College Football Nation: What to watch Week 1 2010
Our esteemed conference bloggers gave us their top 10 storylines to watch yesterday. Today, we present the top 10 storylines to watch across the country.
1. How does North Carolina recover emotionally from losing so many players? We know North Carolina is going to be depleted on the field against LSU on Saturday. Twelve players have been declared ineligible, including six starters. Of those six, five are on what is supposed to be one of the best defenses in the country. Players are going to have to step up, yes, but you have to wonder what type of toll this is going to take on the team from a mental standpoint. North Carolina is going into one of the biggest national games in the country with one arm tied behind its back. Surely the players know this. Surely coach Butch Davis knows this. He is going to have to do one heck of a coaching job to get his players to focus on the actual game and not all the outside distractions.
2. Big debut for Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly: Opinions are mixed on just how well Kelly will do in his first season as Irish coach. There are some who believe a 10-win season is possible. Others think seven wins is more likely. We will have to see how Dayne Crist does in the new spread offense, but more importantly -- how much better is the defense going to be this season? This is a team that returns nine starters from a defense that ranked 86th in the country last season. Yes, there is another new defensive scheme in place, but it should get a big test from Purdue and pass-happy quarterback Robert Marve.
3. How much of a home-field advantage will Virginia Tech have against Boise State? We have gone over some of the matchups, most notably the Hokies running backs vs. the Boise State defense. But intangibles are going to play a role here. How does Boise State handle traveling across the country and going into what should be a hostile environment? It has practiced for the heat and humidity, but it is hard to simulate actual game conditions with 90,000 fans -- most of whom are against you. Boise State has played in front of hostile crowds before, but this should be especially loud.
4. How does Year 3 of the Rich Rodriguez era start? Rodriguez could have the hottest seat of any coach in the country right now, what with NCAA sanctions looming and two straight losing seasons on his resume. Michigan fans want to win yesterday, let alone now. There is still uncertainty at quarterback, where up to three players could play against Connecticut. Every game Michigan plays these days feels like a must-win, but especially this one because of all the distractions outside the program.
5. No Tim Tebow, now what? The Florida Gators are ranked so high in the preseason polls this year largely because of the expectations on new quarterback John Brantley. He has a different style to be sure, more of a drop-back passer with a much stronger arm, but many expect him to step in and keep the Gators offense rolling along. He will have to do it without two of the team's top receivers, Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez. Who is going to step up to be the leader of that receiving group? Will the Gators have an effective way to run the ball with Tebow gone? After all, Tebow led the team in rushing the past three seasons.
6. How does Alabama handle playing without Mark Ingram and defensive end Marcell Dareus? Yes, the Tide is only playing San Jose State, but a big game against Penn State looms and the Tide could potentially be without both players in that one. Alabama has a capable back in Trent Richardson, and Damion Square is expected to play in Dareus' place. Both are going to need to get comfy out there before Sept. 11.
7. Does Nebraska have an offense to match its defense? The Cornhuskers are getting much love based on the way their defense played last season, and their near-upset of Texas. But their offense was atrocious, ranking 99th in the entire country. Once again, there is quarterback uncertainty, so that does not exactly project the confidence that this unit is going to magically be better. In its four losses last season, Nebraska averaged 11 points.
8. Can Oregon State put enough pressure on TCU quarterback Andy Dalton? Much of the focus on this game has centered around the Rodgers brothers and their return to Texas. Jacquizz Rodgers vs. the always strong TCU defense is a great matchup to watch. But another one is how Oregon State defends Andy Dalton. The last time we saw Dalton, he was frazzled into throwing three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. He threw only five in the regular season.
9. Georgia breaks in a new quarterback and new defense: How are the Bulldogs going to look with a redshirt freshman in Aaron Murray leading the offense, and a new defense playing the 3-4? Georgia is going to need answers fast with a road game at South Carolina looming. The Gamecocks looked pretty good Thursday night.
10. Charlie Strong vs. Joker Phillips: It's great to see two African-American head coaches making their debut in such a huge rivalry game. Their rise has helped increase the number of minority head coaches to 13 going into the 2010 season, up from nine in 2009.
1. How does North Carolina recover emotionally from losing so many players? We know North Carolina is going to be depleted on the field against LSU on Saturday. Twelve players have been declared ineligible, including six starters. Of those six, five are on what is supposed to be one of the best defenses in the country. Players are going to have to step up, yes, but you have to wonder what type of toll this is going to take on the team from a mental standpoint. North Carolina is going into one of the biggest national games in the country with one arm tied behind its back. Surely the players know this. Surely coach Butch Davis knows this. He is going to have to do one heck of a coaching job to get his players to focus on the actual game and not all the outside distractions.
2. Big debut for Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly: Opinions are mixed on just how well Kelly will do in his first season as Irish coach. There are some who believe a 10-win season is possible. Others think seven wins is more likely. We will have to see how Dayne Crist does in the new spread offense, but more importantly -- how much better is the defense going to be this season? This is a team that returns nine starters from a defense that ranked 86th in the country last season. Yes, there is another new defensive scheme in place, but it should get a big test from Purdue and pass-happy quarterback Robert Marve.
3. How much of a home-field advantage will Virginia Tech have against Boise State? We have gone over some of the matchups, most notably the Hokies running backs vs. the Boise State defense. But intangibles are going to play a role here. How does Boise State handle traveling across the country and going into what should be a hostile environment? It has practiced for the heat and humidity, but it is hard to simulate actual game conditions with 90,000 fans -- most of whom are against you. Boise State has played in front of hostile crowds before, but this should be especially loud.
4. How does Year 3 of the Rich Rodriguez era start? Rodriguez could have the hottest seat of any coach in the country right now, what with NCAA sanctions looming and two straight losing seasons on his resume. Michigan fans want to win yesterday, let alone now. There is still uncertainty at quarterback, where up to three players could play against Connecticut. Every game Michigan plays these days feels like a must-win, but especially this one because of all the distractions outside the program.
5. No Tim Tebow, now what? The Florida Gators are ranked so high in the preseason polls this year largely because of the expectations on new quarterback John Brantley. He has a different style to be sure, more of a drop-back passer with a much stronger arm, but many expect him to step in and keep the Gators offense rolling along. He will have to do it without two of the team's top receivers, Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez. Who is going to step up to be the leader of that receiving group? Will the Gators have an effective way to run the ball with Tebow gone? After all, Tebow led the team in rushing the past three seasons.
6. How does Alabama handle playing without Mark Ingram and defensive end Marcell Dareus? Yes, the Tide is only playing San Jose State, but a big game against Penn State looms and the Tide could potentially be without both players in that one. Alabama has a capable back in Trent Richardson, and Damion Square is expected to play in Dareus' place. Both are going to need to get comfy out there before Sept. 11.
7. Does Nebraska have an offense to match its defense? The Cornhuskers are getting much love based on the way their defense played last season, and their near-upset of Texas. But their offense was atrocious, ranking 99th in the entire country. Once again, there is quarterback uncertainty, so that does not exactly project the confidence that this unit is going to magically be better. In its four losses last season, Nebraska averaged 11 points.
8. Can Oregon State put enough pressure on TCU quarterback Andy Dalton? Much of the focus on this game has centered around the Rodgers brothers and their return to Texas. Jacquizz Rodgers vs. the always strong TCU defense is a great matchup to watch. But another one is how Oregon State defends Andy Dalton. The last time we saw Dalton, he was frazzled into throwing three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. He threw only five in the regular season.
9. Georgia breaks in a new quarterback and new defense: How are the Bulldogs going to look with a redshirt freshman in Aaron Murray leading the offense, and a new defense playing the 3-4? Georgia is going to need answers fast with a road game at South Carolina looming. The Gamecocks looked pretty good Thursday night.
10. Charlie Strong vs. Joker Phillips: It's great to see two African-American head coaches making their debut in such a huge rivalry game. Their rise has helped increase the number of minority head coaches to 13 going into the 2010 season, up from nine in 2009.
There's a full slate of 10 nonconference games this week, so there's a lot to watch.
1. How will Katz react when the lights go on at Cowboys Stadium? Oregon State's Ryan Katz has done everything well since he quickly took control of the quarterback job during spring practices. He's got the arm, head and athletic ability to become an All-Conference QB. But no one really knows how he will react to the big-stage pressure of his first career start. Many great QBs played like a squirrel darting across a highway in their first start. Others did just fine.
