College Football Talk

[Crazy Money]

Nobody cares anymore?

[Basser1]

Hi buyit,

Real nice to see another Trojan fan on here!!! FIGHT ON!!!!!
I'm heading to the big city to see the scrimmage today Whew that was good to see Sanchez up and cruising around, he looks like he is moving real well and says he has no pain. I do like Aaron Corp too though since he is just like having another running back at qb, this kid can scoot!!!!
Basser

[buyittradeit]

http://tinyurl.com/5l9wh2>






The only people in this world that don't want to be millionaires are billionaires.

[buyittradeit]

http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/usc-m-footbl-body.html

[Basser1]

[HoosierHoagie]

Count me in, er I mean I'm counting too. <G>

[Basser1]

But then who is really counting? lol!!! I mean besides just you and me!!! lol!!!

Basser

[cajundb]

Sporting New's team previews: No. 16 Auburn

There's this fan-based theory floating around The Plains: New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin needed just two weeks to implement his spread offense last bowl season, and Auburn handled a formidable defense in a Peach Bowl win over Clemson.

How good can the Tigers' offense be after 15 spring practices and a month of fall camp?

"That sounds good," Franklin says. "But it's a lot more than that."

The system, which has principles of the Hal Mumme/Mike Leach pass-happy schemes, begins and ends with quarterbacks and receivers. And here's the strength of the Auburn offense: running backs.

Coach Tommy Tuberville recruited over the years for a power running game, so it's no surprise tailbacks Ben Tate and Brad Lester are the two best players on the offense. While the new scheme won't ignore the run, there will be fewer formations with lead blockers and more with multiple receivers spreading the defense and forcing opponents to cover laterally.

To pull that off, Auburn has to throw and catch the ball with accuracy and consistency. And that wasn't necessarily the case during the 15 practices this spring. Part of the problem was the tenuous situation at quarterback, and the fact the Tigers are inexperienced at receiver.

The starting quarterback job is between junior college transfer Chris Todd and Kodi Burns, who played well in spots in the win over Clemson.

Franklin's system relies on wideouts reading defenses as much as the quarterback. Many of the routes are option routes, and if there is no cohesion between the quarterback and wideouts, the passing game suffers.

Like in the Mumme/Leach systems, Franklin likes to work the middle of the field with his offense, and that means tight ends and slot receivers will be at a premium.

Mario Fannin moved to slotback, and the one-time heir to the tailback spot looks good in his new position. The fumble problems he had at tailback weren't an issue in the spring, and he was consistently getting open and showing athletic ability after the catch. Then there's Tommy Trott, who lost 20 pounds and now plays more like an H-back or slot receiver than a tight end.

Beyond the new offense, the Tigers could make it back to the SEC championship for the first time since their undefeated season of 2004 because of their stout interior lines.

The offensive linemen all lost weight to transition to Franklin's quick-paced offense, and although three sophomores (including rising star Lee Ziemba) had some rough moments last fall, the group is very aggressive and won't have to protect as long with five- and seven-step quarterback drops a thing of the past.

The defensive front, meanwhile, has two of the league's best players in tackle/end Sen'Derrick Marks and rush end Antonio Coleman. Marks will play inside in run situations, and likely shift outside in long down-and-distance passing situations. Coleman didn't start until midway through last season, and he didn't get nearly the attention of Marks. But by the end of the season, Coleman was as disruptive as any down lineman in the SEC.

The Tigers are strong at linebacker, with undersized but fast linebackers and physical defensive backs. Tray Blackmon is as good as any linebacker in the nation when he's properly motivated, but he takes too many plays off and has had too many problems off the field.

Paul Rhoads takes over for popular Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, and also coaches the secondary. The group is talented but became a bit thinner after cornerback Aairon Savage was knocked out for the year earlier this week with a torn ACL.

Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil took some lumps early as freshmen, then grew into the safety positions in the second half of the season. Rhoads likes to use his safeties much like the rest of the front seven--in various pressure packages depending on the offensive formations.

Two new coordinators, two new schemes. How quickly and successfully Auburn adjusts to them will go a long way in determining how far the Tigers go this season.

