From the 2:04 mark in the first quarter on, the issue was never in doubt.  March scored us some excellent front row seats in the south end zone, so Robert Blanton's momentum shifting blocked punt/TD occurred right in front of us.  From that point on, it was all Irish, all the time.  Despite seemingly insurmountable injuries on both sides of the ball, the Irish played like the team Brian Kelly's been talking about all year. True  freshman QB Tommy Rees threw 13 of 20 with 3 TD's and no INT's.  The defense was equally as impressive as the offense and special teams with three HUGE 4th down stops, completely cutting off any momentum the Utes attempted to mount, two of which were goal line stands (one, like the punt return, occurred less than 50 feet from where we were sitting).  It was just an absolutely fantastic way to close the Stadium for the season.  Fans went from bemoaning the "losing-est senior class in ND history" to a true belief that we could "BEAT SC!"  (which we did!) as the boisterous chants suggested as we left the field.  Oh yeah - we GOT ON THE FIELD!!!!!!

A perfect ND day that included tailgating, a fly over during the Anthem and an exciting, Irish dominated game ended in splendid fashion as the ushers said "fuck it" and let anyone who wanted to go on the field and celebrate with the students, band, Irish Guard and players.  Jimmy touched the cross bar of the goal post, I almost had a stroke and we both checked something off our bucket lists.  I won't go into how awesome of an experience this was, because words won't do it justice, but leaving the stadium the same way Knute Rockne, Joe Montana and Derrick Mays did was an almost perfect experience.

Watching the Irish turn a corner as a team, even this late in the season, combined with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Irish Football (The Band of The Fighting Irish, The Irish Guard, The acres upon acres of tailgaters, the fighter jets during the National Anthem) would have made for an incredible experience on their own, but getting to celebrate with the team on the hallowed ground of the football field and walking out through the tunnel that Rudy and so many other young Domer hopefuls have prayed they could one day sprint out of with their gold helmets shining in the sun was nothing short of miraculous.  I could feel the presence of Leyden and Crowley, the winning spirit of Holtz and Parseghian, the energy of the crowd chanting "We are ND! We are ND!"  As the band finished and fans started to make their way out of the stadium, we didn't want the moment to end, taking our time exiting through the players' tunnel and savoring our time on the field we had watched our heroes compete on since our youth.

Suffice to say, Saturday's game shot right up into my top 5 all time sports experiences and that's saying something.  To give you an idea of the company this game was in, here's the complete list:

Top 5 Sports Memories:

#5: December 10, 2005 - The Bradley Center 111-106 Bucks over Cavs, LeBron throws up 52 points like it ain't no thing

This was the single greatest individual performance by an athlete I've ever witnessed first hand.  I was interning on the sports desk at Milwaukee's ABC affiliate when my boss tossed me a media pass and asked "Wanna go see LeBron?"  Fuck and yes I did!  No camera crew, no report to file, just free media room grub and press row seats for absolute domination.  LeBron would put up 52 points in a losing effort, but the sheer dominance he showed and absolute manhandling of anyone who tried to guard him, take the lane away or contest him at the hole was unlike anything I'd ever seen on a basketball court.  I got to go to the press conference and everything after the game, but sitting there, watching LBJ score at will, it was clear that the NBA's next heir to greatness had arrived.

#4: January 20, 2006 - The Bradley Center 67-65 Marquette over ND, Steve Novak knocks down buzzer beating 3 FTW

A roommate's dad had sick seats for this sold out game (every year, Marquette breaks its own attendance record for Wisconsin basketball during either the Madison game or the ND game.  This was that game!) and I somehow finagled an invite.  We sat in the 5th row, pounding Guinness and cheering on the Golden Eagles in a real barn burner.  As the final seconds ticked off the clock, it looked like hope was lost until Steve Novak, MU's never-miss forward got the ball at the elbow.  3.  Swish.  Buzzer.  A capacity crowd at the Bradley Center absolutely lost their shit.  I've seen a lot of amazing games at the BC, but this one takes the cake.

#3: August 14, 1998 - Yankee Stadium 6-4 Yankees over Rangers, Bernie Williams hits a walk-off 2 run homer

This game was special for a few reasons.  One was the slam bang finish, courtesy of Bernie Williams, which we'll get to in a second.  Another is that I attended with my die-hard Yankees fan Uncle, my sister (who would call Williams' shot) and my dad.  The last is that I believe the summer of '98 was the greatest summer for baseball in my lifetime.

I'm sure this will draw a lot of ire from a lot of people, but you can't argue with the fact that the home run race  that summer was the most exciting thing we'd seen in decades from the sport (especially since at the time we didn't, or chose not to know what we know now) and that it single-handedly  saved baseball, which still hadn't recovered from the strike.  This piece of history, combined with the Yankees' record breaking 125 wins (regular season and post season combined) brought me back to baseball that summer.  I had never turned on it completely, but some of the passion definitely died in 1994 and the summer of '98 rekindled it.

Despite the home run race happening right in my backyard, as the two NL Central sluggers duked it out chasing Maris, this would be the only game I attended during that historic summer.  I may not have gotten to see Sosa or McGwire as they chased greatness, but I did get to see the winning-est team in the history of the game record a W.

With two out and one on in the bottom of the ninth, we were hopeful as the Yanks had just tied the game at 4.  As my dad and I rooted for Bernie Williams to keep the rally alive with a sensible base hit, my sister looked at us and said "Bernie's gonna hit a walk-off."  We laughed and explained to her that we just needed base runners and that predicting/wishing for a home run was bad baseball karma.  What the fuck did we know?  With a 3-2 count, Williams dinged one to right center ("It's a walk-off!"), The Stadium erupted, and we left the game chanting "Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!" with 50,000 of our best friends as Sinatra's "New York, New York" blared over the PA system and Bob Shepard implored us all to travel safe.

#2: November 13, 2010 - Notre Dame Stadium 28-3 Irish over Utah, WE GOT ON THE FIELD

See above.  Did I mention WE GOT ON THE FIELD?

#1: April 28, 1995 - Wrigley Field 4-3 Cubs over Expos, My dad is the man

Opening Day, 1995.  At least 2 out of every 3 Opening Days in Chicago are absolutely horrid.  We've had rain, snow, wind, sub-freezing temperatures and embarrassing defeats.  But every so often, the baseball gods smile on Chicago and give us an actual spring day to welcome back the boys of summer.  This was one of those Opening Days.  72 degrees, sunny, a light lake breeze, the perfect climate for North Side Baseball.  I knew my dad had tickets to the game but was told he was taking clients.  Undeterred, I continued to pester him throughout breakfast and the ride to school, making sure he didn't have an extra ticket he'd maybe forgotten about.  I was assured that every ticket in his possession was spoken for.