2. Time for Locker to step up: It's no longer about Jake Locker's extraordinary potential, which has NFL scouts salivating. Now it's about Locker performing. It's about him becoming the QB he is projected to be but hasn't yet been. That means completing 60-65 percent of his passes with few mistakes and converting big play after big play with both his arm and his feet. The visions of Locker now need to match the reality of him. Otherwise, a season of great hope for the Huskies won't get out of the starting gate.
3. Is Prince ready? what about his line? UCLA QB Kevin Prince has missed almost all of fall camp with a back problem. Sure, he's a returning starter, but the Bruins are adopting -- at least parts of -- a new "pistol" offense, which he inconsistently ran during the spring. You would think Prince, at the very least, will be a bit rusty at Kansas State. Also, it won't help much that the line he played behind in the spring doesn't look much like the makeshift unit that will be protecting him Saturday.
4. USC can make a statement: Everybody is curious how motivated the Trojans will be in 2010 when they aren't eligible for the postseason due to NCAA sanctions. If they deliver an angry beatdown at Hawaii, some of that curiosity will be answered. And it wouldn't hurt Lane Kiffin for his squad to be sharp in his first game as head coach.
5. Oregon QB Darron Thomas needs to get his starters legs under him: Oregon is going to whip New Mexico, no matter how Thomas does in his first start at quarterback. But Thomas needs to push through those inevitable first-game jitters and find a comfort level on the big stage. Because next weekend he's going to be playing at Tennessee in front of 105,000 folks who will be slightly less supportive than the crowd Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
6. Can Oregon State get pressure on TCU QB Andy Dalton? While much of the pre-game attention with the Beavers showdown with TCU is focused on how Katz will react to the Horned Frogs' relentless blitzes, the Beavers own pass rush is almost as big a question. Recall that last year Oregon State, typically an attacking defense, struggled to get much pressure on opposing QBs, registering just 17 sacks, which ranked ninth in the conference and was just four more than poor ole Washington State. The hope is tackle Stephen Paea will be such a distraction inside that ends Gabe Miller and Taylor Henry will be able to beat one-on-one blocks with their athletic ability. But if the Beavers can't get to the underrated Dalton, it could be a long evening.
7. Are Arizona's three new LBs still thinking too much? The chatter started in spring and lasted through much of fall camp: The Wildcats new linebackers were thinking too much and therefore not playing with the right amount of aggressiveness. And then when they attacked, they often made the wrong fit or ended up in the wrong place. Toledo plays well at home and runs a productive spread offense. They will challenge Derek Earls, Jake Fischer and Paul Vassallo, who are each making their first career start. The Rockets will try to confuse them and get them out of position. There's inevitably going to be a growth process for the new LBs. The question is how slowly that process will progress.
8. How much better is Washington State? Few folks believe the Cougars are going to win many games this season, but there are good reasons for cautious optimism, starting with a more experienced -- and healthier -- lineup. It's certainly not helpful, however, to open at Oklahoma State, even if the Cowboys are rebuilding. Still, if the Cougs make this one competitive heading into the second half, they likely will have already exceeded some expectations. The key here is for WSU to walk away from Stillwater thinking, "We can win some games this year." Conversely, a blowout loss could prove catastrophic to the program's fragile confidence.
9. Will anyone produce a Heisman moment? Locker at BYU? Jacquizz Rodgers versus TCU in his home state? Will Arizona's Nick Foles or USC's Matt Barkley roll up big numbers? There are many potential Heisman Trophy candidates in the conference in 2010. Will any make a statement with a SportsCenter performance in week one?
10. Cal, Stanford and Arizona State just need to avoid injuries, not embarrass themselves: All three take on FCS foes -- UC Davis, Sacramento State and Portland State, respectively -- which means they are going to win easily (or become national laughingstocks). The key thing is to start fast and then get the starters safely to the bench.
1. How will Katz react when the lights go on at Cowboys Stadium? Oregon State's Ryan Katz has done everything well since he quickly took control of the quarterback job during spring practices. He's got the arm, head and athletic ability to become an All-Conference QB. But no one really knows how he will react to the big-stage pressure of his first career start. Many great QBs played like a squirrel darting across a highway in their first start. Others did just fine.
2. Time for Locker to step up: It's no longer about Jake Locker's extraordinary potential, which has NFL scouts salivating. Now it's about Locker performing. It's about him becoming the QB he is projected to be but hasn't yet been. That means completing 60-65 percent of his passes with few mistakes and converting big play after big play with both his arm and his feet. The visions of Locker now need to match the reality of him. Otherwise, a season of great hope for the Huskies won't get out of the starting gate.
3. Is Prince ready? what about his line? UCLA QB Kevin Prince has missed almost all of fall camp with a back problem. Sure, he's a returning starter, but the Bruins are adopting -- at least parts of -- a new "pistol" offense, which he inconsistently ran during the spring. You would think Prince, at the very least, will be a bit rusty at Kansas State. Also, it won't help much that the line he played behind in the spring doesn't look much like the makeshift unit that will be protecting him Saturday.
4. USC can make a statement: Everybody is curious how motivated the Trojans will be in 2010 when they aren't eligible for the postseason due to NCAA sanctions. If they deliver an angry beatdown at Hawaii, some of that curiosity will be answered. And it wouldn't hurt Lane Kiffin for his squad to be sharp in his first game as head coach.
5. Oregon QB Darron Thomas needs to get his starters legs under him: Oregon is going to whip New Mexico, no matter how Thomas does in his first start at quarterback. But Thomas needs to push through those inevitable first-game jitters and find a comfort level on the big stage. Because next weekend he's going to be playing at Tennessee in front of 105,000 folks who will be slightly less supportive than the crowd Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
6. Can Oregon State get pressure on TCU QB Andy Dalton? While much of the pre-game attention with the Beavers showdown with TCU is focused on how Katz will react to the Horned Frogs' relentless blitzes, the Beavers own pass rush is almost as big a question. Recall that last year Oregon State, typically an attacking defense, struggled to get much pressure on opposing QBs, registering just 17 sacks, which ranked ninth in the conference and was just four more than poor ole Washington State. The hope is tackle Stephen Paea will be such a distraction inside that ends Gabe Miller and Taylor Henry will be able to beat one-on-one blocks with their athletic ability. But if the Beavers can't get to the underrated Dalton, it could be a long evening.
7. Are Arizona's three new LBs still thinking too much? The chatter started in spring and lasted through much of fall camp: The Wildcats new linebackers were thinking too much and therefore not playing with the right amount of aggressiveness. And then when they attacked, they often made the wrong fit or ended up in the wrong place. Toledo plays well at home and runs a productive spread offense. They will challenge Derek Earls, Jake Fischer and Paul Vassallo, who are each making their first career start. The Rockets will try to confuse them and get them out of position. There's inevitably going to be a growth process for the new LBs. The question is how slowly that process will progress.
8. How much better is Washington State? Few folks believe the Cougars are going to win many games this season, but there are good reasons for cautious optimism, starting with a more experienced -- and healthier -- lineup. It's certainly not helpful, however, to open at Oklahoma State, even if the Cowboys are rebuilding. Still, if the Cougs make this one competitive heading into the second half, they likely will have already exceeded some expectations. The key here is for WSU to walk away from Stillwater thinking, "We can win some games this year." Conversely, a blowout loss could prove catastrophic to the program's fragile confidence.
9. Will anyone produce a Heisman moment? Locker at BYU? Jacquizz Rodgers versus TCU in his home state? Will Arizona's Nick Foles or USC's Matt Barkley roll up big numbers? There are many potential Heisman Trophy candidates in the conference in 2010. Will any make a statement with a SportsCenter performance in week one?
10. Cal, Stanford and Arizona State just need to avoid injuries, not embarrass themselves: All three take on FCS foes -- UC Davis, Sacramento State and Portland State, respectively -- which means they are going to win easily (or become national laughingstocks). The key thing is to start fast and then get the starters safely to the bench.
What to watch among non-AQs: Week 1
September, 2, 2010
9/02/10
9:00
AM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
The season begins tonight! With that, here are 10 storylines to watch among the non-AQ teams:
- Boise State defense vs. Virginia Tech running game. What happens here could largely determine who wins the game. Ryan Williams and Darren Evans present a duo at running back that Boise State rarely sees in WAC play. Add in the very mobile Tyrod Taylor, and the Broncos are going to have their hands full. Watch for Jeron Johnson and Winston Venable to set the tempo for the defense.
