NCAA Endzone

National Signing Day went mainly as expected. As predicted in the last post, Notre Dame dropped after a weak last week of signings, and underdogs like Clemson climbed the charts.

The Tigers did so mainly on the back of the signing of DE DeQuan Bowers, by most considered the top defensive player coming out of high school (Gaines Adams, ver. 2?).

Maybe the biggest surprise from N.S.D was that the top recruit, QB Terrelle Pryor from Pennsylvania, decided to wait it out, not deciding on a school. His current list includes Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Oregon, and Pittsburgh.

Southern Miss, despite going through a coaching change, nearly pulled in a top 20 class, landing just outside, but far and away the top mid-major team. They even managed to get a 5-star receiver to stay in state, and not go to the SEC; the first ever to sign a letter with the Golden Eagles.

Teams who had down years still managed to pull in good classes with solid recruiting. The previously mentioned Fighting Irish only had 3 wins, but pulled in a top 5 class. Minnesota, with only 1 win and none in the Big Ten, put together a terrific class, even though the top talent in the state went elsewhere.

As far as Rivals is concerned, the Alabama Crimson Tide had the best class of 2008. Pulling an absolutely huge class of 36 people (1/3 of their upcoming roster), they kept the local talent at home and still managed to get other SEC players to commit. Nick Saban, a great recruiter, made his prescience felt in his first full season in the southeast.

It seems like the college football season just ended, while the Super Bowl gets set to wrap up the year all together, though everyone is already thinking ahead to next season. Studs have declared, recruits are being brought in, and National Signing Day is within a week away. However, most recruits know where they are headed to play ball next year. With that said, let’s take a look at the recruiting trail so far…

Notre Dame leads the way so far this off-season with the best recruiting class out there. Even after having one of the worst seasons in team history, he has still managed to pull in 22 excellent recruits. That said, it looks like their recruiting is done, meaning several other teams will add talent in these last few days. Expect the Fighting Irish to fall from the top spot.

Coach Nick Saban and Alabama dominated in state, pulling in practically every prospect worthwhile, while also doing a nice job out-of-state. 26 already locked in, with several more big names still in the loop. Maybe the most exciting is T.J. Bryant, who is also considering top recruiters Florida, along with Alabama, among others.

Want a real shocker? Pittsburgh has managed to pull together the number 21 class. Lead by recruiting extraordinar Dave Wanstead, the Panthers landed 5-star wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin and on the defensive side of the ball studs like Shayne Hale.

The overall order of the recruiting results will certainly be decided in this final week, though the rough order for now is Notre Dame, Alabama, followed by Florida. Looks for teams like Georgia and Florida State to make a late surge.

Another season, another boring championship game, another Ohio State loss. With four of the five BCS being complete blowouts, people are questioning the BCS system even more than before. Other than the Kansas, Virginia Tech game, none have been within 14 points (38-24 LSU), and that was 31-10 well into the third quarter.

It was easy to debate either team’s entry into the championship game, but the Buckeyes were typically hurt by their schedule, though people had no real reason to believe they couldn’t compete, despite being the only championship team to never have beaten a Top 20 opponent. The Tigers meanwhile, were the first team to get in with 2 losses, obviously also being the first to win it with two.

In other games, West Virginia blew out an extremely hot Oklahoma team, USC destroyed the Illini, Georgia came out with a 31 point win against the previously undefeated Hawaii, and even Missouri easily beat Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, making a playoff almost obvious.

Well, to everyone but athletic directors.

Matt Flynn was nearly perfect in this game, throwing for 174 yards and 4 scores, two to Richard Dickson. The Buckeyes actually out gained the Tigers, but 3rd down efficiency was an important stat, OSU going only 3-13, while LSU was 11-18. And of course, the Tigers won the turnover battle.

Jacob Hester did well in his swan song, running for 84 yards and a touchdown, while on the other side of the ball, sophomore Chris Wells ran for 146 yards and the first score of the game, a 65 yard rumble.

Kansas capped off the program’s far and away best football season, finishing at 12-1 including a 24-21 victory against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. It was the most wins in school history and also the first major bowl game since 1969. After an interception return for a touchdown by All-Big 12 CB Aqib Talib that made the score 7-0, a 32-yard field goal followed by a 13 yard touchdown pass by Todd Ressing, the Jayhawks lead 17-0 late into the second. A touchdown run by Brandon Ore cut it to 17-7 before halftime, and some trickery on a punt return made it 17-14. Another Kansas interception set-up a touchdown run by Ressing, though a touchdown with about three minutes left cut the score to 24-21. After recovering the onside kick, Kansas ran out the clock.

