The Phat Guy Knows » College Football

College Football Preview 2011

Dan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:40:16 +0000

Photo Courtesy of The BoiseExperiment.com

by Matthew “Bubba” Harris

The 2011 off-season in college football was arguably the most eventful that we have ever seen. If the on field play matches the theatrics off the field we are in for some exciting drama. For many top programs, such as Ohio State, Oregon, Auburn, and Miami the season could not get here fast enough, due to negative NCAA investigations surrounding their programs. Not all off season drama was bad. Nebraska began bracing for its first ever season in the Big 10 and Utah awaited a start in the Pac 12. The marquee independant school, Notre Dame, also has many questions and eyes on them as they try to move forward after the death of a student video worker and attempt to return to national prominence.

The preseason favorite to win the BCS Championship is a school out of the Big 12, Oklahoma, not the Southeastern Conference. The SEC has produced the past 5 National Champions, the last time a non SEC school won the title was in 2005 when Texas was victorious. The Longhorns are members of the Big 12.

Oklahoma has 15 starters back from last years 12-2 team. The Sooners have a coach in Bob Stoops, that is familiar with the national spotlight. Stoops and his players do not shy away from the expectations. The word out of the Sooner locker room is championship or bust.

Schools out of the SEC, Big 12, Big 10, and Pac 12 all have tough enough schedules to navigate to get to the BCS Title game, but once again solid programs with an easier schedule will likely weigh into the top rankings for much of the season. #5 Boise St. beating ranked Georgia should put the Broncos in the running. Another team that may benefit from an easier schedule is #13 Virginia Tech who does not play a single preseason ranked team.

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Texas A&M football tickets, Texas Longhorns football schedule, Alabama football tickets, Nebraska football schedule.

Week Five of Can’t Miss College Football

Dan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:39:26 +0000

College football should be as exciting as ever this fall. Here is a look at the top college games for the fifth week of 2009.

AP Photo

Week 5

LSU@Georgia

Saturday, October 3, 3:30pm, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia, CBS Sports

LSU Preview

Head Coach Les Miles has yet to beat the Georgia Bulldogs in his five years at LSU. The No. 4 ranked team in the country is not dominating in the numbers column. The Tigers are last in the Southeastern Conference in offense at 310.0 yards per game and their defense ranks 10^th giving up 333.5 yards per game. WR Brandon LaFell has caught 5 TD’s in 4 weeks to lead the offense. On defense, LSU needs DE Rahim Alem to put some pressure on Georgia QB Joe Cox to win Saturday.

Georgia Preview

With a -9 turnover ratio in four games, it is hard to believe the Bulldogs are 3 and 1. Quarterback Joe Cox has thrown 5 picks(2 returned for TD’s) and the team has fumbled 7 times. Cox has 9 touchdowns and 980 yards passing to boost his offense. His favorite target is AJ Green, who has 25 catches for 428 yards and 4 scores. Sophomore DE Justin Houston was tabbed the SEC Defensive Lineman of the week with 2 tfl’s and a sack.

LSU@Georgia

Oklahoma Preview

Sooners Coach Bob Stoops has a good problem as junior reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford is set to return to his lineup. Fill-in QB Landry Jones is ready to take the starting nod if Stoops wants him to. Jones has been a stellar replacement for Bradford completing 43 of 69 passes for 673 yards and 9 touchdowns. Jones tied a National record for a freshman with 6 TD tosses against Tulsa. Coach Stoops does not want to rush Bradford. The Sooners have won their last two contests 109-0. Oklahoma’s run defense is ranked No.1 in the country giving up a mere 40 yards per contest.

Miami Preview

The Hurricanes are not favored after a bruising 31-7 loss to Virginia Tech. QB Jacory Harris was held to a 9-25 passing day for only 150 yards. Miami Coach Randy Shannon’s running game is not helping Harris at all. The Canes are 93^rd in the country on the ground. LB Colin McCarthy leads the defense with 8 tackles per game, but his team could be in trouble against Oklahoma as they rank 86^th against the run. Miami looks to be headed to their 2^nd straight loss.

Week Three of Can’t Miss College Football 2009

Dan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:51:56 +0000

College football should be as exciting as ever this fall. Here is a look at the top college games for the third week of 2009.

photo Dave Weaver AP

Week 3

Georgia Tech @ Miami (Fla.)