- How does BYU handle its two quarterbacks against Washington? One of the biggest non-AQ storylines of the fall has been how Bronco Mendenhall will handle playing Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps. Two-quarterback systems rarely work, but Mendenhall says he could go with two for the entire season. They are two vastly different quarterbacks. Does Heaps play in spot duty? Do they split the plays? If one is hot, does the other sit? All questions to ask going into the season.
- How does Fresno State running back Robbie Rouse perform against Cincinnati? Rouse has the tough task of replacing the NCAA rushing leader from last season, Ryan Mathews. Coach Pat Hill has compared him to Darren Sproles in terms of being a physical inside runner. Another key to this game -- how does the Fresno State defense handle the spread and Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros?[+] Enlarge
Jason O. Watson/US PresswireRobbie Rouse rushed 82 times for 479 yards and four touchdowns last season while backing up Ryan Mathews. - How does Logan Kilgore do in the opener against Minnesota? Middle Tennessee was the preseason pick to win the Sun Belt, but that was with Dwight Dasher at quarterback. Now that he has been suspended indefinitely, Kilgore will start. He is a junior college transfer who has yet to take a snap for the Blue Raiders. How does the team react to a new starting quarterback? How much does the team miss Dasher? How much does the offense change?
- Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers vs. TCU defense. The Horned Frogs have built their reputation on defense. Seven starters return, but leading tackler Daryl Washington is gone. How much will TCU miss him playing an elusive back in Rodgers? TCU had the No. 3 rushing defense in the country last year and allowed just two 100-yard rushers on the season.
- Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis vs. Utah defense. The Utes are missing seven starters, including all three linebackers from last season. They do have depth on the defensive line, but the starters are going against an offensive line that weighs an average of about 40 pounds more than they do. Lewis rushed for 1,799 yards last season, and defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake acknowledges he is a “monster” to take down.
- Upset watch: Northern Illinois at Iowa State. Northern Illinois has Chad Spann in the backfield, one of the best rushers in the MAC. The Huskies actually had one of the best rush offenses in the country last season, ranking No. 19. Meanwhile, Iowa State struggled against the run and goes into the season hoping to prove last season was no fluke. Northern Illinois did beat one AQ school last season, Purdue in Week 3.
- Can East Carolina continue its reign atop Conference USA? The season begins with a conference game, hosting Tulsa. The Pirates are in for a rebuilding year. No starting quarterback has been named, and the defense is missing its entire front seven from a year ago. Tulsa could make some noise in the West. How is East Carolina going to slow down G.J. Kinne?
- Combined number of points in the SMU-Texas Tech game will be … ? SMU loves to throw the ball in the Run N Shoot offense. Coach Tommy Tuberville says Texas Tech will continue to throw the ball, too, with Taylor Potts. Kyle Padron should be much improved in his second year in June Jones’ system. Wouldn’t be surprised if this one ended 44-40.
- Do TCU and Boise State still have national championship aspirations after this weekend? Losses in their big non-conference games knock them out and would seriously damage any hopes at a BCS game, too. No one-loss non-AQ team has ever made it to a BCS game.
Are you ready for some football?
SEC fans won’t have to wait until Saturday to kick off the 2010 season. South Carolina gets it started Thursday night against Southern Miss in Williams-Brice Stadium.
Questions abound about Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks. Who’s going to play? Who’s not going to play? How’s the quarterback situation going to shake out? Is this legitimately an SEC championship-caliber team?
We should start to receive answers soon enough. I can already see smoke billowing and hear the theme song from “2001: A Space Odyssey” playing in the distance.
Here’s a look at what to watch in the SEC in Week 1:
1. Catching a break: It appears that LSU will be facing a North Carolina team on Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game that will be depleted. As many as seven defensive starters for the Tar Heels could be missing and up to 16 players total, according to ESPN reports. Star defensive tackle Marvin Austin has already been suspended for the game for violating team rules. Several more could follow as NCAA and school officials continue to look into agent-related allegations and possible academic fraud. The Tigers insist they’re worried only about themselves, especially with this being such a critical game in setting the right tone for the season. We’ll find out a lot more about this LSU team's maturity come Saturday night in the Georgia Dome.
2. Rebel Yell: Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt conceded that he was “devastated” upon hearing the news Tuesday that the NCAA had ruled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli ineligible to play this season. There’s still an appeal out there, and Ole Miss could hear something by Friday. The Masoli news was just the first blow this week for the Rebels. Later Tuesday, it was learned that senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett was out indefinitely while he undergoes tests to determine what’s causing a rhythmic heart condition. Both players were going to play key roles this season for the Rebels, who will be counting on the likes of Nathan Stanley, Randall Mackey, Gerald Rivers, Jason Jones and Carlos Thompson more than ever now.
3. Missing in action: There are more than a few anxious coaches and players at a number of SEC locales thanks to all of the NCAA investigations hovering out there. South Carolina could be without as many as five players Thursday night. Safety Akeem Auguste, cornerback C.C. Whitlock, offensive tackle Jarriel King, guard Terrence Campbell and defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye all face possible suspensions stemming from the Whitney Hotel probe. South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders has already been suspended for violating team rules. Alabama is waiting to hear something on defensive end Marcell Dareus, and Georgia is waiting to hear something on receiver A.J. Green. Georgia running back Washaun Ealey was suspended following his arrest last week, joining teammate Tavarres King, who was already suspended for this game following his July arrest. Injuries have also wreaked havoc, forcing Alabama running back Mark Ingram, South Carolina linebacker Shaq Wilson, LSU linebacker Ryan Baker and Florida offensive tackles Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan to the bench for this first game.
4. Starting from scratch: Exactly half of the SEC teams will trot out a first-time starter at quarterback. That is, a first-time starter while playing in this league. Making their starting debuts will be Florida junior John Brantley, Georgia redshirt freshman Aaron Murray, Auburn junior Cameron Newton, Tennessee junior Matt Simms and Stanley at Ole Miss. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has yet to name a starter, but neither of the two quarterbacks who will play for the Bulldogs (junior Chris Relf or redshirt freshman Tyler Russell) has ever started a college game. Murray and Russell have never even played in a college game. One way or another, it ought to be interesting when the ball’s snapped this season in the SEC.
5. Passing fancy: It’s the first time we’ve seen Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett in live action since breaking a bone in his foot back in the winter during conditioning drills. At the top of his priority list this season is improving his accuracy and staying fundamentally sound when he is flushed out of the pocket. Now in his third year in Bobby Petrino’s system, Mallett isn’t one to talk about individual goals. His goal is to bring the Hogs an SEC championship. But with the talent surrounding him at all the skill positions, he could certainly make a run at a few SEC single-season passing records. Kentucky’s Andre Woodson has the touchdown record with 40 during the 2007 season, while another Kentucky quarterback owns the record for most passing yards in a season. Tim Couch threw for 4,275 yards during the 1998 season.
6. Rainey to the rescue:Florida coach Urban Meyer sounds excited about seeing Chris Rainey at the slot position, which was Percy Harvin’s old spot when he was scoring touchdowns on a weekly basis for the Gators. Meyer said Rainey was up to 178 pounds and poised for a big year. “He’s stronger than he’s ever been. He’s now focused on a position that really his body is more trained to be,” Meyer said. “He has to give us the home-run shot. He’s got the ability. There’s really not an offense that can function without a home-run hitter, and he’s either 1 or 2 on our list of guys who can take it the distance.”
7. Big Orange firsts: Not only will it be Derek Dooley’s first game as Tennessee’s coach this Saturday against Tennessee-Martin, but he estimates that two-thirds of the Vols’ roster has never taken a snap in Neyland Stadium. Dooley said 18 freshmen are on his two-deep, and Tennessee also has a new playcaller on offense (Jim Chaney) and a new defensive coordinator (Justin Wilcox). Chaney was on the previous Tennessee staff with Lane Kiffin, but Kiffin called the offensive plays. What's more, seven of the nine players slated to start on the offensive and defensive lines will be making their first career starts for the Vols in their current positions.
