NCAA Endzone

Flashback to Saturday morning…

Missouri, at 11-1, is sitting very well at #1 in the country, fresh of beating rival Kansas (previously unbeaten), and one game away from a National Championship game…

Now today… One loss to a BCS-bound Oklahoma team and suddenly they are out millions of dollars, and are headed to the Cotton Bowl. Meanwhile, Kansas does nothing and finds their way into the BCS, along with a 3-loss Illinois.

The Orange Bowl may have their choice as to what team they take (they choose Kansas over Mizzou), but at some point Missouri, #6 in the BCS, had to find their way into one of the big 5, right?

Wrong.As I predicted.

Illinois snuck in to the Rose Bowl to face USC, at #13 with three losses from a weak Big 10. Hawaii (needed OT to surpass the mighty Spartans of San Jose), Georgia (didn’t make it to the SEC Championship game), and of course, Kansas, all found their way into a BCS game.

At the same time, the BCS still believes their system is great. They typically use the idea of “the season is a playoff�? in defense to their bowls. However, if this is the case, why isn’t Hawaii playing in the championship? Or even better, how is Kansas and Illinois in a better game than Missouri, even though the Tigers beat both.

Instead, we get to see the slaughtering of Juice and the Illini, Kansas’ extremely unimpressive team, and the Buckeyes get into the championship by not having a conference championship and finishing early.

Predictions, anyone?

Rose – USC, 42 – 21
Sugar – Georgia, 28 – 24
Fiesta – Oklahoma, 45 – 38
Orange – Virginia Tech, 21 – 10
BCS Championship – LSU, 35 - 21

Who didn’t see this coming?

In what is undoubtedly the craziest, most unpredictable season in college football history, did anyone really think it would end so simply? That Missouri would have a storybook ending, taking out the only team to beat them this season and at the same time locking up the Heisman for QB Chase Daniel? Or that West Virginia would steamroll their rival in a game where they were four touchdown favorites?

Well it didn’t.

Missouri was outplayed and out coached by Bob Stoops and the Sooners, likely dropping from the title game down to the Cotton Bowl. West Virginia had luckily wrapped up its BCS game; though there is no doubt they won’t be playing in the one they wanted to.

While their doors were shut, many opened. Teams like the Sooners, USC, and Virginia Tech, teams who won their conference championship game, took a giant leap forward in their pursuit of the championship. They all locked up BCS games, but each made a case for getting into the big game.

USC’s recent surge has given people reason to believe they are contenders, but the loss at home against Stanford is a killer. Pete Carroll will never admit this, but if not for a certain ACL tearing; they wouldn’t even be in the Rose Bowl.

Tech looked good against Boston College, but a 41-point loss earlier in the season to LSU looks bad. Really bad considering LSU is also trying to find their way back into title talk.

And how can they not be? Their only losses are in a total of 6 overtimes, versus quality opponents. Of course, they have loss twice, something teams like Kansas and Ohio State have going for them.

Ohio State is likely in by default. They haven’t played in two weeks but managed to jump five spots in the polls during that time. It will most likely be seven by night’s end.

Kansas and Georgia are in a tough position. While Kansas has only one loss and Georgia is the #4 team, meaning they should jump into the championship, they didn’t play this weekend and in reality finished 3rd in each of their conferences.

Which brings us to Oklahoma. Rumor is that they may have done enough yesterday to jump in the voters’ polls to #2. Unfortunately, that’s only 2/3 of the BCS rankings. The computers currently have the Sooners behind Virginia Tech, who with enough votes from humans could find their way in with an all-around feel good story.

So with all these crossing storylines and general muddiness of the BCS, who will come out on top?

No one can say for sure, but Ohio State seems to be a lock (let’s try to avoid a repeat performance).

As for the other team, everything is up for grabs. LSU may be the most deserving, while Oklahoma showed the most yesterday. USC is the hot team, and the computers love Virginia Tech. It seems like Georgia should slide in if the polls hold up, while Kansas is the only other one-loss team around.

Playoffs anyone?

Read up on my favorite baseball team’s recent signing here!

Due to the Independence Day holiday, there was squat going on in the college football world. But I’ve got a little gift for you anyway.

When it comes to football, I’m not much of a statistics person myself. They’re just numbers to me. I am more of an intuitive football fan. My eyes see what they see, and that’s how I judge a player’s worth.