Dejected, I trudged toward the schoolhouse looking forward to wasting 8 hours of prime sunshine bored to tears by whatever the hell it is they teach you in the fourth grade.  I spent most of the morning staring out the window, wishing I could be out playing street hockey, riding bikes or sitting at Wrigley Field watching the Cubs.  Sometime around 10 AM, the class was suffering through one of the those God-awful film strips they used to show you.  It was the kind with taped narration but no moving pictures.  I sincerely hope they don't make students sit through that shit any more.  If my memory serves me right, it was the story of Caddie Woodlawn, some pioneer chick who was home schooled and spent her days doing bad ass things like splitting wood and boiling the laundry.  Anyway, just as I was seriously considering stabbing myself with one of those deadly geometry compasses, I saw my mom appear outside the classroom door.  Fuck.  Was it Market Day?  What the shit was Mom doing here? Did someone die?  Holy Christ someone died.

My baby sister had been born the previous fall and demanded around 99% of my mom's attention, so for her to make an appearance at school meant some serious shit must be up.  She usually didn't even pick me up from school at the end of the day.  My mind started spinning with horrible worst case scenarios as I wondered what couldn't wait until 3PM.  As the teacher slipped out and briefly talked with my mom in the hall, I took mental stock of my weekend activities and wondered what I could have done to be in enough trouble for my mom to show up at school.  As the embarrassment of having a parent show up at school mounted (for some reason, to a fourth grader, this is mortifying) and my teacher came back in and told me to go talk to my mom, I braced for the worst.

As soon as I hit the hallway, my mother's face lit up.  "Wanna go to the Cubs game?" she asked.

"Shut up!" I shot back in disbelief.

"I will not," she returned.  I was the hell out of that school faster than a roided out Marion Jones out of the blocks (too soon? too dated?).  I didn't even go back and get my books.  Didn't stop at my locker.  I just ran outside and jumped in the car.  CHECK OUT ALL THOSE POOR BASTARDS ROTTING AWAY IN STUPID SCHOOL!  I'M GOING TO WRIGLEY!!!!!!  Within a half hour, I was on the L and headed for Addison.  My dad picked me up at the L stop and brought me over to Sluggers (my first and to this day favorite bar) where we had pre-game burgers with some of his clients and buddies from work.  This was also the day I learned about Jell-O shots, (the combination of Jell-O and alcohol is just as fascinating to a 10 year old as it is to a college freshman, however being about 11 years short of legal drinking age, I was not allowed to partake) indoor batting cages and waitresses with tons of cleavage.

Right before game time, we made our way across the street and found our seats in the first few rows along the right field line.  I remember the sense of anticipation as we approached the gates and the butterflies I felt when the ancient usher who ripped my ticket looked at me and said "Welcome to Wrigley Field, son".  I had been to Wrigley Field before, but this was opening day!  And I was supposed to be in school!  I was king shit of turd mountain!

As we walked out of the tunnel into the bright sunlight, revealing the deep green of the grass, the rust brown of the dirt and the red brick peeking through the not-yet-flowering ivy, I got that feeling that "Field of Dreams" spends two hours trying to describe.  It's a feeling you can only get when you enter a major league park - and it's got to be the right major league park, like Wrigley, the Old Yankee Stadium, or Dodgers Stadium.  I still expect to feel the way I did that day every time I go to the ballpark, and when I do, it's great, when I don't, for the briefest of moments, it's absolutely soul crushing.  But that day, in that park, I felt it.

As the game got started, I realized our seats were prime right fielder shit talking territory, and I did not hold back.  Even at 10, I could hurl quite the string of insults at an opposing player.  Heckling the closest opposing fielder to my seats has always been one of my favorite ballpark pastimes and that day, I was called up from the minors and earned my big-leagues trash-talking stripes.  The poor guy never knew what hit him.  I think he even started tearing up in the bottom of the 7th.  It would stand as my proudest heckling moment for fifteen years until a myself and a group of intoxicated friends antagonized the green knight at Medieval Times so badly that he actually broke character to argue with us ("I just made fun of that kid so hard he puked!")

The Cubs won 4-3, I ate like 6 hot dogs, a sundae and two things of peanuts and I learned how to play pass the cup.  More importantly, I was one of the guys.  No moms, no sisters, just my dad and his buddies, drinking beer, gambling, telling off color jokes and enjoying Opening Day at the single greatest place on earth to enjoy a ballgame.  I had been to a few Cubs games at this point, but I'm pretty sure this was the first win I was present for.

This was before the days of W flags and "Go Cubs Go" but cruising home on Lake Shore Drive with the windows open and the music cranked up just a little too loud was all the victory celebration the Old Man and I needed.  I've seen some amazing shit in my life and been a part of some incredible sporting events, but Opening Day 1995 was the perfect day.  It was a day I'll never forget as long as I live.  The kind of day Wrigley Field was built for.  It's a day I'll tell my son about before his first Opening Day.  That day and days like it are the reason they should never tear Wrigley down and the reason I'll fucking cry if they ever do.  Thanks for that day, Dad.

-Wild

Resident College Football Expert Jimmy "The Greek" March Gives Us His Prediction For A Key Big 10 Matchup

The Michigan State Spartans are ranked 5th in the BCS poll yet they’re a touchdown underdog when they visit the #18 Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend.  This year’s cardiac kids don’t have a superstar on offense; they don’t always look flashy in getting the job done.  In fact, they’ve looked down right ugly at times (see most of the Illinois and Northwestern games).

However, at 8-0, the Spartans are decidedly in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten at this point in the season.  With Kirk Cousins at the helm, the Michigan State offense is averaging just under 450 yards and 34.5 points per game.  The Spartan defense, for its part, has only given up 17.9 points per game, good for 18th in the country.  With kicker Dan Conroy hitting 13 of 14 field goals on the season, Mark D’Antonio’s squad sure looks the part of a well-rounded, high-powered Big Ten Champion.

Why then, are the Spartans an underdog to a two-loss Iowa team?

State is on the road, sure, but home-field advantage typically gives three points.

That still leaves MSU a three-and-a-half point ‘dog.

With three potentially game-breaking running backs (Baker, Bell, Caper), four legitimate wideouts (Dell, Cunningham, Martin, Nichol), and two tight ends that are a mismatch waiting to happen (Gantt, Linthicum) all at the disposal of a quarterback completing two-thirds of his passes on the season, why are the Spartans the upset-special pick of the week for columnists and analysts all over the country?

First, the Michigan State Spartans have most definitely been this year’s version of the cardiac kids.  The headline-grabbing overtime fake field goal to beat the struggling Fighting Irish; the same one that sent Coach D’Antonio to the hospital with a heart attack was only the beginning.

