed by two more Big 12 teams… Oklahoma State & TCU @ 19 & 20. Twenty One through 25 is as follows; Stanford (21), Kansas state (22) , Florida (23) , Boise State (24) & the Big East’s lone rep… @ 25…. Louisville! For all you ND fans… the Irish are 26th! The AP’s Poll broken down by conference… SEC: six teams …. Big 12: six teams …. Big Ten: five teams ….. PAC 12: three teams ….. ACC: three teams, Big East: one team, & Mountain West: one team!

Posted in AAC, Alabama, Arkansas, Boise State, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, South Carolina, Stanford, Texas, USC, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin |

Sully Talking Stuff

The University of Idaho: A Team spokesperson has announced that the University plans to approach the Idaho State Board of Education to get permission to leave the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).  The WAC is falling apart and it is unlikely that the Mountain West Conference would be interested in the Vandals. The plan is to be a FBS independent in football and seek membership in the Big Sky (an FCS Conference) in all other sports. The vote will be Friday,  8/17!  More to follow on this… The vote is in … 5 to 1…The Vandals are approved to leave WAC and begin scheduling as a FBS independent and start negotiations with the Big Sky for admission in all other sports!

OU & Stacy McGee: The Sooners senior defensive tackle has been suspended from the team indefinitely for what is being described as a violation of University policy… not the usual violation of team rules. McGee has been a part of the defensive line rotation since 2010 and has started 17 games during that time frame. His loss will be felt…and add this to the fact that OU has now suspended a total of five team members (four other players have been placed in limbo in this current off-season)… That said…. while, the Sooners have both depth & talent…. it is not without limit! Three of the four (receivers Jez Reynolds & Trey Franks and D-Back Quentin Hayes) who were suspended …have been reinstated… but are not cleared to play. As a result, Bobby Stoops is engaged in a  rendition of musical chairs with his depth chart… a tune he would rather not be playing!

Penn State… Good News: In a reversal role from the nine players who have transfered out of Penn State, Jared Fagnano, a preferred walk-on @ Akron’ is transferring to the Nittany Lions Lair. Ok … it is a non-scholarship player from the MAC, but his brother Jake starts at safety and he believes he can help the Lions. Sometimes players who are committed to skill development and are mentally tough… can overcome the lack of elite of athleticism to not only compete but win @ that level!. This is where PSU is at and this philosophy may be their best…and only salvation!

Wisconsin & The Rose Bowl: Those two concepts seem to be merging these days as the Badgers gear up for another trip to the Pasadena. With OSU & PSU ineligible for the 2012 season, all the Red & White need to do is finish first in a four team division (Illinois, Purdue & Indiana) and then… they are invited back… again… to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game! Sully’s CFP has the Badgers beating a spent Michigan team (check out the Wolves schedule under the Team Tab and you’ll see why we say spent) to win their third straight trip to the Rose Bowl…. The Grand Daddy of them all!

Posted in Oklahoma, Penn State, SWAC, Wisconsin |

Sully Talking Stuff

Greg Reid & Florida State: Reid has transfered to Valdosta State, a Division II school in Georgia and has begun practicing with the team. Division II (not to be confused with the FCS… Football Championship Subdivision… The division right below FBS… Football Bowl Subdivision) schools can offer up to 36 scholarships (FBS 85 & FCS 63) so there is a significant difference in quantity of players, let alone the quality of the athletes. Reid, one of the nations best punt returners, needed only 313 yards to surpass Deion Sanders record of 1429 yards on punt returns. He was dismissed from the team last month for “team rule violations” …. he was also suspended last year for one game for, again, “team rule violations” Let’s hope Reid gets it right this time….

Larry Scott…Coaches Poll a Fallacy: Scott, Commissioner of the PAC 12, believes the poll places coaches in a classic conflict of interest position (team’s & conference loyalties and other things being relatively equal…friends in the coaching ranks getting the nod) . Further, coaches are focused on their own team and do not have the time needed to properly evaluate 50 or so other teams to determine a top 25! keep in mind, in 2014 this whole thing will change and the Coaches Poll … at least its effect on the National Championship Game….. is going away. Kiffin, who voted his team #1, when asked about another coach voting his team first in the Coaches Poll, said .. I would not vote us first! He now says he was speaking from that Coach’s perspective. Ok Lane…. yet, I must say….I like my explanation (previous blog) better! Both explanations aside.. Scott’s right! And let’s play a couple of games before we put someone #1 or 25 or not ranked! Remember, unlike other preseason polls… this one counts… it is where you start… so it you are ranked 25th or not at all…it’s along way up!

SC and the Injury Bug: We all know SC is good… real good! That said, the Trojans started the season with only 75 scholarship athletes available … well the injury bug has made that 70! Another player has been lost for the season, and worse, another defensive lineman. Devante Wilson, a true freshman, tore his ACL in his left knee on Wednesday. A week ago, the Trojans lost Devon Kennard to a pectoral muscle tear, both D-linemen (defensive ends) and as stated, both lost for the season… maybe (Kennard, a senior, has a chance to return in late November). The D-line is the biggest question mark for SC and they really cannot afford any more injuries there and have a chance to get off the field against a rugged SEC running attack… if they have enough left to get to the National Championship Game! And yes… I am saying… no question…. an SEC team will be waiting for Barkley, Woods, Lee & that offense… if the D can get them there?

The Lattimore Express: Marcus Lattimore is college football’s best runner… according to Sully’s CFP Staff ( Ok that’s what Mike thinks… Hannah & Polly stare off into the abyss during the discussion and I think Mike is right)! All that aside, Lattimore looked really good in a brief scrimmage on Wednesday Night! He showed speed, power and quickness in running for two first downs on 5 carries; breaking several tackles …. and/while leaving a whole bunch of other Gamecocks tackling air. This kid is really good …let’s hope he stays healthy!

Posted in PAC 12, South Carolina, USC |