I recognize that numbers DO mean something to some people. So for those of you who do go by the numbers, I offer you this quarterback passer rating calculator. You can plug in your own stats, then click on NFL, NCAA or AFL and get your quarterback’s passer rating. It’s a neat idea that will surely keep some of you amused for a while. Let me know if it works!

NCAA, college, football, NFL, AFL, quarterback, passer, rating

Rivals.com had an interesting story about Colorado coach Dan Hawkins and his quarterback son Cody, who went 41-0 in his high school football career.

Cody, who was redshirted during Colorado’s 2-10 season in 2006, will be in a three-way competition for the starting quarterback position.

If he wins it, there will undoubtedly be some who think he got it because he’s the head coach’s son and a few of them will probably be tactless enough to say something to that effect. Others will be more fair than that.

There is pressure in college football, especially at the quarterback position, and one would think that playing on your dad’s team would add to that. To Cody’s credit, he seems to be looking forward to that overcoming that pressure.

The coach is under significant pressure as well. Having one’s son on the team certainly changes the dynamics, making the spotlight a little hotter. If your son gets seriously hurt, you’re right there when it happens and a decision will have to be made. Do you go to be with your son, or do you continue coaching? That’s not a decision I’d want to have to make, but it’s something you’d have to be prepared for. You’d also have to be prepared for the calls of favoritism that may or may not be true.

Hopefully both father and son have prepared themselves for the pressure and the pitfalls that come with being family in the college football environment. If they can handle it, more power to them.

NCAA, college, football, Colorado, Dan, Cody, Hawkins

Hi everyone! My name is Michele Hriciso and I’m the new writer for NCAA Endzone. I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and tell everyone a little bit about me.

I’m probably an atypical football writer, being that I’m female and I didn’t become a true fan of the sport until the 2006 season. I’ve been writing for most of my life, though, and I have had some interesting career experiences. I also have two other successful football blogs - one on the Jacksonville Jaguars and the other on the National Football League - and I’m a moderator at a rapidly growing football message board.

I thank you in advance for your loyal readership, and I hope you will have as much to say about football as I do.

This site is currently in need of a writer. If you have any interest in writing on the topic this site covers, feel free to submit an application at 451 Press. Thank you.

451 Press, NCAA Football, Writers Needed

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

April 16, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.

To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.

The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:

• Grief counseling
• Memorials
• Communication expenses
• Comfort expenses
• Incidental needs

If you plan to give, please click the link below:

Ohio State (12-0) vs. Florida (12-1)

The Buckeyes finished the 2006 regular season as the clear-cut No. 1 team in the country and can earn a second national title under Jim Tressel with one more victory.

QB Troy Smith has been far and away the best player in college football this season. He can still beat you with his feet but Smith has done most of his damage via the air to his outstanding corps of receivers, which includes speedy Ted Ginn Jr., always reliable Anthony Gonzalez, tall, blossoming sophomore Brian Robiskie and hybrid WR/TE Roy Hall.

Tressel still likes to keep the offense balanced, which is easy to do with RBs Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells on the roster. Pittman isn’t flashy but he’s a tough north-south runner. Wells, on the other hand, is an emerging star with better size and straight-line speed.

The Buckeyes defied odds by improving on defense in 2006 despite replacing nine starters – six of whom were NFL draft picks – from last season’s outstanding unit. DT Quinn Pitcock sets the tone up front, while James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman have developed into big-time playmakers as first-year starters. It also helps to have a cornerback in Malcolm Jenkins who can take away one-third of the field in man-to-man coverage – and he’s just a sophomore.

Urban Meyer is an offensive coach but Florida is playing in the BCS national championship thanks to the strength of its defense. Despite DT Marcus Thomas being kicked off the team, the Gators are loaded along the defensive front seven. Ray McDonald moved inside to fill Thomas’ vacated spot and has become a disruptive force.

Meanwhile, DEs Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey continue bring the heat off the edges, and there aren’t many linebacker tandems better than MLB Brandon Siler and WLB Earl Everett. The Gators lack ideal depth at cornerback but Ryan Smith has eight interceptions at one cornerback spot and Reggie Nelson has six picks at safety.

The Gators’ spread attack on offense can put pressure on opposing defensive secondaries, especially considering the wealth of talent at wide receiver with Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell, Percy Harvin and Jemalle Cornelius. However, their run game is far from overwhelming. The extra time off could help heal nicked starting RB DeShawn Wynn, but the Gators can’t count on the inconsistent senior.