While that win propelled the Spartans into the top-25, there have been a couple other close calls along the way that have allowed them to keep climbing.  The score in Michigan State’s 26-6 win against Illinois two weeks ago belies the fact that Sparty struggled, and for about three quarters, this looked like a Big Ten bottom feeder fight.

Last weekend in Evanston, Michigan State was trailing Northwestern 17-0 late in the second quarter.  Sparty clawed back again and put in the game winner on a 9-yard B.J. Cunningham touchdown catch with 2:00 remaining.

Second, despite the fact that the Iowa Hawkeyes have two-losses, Ricky Stanzi has seemingly put it together as a third year starter at quarterback.  With 16 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions on the season, Stanzi, who’s sometimes questionable decision-making was often Iowa’s Achilles’ heel in the ’08 and ’09 campaigns, has made the Iowa Hawkeyes multi-dimensional on offense.  With receivers Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt both averaging over 16 yards per catch, and running back Adam Robinson stacking up 737 yards and 9 touchdowns through seven games, this years Hawkeye offense is no joke.

On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes have put together another stout defensive unit, allowing only 15.7 points per game on the season.

Above all, the Hawkeyes have a bad taste leftover from last week’s last minute, 31-30 loss to Wisconsin.  Wanting to take it out on someone, anyone, Michigan State is definitely walking into a trap game.

Despite the oddsmakers, the experts, and Michigan State’s own inconsistent play, the Spartans have what it takes to run the table in the Big Ten this season.  With an impressive showing against Wisconsin, beating the Badgers by 10, and putting together the blueprint for shutting down Michigan’s Denard Robinson in a 34-17 beat down in Ann Arbor, this year’s Michigan State squad has shown that they know how to get the job done.

Prediction: Michigan State 31, Iowa 27

-Jim March

#11 Missouri knocks off #1 Oklahoma as missed red zone opportunities sink Sooners.

Early Momentum Swings

Fourteen seconds into the Saturday night showdown in Columbia, Missouri, Tiger fans had reason to believe the third number one team would fall in as many weeks.

Oklahoma sent the opening kickoff short; outside the numbers and just shy of the 20-yard-line.  Cue upback Gahn McGaffie.  The sophomore wide receiver exploded through a crease, high-stepped the kicker’s shoestring tackle attempt, and followed a two-man convoy into the end zone.  Missouri 7, Oklahoma 0.

The Mizzou defense was stout in their first series forcing Oklahoma into a three-and-out, with a 3rd down sack of Landry Jones an exclamation point to send the hometown crowd into a frenzy.

Then the punt.

The Tigers deep man, Carl Gettis, muffed the punt.  Oklahoma recovered and just that quick, the Sooners were in business.  Four plays and 44 yards later, the Sooners tied it on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jones to freshman receiver Kenny Stills.

Timely Turnovers

Oklahoma looked primed to go up 14-7 late in the 1st quarter, driving downfield with tailback DeMarco Murray lined up at slot and true freshman RB Roy Finch carrying out of the backfield.  But, on 1st and 10 from the Missouri 12, DE Aldon Smith picked Landry Jones, returning the ball 58 yards to the Oklahoma 28.

Six plays later, running back De’Vion Moore scored from a yard out to give Mizzou the 14-7 lead early in the 2nd quarter.

The Sooners switched up the tempo on the next drive, operating in the no-huddle.  Sparked by Ryan Broyles’ 39 yard catch-and-run, Oklahoma drove into the red zone and proceeded to turn the ball over again on a Mossis Madu fumble.

With 4:08 in the first half, the third time proved to be the charm.  Oklahoma marched down the field efficiently yet again.  This time the Sooners punched it in.  Landry Jones hit DeMarco Murray on a four-yard swing pass to tie the score at 14.

Later in the game, after Blaine Gabbert hooked up with Jerrell Jackson on a 38 yard touchdown strike to give Missouri a 26-21 lead early in the 4th quarter, Zaviar Gooden intercepted Landry Jones on Oklahoma’s first play from scrimmage.  The Tigers converted the pick into a pivotal field goal, stretching their lead to eight.

Closing in the Clutch

After an Oklahoma three-and-out gave Missouri the ball at their own 24 with 8:57 left in regulation, Coach Gary Pinkel didn’t get conservative and play not to lose; Pinkel and Offensive Coordinator Dave Yost went for the throat.

Gabbert, Moore & co. were happy to oblige.  With a five play, 76 yard touchdown drive that included three consecutive plays of 15 or more yards, the Missouri Tigers locked up their first victory over the Sooners since 1998.

Odds and Ends

Quarterbacks Landry Jones and Blaine Gabbert both finished with over 300 yards passing.

Mizzou junior wideout Jerrell Jackson had a career night with nine catches for 139 yards and a touchdown.

The Tigers held the ball over 38 minutes, outrushing Oklahoma 178-99 in the process.

Missouri kicker Grant Ressel hit fields goals of 36, 30, and 23 yards in the game; embattled Oklahoma kicker Jimmy Stevens hooked his only attempt of the night, a 30 yard try early in the 3rd quarter.

Despite an ankle injury that kept him on the sidelines in the 1st quarter and limited his mobility throughout the game, Oklahoma’s Biletnikoff hopeful Ryan Broyles finished with 8 catches for 110 yards.

Apart from Missouri, Boise State, TCU, and Utah are likely Saturdays biggest winners.  But as the Broncos, Horned Frogs, and Utes move closer to slotting themselves into the National Championship game, the question remains: Would the computers actually give an undefeated non-BCS conference school the nod over a one-loss SEC, Pac-10, Big 12, or Big 10 school?  If recent history is any indication, there will be at least one undefeated school with a legitimate gripe come season’s end.

- Jim March

As spring practice draws near, the Domer nation has an excuse to talk incessantly about the state of the Notre Dame football program. Despite the fact that ND hasn’t been in serious contention for a National Championship since 1993, hope springs eternal in South Bend.  Traditionally, the six week period between National Signing Day and the first of 15 spring practices, is when the Irish faithful lick their wounds from the previous fall. That time has come and gone, and Rockne’s wayward sons are daring to dream again...

The fact that Notre Dame hasn’t hired a proven collegiate winner since Lou Holtz has been well documented. Still, Fighting Irish fans have gotten behind each successive coach (Davie, Willingham, O’Leary—whoops, and Weis), if only for a short time. And with every coach since Lispy Lou, the gulf between expectation (National Championship) and reality (.583, .583, .565) has grown.

Knowing the blind, wilful nature of many Notre Dame blowhards sitting on the message boards all day at work, it serves to point out that the blowout losses to Oregon State and LSU, as well as the 14-point loss (which wasn’t nearly as close as 34-20 would suggest) to Ohio State in BCS games do more to strengthen the previous point than refute it.

