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…and Auburn went 24-2 in 2004 and 2006, including an undefeated SEC with an SEC Title in ‘04 with a loaded team. This year’s Auburn isn’t near that good, but they should be pretty solid yet again, and with the mystery of the QB situation at LSU and Alabama being very young this year, honestly it’s tough not to have the Warring Tigereagles as the SEC West favorite.
That said, the Tigers at #10 is a little high for a team replacing both coordinators and with questions of their own at QB. The big story down on the Plains is obviously the implementation of the spread, thanks to the hire of Troy’s offensive coordinator Tony Franklin at the end of last year. The Trojans averaged 34 points/game and 453 yards/game in Franklin’s second year, so there’s obvious reason for excitement for Auburn fans.
Honestly, Auburn has had anemic offenses since the Campbell/Cadillac/Ronnie Brown days, especially the past two seasons with the inconsistent Brandon Cox running things, not 100% most of the time. Kodi Burns made an impact as a freshman as more of a running option to counter from Cox, so the obvious question is can he handle throwing the ball looms.
Enter junior college transfer Chris Todd. Todd played under Franklin in high school in Kentucky, and played in five games for Texas Tech in 2006. Todd already knows Franklin’s offense, and I would expect Burns and Todd to split time running the offense, that I have dubbed (though not my own creation) the “Spread Eagle” offense.
The only other question on offense I see is playmakers at the receiver position. Rod Smith and Montez Billings led the way last year, but neither incite a great deal of fear. The group of running backs does though – Ben Tate, Brad Lester, and Mario Fannin, who will be featured as a receiver as well. All three have some ability to make big plays, and the general assumption is that the new offense will automatically improve the QB play – why that is I’m not exactly sure.
Last year the offensive line, with three true freshman, was a liability and most responsible in Cox’s struggles – he had no time to throw and forced things at times. This year, things are a bit different. All five starters return on the OL, which should bode well for the QB combo and group of talented backs.
Of course, Auburn’s strength under Tommy Tuberville has always been defense, and this year looks to be the same. Don’t discount the loss of Will Muschamp to Texas though, though Paul Rhoads, the new defensive coordinator, had Pitt #5 in the nation in terms of yards/game (including the stifling of West Virginia).
Up front there’s Sen’Derrick Marks, one of the most talented DTs in the nation, and Antonio Coleman, who had 8.5 sacks last year and will have to make up for the loss of Quentin Groves. The LBs, always a position of strength for the Tigers, features Tray Blackmon, Merrill Johnson, and Craig Stevens. Those guys average 214 lbs, so you know that can cover some ground.
The secondary took a hit when likely starter Aairon Savage tore his knee completely. CB Jerraud Powers and SS Zac Etheridge are still back there, but the depth is a question with Savage’s injury.
And lately the Auburn practice fights have been getting some pub, and who knows how much stock you can put into those minor scuffles and how they effect team chemistry. Although when a kid transfers, especially to Memphis (that was just too easy…kidding though, I love Memphis), maybe it’s more. I don’t think anyone will even remember those in a couple months.
With all that core group returning back, there’s reason to see Auburn winning the West. The new coordinators could be canceled out by the favorable schedule in the SEC. Auburn gets LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia all at home, where Auburn seems to always win the big games. The road trips are to the Mississippi schools, Vandy, and Bama, where Auburn is going for win #7 in a row against the Tide. There’s also a little Thursday night trip to Morgantown, where Auburn’s going to demonstrate the SEC strength against West Virginia.
Auburn could very well continue it’s good string of even-numbered year success in 2008.
Yes, that’s what Arkansas is going to be doing this year with the previously discussed Houston Nutt gone to Oxford. Bobby Petrino without a doubt pulled a Nick Saban by lying to the Atlanta Falcons and going to Arkansas, which hasn’t helped the media’s perception of him. I can’t blame the guy, though – it was the Falcons.
Petrino “Calling the Hogs” at his first press conference was silly in my book
The Hogs will find themselves in the same boat as Michigan this year, with the brimming hopefulness and excitement of a change to a new, previously successful coach with an almost entirely new system. Both are going to have to growing pains, but Arkansas finds themselves in a different situation than Michigan – i.e., they lost even more and they play in the nation’s toughest conference.