Finally, the biggest X factor with Florida is its quarterback position. While senior Chris Leak has great career passing numbers and has experienced several shining moments this fall, he also has a history of forcing throws under pressure. True freshman Tim Tebow continues to find success as a running quarterback who will replace Leak on five to 10 short-yardage and goal-line occasions throughout the course of a game.

Prediction: Ohio State has seen only one defense as talented as Florida, and the Buckeyes riddled Michigan for 42 points. The Gators’ pass-rush lost some of its bite when coach Urban Meyer threw Marcus Thomas off the team but the Gators still finished the season allowing only 13.5 points per game. Florida’s offense is unusual in that the best playmakers – Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell, Jemalle Cornelius and freshman Percy Harvin – are on the perimeter. That’s a nice way of saying that the Gators don’t have a dangerous running game. The Buckeyes’ defense is balanced and talented from line to safety. In the end, Smith and company haven’t been slowed down all year and won’t be in this game either. Ohio State wins 30-14.

Florida State (6-6) vs. UCLA (7-5)

Florida State ranks among the most disappointing teams in college football this season. Coach Bobby Bowden will be coaching for the last time with his son, offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, who is stepping down after his unit failed to meet expectations once again in 2006.

The Seminoles can’t seem to find at fit at quarterback, so expect to see pocket passer Drew Weatherford and erratic dual-threat Xavier Lee at the helm. There is talent at wide receiver with De’Cody Fagg, Chris Davis and Greg Carr, but getting them the ball consistently continues to be a problem. The offensive line and running game as been lackluster all season.

Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews has done an impressive job with a young corps of talent, including freshman safety Myron Rolle. DT Andre Fluellen is a stud in the middle of the Seminoles’ defense and the linebacker tandem of MLB Buster Davis and SLB Lawrence Timmons ranks among the nation’s elite. This battered unit will benefit from extra time to rest before the bowl game.

Coach Karl Dorrell and his staff will need the extra time off to refocus their team after the improbable upset over crosstown rival USC.

QB Patrick Cowan has developed into a serviceable starter with adequate passing skills and above average mobility. However, the Bruins are far more effective running the ball than they are putting it in the air. RB Chris Markey displays good vision, quickness and toughness as the primary carrier. He is averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season.

The real story for the Bruins is on defense, where first-year coordinator DeWayne Walker has engineered a remarkable turnaround. DEs Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis consistently wreak havoc on the perimeter with 25 combined sacks on the season. SS Chris Horton and MLB Christian Taylor are high-motor defenders who headline the nation’s 12th-ranked run defense.

Prediction: UCLA has only three senior starters and a newfound swagger. A good bowl performance for the Bruins will serve as a springboard for what will be one of the most experienced teams in the nation in 2007. The Seminoles have no reason to play well except being able to look at themselves in the mirror for eight months. UCLA wins 24-20.

Middle Tennessee (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (9-4)

Central Michigan took home the MAC championship this year and the play of QB Dan LeFevour played a big part in its success.

LeFevour, a freshman, threw for 2,869 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Freshman Bryan Anderson was one of five Chippewas receivers who caught five touchdowns or more. No Division I-A team averages less time of possession per game than the Chippewas, so the defense has had to stay on the field for long periods of time. Keeping that in mind, it’s somewhat surprising Central Michigan has been so tough against the run.

With head coach Brian Kelly taking the Cincinnati job, there will be some uncertainty surrounding Central Michigan.

Rick Stockstill did a remarkable job righting the ship as Middle Tennessee’s first-year head coach this fall. The Blue Raiders rank among the nation’s worst in passing offense but they won the Sun Belt by running the football and playing sound defense.

RB Eugene Gross is the leading rusher with 845 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, the Blue Raiders are undersized in their 4-3 scheme but they get great pass-rush pressure from DE Erik Walden and LB J.K. Sabb is a playmaker with 14½ tackles for loss, 14 sacks and 67 tackles.

Prediction: Central Michigan played tough against Boston College, Kentucky and Michigan and ran through the MAC with ease. Middle Tennessee doesn’t play anywhere near the same schedule as the Chippewas and that should be the difference in the game. With the contest played in Detroit, this is pratically a home game for Central Michigan. The Chippewas win 34-17.

NCAA Endzone Bowl Record: 5-2

Hawaii (10-2) vs. Arizona State (7-5)

When you think of Hawaii, you think of palm trees, sunshine an Colt Brennan. The Warrior QB has had a record setting year in coach June Jones and his run and shoot scheme.

