You are currently browsing the daily archive for August 8th, 2008.
Like I’m sure most Tennessee fans do, I really enjoy getting to see the pro careers of former Vols. A couple of former Vols made some noise last night in their first NFL preseason games.
I know it’s just preseason and the starters on both sides get a series, but preseason football is still more interesting than I had previously thought. You get to see some guys play that you might not get to again, some familiar names. Also, many of these guys are playing for a job, so there’s (supposedly) effort. Plus, it’s football.
First, the Robert Meachem story was quite interesting. The GVX story is here if you haven’t seen it. Meach made a diving catch on a bomb from Mark Brunell in the second quarter of last night’s win over Arizona, and later in the fourth went all old-school with a beautiful catch-and-run for about a 60 yard TD. It looked eerily similar to some of his plays his breakout year in 2006.
You can see those two catches from Meach’s 129-yard performance last night here (at 1:04 and 1:32).
Fall my freshman year I had classes with two football players (that I can at least remember): one was a math class with the unfortunately-departed LaMarcus Coker, and the other was a geology class with Meachem.
The other Vol was Jerod Mayo. I can’t stand the Patriots like most everybody else, but you can’t deny that Mayo didn’t get drafted by a team that’s going to maximize his ability in the league. I have full confidence in Ellix Wilson this year, but replacing Mayo is going to be hard. Mayo became one of my favorite Vols throughout last year, so of course I hope he wins MVPs and makes Pro Bowls.
His most notable play was one of those “oooooo!” hits on fellow rookie, Rutgers HB Ray Rice. You can see that here (the play is :40 seconds in).
In other, less-positive news, Erik Ainge did not play in the Jets preseason game last night, and, Brett Ratliff, the guy he’s battling for the supposed third QB spot (behind B**** F**** and Kellen Clemens), threw two TDs last night.
Yes, I know the WAC has put two teams into BCS bowls the past two seasons, but I don’t think anyone’s going to argue that the Mountain West has NOT been the best non-BCS league the last few years, especially since TCU joined the league in 2005.
I’m one of those that believes the top tier of this league – BYU, Utah, and TCU – could hang if they were in a BCS conference. The league has done pretty well in such head-to-head games: the MWC won 7 games against BCS teams from last year, the same number as the SEC and Big East (not including bowl games).
Utah had two such wins, crushing UCLA and winning at Louisville. BYU beat Arizona and also beat UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl after losing in Pasadena in September. The other four wins? TCU shutout Baylor, New Mexico won at Arizona, Wyoming thumped Virginia, and Air Force smoked Notre Dame. Granted, those wins are over some pretty bad teams, but still, I feel BYU, Utah, and TCU would be middle-of-the-pack type teams if they were in a BCS conference (other than the SEC, probably).
The MWC had 7 wins against BCS teams last year (tied for the most) and Utah had two, including a romp over UCLA
Since 2005, when TCU joined the MWC, those three teams have been consistently at the top of the standings. I know Air Force finished second last year at 6-2 (TCU was just 4-4), but coming into 2008 there’s a pretty significant drop-off between those three and the middle of the league.
BYU has won the MWC the past two seasons, going 11-2 and winning the Las Vegas Bowl in both years. Some media outlets have BYU in the preseason top 15, and many think the Cougars, with nine returning starters on a very potent offense, may be the non-BCS Cinderella team this year. The schedule at first glance looks compatible, but among trips to Washington, Utah, and TCU (BYU also hosts UCLA), there’s a loss in there.
BYU has won two straight MWC titles and, thanks to this blocked FG as time expired, two straight Las Vegas Bowls over Pac-10 opponents
For Utah, injuries to QB Brian Johnson (missed all of 2005 and parts of last year) have adversely effected the Utes’ MWC title hopes in the past. Despite losing 51 starts last year due to injury, the Utes still managed to go 9-4 and win their 7th consecutive bowl game, the second-longest such streak in college football (Boston College leads with 8).
