Foul Balls: College Football Previews

Showing posts with label College Football Previews. Show all posts

Friday, August 17, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The MAC

Now that we've finished our team by team college football previews , Foul Balls turns its attention to the other conferences around the country. Each weekday we'll preview a new conference, and today we've reach the end of our wonderful journey. Sorry, Conference USA, and the Sun Belt. But I know nothing about you. So I'm going to skip right past the both of you, and finish things up with the MAC.

East

Miami Redhawks - The Redhawks finished last season with a 2-10 record, so predicting they'll finish atop their division this year may seem like a stretch, but it isn't. Last year was an anomaly. They have a strong-armed mobile quarterback in Mike Kokal, a solid offensive line, and a running back in Brandon Murphy who rushed for 1,000 yards in 2005 before suffering injuries last season. They also play a pretty tough non-conference schedule which will probably serve them well when it comes to MAC games.
Ohio Bobcats - The best player on the Bobcats is Kalvin McRae, who has posted consecutive seasons of at 1,000 yards on the ground. There is still some work to do as the team makes the transition from a three yards and a cloud of dust offense to a more balanced attack under Frank Solich, but with McRae in the backfield they'll contend for the conference title.
Bowling Green Falcons - What the Falcons lack in defense, they more than make up for with crazy mad scientist offensive schemes. QB Anthony Turner, RB Chris Bullock, and WR Freddie Barnes make for a very scary trio for any opposing defensive coordinator. If they get any kind of defense this season, they can win this conference.
Temple Owls - Welcome to the MAC, Temple! After years being a Big East doormat, the Owls enter a conference that actually gives them a chance to win. Bill Cosby is so proud of all of you. Still, I wouldn't expect much more than three of four wins.
Akron Zips - The Zips have to find a new quarterback to replace Luke Getsy, and whomever they select will have to play the position by a completely revamped offensive line. There's talent at receiver and on defense, but it won't be enough to overcome the rest of the offense's deficiencies.
Kent State Golden Flashes - Kent State was a bit surprising last season, finishing second in the East division. They do have one of the conferences most exciting playmakers in quarterback Julian Edelman, but other than that, the cupboards are pretty bare. I think the Golden Flashes (now the gayest name in college football since Hawaii ditched the Rainbow Warriors for Warriors) will regress this season.
Buffalo Bulls - The Buffalo Bulls aren't used to winning games, and that's good because I wouldn't want them to get confused. Can you say 0-12?

West

Western Michigan Broncos - There are a lot of things working in the Broncos favor this season. They don't have any standout talents anywhere on the roster, but at the same time, they don't have any glaring weaknesses either. They also get to play both Ball State and Central Michigan at home this season, which gives them an inside track at the West title.
Ball State Cardinals - The Ball State Cardinals are worth watching for quarterback Nate Davis alone. He leads a pass happy attack that has enough firepower to win the conference. The question will be whether or not the Cardinals defense will improve enough to help out.
Central Michigan Chippewas - The Chippewas won the conference last season, and they still have Dan LeFevour at quarterback, but I wouldn't expect a repeat performance this season. They lost two of their best players to the NFL last season, and head coach Brian Kelly left for Cincinnati. They still have enough talent to contend, but I don't think it's enough to repeat as MAC champions.
Toledo Rockets - The Rockets used to be among the MAC elite, but they'll find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard more often than not this season. The usually strong quarterback position was abysmal last season, and I'm not sure they have the right guy on the team this season to turn things around.
Northern Illinois Huskies - Yeah, you can read about the Huskies here.
Eastern Michigan Eagles - Here's what you need to know about the Eagles. The top talents in Michigan go to Michigan or Michigan State. The middle of the road guys go to Central or Western Michigan. The rest go to Eastern. See what I'm trying to say?