The loss dropped Tech to 11-3, ending an emotional season that was started with the horrible massacre on campus, killing several students and professors. Players commented on the “emotional ride� finally coming to an end. It was the Hokies fourth straight BCS game loss, after coming into the game number 3 in the nation.

Tomorrow night is the national championship between LSU and Ohio State, which will end the bowl season, and maybe the biggest debate in the game is whether or not to consider this a home game for LSU, playing in state. Of course, in the end, it is a neutral site, meaning if the Tigers come out on top, the Buckeyes should avoid taking the easy way out, blaming the fans. A better showing than last time would be nice…

USC kicked off the BCS games with a 49-17 whooping of Illinois in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans were lead by John David Booty is in his final game, as he threw for 255 yards and three scores. The win said a lot about the USC program, after many were questioning whether it was beginning to slide after an unheard of two conference losses, including the infamous loss to 44-point underdog Stanford. Illinois returned to the BCS for the first time since 2001, when it went to the Sugar Bowl. Hopes are high next year for the Illini as Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn both return, while star HB Rashard Mendenhall is a junior, though some believe he will declare. Ron Zook certainly has the program on great heights.

The second game was only a point closer, as Georgia routed Hawaii, 41-10. After their first drive got them a field goal, Hawaii was unable to put points on the board again till the 4th quarter. Georgia, meanwhile, was scoring at will, jumping out to a 24-3 lead at half and a 38-3 at the end of the third. The Bulldogs weren’t exactly as dominate as you would expect someone who scores 41 points to be, as they managed to only out gain the Warriors by 28 yards. The big stat was turnovers, 6 to 1. Knowshon Moreno, the freshman running back, hurried for 61 yards and a pair of scores.

WVU shocked most of the college football world with their 48-28 win against the Sooners of Oklahoma. Pat White had 326 yards of total offense and two touchdowns to lead the way for the Mountaineers, but made maybe his biggest play after the game, supporting then-interim coach Bill Stewart to be hired full-time. The fans, and apparently the athletic department, seemed to agree.

Stewart was signed to a 5-year contract immediately following the victory, replacing Rich Rodriguez, who left for Michigan. Stewart went on to say that it was the longest job interview ever.

Today the big games begin. Two of the five BCS matches take place today, the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. However, let’s recap the last day of 2007 and the six games that took place…

California finally got back on the winning track after dropping six of seven, beating Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. The Falcons jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but lost in when suspended players DeSean Jackson and Robert Jordan finally got their chance, each putting up a score. Freshman QB Kevin Riley had 4 total touchdowns, snapping the Mountain West’s undefeated bowl run.

Fresno State rolled through the coach-transitioning Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. HB Clifton Smith rushed for 152 yards and a pair of scores to lead the way for the Bulldogs. The loss by coach Jon Tenuta made interim coaches 0-4 this bowl season.

Oregon completely dominated the Bulls of South Florida man-handling them 56 – 21 in the Sun Bowl. Jonathan Stewart rumbled for a record 253 yards while QB Justin Roper threw for 180 and 4 scores. USF had been home to one of the nations best run-defenses, but allowed 353 yards on the ground in the loss.

Andre Woodson set an SEC record with 40 touchdown passes while also giving Kentucky a 35-28 victory over Florida State in the Music City Bowl. Woodson had 358 yards and four touchdowns, while Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden was handed his first December bowl loss of his long and lustrous career.

Indiana will have to settle for a moral victory. After reaching the post-season for the first time since 1993, the Hoosiers were controlled by the high-octane offense of Oklahoma State and eventually beaten 49-33. Sophomore QB Zac Robinson had 372 yards of total offense along with 5 touchdowns. The Cowboys jumped to a 35-10 halftime lead and coasted to victory in the Insight Bowl.

In the final game of the day, and most exciting, the Tigers of Auburn defeated the Tigers of Clemson 23-20 in overtime after freshman QB Kodi Burns scored his second touchdown of the day from 7 yards out. Burns lead the team in rushing with 69 yards while also throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass in the third.

