Thursday, July 29, 2010

College Football Preview: 18. North Carolina Tar Heels



North Carolina Tar Heels, Number Eighteen, Key Loss: DT Cam Thomas
The problem isn't the defense. The Tar Heels have tackle Marvin Austin, end Robert Quinn, linebacker Bruce Carter and Kendric Burney, all ACC Conference Selections. On total of UNC's 9 returning defensive starters, 6 were All Conference Selections. Meanwhile, on offense, things are different. Yes, quarterback T.J. Yates is strong and the Heels have 10 returning starters on offense. Plus, Greg Little is explosive at wide receiver. But the Heels lack a fantasic running back and the line did lose some guys.

Heisman Hopeful: Greg Little
Other Notable Players: Marvin Austin
Key Games: Sept. 4 vs. LSU Quick Pick: Will the Heels and their defense, survive a test early on against the Tigers. UNC wins.
TBA vs. Virginia Tech Quick Pick: Yates will go up against Tyrod Taylor, well the Tar Heels defense looks to shut down Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. Virginia Tech wins.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

College Football Preview: 17. Oregon State Breavers



Oregon State Beavers, Number Seventeen, Key Loss: QB Sean Canfield
The down Pac 10 is a good thing for the Oregon State Beavers. Even with the loss of quarterback Sean Canfield and talented linebacker Keaton Kristick, the Beavers should once again contend. Speedy tailback Jacquizz Rodgers returns after gaining an All Conference Selection along with his brother wide receiver James also returns. On defense the star is tackle Stephen Paea with Kristick. In the secondary Suaesi Tuimaunei returns in his senior season. On special teams the Beavers have an underrated kicker in Justin Kahut another senior.

Heisman Hopeful: Jacquizz Rodgers
Other Notable Players: James Rodgers
Key Games: Sept. 25 vs. Boise State Quick Pick: The Rodgers brothers will try to conquer Moore and the Broncos. Boise State wins.
Nov. 27 vs. Oregon Quick Pick: The Civil War will be a ground war this time with Jacquizz winning. Oregon State wins.

Monday, July 19, 2010

College Football Preview: 16. Penn State Nittany Lions



Penn State Nittany Lions, Number Sixteen, Key Loss: QB Daryll Clark
Penn State suffered some losses but Joe Paterno's squad is still good enough to be a Top 25 team. They will miss talented Daryll Clark and big hitter Sean Lee, but on offense running back Evan Royster, an All Conference Selection. The O-Line is loaded which will help Royster even more, with center Stefen Wisniewski. All the other linemen return. On defense, safety Drew Astorino is one of seven returning starters who aren't fantastic but can make plays. The loss of Lee hurts and Paterno hopes that junior Nate Stupar can replace him. No Clark or Lee may mean more losses but the Nittany Lions are in the hunt.

Heisman Hopeful: Evan Royster
Other Notable Players: Stefen Wisniewski
Key Games: Sept. 11 vs. Alabama Quick Pick: Joe Paterno's squad will be tested early against the Tide in a running game battle between Ingram and Royster. Alabama wins.
Nov. 13 vs. Ohio State Quick Pick: Terrelle Pryor hopes to beat the Nittany Lions and Royster.

College Football Preview: 15. Oklahoma Sooners



Oklahoma Sooners, Number Fifteen, Key Loss: QB Sam Bradford
Sure the Sooners lost 4 players in the first round (Sam Bradford, Gerald McCoy, Trent Williams, Jermaine Gresham) and they have just five returning starters. But things look bright in Oklahoma. Quarterback Landry Jones returns and now he has almost a year of experience under his belt. Running back DeMarco Murray, an All Conference Selection, also returns and takes pressure off Jones. Same with wideout Ryan Broyles another All Conference Selection. On defense end Jeremy Beal in highly talented and will put constant pressure on opposing QB's, which will help senior safety Quinton Carter.