8. Coaching debuts: It wouldn’t be the SEC without at least one new head coach taking the field for the first time. This season, there are three -- Joker Phillips at Kentucky, Robbie Caldwell at Vanderbilt and Dooley at Tennessee. Just in the past 10 years, there have been a staggering 22 head coaching changes in the SEC. The dean of SEC coaches at his current school is Georgia’s Mark Richt, and he came aboard in 2001. Florida’s Meyer, LSU’s Les Miles and South Carolina’s Spurrier are tied for second on the list, and they’re all entering their sixth season in the league.
9. Many happy returns: There’s been a lot of chatter among coaches about allowing key players to participate in the return game on special teams. It will be interesting to see how many of those players we really see back deep this first week. It’s a star-studded list. Some of the possibilities: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, Georgia's A.J. Green, South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Alabama receiver Julio Jones, Florida running back Jeff Demps, Arkansas receiver Joe Adams, Tennessee receiver Gerald Jones, Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb and Kentucky running back Derrick Locke.
10. Emerging stars: We’re all eager to find out who those players are that will emerge from the shadows this season. Picking them out after just one week is tricky, too, especially when you consider some of the mismatches on tap in Week 1 in the SEC. But here’s a quick checklist of players to keep an eye on: Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard, Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward, Georgia nose tackle DeAngelo Tyson, LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis, Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Auburn running back Mario Fannin, Ole Miss linebacker D.T. Shackelford and LSU receiver Russell Shepard.
SEC fans won’t have to wait until Saturday to kick off the 2010 season. South Carolina gets it started Thursday night against Southern Miss in Williams-Brice Stadium.
Questions abound about Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks. Who’s going to play? Who’s not going to play? How’s the quarterback situation going to shake out? Is this legitimately an SEC championship-caliber team?
We should start to receive answers soon enough. I can already see smoke billowing and hear the theme song from “2001: A Space Odyssey” playing in the distance.
Here’s a look at what to watch in the SEC in Week 1:
1. Catching a break: It appears that LSU will be facing a North Carolina team on Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game that will be depleted. As many as seven defensive starters for the Tar Heels could be missing and up to 16 players total, according to ESPN reports. Star defensive tackle Marvin Austin has already been suspended for the game for violating team rules. Several more could follow as NCAA and school officials continue to look into agent-related allegations and possible academic fraud. The Tigers insist they’re worried only about themselves, especially with this being such a critical game in setting the right tone for the season. We’ll find out a lot more about this LSU team's maturity come Saturday night in the Georgia Dome.
2. Rebel Yell: Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt conceded that he was “devastated” upon hearing the news Tuesday that the NCAA had ruled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli ineligible to play this season. There’s still an appeal out there, and Ole Miss could hear something by Friday. The Masoli news was just the first blow this week for the Rebels. Later Tuesday, it was learned that senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett was out indefinitely while he undergoes tests to determine what’s causing a rhythmic heart condition. Both players were going to play key roles this season for the Rebels, who will be counting on the likes of Nathan Stanley, Randall Mackey, Gerald Rivers, Jason Jones and Carlos Thompson more than ever now.
3. Missing in action: There are more than a few anxious coaches and players at a number of SEC locales thanks to all of the NCAA investigations hovering out there. South Carolina could be without as many as five players Thursday night. Safety Akeem Auguste, cornerback C.C. Whitlock, offensive tackle Jarriel King, guard Terrence Campbell and defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye all face possible suspensions stemming from the Whitney Hotel probe. South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders has already been suspended for violating team rules. Alabama is waiting to hear something on defensive end Marcell Dareus, and Georgia is waiting to hear something on receiver A.J. Green. Georgia running back Washaun Ealey was suspended following his arrest last week, joining teammate Tavarres King, who was already suspended for this game following his July arrest. Injuries have also wreaked havoc, forcing Alabama running back Mark Ingram, South Carolina linebacker Shaq Wilson, LSU linebacker Ryan Baker and Florida offensive tackles Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan to the bench for this first game.
4. Starting from scratch: Exactly half of the SEC teams will trot out a first-time starter at quarterback. That is, a first-time starter while playing in this league. Making their starting debuts will be Florida junior John Brantley, Georgia redshirt freshman Aaron Murray, Auburn junior Cameron Newton, Tennessee junior Matt Simms and Stanley at Ole Miss. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has yet to name a starter, but neither of the two quarterbacks who will play for the Bulldogs (junior Chris Relf or redshirt freshman Tyler Russell) has ever started a college game. Murray and Russell have never even played in a college game. One way or another, it ought to be interesting when the ball’s snapped this season in the SEC.
5. Passing fancy: It’s the first time we’ve seen Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett in live action since breaking a bone in his foot back in the winter during conditioning drills. At the top of his priority list this season is improving his accuracy and staying fundamentally sound when he is flushed out of the pocket. Now in his third year in Bobby Petrino’s system, Mallett isn’t one to talk about individual goals. His goal is to bring the Hogs an SEC championship. But with the talent surrounding him at all the skill positions, he could certainly make a run at a few SEC single-season passing records. Kentucky’s Andre Woodson has the touchdown record with 40 during the 2007 season, while another Kentucky quarterback owns the record for most passing yards in a season. Tim Couch threw for 4,275 yards during the 1998 season.
6. Rainey to the rescue:Florida coach Urban Meyer sounds excited about seeing Chris Rainey at the slot position, which was Percy Harvin’s old spot when he was scoring touchdowns on a weekly basis for the Gators. Meyer said Rainey was up to 178 pounds and poised for a big year. “He’s stronger than he’s ever been. He’s now focused on a position that really his body is more trained to be,” Meyer said. “He has to give us the home-run shot. He’s got the ability. There’s really not an offense that can function without a home-run hitter, and he’s either 1 or 2 on our list of guys who can take it the distance.”
7. Big Orange firsts: Not only will it be Derek Dooley’s first game as Tennessee’s coach this Saturday against Tennessee-Martin, but he estimates that two-thirds of the Vols’ roster has never taken a snap in Neyland Stadium. Dooley said 18 freshmen are on his two-deep, and Tennessee also has a new playcaller on offense (Jim Chaney) and a new defensive coordinator (Justin Wilcox). Chaney was on the previous Tennessee staff with Lane Kiffin, but Kiffin called the offensive plays. What's more, seven of the nine players slated to start on the offensive and defensive lines will be making their first career starts for the Vols in their current positions.
8. Coaching debuts: It wouldn’t be the SEC without at least one new head coach taking the field for the first time. This season, there are three -- Joker Phillips at Kentucky, Robbie Caldwell at Vanderbilt and Dooley at Tennessee. Just in the past 10 years, there have been a staggering 22 head coaching changes in the SEC. The dean of SEC coaches at his current school is Georgia’s Mark Richt, and he came aboard in 2001. Florida’s Meyer, LSU’s Les Miles and South Carolina’s Spurrier are tied for second on the list, and they’re all entering their sixth season in the league.
9. Many happy returns: There’s been a lot of chatter among coaches about allowing key players to participate in the return game on special teams. It will be interesting to see how many of those players we really see back deep this first week. It’s a star-studded list. Some of the possibilities: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, Georgia's A.J. Green, South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Alabama receiver Julio Jones, Florida running back Jeff Demps, Arkansas receiver Joe Adams, Tennessee receiver Gerald Jones, Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb and Kentucky running back Derrick Locke.
10. Emerging stars: We’re all eager to find out who those players are that will emerge from the shadows this season. Picking them out after just one week is tricky, too, especially when you consider some of the mismatches on tap in Week 1 in the SEC. But here’s a quick checklist of players to keep an eye on: Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard, Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward, Georgia nose tackle DeAngelo Tyson, LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis, Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Auburn running back Mario Fannin, Ole Miss linebacker D.T. Shackelford and LSU receiver Russell Shepard.
What to watch in the Big East: Week 1
September, 2, 2010
9/02/10
8:17
AM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
1. Can Pitt carry the banner? Pittsburgh received 22 of 24 first-place votes in the Big East preseason poll and is the only league team ranked in the top 20 of either poll. So much is expected of the Panthers this season. It won't take long to find out how good they are, as they open Thursday night at Utah in another installment of the Mountain West vs. Big East argument. Pitt doesn't necessarily have to win this game to have a good season, but a poor performance in Salt Lake City could bode ill for Dave Wannstedt's team.
2. The Pitt O-line vs. the Utah defense: Most of the hand-wringing about Pittsburgh this preseason has involved the three new starters on the offensive line, particularly at center and right guard. The Utes have an attacking, blitz-heavy defense that produced 30 sacks a year ago. You can bet Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake will try to bring extra defenders through the middle to disrupt Tino Sunseri's timing and keep Dion Lewis from running wild.