[cajundb]

I love preseason picks!! This should be a great season!! LOL

[cajundb]

Approximately 20 Days, 23 Hours 38 Minutes and 31 Seconds until life as we know it begins!! LOL

[HoosierHoagie]

Semper Fi back atcha, I myself am not a Marine but my Son is. If they would let me in at 51 I would give it a go though. <G>

[HoosierHoagie]

Hey I'm glad you are rid of that scumbag Rodriquez for a Coach and Sorry for all the Michigan fans. Looks like the replacement is a great guy and I hope he does well. You have some talent there at WV so don't think there isn't a chance.

[coaldollars]

Hey Marine. Semper Fi.
Didn't know we had such a board here.
Will become a paid member now.
Go T

[coaldollars]

Alrught...W VA of course but u guys are a contender.

[HoosierHoagie]

Pardon me but who is us. <G>

[coaldollars]

BTW...I see us udefeated this season and
a national Champ...putting me out on the limb here.

[coaldollars]

Got that right!!!

[coaldollars]

Hey guys ...Season almost here...Oh happy day

[Basser1]

At the end of last year there was a semi qb contreversy brewing between Mustain and Sanchez anyway. Mustain was 8 and 0 for Arkansas before transfering so he will be a good backup if Mark can't make it back. The third string kid is a redshirt freshman named Aaron Corp and he can run and throws a good looking ball. Barkley is a senior in high school but commited early. It seems like we have gone from Tailback U to QB U in the last few years.

GLTA and lets see that first snap!!!!

Basser

[cajundb]

He may be needed sooner than expected.

Southern Cal QB Sanchez injures knee

(Sporting News) Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez dislocated his left kneecap in Friday's practice but could be healthy enough to play in the Trojans' Aug. 30 season opener at Virginia.

USC sports information director Tim Tessalone confirmed the diagnosis Friday night. He said Sanchez will keep the joint immobilized through the weekend and begin rehabilitation Monday.

Sanchez was injured as the Trojans went through routine stretching to prepare for the workout. Sanchez leaped to throw a pass to a teammate and crumpled to the ground when he landed awkwardly on the knee.

"We lucked out is what happened," Trojans coach Pete Carroll told reporters at practice.

Sanchez was helped to a trainer's table where he received ice treatment, and then left the field on a cart. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors took X-rays and an MRI before issuing a diagnosis.

"It was scary, frightening at first," Sanchez said. "The way they say these things happen, it could be a lot worse. ... I have heard about people who come back from this in a short period of time and others in a long period. I'm hoping mine is short."

The timetable for Sanchez's return to practice would be hard to predict, Tessalone said.

"Some guys are back within 10 days," he said. "Some guys don't even take that long. Some guys, it's longer."

If Sanchez misses games, the Trojans would turn to Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain and redshirt freshman Aaron Corp. Sanchez, a 6-3, 225-pound redshirt junior from Mission Viejo, Calif., beat out his two competitors for the starting job last spring.

Sanchez is the only of the three quarterbacks to play for the Trojans. Last year, he appeared in seven games and started against Arizona, Oregon and Notre Dame when starter John David Booty was injured. He was 69-of-114 passing for 695 yards in 2007, with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Mustain went 8-0 as a starter with Arkansas in 2006, and the Razorbacks won the Southeastern Conference West Division.

Serious injury to Sanchez would have devastated the Trojans, who enter the season ranked No. 3 in the nation by Sporting News. Sanchez and returning tailbacks Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable and Stafon Johnson are expected to help cover for an inconsistent receiving corps and an offensive line that lost four starters from last year's Rose Bowl champs.

Barring setback, Sanchez could be ready to play by month's end. And that should keep the Trojans a popular Pac-10 champion pick and in the Top 5 of most preseason national rankings.

[HoosierHoagie]

You are it Pops.<G> Sorry to hear about your QB.

[Basser1]

I watched this Barkley kid in an all star game last year and he is the real deal! As a junior he had a very good grade point average and ran a charity for Marine families from Camp Pendleton this is a very mature kid. I like to see kids that commit to schools early so they don't get hounded by the recruiters on a daily basis. I am also glad that he commited to USC by the way!! lol!!

Basser

[Basser1]

So let me guess that since you guys are all youngsters that would make me kind of board granddaddy at 58 right?



Go Trojans!! Always better safe than sorry I say!! lol!!

Basser

[Basser1]

I don't need to skydive for thrills, man all I need to get the heartrate way up is to ride with my son to the airport in the BMW!! Nothing like double the posted speed while sending e-mails on his phone to start the day out right. I wanted to kiss the ground at LAX when we got there!! lol!!

