john1981cr
August 11th, 2006, 12:05 AM
Notre Dame ..and others Preview
By Jeff Zell
The BCS committee finally opened the door for four at-large schools to be allowed into the BCS. Conference USA, the MAC, WAC and MWC can now legitimately send schools to the BCS, but only likely if they run the table. TCU has a good shot for a BCS game, while Utah and Boise State look to surprise. Meanwhile, there is truly only one independent school worth talking about, and college football bettors love Notre Dame, which is one of the odds-on favorites to win the national title game (+$650 on WagerWeb.com).
1) Notre Dame (9-3)
Coach: Charlie Weis
Key Players Lost: Anthony Fasano (TE), Marcus Stovall (WR), Brandon Hoyte (LB)
2006 Key Players: Brady Quinn (QB), Jeff Samardzija (WR), Maurice Crum Jr. (LB)
Key Games: vs. Michigan (9/16), @Mich St (9/23), @USC (11/25)
Summary: Weis’ offensive tools will be there. QB Quinn is one of the nation’s prolific passer and has Samardzija and 2003 and 2004 receptions leader Rhenna McKnight returning from injury. Tailback Darius Walker averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2005 and is running behind three returning offensive linemen. Defensively, nine starters return including the entire line and secondary. Crum Jr. will be a solid linebacker in the middle, but the other projected starters have a combined eight tackles in their careers.
Prediction (11-1): Notre Dame has the coach, schedule, offensive tools and media hype to be in the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 8. Notice I didn’t say defense. Despite returning nine starters, the secondary gave up way too many big plays and the linebackers will be suspect. The front four must produce a heavier pass rush. The Irish must be focused in Week 1 because a game at Georgia Tech is no snoozer. Beat Michigan State on the road and hold at home and the Irish could be playing USC in on Nov. 25 for a shot at a national title.
2. TCU (11-1, 8-0, 1st in MWC)
Coach: Gary Patterson
Key Players Lost: Cory Rodgers (WR)
2006 Key Players: Jeff Ballard (QB), Chase Ortiz (DL), Tommy Blake (DL)
Key Games: vs. Texas Tech (9/16), @Utah (10/5)
Summary: Only five starters return offensively for Patterson’s Horned Frogs; luckily, their all skilled players. Ballard took over as the starter in the middle of the 2005 season after Tye Gunn’s injury and went 8-0 on the way to team MVP honors. Ballard will miss WR Rodgers (52 receptions in 2005), but has his next three reception leaders returning. TCU is loaded in the backfield as Robert Merrill and Aaron Brown combined for nearly 1,700 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Also, RB Lonta Hobbs is back from the injury he suffered early last season. There’s cause for concern up front as four of the five offensive line starters have moved on. Defensively, seven players return including stud defensive ends Oritz and Blake. The two combined for 16 sacks in 2005. Linebackers Robert Henson and Jason Phillips, who started as freshmen, return for their sophomore campaign, and the secondary needs a couple JuCo transfers to step up.
Prediction (10-2): Three good running backs but inexperienced linemen to block for them will be trouble. Ballard is a good leader and will be a stable quarterback. The Horned Frogs will miss Rodgers more than they think as he provided a punch not only at receiver but in the return game (2 TDs in 2005). The secondary will be tested against Tech early, and the game at Utah could determine the MWC champion.
3) Utah (7-5, 4-4, T-4th in MWC)
Coach: Kyle Whittingham
Key Players Lost: Quinton Ganther (RB), Travis LaTendresse (WR), Spencer Toone (LB)
2006 Key Players: Eric Weddle (DB), Brian Johnson (QB), Casey Evans (LB)
Key Games: @UCLA (9/2), vs. Boise State (9/30), vs. TCU (10/5)
Summary: The offense has a quarterback controversy. 2005 starter Johnson was injured late in the season and effectively replaced by Brett Ratliff, who carried the Utes to a 38-10 Emerald Bowl victory over Georgia Tech. Both leading receivers and the starting running back are gone, but the Utes should be fine as USC transfer RB Darryl Poston seemingly regained speed in spring workouts and both WR Brian Hernandez and Brent Casteel caught 39 balls in 2005. Three starters return on the offensive line, and the two incoming players look to be promising. Defensively, nine starters return including Weddle, who will anchor and provide senior leadership in the secondary. It will be tough to replace LB Toone and his 113 tackles, but Whittingham moved Evans from the secondary to linebacker and should provide speed at the position. Three of the four projected starters on the defensive line have experience.