Calling Notre Dame a ‘finesse’ team the past two seasons is, at best, a euphemistic way of saying they’ve been soft. Chock full of talent on paper, and paper-thin on defense, the Irish underwhelmed everyone in college football except ESPN analyst Mark May.

Enter Brian Kelly, the man who took Cincinnati to its first undefeated regular season, Big East Championship, and BCS berth last year with players ND might have taken as preferred walk-ons out of high school. With a history of winning and a clarity of purpose—National Championships—Kelly is embarking on a journey to restore the Fighting Irish to their long-abdicated throne atop the college football world.

Kelly is known for his grueling off-season workouts, complete with ‘puke buckets’ lined up around the practice facilities. Coupled with new Strength-and-Conditioning Coach Paul Longo’s unconventional methods—including a giant sand pit—that have proved highly effective in developing players, Irish fans can expect a toughness that was consistently lacking during the Weis regime.

Many have speculated about the cause of Notre Dame’s lack of grit and toughness over the past few seasons.  Most look to Weis in one form or another. Some questioned his lack of leadership and head-coaching experience. Still others attribute it to a difference in the way professional and college football players are motivated, and Charlie’s inability to recognize that difference. Yet, a simpler, almost childish explanation has been overlooked entirely:

A young man can only take so much Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen.

Charlie Weis’ love-affair with these 1980s rockers is a secret to none in the Notre Dame community.  In order to simulate stadium noise, Weis would play hits like “It’s My Life,” “Glory Days,” and “Living on A Prayer” over the PA system during practice in the days before away games.  The past two seasons, Notre Dame’s road record is 3-7.

In addition, Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet,” and Springsteen’s “Nebraska,” and “The River” albums could be heard in the weight room almost every day during the off-season. One player, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “I mean, I get that they’re great musicians, well, Springsteen at least. But ‘Nebraska’? Do you know what that song is about? And have you ever tried to rep 365 listening to ‘The River’? It’s just depressing, man.”

It seems that playing these Jersey rockers’ inspirational tunes backfired badly on Coach Weis.  Another player said: “I heard so much of those guys, I started to have nightmares. The night before the UCONN game last year, I had a dream that Jon Bon Jovi was playing at my wedding, and Richie Sambora was my best man. How am I supposed to play after something like that?  You think I wanted to get that penalty? It’s hard to focus when you got that stuff goin’ on. Richie Sambora. Fuckin’ Richie Sambora. Why do I even know that guy’s name?”

There are mixed emotions in and around the Fighting Irish community about Charlie Weis’ departure. His supporters talk about his undying love for and understanding of everything Notre Dame stands for. They talk about how he did things the right way, how he emphasized the University and not his three Super Bowl rings when pitching recruits. His naysayers all point to the bottom line: 35-27.

Moving forward, it’s apparent that Brian Kelly has his work cut out for him and the eyes of the Irish nation watching his every move. They’ll talk about the shift back to a 3-4 base defense, and whether players like Kapron Lewis-Moore, Darius Fleming, and Steve Filer can realize their potential within the scheme. They’ll talk about the spread offense he’s implementing, and which receivers will step up to complement Michael Floyd and TE Kyle Rudolph. They’ll second-guess his personnel changes, like Theo Riddick to slot receiver, instead of Cierre Wood to safety, and they’ll question his ability to recruit nationally. And if the Irish win fewer than 8 games this year, some will revert back to their Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops pipe dreams.

Many Irish fans walk around with a sense of entitlement that hasn’t been warranted for about 15 years. Looking at his track record, Coach Kelly might just be the man to justify that air of privilege once again. If Kelly is the man to lead the Irish out of exile, the fans will be there to quote his pre-game speeches like scripture, and name their first-born sons Brian. Any way about it, I hope somebody told him to check his ‘Jovi at the door.

-Jim March

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by Sean Heffernan

One of the most common tangents every college football analyst has had in their arsenal the past few years has been a longwinded tirade about the downfall of the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State inflated ranking and inability to win big games against non-conference opponents gave fuel to a fire that had brewing for years.

This year has been no different with the Buckeyes failing to overtake a vulnerable USC team in their second game of the year, Michigan still in the dark ages with Rich Rodriguez at the helm, and Wisconsin, Iowa, and Penn State are all unready to become the conference's second national power.
 
I understand while people are dumping on the Big Ten, but the truth is I just don't care. I don't care if the conference isn't what it use to be. I honestly don't care about BCS rankings or speed of the SEC.
 
I love the way the game is played in the Midwest, the cradle of American football. Take for example Northwestern's 17-10 upset over the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend. It didn't matter that the game only featured two touchdowns or that neither team had a true breakout offensive star because the game was played the way the sport's creators intended it to be played.
 
Northwestern scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone, a goal line touchdown pass to a tight end, and a field goal. Not exactly thrilling plays, but it was the way that every yard mattered in the game. Those kids were playing the type of football that truly is "a game of inches". There's beauty in a defense gang tackling a sweeping running back or a offensive tackle opening enough running room for a first down.

It's not overly complicated. It just comes down to who wants it more, who has more grit, and who's more willing to sacrifice their body for the good of the team. Haters can hate, give me Big Ten football.

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Jimmy Clausen Dropping Back... out of the Top 25. Again.

Notre Dame did it again...

The Fighting Irish went 10 games before the smoke and mirror show was exposed like Peter Bretter in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Everybody in blue jerseys on Saturday evening were looking to cover their collective dongs when the final score showed Navy 23 - Notre Dame 21.

Can we all move on now? The Notre Dame Mystique thins every season; and now it's just about translucent. They just aren't a good football team. The coaching staff is lacking. The players don't get the job done. And the attention the program still garners is stomach-turning bad. 100% Serious: I'd rather watch a Kate Plus 8 Minus Jon marathon for a week straight than endure another proclamation that Notre Dame is "back".

Here's what makes Notre Dame even worse: Navy isn't good either. With this win--Navy's second consecutive win at Notre Dame Stadium--Navy qualifies for the Texas Bowl. Anybody care to fathom a guess as to whom Navy's going to see in the Texas Bowl? The Big 12's eigth place team, which currently looks to be Texas A&M. Notre Dame lost to the team who's not even a shoe-in to win the Texas Bowl.

With all the unjustified clout Notre Dame's golden domes carry these days, it's time to take the Irish down a few notches. Remember when Charlie Weis non-chalantly stated that his boys were as good as any of the top 5 teams? Let this serve as notice that Notre Dame certainly is not in the same league as Florida, Texas, USC, Boise State, TCU, or approximately 25 other teams.