Petrino is eventually going to change Arkansas from the run-oriented team in recent years with HFL HBs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to a much more pass-oriented team, like the Louisville team that won the Orange Bowl in 2006 with Brian Brohm. The future looks good, as next year Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett, the top-rated QB coming out of high school in 2007, will become eligible after being denied eligibility this year.
Petrino won’t have Brohm this year though. He’ll have Casey Dick, who most SEC fans consider to be a fairly incompetent QB. As good as McFadden and Jones were, Arkansas was just 22-16 in their three years in Fayetteville. It’s not like Arkansas was giving up 40 points/game in this period either, they’ve had some decent defenses. I don’t know if that was coaching, the strength of the SEC, but I think lots of people would argue the lack of a strong QB was to blame.
By some accounts, Dick had an incredible spring. He’s going to have to be better to make up for not only the loss of McFadden and Jones (arguably who were the offense), but Marcus Monk graduated as well. Michael Smith and freshman De’Anthony Curtis (despite a knee injury last week), a Rivals 100 player, will take over at the HB position, and the top returning WRs are Lucas Miller and London Crawford, who combined for 20 catches last year. Crawford also had this gem against Alabama:
Reggie Fish is still there, and freshman Joe Adams was the #2-rated player in Arkansas last year (behind the aforementioned Curtis). The best part for the Arkansas offense is usually their OL, and this year they have All-American/Rimington Winner (nation’s top center) Jonathan Luigs back, along with 2nd Team All-SEC G Mitch Petrus. It will be interesting to see how they respond to having to do more pass-blocking this season.
Defensively, Arkansas will struggle. They lost their top five tacklers to graduation, and then LB Freddie Fairchild was dismissed from the team in June. Up front the Hogs are pretty strong with Ernest Mitchell, Adrian Davis, Malcolm Sheppard, and Antwain Robinson, who had 8.5 sacks in 2006.
DE Antwain Robinson, seen here picking off a shovel pass and taking it for six in the ‘06 SEC Title Game had 8.5 sacks that year, but just three last year
With Fairchild’s dismissal, LB Elston Forte in the lone Arkansas returning starter in the back seven. The secondary will have all new starters, though two seniors and two juniors are projected to start back there. After giving up 26.5 points/game last year, I would expect for Arkansas to give up more than 30 this year.
Arkansas gets underway by hosting Western Illinois and UL Monroe (uh oh…) before traveling to old-school rival Texas (remember Matt Jones’ performance in Austin in 2003?). Pretty good home schedule for Arkansas: Bama, Florida, Nutt brings Ole Miss in October 25, and LSU visits Little Rock. How the Hogs fare against the same-tier teams – Ole Miss, trips to Lexington and Starkville – may determine if they can make a bowl, which would be a good start to the Bobby Petrino era – of course assuming he stays longer than a couple years.
Similar to the hierarchy of the SEC East with Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, the Big 12 South has been pretty clear-cut for the most part of the last decade. Since Nebraska’s decline, it’s been all about Oklahoma and Texas not only in the South, but in the entire Big 12.
Behind the Horns and Sooners, each and every year it’s a toss-up between Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State, and Baylor is pretty much always last.
However, there’s quite a bit of preseason hype that Texas Tech could very well break through and change that. At first, I look at Texas Tech and see an obviously always strong offense that passes every down and puts up a lot of points, but where’s the defense? And it’s Texas Tech – certainly they pull off a big win once a year, but can they really make a run at bigger, better things?
So obviously my curiosity forced me to look more into Texas Tech and why the thought is they have a chance to not only finish ahead of Texas, but actually win the South. Here’s some things I found:
Why they can win it: As I said before, I wouldn’t want to face that offense. QB Graham Harrell continues the recent run of record-shattering QBs and enters his third year as the starter. The group of receiving threat RBs is there – Shannon Woods, Kobey Lewis, Aaron Crawford, and Baron Batch.