Basser

[HoosierHoagie]

Yes I know Texas Played Ohio St in 05 and 06.

[strongtower]

all talk and info has been moved here.

collegiate sports.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.aspx?board_id=1293

[strongtower]

that is the downfall of being in the SEC, they not only play each other but they go out and sign huge non conference teams to play. We play Ohio St in 2 years.

[cajundb]

One man's trash is another man's treasure??

Former LSU lineman transfers to Oklahoma

(SI.com) - NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Former LSU offensive lineman Jarvis Jones has transferred to Oklahoma.

Jones played seven games during the Tigers' national championship season last year but was dismissed after breaking team rules. The 6-foot-7, 294-pound Jones was at Sooners practice Thursday.

"Jarvis is a talented guy who we recruited when he was in high school," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "We're excited that he has joined the team."

Jones played as a backup at left tackle and right guard as a freshman last season. He must sit out a year under NCAA transfer rules and will be eligible to play in 2009.

Oklahoma had a scholarship open last week when receiver Josh Jarboe was kicked off the team.

[cajundb]

Nobody's perfect: BCS contenders have flaws to fix

(Sporting news) - Every team has a weak spot, an Achilles' heel, a tragic flaw. And every team save one is going to fall short of the national title. Here's some likely causes for the top contenders to stumble:


1. Florida's secondary: When last you saw this unit, it was being flayed to ribbons by Michigan in the Capital One Bowl. Gators' DBs allowed a 60 percent completion rate last season and overall, Florida yielded 25.5 points per game last year. If they can't get that back closer to the 13.5 of their national championship season, another trip to Orlando -- and not Miami -- is likely.

2. Southern California's offensive line: The Trojans' line is one of the least experienced in the country. This could be ... an issue ... for a team that hasn't settled on a featured back yet and only has four starters back on offense.

3. West Virginia's coaching: Everybody loved Bill Stewart after he led the Mountaineers to a 48-28 victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. He seemed so genuinely appreciative of the opportunity. It was a feel-good story, but the reality is West Virginia hired a coach who would not have been a candidate for any other major college job in the country.

4. Oklahoma's cornerbacks and linebackers: After a front four that should be stout and violent, the Sooners are looking to break in two new linebackers and two new cornerbacks. Oklahoma's top four tacklers from last season are gone, and in a league filled with top passers, relying on inexperienced corners could be the Sooners' undoing.

5. Georgia's schedule: The Bulldogs visit South Carolina (almost always a tough nut for them to crack) and Arizona State in September. If they survive that, they'll have to take on Tennessee at home before closing the season with trips to LSU and Auburn, and, if all is still on track, the SEC title game -- most likely against a testy set of Tigers. By comparison, Hercules simply had to tidy up the stables, round up the critters and get the laundry.

6. Ohio State's recent, uh, performances in national title games: It's silly to suggest that Ohio State lacks some secret code to beat SEC teams in bowl games, even though it hasn't happened yet in nine tries. That said, with memories of the past two seasons' pratfalls fresh in their minds, BCS voters are unlikely to give the Buckeyes the benefit of the doubt if more than two candidates present a case for the title game.

[cajundb]

Washington, O'Neal will sit out first two games of season

(ESPN) - Ohio State defensive backs Donald Washington and Jamario O'Neal have been suspended for the first two games of the season, the players told reporters Thursday at media day.

Multiple news outlets reported Thursday night that the players confirmed their suspensions but did not elaborate on the reason for punishment. There has been no official announcement from the team.

Washington is a starting cornerback for the Buckeyes. O'Neal is a reserve at strong safety. The two will miss games against Youngstown State and Ohio before being allowed to return Sept. 13 at USC.

Both players were held out of portions of spring practice for undisclosed reasons. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said only that they needed to "earn their car keys back."

The Buckeyes secondary is already without Eugene Clifford, who transferred shortly after an assault arrest, and James Scott, who is not participating in training camp.

Washington has made 22 career starts, including all 13 games last year. He has 80 career tackles and an interception. Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa, listed ahead of Washington on the preseason depth chart, likely will start in his place against Youngstown State and Ohio.

[cajundb]

High-scoring Tulsa eyeing perfect season, BCS run

(from CBS Sorts.com) TULSA, Okla. -- Tulsa coach Todd Graham is keeping no secrets when it comes to his lofty goals for this season. Anything less than perfection will be a disappointment.

