Friday, April 23, 2010
BCS 101: An Introduction
BCS 101:
An Introduction to Big Time College Football
by Bob Epling
The Campus Game
May 7, 2010
This is the first of a two-part series on big-time college football. This article provides an introduction to and explanation of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). Part Two examines potential conference expansion scenarios ... something college football fans should expect to happen over the summer.
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) is a set of five post-season college football games.
The primary purpose of the BCS is to match the nation's two top-rated teams against each other in a championship game. A second (self-proclaimed) goal is to provide compelling pairings in the other four BCS bowl games.
The five games that comprise the BCS are:
* BCS Championship Game
(site rotates among four cities below)
* Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona
* Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida
* Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
* Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana
The selection process for placing ten teams into those five bowls can cause controversy, though the BCS is not always at fault (conference tie-ins to specific bowls and the tie-breaking methods conferences use to determine champions are bigger problems). The champions from six big-time college football leagues, dubbed the "BCS" conferences, automatically qualify for the five bowls.
The BCS Conferences are:
* Atlantic Coast (ACC)
* Big 12
* Big East
* Big Ten
* Pacific 10 (PAC-10)
* Southeastern (SEC)
Several of those conferences have affiliations with the BCS bowls (meaning the conference champion goes to the affiliated bowl unless that champion earns a berth in the BCS championship game). The conference bowl affiliations are:
* ACC - Orange
* Big 12 - Fiesta
* Big East - No Tie-in
* Big Ten - Rose
* PAC-10 - Rose
* SEC - Sugar
After those six teams are determined, the other four slots go to "at large selections" ... either a second team from the BCS conferences or teams from outside those leagues (no conference can send more than two teams to the BCS bowls). The pool of teams to fill the at-large spots include:
* Notre Dame and other Independents
* Non-Champions from the six BCS conferences
* Teams from the five other major college football conferences: Conference-USA (CUSA), Mid-America (MAC), Mountain West, Sun Belt, Western Athletic (WAC)
Teams from outside the BCS conferences can guarantee entry to the BCS bowls by meeting certain criteria. The BCS released a memo last month explaining the new guidelines ... greater access to BCS bowl bids means greater access to the huge financial payouts that accompany such bids.
The top two teams in the final BCS standings each season meet in the BCS Championship Game.
Those BCS rankings are calculated by averaging a team's standings in three categories: the Harris Poll, the USA Today Coaches Poll, and a composite computer ranking based on six computer rating systems.
The Harris Poll is comprised of 114 panelists drawn at random each season from a list of 300 names provided by the 11 major football conferences and independents. The panel includes former coaches, players, administrators, and current and former media members. To view the 2009 panel (and their votes) click here.
The USA Today Coaches Poll is a weekly vote from 59 members of the USA Today Board of Coaches (who are members of the American Football Coaches Association). You can see the list and their final 2010 votes by clicking here.
The six computer polls vary in methodology and a full explanation is outside the scope of this article, but a list of the polls and links to their sites are available by clicking here.
The BCS is a favorite punching bag among many college football fans and media, and occasionally from coaches, administrators, and politicians (although typically only when their favorite teams have been left out of a preferred bowl).
On the flip side, the BCS provides a financial windfall to all eleven of the major college football conferences. It also supports a bowl system that has benefitted college football since the first Rose Bowl in 1901.
As a traditionalist and a college football historian, I strongly prefer the BCS to a playoff.
Coming Soon in Part Two: Conference Expansion ... Welcome to the Big Sixteen?
Friday, April 9, 2010
American Sports
Like the azaleas at Augusta this week, sport across America is in full bloom.
Every college football team remains undefeated as the squads grind through spring practices. Soon spring games conclude, and the annual preseason publications will hit the newstands (more on those in a future post).
April and May are such great months in American sport.
The Final Four just concluded with record-setting victories for Duke and Connecticut. Coach K of the Blue Devils tied legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp with his 4th NCAA championship (trailing only John Wooden of UCLA). The Duke win over Butler was a classic.