Harrell’s favorite target, the Biletnikoff winner Michael Crabtree will try to match his astonishing freshman season where he had nearly 2,000 yards and caught 22 TDs. They lose Danny Amendola, but WR is never really a problem for Texas Tech. They also return (the two-deep completely intact) a very large OL that only gave up 18 sacks last year, second in the country (to Tennessee).
Of course we know about the offense, but what about defense? Defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich resigned after a 49-45 loss at Oklahoma State, and after Ruffin McNeill took over the Red Raiders actually led the Big 12 in total defense over the last 8 games. They also return 8 starters, including the entire front four.
Then there’s Tech’s traditionally very weak schedule. Out of conference, Texas Tech plays Eastern Washington and Massachusetts, two I-AA schools, SMU (1-11 last year), and travel to Nevada, which could be a tricky game, but Nevada’s not gonna stop Harrell and Company. They do travel to Kansas State, Texas A&M, Kansas, and Oklahoma, but get Texas at home.
Why they won’t win it: Simple – they’re Texas Tech. They’re just 35-29 in the Big 12 the last eight years under Mike Leach. Texas has beaten the Red Raiders the last five years. Colorado has beaten Texas Tech the past two seasons (CU isn’t on the schedule this year).
Texas Tech has lost to Colorado 30-6 and 31-26 the past two seasons, but the Red Raiders don’t face the Buffs in ‘08
Also, I think a good bit of the optimism for Texas Tech stems from the win over Oklahoma in their finale, but Sam Bradford got hurt early in that game. In the Gator Bowl, Tech trailed 28-14 to Virginia, without their QB Jameel Sewell in the 4th quarter, before coming back and winning at the end.
All that said, I’m gonna call the bluff on Texas Tech – third place again.
Oklahoma is once again the Big 12 favorite and a National Title contender. They’ve been great in the regular season but have struggled in BCS Bowls, most notably the blowout to USC, the Boise State upset, and getting run over by West Virginia.
QB Sam Bradford broke the record for the most TD passes as a freshman last year and he hopes to continue that this year. The Sooners lose Malcolm Kelly, but WR Joaquin Iglesias, TE Jermaine Gresham, and WRs Manuel Johnson and Quentin Chaney should make up for Kelly’s loss. Also, OU returns their entire OL, the most experienced (130 career starts) and also one of the biggest in the entire country.
HB Allen Patrick is gone, but there’s little worry in Norman because DeMarco Murray now becomes the Sooners’ feature back. Murray averaged 6 yards/carry last year and is really, really good. Here’s proof:
Yes, I know it was Baylor, but that’s pretty sick. HB Chris Brown comes back as well, and he scored 9 rushing TDs last year. Defensively, just five starters return, but the DL may be one of the nation’s best. The secondary, only returning SS Nic Harris, is the main concern. OU is generally very good defensively, even though WVU ran over, through, and around them in the Fiesta Bowl.
I would argue that Texas has underachieved the last few years – or any year they haven’t had Vince Young. For all the talent that’s in Texas and neighboring Louisiana, and just having to worry about OU in the conference, I would expect they should have more than two conference titles under Mack Brown (1996, 2005). That said, they have had double-digit wins the last 7 years.
“What?! I can’t bring Vince back?!? He’s the only way I can win beat OU and win the Big 12!!
The Longhorns struggled last year more than their final ranking of #10 may have said. They were outgained by Arkansas State, trailed in the 4th against UCF, trailed in the 3rd against TCU, were hammered by Kansas State at home, lost to OU, trailed both Nebraska and Oklahoma State, and lost to A&M for the second straight year.
They did bounce back by hammering overrated Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl. QB Colt McCoy returns, but Texas has to replace HB Jamaal Charles and find some new WRs. The OL returns lots of experience, and may be one of the best in the country.
Defensively, Texas gave up 25 points/game last year, the most since 2003 (21) and has to find seven more starters. While the replacements are certainly talented, there’s some inexperience there and depth at some areas may be concerns.
Oklahoma State, with dual-threat QB Zac Robinson returning with two big targets WR Dez Bryant and TE Brandon Pettigrew (they lose Adarius Bowman though) and a very experienced OL, could actually be better than the 7-6 they were last year. They are strong in the defensive back seven, and the front four has some good players that are a little inexperienced.