Saturday's fourth quarter goes to show how terribly overblown Notre Dame is. The two touchdown scoring drives proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Irish should have been running circles around Navy's defense all day long. Even with the 23 points the Navy offense registered, Notre Dame should have put up 50. Those final touchdown drives for ND went for a combined 12 plays, 156 yards, 14 points in 2:24 of game clock. Really? What happened to the other 3 quarters of the game? What were they waiting for? Was this a rope-a-dope gone awry? No. This was a heartless, gutless showing.

Programs like Navy have nothing to rely on but heart while Notre Dame has a talent pool deeper than the Pacific Ocean. Navy won't ever play for the national title or have a nationally ranked recruiting class, but they aren't above seizing the opportunity. Saturday's game served as a case in point for the "On any given Saturday..." adage. Notre Dame looked to win simply by showing up. After an opening drive fumble turned into a Navy 7-0 lead, the Irish took a gut check they couldn't come back from. Navy outplayed ND all day long. By halftime, Navy was up 14-0. And in the end, Navy stood 2 points higher on the scoreboard and, on the road, beat Notre Dame.

The biggest blemish in Notre Dame's golden dome, though, was in Navy's reaction when the game ended. There weren't any reactions lending themselves to a "Nobody Believed in Us" week of preparation, no midshipmen rushing the field to celebrate with the team, no Gatorade baths for the coach; just a series of hand shakes and hugs for the Irish team they had just beaten. A series of events as such leads everybody looking on in the stadium and everybody watching on Notre Dame's national broadcast to infer that Navy expected to win the whole way--as there was never even a doubt to the outcome. That's what Notre Dame football has come to: Even Navy expects to win. "Play Like a Champion"? Please revise to read, "Play Like You're Relevant Today," because ND football is not. Not anymore.

We learned a lot about Notre Dame football on Saturday. We learned that they're not "back". We learned that they aren't as good as advertised. Most deflating of all, we learned that Notre Dame has no heart. All that "Play like a Champion Today" sign pounding and candle lit praying at the grotto amount to exactly nothing. Even with an unnervingly undeserved BCS bid on the line, Notre Dame couldn't beat one of the military academies.

Anchors away, boys, because there go the Irish all the way to the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
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Are the Miami Hurricanes back?

by Jim March

The opening kickoff went out of bounds Thursday night, giving the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets the ball at their 40 to start the game. Tech had last year’s 472 yard rushing performance in mind when they carried the ball on all 12 plays of the first drive. For the first five minutes of the contest, it looked like the Yellow Jackets might be picking up where they left off the last time the two teams met. However, things didn’t work out the way they planned as the Miami Hurricane defense gained a great deal of confidence when they ended Tech’s 12-play, 60-yard drive. The drive chewed up almost seven minutes of clock, but Miami showed their grit with a third down red-zone stand forcing Georgia Tech to settle for a field goal. ...

 Score: 3-0 Georgia Tech 

 From here on, Miami would be the team setting the tempo in Land Shark Stadium.

 Miami’s new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple dialed up play calls that kept Georgia Tech’s defense guessing all night. From running the ball out of unbalanced formations with offensive tackles lined up at tight end, to throwing clever screen passes out of the backfield to executing the play action pass to perfection. The Canes’ stretched the field deep and put points on the board.

 The Ramblin’ Wreck defense looked awful. Defensive end Derrick Morgan didn’t have his name called all night. Georgia Tech was unable to muster anything resembling a pass rush looking winded from their first series. 

 Georgia Tech was playing their third game in 12 days. They looked tired and sluggish. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris certainly didn’t felt sorry for them. With protection all-day from his O-line on every pass play the entire game but one, Harris lit up the Tech secondary. The sophomore field general completed 20 of 25 passes for 270 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. There’s no doubt about who got the game ball Thursday night in Miami. 

 While Harris gets all the praise and looks amazing on paper, this was truly a team effort. The O-Line play has already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: It was absolute domination. The Canes had skill players lining up all night to get the ball into their hands.

 The biggest play of the first half for the GT defense was a Miami injury with 2:19 left in the second quarter.  After surrendering points on the first three series, Tech was down 17-3 with the Hurricanes driving. The injury timeout gave the gassed Yellow Jackets defense time to rest and gave defensive coordinator Dave Wommack time to dial up a drive-killing blitz. 

 After Miami’s quick strike drive to start the second half (6 plays, 60 yards 3:10 TOP), Tech answered with a scoring drive of their own. Anthony Allen scored on a 3 yard run after a big play was made on a jump ball by 6’3” WR DeMaryius Thomas. You can’t fault the Miami defense for that. Thomas’ jaw-dropping catch just reminded Yellow Jacket fans of what Tech could be capable of if they had a second playmaking wide out or a quarterback with any accuracy or timing.

The score was 24-10 with 8:07 left in the 3^rd quarter. However, it hadn’t been a game since Miami’s offense stepped on the field for the first time. The Hurricane defense fed off the offense, and grew more confiden that they could shut down Georgia Tech’s option attack with each successive stop. The Hurricane’s knew Tech’s QB Josh Nesbitt couldn’t beat them with his right arm. Honestly, following Tech’s second drive of the game, the Hurricanes knew this wasn’t going to be a repeat of their ‘08 match-up.

 At the end of the day Georgia Tech tallied 95 yards rushing (only two more than Miami RB Graig Cooper).

As a team, Miami has two weaknesses:

 Special Teams- Each of Georgia Tech’s first four drives began within around the forty. The Hurricanes had two kickoffs go out of bounds and two returned near mid-field. Sloppy play on kickoff won’t fit the bill as they prepare to meet Oklahoma and then the rest of the ACC. Coach Randy Shannon needs to remind his young team that championship football is played when, and only when all three phases of the game are running well. Significant improvements are needed from this squad or you can bank on the Hurricanes getting exploited in the next couple weeks.

 Killer Instinct- Leading 33-10 at the end of the 3^rd quarter, Miami got the ball in excellent field position.  They had a great opportunity to end this game with a touchdown drive. A Touchdown drive on that drive squeezes the last little bit of hope out of GeorgiaTech and would have given them an entire quarter to let their second stringers gain valuable game experience. 

 If Miami can’t finish with authority against a team that put up 41 points and the aforementioned 472 rushing yards against them last year, this Hurricane squad has a ways to go before they are to be considered BCS bowl contenders. The same can be said for the Hurricane defense. They allowed Georgia Tech’s only pass catcher Thursday night get behind them on the following drive to make it a two-possession game again. How do you let the opposition’s only receiving threat get behind your entire defense? A better question might be how do you let it happen twice in the fourth quarter? Thankfully for the Miami secondary, the second deep ball to Thomas bounced harmlessly off his fingertips, sealing 16 point victory. 