Geno Auriemma of the Huskies won his 7th NCAA crown, moving him one behind Tennessee's Pat Summitt. His team has also won 78 straight games, going undefeated in back-to-back seasons.
As the Final Four wrapped up, Major League Baseball started.
Here in Atlanta, 20-year old rightfield phenom Jason Heyward smacked a homerun on his first major league swing for the Braves in front of a sold-out crowd on a postcard perfect afternoon.
About the time Heyward cracked a fastball into the rightfield seats, Tiger Woods made his return to competitive golf a couple hours east at The Masters. The event itself teed off Thursday with a stellar leaderboard featuring Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, and Woods.
The NFL draft will grab attention next weekend when our favorite college football stars learn their professional destinations.
The month of May will soon bring us those iconic American sports events: the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500. Throw in the NBA and NHL playoffs and sports fans could not ask for more.
Enjoy!
Every college football team remains undefeated as the squads grind through spring practices. Soon spring games conclude, and the annual preseason publications will hit the newstands (more on those in a future post).
April and May are such great months in American sport.
The Final Four just concluded with record-setting victories for Duke and Connecticut. Coach K of the Blue Devils tied legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp with his 4th NCAA championship (trailing only John Wooden of UCLA). The Duke win over Butler was a classic.
Geno Auriemma of the Huskies won his 7th NCAA crown, moving him one behind Tennessee's Pat Summitt. His team has also won 78 straight games, going undefeated in back-to-back seasons.
As the Final Four wrapped up, Major League Baseball started.
Here in Atlanta, 20-year old rightfield phenom Jason Heyward smacked a homerun on his first major league swing for the Braves in front of a sold-out crowd on a postcard perfect afternoon.
About the time Heyward cracked a fastball into the rightfield seats, Tiger Woods made his return to competitive golf a couple hours east at The Masters. The event itself teed off Thursday with a stellar leaderboard featuring Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, and Woods.
The NFL draft will grab attention next weekend when our favorite college football stars learn their professional destinations.
The month of May will soon bring us those iconic American sports events: the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500. Throw in the NBA and NHL playoffs and sports fans could not ask for more.
Enjoy!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Notre Dame Recruit Tragedy
According to reports from the Panama City News Herald (and various online sources), Notre Dame football recruit Matt James died Friday night after falling from a hotel balcony in the Florida vacation beach town. James was 17 years old.
Considered the top signee in new Irish coach Brian Kelly's first recruiting class, James was expected to contend for playing time at tackle in the fall. High school teammate and fellow Irish recruit Luke Massa was reportedly with James when the accident occurred.
Considered the top signee in new Irish coach Brian Kelly's first recruiting class, James was expected to contend for playing time at tackle in the fall. High school teammate and fellow Irish recruit Luke Massa was reportedly with James when the accident occurred.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
SEC Spring Football Dates
Courtesy of the SEC Offices, here are the spring football dates for conference members:
Spring Practice Dates (Start / Finish)
Alabama - March 12 / April 17
Arkansas - March 30 / April 24
Auburn - March 24 / April 19 (Spring Game – April 17)
Florida - March 17 / April 10
Georgia - March 4 / April 10
Kentucky - March 31 / April 24
LSU - Feb. 26 / March 27
Ole Miss - March 27 / April 17
Mississippi State - March 23 / April 17
South Carolina - March 16 / April 10
Tennessee - March 18 / April 17
Vanderbilt - March 17 / April 10
Spring Practice Dates (Start / Finish)
Alabama - March 12 / April 17
Arkansas - March 30 / April 24
Auburn - March 24 / April 19 (Spring Game – April 17)
Florida - March 17 / April 10
Georgia - March 4 / April 10
Kentucky - March 31 / April 24
LSU - Feb. 26 / March 27
Ole Miss - March 27 / April 17
Mississippi State - March 23 / April 17
South Carolina - March 16 / April 10
Tennessee - March 18 / April 17
Vanderbilt - March 17 / April 10
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
You Can't Always Get ...