Utah’s been a little inconsistent however – in a three-game stretch last year, Utah lost at home to Air Force, smoked UCLA (#11 at that time), and were then shutout at UNLV (the Rebels’ only conference win). Utah has lost to BYU on the final possession the past two years, but get the Cougars at home (TCU too) in the season finale. Utah could very well upset Michigan in the opener, and also host Oregon State. So while BYU garners more national preseason attention, Utah could very well be the Boise State/Hawaii of 2008.
BYU beat Utah 33-31 in 2006 like this…
…and last year with these two plays down 10-9 late in the game
TCU won the MWC in its first year of being in the league, going undefeated in 2005 with an 11-1 record including a win at Oklahoma (they visit Norman this year as well) and a top 15 finish. The Frogs were just 4-4 last year, but outscored MWC opponents by 67 points. With the most returning starters and potentially the best defense in the MWC, TCU is also in the mix for a league title. The red flag, though, is TCU is just 1-5 in Thursday games the last 3 years, and play BYU at home and at Utah – both on Thursdays.
Behind these three teams, though, it gets a little murky. New Mexico has been consistently decent under head coach Rocky Long, with a seven-year streak of being bowl-eligible. However, the Lobos return just 10 starters this year, though two of them are QB Donovan Porterie and HB Rodney Ferguson. Air Force went 6-2 last year thanks to a 3-1 record in games decided by 8 points or less, but they return just 8 starters under second-year head coach Troy Calhoun, including having to replace QB Shaun Carney and the top 6 rushers from last year.
Air Force was a surprise, finishing second last year with a win at Notre Dame, but the Falcons should struggle this season
Wyoming has gone 6-6 and 5-7 the past two seasons, but return 8 offensive starters. Despite just a 5-13 record the second half of the past three years, Wyoming could be the league’s fourth-best team in ‘08, which would have them bowling. UNLV has won just three MWC the past three seasons, but return 14 starters – nine on offense – and get Wyoming, Air Force, and New Mexico all at home.
San Diego State returns just 11 starters – just three on offense (the Aztecs lose their leading passer, rushers, and top two WRs) – from a 4-8 team. SDSU likely won’t win a MWC road game (TCU, New Mexico, Wyoming, BYU) and should be in the league’s bottom half. Steve Fairchild replaces longtime coach Sonny Lubick at Colorado State, and the Rams must find a new QB, new WRs, and replace six starters on a defense that allowed 31 points/game last season.
Here’s a little more in-depth look…
UTAH
Last Year: 9-4, won opening bowl game – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Darrell Mack looks to lead Utah to an MWC title and possible BCS Bowl in ‘08
Reasons for Optimism: QB Brian Johnson and HB Darrell Mack, both 2nd Team All-MWC last year, return, along with WRs Marquis Wilson and Bradon Godfrey and 83 career OL starts. Three of last year’s tackles leaders – LB Stevenson Sylvester and DEs Koa Misi and Paul Kruger – and both CBs return. Host both BYU and TCU.
Concerns: LB depth – Utah did not recruit any – is a concern. Can the Utes avoid injury bug this year? Can Johnson start every game? Utah also has to find a way to finish off BYU.
BYU
Last Year: 11-2, MWC Champs, 2nd straight Vegas Bowl win – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Returning QB Max Hall leads a potent BYU offense that has many calling for a Cougar three-peat and a BCS Bowl
Reasons for Optimism: QB Max Hall, HB Harvey Unga (over 1,200 yards last year), top two receivers (WR Austin Collie and TE Dennis Pitta), 4 OL starters all return to form what should be the league’s best offense. The projected starting OL averages 326 lbs, and the Cougars have one of the best DL in the league as well.
Question Marks: Only 3 defensive starters – not including DE Jan Jorgensen and MLB David Nixon – are back, the LBs are inexperienced and BYU will have an entirely new secondary. They play Utah and TCU both on the road.