And after watching former WAC rivals Boise State and Hawaii reach the BCS the past two seasons, why shouldn't the Golden Hurricane dream of becoming the next team to crash the Bowl Championship Series party?

"Why wouldn't we have that goal? You look at what Boise State and Hawaii has done, that is definitely our goal," Graham said. "We haven't done anything to boast or brag or to be talked about in that manner. But on the same hand, if you ask me what our goals are, that's what they are."

Don't believe him? Well, neither did some of his players when the former defensive coordinator took over as head coach last season and set a goal of making Tulsa the nation's top offense.

Gus Malzahn unleashed the no-huddle scheme that he never got to use at Arkansas, and the Golden Hurricane averaged 544 yards as three relatively unknown receivers eclipsed 1,000 yards. The trigger man, Paul Smith, has moved on after a record-setting career but longtime understudy David Johnson and junior college transfer Jacob Bower are competing to replace him with every skill player back around them.

"I don't know how many people outside our locker room believe that we'll be in a BCS game but as long as the people inside the locker room do, we'll be fine," said Tarrion Adams, who ran for 1,225 yards last season.

A four-game midseason stretch will present the biggest hurdle for Tulsa. UTEP and defending Conference USA champion Central Florida come to town before a road game at Arkansas on Nov. 1. Two weeks later is a visit to 2006 C-USA champ Houston, where former Oklahoma receivers coach Kevin Sumlin has taken over for Art Briles.

And don't forget SMU, which could have life for the first time since its 1989 NCAA death penalty with the arrival of June Jones after he led Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl last season.

"It ain't easy. It don't make it any easier. You've got to be able to win them all," Graham said. "It's not easy for Oklahoma to win them all. It's pretty hard in college football to go undefeated."

The Golden Hurricane matched a school record with 10 wins last season, finishing in impressive fashion with a 63-7 GMAC Bowl victory against Bowling Green that went down as the biggest bowl blowout ever.

"We don't really feel like the underdogs this year. We feel like we have enough talent to match up with any team in the country," said receiver Brennan Marion, who caught 39 passes for 1,244 yards last season for an NCAA record 31.9 yards per reception. "We're just excited to play and get out there and shock the world."

[cajundb]

Mountaineers are new beasts of Big East

(from Sporting News) Since the Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech left the Big East, commissioner Mike Tranghese has pitched competitive balance as the league's selling point.

Apparently, West Virginia didn't get the memo from the league office.

The Mountaineers haven't quite reached Hurricanes-level dominance, but over the last three years, they've won 34 games and finished in the top-10 in nation three times, with league championships and BCS victories in 2005 and '07.

Favored to win the Big East again this season behind its Heisman Trophy contender quarterback, there's no doubting West Virginia is the conference's premiere program.

But can the Mountaineers stay on top with Coach Rod in Michigan and Coach Stew running the show in Morgantown?

"We like proving people wrong," senior tackle Ryan Stanchek said. "I think it's great for the football team. I think we do a lot better when we are the underdog. We do better when we have something to prove. So keep telling us that we don't have a coaching staff."

During the tumultuous time after Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia for Michigan, Bill Stewart, a West Virginia native like Rodriguez, directed the Mountaineers to a 48-28 victory against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

Stewart, an affable longtime assistant, was rewarded with a promotion to permanent head coach, putting one of the most talented teams in the country in the hands of a man whose only head coaching experience was three lackluster seasons at VMI.

It seemed all of West Virginia loved coach Stew after the Fiesta Bowl, but that warm and fuzzy feeling won't last if the Mountaineers stumble this season -- and he knows it.

"I don't worry about that pressure," Stewart said during Big East media days in Rhode Island earlier this month. "Every game, they're all big. We're going to approach every game in a championship manner."

The mastermind behind West Virginia's spread offense is gone, but the guy who makes it go is back for his senior season. Pat White ran for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns and completed 69 percent of his throws.

White expects to throw it even more this season, but it's when he leaves the pocket that he becomes one of the most dangerous players in the country.

"He's very unique. He's slippery," Pittsburgh linebacker Scott McKillop, a third-team All-American and the league's leading tackler last season. "You've got to make sure you have him tackled because if you think you have him tackled he could be 60 yards downfield."