 Miami has to learn how to close out games because they’re going to face more dynamic squads than Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets before the season’s over.

Georgia Tech and Clemson are for real

By Jim March

Last night, nearly every football fan in America watched as Pittsburgh and Tennessee kick off the NFL season.  Here’s what you missed: an 82-yard TD run, an 85-yard punt return TD, two interceptions, and a 34 yard touchdown pass thrown by a kicker. That was the first quarter in Atlanta, as Georgia Tech fans welcomed Clemson to town with a white-out, and sent them home with a 30-27 loss to start conference play.

 1.  Get to know the name Derrick Morgan. 

 “The Ramblin’ Wreck” junior defensive end had 10 tackles and 3 sacks last night. Lightning quick off the ball, Morgan alone kept Clemson from getting into any sort of offensive rhythm in the first half. A combination of fatigue and Clemson’s halftime blocking adjustments kept Morgan in check during the second half, but this guy has the ability to change games by himself. Don’t be surprised when he is named to the All-American team at the end of the year.

2. Georgia Tech is a Running Team.

 This is clear to anybody who knows about Coach Paul Johnson’s triple option offense. However, QB Josh Nesbitt proved to the nation last night that GT must run the ball at least 80 % of the time in order to win games. Nesbitt went 3-14 passing with 2 INT. Another pick was overturned on replay. This guy cannot be counted on to take advantage of play-action passing opportunities the option offense naturally affords him. 

3.  Josh Nesbitt: Clutch Player or Fluke?

 Though he put up horrendous numbers through the air, Nesbitt led the Yellow Jackets on two fourth quarter FG drives to win the game. On the first drive, he completed a dump pass to RB Anthony Allen on 3^rd and 9.  Allen went for 24 yards and a first down. Nesbitt also carried the ball 6 times for 43 yards on the game-tying march, including 5 consecutive runs. On the final Tech drive, he completed his homerun ball; a 38 yard pass to DeMaryius Thomas on 3^rd and 11 with 1:48 left in the game. Nesbitt came up bring when it matter with 62 of his 83 passing yards and 50 of his 91 rushing yards came on the final two drives. This begs the question: did a big-time player shake off a bad night and come through in the clutch, or did Clemson run out of gas and big plays?

4.  Frank Beamer can learn a couple of things.

 Although Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer is a special teams guru and leader of the ACC odds-on favorite this year, he could take some notes from Thursday’s game. First, Georgia Tech ran a Fake FG to perfection in the first quarter, switching the offense out for the special teams unit halfway through the play clock. DeMaryius Thomas was left near the sidelines as though he were out of bounds allowing the trick play to work better than some of Papa Kearney’s Pop Warner league antics. Thomas was uncovered on the 34 yard TD pass. Second, if you’re going to pooch punt, kick the ball out of bounds. Clemson K Richard Jackson took a fake FG punt and kicked it directly to the safe man, PR Jerrard Terrant. All Terrant had to do was make one man miss on his way to the end zone. Finally, Clemson’s kick coverage unit was superb.  The Yellow Jackets only took one kick return past the 30 yard line all night. Purple jerseys swarmed on every kickoff.

5. The ACC should not be overlooked in the National picture.

 For the past few years, the Atlantic Coast Conference has fallen out of favor with those who crown the SEC as the premier conference in the land and talk about how the Pac-10, Big 10, and Big XII are nipping at their heels. Last night’s game showed that these two schools have the athletes to compete with anyone in the country. Clemson RB C.J. Spiller, WR Jacoby Ford, DE’s DeQuan Bowers and Ricky Sapp, and S DeAndre McDaniel could play for just about any school in the entire nation. The same could be said for Georgia Tech RB’s Jonathan Dwyer and Anthony Allen, WR DeMaryius Thomas, DE Derrick Morgan, CB Mario Butler, S Morgan Burnett, or PR Jerrard Tarrant. This conference has the coaching and the athletes to play with any conference in the land.

 By Jim March

“We owe that team an ass-whooping.” -Oregon Tailback LeGarrette Blount

 On 8 carries, -5 yards rushing LeGarrette Blount offered little help in #16 Oregon’s 19-8 loss to the #14 Boise State Broncos in the first Top 25 match-up of 2009. 

Blount’s numbers were, for the most part, indicative of the entire Duck offense on Thursday night. Oregon’s offense started the game with five consecutive three-and-outs, and didn’t get their first 1^st down of the contest until 7:07 in the THIRD quarter. Six total first downs, two turnovers, and less than 18 minutes in time of possession. 

 In truth, there isn’t much to say about the game itself. I could speculate about whether we saw a first-rate Bronco defense or a Duck offense that dropped acid before the game. I could talk about what we saw from Boise State QB Kellen Moore. That might be interesting.  He did start 11-12 for over 100 yards. Moore showed flashes of brilliance. What you may not have noticed was the absolutely perfect touch pass he threw on 3^rd and 2 to start the second half. It was only a 6 or 7 yard pass, but he threw it fading away from pressure and floated it just over a linebackers fingertips into the hands of backup TE Tommy Gallarda. At the time, I thought that would be most important play of the game; it was the only pass on a nine play touchdown drive to start the third quarter. We also saw Moore fumble four snaps from under center. Two of those fumbles were recovered by Oregon and kept giving the listless Ducks opportunities. Good thing for  Moore & Co., the Ducks do their ass-whooping in overtime.

 For those who didn’t see it, an otherwise sloppy and underwhelming Top-25 season opener got a lot more interesting after the final whistle blew. As the teams were on the field shaking hands after the game, Boise State lineman Byron Hout slapped Blount on the shoulder pad to ask him (presumably) about that ass-whooping. Bronco Head Coach Chris Petersen saw his player do this and immediately grabbed Hout to reprimand him. As Petersen swung Hout around, LeGarrette Blount broke out the whoopin’ stick. No, not that one. Blounte cracked Hout in the jaw, dropping him to a knee. 

 Bloune apparently still had work to do, as 8 for -5 does not add up to an ass-whooping no matter where you took remedial math. He decided to throw a stiff arm to a teammate’s facemask. You know that part in Full Metal Jacket where the Gunnery Sergeant calls Private Pile a “fat fucking baby”? That kept running through my head while LeGarrette had his temper tantrum.  It just kept getting better though.

 Next, he chucked his helmet off the blue turf in Boise. I think that was because he didn’t like his team switching from green to white helmets this season. Don’t quote me on that, but I’m pretty sure that’s where he was coming from.  As he headed off to the locker room, the Boise fans heckled Blount. I’m not sure why, but I think it had something to do with that goofy white du-rag he was wearing. Again, don’t quote me on that. 