That said, being in the same division as Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech means OSU will probably do no better standings-wise than in the past.
Texas A&M brings in Mike Sherman, a hire that I’m not so sure was a good one. They do have QB Stephen McGee and HB combo Jorvorksie Lane (#11) and Mike Goodson (#3) back, but some WR losses and a very inexperienced OL could cause problems.
TAMU may go to a 3-3-5 lineup because the secondary is their strength and they return just one player from the front seven, though there are some talented guys along the DL. With the new coach in and the issues along the lines, I would say a bowl game would be a reasonable goal for Sherman in his first year.
Baylor is, well, Baylor. Offensively the Bears have a bunch of experience returning and defensively the Bears probably won’t be any different than in previous years. There’s hope for improvement as Art Briles comes in from Houston, and he had a good run while with the Cougars.
That said, Baylor plays in arguably the second-toughest division in college football in addition to Missouri, Nebraska on the road, and Wake Forest and Washington State at home, and UConn on the road out of the Big 12. Same old same old for Baylor.
I’ve already hashed out the atrocity that was the Big 12 North of a couple years in the ACC Coastal preview a couple days ago, and now it’s time to actually talk about the current state of the Big 12 North.
Nebraska’s struggles – and the rest of the conference living in the shadow of Oklahoma and Texas – damaged the division’s reputation and respectability, and Missouri and Kansas valiantly tried to help repair that last year.
Mizzou reached the top of the polls heading into the Big 12 Title Game, but lost to the Sooners for the second time last year. Meanwhile, KU used a favorable (to say the least) schedule to roll to undefeated season until a 36-28 loss to the Tigers in KC.
The now-departed Aqib Talib’s pick six led Kansas to an unlikely (and undeserved) Orange Bowl win last year
The Tigers finished by crushing Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. Kansas played in the Orange Bowl they totally didn’t deserve, but shut people like me up by beating Virginia Tech. Even with those two teams, I’m not sure how many people thought Mizzou and KU were all that good, which is somewhat understandable given their respective football pasts.
So while there’s been improvement for the North, there’s still a little ways to go, and that has to do with how Nebraska and Kansas State fare this year (more on them later). I for one think that the Big 12 will move past the Pac-10 for the title of second-best conference (behind the SEC of course).
The Big 12 as a whole should be a powerfully offensive league this year, as only Iowa State (Bret Meyer) and Nebraska (Sam Keller) have to find new QBs. You look at the QBs in this league, and you can only be impressed by not only the talent there, but they’ve put up some pretty good stats as well.
Perhaps the best QB is Missouri’s Chase Daniel. 2008 should be another big year for Daniel and the Tigers. Despite the losses of HB Tony Temple, WR Will Franklin, and TE Martin Rucker, the Tigers are pretty set at the skill positions. They will have a new C and new LT, the two most important OL positions, but there won’t be much of a dropoff.
Defensively, Mizzou has one of the top LB corps in the conference with Sean Weatherspoon, Brock Christopher, and Luke Lambert. Three defensive lineman, including the awesomely-named DE Stryker Sulak, return and FS William Moore anchors the secondary. The only games I see as potential losses for Missouri are the opener against Illinois in St. Louis and trips to Nebraska and Texas. Fortunately, Oklahoma is not on the schedule (yet).
WR Jeremy Maclin was a Freshman All-American last year, racking up 2,776 all-purpose yards to go along with 1,055 receiving yards and 16 total TDs
This needs to be said: I’m partial to Missouri, simply because I almost went there…i.e. if I had to pick a second favorite team behind the Vols, it would be Missouri. No, I don’t live-and-die with whether or not they win on Saturdays like it is with Tennessee, but I certainly enjoy seeing them do well. Plus, I think they are fairly exciting to watch as well.
Kansas surprised everyone last year, using a terribly easy schedule and kind Orange Bowl reps to reach their first BCS Bowl, a 24-21 win over Virginia Tech. While much of that team returns intact, the schedule is more challenging this year, so expect a fall back to reality for Kansas.