McKillop and the Panthers have yet to reach a bowl in three season under coach Dave Wannstedt, but last season's huge upset against West Virginia has Pitt a trendy pick for a breakout season.

South Florida was the feel good story in the Big East for the first half of last season, before a three-game losing streak knocked them out of championship contention. The Bulls have quarterback Matt Grothe and sackmaster George Selvie back, and own a two-game winning streak against the Mountaineers. They'll try to extend that in the season finale at Morgantown, a game already being talked about as a de facto conference championship.

A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:

West Virginia Mountaineers
Key players: QB Pat White, Sr.; RB Noel Devine, Soph.; S Quinton Andrew, Jr.; LB Mortty Ivy, Sr. Returning starters, 8 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Devine, who averaged 8.6 yards per carry as Steve Slaton's backup last season, is now White's primary running mate ... The offensive line returns intact and new offensive coordinator Dan Mullen, imported from Wake Forest, should provide some new wrinkles. ... The defense, which ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed, needs reworking up front.

South Florida Bulls
Key Players: QB Matt Grothe, Jr.; RB Mike Ford, Soph.; DE George Selvie, Jr.; LB Tyrone McKenzie, Sr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Grothe led the team in rushing with 872 yards, but coach Jim Leavitt would probably like to have Ford (645 yards and 12 TDs) take a bigger role ... Bulls have top three wide receivers (Carlton Mitchell, Jessie Hester, Taurus Johnson) and TE Cedric Hill back. ... Friday night home game against Kansas (Sept. 12) matches two of last season's surprise teams.

Pittsburgh Panthers
Key players: RB LeSean McCoy, Soph.; WR Derek Kinder, Sr.; DE Greg Romeus, Soph.; LB Scott McKillop, Sr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Wannstedt is 16-19 in three seasons at his alma mater, but he's recruited well and those efforts should start paying off now. At least Pitt is banking on that, because Wannstedt received a three-year extension the day before he beat West Virginia. ... McCoy set a Big East freshman record with 1,328 yards rushing ... McKillop led the NCAA in tackles per games with 12.6.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Key players: QB Mike Teel, Sr.; WR Kenny Britt, Jr.; S Courtney Greene, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Who replaces Ray Rice and his 2,012 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns? Sophomores Mason Robinson and Kordell Young, recovering from knee injury, are the top candidates. ... Britt (1,232 yards) and Tiquan Underwood (1,100) became the first 1,000-yard receiving duo in school history.

Louisville Cardinals
Key players: QB Hunter Cantwell, Sr.; C Eric Wood, Sr.; DT Earl Heyman, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Coach Steve Kragthorpe's first season was disappointing (6-6) and he spent this offseason cleaning up a roster with too many troublemakers. ... Cantwell backed up Brian Brohm for three seasons, flashing promise in a handful of starts. NFL scouts like his arm and size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds).

Connecticut Huskies
Key players: QB Tyler Lorenzen, Sr.; RB Andre Dixon, Jr.; LB Scott Lutrus, Soph. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Surprising UConn was the Big East co-champion last season with West Virginia, though that 66-21 loss to the Mountaineers makes it tough to take the championship banner seriously ... Coach Randy Edsall passed on chance to take over at Georgia Tech in offseason.

Cincinnati Bearcats
Key players: WR Marcus Barnett, Soph.; DT Terrill Byrd, Sr.; CB Mike Mickens, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: There's still a chance Ben Mauk, who passed for 31 touchdowns and is appealing for a sixth year of eligibility, could be back. If not, senior Dustin Grutza, who has 24 starts, is the guy. ... The Bearcats were plus-16 in turnover, tying for the national lead with 42 takeaways in coach Brian Kelly's first season.

Syracuse Orange
Key players: LB Jake Flaherty, Sr.; QB Andrew Robinson, Jr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Coach Greg Robinson must get the Orange to improve this season after going 7-28 in three years or he'll be gone. ... Ranked last in the league in total offense and total defense.

[cajundb]

Clemson in a new role -- favorite to win the ACC

(from Sporting News) Someday, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says, the fortunes of the Atlantic Coast Conference are going to change.

Bowden is acutely aware of the perceptions about the ACC, a league whose members have lost their past eight appearances in Bowl Championship Series games, haven't boasted a national champion since Florida State in 1999 and tend to struggle against squads from power conferences.