Thursday, September 17, 7:30pm, Land Shark Stadium, Miami, Florida

Georgia Tech Preview

The Yellow Jackets have won four straight against the Hurricanes but don’t be so sure they will win number five. To claim a victory, DE Derrick Morgan(5 sacks) will need some help from his teammates to get to the Canes QB. Defensive Coordinator Dave Wommack will be orchestrating some blitz packages to slow down the potent passing game of Miami. The offense will look for a repeat performance from Anthony Allen, who ran for 127 yards on only 5 carries including an 82 yard burst for a TD against Clemson.

Miami Preview

Miami will have had ten days to prepare for the running game of the Yellow Jackets that blistered them for 472 yards a year ago. 6’ 210 pound Senior Safety Randy Phillips had a pick against FSU in Miami’s win. The whole team had two interceptions in 2008. Jacory Harris completed 62% of his passes against the Seminoles. His favorite target, Travis Benjamin, caught 4 passes for 128 yards and 1 score. The home field advantage for the Canes could be large in this clash.

Nebraska @ Virginia Tech

Saturday, September 19, 3:30pm, Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia

Nebraska Preview

Former Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and Ohio State Buckeye player now Head Coach Bo Pelini will lead his Cornhuskers into Blacksburg for the first time. Stopping Tyrod Taylor will be the number one assignment in this game as Taylor used his feet and his arm to beat Nebraska in Lincoln last year. QB Zac Lee is lighting it up through the air completing almost 74% of his tosses for 553 yards and 6 scores. The huge offensive line of the Cornhuskers will have to battle hard in the trenches to win.

Va Tech Preview

QB Tyrod Taylor will try to repeat his 250 yard plus performance against the Huskers he had last year. Taylor is off to a slow start averaging only 126 yards through the air 16 yards per game on the ground so far this season. DT Cordarrow “Taco” Thompson must help the defensive line shut down Zac Lee by applying bigtime pressure on the QB.

Week Two of Can’t Miss College Football 2009

Dan — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:28:46 +0000

College football should be as exciting as ever this fall. Here is a look at the top college game for the second week of 2009.

AP photo

Week 2

USC Trojans @ Ohio State Buckeyes

Saturday, September 12, 8pm, The Shoe, Columbus, Ohio

USC Preview

True Freshman QB Matt Barkley guided the Trojans to a 56-3 trouncing of San Jose State in Week 1 of the season. Barkley’s numbers were impressive 15/19 for 233 yards through the air and one touchdown. Joe McKnight scored 2 TD’s on his way to picking up 145 yards on the ground. McKnight had a 54 yard burst for a score in the 3^rd Quarter.

USC will have to stick to their game plan which will include keeping Terrelle Pryor from using his feet to bail his Buckeye’s out.

Offensively, the Trojans will try to exploit their opponent with speed.

Ohio State Preview

After last years embarrassing loss to the Trojans, the Buckeyes will look to their leader Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor, to perform better than he did in Week 1.

Pryor threw for only 174 yards on a 14/21 day that also saw him throw a pick. He ran for 30 yards and another score which will concern the Trojan defense.

RB Boom Herron added 72 yards and 1 score on the ground for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes defense will be the difference for their team if Ohio State pulls out a victory.

Week One of Can’t Miss College Football 2009

Dan — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:33:32 +0000

College football should be as exciting as ever this fall. Here is a look at the Top college games for the first week of 2009.

Tyrod Taylor, AP Photo

Week 1

Oregon Ducks @ Boise State Broncos

Thursday, September 3, 10:15pm, Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho

Oregon Preview

LeGarrette Blount ran for over 1000 yards in 2008 for the Ducks and will try to do the same in 2009. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli accounted for almost 2500 yards and 23 touchdowns to lead Oregon. On defense they return secondary standouts Walter Thurmond III, and a jacked-up style hitter in T.J. Ward.

Boise State Preview

The Smurf turf or Blue Turf should be kind to the Bronco offense and QB Kellen Moore. With three key returning players to a defense that was No. 3 in pass efficiency in 2008, Boise State will look to make some BCS noise. DE Ryan Winterswyk and CB Kyle Wilson are legit All-America candidates.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

Saturday, September 5, 8pm, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Alabama Preview

And the defense shall lead you. This will be the philosophy of the 2009 version of the Crimson Tide. DT Terrence Cody will lead the Alabama defense as they return nine starters. Good luck trying to run on this group! Keep moving the chains and throwing the ball to WR Julio Jones will be the focus of the Bama offense for 2009.

Va Tech Preview

Free Safety Kam Chancellor, OLB Cam Martin and DE Jason Worilds will be the key to defensive success for Va Tech as the Hokies return 7 starters. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be a threat to run and pass the football. Thousand yard rusher Darren Evans will provide Taylor with a partner to punish opposing teams.

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