 I get the impression said du-rag had sentimental value to LeGarrette, as he took offense to the Bronco fans and tried to charge the first row. Literally. He tried to take a swing at the entire first row on the way to the locker room. Then the cops and security finally dragged him away and the shit show was over. 

 Does anybody know protocol for this type of situation? I’m pretty sure that no matter what happens, LeGarrette Blount has a future in reality TV. I’m also pretty sure (double check the math here) that he has five fewer career rushing yards than he had yesterday. Aren’t pocket passing Quarterbacks supposed to be the only guys on the field who finish with negative rushing yards? 

 Anyways, thanks for giving me something to write about tonight, you fat fucking baby.

 P.S. Even without his 40 yard run, BSU backup RB DJ Harper played better than starter Jeremy Avery.

Comment below!

  by Jim March

The 2009 College Football season kicks off this week.  Does anyone else share my spastic enthusiasm for this sport?  Have you been counting down the days until kickoff?  Do you plan on watching 12 hours of football every Saturday for four months?  Does your girlfriend catch you sneaking out of bed in the middle of the night to check your favorite team’s website?  Do you the names of all the high school kids your college is recruiting?  And when your team loses to, oh I don’t know… Syracuse, Syracuse, 24-23 last November when you were favored by 19 at home,  do you curl up in the fetal position and cry yourself to sleep?

Yes? Oh good, me too. 

Now that we’re on the same page, I feel comfortable telling you that I’ve been watching CBSSports and the Big Ten Network religiously the past six weeks or so in order to get my college football fix.  After watching a lot of last year’s games, I’ve formed some opinions on how I think this season will shake out.  I’m watching the Big Ten Network as I write this.  So, for now, I’ll focus on this conference exclusively, giving you a prediction and the Big things you ought to know about all 11 teams in the Big 11 followed by three key players you might not know much about, but should:

1. OHIO STATE – Aside from wide receiver, the Buckeyes’ big question mark is linebacker.  With James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman gone to the NFL, and slated ’09 WLB Tyler Moeller out for the year, who will step up alongside lone returning starter Ross Homan?  Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell may be the best pair of safeties to line up together in the whole conference, and don’t be surprised if Junior Cameron Heyward (son of former NFL fullback Mike “Ironhead” Heyward) comes on as one of the top D lineman in the nation.  The difference between competing for a conference championship and a BCS National Championship hinges on how quickly Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor’s grasp of the Buckeye offense catches up with his “out of this world” athletic ability.

2. PENN STATE- Senior Daryll Clark needs receivers.  The 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th all-time leaders in receiving yards used up their eligibility at the close of the 2008 season.  Look for the tight ends to be a big part of the passing game.  Also, the Nittany Lions replace their entire ’08 secondary.  Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman head Linebacker U’s defense this season and will need to make plays early while 7 new starters adjust to game speed on defense.  Running backs Evan Royster and Stephon Green will help Clark motor the offense behind guard-turned-center Stefen Wiesniewski until a receiver can emerge as a legitimate threat to keep opposing defenses from stacking up 8 in the box.  Head Coach Joe Paterno is entering his 60^th season as a part of Penn State’s coaching staff; nothing to do with conference standings, I just think that’s amazing.  Also, did anyone else seen the commercial on Big Ten Network last year where all the coaches do a 3 second pitch on their school and at the end, JoePa is red in the face screaming “COME TO PENN STATE.”?....If he’s still alive later in life, I want him to discipline my children.

3. ILLINOIS- Which receiving targets will step up in ’09 to keep opposing defenses from doubling pre-season All-American WR Rejus Benn?  Look for Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, Jeff Cumberland, and pre-season Mackey Award watch list TE Mike Hoomanawanui to make this the most potent passing attack in the Big Ten.  The real question is whether the defense can put together a respectable unit, and keep every Illini game from turning into a shootout.  If they can put together a solid between the tackles run game, this offense can get to the same level as the Oklahoma’s, Texas’s and Texas Tech’s of the country.

4. MICHIGAN STATE- Sophomore QB, and Oklahoma transfer Keith Nichol was just named starter over classmate Kirk Cousins.  Will Nichol evolve as a passer or try to rely on his mobility? Can Nichol carry this team long enough for one or two backs to emerge from the 5-deep pack of runners trying to fill in for 1600 yard rusher Javon Ringer? Early non-conference games against the under-the-radar All-American QB candidate Dan LeFevour’s Central Michigan Chippewas and a trip to South Bend to take on a much-improved Irish squad should tell where the Spartans stand heading into a manageable conference schedule (PSU at home, don’t play OSU).  Pre-Season Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year MLB Greg Jones leads a defense that brings back 8 starters from a better than average squad in ’08 (22 ppg allowed).  The Spartans have a habit of not showing up for their big games (45-7 vs Ohio State, 49-18 vs Penn State last year).  Can Sparty finally win one they’re expected to lose?

5. IOWA- Adding pressure to quarterback Ricky Stanzi’s situation(see Key Players below) is the fact that 2008’s leading receiver JR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is constantly in Coach Kirk Ferentz’ doghouse and will begin the season as a second-stringer.  Who will rise to the occasion and lighten Stanzi’s load?

Although the defense returns 8 from one of the nation’s best scoring D’s in ’08, they lose both tackles (Mitch King, Matt Kroul).  The Hawkeyes need somebody or some bodies to plug the middle so opposing offenses don’t gash them up front.  Also, with the toughest road schedule in the conference, Iowa must improve on their 2-3 away record from last season.

6. NORTHWESTERN- The Wildcats bring back All-American Candidate and 1^st Team All Big Ten DE Corey Wootton, and the entire defensive secondary (including three current seniors). Opposing offenses will have a hard time passing on this squad.  The real test for the secondary comes against Illinois in November.  On offense, Northwestern loses QB CJ Bacher, RB Tyrell Sutton, and their top-3 receivers.  The only things they have going on this side of the ball are 4 returning linemen and a mobile QB.  Mike Kafka ran for a Big Ten QB record 217 yards against Minnesota last year.  Can Kafka take charge of the offense and pass efficiently?  Do the Wildcats have guys to step in at every skill position?  It will take some time for these guys to get in rhythm with one another.  A weak early schedule should help the learning curve.  All the same, I’m not sure Kafka has the talent or experience to be in the top half of conference QB’s.