And he doesn't let it bother him one bit.

"Things go in cycles. And this'll go in cycles. It's just a matter of time," Bowden said. "College football's too competitive and there's too many good coaches, I think, for one league or one team to be dominant."

His Tigers might be the ones to change that cycle.

For the first time since 1991, Clemson is the favorite to win the ACC title, even though there's no shortage of contenders.

Florida State and Miami, the perennial league benchmarks, are coming off struggles and might not be ready to reclaim past glory quite yet. Defending champion Virginia Tech is talented, yet has numerous holes to fill. Wake Forest has experience and skill, yet was no match for Clemson a year ago. Georgia Tech is installing new coach Paul Johnson's triple option attack and North Carolina hasn't occupied one of the ACC's top two spots since 1997.

So everything points to Clemson -- and the Tigers insist they're finally poised to break through.

"I think if we don't make it to the ACC championship, we let some people down," Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper said.

Thing is, with Clemson's penchant for failing to live up to advanced billing, expectations are high almost everywhere in the ACC. Miami believes this will be a bounce-back year, as does Florida State. North Carolina, with as much talent as perhaps any team in the league, could be on the cusp of a breakthrough.

And then there's defending champion Virginia Tech, which always finds a way to get into the title mix.

"I was surprised that we would be picked to be at the top of our division, to be quite honest with you," said Hokies coach Frank Beamer, who had eight players drafted off last year's team, which fell in the Orange Bowl to Kansas. "I think everybody on our side has a chance."

A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:

Atlantic Division

Clemson Tigers
Key players: QB Cullen Harper, Sr.; RB C.J. Spiller, Jr.; RB James Davis, Sr.; S Michael Hamlin, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: The consensus pick to win the ACC doesn't have to face Virginia Tech, North Carolina or Miami this season -- but visits Wake Forest on Oct. 9 in the game that could decide the Atlantic title. ... Much offensive talent returns, but everything hinges on the offensive line, which lost almost everyone from '07.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Key players: QB Riley Skinner, Jr.; RB Josh Adams, So.; LB Aaron Curry, Jr.; CB Alphonso Harris, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Skinner, Curry and the Demon Deacons won't surprise anyone this year, the way they did two years ago on their stirring run to the ACC title. ... Perhaps the most defensive depth in the ACC, and Sam Swank should be the best kicker in the conference.

Florida State Seminoles
Key players: QB Drew Weatherford, Sr.; RB Antone Smith, Sr.; DE Everette Brown, Jr.; S Myron Rolle, Jr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Bobby Bowden's farewell season? Maybe so, especially if the Seminoles go 7-6 again. ... Early season suspensions will be tempered by soft schedule, but unless Weatherford plays consistently and Smith becomes the star he's long been touted to be, it could be another angst-filled year in Tallahassee.

Maryland Terrapins
Key players: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jr.; LB Dave Philistin, Sr.; LB Moise Fokou, Sr. Returning starters: 9 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Terps have best offensive line in the ACC and have most of the offensive starters back from '07, when inconsistency doomed chances. ... Maryland beat Rutgers and outscored Boston College in a shootout in '07, but losing TBs Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore (combined 25 TDs) could be tough to overcome.

Boston College Eagles
Key players: DT Ron Brace, Sr.; LB Brian Toal, Sr.; LB Mark Herzlich, Jr.; TE Ryan Purvis, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: In the unenviable situation of trying to replace QB Matt Ryan, but the Eagles' defense gets a huge boost with Toal returning from injury. ... Defending Atlantic Division champions will be led by strong defense in '08, a unit that was the second-best nationally against the run in '07.

North Carolina State Wolfpack
Key players: TB Jamelle Eugene, Jr.; TE Anthony Hill, Jr.; DE Willie Young, Jr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Finished strongly in Tom O'Brien's first season with Wolfpack and looking to carry that momentum over. ... Most of the offensive skill players are back, but the defense -- which lost seven starters -- will need an overhaul. ... Visits to South Carolina and Clemson in season's first three weeks will set the tone.

Coastal Division

Virginia Tech Hokies
Key players: QB Sean Glennon, Jr.; QB Tyrod Taylor, Soph.; DE Orion Martin, Sr.; CB Victor Harris, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: QBs Glennon and Taylor both played huge roles last season, but Beamer isn't sold on a two-quarterback system, so one may have to emerge. ... Another trip to the title game is no lock, given this road schedule: The Hokies travel to North Carolina, Boston College, Florida State and Miami. They also play at Nebraska in a juicy nonconference game.