3. Are the Huskies worth the hype?: Connecticut has drawn plenty of buzz as a potential sleeper this offseason after winning the last four games of 2009. The Huskies will get a chance to show if that's all talk or if it's legit praise with a showdown at Michigan on ABC. The game could have the biggest crowd in college football history, and UConn's program could gain the most momentum in its history with a win.
4. Michigan's quarterbacks vs. the UConn defense: It's the first meeting between the Wolverines and the Huskies, but this shouldn't be unfamiliar territory for either coach. Rich Rodriguez had Randy Edsall's number when Rodriguez was at West Virginia, and the common thread in the Mountaineers' domination of UConn was superior speed. At Michigan, Rodriguez again has swift quarterbacks like Denard Robinson, Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner who can cause havoc in the open field. Given the Huskies' question marks in the secondary and their lack of beef on the defensive front, the Wolverines' quarterbacks should have a lot of opportunities to make plays.
5. Coaching debuts: Three new Big East coaches make their debuts on Saturday. Skip Holtz should have a relatively worry-free introduction at home against Stony Brook. Butch Jones and Charlie Strong have much more difficult assignments. Jones and Cincinnati open at Fresno State, while Strong has to lead Louisville against its biggest rival in Kentucky. All three games merit watching to see how the coaches have changed their programs' style and schemes.
6. New quarterbacks: Three quarterbacks will be starting for the first time in their college careers this week: Pitt's Sunseri, West Virginia's Geno Smith and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib. Smith and Nassib played a lot last season, but there will still be a high curiosity factor for each one's starting debut. And you can bet Rutgers, West Virginia and South Florida will try to get some work in for their extremely inexperienced backup quarterbacks.
7. Cincinnati's run defense: Opponents were able to stuff the ball down the Bearcats' throat down the stretch in 2009, and though the defense has switched back to a 4-3, it remains undersized at key positions. Fresno State had the nation's leading rusher last season in Ryan Mathews and the eighth-best rushing attack overall. Mathews is in the NFL, but the Bulldogs return all five starting offensive linemen, including a pair of 300-plus pounders on the right side. It's no secret what Fresno State will try to do when it has the ball.
8. West Virginia's opening salvo: The Mountaineers have had a few distractions in fall camp, including the looming NCAA investigation. At the same time, they have the most veteran team in the Big East and plethora of playmakers. The opener against Coastal Carolina shouldn't be much of a contest, and it would be good to see West Virginia put the game away early and avoid some of the slow starts that plagued it last season.
9. Rutgers' offense: The offensive line is rebuilt and the receivers are ailing. That shouldn't stop the Scarlet Knights from scoring points against Norfolk State. This should be an excellent opportunity for the young offensive corps to gain confidence and the offensive line to jell. If Rutgers struggles to move the ball effectively against an FCS defense, then that will be a giant red flag (and not the block R one).
10. Marrone 2.0: It's Year2 of the Doug Marrone era in Syracuse, and the team should be ready to take a step forward. There's no time to really hold much back in the opener, since it's on the road against an Akron team that has played well against the Orange the last two years in the Carrier Dome. With Marrone taking over the offensive coordinator duties this year, it will be interesting to see what kind of new wrinkles he'll unveil. Don't be surprised to see some option, some Wildcat and other misdirection. Most of all, Syracuse needs to avoid an upset and take advantage of an early schedule that should allow for a good start for a change.
2. The Pitt O-line vs. the Utah defense: Most of the hand-wringing about Pittsburgh this preseason has involved the three new starters on the offensive line, particularly at center and right guard. The Utes have an attacking, blitz-heavy defense that produced 30 sacks a year ago. You can bet Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake will try to bring extra defenders through the middle to disrupt Tino Sunseri's timing and keep Dion Lewis from running wild.
3. Are the Huskies worth the hype?: Connecticut has drawn plenty of buzz as a potential sleeper this offseason after winning the last four games of 2009. The Huskies will get a chance to show if that's all talk or if it's legit praise with a showdown at Michigan on ABC. The game could have the biggest crowd in college football history, and UConn's program could gain the most momentum in its history with a win.
4. Michigan's quarterbacks vs. the UConn defense: It's the first meeting between the Wolverines and the Huskies, but this shouldn't be unfamiliar territory for either coach. Rich Rodriguez had Randy Edsall's number when Rodriguez was at West Virginia, and the common thread in the Mountaineers' domination of UConn was superior speed. At Michigan, Rodriguez again has swift quarterbacks like Denard Robinson, Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner who can cause havoc in the open field. Given the Huskies' question marks in the secondary and their lack of beef on the defensive front, the Wolverines' quarterbacks should have a lot of opportunities to make plays.
5. Coaching debuts: Three new Big East coaches make their debuts on Saturday. Skip Holtz should have a relatively worry-free introduction at home against Stony Brook. Butch Jones and Charlie Strong have much more difficult assignments. Jones and Cincinnati open at Fresno State, while Strong has to lead Louisville against its biggest rival in Kentucky. All three games merit watching to see how the coaches have changed their programs' style and schemes.
6. New quarterbacks: Three quarterbacks will be starting for the first time in their college careers this week: Pitt's Sunseri, West Virginia's Geno Smith and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib. Smith and Nassib played a lot last season, but there will still be a high curiosity factor for each one's starting debut. And you can bet Rutgers, West Virginia and South Florida will try to get some work in for their extremely inexperienced backup quarterbacks.
7. Cincinnati's run defense: Opponents were able to stuff the ball down the Bearcats' throat down the stretch in 2009, and though the defense has switched back to a 4-3, it remains undersized at key positions. Fresno State had the nation's leading rusher last season in Ryan Mathews and the eighth-best rushing attack overall. Mathews is in the NFL, but the Bulldogs return all five starting offensive linemen, including a pair of 300-plus pounders on the right side. It's no secret what Fresno State will try to do when it has the ball.
8. West Virginia's opening salvo: The Mountaineers have had a few distractions in fall camp, including the looming NCAA investigation. At the same time, they have the most veteran team in the Big East and plethora of playmakers. The opener against Coastal Carolina shouldn't be much of a contest, and it would be good to see West Virginia put the game away early and avoid some of the slow starts that plagued it last season.
9. Rutgers' offense: The offensive line is rebuilt and the receivers are ailing. That shouldn't stop the Scarlet Knights from scoring points against Norfolk State. This should be an excellent opportunity for the young offensive corps to gain confidence and the offensive line to jell. If Rutgers struggles to move the ball effectively against an FCS defense, then that will be a giant red flag (and not the block R one).
10. Marrone 2.0: It's Year2 of the Doug Marrone era in Syracuse, and the team should be ready to take a step forward. There's no time to really hold much back in the opener, since it's on the road against an Akron team that has played well against the Orange the last two years in the Carrier Dome. With Marrone taking over the offensive coordinator duties this year, it will be interesting to see what kind of new wrinkles he'll unveil. Don't be surprised to see some option, some Wildcat and other misdirection. Most of all, Syracuse needs to avoid an upset and take advantage of an early schedule that should allow for a good start for a change.
What to watch in the Big Ten: Week 1
September, 2, 2010
9/02/10
8:15
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Tonight, it begins.
The wait is over and we finally get to see Big Ten teams play games that count. As opening weekend begins a little early with three games tonight, here are 10 things to watch around the league.
1. Quarterback questions at Michigan, Penn State: Two of the league's traditional powers likely will be evaluating multiple quarterbacks in their openers. True freshman Robert Bolden was named a surprise starter for the Nittany Lions, but sophomores Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome also are likely to get some work. Denard Robinson could be poised to take control at Michigan, but head coach Rich Rodriguez expects to play more than one signal caller, so sophomore Tate Forcier and true freshman Devin Gardner likely will take some snaps in the spotlight. Penn State has to see what it has under center before a Week 2 trip to defending national champ Alabama.
2. Opportunity knocks for Marve, Boilers: No team in the Big Ten has a better opportunity to make a national statement than Purdue. All eyes will be on South Bend -- really, when aren't they? -- as Notre Dame kicks off the Brian Kelly era, but Purdue can ruin the fun by upsetting the Fighting Irish. Quarterback Robert Marve has done all the right things in West Lafayette since transferring from Miami, and he boasts a big arm and plenty of weapons to attack a suspect Notre Dame secondary. Marve should flourish in the spread offense, so expect a strong debut. It might not matter, though, if Purdue can't upgrade its run defense and protect a new-look secondary from Dayne Crist and Michael Floyd.