The Jayhawks face the South’s three best teams (at Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas at home in a three-week span) and play at USF on a Friday night. They go to Nebraska as well, and still play Missouri. QB Todd Reesing returns and will have some new faces on offense, but the production should be about the same.
Overshadowed by the offense last year, Kansas returns 9 starters from a defense that allowed just 16 points/game last year. They have to replace stud CB Aqib Talib, but the LB group of Mike Rivera, Joe Mortensen, and James Holt rivals Missouri’s.
Nebraska’s certainly had a really, really hard fall the past decade. From dominating everyone with the option (seeing the Gators get owned I can always enjoy) here…
…to playing just horrifically bad defense last year (WARNING: it’s long and a poor choice of music)…
Nebraska had owned Kansas for a really long time before 2005, and KU hung 76 on them last year. Interestingly, Nebraska scored 73 the next week in a win over Kansas State, before returning to form by giving up 65 to Colorado in the finale. On the season, Nebraska gave up a school-record 455 points (38 per game) and 5,722 yards.
Nebraska got rid of Bill Callahan, and hired LSU Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini, a very good hire in my opinion. Pelini obviously will bring a new attitude to the Husker defense, one that will have to rely on its front four in 2008. The same group that gave up 232 yards/game on the ground all returns and can only get better. It’s a little green in the back seven, but Nebraska can’t be much worse defensively than they were last year with Pelini running things.
Offensively, QB Joe Ganz started three games last year, and, in 173 fewer attempts, had more TDs than the highly-touted Sam Keller. The Huskers will rely on the running game this year, and having Marlon Lucky back behind an OL with five players with more than nine career starts. We’ll get to see the new Huskers early – they host Virginia Tech September 27.
After rolling Baylor, Kansas State was 5-3 with a close loss at Auburn and a 41-21 romp at Texas. Then the defense disappeared, giving up 31, 73, 49, and 45 points respectively to Iowa State, Nebraska, Missouri, and Fresno State. Despite just 12 returning starters, K-State should make it back to the postseason.
QB Josh Freeman has led the Wildcats to wins over Texas the past two years
Why? They bring in a whopping 19 junior college transfers. That’s not a typo. 19 junior college players. I’ve never heard of that. QB Josh Freeman and 2006 and 2007 All-Big 12 1st Team DE Ian Campbell returns as well.
Colorado, under first-year coach Dan “Go play intramurals, brother” Hawkins, surprised many and reached a bowl game last year. The highlights included a stunner over #3 Oklahoma on a late FG, a 31-26 win at Texas Tech, and a 65-51 romp over Nebraska. This was pretty cool too…
(Yes, I think South Park’s a great show) CU must replace Charles, Polumbus, Wheatley, and Dizon the Tackle-Machine (he had 173 last year). Hawkins landed Darrell Scott, a highly-ranked RB who could start this year, and his son Cody returns at QB.
I would say Colorado would be a shoe-in for a bowl, but they play a tough schedule: host West Virginia, play Florida State in Jacksonville, play at Kansas, at Missouri, at Texas A&M, at Nebraska, and get Texas at home.
Finally, there’s Iowa State, who started off the Gene Chizik era last year by losing home games to Kent State at Northern Iowa (ouch). It got better, as ISU beat hated Iowa, hung with Oklahoma and beat Kansas State and Colorado late in the year. QB Bret Meyer is gone, there’s improvement everywhere else on the offense. On defense the entire secondary is back, but only three of the front seven return, and the Cyclones have a ways to go to make any noise in the league.
Iowa State’s new logo for 2008
Having grown up in Memphis and been a lifetime Tennessee fan, I would have to say that other than the SEC, the most contact I’ve had with any other college football has been Conference USA.
First, Tennessee enjoys playing C-USA teams, seemingly every year (the Vols are 33-0 in home games against C-USA teams). Secondly, living in Memphis, obviously the Tigers are there, and I’ve had to deal with them for my whole life, though my feelings towards the football Tigers are much less hateful than the basketball Tigers. Finally, I’ve been to the Liberty Bowl every now and then, and C-USA’s champion is usually playing in that game (I saw 3 great games in 2004, 2005, and 2006).