College Football Recruiting
"You Can't Always Get What You Want"
by Bob Epling, The Campus Game
"You can't always get what you want ...
but if you try sometimes, you just might find ...
You get what you need ..."
(The Rolling Stones 1969)
Just like Mick and the boys from Britain sang, you best believe coaches are trying real hard to get what they need right now.
Yes, it's recruiting season.
With a week remaining until NSD (National Signing Day) coaches are still trying hard to land the talent, while fans wander the web to find out the latest leanings and rumors.
But, do fans truly understand what their teams actually need?
Welcome back to The Campus Game, where you'll always find just what you need to keep up with the great American game - college football.
This week, instead of looking at recruiting from the perspective of a fan's "wants" ... let's analyze from a coach's needs.
Defense: Know Your School's Alignment
4-3 or 3-4?
You probably read frequently about whether a team will use a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme or alignment. My two favorite teams (Georgia and Notre Dame) both just made the switch from the former to the latter. With Alabama coach Nick Saban ascendant on the college scene (Saban is college football's foremost proponent of the "3-4"), expect even more squads to play copycat.
So what do those numbers mean?
Simply put, they refer to the number of defensive players near the ball before each snap, and to how those players are aligned.
Originally called the "50 defense" or "Oklahoma 50," the 3-4 scheme calls for three defensive linemen to play "down" (meaning with their hands literally on the ground). The one in the middle (nearest the center) is the nose tackle, the other two (lined up on the outside shoulders of the offensive tackles) are called ends.
The other four players in the 3-4 are now commonly called linebackers: two outside linebackers (OLB) and two inside linebackers. The inside backers are often labeled "Sam" (for strong side - usually lining up closer to the tight end side) and "Will" (for weak side - usually away from the tight end); they line up on the outside shoulders of the offensive guards but a few yards away from the line of scrimmage. The OLBs line up close to the line of scrimmage, on the outside shoulders of the last men on the offensive line. These outside linebackers can either penetrate, hold their ground, or drop into pass coverage. All four linebackers line up in a "two-point" stance - meaning they are standing.
The 4-3 originated as a variation of the 3-4 or old Oklahoma 50.
In this alignment, there are four "down" linemen. Two defensive tackles line up on the outside shoulders of the opposing offensive guards. Two defensive ends line up on the outside shoulders of the last men on the offensive line.
Backing them up are three linebackers. The Sam and Will designations explained above still hold; between those two comes the "Mike" (or middle linebacker).
The defensive backfield typically consists of two cornerbacks (playing nearer the sidelines of the field) and two safeties (playing nearer the middle of the field).
Before we leave alignments, realize all teams shift personnel to take into account opposing attacks (for example removing one or two of the front seven and replacing them with extra defensive backs). With the proliferation of the spread offense, some teams (most notably Florida) make their base defense include five defensive backs (the Gators regularly use a 4-2-5 alignment).
How Does Alignment Affect Recruiting?
Let's focus solely on the defensive fronts. Given that all defenses would love big, strong, fast players at every position, as a fan you should be aware of your squad's specific personnel needs.
Those personnel needs are different for the 3-4 and the 4-3.
In the 3-4, three positions require a lot of girth: the nose tackle and the two defensive ends. Ideally, your team lands a huge, mobile "two-gap" nose tackle like Bama's Terrence Cody. The two-gap tag means that your nose tackle can occupy two gaps ... the space between offensive linemen. Cody could occupy the gaps on either side of the center, forcing offenses to allot two men to block him.
If you cannot find a two-gap guy, then your team might have to rely on a smaller (relatively speaking) one-gap nose tackle. Using this style, the nose would shoot gaps and try to penetrate into the opposing backfield on nearly every snap. New Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham does a great job explaining how undersized Jay Ratliff of the Dallas Cowboys makes all-pro as a one-gap nose tackle.