Heisman Hopeful: Ryan Broyles
Other Notable Players: DeMarco Murray
Key Games: Oct. 2 vs. Texas Quick Pick: Can the Sooners put enough pressure on Garrett Gilbert? And can the Longhorns to the same to Landry Jones? Texas wins.
Nov. 27 vs. Oklahoma State Quick Pick: The rivalry will test both the Cowboys and Sooners but Jones has a big game passing to Ryan Broyles. Oklahoma wins.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

College Football Preview: 14. Arkansas Razorbacks


Arkansas Razorbacks, Number Fourteen, Key Loss: RB Michael Smith
Few players are better than Arkansas's quarterback Ryan Mallett. A 2009 All Conference Selection dominated opponents. He wouldn't have a confident half back though as the Razorbacks lost Michael Smith. The wide receivers will help Mallett even more as they had two All Conference Selections in Joe Adams and D.J. Williams. On defense the Razorbacks lack a big playmaker as they have to rely on guys like linebacker Jerry Franklin and Ramon Broadway.

Heisman Hopeful: Ryan Mallett
Other Notable Players: D.J. Williams
Key Games: Sept. 25 vs. Alabama Quick Pick: If Mallett and Arkansas take down the mighty Crimson Tide it could be mean a huge turn around for Bobby Petrino and Arkansas. Alabama wins.
Oct. 16 vs. Auburn Quick Pick: Arkansas needs to beat the Tigers to contend in the tough SEC. Arkansas wins.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

College Football Preview: 13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets



Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Number Thirteen, Key Loss:DE Derrick Morgan
The Jackets still have some sting left in them. They did loss stars Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer and Demaryius Thomas but the offense is still strong. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt is more running back than quarter but he still will throw 10 to 15 passes for coach Paul Johnson. Backs Anthony Allen and Roddy Jones can run effectively. The offensive line is pretty skilled with center Sean Beadford, a 2009 All Conference Selection. The defnese isn't completely bare with linebacker Brad Jefferson and tackles Logan Walls and Ben Anderson.

Heisman Hopeful: Josh Nesbitt
Other Notable Players: Brad Jefferson
Key Games: Nov. 27 vs. Georgia Quick Pick: A tough rivalry game will test the Yellow Jackets and their ground game. Georgia Tech wins.
TBA vs. Miami(Florida) Quick Pick: A battle of offneses in this one that will end up with the passing game being more effective. Miami wins.

College Football Preview: 12. Miami Hurricanes



Miami Hurricanes, Number Thirteen, Key Loss: OT Jason Fox
Few could be better than Jacory Harris at the start of last season for the Hurricanes as Harris busted up notable defenses including Oklahoma. This year he's back and he has a confident defense to help him. The 'Canes defense returns 9 starters including end Allen Bailey and cornerback Brandon Harris. The 'Canes have a strong defense but Jacory Harris as few options. In the backfield, Miami has returning starter Mike James, but he isn't good enough to take the pressure off Harris.

Heisman Hopeful: Jacory Harris
Other Notable Players: Allen Bailey
Key Games: Sept. 11 vs. Ohio State Quick Pick: Can Jacory play out Pryor? Two young quarterbacks face off and Pryor will win. Ohio State wins.
Sept. 25 vs. Pittsburgh Quick Pick: A week after the Buckeyes the 'Canes must face dnagerous Dion Lewis and the Panthers. Miami wins.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

College Football Preview: 11. Virginia Tech Hokies



Virginia Tech Hokies Number Eleven, Key Loss: DE Jason Worilds
One of the most consistent teams in college football the Hokies have excelled under Frank Beamer. At the skills position the Hokies are very talented. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor returns now in his fourth year as starter and did a great job declining on his interceptions in his junior season. The ground game is also loaded with Darren Evans, who was injured last season and Ryan Williams. Tyrod Taylor has options to pass to in wideout Jarrett Boykin. The defense is strong in the secondary with cornerback Rashad Carmichael well the linebackers are coming back with Lyndell Gibson and Jake Johnson.

Heisman Hopeful: Tyrod Taylor
Other Notable Players: Ryan Williams
Key Games: Oct. 2 vs. Boise State Quick Pick: Can Rashad Carmichael and the Hokies defense stop Kellen Moore and the Broncos? Boise State wins.
TBA vs. Miami(Florida) Quick Pick: Jacory Harris and Miami looks to avenge last year's loss. Miami wins.