Will Notre Dame find their way into a bowl game next season?

Six bowls in the past two days. Seven in the next two (though only one today; Alabama versus Colorado). Yea, the bowl season is in full swing.

Matt Ryan and Boston College were able to hold off a pesky Michigan State team in the Champs Sports Bowl, 24-21. Ryan picked apart the Sparty defense with 249 yards and 3 touchdowns. The win gave BC 11 for the year, the best since 1940. It also gave them their 8th straight bowl win, the longest streak in the nation.

In the Texas Bowl, a pair of mid-majors faced off in the form of Texas Christian and Houston. After an even first three quarters and a 10-10 tie, the Horned Frogs took control with 10 straight points, though the Cougars were able to tack on a late field goal. QB Andy Dalton controlled the game nicely for TCU, completing 70% of his passes and running in a touchdown.

Yvenson Bernard came back in style, running all over the Maryland defense for 177 yards and score. Even though the Terrapins were able to get the first score of the game and a 14-7 lead at the end of the first, they were shut out the rest of the game, with the final being 21-14. James Rodgers for the Beavers had 155 total offensive yards along with two touchdowns including a fumble recovery in the end zone.

After a 10-0 Uconn lead at halftime, Wake Forest came out on fire in the 2nd half with 24 unanswered to get the win, 24-10 in the Meineke Bowl. The Huskies managed only 213 yards of offense, while the Demon Deacons had 412, including a 29-38 passing day from Riley Skinner, along with 268 yards and a touchdown.

Mississippi State shut down All-American Kevin Smith just enough to hold the UCF Knights to only three points offensively, while a 4th quarter touchdown run by Andre Dixon gave the Bulldogs a 10-3 lead and the victory. Smith ran for 119 yards, falling well short (61) of Barry Sanders and the record. The two teams combined for 418 yards of offense and was the lowest scoring game since 1976.

Joe Pa picked up win number 500 as Penn State beat Texas A&M 24-17 in the Alamo Bowl. It was a game of runs, as the Aggies dropped 14 on the Nittany Lions in the first, while State put 17 on A&M in the second. On a 4th and goal call from Penn State’s two-yard line, Stephen McGee slipped up, turning both the ball and game over. The win gave Joe 23 post-season victories and put him one behind Bobby Bowden for most all-time wins.

What a Holiday Bowl…

It began with a very bizarre play where a Texas coach touched a live ball, resulting in an unsportsman-like conduct penalty and costing the Longhorns a big turnover.

Of course, what looked like at first a good game brewing, turned into a blowout, as the Longhorns back-up offense just made the score 45-20, putting a cap on this one.

The Longhorns are sending it back at Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter, after he criticized Texas’ defense during media days. A “Rudy� chant has out broke throughout the Longhorns’ sideline and now Carpenter has been pulled in favor of another backup.

While this game was close at times, it has been basically dominated in all aspects by Texas all game long. The Sun Devils offense got going some in the 2nd half, but the defense was too overmatched to keep them in this game. Colt McCoy picked them apart, and the man-to-man defense was killed by his running ability, as he even scrambled for a touchdown and another where he was tackled at the 2 and fumbled into the end zone, resulting in a Texas touchdown.

Dennis Erickson has done a great job at Arizona State and for the 2nd straight year led a previously under-achieving team to a very successful season (Idaho). The key to the success of next season will be Rudy Carpenter and how well he shakes off this game. McCoy will likely return, though Jamal Charles isn’t guaranteed, meaning the Longhorns will be in good shape, and will challenge for a Big 12 title.

Looking ahead to the Capital One Bowl….

The bowl season is in full tilt, and here is a quick recap of the happenings so far…

Utah opened the bowls with a 35-32 victory over Navy. After a scoreless first quarter, the offenses came alive, combining for 50 points in the 2nd half. Brian Johnson led the way for the Utes with 226 yards passing and 2 touchdowns.

Howard Schnellenberger’s Owls of Florida Atlantic made their first bowl appearance in school history count as they exploded offensively on Memphis, winning 44-27. Led by QB Rusty Smith, the Owls went for 336 through the air, along with Smith’s 5 touchdowns and a strong second-half defense that held the Tigers to 7 points.

Cincinnati increased the Big East bowl win total to six over the past two seasons with its 31-21 victory over Southern Miss, who is involved in a coaching change. Ben Mauk threw for 334 yards in the relatively easy win.