7. MICHIGAN- The obvious question here is QB.  RichRod has taken a page from Charlie Weis’ ’07 book and refused to announce the starter for the Sept. 5 opener against Western Michigan.  Hopefully for the blue and maize, the move works out better than it did for the ’07 Irish (3-9 record; two of the QB’s transferred).  True freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson have the athletic ability to run the spread offense Rodriguez brought with him from West Virginia, and the Wolverines bring back 10 offensive starters. Brandon Minor  will lead the running game after freshman phenom, youtube sensation Sam McGuffie transferred to Rice.  If the eventual starting QB can manage the offense and minimize turnovers (which most freshmen QB’s don’t do very well), then Michigan might surprise some people.

8. MINNESOTA- Last year’s Jekyll and Hyde roared out to a 7-1 start, then whimpered through 5 straight losses including a 55-0 shellacking at the hands of Iowa on their home field in the last game of the year, as well as a three touchdown shaming by Kansas in the Insight bowl.  Can anybody else step up on offense so that QB Adam Weber and WR Eric Decker can resume the pitch and catch game that netted over 1000 yards and 7 TDs last season?  More importantly, can the Gophers’ porous defense improve?  With their fourth ‘D’ Coordinator in as many years, it will be tough.  Finally, with the way their schedule shakes out don’t be surprised to see Minnesota fly out of the gates with a 5-1 record (3-0 in conference), only to stumble through the second half ending up 6-6, with 5 straight conference losses to end the year.

9. WISCONSIN- With Junior QB Scott Tolzien named starter for the season opener, Brett Bielema’s Badgers have answered their most significant off-season question.  Or have they?  Bielema also announced that Redshirt Freshman Curt Phillips will take some snaps in the opener.  Factor in last year’s part-time starter Dustin Sherer, and you’ve still got confusion at Camp Randall.  Maybe the only thing Wisconsin really has going for it is a ground game.  Mammoth RB John Clay (6’2”, 245 lbs) fits the mold and reminds the Sconnie faithful of former Badger great, RB Ron Dayne.  The fact that Clay is listed as 2^nd string RB on the depth chart speaks to the development of starter Zach Brown.  Behind one of the better Big Ten O-Lines, look for the Badger rushing attack to keep them in many games this fall.  Also, expect the secondary to struggle and the Badgers to give up big numbers through the air.

10. INDIANA- Ben Chappell has experience and will be an effective game manager.  The big question (aside from ‘Can they move the ball?’) will be at WR.  The Hoosiers’ potential #1 receiver Ray Fisher moves to CB to help out a depleted secondary.  Can a couple of guys make plays at receiver and make this a decent offense?  On the other side of the ball, this unit will be decent to good if stud DE’s Jammie Kirlew (First-team Big Ten in ’08) and Greg Middleton can force opposing QB’s into making mistakes.  Do the Hoosiers have playmakers to take advantage if the bookends can put constant pressure on signal-callers?  Converted receiver Fisher could be key here.

11. PURDUE-Corners Brandon King and David Pender combined to break up 21 passes last season.  DE Ryan Kerrigan returns after 7 sacks in his sophomore campaign.  The Boilermakers return 4 from a poor offensive line, and lose all starting skill position players on offense except WR Keith Smith (49 rec, 486 yd).  Expect some Freshmen to get playing time and Freshman Head Coach Danny Hope to go through some major growing pains this year.  Miami transfer QB Robert Mavre has to sit out this season.  He will lead the Boilers out of the cellar in 2010, but don’t expect much from this squad in ’09.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

DeVier Posey.  Unless you’re an Ohio State fan, you probably don’t know this name.  I believe that in order for the Buckeyes to win another conference title and compete for a National Championship, this sophomore receiver must become a household name by years' end.  OSU lost running back Beanie Wells (1197 rush yards in only 10 games) and their top two receivers in Brian’s Hartline and Robiskie.  Dual-threat sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2008 Big Ten Freshman Player of the Year) will be the focal point for opposing defenses all season long.  He needs a go-to target.  Top returning receiver Dane Sanzenbacher (21 catches, 272 yards) and dynamic yet inconsistent (not to mention currently suspended) receiver Ray Small simply don’t fit the bill.  Coming out of high school, Posey was one of the top five receivers in his class.  The other four?  Alabama’s Julio Jones, Georgia’s A.J. Green, Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, and Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd. These guys all came in and produced as freshmen. In order for the Buckeyes to run the table in the conference and have a shot at taking down the USC Trojans on September 12, Posey needs to step up and play to his potential.

Martez Wilson.  The lllinois defensive playmaker is making the transition from outside to middle linebacker for the 2009 season.  Wilson is the best athlete on the Fighting Illini defense.  Nobody is expecting this defense to pitch many shutouts this year.  However, if U of I is going to be a top-tier team, the defense will need to make some stops and force some turnovers.  Only two of the front seven return from Illinois’ 2008 starting defense (DT Josh Brent, 34 tackles, 7 TFL is the other).  This team has the firepower on offense to put up points and make opposing defenses cry.  If the Illini are going to be relevant come November, Wilson needs to play like the potential All-American he is.  This team will be tested early, facing Missouri, Ohio State (in Columbus), Penn State, and Michigan State within their first five games.  Wilson and the Illini need to improve on last years rush defense (gave up over 175 rush yards four times last year , including 176 to EASTERN ILLINOIS) or they could stumble to a 1-4 start.

Ricky Stanzi.  Iowa quarterback.  Many analysts like to point out his 134.8 pass efficiency rating last year.  They talk about the junior signal caller’s potential being through the roof.  You need to know about this guy because he leads a team that can contend for a Big Ten title.  Ranked #21 in the preseason AP poll, this year’s Hawkeye team returns eight starters from one of the nations best defenses (13 ppg against).  The defense should give them an opportunity to win every game despite a tough road schedule, playing away against in-state rival Iowa State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State.  Though the defense looks to be consistent in their transition from ’08 to ’09, the offense needs to plug a gaping hole. 

Consensus All-American and Doak Walker Award winner, running back Shonn Greene rushed for 1,850 yards and 20 TDs last year.  Greene won’t be in the backfield this season.  The loss of Greene puts a whole lot of pressure on the right arm of Ricky Stanzi.  Last year, as a sophomore QB, he was an effective game manager (1956 passing yards, 14 TDs).  In ’09, that won’t be enough. If Iowa is to contend for a Big Ten crown or a spot in a major bowl, Stanzi must evolve into a playmaker.  Jewel Hampton and Paki O’Meara will do a workmanlike job filling Greene’s award-winning shoes in the ground game.  However, the success of the 2009 Iowa Hawkeye campaign will depend on how well Stanzi adjusts to his role as leader.  Many experts have Ricky Stanzi slated for a breakout year.   Personally, I don’t think he has what it takes to push the Hawkeyes into a top-three conference finish.  Regardless of my opinion, the Hawkeyes will go only as far as their QB takes them.

The Midwest is alive and well

 

How do you think the Big 10 will turn out this year? Share your thoughts below!