3. Heisman push begins for Pryor, Clay: When we last saw Terrelle Pryor in a game, the Ohio State quarterback was at his best, winning Offensive MVP honors at the Rose Bowl. By all accounts, Pryor made strides during the offseason and said he has a greater grasp of the offense and what it takes to be a leader on the big stage. His accolades heading into the season -- Big Ten preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Heisman Trophy candidate -- are based largely on hype and potential, but Pryor finally gets a chance to produce some hard evidence against Marshall. Wisconsin running back John Clay has been largely overlooked in the preseason, but he also could help his Heisman candidacy with a strong debut at UNLV, which ranked 112th nationally in rush defense a year ago.
4. Mystery team makes debut in St. Louis: Who's the Big Ten's mystery team this season? Illinois. The Illini have new offensive and defensive schemes, a new starting quarterback in Nathan Scheelhaase and plenty of unknowns on both sides of the ball. Missouri typically brings out the worst in Ron Zook's squad, and Illinois will need to show some resiliency in the Edward Jones Dome. Scheelhaase is young but skilled and athletic, and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the spotlight in an NFL stadium. Illinois' secondary faces Blaine Gabbert and Missouri's high-powered passing attack without two starters (safety Supo Sanni, cornerback Terry Hawthorne), so linebacker Martez Wilson and others need to step up.
5. Iowa's new-look offensive line: The Hawkeyes shouldn't have much trouble beating Eastern Illinois, although after last year's roller-coaster ride, you never know. The opener should give a new-look offensive line time to get comfortable and create holes for running back Adam Robinson. Iowa will start three new players up front -- right tackle Markus Zusevics, right guard Adam Gettis and center James Ferentz -- and needs to get comfortable before bigger tests the next two weeks against Iowa State and Arizona. Running back Jewel Hampton sits out because of a suspension, but Iowa really needs to get the run game going with Robinson and adequately protect quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
6. Spartans' secondary in spotlight: Most point to the secondary as Michigan State's biggest weakness in 2009, and for good reason. The Spartans ranked last in the Big Ten in pass yards allowed (267.6 ypg), allowed 11 more passing touchdowns (32 total) than any other Big Ten squad and recorded only six interceptions, the second-lowest total in the league. Several underperforming players are gone, and Michigan State hopes to be younger but better in the back four this fall. Cornerback Johnny Adams returns to the mix, and hopes are high for Trenton Robinson, Chris L. Rucker and others. The secondary needs to step up Saturday against Western Michigan, which loses standout quarterback Tim Hiller but returns top wideouts Robert Arnheim and Jordan White.
7. Line dance in the Volunteer State for Gophers, Wildcats: Both Minnesota and Northwestern boast veteran offensive lines that need to upgrade their run-blocking ability this fall. Minnesota ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing for the second straight year in 2009, while Northwestern finished eighth and had no big plays in the ground game. It'll be very interesting to see how both lines perform in what likely will be balmy weather in Tennessee. Minnesota opens Thursday night at Middle Tennessee, while Northwestern visits Vanderbilt in Nashville 48 hours later. Both squads have multiple backs competing for carries, but the performance of the two lines will go a long way toward showing what the upcoming season will hold.
8. Brock Mealer leads Michigan out of the tunnel: Doctors told Brock Mealer he'd never walk again after being paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident that killed his father and the girlfriend of his brother, Elliott, an offensive lineman for Michigan. But Brock never gave up hope and worked with Michigan strength and conditioning coaches Mike Barwis and Parker Whiteman to work his way out of a wheelchair. Saturday, he'll be walking out of the tunnel at Michigan Stadium as he leads the Wolverines onto the field for their opener against Connecticut. "He's that one percent," Wolverines defensive tackle Mike Martin told me. "People said he'd never walk again, and he's proving people wrong right there. We’ve got to come out right behind him and show what we've got."
9. Indiana's new-look defense: The Hoosiers' season likely hinges on whether a historically porous defense can improve. IU will use the 3-4 alignment more this season, but the coaches also are excited about defensive ends Darius Johnson and Fred Jones. Tyler Replogle provides excellent leadership at linebacker, but Indiana needs three junior college transfers -- linebacker Jeff Thomas and defensive backs Andre Kates and Lenyatta Kiles -- to make an immediate impact. A strong debut against Towson is key.
10. Quarterback-turned-receivers: There was a time when Michigan State's Keith Nichol, Minnesota's MarQueis Gray and Purdue's Justin Siller looked like the potential answers for their teams at quarterback. All three players now will play prominent roles at wide receivers on opening weekend. All three received strong reviews in training camp as receivers, and all three could start on Saturday. Gray is the likeliest to be called upon as a quarterback, as he remains Adam Weber's backup for the Gophers. Siller makes his first appearance since 2008 after being suspended from school for the 2009-10 academic year.
The wait is over and we finally get to see Big Ten teams play games that count. As opening weekend begins a little early with three games tonight, here are 10 things to watch around the league.
1. Quarterback questions at Michigan, Penn State: Two of the league's traditional powers likely will be evaluating multiple quarterbacks in their openers. True freshman Robert Bolden was named a surprise starter for the Nittany Lions, but sophomores Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome also are likely to get some work. Denard Robinson could be poised to take control at Michigan, but head coach Rich Rodriguez expects to play more than one signal caller, so sophomore Tate Forcier and true freshman Devin Gardner likely will take some snaps in the spotlight. Penn State has to see what it has under center before a Week 2 trip to defending national champ Alabama.
[+] Enlarge
Doug Benc/Getty ImagesFormer Miami quarterback Robert Marve and his new team have a tough test in South Bend.
Doug Benc/Getty ImagesFormer Miami quarterback Robert Marve and his new team have a tough test in South Bend.3. Heisman push begins for Pryor, Clay: When we last saw Terrelle Pryor in a game, the Ohio State quarterback was at his best, winning Offensive MVP honors at the Rose Bowl. By all accounts, Pryor made strides during the offseason and said he has a greater grasp of the offense and what it takes to be a leader on the big stage. His accolades heading into the season -- Big Ten preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Heisman Trophy candidate -- are based largely on hype and potential, but Pryor finally gets a chance to produce some hard evidence against Marshall. Wisconsin running back John Clay has been largely overlooked in the preseason, but he also could help his Heisman candidacy with a strong debut at UNLV, which ranked 112th nationally in rush defense a year ago.
4. Mystery team makes debut in St. Louis: Who's the Big Ten's mystery team this season? Illinois. The Illini have new offensive and defensive schemes, a new starting quarterback in Nathan Scheelhaase and plenty of unknowns on both sides of the ball. Missouri typically brings out the worst in Ron Zook's squad, and Illinois will need to show some resiliency in the Edward Jones Dome. Scheelhaase is young but skilled and athletic, and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the spotlight in an NFL stadium. Illinois' secondary faces Blaine Gabbert and Missouri's high-powered passing attack without two starters (safety Supo Sanni, cornerback Terry Hawthorne), so linebacker Martez Wilson and others need to step up.
5. Iowa's new-look offensive line: The Hawkeyes shouldn't have much trouble beating Eastern Illinois, although after last year's roller-coaster ride, you never know. The opener should give a new-look offensive line time to get comfortable and create holes for running back Adam Robinson. Iowa will start three new players up front -- right tackle Markus Zusevics, right guard Adam Gettis and center James Ferentz -- and needs to get comfortable before bigger tests the next two weeks against Iowa State and Arizona. Running back Jewel Hampton sits out because of a suspension, but Iowa really needs to get the run game going with Robinson and adequately protect quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
6. Spartans' secondary in spotlight: Most point to the secondary as Michigan State's biggest weakness in 2009, and for good reason. The Spartans ranked last in the Big Ten in pass yards allowed (267.6 ypg), allowed 11 more passing touchdowns (32 total) than any other Big Ten squad and recorded only six interceptions, the second-lowest total in the league. Several underperforming players are gone, and Michigan State hopes to be younger but better in the back four this fall. Cornerback Johnny Adams returns to the mix, and hopes are high for Trenton Robinson, Chris L. Rucker and others. The secondary needs to step up Saturday against Western Michigan, which loses standout quarterback Tim Hiller but returns top wideouts Robert Arnheim and Jordan White.