The New Mexico Lobos shutout the Wolfpack of Nevada in their own bowl, 23-0. It gave them their first bowl win since 1961, a 46-year losing streak. It also made them 1-1 in the New Mexico Bowl, losing last season in the inaugural game.

In the most exciting game of the post-season so far, BYU took down struggling UCLA 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl, but needed a blocked 28-yard field goal at the end of regulation to due so. The Cougars, back-to-back MWC Champions (16-0 in the past 2 seasons), had a great day from receiver Austin Collie, with 107 yards and a touchdown.

After the Boise State, East Carolina game (currently 38-24 ECU), there is a four-day break before Purdue and Central Michigan take the field. Maybe the best match-up this month is Arizona State and Texas in the Holiday Bowl this Thursday.

Kevin Smith, the junior star running back at the University of Central Florida, has decided he will return for his senior season.

After discussing it with both his coaches and the NFL board, he felt it was best to return and get his degree, along with many awards and accolades.

Oh, and don’t confuse him with the Kevin Smith famous for his “Jay and Silent Bob� films. This Smith is making a name for himself.

Already an All-American, one of the biggest records for a running back sets in his sights. He is 180 yards short of Oklahoma State-great Barry Sanders’ all-time single season rushing record, one he set in 11 games.

However, due to a recent statistical addition by the NCAA, bowl game stats are added to season totals, giving Smith a total of 14 games; 12 regular season, the conference championship, and the Liberty Bowl versus Mississippi State.

Certainly debatable, Smith’s record would stand should he get the necessary yardage versus a stingy-SEC defense led by defensive end Titus Brown. Sylvester Croom’s Bulldogs improved drastically this season, enough to make their first bowl in seven years.

With this announcement, UCF is already figured to be the top pick for champions in 2008 in Conference USA, though they lose senior QB Kyle Israel.

Mississippi State on the other hand is a very up-and-coming program, getting their first winning season since 2000. Croom was the first African-American head coach in the SEC when he signed three seasons ago, and the cowbells signal that that decision has paid off.

Wondering what WVU’s plan for the future is at head coach?? Here it is…

The first game of the bowl season is almost here…

The Utah Utes at 8-4 will be facing the Midshipmen of Navy, also at 8-4. Not exactly the biggest match-up in the world, but a solid game for the Poinsettia Bowl, which has been Navy’s bowl home several years running.

The big news in this game is that it will be the first game in seven years where the Midshipmen will not be coached by Paul Johnson, who accepted the Georgia Tech head-coaching job.

The big name will be Utah senior QB Brian Johnson. The dual-threat will have one of the worst defenses in the country to pick apart, allowing almost 440 yards per game. The rare 3-4 scheme will need to put pressure on Johnson in order to force him to make quick decisions and not allow him time to work against a much less talented defense that works on hard play and determination.

On the other side of the ball, Reggie Campbell, one the Navy’s most prolific running backs of all time, will need to show his senior leadership and talent against the stingy Utah defense. The triple-option will new to Utah, since the Air Force went away from it this season.

While this is a very even match-up, especially considering how hard the Naval Academy always plays, but without having their head coach of 6 years should be enough to send the more talented Utes into the winners circle. Kick-off is this Thursday, the 20th, 9 PM, and can be seen on ESPN.

More coaching news in college football; read up here!

Following up on my previous story, West Virginia’s head coach Rich Rodriguez will be leaving the program to take the same job at Michigan. The Wolverines assistant athletic director confirmed the reports today that “Coach Rod� would become Michigan’s 17th different head coach.

The pricey 4 million dollar buyout should leave the Mountaineers with plenty of resources to find their next coach. No early candidates have been announced.

Reports say that the players weren’t particularly shocked but were still disappointed. Even possible future players like top recruit Terrelle Pryor said that he might consider Michigan now that Rodriguez is headed there. Previously, it was believed that WVU was the front-runner for the quarterback from Pennsylvania.

While Lloyd Carr will coach Michigan in the Capital One Bowl, there is no word as to Rodriguez’s plans with the Fiesta Bowl and the ‘Neers.

If Coach Rod does accept the job, it would end the drama of the Michigan job. After first targeting Les Miles, even with a report on ESPN saying he was the next head coach then having a press conference to say he was staying at Louisiana State, followed by the attempt of Greg Schiano, Rutgers head coach. He also said he was no longer in the running.