Other than that, I don’t really have anything about Conference USA like I did/will for these other leagues. It’s not as good as the MWC, but not at the lower level of the Sun Belt – just an in-between. The league has lost some respectability, and has seemingly struggled in the non-conference the last couple of years. However the league has finally found sensible geographical balance – no more USF, Cincinnati, or Army of the older C-USA.
C-USA in 2007 was full of offense, but many of the top offensive players in the league – Tulsa QB Paul Smith and Tulane HB Matt Forte, among others – have departed
That said, it’s generally a wide-open league, and last year was not an exception. In conference games, nine teams averaged over 30 points per game (the other 3 were Marshall, Tulane, and UAB). Compare that to the SEC, where just five teams had such offenses. The two division champions, UCF and Tulsa, each averaged over 40 points per game.
However, 4 of the top 10 QBs pass efficiency-wise are gone, and 6 of the top 10 rushers are gone. Just four players of the top 10 in total offense last year return. Some of the losses: HBs Kevin Smith (UCF), Matt Forte (Tulane), Anthony Alridge (Houston), and Chris Johnson (East Carolina); QBs Paul Smith (Tulsa), Martin Hankins (Memphis), and Bernard Morris (Marshall).
Here’s a look at the West…
TULSA
Last Year: 10-4, West Champs, huge bowl win – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Tarrion Adams, along with returning 2006 leading rusher Courtney Tennial, must help Tulsa break in a new QB in Tulsa’s West Division defense
The Golden Hurricane, brought out of being awful by current Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe, have won the C-USA West two out of the last three years, but star QB Paul Smith has graduated. However, nine starters return from the NCAA’s #1 offense from last year, an up-tempo, shotgun style run by former Arkansas OC Gus Malzahn. Think Texas Tech. The QB? Either Sr. David Johnson, So. Clark Harrell, or JUCO transfer/spring enrollee Jacob Bower.
Star HB Tarrion Adams, who ran for 1,225 yards last year and scored 11 total TDs, is back, and HB Courtney Tennial, who missed 2007 due to injury, was granted a 6th year. “FB” Charles Clay had over 1,000 yards receiving and 7 TD catches last year. By a “fullback”? Two 1,000 yard, double-digit TD reception WRs – Brennan Marion and Trae Johnson – are back, with four returning OL.
Just five defensive starters are back, and the top 4 tacklers are gone. Among the best returning defenders – FS Charles Davis, LB George Clinkscale, DB Roy Roberts, and DE Moton Hopkins. Despite the QB and defense questions, Tulsa could win the West again, and win 10 games – their toughest games are trips to Houston, SMU, Marshall, and Arkansas.
UTEP
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe enters his second year as the Miners’ starter
Last year the Miners had to replace their all-time career passing leader Jordan Palmer (yes, Carson’s little brother). They couldn’t stop anybody either (giving up 6, 45, 29, 12, 45, 47, 45, 34, 56, 34, 56, and 36 points). Five offensive starters return, including QB Trevor Vittatoe (25 TDs, 7 INTs last year) and WR Jeff Moturi (13 TD catches). They must replace HB Marcus Thomas, but 3 OL return, so the HB position may be the real only question mark, along with WR depth.
As mentioned, UTEP struggled stopping people last year. Seven defenders return, but 3 of the top 5 tacklers are gone. LB Adam Vincent and SS Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith are back, and the DL, which gave up over 200 yards rushing/game last year, returns 3 starters. Head Coach Mike Price needs two LBs, but 3 secondary starters are back. With 3 winnable non-conference games (the other being a rare home game against Texas September 6), UTEP could find themselves a part of the bowl season.
HOUSTON
Last Year: 8-5, lost Texas Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Houston QB Case Keenum had 23 total TDs last year while splitting time with fellow QB Blake Joseph
Bama fans remember Houston from their near-win in Tuscaloosa last year, and Houston has been one of C-USA’s most consistent teams the past 5 years under the departed Art Briles, who’s now at Baylor (why I have no clue). The Cougs were co-West Champs last year, but Tulsa blasted them 56-7 to earn the title game berth.
