College Football - Week of 8/30

[SpongeWorthy]

Raisin,

 

If you get a chance, could you give me a quick rundown of UCLA? Basically strengths, weaknesses and players to watch.

 

I've got a pretty good idea, but figured I'd turn to the expert on the matter to know for sure. :D

 

Weaknesses: Offense, secondary (except for Verner).

Strengths: Front 7, kicking game.

Players to watch: Defensive tackles Brian Price (Tennessee will have to double team him) and Brigham Harwell, middle linebackers Reggie Carter and cornerback Alterraun Verner. If the OL gives them anything, the top 3 running backs are very talented (Kahlil Bell, Raymond Carter and Aundre Dean).

 

The offensive line is awful. Inexperienced, full of positional converts and injuries and the depth is so poor there are only 3 backups for the whole line. UCLA is already on the 3rd string QB and it sounds like the only reason he's starting is because he's older and more experienced...i.e. he's not that talented.

 

I'd be ecstatic with 4 or 5 wins this season.

 

The biggest strength is that they have an excellent defensive coordinator and the most accomplished offensive coordinator in college football history. I miss Norm--as an SC alum I can comfortably say he makes Kiffin, and now Sarkisian, look like rank amateurs.

 

But obviously, it remains to be seen how quickly that will pay dividends. I just hope UCLA can compete because I wouldn't be able to stand the SEC mouthbreathers holding this over the Pac-10's head. At least when UT beat Cal in Knoxville and vice versa last year in Berkeley there was some semblance of returning talent on both squads.

 

Dorrell really did a number on that roster.

[UMFan83]

http://deadspin.com/assets/images/deadspin/2008/08/UCLA.jpg

[SpongeWorthy]

That'll be a very humorous ad when UCLA finished below Stanford in the Pac-10 this year.

[Guest]

I can tell you neither Neuheisel nor Chow were happy with UCLA Athletic Dept. for pushing that one in the LA Times. And Pete Carroll was laughing about it during his presser.

 

Oh well, it's nice to have some cockiness and swagger when it comes to football.

[Guest]

That'll be a very humorous ad when UCLA finished below Stanford in the Pac-10 this year.

 

Stanford? Unless I've misjudged them, I doubt it.

 

Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State and USC? Yeah. Maybe Washington too. #-o

[dew1679666265]

For Derwood, PriorPower, Truffle and all other Penn State fans or others interested:

 

JoPa named Daryll Clark the starting QB for Penn State, citing his experience and preseason performance as why he didn't go with Pat Devlin. Not sure if this is a surprise to anyone, but I figured I'd mention it.

[Derwood]

For Derwood, PriorPower, Truffle and all other Penn State fans or others interested:

 

JoPa named Daryll Clark the starting QB for Penn State, citing his experience and preseason performance as why he didn't go with Pat Devlin. Not sure if this is a surprise to anyone, but I figured I'd mention it.

 

absolutely not a surprise, as it follows Paterno's 40 year track record of never starting an underclassman over a senior regardless of talent (see: Zach Mills over Michael Robinson).

[dew1679666265]

For Derwood, PriorPower, Truffle and all other Penn State fans or others interested:

 

JoPa named Daryll Clark the starting QB for Penn State, citing his experience and preseason performance as why he didn't go with Pat Devlin. Not sure if this is a surprise to anyone, but I figured I'd mention it.

 

absolutely not a surprise, as it follows Paterno's 40 year track record of never starting an underclassman over a senior regardless of talent (see: Zach Mills over Michael Robinson).

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

Is Clark really that much worse than Devlin? Seems like even if Clark were a worse passer, he'd make up at least a little by being fairly mobile. I don't know much about either QB, though, so I can't say anything for sure.

[Jon]

The day the first two-deeps and game notes are released is magical.

 

Are you going Saturday? Please let me know how Syracuse looked when you get a chance.

I received my season tickets in the mail about a month ago (probably a more magical day than the release of the two-deeps). Forecast calls for upper 70s and sunny. Typical early season day in Evanston. Hopefully it falls to at least the low 70s, though.

 

Are you not going to be watching?