Friday, July 9, 2010

College Football Preview: 10. USC Trojans



USC Trojans Number Ten, Key Loss: Taylor Mays
The key for the Trojans in 2010 and 2011? Forgetting last year. The Trojans fell completely out of the top 25 and didn't play a bowl game in January for the first time sine 2001. Matt Barkley is more experienced now though and even if he has health problems, new coach Lane Kiffin has a solid backup in Aaron Corp. The running game is still strong even with the loss of Joe McKnight. It is led by returning starter Stanley Havili and C.J. Gable. The defense is a little bit more interesting. The front seven is loaded, only losing Everson Griffin, though the secondary, who lost Taylor Mays might need some help, as they have no returning starters.

Heisman Hopeful: Matt Barkley
Other Notable Players: C.J. Gable
Key Games: October 30 vs. Oregon Quick Pick: Even though the Ducks have no Jeremiah Masoli the ground game is strong and will challenge the Trojans defense. USC wins.
November 27 vs. Notre Dame Quick Pick: Mark your calenders. Even though the Irish lost Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate, new coach Brian Kelly will find a way for Notre Dame to win. Notre Dame wins.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

College Football Preview: 9. Wisconsin Badgers



Wisconsin Badgers Number Nine, Key Loss: None
Wisconsin's rise to the top of the Big Ten lies on the running game. Talented half back John Clay can bruise through defenses. The offensive line will help Clay as it has two All Conference selections in Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt. Both Carimi and Moffitt will help out quarterback Scott Tolzien. On defense the Badgers lost alot of their D-Line but they should be fine with retruning linebackers Chris Borland and Culmer St. Jean. Jay Valai is a beast in the secondary.

Heisman Hopeful: John Clay
Other Notable Players: Scott Tolzien
Key Games: Oct. 16 vs. Ohio State Quick Pick: The Badger defense will try to stop versatile Terrelle Pryor well Ohio State does the same to John Clay. Ohio State wins.
October 23 vs. Iowa Quick Pick: Another tough Big Ten oppenent in the span of two weeks Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeyes will attempt to wear the Badgers down even more.Iowa wins.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

SE: Netherlands Beats Down South America's Last Chance


Both with dramatic wins over opponents that were supposed to beat them the Netherlands took on the last South American team Uruguay. Early on the Netherlands struck with a goal in the 18th minute by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. But Uruguay would not give up as their star Diego Forlan put in the equalizer in the 41st minute. Later the Dutch scored a controversial goal that could have been called offside. With it 2-1 Arjen Robben put in a header that made it look hopeless for Uruguay. But the comeback kids scored a late goal with Maxi Perreira in extra time. Later Uruguay had many chances as the ball was dangerously close to Netherlands's goal but to no avail as Netherlands advances to their third final appearance. It will be an all European final as the other semifinal matchup is between Germany and Spain.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Speacial Edition: World Cup Semis Preview


Uruguay vs. Netherlands
After knocking off the all-star of the soccer world in Brazil, Netherlands looks to continue their run against Uruguay. Uruguay have one two World Cups and they look for their third but they need super striker Diego Forlan to play like he did when they beat Ghana in the quarterfinals. The Dutch are led by midfielder Arjen Robben who is finally healthy and playing like it. Robin Van Persie is another option on offense. Both teams are playing great but the Netherlands has more momentum and more talent. Netherlands win, 1-0.
Spain vs. Germany
At the start of the World Cup I like many had Spain making the final only to lose to Brazil. Now that the Brazilians are done Spain looks like they are the favorite. But, the Germans are on fire. They shook out Wayne Rooney's England club, 4-1 and then smoked Lionel Messi and Argentina, 4-0. They have guys like Miroslav Klose (1 behind Ronaldo in goals scored in World Cup) and Boran Schwienstieger. They will miss Thomas Mueller though who had penalty problems. Spain is still loaded as David Villa has had a dream of a World Cup and they still have Fernando Torres. Teams tie at the end of regulation but Spain squeaks by in penalty kicks.