Miami Hurricanes
Key players: RB Graig Cooper, So.; LT Jason Fox, Jr.; LB Colin McCarthy, Jr.; DE Eric Moncur, Sr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: The Hurricanes have lacked go-to skill players in recent years, but with RBs Cooper and Javarris James both back and healthy, some pressure will be taken off whichever of Miami's three freshman QBs gets the call. ... Defensive line depth is a question.

North Carolina Tar Heels
Key players: QB T.J. Yates, So.; WR Hakeem Nicks, Jr.; S Trimane Goddard, Sr.; S Deunta Williams, So. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Maybe the biggest enigma in the ACC, with almost all of last season's key players back. As such, Heels are the ACC's most popular sleeper pick. ... Heels went 4-8 last season, losing six of those games by a TD or less. ... Biggest hole to fill? Might be kicker, where Connor Barth excelled for four years.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Key players: OT Andrew Gardner, Sr.; RB Jonathon Dwyer, So.; DT Vance Walker, Sr.; DT Darryl Richard, Sr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Paul Johnson's triple-option almost always works, yet he'll likely need more than one offseason to get it integrated at Tech. ... Both lines are strong and rank among league's best, so there's hope. ... ACC slate opens at Chestnut Hill and Blacksburg.

Virginia Cavaliers
Key players: TB Cedric Peerman, Sr.; Mikell Simpson, Jr.; LB Clint Sintim, Sr.; LB Jon Copper, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Sintim and Copper lead one of league's best LB corps. ... Cavs coming off best season since 2002, and open against Southern California. ... Passing game the biggest question, so running backs will absolutely have to set the tone.

Duke Blue Devils
Key players: QB Thaddeus Lewis, Jr.; WR Eron Riley, Sr.; DT Vince Oghobaase, Jr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense.

Notes: New coach David Cutcliffe has 51 returnees, including Lewis, who has folks in Durham believing the best QB on campus isn't hoops point guard Greg Paulus -- a high school star in Syracuse. ... Riley is a big-play threat, but Cutcliffe will need more than one offseason to turn Duke around.

[cajundb]

Northwestern wants a bowl game

(from Sporting News) EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Northwestern Football head coach Pat Fitzgerald heads into his third year leading the Wildcats with one goal in mind. Win a bowl game.

Northwestern, which hasn't won a bowl game since beating California in the 1948 Rose Bowl, is coming off a 6-6 season that had plenty of highs and lows.

The team opened 2007 with two straight wins before losing its next three. The Wildcats then won their next three before dropping three of four to close the year.

The midseason winning streak coincided with some spectacular play from then-junior quarterback C.J. Bacher. In a pair of overtime wins, Bacher threw for 990 yards and nine touchdowns with zero interceptions.

He set a Northwestern single-season record with 3,656 passing yards and threw for 19 touchdowns. But he also threw 19 interceptions, including 15 in the Wildcat's six losses.

"You think about six wins last year, (Bacher had) 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. That's an All-Big Ten year," said Fitzgerald at Northwestern's media day on Thursday. "In the other six games, obviously, the consistency is critical."

To help the fifth-year senior, the team brought in Mick McCall, formerly of Bowling Green, to be Northwestern's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. McCall coached two All-American quarterbacks, Josh Harris and Omar Jacobs, with the Falcons.

"The way that Mick goes about his daily teaching for our quarterbacks, I think he and C.J. have meshed really well," Fitzgerald said. "He's grown, he's really matured and I hope he takes the steps like the previous quarterbacks that we've had at the end of their careers."

Fitzgerald said he likes Bacher's gunslinger mind-set but hopes that the 6-foot-2, 210 pound passer will try to use a little more discretion.

"It's not always about having an 85 percent completion percentage," Fitzgerald said. "Sometimes the best throw is the one that ends up in the front row."

If Bacher and his teammates can perform more consistently this season, Fitzgerald believes the Wildcats will have a good shot at winning their first bowl game in six decades.

"What's in our control is to win a bowl game," he said. "That's something that hasn't happened here in a long, long time. We've changed the attitude and we've changed the expectations. Now it's time we take the next step and win a bowl game."