The defensive ends also need to be jumbo sized in the 3-4. Most of the pass rush in this alignment will come from blitzing outside linebackers, so you want your team to have ends in the 3-4 that can clog up the opposing run game. By the way - for the old-timers and traditionalists out there (including me) - to us, the modern "end" in a 3-4 is what we'd call a tackle in "50" terminology.
On to the 4-3. Your team better be able to recruit even more size up front.
Your squad will have two huge tackles lined up inside, and two more large (and agile) defensive ends that must be able to rush the passer and fend off run blockers. My beloved Fighting Irish have had much trouble recruiting defensive linemen for many years ... moving to a 3-4 puts less a premium on recruiting these highly coveted athletes because you only need three instead of four.
While I actually prefer the 4-3 alignment (and almost all coaches who can get the athletes to run it would use it), the 3-4 is probably more unpredictable.
One of the two outside linebackers is going to be rushing the passer on virtually every play - so in both schemes you have a minimum of four pass rushers. The difference is that in the 3-4, offenses cannot be sure which OLB will be charging the quarterback.
So ... What Does Your Team Need?
When your team inks its new recruiting class next Wednesday, you should really be able to analyze the defensive front haul based on your team's needs (rather than your wants). Those needs are based on the alignments we just addressed.
Here are some points of analysis to measure whether your school had a successful recruiting season:
In the 3-4 ...
Did you seek one-gap or two-gap nose tackles? If you land a big guy or two (300+ lbs. or so) you might have the coveted two-gapper. If your nose guys are all in the 280-300 lb. range, expect your defensive coordinator to be shooting the gaps.
Did you land at least two more big defensive linemen to fill the run-stopping requirements of those defensive end positions?
Look closely at players labeled linebackers. Did you get at least two or three rather tall (6'4 to 6'6), rangy athletes quick enough to rush the passer, strong enough to take on run-blockers, and agile enough to drop into pass coverage? If so, those are your outside linebackers.
In the 4-3 ...
Where's the beef?
Your squad better stock up on plenty of big bodies. Depending on your returning roster, every recruiting class usually needs at least two big monsters (300+ lbs. - height is not paramount) to man the tackle positions, and probably four big athletes (at least 6'2 and between 260-280 lb. range) to handle the tough defensive end slots.
Did you sign good size and numbers at linebacker and in the secondary?
Doing so fills two needs. Obviously, you need three LBs and four defensive backs on the field in your base defense. So, numbers are important.
The other benefit is that these guys often grow into another position. Miami in the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s made a living by turning secondary recruits into smallish, fast linebackers (think Ray Lewis and Jonathan Vilma), and linebacker recruits into smallish, fast defensive linemen (think Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp).
You Just Might Find
College football fans celebrate National Signing Day next week as one contest when there are no losers. Every team will sign a whole bunch of good players.
Some of you will be disappointed because your team didn't get everything you wanted.
But, if you try real hard (and analyze), you just might find ... you get what you need. Oh yeah.
See you at kickoff!
"You Can't Always Get What You Want"
by Bob Epling, The Campus Game
"You can't always get what you want ...
but if you try sometimes, you just might find ...
You get what you need ..."
(The Rolling Stones 1969)
Just like Mick and the boys from Britain sang, you best believe coaches are trying real hard to get what they need right now.
Yes, it's recruiting season.
With a week remaining until NSD (National Signing Day) coaches are still trying hard to land the talent, while fans wander the web to find out the latest leanings and rumors.
But, do fans truly understand what their teams actually need?
Welcome back to The Campus Game, where you'll always find just what you need to keep up with the great American game - college football.
This week, instead of looking at recruiting from the perspective of a fan's "wants" ... let's analyze from a coach's needs.
Defense: Know Your School's Alignment
4-3 or 3-4?
You probably read frequently about whether a team will use a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme or alignment. My two favorite teams (Georgia and Notre Dame) both just made the switch from the former to the latter. With Alabama coach Nick Saban ascendant on the college scene (Saban is college football's foremost proponent of the "3-4"), expect even more squads to play copycat.