TCU
Last Year: 8-5, won Texas Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
TCU HB Aaron Brown battled through injuries last year, but looks to lead the Horned Frogs to their second MWC title since joining the league in 2005
Reasons for Optimism: 15 Frog starters return (including QB Andy Dalton, HBs Aaron Brown and Joseph Turner, 4 full-time OL starters, 3 DL, and both CBs), the most in the MWC. TCU always has good defenses.
Concerns: TCU’s lost 8 games since joining the MWC, 5 of which were Thursday games. TCU plays Utah and BYU on Thursdays this year. Despite that, I see no real weakness – solid team everywhere.
NEW MEXICO
Last Year: 9-4, won home bowl game – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Rodney Ferguson, 1st Team All-MWC the past two years, looks to lead UNM to another bowl game in 2008
Reasons for Optimism: UNM is the only MWC team to have 6+ wins for 7 straight years. QB Donovan Porterie and 1st Team All-MWC HB Rodney Ferguson return, and the Lobos have one of the league’s top secondaries.
Concerns: Just 10 returning starters – the front seven is filled with inexperience and there are just 14 career starts returning in the 3-deep OL, the second lowest in I-A.
WYOMING
Last Year: 5-7 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Wyoming HB Devin Moore should be part of a solid Wyoming offense this year as the Cowboys look to go bowling
Reasons for Optimism: 14 returning starters include QB Karsten Sween, HBs Devin Moore and Wynell Seldon, the entire 2-deep OL (91 career starts), the entire DL, leading tackler LB Ward Dobbs, and both safeties.
Concerns: The Cowboys have made a point to struggle in the second half of years ruining good starts, and they must avoid this again this year – how they finish following a stretch of trips to New Mexico and TCU sandwiching a home game against Utah will determine if Wyoming makes their first bowl since 2004.
UNLV
Last Year: 2-10 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Ryan Wolfe is one of three UNLV WRs that form one of the MWC’s best groups
Reasons for Optimism: The entire offense is pretty much back, including all 5 starters on a large OL and three of the league’s best WRs – Ryan Wolfe, Casey Flair, and Rodelin Anthony.
Concerns: Defense. LB Starr Fuimaono and SS Daryl Forte are back, and the DL should be solid, but there’s inexperience everywhere else. Plus, it’s UNLV: they have three MWC wins the past three seasons haven’t made a bowl since 2000.
AIR FORCE
Last Year: surprisingly 9-4, tough bowl loss – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
LB Hunter Altman and DE Ryan Kemp are two of just five returning starters for the Falcons in 2008
Reasons for Optimism: The DL is the strength for the Falcons, and, despite just 37 career returning starts, the OL has four guys back with starting experience, and the OL is generally good for AF.
Concerns: Many – just 8 returning starters. Four-year QB Shaun Carney is gone, as is do-everything RB Chad Hall and the backs and receivers will need replacements. The defensive back seven is inexperienced as well, and the Falcons may give up lots of points and big plays.
SAN DIEGO STATE
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
LB Russell Allen is a part of one of the MWC’s top LB corps
Reasons for Optimism: The Aztecs bring back six of the defensive back 7, and the DL that gave up 242 rushing yards/game last year should be better.
Concerns: QB Kevin O’Connell, who led SDSU in rushing last year as well (11 TDs), is gone, the Aztecs averaged only 104 yards rushing/game last year, and the top two WRs are gone. The Ol returns just 26 career starts. Can this team score?
COLORADO STATE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Gartrell Johnson will have to be big for a Ram offense under a new QB
Reasons for Optimism: HBs Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell are back behind an OL with 9 players back from last year’s two-deep. The LB corps of Ricky Brewer, Jeff Horinek, and Jake Pottorff return as well, as do the safeties – Mike Pagnotta (missed time last year) and Klint Kubiak.
Concerns: This will be the first year for the CSU program in the post-Sonny Lubick era. There will be two new CBs this year, and the Rams defense that allowed 31 points/game last year has to replace 6 starters.