Conference MVP - Kalvin McRae, RB Ohio

Darkhorse Team - Bowling Green

Potential Flop - Central Michigan

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The WAC

Hawaii Warriors - Who's going to be this year's Boise State? Well, it very well could be the Warriors of Hawaii. They have Colt Brennan (pictured) at quarterback, and you're going to hear his name mentioned a lot along with the words "Heisman candidate." Brennan flirted with the idea of going pro after setting a Division I-A record with 58 touchdown passes last season. That's right, 58 touchdowns in 14 games. If that's not impressive enough, he also led the country in quarterback efficiency and passing yards. Brennan has his top three receivers returning so, who knows, he may break his own record this season. I have a feeling the Warriors will finally be the team to knock Boise State off in the conference because the Broncos have to finish their season on the Big Island.
Boise State Broncos - Who's going to be this year's Boise State? If you asked Boise State, they'd tell you they still are Boise State, and I see no reason to argue with them because it's a pretty good point. The problem for the Broncos is that, when you think about it, they can't go anywhere but down. They went undefeated last season, finishing fifth in the AP poll, and upset Oklahoma in one of the greatest college football games ever in the Fiesta Bowl. There's also the problem of only one starter returning on offense at one of the skill positions. Luckily, he's pretty good. Ian Johnson, cockblocked by Chris Myers at the Fiesta Bowl, is another Heisman possiblility after rushing for 1,713 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. The good news for Johnson is that four of the Broncos starters on the offensive line return, so while everybody else tries to figure out their roles, Johnson should be good enough to keep the Broncos at the top of the conference.
Nevada Wolfpack - The Wolfpack are known for the insane amount of points they're capable of putting on a scoreboard, but they're going to have to fit in a new quarterback this season. I don't think it should greatly affect the team's performance, but I don't know that the Wolfpack have a legitimate shot at winning their second WAC title in the last three years. Boise State and Hawaii just seem to be a notch above them, but Nevada should end up in their third straight bowl game.
Fresno State Bulldogs - The normally potent Bulldogs' offense just seemed to disappear last season, so their first objective will be to start putting points on the board more consistently again. Tom Brandstater was tapped as quarterback at the start of last season, then lost his job, and then got it back at the end of the year. Whether or not the Bulldogs can score consistently will be largely dependent on how consistent Brandstater's play is. His offensive line remains mostly intact, so that should be a big help. The defense, however, is pretty inexperienced, and in a conference that features so many high octane offenses, that could lead to a lot of trouble for the Bulldogs. Starting the season with two of their first three games at Texas A&M and at Oregon probably won't do much to help the confidence in Fresno either. With so many questions and a tough schedule (including road games at Nevada and Hawaii), I'm not sure the Bulldogs are going to go bowling this season, let alone contending for the conference title.
San Jose State Spartans - The Spartans finished a surprising 9-4 last year, but I wouldn't expect the same results this season. Their first four games are road games, and three of them are against BCS schools Arizona State, Kansas State, and Stanford. The only one of those games I think they even have a shot at is Stanford. The good news is both their quarterback and running back, Adam Tarfalis and Yonus Davis, return. The bad news, they lost their top three receivers from last season. If the Spartans can manage to get 9 victories again, they should get a BCS berth on principle alone.
New Mexico State Aggies - The Aggies were able to only able to manage four wins last season. They return with all the key components from a strong passing game but if they plan on taking the next step, they must improve their anemic run production. It's also probably going to take some time for the defense to adjust to its new 3-4 scheme, but I can see this team getting 5 or 6 wins again. Not exactly kicking any doors down, but another step in the right direction.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs - There's a new coaching staff at Louisiana Tech and a renewed hope that the Bulldogs can improve on their three wins last season. The defense returns ten starters. That's normally a good thing, but might not be for Tech. You see, they finished dead last in defense last season. Not in the WAC. In the country. Did I mention they also committed more turnovers than any other team in the country last season with 37? Those aren't two categories you ever want to lead in. Oh, and they play a pretty brutal non-conference schedule with road games at Cal, Mississippi, and LSU. Yeah, it's going to be another tough season in Ruston.
Idaho Vandals - Let me just say that I automatically respect any team that calls itself the Vandals. They also have two very good players on defense in linebacker David Vobora and corner Stanley Franks. Of course, the same defense those two played on last season also allowed 43 points a game in Idaho's final five games last year. They also lack a real threat on offense, which in the WAC is not going to lead to much success. There's also the fact Robb Akey is the school's third coach in the last four seasons. Still, Vandals is a cool nickname, so they got that going for them, which is nice.
Utah State Aggies - Hey, let's look at the bright side: 2007 can't be much worse than 2006, right? I mean, the Aggies only won a single game last season. Too bad the prospect of going winless this season is just as likely as the team getting a win. The Aggies have no playmakers on either side of the ball, and their destined to roam the basement of the WAC yet again this season. But hey, at least they get to live in Utah!

Conference MVP - Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii

Darkhorse Team - New Mexico State

Possible Flop - Fresno State

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The Mountain West

TCU Horned Frogs - TCU stumbled at the start of last season, but then reeled off eight straight wins to finish 11-2 and ranked 22nd in the country. This year they figure to keep the momentum, and it wouldn't be all that surprising if they finished the season with only one loss. TCU's strength is it's defense, which finished 2nd in the nation last year. They return 9 starters, including the two guys who may make up the best tandem of defensive ends in the country: Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake. Look for the Horned Frogs to stand atop the Mountain West yet again.
BYU Cougars - The Cougars won the Mountain West last season, but with the loss of so many key players on offense, it's going to be hard to repeat. Still, that doesn't mean BYU won't be good, just not as good. Max Hall is a transfer from Arizona State and he'll be in charge of the Cougars intricate passing attack. Fui Vakapuna not only has a cool name, but he'll be taking over at running back for BYU's career rushing leader Curtis Brown. No pressure there, but I get a feeling a guy name Fui doesn't know pressure.
Utah Utes - The Utes are strong at quarterback and wide receiver, but they have a large hole to fill at running back. They're hoping Darryl Poston can fill the slot, but there's the possibility old age may catch up to him. You see, thanks to being injured all the time, Poston has been granted his seventh year of eligibility. You read that right. He's older than like half the players in the NFL. The one problem the Utes have is a very tough non-conference schedule, but it may end up helping them within the conference.
New Mexico Lobos - New Mexico is looking to make a statement that it's no longer just a basketball school. Donovan Porterie should thrive at quarterback under Dave Baldwin's new system, and Rodney Ferguson just might be the best running back in the conference. On defense, the Lobos return 10 starters which makes them the most experienced defense in the league. Whether or not that mean's they'll be improved remains to be seen.
Wyoming Cowboys - The Cowboys have come back down to Earth the last two seasons after winning the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl. Luckily quarterback Karsten Sweet picked up valuable experience after starting during his freshman season, and the Cowboys also get their two leading rushers back. The problem is they only have two starters on the offensive line coming back, but considering they gave up 40 sacks last season, that could be a good thing. Also, watch out for linebacker Ward Dobbs who's liable to kill somebody this season.
Colorado State Rams - Remember when the Rams were the best team in this conference? It's been a while since those days, but there is reason for hope in Fort Collins. Kyle Bell is back after missing last season with a knee injury, and if he can return to his 2005 form in which he rushed for 1,288 yards the Rams might bounce back this season. There's no doubt they're anxious to get started after losing their final seven games last season.
San Diego State Aztecs - The Aztecs have enough talent and experience on offense to win football games, the problem is that their defense is absolutely terrible. To make things worse, only four players on the defense have played in more than six games. Look for a lot of the problems that plagued the Aztecs in '06 to return this season.
Air Force Falcons - The Falcons have the most experienced quarterback in the conference with Shaun Carney, but the problem is their old option offense is just that: old. To make things worse, the defense gives up too many points for the Falcons offense to keep up. Hopefully the seven new starters on D will help fix that problem, but I wouldn't expect them to.
UNLV Running Rebels - UNLV's basketball team may have made a triumphant return to the dance this season, but I wouldn't expect anything near the same from the football team. The offense isn't good, the defense isn't good, and they have Wisconsin, Hawaii, and Nevada on their non-conference schedule. If I'm head coach Mike Sanford, I start getting my resume ready.

Conference MVP - Aaron Brown, RB TCU

Darkhorse Team - New Mexico

Possible Flop -Wyoming

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The Big East

Now that we've finished our team by team college football previews, Foul Balls turns its attention to the other conferences around the country. Each weekday we'll preview a new conference, and today we take a look at the most surprising conference from last season: the Big East.

Big East

West Virginia Mountaineers - Pat White and Steve Slaton make up the most dangerous quarterback-running back rushing tandem in the country. White was the conference's player of the year last season, after he proved to everyone that that he can not only run but throw the ball too. If he continues to progress with his arm, he's going to be practically unstoppable. Then there's Slaton, who will be a very strong Heisman candidate this season. If the Mountaineers secondary has improved, an undefeated season is a strong possibility.
Louisville Cardinals - Having Brian Brohm put the NFL off for another season to return to Louisville was a big bonus for the Cardinals. Especially when considering that Bobby Petrino left for the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason. The transition to Steve Kragthorpe should be a smooth one for the Cardinals. With Brohm back, and the 6'6 Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas to throw too, the Cardinals will be a contender yet again. The only thing they really lack is a strong running attack.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights - Rutgers burst onto the scene last year, and were one of college football's best stories. There was a scare for a while that Greg Schiano was going to leave, but he's chosen to stay in New Jersey for now. His job this season will be to prepare his team to be even better this season because they aren't going to sneak up on anybody now. Luckily, they still have Ray Rice to pound the ball with. Even though defenses did nothing but stack the box against Rutgers to stop Rice last season, he still managed 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns.
South Florida Bulls - Much like Rutgers last season, South Florida jumped into contention last year and even won a bowl game. Most of the credit has to go to quarterback Matt Grothe who came out of nowhere as a freshman last season. Another year of experience for Grothe, and 16 returning starters means the Bulls may continue to improve this season.
Pittsburgh Panthers - Originally I had the Panthers finishing in 4th in the Big East this season, but the loss of their best player for the season, receiver Derek Kinder, is a huge blow. It's Dave Wannstedt's third season at Pitt, and though he's recruited well, it's yet to show up on the field where the Panthers have regressed each season. With the loss of Kinder, and an on going competition to see who will replace Tyler Palko at quarterback, I wouldn't expect to see any improvement from Pitt this season.
Cincinnati Bearcats - The Bearcats used to be all about good defense and a strong running game. Now that Brian Kelly has taken over, they'll be implementing a wide-open passing attack. The transition will probably take a while for the Bearcats, so I wouldn't expect much in terms of a bowl appearance this season.
Connecticut Huskies - Donald Brown was a very nice surprise for the Huskies in his freshman season running the ball, and he will continue to be the focal point of the Connecticut offense again this year. The problem is, aside from Brown, there are a lot of questions about this team and I wouldn't expect much more than the four wins they got last season.
Syracuse Orange - Greg Robinson starts his third season as head coach at Syracuse, and if this season is anything like his first two, he won't be around for a fourth. They've only won one conference game under Robinson, and return only ten starters this season. Donovan McNabb is not walking through that door!! And Syracuse is not going to improve much this season.

Conference MVP - Steve Slaton, RB West Virginia

Darkhorse Team - South Florida

Possible Flop - Rutgers

Monday, August 13, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The Pac 10

Now that we've finished our team by team college football previews, Foul Balls will turn it's attention to the other conferences around the country. Each weekday we'll preview a new conference, and today we take a look at the Pac-10.

PAC-10

USC Trojans - I don't much see the point in even having the Pac-10 teams play this season, because we all know that USC is just going to roll through them. They have the best quarterback in a conference full of good quarterbacks in John David Booty (pictured). They have the best coach in the conference, if not all of college football, in Pete Carroll. They've got ten freaking running backs, that's right, ten, and just about every one of them could start somewhere else in Division-I. They have the best linebackers in the country, they have all four starters back on the defensive line, and their biggest problem in the secondary is figuring out how they're going to get everybody playing time. Am I getting the point across yet? Their toughest games this season are at Nebraska and Cal, and I don't think either of those games will be that tough.
UCLA Bruins - Of course if anyone is going to piss on USC's National Championship Parade it will be the Bruins. They did it to the Trojans last season, but this time they'll be playing them in the Coliseum. The Bruins have 20 starters returning this season, including both of their quarterbacks. Ben Olson lost his job to Patrick Cowan after suffering a knee injury last season, but has won the job back this spring. I'm not sure I like that move, because I thought the team played better under Cowan, despite the fact Olson may be the better quarterback. The Bruins problem on offense is that, while they have a lot of dependable, solid players, they lack game breakers. Brandon Breazell is the only real deep threat among the wideouts, and Chris Markey is a dependable running back but he won't bust any long runs.
Cal Golden Bears - With Cal's talent and a schedule that brings all their toughest opponents to Berkeley, Cal has an outside chance at making a BCS bowl appearance in January. Nate Longshore is back under center after throwing for over 3,000 yards last season, and 24 touchdowns. He also still has DeSean Jackson to throw the ball to, and Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins complete a trio that's one of the best in the nation. The problem is finding somebody to replace Marshawn Lynch. Justin Forsett has run for 1,674 yards as Lynch's backup the last three seasons, but it's a completely different story when you're the main guy and defenses are scheming for you. The problem for Cal will be on defense. They regressed last season, and now they only return four starters. Whether or not that's a good thing, we'll have to wait and see.
Arizona State Sun Devils - Usually, when Dennis Erickson takes over at a new school, it doesn't take him long to turn things around. The Sun Devils will be relying on a fast-moving offense that features a lot of multi-receiver sets, yet their running game should still be pretty formidable. Rudy Carpenter returns at quarterback and he's got some talent surrounding him. Ryan Torain and Keegan Herring make up the classic "Thunder and Lightning" backfield, and Rudy Burgess will be playing wide receiver exclusively this season after spending some time at corner last year. On defense, the Devils should be strong if not dominant in the secondary and with the linebackers, but the line could pose a problem.
Oregon State Beavers - I don't think the Beavers are going to match the 10 wins they had last season, but they'll be going to another bowl game at year's end. The biggest question mark is at quarterback where two sophomores, Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao, are fighting for the job. That means the Beavers are going to be very reliant on running back Yvenson Bernard. Bernard isn't exactly great at anything, he just gets the job done, as evidenced by his 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Sammie Stroughter is a game breaker at receiver, and Brandon Powers is a very nice complement. On defense, it's all about the linebackers. Derrick Dogett, Alan Darlin, and Joey LaRocque are all back and ready to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. There are no real standouts on the line, but it's very deep. The secondary loses only one starter, but that one starter was the guy who covered up everybody else's mistakes last season: Sabby Piscitelli. That's a great name.
Oregon Ducks - I would tell you more about the Oregon Ducks, but the problem is I never see them play due to the fact their uniforms blind me. If ugly uniforms won games, Oregon would never lose. I have no idea how anybody on Earth can actually think those things look good.
Washington State Cougars - The Cougars were outscored 109-63 in their final three games last season, and they start this season at Wisconsin. Not exactly promising. If that's not bad enough, only one of their first five games will be played in Pullman since their game against San Diego State is in Seattle. The good news is that Alex Brink is back for his fourth season starting, and he does have some decent talent around him. Is it enough to win more games than they lose in the conference? No.
Arizona Wildcats - Mike Stoops knows how to coach defense. The same cannot be said for offense, which is probably why the Wildcats finished 115th in the nation on offense last season. So Stoops brought in Sonny Dykes, the guy who built Texas Tech's insane spread offense. It will probably work out well for the Wildcats in the future, but I think there's going to be a rough adjustment period this season.
Washington Huskies - Remember when the Huskies were the class of the Pac-10? Seems like a long time ago, but in reality it's only been five years since they've been to a bowl game. I really do think that this team is improved over last season's squad, but they play the toughest schedule in the conference. All of which means that while the team may be better, they probably won't improve on last year's five wins.
Stanford Cardinal - I have a feeling that once Jim Harbaugh has seen his team get the crap beat out of it a few times, he'll have a better understanding why his alma mater, Michigan, has such "lenient" admissions policies when it comes to their athletes. I mean, Albert Einstein was a fucking genius, but he only ran a 5.1 40. Expect a lot of degrees for the Cardinal players, but not many victories.