So what do those numbers mean?
Simply put, they refer to the number of defensive players near the ball before each snap, and to how those players are aligned.
Originally called the "50 defense" or "Oklahoma 50," the 3-4 scheme calls for three defensive linemen to play "down" (meaning with their hands literally on the ground). The one in the middle (nearest the center) is the nose tackle, the other two (lined up on the outside shoulders of the offensive tackles) are called ends.
The other four players in the 3-4 are now commonly called linebackers: two outside linebackers (OLB) and two inside linebackers. The inside backers are often labeled "Sam" (for strong side - usually lining up closer to the tight end side) and "Will" (for weak side - usually away from the tight end); they line up on the outside shoulders of the offensive guards but a few yards away from the line of scrimmage. The OLBs line up close to the line of scrimmage, on the outside shoulders of the last men on the offensive line. These outside linebackers can either penetrate, hold their ground, or drop into pass coverage. All four linebackers line up in a "two-point" stance - meaning they are standing.
The 4-3 originated as a variation of the 3-4 or old Oklahoma 50.
In this alignment, there are four "down" linemen. Two defensive tackles line up on the outside shoulders of the opposing offensive guards. Two defensive ends line up on the outside shoulders of the last men on the offensive line.
Backing them up are three linebackers. The Sam and Will designations explained above still hold; between those two comes the "Mike" (or middle linebacker).
The defensive backfield typically consists of two cornerbacks (playing nearer the sidelines of the field) and two safeties (playing nearer the middle of the field).
Before we leave alignments, realize all teams shift personnel to take into account opposing attacks (for example removing one or two of the front seven and replacing them with extra defensive backs). With the proliferation of the spread offense, some teams (most notably Florida) make their base defense include five defensive backs (the Gators regularly use a 4-2-5 alignment).
How Does Alignment Affect Recruiting?
Let's focus solely on the defensive fronts. Given that all defenses would love big, strong, fast players at every position, as a fan you should be aware of your squad's specific personnel needs.
Those personnel needs are different for the 3-4 and the 4-3.
In the 3-4, three positions require a lot of girth: the nose tackle and the two defensive ends. Ideally, your team lands a huge, mobile "two-gap" nose tackle like Bama's Terrence Cody. The two-gap tag means that your nose tackle can occupy two gaps ... the space between offensive linemen. Cody could occupy the gaps on either side of the center, forcing offenses to allot two men to block him.
If you cannot find a two-gap guy, then your team might have to rely on a smaller (relatively speaking) one-gap nose tackle. Using this style, the nose would shoot gaps and try to penetrate into the opposing backfield on nearly every snap. New Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham does a great job explaining how undersized Jay Ratliff of the Dallas Cowboys makes all-pro as a one-gap nose tackle.
The defensive ends also need to be jumbo sized in the 3-4. Most of the pass rush in this alignment will come from blitzing outside linebackers, so you want your team to have ends in the 3-4 that can clog up the opposing run game. By the way - for the old-timers and traditionalists out there (including me) - to us, the modern "end" in a 3-4 is what we'd call a tackle in "50" terminology.
On to the 4-3. Your team better be able to recruit even more size up front.
Your squad will have two huge tackles lined up inside, and two more large (and agile) defensive ends that must be able to rush the passer and fend off run blockers. My beloved Fighting Irish have had much trouble recruiting defensive linemen for many years ... moving to a 3-4 puts less a premium on recruiting these highly coveted athletes because you only need three instead of four.
While I actually prefer the 4-3 alignment (and almost all coaches who can get the athletes to run it would use it), the 3-4 is probably more unpredictable.
One of the two outside linebackers is going to be rushing the passer on virtually every play - so in both schemes you have a minimum of four pass rushers. The difference is that in the 3-4, offenses cannot be sure which OLB will be charging the quarterback.
So ... What Does Your Team Need?
When your team inks its new recruiting class next Wednesday, you should really be able to analyze the defensive front haul based on your team's needs (rather than your wants). Those needs are based on the alignments we just addressed.
Here are some points of analysis to measure whether your school had a successful recruiting season:
In the 3-4 ...
Did you seek one-gap or two-gap nose tackles? If you land a big guy or two (300+ lbs. or so) you might have the coveted two-gapper. If your nose guys are all in the 280-300 lb. range, expect your defensive coordinator to be shooting the gaps.
Did you land at least two more big defensive linemen to fill the run-stopping requirements of those defensive end positions?
Look closely at players labeled linebackers. Did you get at least two or three rather tall (6'4 to 6'6), rangy athletes quick enough to rush the passer, strong enough to take on run-blockers, and agile enough to drop into pass coverage? If so, those are your outside linebackers.
In the 4-3 ...
Where's the beef?
Your squad better stock up on plenty of big bodies. Depending on your returning roster, every recruiting class usually needs at least two big monsters (300+ lbs. - height is not paramount) to man the tackle positions, and probably four big athletes (at least 6'2 and between 260-280 lb. range) to handle the tough defensive end slots.
Did you sign good size and numbers at linebacker and in the secondary?
Doing so fills two needs. Obviously, you need three LBs and four defensive backs on the field in your base defense. So, numbers are important.
The other benefit is that these guys often grow into another position. Miami in the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s made a living by turning secondary recruits into smallish, fast linebackers (think Ray Lewis and Jonathan Vilma), and linebacker recruits into smallish, fast defensive linemen (think Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp).
You Just Might Find
College football fans celebrate National Signing Day next week as one contest when there are no losers. Every team will sign a whole bunch of good players.
Some of you will be disappointed because your team didn't get everything you wanted.
But, if you try real hard (and analyze), you just might find ... you get what you need. Oh yeah.
See you at kickoff!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
College Football Warm Fire League
The Warm Fire League
Welcome back to The Campus Game and our first 2010 college football "Warm Fire League" discussion.
Sports fans recognize the warm fire term as a takeoff on the old baseball tradition of "hot stove" leagues. Not official leagues, the phrase simply refers to fans gathering around a hot stove during the cold winter to talk about their favorite teams, seasons past, and upcoming pennant races.
In the spirit of the hot stoves, The Campus Game gives you college football's warm fire league. Strike the kindling, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, and settle back in your most comfortable chair. Let the warm fire discussions begin.
The Tide Rolls Again in 10?
Expect Alabama to start the 2010 season as an overwhelming choice to repeat as national champions - much like Florida the season just past.
Bama returns most of the offensive weapons that carried the program to its first title since 1992, including tailback/Heisman winner Mark Ingram and his talented backup Trent Richardson, savvy and unbeaten starting quarterback Greg McElroy, talented future NFL receiver Julio Jones, and most of the offensive line.
The other side of the ball is not so pretty. The Tide loses nearly its entire defensive front seven, including stalwart LB Rolando McClain and huge nose tackle Terrence Cody. The loss of starting cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Javier Arenas damages the secondary.
Finally, do not underestimate the loss of PK Leigh Tiffin, who grew into one of the country's best during his four years.
Still, any team that has recruited like Alabama the past three seasons ... and that has the driven Nick Saban on the sideline ... will be a force.
Who Can Stem the Tide?
Many of the usual suspects should be in the hunt in 2010.
Ohio State seems likely to start the season at #2. The Buckeyes beat a good Oregon team in the Rose Bowl, recruit as well as anyone outside USC, Texas, and the SEC teams, and have a multi-threat quarterback in big Terrelle Pryor. The schedule is also conducive to a title run with one tough, high-profile non-conference team (Miami) visiting the Horseshoe on September 11th. In conference, a Nov. 20 trip to Iowa should determine the Big Ten crown.
Virginia Tech looked good in the Chick-fil-Bowl, returns a terrific offensive tandem in QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Ryan Williams, and the Hokies always play solid defense and special teams. Frank Beamer's boys also have a nice inter-sectional matchup with Boise State at Fed Ex Field in D.C. on October 2nd.
The Broncos will get a lot of early publicity too. They lose only one starter (and just four seniors total) from a team that's 25-1 the past two seasons. BSU should be riding an 18-game winning streak when they play the Hokies. Couple that game with another non-conference contest against Oregon State of the PAC-10 and Boise could be poised to play for a title.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are potentially another challenger from Big Ten country. Iowa beat Georgia Tech pretty handily in the Orange Bowl, their defense returns nearly intact, and QB Ricky Stanzi is a heady player.
Others that could be in the mix are Texas (freshman Garrett Gilbert showed toughness in the BCS title game), Oregon (the Ducks return all eleven starters from their explosive offense), and Oklahoma (the Sooners took their licks last year but may grow up in 2010).
What about the SEC?
Of course, the biggest challengers to Alabama may well come from the Southeastern Conference.
SEC teams have won the past four national titles, and next year may be no different - even if Bama doesn't go back-to-back.
The West division will be absolutely brutal.
Arkansas may pose the biggest threat to the Tide. Bobby Petrino can X and O with anybody, the Hogs return big Ryan Mallett at QB, and Bama must travel to Fayetteville.
Auburn is having a great recruiting run after winning a thrilling Outback Bowl over Northwestern. The Tigers played the Tide tougher than anyone in 2009.
LSU features a deep, talented roster, but must get some consistency on offense to be a real contender.
Ole Miss comes off a second consecutive Cotton Bowl victory, and Houston Nutt has stockpiled a nice roster of talent. Losing QB Jevan Snead to the NFL hurts.
Mississippi State showed toughness in Dan Mullen's first season, and the Bullies should continue to get better.
In the East, Florida faces the uncertainty of having a head coach in limbo and the loss of the greatest Gator ever - Tim Tebow. Still, UF has to be the favorite in a division that otherwise should be wide open.
Georgia has exceptional young offensive play-makers, but the Dogs are hampered by having absolutely no experience at quarterback.
South Carolina returns a lot of starters, but did not show up in the bowl game. A perennial tease, the toughness of the Gamecocks has to be questioned.
Tennessee is still reeling from the ugly departure of coach Lane Kiffin. I like Derek Dooley, but he has his work cut out next season.
Vanderbilt and Kentucky don't figure to win the division, although the Wildcats have run off four consecutive bowl seasons.
Until Next Time
OK- that should be enough fat to chew.
One commercial announcement ... I'll again write the Southeastern Conference preview for The Kickoff preseason magazine. Last year was the first time the venerable Chattanooga-based publication published a preseason annual, and it turned out nicely. Look for it on newstands in early summer or click on the publication link above to make an order.
Well, the last embers are flickering, so we better throw another log on that warm fire.
Until next time - see you at kickoff!
Welcome back to The Campus Game and our first 2010 college football "Warm Fire League" discussion.
Sports fans recognize the warm fire term as a takeoff on the old baseball tradition of "hot stove" leagues. Not official leagues, the phrase simply refers to fans gathering around a hot stove during the cold winter to talk about their favorite teams, seasons past, and upcoming pennant races.
In the spirit of the hot stoves, The Campus Game gives you college football's warm fire league. Strike the kindling, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, and settle back in your most comfortable chair. Let the warm fire discussions begin.
The Tide Rolls Again in 10?
Expect Alabama to start the 2010 season as an overwhelming choice to repeat as national champions - much like Florida the season just past.
Bama returns most of the offensive weapons that carried the program to its first title since 1992, including tailback/Heisman winner Mark Ingram and his talented backup Trent Richardson, savvy and unbeaten starting quarterback Greg McElroy, talented future NFL receiver Julio Jones, and most of the offensive line.
The other side of the ball is not so pretty. The Tide loses nearly its entire defensive front seven, including stalwart LB Rolando McClain and huge nose tackle Terrence Cody. The loss of starting cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Javier Arenas damages the secondary.
Finally, do not underestimate the loss of PK Leigh Tiffin, who grew into one of the country's best during his four years.
Still, any team that has recruited like Alabama the past three seasons ... and that has the driven Nick Saban on the sideline ... will be a force.
Who Can Stem the Tide?
Many of the usual suspects should be in the hunt in 2010.
Ohio State seems likely to start the season at #2. The Buckeyes beat a good Oregon team in the Rose Bowl, recruit as well as anyone outside USC, Texas, and the SEC teams, and have a multi-threat quarterback in big Terrelle Pryor. The schedule is also conducive to a title run with one tough, high-profile non-conference team (Miami) visiting the Horseshoe on September 11th. In conference, a Nov. 20 trip to Iowa should determine the Big Ten crown.
Virginia Tech looked good in the Chick-fil-Bowl, returns a terrific offensive tandem in QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Ryan Williams, and the Hokies always play solid defense and special teams. Frank Beamer's boys also have a nice inter-sectional matchup with Boise State at Fed Ex Field in D.C. on October 2nd.
The Broncos will get a lot of early publicity too. They lose only one starter (and just four seniors total) from a team that's 25-1 the past two seasons. BSU should be riding an 18-game winning streak when they play the Hokies. Couple that game with another non-conference contest against Oregon State of the PAC-10 and Boise could be poised to play for a title.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are potentially another challenger from Big Ten country. Iowa beat Georgia Tech pretty handily in the Orange Bowl, their defense returns nearly intact, and QB Ricky Stanzi is a heady player.
Others that could be in the mix are Texas (freshman Garrett Gilbert showed toughness in the BCS title game), Oregon (the Ducks return all eleven starters from their explosive offense), and Oklahoma (the Sooners took their licks last year but may grow up in 2010).
What about the SEC?
Of course, the biggest challengers to Alabama may well come from the Southeastern Conference.
SEC teams have won the past four national titles, and next year may be no different - even if Bama doesn't go back-to-back.
The West division will be absolutely brutal.
Arkansas may pose the biggest threat to the Tide. Bobby Petrino can X and O with anybody, the Hogs return big Ryan Mallett at QB, and Bama must travel to Fayetteville.
Auburn is having a great recruiting run after winning a thrilling Outback Bowl over Northwestern. The Tigers played the Tide tougher than anyone in 2009.
LSU features a deep, talented roster, but must get some consistency on offense to be a real contender.
Ole Miss comes off a second consecutive Cotton Bowl victory, and Houston Nutt has stockpiled a nice roster of talent. Losing QB Jevan Snead to the NFL hurts.
Mississippi State showed toughness in Dan Mullen's first season, and the Bullies should continue to get better.
In the East, Florida faces the uncertainty of having a head coach in limbo and the loss of the greatest Gator ever - Tim Tebow. Still, UF has to be the favorite in a division that otherwise should be wide open.
Georgia has exceptional young offensive play-makers, but the Dogs are hampered by having absolutely no experience at quarterback.
South Carolina returns a lot of starters, but did not show up in the bowl game. A perennial tease, the toughness of the Gamecocks has to be questioned.
Tennessee is still reeling from the ugly departure of coach Lane Kiffin. I like Derek Dooley, but he has his work cut out next season.
Vanderbilt and Kentucky don't figure to win the division, although the Wildcats have run off four consecutive bowl seasons.
Until Next Time
OK- that should be enough fat to chew.
One commercial announcement ... I'll again write the Southeastern Conference preview for The Kickoff preseason magazine. Last year was the first time the venerable Chattanooga-based publication published a preseason annual, and it turned out nicely. Look for it on newstands in early summer or click on the publication link above to make an order.
Well, the last embers are flickering, so we better throw another log on that warm fire.
Until next time - see you at kickoff!
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