7. Line dance in the Volunteer State for Gophers, Wildcats: Both Minnesota and Northwestern boast veteran offensive lines that need to upgrade their run-blocking ability this fall. Minnesota ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing for the second straight year in 2009, while Northwestern finished eighth and had no big plays in the ground game. It'll be very interesting to see how both lines perform in what likely will be balmy weather in Tennessee. Minnesota opens Thursday night at Middle Tennessee, while Northwestern visits Vanderbilt in Nashville 48 hours later. Both squads have multiple backs competing for carries, but the performance of the two lines will go a long way toward showing what the upcoming season will hold.
8. Brock Mealer leads Michigan out of the tunnel: Doctors told Brock Mealer he'd never walk again after being paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident that killed his father and the girlfriend of his brother, Elliott, an offensive lineman for Michigan. But Brock never gave up hope and worked with Michigan strength and conditioning coaches Mike Barwis and Parker Whiteman to work his way out of a wheelchair. Saturday, he'll be walking out of the tunnel at Michigan Stadium as he leads the Wolverines onto the field for their opener against Connecticut. "He's that one percent," Wolverines defensive tackle Mike Martin told me. "People said he'd never walk again, and he's proving people wrong right there. We’ve got to come out right behind him and show what we've got."
9. Indiana's new-look defense: The Hoosiers' season likely hinges on whether a historically porous defense can improve. IU will use the 3-4 alignment more this season, but the coaches also are excited about defensive ends Darius Johnson and Fred Jones. Tyler Replogle provides excellent leadership at linebacker, but Indiana needs three junior college transfers -- linebacker Jeff Thomas and defensive backs Andre Kates and Lenyatta Kiles -- to make an immediate impact. A strong debut against Towson is key.
10. Quarterback-turned-receivers: There was a time when Michigan State's Keith Nichol, Minnesota's MarQueis Gray and Purdue's Justin Siller looked like the potential answers for their teams at quarterback. All three players now will play prominent roles at wide receivers on opening weekend. All three received strong reviews in training camp as receivers, and all three could start on Saturday. Gray is the likeliest to be called upon as a quarterback, as he remains Adam Weber's backup for the Gophers. Siller makes his first appearance since 2008 after being suspended from school for the 2009-10 academic year.
The season's opening weekend is always a little overwhelming. After all the scrimmages, practices and NFL preseason games, it's hard to believe meaningful football will be arriving as early as tonight.
Here's what to keep an eye on in Week 1 across the Big 12:
1. The triple option has new meaning in Lincoln. Who knows who will take the first snap for the Huskers? Well, Bo Pelini seems to have a pretty good idea, for one. The safe bet is Zac Lee, but fan momentum and preseason murmurs lean toward redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez over Cody Green. It's a pressing matter, but the Huskers Week 1 starter might not be the same guy as its starter for the conference opener, a tough Thurday night road game against Kansas State on Oct. 7.
2. Missouri moves on without a captain. In the most impactful story of the week across the conference, Missouri euphemized the exit of starting running back and captain Derrick Washington, calling it a "permanent suspension." Regardless, he's gone and the spotlight will be on co-starters Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore against Illinois on Saturday.
3. Potts calling shots for the black. Taylor Potts beat out Steven Sheffield to win the starting job in Tommy Tuberville's first season at Texas Tech. A big opener in a losable game against SMU will help him regain some of the fan support he lost last season.
4. He's back. Robert Griffin, that is. Baylor's quarterback is itching to get back on the field after missing nine games last season with a torn ACL, and he'll finally get his chance on Saturday, albeit in an untelevised game against Sam Houston State.
5. The Air Raid heads east. The Cowboys open up against Pac-10 doormat Washington State, and will debut their version of the Air Raid implemented by new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. First-year starter Brandon Weeden will run the show.
6. The return of the Wrecking Crew? Stephen F. Austin will be a poor gauge for growth, but holding the Lumberjacks to single digit points will be a good sign for Texas A&M. The Aggies will debut Tim DeRuyter's oft-blogged 3-4 from Air Force on Saturday.
7. Pressure on for the Cyclones. Northern Illinois isn't the sexiest opening opponent, but there isn't a team in the Big 12 who needs a win more in Week 1 than Iowa State. Drop their Thursday debut, and a 1-3 nonconference record is in play with Utah and Iowa looming. Win, and a 3-1 start becomes a possibility.
8. Rice is no Alabama. Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert's test this weekend will be just a bit different than his first, an unplanned first-quarter entrance into the national title game against one of college football's best defenses. Hopes are high and signs out of Austin have been nothing but positive since the spring. Gilbert's legend could continue on Saturday.
9. A better start for Snyder? Kansas State's began last season with a tight win over UMass before suffering losses to Louisiana-Lafayette and another this year's Week 1 opponent, UCLA. It still managed to win six games and played for a North title in their 2009 finale. Winning six games -- and beyond -- will be easier if the Wildcats can get on track for a 4-0 nonconference record with a win over the Bruins in Manhattan.
10. An improved Colorado? Colorado needed to improve on both sides of the ball after a disappointing 3-9 season in Dan Hawkins' fourth season. Anything near that will likely bring the Buffaloes a new coach in 2011. Their attempt for the first winning season under Hawkins will begin with a rivalry game at Invesco Field in Denver, where Colorado State knocked off its rivals a year ago.
Here's what to keep an eye on in Week 1 across the Big 12:
1. The triple option has new meaning in Lincoln. Who knows who will take the first snap for the Huskers? Well, Bo Pelini seems to have a pretty good idea, for one. The safe bet is Zac Lee, but fan momentum and preseason murmurs lean toward redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez over Cody Green. It's a pressing matter, but the Huskers Week 1 starter might not be the same guy as its starter for the conference opener, a tough Thurday night road game against Kansas State on Oct. 7.
2. Missouri moves on without a captain. In the most impactful story of the week across the conference, Missouri euphemized the exit of starting running back and captain Derrick Washington, calling it a "permanent suspension." Regardless, he's gone and the spotlight will be on co-starters Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore against Illinois on Saturday.
3. Potts calling shots for the black. Taylor Potts beat out Steven Sheffield to win the starting job in Tommy Tuberville's first season at Texas Tech. A big opener in a losable game against SMU will help him regain some of the fan support he lost last season.
4. He's back. Robert Griffin, that is. Baylor's quarterback is itching to get back on the field after missing nine games last season with a torn ACL, and he'll finally get his chance on Saturday, albeit in an untelevised game against Sam Houston State.
5. The Air Raid heads east. The Cowboys open up against Pac-10 doormat Washington State, and will debut their version of the Air Raid implemented by new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. First-year starter Brandon Weeden will run the show.
6. The return of the Wrecking Crew? Stephen F. Austin will be a poor gauge for growth, but holding the Lumberjacks to single digit points will be a good sign for Texas A&M. The Aggies will debut Tim DeRuyter's oft-blogged 3-4 from Air Force on Saturday.
7. Pressure on for the Cyclones. Northern Illinois isn't the sexiest opening opponent, but there isn't a team in the Big 12 who needs a win more in Week 1 than Iowa State. Drop their Thursday debut, and a 1-3 nonconference record is in play with Utah and Iowa looming. Win, and a 3-1 start becomes a possibility.
8. Rice is no Alabama. Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert's test this weekend will be just a bit different than his first, an unplanned first-quarter entrance into the national title game against one of college football's best defenses. Hopes are high and signs out of Austin have been nothing but positive since the spring. Gilbert's legend could continue on Saturday.
9. A better start for Snyder? Kansas State's began last season with a tight win over UMass before suffering losses to Louisiana-Lafayette and another this year's Week 1 opponent, UCLA. It still managed to win six games and played for a North title in their 2009 finale. Winning six games -- and beyond -- will be easier if the Wildcats can get on track for a 4-0 nonconference record with a win over the Bruins in Manhattan.
10. An improved Colorado? Colorado needed to improve on both sides of the ball after a disappointing 3-9 season in Dan Hawkins' fourth season. Anything near that will likely bring the Buffaloes a new coach in 2011. Their attempt for the first winning season under Hawkins will begin with a rivalry game at Invesco Field in Denver, where Colorado State knocked off its rivals a year ago.