Prediction (9-3): Utah can make a quick name for itself in the opener at UCLA. Johnson should win the starting job, providing he comes back from his injury 100 percent and is a threat with his arm and legs. Utah won’t be a juggernaut offensively, but will be solid, and the defense is solid enough to have a successful season.
4) Boise State (9-4, 7-1, T-1st in WAC)
Coach: Chris Peterson
Key Players Lost: The biggest loss was Coach Dan Hawkins.
2006 Key Players: Jared Zabransky (QB), Lee Marks (RB), Korey Hall (LB)
Key Games: @Utah (9/30), @Nevada (11/25)
Summary: The offense returns nine starters, including QB Zabransky, who will need to cut down on interceptions (29 total in past two seasons) to be effective. RB Ian Johnson, along with Jon Helmandollar, will be the one-two punch that Johnson and Marks provided last year. The top-three pass-catchers are back, as well as four of five offensive linemen. Leading tackler LB Hall returns, and fellow LB Colt Brooks led the team in sacks with six. The defensive line is undersized and will have trouble in 2006. The secondary has all four starters returning and will be better than past years.
Prediction (11-1): Peterson is taking over for Hawkins, who won 53 games in five years. The Broncos could be BCS-bound if they can win on the road at Utah. Zabransky must cut back on mistakes, and the defensive line must put pressure on opposing quarterbacks so the Broncos' secondary won’t get eaten alive. Another double-digit win season is in the making in 2006.
5) Fresno State (8-5, 6-2, T-3rd in WAC)
Coach: Pat Hill
Key Players Lost: Paul Pinegar (QB), Wendell Mathis (RB), Richard Marshall (DB), Garrett McIntyre (DE)
2006 Key Players: Paul Williams (WR), Dwayne Andrews (LB)
Key Games: vs. Oregon (9/9), @LSU (10/21), @ Boise State (11/1)
Summary: After four-year starter QB Pinegar departed, the Bulldogs have their first QB controversy since David Carr and Billy Volek in 1998. Either Tom Brandstater or Sean Norton (both sophomores) will claim the job. Dwayne Wright was the clear starter in 2003 where he gained 1,083 yards but a knee injury caused him to miss most of 2004 and all of last year. Top two wideouts Williams and Joe Fernandez are back after catching seven and eight touchdowns, respectively. Four of five offensive linemen return and should be one of the better units in the WAC. The defense has eight starters returning from last year’s 38th ranked unit. While the Bulldogs will miss the team leader in tackles and interceptions from 2005 (Marshall), they will have all three linebackers to anchor the defense. Defensive end Tyler Clutts will be the force on the defensive line as he recorded six sacks in 2005.
Prediction (8-4): After starting 8-1 in 2005, Fresno State lost its final four games, including a 31-24 setback to Tulsa. Questions under center are never good, and neither is a tough non-conference schedule (if you want to make a BCS bowl). Hill needs the defense to step up, and that will be tough after losing the WAC defensive player of the year in McIntrye.
6) Memphis (7-5, 5-3, T-2nd in C-USA East)
Coach: Tommy West
Key Players Lost: DeAngelo Williams (RB), Tim Goodwell (LB)
2006 Key Players: Joseph Doss (RB), Wesley Smith (FS)
Key Games: vs. Tenn (9/30), vs. Houston (11/18), @UTEP (11/25)
Summary: JuCo transfer Martin Hankins likely will start under center with the Tigers' three reception leaders returning from 2005. Filling the void of three-time C-USA offensive player of the year RB Williams will be impossible, but Doss at 5-foot-9 has quickness that will turn some heads. All five starters return to what many thought was the best line in C-USA. The run defense was stingy in 2005 (27th against), and the Tigers only allowed 23 points per game. Three-time C-USA first-team defensive back smith is the unquestioned leader in the secondary. Memphis did lose its top two linebackers.
Prediction (8-4): Three guys who scored nearly 80 percent of Memphis' points last year are gone (Williams, RB Maurice Avery, K Stephen Gostkowski). The Tigers will have to be more balanced in 2006, as they won’t have the nation's leading rusher to jump on. Having Tennessee at home could be upset city. UTEP on the road to end the season is a game to keep an eye on.
By Jeff Zell
The BCS committee finally opened the door for four at-large schools to be allowed into the BCS. Conference USA, the MAC, WAC and MWC can now legitimately send schools to the BCS, but only likely if they run the table. TCU has a good shot for a BCS game, while Utah and Boise State look to surprise. Meanwhile, there is truly only one independent school worth talking about, and college football bettors love Notre Dame, which is one of the odds-on favorites to win the national title game (+$650 on WagerWeb.com).
1) Notre Dame (9-3)
Coach: Charlie Weis
Key Players Lost: Anthony Fasano (TE), Marcus Stovall (WR), Brandon Hoyte (LB)
2006 Key Players: Brady Quinn (QB), Jeff Samardzija (WR), Maurice Crum Jr. (LB)
Key Games: vs. Michigan (9/16), @Mich St (9/23), @USC (11/25)
Summary: Weis’ offensive tools will be there. QB Quinn is one of the nation’s prolific passer and has Samardzija and 2003 and 2004 receptions leader Rhenna McKnight returning from injury. Tailback Darius Walker averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2005 and is running behind three returning offensive linemen. Defensively, nine starters return including the entire line and secondary. Crum Jr. will be a solid linebacker in the middle, but the other projected starters have a combined eight tackles in their careers.
Prediction (11-1): Notre Dame has the coach, schedule, offensive tools and media hype to be in the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 8. Notice I didn’t say defense. Despite returning nine starters, the secondary gave up way too many big plays and the linebackers will be suspect. The front four must produce a heavier pass rush. The Irish must be focused in Week 1 because a game at Georgia Tech is no snoozer. Beat Michigan State on the road and hold at home and the Irish could be playing USC in on Nov. 25 for a shot at a national title.
2. TCU (11-1, 8-0, 1st in MWC)
Coach: Gary Patterson
Key Players Lost: Cory Rodgers (WR)
2006 Key Players: Jeff Ballard (QB), Chase Ortiz (DL), Tommy Blake (DL)
Key Games: vs. Texas Tech (9/16), @Utah (10/5)
Summary: Only five starters return offensively for Patterson’s Horned Frogs; luckily, their all skilled players. Ballard took over as the starter in the middle of the 2005 season after Tye Gunn’s injury and went 8-0 on the way to team MVP honors. Ballard will miss WR Rodgers (52 receptions in 2005), but has his next three reception leaders returning. TCU is loaded in the backfield as Robert Merrill and Aaron Brown combined for nearly 1,700 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Also, RB Lonta Hobbs is back from the injury he suffered early last season. There’s cause for concern up front as four of the five offensive line starters have moved on. Defensively, seven players return including stud defensive ends Oritz and Blake. The two combined for 16 sacks in 2005. Linebackers Robert Henson and Jason Phillips, who started as freshmen, return for their sophomore campaign, and the secondary needs a couple JuCo transfers to step up.
Prediction (10-2): Three good running backs but inexperienced linemen to block for them will be trouble. Ballard is a good leader and will be a stable quarterback. The Horned Frogs will miss Rodgers more than they think as he provided a punch not only at receiver but in the return game (2 TDs in 2005). The secondary will be tested against Tech early, and the game at Utah could determine the MWC champion.
3) Utah (7-5, 4-4, T-4th in MWC)
Coach: Kyle Whittingham
Key Players Lost: Quinton Ganther (RB), Travis LaTendresse (WR), Spencer Toone (LB)
2006 Key Players: Eric Weddle (DB), Brian Johnson (QB), Casey Evans (LB)
Key Games: @UCLA (9/2), vs. Boise State (9/30), vs. TCU (10/5)
Summary: The offense has a quarterback controversy. 2005 starter Johnson was injured late in the season and effectively replaced by Brett Ratliff, who carried the Utes to a 38-10 Emerald Bowl victory over Georgia Tech. Both leading receivers and the starting running back are gone, but the Utes should be fine as USC transfer RB Darryl Poston seemingly regained speed in spring workouts and both WR Brian Hernandez and Brent Casteel caught 39 balls in 2005. Three starters return on the offensive line, and the two incoming players look to be promising. Defensively, nine starters return including Weddle, who will anchor and provide senior leadership in the secondary. It will be tough to replace LB Toone and his 113 tackles, but Whittingham moved Evans from the secondary to linebacker and should provide speed at the position. Three of the four projected starters on the defensive line have experience.