[TruffleShuffle]

For Derwood, PriorPower, Truffle and all other Penn State fans or others interested:

 

JoPa named Daryll Clark the starting QB for Penn State, citing his experience and preseason performance as why he didn't go with Pat Devlin. Not sure if this is a surprise to anyone, but I figured I'd mention it.

 

absolutely not a surprise, as it follows Paterno's 40 year track record of never starting an underclassman over a senior regardless of talent (see: Zach Mills over Michael Robinson).

 

no, i think the worst example of this was starting matt senneca over mills. senneca was a converted linebacker and he was absolutely terrible, but they played him for more than half of the 2001 season. his final stats that year: 54-126, 42.9% completions, 755 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT.

[SouthSideRyan]

I thought the worst example was starting Anthony Morelli over anyone.

[Guest]

Let me be the first to say that the Big 11 sucks.

 

(Sorry, had to be said at least once before the season started.)

[CubbieBum]

Let me be the first to say that the Big 11 sucks.

 

(Sorry, had to be said at least once before the season started.)

 

Its hard to suck when the conference doesn't exist

[Guest]

Let me be the first to say that the Big 11 sucks.

 

(Sorry, had to be said at least once before the season started.)

 

Its hard to suck when the conference doesn't exist

 

It's not my fault the conference doesn't know how to add.

[CuseCubFan69]

The day the first two-deeps and game notes are released is magical.

 

Are you going Saturday? Please let me know how Syracuse looked when you get a chance.

I received my season tickets in the mail about a month ago (probably a more magical day than the release of the two-deeps). Forecast calls for upper 70s and sunny. Typical early season day in Evanston. Hopefully it falls to at least the low 70s, though.

 

Are you not going to be watching?

 

If I'm home I will and thanks for the weather report. We didn't do too well against spread offenses last year, among other things, but at least we are familiar with them and play the best one each year. We're really young and deep at RB but the OLine has to improve big time. The 2 best receivers are gone so that will hurt but if Robinson gets sacked 50 something more times it's a moot point.

 

Please let me know if the receivers get any separation and if they do, if they are open when Robinson gets sacked. I can't really see that stuff on TV.

[Derwood]

I thought the worst example was starting Anthony Morelli over anyone.

 

In retrospect, yes. I had to laugh when PSU played Michigan last year and the announcers were going on about how Chad Henne was originally going to go to PSU (and Morelli to Pitt) and how Paterno could have had this great starting QB for four years. What they failed to realize was that Paterno would never have started Henne as a freshman (like UM did) and that he'd be on the bench until his senior year.

[hardcorecubfan]

We do have a member here who is the contributing editor to http://www.d2football.com. I taght with him during summer school, I just can't rember his name or his handle on NSBB.

[Magnetic Curses]

charter and btn have reached an agreement.

[cubweiser03]

Yeah awesome news about Charter.

I wonder when the channels will be turned on? Hopefully before Saturday.

[Magnetic Curses]

that's the target. i'm really really happy about this.

[E.J.]

Michigan is starting walk-on Nick Sheridan at QB. He's described as a Northwestern-type QB. He has a "noodle arm", but is mobile and smart. Also, Michigan's O-line is going to be horrendous this season. I'm excited for the season because there are players on the team to look forward to, but this is going to be a bad season.

[dew1679666265]

Michigan is starting walk-on Nick Sheridan at QB. He's described as a Northwestern-type QB. He has a "noodle arm", but is mobile and smart. Also, Michigan's O-line is going to be horrendous this season. I'm excited for the season because there are players on the team to look forward to, but this is going to be a bad season.

 

At least RichRod has a QB that'll fit his spread option offense. Even if Sheridan sucks, he'll be better than a good pocket passer running the offense as is.

[CubbieBum]

Michigan is starting walk-on Nick Sheridan at QB. He's described as a Northwestern-type QB. He has a "noodle arm", but is mobile and smart. Also, Michigan's O-line is going to be horrendous this season. I'm excited for the season because there are players on the team to look forward to, but this is going to be a bad season.

 

 

Soo a Brandon Hance except for the whole smart thing.

[mul21]

charter and btn have reached an agreement.

 

Details?

[shnsajax]

Lou Holtz picked Notre Dame to win 11 games. How does he have a job?