Conference MVP - John David Booty, QB USC

Darkhorse Team - Arizona State

Possible Flop - UCLA

Friday, August 10, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The ACC

Florida State Seminoles - I have to admit, I'm not that comfortable with this pick. The Seminoles haven't really been the Seminoles lately. You only need to look at last season's 7-6 record to know that. The quarterback position will be a key battle, but I'm really not all that confident in Drew Weatherford or Xavier Lee. When you look at FSU's schedule, it's kind of crazy to think they'll win this division with such a tough slate of games. In fact, the only reason I have them up here is I think their defense will be good enough to win games for them.
Boston College Eagles - Tom O'Brien left the Eagles for N.C. State, but luckily he didn't take all of BC's talent with him. Matt Ryan is the best quarterback in the conference, but that's not really saying all that much. His arm and decision making are the keys to his success, but so are his running backs and his defense.
Clemson Tigers - I was really tempted to put Clemson at the top of this division. I have no reason, just a feeling. Sure, the offense is completely one dimensional with James Davis (pictured) and C.J. Spiller at running back, but guess what? They're the best tailback duo in the country, and Clemson may not even need a passing game. If Clemson wins their season opener against the Seminoles, my feeling may become reality.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons - Something tells me that when the ACC added Virginia Tech, Miami, and Boston College, they weren't expecting to have a championship game featuring Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. The Deacons shocked the world, or at least the Atlantic coast, when they won the ACC last season and went to the Orange Bowl. I just hope they aren't expecting a repeat performance in Winston-Salem this season. I'm not even convinced the Deacons will get back to a bowl game.
Maryland Terrapins - Nine wins last season was a great turnaround for the Terrapins after two consecutive 5-6 seasons, but I think they're going to regress this season. The Terps just turn the ball over too much, and they got away with it last year. If they do it again this year, expect much different results.
N.C. State Wolfpack - Chuck Amato is out and Tom O'Brien is in. That means a team that lacked discipline last season is going to have it shoved down their throats this season. With an unsettled quarterback situation, don't expect a huge turnaround in Raleigh this season, but O'Brien will get the Pack on the right track.

ACC Coastal

Virginia Tech Hokies - This is probably the most talented Hokies team since the pit bull pugilist Mike Vick was playing quarterback in Blacksburg. The Hokies have had the nation's best defense the last two seasons, and they have eight returning starters this year. Expect much of the same. On offense, Brandon Ore (pictured) is not somebody I'd enjoy tackling, and he looks to improve on last season's 16 touchdown performance. Quarterback Sean Glennon takes a lot of heat in Blacksburg, but I think he'll quiet the critics a bit this season. If Glennon can help the offense improve this season, a berth in the National Championship game is not out of the question.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - They may have lost Calvin Johnson, but the Yellow Jackets still have enough talent on the roster to make a run at a second straight division crown. If Taylor Bennett handles his new job as the starting quarterback, and James Johnson can emerge as a threat receiving, the Tech defense is good enough to help this team win 9 games.
Miami Hurricanes - Larry Coker is gone in favor of Randy Shannon, but there's still a problem in Miami: the quarterbacks suck. Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman weren't impressive last season, and they weren't impressive this spring. All of which means it will probably be another season of no offense and all defense on South Beach. Combine that with a killer schedule, and a repeat performance of 7-6 might not be a bad thing.
Virginia Cavaliers - Here's what we know about Al Groh. He can recruit, he can put together a defense, and he underachieves. Last season the Cavaliers played a lot of youngsters and have 19 starters returning. The Cavs hopes are pinned on whether or not that full season of experience helps the team progress. The defense will be fine, but the offense is iffy. I'm saying that a lot in this conference, aren't I?
North Carolina Tar Heels - Let's see...only eight returning starters and a schedule that includes eight teams that went bowling last season. Doesn't bode well. The good news is the Tar Heels hired Butch Davis in the offseason, and if he could rebuild the program down at Miami, he can do it in Chapel Hill. He also brought in one of the nation's best recruiting classes, and though it won't pay many dividends this season, it does mean there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Duke Blue Devils - Let's see, the Dukies went 0-12 last season and have the second toughest schedule in the ACC. Basketball season starts in only a few months!

Conference MVP - Brandon Ore, RB Virginia Tech

Darkhorse Team - Clemson Tigers

Possible Flop - Florida State Seminoles

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - Big 12

Nebraska Cornhuskers - Last season, the Cornhuskers finally got back to the Big 12 Championship game for the first time in seven years. It's nice to reach the game, but it's a whole hell of a lot better to win it. Especially in Lincoln where Nebraska football is life. All eyes will be on quarterback Sam Keller this season. Keller was a Heisman candidate at Arizona State before transferring, and he's a prototypical NFL quarterback. Something I didn't think I'd ever see at Nebraska. I miss the option!
Missouri Tigers - I always thought it would be Brad Smith who led the Tigers to the promised land in the Big 12, but I was obviously wrong. Now it's on Chase Daniel's shoulders and truth be told, he's probably a better fit for Mizzou's spread offense. It will be a great help to Daniels if receiver Will Franklin can stay healthy all year, and running back Tony Temple keeps playing like he did in the Sun Bowl (194 yards, 2 TDs).
Kansas State Wildcats - I think sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman has a chance to be a very good player for the Wildcats, I just don't know if it will be this season. K-State has a pretty tough road schedule that includes trips to Auburn, Texas, Oklahoma State, and Nebraska. If they can come out of those four games even, they should return to a bowl game this season.
Kansas Jayhawks - I still can't believe the Jayhawks had a winning season last year. That's despite the fact they lost two games in overtime to Nebraska and Toledo. Head coach Mark Mangino (pictured) has this team going in the right direction, and they may take another step forward this year. Well, unless Mangino eats them, and I wouldn't exactly put it past him. I mean just look at him over there. I don't think you want to get between him and a hamburger.
Colorado Buffaloes - Nobody expected Colorado to win the Big 12 in its first year under Dan Hawkins, but then again nobody thought Colorado would finish the season 2-10 either. I'd like to think the Buffaloes will finish closer to .500 this year, but they play the toughest schedule in the Big 12. They're also still looking for a quarterback at the moment, with the front-runner being the coach's son, freshman Cody Hawkins.
Iowa State Cyclones - Iowa State made a good decision hiring Gene Chizik to turn the program around, but it's not going to be this season. Quarterback Bret Meyer may have more career passing yards than everybody but Heisman hopefuls Colt Brennan and Chad Henne, but the Cyclones just don't have enough weapons to really compete this season.

Big 12 South

Texas Longhorns - The Longhorns have a pretty easy schedule this season. Apart from the Red River Shootout with Oklahoma, and finishing the season at A&M, I don't see anything else that should present a problem. Colt McCoy is only a sophomore, but he may already be the best decision maker in college football at the quarterback position. If he can stay healthy all season, expect another 10-win campaign for the Longhorns and a possible shot at another national championship.
Oklahoma Sooners - I don't see Boise State on the schedule, so the Sooners should be okay. One possible problem could be that the Sooners will have a new quarterback for the third straight season, and they lost Adrian Peterson to the NFL. Fortunately Allen Patrick got plenty of carries while Peterson was hurt last season, and finished with 761 yards rushing. He's not as explosive as Peterson, but he's effective and the Sooner ground game shouldn't suffer that much. Expect another 10-win season.
Texas Tech Red Raiders - Most people I know don't pay much attention to Texas Tech, but the school's become one of the most consistent programs in the country. They've been to seven straight bowl games, and have won four of their last five. You know what else they do? They score points. A lot of them. Graham Harrell threw for 38 touchdowns last season, and he may throw even more this season. If the Red Raiders could ever develop a defense they'd probably win this conference.
Oklahoma State Cowboys - The biggest key for the Cowboys will be to improve their defense. They gave up 30 points a game last season, and that just can't happen again. On offense they have the key components. Bobby Reid is a dual threat at quarterback, and Dantrell Savage rushed for over 100 yards in five of the Cowboys last seven games. At receiver they have the closest thing to Calvin Johnson left in college football with Adarius Bowman (pictured). Bowman is big, strong and fast. He also has a nose for the end zone, scoring 12 touchdowns last season.
Texas A&M Aggies - I hope Dennis Franchione takes in the scenery when he steps onto the sidelines at Kyle Field this season, because I get a feeling it will be his last one there. The Aggies haven't won the Big 12 since 1998, and they've been blown out in their last two bowl games. Aggie fans expect more from their football team than the just-over-.500 performance Franchione has led them too. They have a bruising quarterback in Stephen McGee; it's just too bad you want to close your eyes whenever he throws the ball.
Baylor Bears - The Baylor Bears haven't been to a bowl game since 1994, and they won't be going this season either. The perennial Big 12 doormat has only four returning starters on offense, and with a schedule that includes eight games against teams that played in a bowl last season, they won't have much time to learn on the job. I doubt it means much for Baylor fans (are there any?) but I won two national championships with this team in NCAA Football 07. So it's possible.

Conference MVP - Colt McCoy, QB Texas

Darkhorse Team - Oklahoma State Cowboys

Possible Flop - Kansas State Wildcats

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Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - The SEC

Florida Gators - They're a little overrated at #3 in the polls considering all the players they lost from last season's National Championship team, but they're still the class of the SEC East. The questions surrounding the Gators this season are whether or not Tim Tebow (pictured) can throw because we all know he can run, and how will a defense with nine new starters perform?
Tennessee Volunteers - Philip Fulmer may be catching a lot of heat for not winning the SEC since 1998, but the Vols have a shot this season. Erik Ainge is one of, if not, the best quarterbacks in the conference. Will his new receivers emerge early enough to help him out, or will the Vols be killed by a September schedule that includes road dates at Cal and Florida?
Georgia Bulldogs - The people in Athens aren't exactly thrilled with the Bulldogs right now after losing to Kentucky and Vanderbilt last season, but I don't think history will repeat itself in 2007. Matt Stafford is the best quarterback Mark Richt has ever had, and he knows the entire playbook this season. It won't be a surprise if the Bulldogs rebound and get back to the SEC title game.
South Carolina Gamecocks - His school may not be letting him have all the players he wants, but Steve Spurrier is still bringing a ton of talent to South Carolina, and they could be surprising this season. If they do take another step forward it's going to be up to quarterback Blake Mitchell to finally give Spurrier the consistency he wants. Both on and off the field. It would really help Mitchell out if somebody helps fill the void left after Sidney Rice left for the NFL.
Kentucky Wildcats - The Wildcats had a very rare season in 2006. Eight wins and a bowl game? That just doesn't happen in Lexington. Andre' Woodson is probably the best quarterback in the country you aren't really familiar with, and he's back this season to lead the top ranked passing offense in the SEC. If the defense can step up their game, another 8-win season and bowl appearance are within grasp.
Vanderbilt Commodores - Vandy is no longer an automatic win for it's SEC opponents. They beat Georgia last season, and played well against Florida as well, losing by six. The Commodores aren't going to finish above .500 this season and go to a bowl, but they might manage more than one victory inside the conference this season. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.

SEC West

LSU Tigers - The last time I saw the LSU Tigers they were ripping the Notre Dame defense apart. Don't expect much different from the Tigers this season. JaMarcus Russell may be in Oakland, but there is still a ton of talent on this roster. Anything less than an appearance in the National Championship game will be considered failure in Baton Rouge.
Auburn Tigers - Every year Auburn is one of the most talented teams in the SEC, but their inconsistent play in big games costs them. When you look at their road schedule and see dates at Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia, the Tigers better get their act together or it could be a down season for the Tigers. A good start for Brandon Cox so he can get his confidence back will be key.
Alabama Crimson Tide - Say what you want about Nick Saban, but there's one thing we can't dispute about the man. He can coach college football teams, and he can do it well. The Crimson Tide are once again a force to be reckoned with in the SEC. John Parker Wilson is pretty underrated at quarterback, and any team that has a player named Jimmy Johns is okay in my book.
Arkansas Razorbacks - Last season was a great one for the Razorbacks, but I wouldn't expect the same kind of success as last season. They won't go 7-1 in the conference, and they won't play for the SEC title. Of course, they do have this guy named Darren McFadden(pictured), so they may just go undefeated. Who knows? Either way, the Razorbacks are an incredibly entertaining team to watch.
Ole Miss Rebels - Down in Oxford the Rebels faithful are probably growing tired of they yearly battle with Mississippi State to stay out of last place in the SEC West. The good news is that they won't finish last this season. The bad news is I think that's really the only positive that will come out of this season.
Mississippi State Bulldogs - Sylvester Croom was a nice story being the first black head coach in the SEC, but he's quickly learning the way things really work in the conference. It doesn't matter what color you are, if you don't win, you won't be around long. Unless the Bulldogs have some kind of magical rebirth this season, Croom will likely be out of a job at season's end.

Conference MVP - Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas

Darkhorse team - South Carolina Gamecocks

Possible Flop - Auburn Tigers

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Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - Northern Illinois Huskies

With the college football season just round the corner, Foul Balls has decided it's about time we busted out our college football previews. Today we'll be finishing up our seperate team interviews with the Northern Illinois Huskies.

2006 Record - 7-6, 5-3 3rd MAC West

2007 Projection - 5-7

Most Important Player - For the last two seasons Dan Nicholson has had to fight for Northern's starting quarterback job. This year it's already his, but that doesn't mean he doesn't need to improve. The Huskies lost two of the better players in school history to the NFL in Garrett Wolfe (now with the Bears) and left tackle Doug Free. That's a lot of production to make up for, and Nicholson is going to have to do his part. Nicholson's style may sound familiar to Chicagoans. He has a cannon for an arm, and a gunslinger's mentality, which tends to lead to a lot of bad decisions. Without Garrett Wolfe to depend on, Nicholson is going to have to learn to take better care of the football.

Who to watch on offense - So how exactly do you replace a guy who was responsible for over 5,000 yards rushing in his career? You don't. What you do is you hope a group of running backs can make up some of that production, and that's what we'll be seeing in DeKalb this season. Montell Clanton, Justin Anderson, Cas Prime (cousin of Optimus), and David Bryant will all be carrying the ball for the Huskies at some point this season. The good news is that while there are no standouts at the receiver position, there's a lot of depth for the Huskies to help take the load off the ground game. With Britt Davis and Marcus Perez the Huskies get their top two receivers from last season back, but they'll have to step up their production this season. The offensive line will have to replace two starters, but with Eddie Amanski anchoring things at center, the line should be fine.

Who to watch on defense - It will probably be hard to keep your eyes off of Larry English. After recording only one sack his freshman season, English exploded last season. In 13 games he finished with 12 sacks to tie the school record, and finish 10th in the nation. He also had 16 tackles for loss and forced four fumbles. At linebacker, the Huskies feature Tim McCarthy who followed up an All-American freshman season with 111 tackles last season. He also had a couple of interceptions, a sack, a fumble recovery, and broke up 5 passes in case anybody wanted to say he wasn't well-rounded. The secondary was the weakness last season (NIU finished second in the MAC against the run, but 11th against the pass and 107th nationally.) but it may be a strength this season. Melvin Rice and Bradley Pruitt return to start at corner, and now they've got a whole years worth of game tapes showing them what not to do. Hopefully, they'll learn from them and improve this season.

Possible Upset - 11/24 vs. Ball State. It's not so crazy to imagine a MAC team upsetting a Big Ten team early this season, and the Huskies have done it a few times before, but I don't think Northern is going to be able to open their season with a win at Iowa. That leaves the final game of the season against Ball State. Odds are Ball State will be playing for a berth in the MAC title game, and I'm sure the Huskies wouldn't mind denying them that goal.

Coaching - It's Pat Novak's 12th season in DeKalb, and he's still looking for that first conference championship. It's the only thing he has left to accomplish with the Huskies, which he's turned into the MAC's most successful program in the last ten years. The Huskies are the only MAC team to finish with a winning record the last seven years, and even with so many questions, Novak will have this team prepared to compete in the conference.

Conference and Bowl Expectations - There's a very real possibility that NIU's streak of seven straight winning seasons is going to end this year. The MAC West is deeper than ever this season with Western Michigan, Ball State, Toledo, and Central Michigan all viable contenders to win the division. I just don't think the Huskies are going to get the job done this season, but at the same time, I don't think they'll be down long. Consider this season to be a detour.

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Monday, August 06, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

With the college football season just round the corner, Foul Balls has decided it's about time we busted out our college football previews. Now that we've finished up the Big Ten Conference, we'll be turning our attention to the other schools in the Chicago area. After that we'll finish the week with a look at the national picture. Today though, we'll look at my favorite, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

2006 Record - 10-3

2007 Projection - 7-5

Most Important Player - Travis Thomas has been the everyman for the Irish the last few years, and it looks like he'll have to do more than ever before. Last season he spent his time playing running back, linebacker, and special teams. This season he's the starting tailback, but Charlie Weis has hinted he may still play on special teams and defense at times. I'm not sure that would be the smartest move for the Irish to make. Just look at who the Irish lost from last season's offense. Both starting receivers, Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight. Their starting running back, Darius Walker. Oh, and that Brady Quinn kid. Considering they'll be trying to work in a new quarterback, receivers and 60% of their offensive line, Thomas is going to have to carry a big load. By playing him in three different spots again, the Irish run the risk of killing their offense by wearing it out.

Who to watch for on offense - All eyes are on the battle for the starting quarterback position. The Irish haven't made an announcement yet but it's between three candidates: Evan Sharpley, Demetrious Jones, and Jimmy Clausen. The favorite right now is Sharpley, but only because he has the most experience. He threw seven whole passes last season as Brady's backup. Jones could be interesting based on his scrambling ability, which could come in handy with an offensive line that will be figuring each other out for a while. Then there's the super freshman, Jimmy Clausen. I don't think Clausen will win the job going into this season, but whoever does win it will know he's only keeping the seat warm for Clausen. And whoever is the QB will have a nice tight end to rely on in John Carlson. At receiver it will be up to David Grimes to step up and emerge as ND's deep threat without McKnight and Samardzija.

Who to watch for on defense - It's pretty easy to watch Notre Dame's defense. Just find the guy running with the ball, look about 10 yards behind him, and you'll find an Irish defender. The last two seasons Irish fans have had to watch their defense be torn to shreds by any team with a viable offense. This season there's a new coordinator, and a new scheme. The Irish will be making the switch to the 3-4, and in any 3-4 the nose tackle is very important. That nose tackle will be Chris Stewart, who was an offensive lineman last season. He has the right size, but how quickly he adjusta to the defensive side of the ball remains to be seen. However he performs, he's going to need help from Trevor Laws on the outside. Maurice Crum is a tackling machine, and he'll team with Joe Brockington at middle linebacker, while a couple of youngsters fight for the outside positions. The secondary was the unit that was torched the most last season with only 11 interceptions versus the 24 touchdown passes they surrendered last season. Tom Zbikowski (pictured) is back for his final year at safety, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind some help from his corners. Tom spent too much time last season having to chase after receivers his teammates just couldn't cover. That means Ambrose Wooden and Terrail Lambert are going to have to step it up in coverage if this defense is going to be any better than last season.

Impact Freshmen - I don't think Jimmy Clausen is going to win the starting job before the season, but with a very tough early schedule, don't be surprised if the Irish struggle and Clausen finds his way to the field. He's easily the most anticipated quarterback in South Bend since Ron Powlus, who now happens to be his quarterback coach. Clausen threw for 3,428 yards and 49 touchdowns in his senior year of high school, and finished his high school career 42-0. Which is all well and good, but I don't think Jimmy was playing against any teams the caliber of Michigan while he was in high school.

Possible Upset - 10/20 vs. USC. It almost happened two seasons ago in Weis' first year, but Reggie Bush (ILLEGALY) pushed Matt Leinart into the end zone to help USC hold off the Irish. Honestly, I don't see this happening, but it could right? Right? Please?

Coaching - The only thing bigger than the expectations in South Bend since Charlie Weis showed up is Charlie's waist. Weis' cocky attitude rubs people the wrong way, but so far he's done what he set out to do. He hasn't won any bowl games or titles, but he's made Notre Dame a national program again. Whether or not they deserve to be considered one, that's still up for debate. This season will be interesting though because it will be the first time under Weis that the Irish are going to truly struggle. Will the Domers still love Weis if they start the season 1-3?

Bowl Expectations - As long as the Irish can manage to win six games, they'll always make a bowl game. Looking at the schedule this season, six wins is manageable, but they won't come early. For all the crap the Irish take with their scheduling, I don't think there are many teams with a tougher first eight games than the Irish. Thankfully there's that four game feast to finish the season that will push Notre Dame into a bowl game. It won't be a BCS game, but it might be one the Irish can actually win. That in itself will be a huge accomplishment in South Bend.

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Friday, August 03, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - Michigan Wolverines

With the college football season just round the corner, Foul Balls has decided it's about time we busted out our college football previews. Each weekday we will break down a team from the Big Ten Conference and tell you all the important things you need to know about them. After we're done covering the Big Ten, we'll move on to Notre Dame and other Chicago area schools. We'll be going from worst to first, and today we finish up the Big Ten with the Michigan Wolverines.

2006 Record - 11-2, 7-1 2nd Big Ten

2007 Projection - 11-1

Most Important Player - Michigan is easily the home of the Big Ten's best offense, and the man that makes the Wolverines offense go is Mike Hart. The Wolverines may try to disguise what they do, and they may have a good quarterback, but their formula is pretty simple. Run the ball, run the ball, and then run the ball one more time before killing the defense with the play-action. Hart isn't the biggest or fastest running back, but damn if he isn't dependable. He just never fumbles. He can go inside and get the tough yards, and he can bust outside for the big gain. Whatever Michigan needs him to do, he does. Don't be surprised if Hart improves on his 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He and this team are just that good.

Who to watch on offense - Aside from Hart carrying the ball, the Wolverines have plenty of other options on offense. Chad Henne is the classic dropback Michigan quarterback we're all familiar with, and he'll be entering his fourth year starting. After Hart does all the dirty work, Henne just has to throw the ball downfield into the arms of his waiting receiver and get the Wolverines six points. The guy he'll be throwing to most often is Mario Manningham, who blew up onto the scene with a monster game against Notre Dame last season. Manningham will be an All-American, but after him the Wolverines aren't as steady at receiver. The second spot on the depth chart was reserved for Adrian Arrington, but he's got himself some legal troubles and might not be on the team once the season starts. If he's not, the Wolverines don't have much experience behind him, though sometimes talent trumps experience, and Michigan has that in spades. Greg Mathews is a 6'3 speedster that could emerge as a big time threat to opponents.

Who to watch on defense - The Michigan defense has always been full of talent, but until last season they'd started to become kind of predictable. Then Ron English took over, and they got even meaner. A problem to worry about, though, is that the Wolverines gave up 74 points and 942 yards in their last two games of '06 after being dominant on defense all season. They're hoping Terrance Taylor could be that run-stuffer in the middle, but the other tackle spot is somewhat shaky. Tim Jamison emerged last season at end to get five sacks in limited duty, and now that he's a starter 10 sacks or more isn't out of the question. At linebacker Shawn Crable is the only returning starter, and his job is set in stone. The other two spots are still being decided, and although there isn't much experience, there's a ton of talent. One of the spots may end up going to Austin Panter, who's only the second juco transfer taken at Michigan under Lloyd Carr. The secondary was the unit that took the most heat last season, and with the loss of Leon Hall, it's not going to help things this season. In fact, the only player in the secondary who's job is safe is strong safety Jamar Adams.

Impact Freshmen - One of those open secondary spots may end up being taken by freshman Donovan Warren. Warren shocked So Cal when he chose Michigan over USC, but he probably did so knowing he could earn playing time right away in Ann Arbor. He's probably the best incoming corner to the school since Marlin Jackson, who ended up being a first round pick of the Indianapolis Colts.

Possible Upset - 9/22 vs. Penn State. This is another one of those possible upsets that I don't actually think is going to happen. It's just that the only game I see Michigan losing this season wouldn't be an upset. If Michigan beats Notre Dame the week before though, they'll have to be careful to avoid a let down game against the Nittany Lions.

Coaching - Lloyd Carr is eternally on the hot seat, but that's just the way it is at Michigan. It's a program whose ruling motto is "National Championship or Bust" and Carr hasn't won one of those in a while. Before last season, Carr made some necessary changes in his coaching staff, and they paid immediate dividends. Now if he can finally get past Ohio State, he may end up playing for another title.

Bowl Expectations - The Wolverines aren't going to play in a bowl game. Just kidding. They will, and it will probably be the Rose Bowl. I don't think they're going to go through the season undefeated and play for the National Championship. I have no real analytical reasoning for it, it's just the fact that Michigan always seems to lose an important game somewhere along the road. This season I think that loss will be their only tough road contest of the season. November 10th at Wisconsin.

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Thursday, August 02, 2007

Foul Balls College Football Preview - Wisconsin Badgers

With the college football season just round the corner, Foul Ballshas decided it's about time we busted out our college football previews. Each weekday we will break down a team from the Big Ten Conference and tell you all the important things you need to know about them. After we're done covering the Big Ten, we'll move on to Notre Dame and other Chicago area schools. We'll be going from worst to first, and today we look at the Wisconsin Badgers.

2006 Record - 12-1, 7-1 2nd Big Ten

2007 Projection - 10-2

Most Important Player - That would be P.J. Hill. Wisconsin has always been known for its strong running attack, and even though they've opened things up under Bret Bielema, they're still a running team. Hill led the Big Ten in rushing yards as a freshman last season with 1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns. With an unsettled quarterback position, Hill is going to have to carry the load again this season. That could be good and bad news for the Badgers, though. There's no doubt they want the ball in Hill's hands, but there's also a strong question about his durability. It's going to be answered this season.

Who to watch on offense - They never get the credit they deserve, but the offensive line in Madison is strong, as usual. Four of the five starters from last season return, but the one player missing is a big loss, Outland Trophy winner Joe Thomas. Still, with Marcus Coleman, Eric Vanden Huevel, Andy Kemp and Kraig Urbik, things should be fine up front. Now who they'll be protecting, that's another story. The Badgers haven't named their starting quarterback yet, but odds are it will be Tyler Donovan. Donovan made the start in the Badgers last two regular season games in '06 and performed well in place of John Stocco. If it isn't Donovan, Kansas State transfer Allan Evridge will be taking the snaps. Whoever plays quarterback will have a nice big target in tight end Travis Beckum. If Beckum can learn to become a better blocker, he'll be one of the nation's premier tight ends. Luke Swan is a burner at wideout, and has the best hands on the team. Also watch out for Paul Hubbard who is very big (6'4, 215) and fast.

Who to watch on defense - The defense loses four starters from last year's team, but the least affected spot would be the defensive line. The Badgers will still be strong up front with Jason Chapman at tackle. Chapman is so quick off of the snap that he usually looks like he's offside on every play. There's also Matt Shaughnessy at defensive end who appears poised to become a monster this season. The linebackers are strong and fast. Jonathan Casillas plays the weakside, and is the second fastest player on the team. He's joined byDeAndre Levy on the other side, and Elijah Hodge in the middle. Hodge is the younger brother of the former Iowa backer Abdul Hodge, and most people believe Elijah is more athletic and has better instincts than his big bro, which is good news for Badgers fans. An area of concern is that Wisconsin will be starting two inexperienced safeties. One of them is Shane Carter, the extremely younger brother of former NFL great Cris Carter. Luckily for both safeties, Jack Ikegwuonu is playing one of the corner spots and he usually doesn't need any help from his safeties.

Impact Freshmen - Much like P.J. Hill burst onto the scene as a freshman last season, there's another possible impact freshman at running back. The Badgers will go into the season with Lance Smith penciled in as Hill's backup, but I don't think it will be long before John Clay takes over that spot. Also, keep an eye out for David Gilbreath at wide receiver.

Possible Upset - 10/13 @Penn State. The Badgers first real test of the season won't come until their seventh game. The Badgers struggled last season in a 13-3 victory over PSU in Madison, now they'll have to face them in Happy Valley. There's a very real possibility that the Badgers hopes of an undefeated season will end here.

Coaching - It's going to be hard for Bret Bielema to improve on his first season as the man in charge in Madison. Along with offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, and defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz, this is one of the best staffs in the Big Ten already. With them running the show, the Badgers are going to be good for a long time.

Bowl Expectations - A BCS bowl game is not out of the question for the Badgers. Of course neither is a Big Ten title or trip to the national championship game. The good news for the Badgers is they get Michigan at Camp Randall Stadium. The bad news is they have to make trips to Happy Valley and Columbus. If the Badgers can come out of those three games 2-1, they'll be playing in a BCS bowl.

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