There’s plenty on tap this weekend in the ACC, starting Thursday night with Miami and Wake Forest. Here are 10 things worth keeping an eye on in Week 1:
1. North Carolina’s revamped starting lineup: So far, we know standout defensive tackle Marvin Austin has been suspended, and more announcements are expected by the time the team boards the bus at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Every time UNC makes a statement, the Tar Heels situation only seems to get worse.
2. Comeback kids: NC State linebacker Nate Irving is listed as the starter at middle linebacker against Western Carolina after sustaining serious season-ending injuries last summer. Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich is likely to play against Weber State after recovering from Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer and then suffering a broken foot this summer, and Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans is back to full speed after missing 2008 with a torn ACL. Maryland running back Da’Rel Scott, another 1,000-yard rusher, is also healthy after missing six games with injuries last year.
3. First-year coaches: It’s starting to become a trend in the ACC. This year, the Jimbo Fisher era has begun at Florida State and Mike London is looking to turn around a struggling Virginia program. Both coaches will be facing programs they once coached and attended.
4. First-year quarterbacks: At Duke, Sean Renfree takes over for one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in school history, and Ted Stachitas is going through the same thing at Wake Forest, where he will replace the winningest quarterback in school history. Jamarr Robinson enters his first full season as a starter at Maryland, and Marc Verica takes over at Virginia.
5. Boise State’s rushing defense vs. Virginia Tech’s dynamic duo. The Broncos were ranked No. 28 in the country last year in rushing defense (120.36 yards per game), but struggled against some of the country’s better runners. Darren Evans and Ryan Williams have each had 1,000-yard seasons, and David Wilson could give Boise State additional concerns.
6. Miami’s running back rotation. The Canes have Damien Berry and Mike James listed as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, but Lamar Miller also had an impressive camp, and if the conditions are right, coach Randy Shannon said he’d like to get Graig Cooper in the game.
7. NC State running back Dean Haynes. He has only recently switched to offense, and now he’s listed as the starter for the Western Carolina game. Tom O’Brien wouldn’t have promoted him to the top of the depth chart had Haynes not impressed him, but not even O’Brien knows what to expect.
8. Georgia Tech’s new 3-4 defense: The Yellow Jackets have been working on first-year coordinator Al Groh’s scheme all summer, and this will be the only chance for players to get comfortable in it before back-to-back road trips at Kansas and Coastal Division opponent UNC.
9. Virginia Tech linebacker Bruce Taylor. He’s expected to fill in for injured starter Barquell Rivers, and while there has been a lot of praise heaped upon Taylor this summer, ESPN’s Scouts Inc. says Rivers is “by far the unit’s best returning starter,” and that having Rivers sidelined will be “a major blow” to the defense.
10. UNC’s offensive line vs. LSU’s defensive line. The Tar Heels return more experience up front, and both of the Tigers’ defensive ends are first-year starters. T.J. Yates, who threw 15 interceptions a year ago, will need time and protection in order to avoid being pressured into mistakes against LSU’s fast, talented secondary.
1. North Carolina’s revamped starting lineup: So far, we know standout defensive tackle Marvin Austin has been suspended, and more announcements are expected by the time the team boards the bus at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Every time UNC makes a statement, the Tar Heels situation only seems to get worse.
2. Comeback kids: NC State linebacker Nate Irving is listed as the starter at middle linebacker against Western Carolina after sustaining serious season-ending injuries last summer. Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich is likely to play against Weber State after recovering from Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer and then suffering a broken foot this summer, and Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans is back to full speed after missing 2008 with a torn ACL. Maryland running back Da’Rel Scott, another 1,000-yard rusher, is also healthy after missing six games with injuries last year.
3. First-year coaches: It’s starting to become a trend in the ACC. This year, the Jimbo Fisher era has begun at Florida State and Mike London is looking to turn around a struggling Virginia program. Both coaches will be facing programs they once coached and attended.
4. First-year quarterbacks: At Duke, Sean Renfree takes over for one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in school history, and Ted Stachitas is going through the same thing at Wake Forest, where he will replace the winningest quarterback in school history. Jamarr Robinson enters his first full season as a starter at Maryland, and Marc Verica takes over at Virginia.
5. Boise State’s rushing defense vs. Virginia Tech’s dynamic duo. The Broncos were ranked No. 28 in the country last year in rushing defense (120.36 yards per game), but struggled against some of the country’s better runners. Darren Evans and Ryan Williams have each had 1,000-yard seasons, and David Wilson could give Boise State additional concerns.
6. Miami’s running back rotation. The Canes have Damien Berry and Mike James listed as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, but Lamar Miller also had an impressive camp, and if the conditions are right, coach Randy Shannon said he’d like to get Graig Cooper in the game.
7. NC State running back Dean Haynes. He has only recently switched to offense, and now he’s listed as the starter for the Western Carolina game. Tom O’Brien wouldn’t have promoted him to the top of the depth chart had Haynes not impressed him, but not even O’Brien knows what to expect.
8. Georgia Tech’s new 3-4 defense: The Yellow Jackets have been working on first-year coordinator Al Groh’s scheme all summer, and this will be the only chance for players to get comfortable in it before back-to-back road trips at Kansas and Coastal Division opponent UNC.
9. Virginia Tech linebacker Bruce Taylor. He’s expected to fill in for injured starter Barquell Rivers, and while there has been a lot of praise heaped upon Taylor this summer, ESPN’s Scouts Inc. says Rivers is “by far the unit’s best returning starter,” and that having Rivers sidelined will be “a major blow” to the defense.
10. UNC’s offensive line vs. LSU’s defensive line. The Tar Heels return more experience up front, and both of the Tigers’ defensive ends are first-year starters. T.J. Yates, who threw 15 interceptions a year ago, will need time and protection in order to avoid being pressured into mistakes against LSU’s fast, talented secondary.
What to watch for Notre Dame, Week 1
September, 2, 2010
9/02/10
8:00
AM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
What to watch from Notre Dame in Saturday's game against Purdue:
1. Air defense: The Irish were nearly defenseless against the pass, ranking 76th nationally in that category and getting burned deep routinely. Now they'll take on a Purdue team that averaged 255 passing yards a game last year and adds Miami transfer Robert Marve at quarterback. Notre Dame cornerbacks Darrin Walls and Gary Gray won't be left out on an island as much as they were last year, but they will still face a heavy test against the likes of receiver Keith Smith.
2. Dayne's debut: Coach Brian Kelly won't be the only high-profile debut for the Irish. Quarterback Dayne Crist makes his first-ever start and will try to follow the impressive season Jimmy Clausen produced last season. Crist is the key to this offense and should have opportunities to make big plays against an unseasoned Purdue secondary. He'll also have to withstand his first hit since tearing his ACL last season.
3. Linebacker lounge: The linebacking unit might be the most intriguing position on the field for Notre Dame in the return to the 3-4. Manti Te'o should begin to assert his superstar status in the middle and Darius Fleming is expected to be a playmaker at one of the outside positions. But there was heavy competition at the other spots, and Kelly promised to rotate a lot of players. Since the linebackers will be needed to help in pass coverage and to pressure Marve, they'll all have to play well.
1. Air defense: The Irish were nearly defenseless against the pass, ranking 76th nationally in that category and getting burned deep routinely. Now they'll take on a Purdue team that averaged 255 passing yards a game last year and adds Miami transfer Robert Marve at quarterback. Notre Dame cornerbacks Darrin Walls and Gary Gray won't be left out on an island as much as they were last year, but they will still face a heavy test against the likes of receiver Keith Smith.
2. Dayne's debut: Coach Brian Kelly won't be the only high-profile debut for the Irish. Quarterback Dayne Crist makes his first-ever start and will try to follow the impressive season Jimmy Clausen produced last season. Crist is the key to this offense and should have opportunities to make big plays against an unseasoned Purdue secondary. He'll also have to withstand his first hit since tearing his ACL last season.
3. Linebacker lounge: The linebacking unit might be the most intriguing position on the field for Notre Dame in the return to the 3-4. Manti Te'o should begin to assert his superstar status in the middle and Darius Fleming is expected to be a playmaker at one of the outside positions. But there was heavy competition at the other spots, and Kelly promised to rotate a lot of players. Since the linebackers will be needed to help in pass coverage and to pressure Marve, they'll all have to play well.
BACK TO TOP
Page: 1
ABOUT THIS BLOG
College Football Nation
Have a question about college football? Ask our bloggers:
