The Rest of College Football

[UMStan White]

I'll take your word for it. Thankfully we've never had to travel there

[Rob F]

They do not have good BBQ in Limp-wrist Lawrence.

Does that mean it's also unlikely Chick-fil-a will build there?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Overshadowed by the nasty nature of the Penn State scandal, UNC has seen its academic scandal look increasingly bad

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/07/north_carolinas_under-the-rada.html

[Dr. Strangelove]

Academic counselors working under the Athletic Dept. umbrella steered football and basketball players into "no-show" classes at UNC

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/28/3412974/report-unc-chapel-hill-athletic.html

[entropy]

The NCAA's Board of Directors on Thursday approved a new selection process for bowl games that includes a possibility for teams that finish 5-7 to be selected to bowls.

Under the new measure, if there are not enough bowl-eligible teams, or if a bowl cannot be filled by its conference affiliations, the open spots would be filled through a six-tier tiebreaking process.

The 5-7 teams, if they have a top-five score on the Academic Progress Rate, can enter at the bottom of the process.

Ordinarily, teams need to finish with a minimum .500 winning percentage with at least six wins -- five against other Football Bowl Subdivision teams -- to be bowl eligible. A sixth win against a Football Championship Subdivision team only counts if the FCS school meets scholarship requirements.

Now, first consideration will go to 6-6 teams with a win against any FCS teams, regardless of scholarships, then 6-6 teams with two wins against FCS schools.

A team that finishes 6-7 and loses in a conference championship would be next, followed by 6-7 teams that normally play a 13-team schedule, such as Hawaii and its home opponents.

Then bowls could then invite FCS teams making the move to FBS, if they have at least a 6-6 record.

Finally, a team with a top-five APR that finishes 5-7 could be selected.

Some think the news rules will give teams more to play for. Others aren't so sure.

"For me, personally, I'd be disappointed with that," Indiana center Will Matte said. "I think teams earn the right to go to bowl game, and I think that (getting in at 5-7) cheapens that a little bit."

[THE_WIZARD_]

Indiana won't be sniffing 5 wins...so why would they care?

[*JD*]

Too many damn bowl games.

[lineygoblue]

Wiz and JD nail it

[Tony G]

Ranking the nation's top 10 QBs

Matt Barkley holds the No. 1 spot in the season's first QB rankings

Originally Published: August 2, 2012
By Brock Huard | ESPN Insider

I considered two major questions in coming up with this ranking:

1.) How successful will this QB be on the field this season, both individually and in leading his team in the conference and national title races? (A passer's track record to this point in his college career played a big part in this.)
2.) Where does this QB stand in terms of realizing his dreams of playing in the NFL?
While the first point here should be pretty self-explanatory, I'll go into more detail for the second. This is by no means a pure pro prospect ranking, it's just that many of the skills that the NFL looks for in its quarterbacks are essential on the college level as well (that's why I reached out to some NFL personnel as I put together this list). For quarterbacks like the Michigan Wolverines' Denard Robinson and Kansas State Wildcats' Collin Klein, a couple of notable "snubs" from this list, their lack of elite throwing ability limits their offenses, despite their dynamic running skills.

Here are my QB rankings heading into the 2012 season:

1. Matt Barkley, Senior, USC Trojans

Barkley is the unquestioned franchise quarterback of this group. He made improvements in the critical areas that Lane Kiffin challenged him in heading into last season: efficiency in the red zone and on third downs, and controlling his emotions in the big moments.
I have made two trips to Los Angeles this offseason to sit down with Barkley, and each time I am more and more impressed by one thing in particular: his lack of satisfaction. Barkley continues to refine his fundamentals, working to keep his body balanced, and shoulders on plane throughout his drop and movement throws.
The questions will come in February next year at the combine when his height (a little taller than 6-foot-1) and hand size will be scrutinized. Accomplishing what Andrew Luck and Sam Bradford couldn't in recent years -- coming back to school and winning it all -- would erase any doubts of his physical limitations and cement him as the No. 1 pick next April. And given his supporting cast at USC, he's got a good chance to do it.

2. Logan Thomas, Junior, Virginia Tech Hokies

Part condor and part rifleman, Thomas is a physical specimen. One NFL executive compared Thomas on film to the Buccaneers' Josh Freeman, and it is clear to see why: He has an effortless motion, enormous hands that engulf the pigskin and the size and strength to repel would-be attackers.
Expectations are high for Thomas and his progress, and he must fully understand that the Hokies will go as far as he can elevate them in big games. A season ago, Thomas threw just one touchdown to four interceptions in the Hokies' three losses. With only three starters returning to the offensive group this season, the burden of responsibility will fall even more significantly upon Thomas' broad shoulders.
Thomas has Cam Newton-like strength and arm talent, and now he needs the former Heisman Trophy winner's fourth-quarter impact and third-down passing efficiency (Thomas completed only 49.1 percent of his passes on third down in 2011, with a passer rating of just 127.15, according to CFBStats.com). Thomas has the measurables the next level covets, and rest assured the NFL will be watching him intensely in 2012.

3. Tyler Wilson, Senior, Arkansas Razorbacks

In many ways, Wilson is very similar to Barkley; in fact, the two roomed together at the recent Manning Passing Academy. Wilson is also a little shorter than 6-2, but, like Barkley, he will be prototypically sound in his fundamentals and delivery at the combine next February.
Wilson's arm is not overpowering like his predecessor Ryan Mallett, but Wilson's touch and accuracy offset any velocity issues. Wilson will have an incredible opportunity to be the face and steadying force of Arkansas football this fall (think Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump screaming, "You call this a storm?!") after a dysfunctional offseason for the program.
LSU and Alabama travel to Fayetteville, but difficult road tests at Auburn and South Carolina will give him the opportunity to improve a suspect road resume from last season. How he performs in those four games may be the difference between him landing in the first or third round in next April's draft -- and whether or not the Razorbacks can finally edge past the Tide and Tigers in the SEC West.

4. Landry Jones, Senior, Oklahoma Sooners

Jones has prototypical size and put up immense production the past three seasons in Norman with more than 12,000 yards passing and more than 90 touchdowns. However, Jones must prove he can overcome adverse situations. When receiver Ryan Broyles went down last season with a knee injury, so did the Sooners in many ways. Jones threw just one touchdown pass in his last three regular-season games, while tossing five interceptions.
He went to work this offseason with QB fundamental guru George Whitfield (trainer of Newton and Luck) to refine his footwork and in-pocket mechanics. Jones must elevate the confidence and play of wide receivers Kenny Stills and freshman Trey Metoyer, and the two pass-catchers may need to do the same for the physically tough senior signal-caller.
Scouts and NFL executives want to believe the top-five grade they once had on Jones was no mirage. With time dwindling in his Sooners career, marquee wins in pressurized moments (versus Texas, versus Notre Dame, at West Virginia) will prove those execs right.

5. Geno Smith, Senior, West Virginia Mountaineers

Unlike many of the gunslingers that Dana Holgorsen has groomed over the years (Case Keenum, Graham Harrell, Cody Hodges), Smith has next-level size and arm strength. However, like so many of Holgorsen's passers, Smith stuffed the stat sheet last season with 31 touchdown passes and a finale performance versus Clemson that simply got silly.
Smith's numbers should increase in 2012, and the visibility of the Big 12 conference will help as well. Like many of his peers on this list, his ability to "will" his team to wins in big games will significantly affect his stock on this list. A season ago, losses to Syracuse and Louisville diminished the Mountaineers' national relevance. Keep an eye on trap games against Iowa State and Texas Tech this season, and whether West Virginia learned its lessons and has the maturity to be a legit national title contender.

6. Tyler Bray, Junior, Tennessee Volunteers

Like it is with a 98-mph fastball pitcher, it is simply fun to watch Bray throw. His spindly frame is concerning over the long term, but the California kid fits that scouting mold of "making every throw" as well as any player on this list.
Bray needs to add a sense of urgency to his game, not just in his footwork within the pocket and out of it, but at times with the tempo in which he plays. Thrown into the fire before he was mature enough to handle it, Bray has endured the ups and downs of the position in the incredibly demanding SEC.
Outside of USC, the Volunteers have the best wide receiving corps in college football, and if Bray can stay upright, he has a chance to showcase his big arm with shots all over the field. A stretch of road games at Georgia, Mississippi State and South Carolina are sandwiched around Alabama in a four-week October stretch that will define Bray's and Derek Dooley's career at Tennessee. Bray feels like a boom-or-bust player this season, with small odds of anything in between.

7. Mike Glennon, Senior, North Carolina State Wolfpack

There is a reason head coach Tom O'Brien let Russell Wilson take his talents to Madison (only to set college football's single-season efficiency record), and that reason is the 6-5 Glennon. He is much more of a facilitator than creator, but for his next-level prowess, Glennon must continue to develop his playmaking abilities when in the pocket and when plays break down.
One executive says Glennon's highlight tape may have a first-round grade, but the challenge is that the lowlight tape brings his stock to the middle rounds. Glennon played his best football as last season ended, winning his final three starts while throwing 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions, providing hope that 2012 could be a breakout season.
Offensive coordinator Dana Bible's pro-style system has benefited Glennon's development, and a run game that produces better than its 109th national ranking last season would help even more. Expect plenty of pro personnel to be on hand in Week 1 when Tyler Bray and Tennessee take on NC State in Atlanta, and expect even more if the Wolfpack are 5-0 when Florida State (and our next QB on this list) comes to town in early October.

8. EJ Manuel, Senior, Florida State Seminoles

Manuel is an NFL combine dream -- tremendously gifted and can look as pretty as anyone under center. However, the bottom line is there can be no more excuses for Manuel and Florida State in 2012. The Noles have a very soft start with Murray State, Savannah State and Wake Forest all at home before Clemson visits in late September. The schedule should allow Manuel to get into a rhythm, an area of struggle a season ago when he was sacked 33 times, the ninth-highest total of any starting quarterback in 2011.
Like many on this list, Manuel doesn't lack in gifts and arm talent, but what he hasn't been able to do is consistently play at an elite level. With 24 touchdowns to 18 interceptions in his career, it is time for the former blue-chip recruit to take the next step.

9. AJ McCarron, Junior, Alabama Crimson Tide

When history looks back on the Alabama national championship season of 2011, the story will be the Crimson Tide's overwhelming defense, as it should be. The guy under center, however, deserves some credit as a first-year starter who played his best ball on the biggest stage.
McCarron is the antithesis of most on this list and won't win throwing contests centered around RPMs and distance downfield. He will win on an instinctual level, and he will have a chance to play for another title this fall.
New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will ask McCarron to protect the ball (just five interceptions in 328 attempts in '11), avoid sacks (just 13 a season ago) while also taking more shots downfield as an experienced junior. Under Nick Saban, the identity of Alabama football will always be centered on the defense, but McCarron should provide more backbone and charisma than Saban has previously had from his quarterbacks in Tuscaloosa.

10. Casey Pachall, Junior, TCU Horned Frogs

The 12th-most efficient passer in college football a season ago is in many ways very similar to Smith, the other quarterback joining the Big 12 next month: tall, athletic, edgy and highly competitive.
After four-year starter and clean-cut redhead Andy Dalton moved on to the NFL, in stepped the tattooed, hair-on-fire Pachall. He immediately filled the void by throwing for 2,900 yards, 25 touchdowns and just seven picks, and he directed one monumental win on the blue turf in Boise, where he had a career-best 473 yards and five touchdowns.
The release could be a little quicker and shorter, and the fundamentals, at times, get out of whack, but the redshirt junior has a swagger that should only grow with more success and experience. There is no reason that he and the Horned Frogs shouldn't make considerable noise in their new digs (especially given their soft early-season schedule).

[Optimus Prime]

Rodriguez opened camp in Arizona today:

But first, he and the staff have to find the right people for it. Again, the defense is based on speed, and that’s what Rodriguez is hoping his team develops quickly.

"If you can’t catch them, you can’t tackle them," Rodriguez said after Arizona’s first camp practice Thursday. "We have to have guys who can run … first. That’s the most depressing thing when you’re on the sideline and your guys are being run on."

That comment came just a week after Rodriguez jokingly told reporters at Pac-12 media day, "We make up for our lack of size with our lack of speed."




If I had my druthers the Dirty Mexican would have been fired after 3-9. Better to lose a finger to cancer in the first year rather than amputate the whole arm, three years later.

[Rob F]

I hate having flashbacks...especially to such a long, bad nightmare!

[THE_WIZARD_]

His goofy ass defensive philosophy may work better in the Pac-12 than it did in the Big Ten...

[Rob F]

His goofy ass defensive philosophy may work better in the Pac-12 than it did in the Big Ten...

It might, eventually, especially since he was able to hire Jeff Casteel as his DC at Arizona, some he wasn't able to bring with from WVa when he came to U of M.

If he ends up getting fired at 'Zona in 3 to 5 years, though, he won't now have any excuses.

[lineygoblue]

I doubt that he gets fired any time soon at Arizona. Its not really a football school, so he can hide there and average 6-7 wins a year or so, and he'll be fine.

[THE_WIZARD_]

They THINK they are a football school though liney (the few years they had the Desert Swarm has clouded their view)