Last year QBs Case Keenum and Blake Joseph split snaps, throwing for a combined 3,500+ yards and 23 TDs, and both return this year. Keenum also ran for 9 TDs last year, and Houston must find a new top RB. TE Mark Hafner is the only returning player who had double-digit catches last year, so there’s certainly a question mark. Eight of the top 10 OL return, though, so it should be interesting how Houston fares under new coach Kevin Sumlin. Under Briles, Houston was a pretty explosive offense – I know, I saw them (with Kevin Kolb) go at it with South Carolina in the ‘06 Liberty Bowl.
Seven defensive starters return, but leading tackler SS Rocky Schwartz is gone. LB Ernest Miller moves to SS alongside FS Kenneth Fontenette, and CB Brandon Brinkley returns to form a stronger secondary. The 3 starting DL return, including former Tennessee signee DE Ell Ash. The Cougars are fine at LB, so this could be a pretty solid D. Despite the coaching change, there’s enough returning for another bowl season for Houston.
SMU
Last Year: 1-11 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
SMU’s leading rusher and passer last year QB Justin Willis now will be running a June Jones offense
June Jones jumped (sinking) ship at Hawaii and is now at SMU. The Mustangs’ lone win last year was North Texas, but they lost 3 games in OT and another by a point. Leading passer and rusher QB Justin Willis is back, and the top two HBs James Mapps and DeMyron Martin are back. WR Emmanuel Sanders return, but Zack Sledge and his 10 TD receptions are gone. On the OL, just 48 career starts return, and they must learn the Jones offense.
SMU gave up 40 points per game last year, but 7 starters are back. Top tacklers LB Will Bonilla and SS Bryce Hudman return, as do DBs Bryan McCann and David Haynes. The DL returns just two sacks, but two Big XII LB transfers (Chase Kennemer and Alex Odiari) should help. In Jones’ first year at Hawaii, he took the Warriors from 0-12 to 9-4 and a bowl game. Could it be the same story for him at SMU?
RICE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Rice Sr. WR Jarrett Dillard is looking for his third straight 1,000-yd receiving year in ‘08
In 2006 Rice snuck up on everybody, went 7-5 and played in a bowl game (where Troy crushed them). Last year it was back to reality though, as new coach David Bailiff struggled. Rice returns nine offensive starters, including QB Chase Clement, who threw for nearly 3,400 yards with 37 total TDs last year, and WR Jarrett Dillard, an All-American in 2006. Just two OL starters need replacing, and the OL has 83 career returning starts.
Seven defensive starters return, including the top five 2007 tacklers – FS Andrew Sendejo, LBs Brian Raines and Vernon James, DE Scott Solomon, and CB Brandon King. Rice may have some questions at DT, however, but the defense should be better than the one that gave up 43 points/game last season. Four of the Owls’ first six games are on the road (Memphis, Vanderbilt, Texas, and Tulsa), so how they fare in those games will show us what Rice has in store for 2008.
TULANE
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Green Wave MLB Evan Lee led Tulane in tackles last year
The Green Wave have only been to one bowl (2002 Hawaii Bowl) since the undefeated, Shaun King-led 1998 season, and coach Bob Toledo enters his second year in New Orleans. His main task this year is replacing HB Matt Forte’s 2,127 yards and 23 rushing TDs. All three QBs who saw significant time last year – Anthony Scelfo, Scott Elliott, and Kevin Moore – return, but those three threw a combined 10 TDs and 12 INTs last year. The top two WRs – Jeremy Williams and Brian King – are back, along with 4 OL starters and 80 combined career starts.
Oh look! another team in this division returning seven defensive starters. Leading 2007 tackler MLB Evan Lee is back, along with CB Josh Lumar, LB David Skehan, and FS Chinonso Echebelem. While the LBs and secondary should be fine, Tulane loses its top three DTs – Avery Williams, Antonio Harris, and Frank Morton. Tulane plays at Alabama and LSU this year, as well as UTEP, Houston, and Tulsa. Replacing Forte will be hard enough, so it could be a tough year for Tulane.