Prediction (9-3): Utah can make a quick name for itself in the opener at UCLA. Johnson should win the starting job, providing he comes back from his injury 100 percent and is a threat with his arm and legs. Utah won’t be a juggernaut offensively, but will be solid, and the defense is solid enough to have a successful season.
4) Boise State (9-4, 7-1, T-1st in WAC)
Coach: Chris Peterson
Key Players Lost: The biggest loss was Coach Dan Hawkins.
2006 Key Players: Jared Zabransky (QB), Lee Marks (RB), Korey Hall (LB)
Key Games: @Utah (9/30), @Nevada (11/25)
Summary: The offense returns nine starters, including QB Zabransky, who will need to cut down on interceptions (29 total in past two seasons) to be effective. RB Ian Johnson, along with Jon Helmandollar, will be the one-two punch that Johnson and Marks provided last year. The top-three pass-catchers are back, as well as four of five offensive linemen. Leading tackler LB Hall returns, and fellow LB Colt Brooks led the team in sacks with six. The defensive line is undersized and will have trouble in 2006. The secondary has all four starters returning and will be better than past years.
Prediction (11-1): Peterson is taking over for Hawkins, who won 53 games in five years. The Broncos could be BCS-bound if they can win on the road at Utah. Zabransky must cut back on mistakes, and the defensive line must put pressure on opposing quarterbacks so the Broncos' secondary won’t get eaten alive. Another double-digit win season is in the making in 2006.
5) Fresno State (8-5, 6-2, T-3rd in WAC)
Coach: Pat Hill
Key Players Lost: Paul Pinegar (QB), Wendell Mathis (RB), Richard Marshall (DB), Garrett McIntyre (DE)
2006 Key Players: Paul Williams (WR), Dwayne Andrews (LB)
Key Games: vs. Oregon (9/9), @LSU (10/21), @ Boise State (11/1)
Summary: After four-year starter QB Pinegar departed, the Bulldogs have their first QB controversy since David Carr and Billy Volek in 1998. Either Tom Brandstater or Sean Norton (both sophomores) will claim the job. Dwayne Wright was the clear starter in 2003 where he gained 1,083 yards but a knee injury caused him to miss most of 2004 and all of last year. Top two wideouts Williams and Joe Fernandez are back after catching seven and eight touchdowns, respectively. Four of five offensive linemen return and should be one of the better units in the WAC. The defense has eight starters returning from last year’s 38th ranked unit. While the Bulldogs will miss the team leader in tackles and interceptions from 2005 (Marshall), they will have all three linebackers to anchor the defense. Defensive end Tyler Clutts will be the force on the defensive line as he recorded six sacks in 2005.
Prediction (8-4): After starting 8-1 in 2005, Fresno State lost its final four games, including a 31-24 setback to Tulsa. Questions under center are never good, and neither is a tough non-conference schedule (if you want to make a BCS bowl). Hill needs the defense to step up, and that will be tough after losing the WAC defensive player of the year in McIntrye.
6) Memphis (7-5, 5-3, T-2nd in C-USA East)
Coach: Tommy West
Key Players Lost: DeAngelo Williams (RB), Tim Goodwell (LB)
2006 Key Players: Joseph Doss (RB), Wesley Smith (FS)
Key Games: vs. Tenn (9/30), vs. Houston (11/18), @UTEP (11/25)
Summary: JuCo transfer Martin Hankins likely will start under center with the Tigers' three reception leaders returning from 2005. Filling the void of three-time C-USA offensive player of the year RB Williams will be impossible, but Doss at 5-foot-9 has quickness that will turn some heads. All five starters return to what many thought was the best line in C-USA. The run defense was stingy in 2005 (27th against), and the Tigers only allowed 23 points per game. Three-time C-USA first-team defensive back smith is the unquestioned leader in the secondary. Memphis did lose its top two linebackers.
Prediction (8-4): Three guys who scored nearly 80 percent of Memphis' points last year are gone (Williams, RB Maurice Avery, K Stephen Gostkowski). The Tigers will have to be more balanced in 2006, as they won’t have the nation's leading rusher to jump on. Having Tennessee at home could be upset city. UTEP on the road to end the season is a game to keep an eye on.