Two other head coaching positions remain available, along with any that may occur after bowl games. Southern Methodist (SMU) and University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) both remain without head coaches.

Though little known, Rodriguez does have ties to the Michigan program. His head coach was Don Nehlen, who was previously with Michigan under the famous Bo Schemebchler.

The big news in my neck of the woods is whether or not West Virginia University head coach Rich Rodriguez will be leaving the school for Michigan.

He reportedly meet with both the U of M athletic director and president in Toledo, Ohio yesterday morning, though “Coach Rod� refused to comment.

Rodriguez has spent 7 seasons as head coach of the Mountaineers, compiling a 60-26 record including 4 Big East championships. At the same time, he has turned WVU into a national powerhouse.

The whole deal will be tough to pull off after last year’s scare. Reports were made that Rich was in talks with Alabama about their head coaching vacancy, but then later told he planned on staying at WVU. They responded by putting a 4 million dollar buyout on his contract.

While conference rival-head coach Greg Schiano of Rutgers already turned down the job, along with Les Miles of LSU, Rodriguez is playing the quiet game, not commenting at all, giving fans little reassurance.

West Virginia must be getting tired of Michigan…

First, they steal beloved basketball head coach John Beilein, and now attempt to take the most popular man in the state.

The Mountaineers finished the season at 10-2, losing to rival Pittsburgh in the last game of the season to remove any national championship hopes. They still, however, won the Big East and will play Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in 2008. It’s the ‘Neers second BCS trip in three season, the other year being a victory in the Gator Bowl.

Remember when Appalachian State blocked that field goal, stormed the field, and pulled off the biggest upset in college football history by beating Michigan?

Wow, that was a while ago…

Last night, the Mountaineers did something neither Michigan nor anyone can say in Football Bowl Subdivision, and that is win a championship.

In fact, they did something no one in Division 1 can ever say, and that is win 3 championships in a row. The three-peat is only the 5th all-time in college football, with four other teams doing it D-2 and D-3.

The ‘Neers scored the first three touchdowns of the game, going up 21-0, and never trailed to Delaware, who came in ranked 14th at 11-3, with the final being 49 to 21. It was the biggest margin of victory of their three championships.

QB Armanti Edwards had a terrific game both through the air and on the ground, with three total touchdowns. HB Kevin Richardson ran for 122 yards and scored his 9th touchdown in championship games.

The win gave Appalachian State their 12th straight playoff win and their 13th win of this season.

When asked if the Michigan win was more important of more significant, Edwards responded so cleverly, “Michigan didn’t put a ring on our finger.”

Of course, Edwards is only a sophomore, meaning he has two more seasons to get the Mountaineers championships number 4 and 5. Of course, he could always declare after next year’s season.

“I can’t tell you how much relief there is in being a three-peat,” Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore said. “It is over.”

Or is it?

Read up about the Mitchell Report and major leagues baseball here.

The Sun Belt just got bigger.

Well, sort of.

In the year 2013, the University of South Alabama Jaguars will join the Sun Belt conference, expanding it to 10 teams.

Of course, USA doesn’t have a team yet…

They plan to start football in ’09, and making the full transition to Division 1-A (FBS nowadays) by ’13. This will also give the state of Alabama five 1A teams, making the recruiting even tighter in the state.

The biggest affect you will see from this move is on the two non-BCS schools, Troy and University of Alabama – Birmingham. If UAB wasn’t having enough trouble, they now have another big-time school to steal away all the 1 and 2-stars away from them.

Troy is an upstart program making a name for themselves in the Sun Belt as well, and has even produced a first round pick in the now-Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Ware.

Sadly, it may hurt them more than it helps USA. If they do managed to last more than two years, the program will need at least six or seven years before it challenges for a championship, even just in the lowly Sun Belt.

One thing they do have going for them is a good stadium for such a small program. The stadium in which they will be playing is the same where the Senior Bowl and GMAC Bowl is held every year, holding 40,000 fans.

Of course, this isn’t the first time USA has attempted to field a football team. In 2005, they even began selling tickets before canceling the season. However, this could finally be the season where the Jaguars finally start coming together.

The big news in football altogether : Petrino bails on Falcons and heads to Arkansas. Read here.