But Brennan (4,990 yards passing, 53 TDs) is not just another product of coach June Jones’ high-flying passing attack. Brennan shows good arm strength, timing, touch and poise as a passer, which allows him to efficiently distribute the ball to his vast array of potent wide outs, including Davone Bess (91-1,115-14), Jason Rivers and Ross Dickerson.

Running back Nate Ilaoa (113-893-13) provides some balance on the ground, but he’s one of the premier pass-catching running backs in the nation with 57 receptions on the season. With one more touchdown pass, Brennan will tie the national record set by Houston QB David Klingler in 1990.

Hawaii will never be mistaken for a defensive juggernaut, but Jerry Glanville has worked magic in his second year as coordinator. Defensive end Melila Purcell provides pressure off the edge, inside linebacker Adam Leonard is the top run-stopper and defensive back Gerard Lewis is a hawk when the ball is in the air.

The Rudy Carpenter-Sam Keller saga was an ominous beginning to what proved to be a disappointing 2006 season for Dirk Koetter and the Sun Devils. Koetter was fired two days after his team defeated rival Arizona 28-14 to clinch a third consecutive postseason berth. The Hawaii Bowl will be his last game pacing the sidelines as Arizona State’s head coach.

Ironically, the typically high-flying Sun Devil offense was more effective running the football this season. Powerful Ryan Torain (205-1,069-6) and speedy Keegan Herring make up a fine complementary rushing tandem behind an experienced offensive line.

The Sun Devil defense is improved from a year ago, but it still ranks 69th nationally with 23.5 points surrendered per outing. Defensive end Dexter Davis and outside linebacker Derron Ware are the unit’s top pass rushers and they must provide great pressure versus Hawaii’s pass-crazy offensive scheme.

Prediction: This is a bowl game only because it’s played on Christmas Eve. In every other way, it’s a Hawaii home game, and the Rainbow Warriors went 7-1 at home. Arizona State must find motivation to play despite coach Dirk Koetter’s firing. If the Sun Devils aren’t ready, they will be embarrassed. Hawaii wins 40-21.

NCAA Endzone Bowl Record: 4-2

Tulsa (8-4) vs. Utah (7-5)

Only five Division I-A teams surrender fewer passing yards per game than Tulsa, and the strong play of FS Bobby Blackshire is a big reason for that success. Blackshire can cover a lot of ground and has recorded three interceptions.

In addition, DE Robert Latu is an effective pass rusher who possesses a good blend of size and athletic ability. However, the 3-4 scheme has had problems defending the run.

The Golden Hurricane hoped that Idris Moss (54-772) would be a playmaker this season and he didn’t disappoint. Moss averaged 116.8 yards per game as a receiver, kick returner and occasional ballcarrier. Paul Smith needs to take better care of the football at times, but he is a leader on the field and has been accurate. RB Courtney Tennial (792 yards) is Tulsa’s leading rusher. The powerful runner has gotten into the end zone 14 times.

Eric Weddle has pretty much done it all for the Utes. The AFCA Coaches All-American defensive back occasionally lines up at quarterback, where he can make plays with his arm as well as his feet, and has returned punts.

Brett Ratliff (2,256 yards, 25 TDs) lines up at quarterback when Waddle doesn’t and does a good job of spreading the ball around to WRs Derrek Richards, Brent Casteel, Marquis Wilson and Brian Hernandez. As a result, he is a good fit for Utah’s spread scheme. Though RB Darryl Poston’s longest run this year is just 18 yards, he runs hard between the tackles.

The Utes have excellent size at defensive tackle, so it comes as little surprise that they have been stout against the run. Utah has masked its lack of a consistent pass rush with strong coverage and big plays.

Prediction: Utah is plus-eight in turnovers. Tulsa is minus-five. The Golden Hurricane have good defensive numbers but have generated only 12 takeaways. Turnovers might be even more of an indicator than normal in this game. The Utah defense can take away the Tulsa ground attack, forcing Smith to air it out. In the end, the turnover ability of the Utes defense will be the key to victory. Utah wins 24-14.

New Mexico (6-6) vs. San Jose State (8-4)

Former Arizona coach Dick Tomey has done an amazing job turning around the fortunes of the Spartans since he arrived in San Jose two years ago.

The Spartans were 2-9 in 2004 and ready to drop the program before Tomey arrived. He was 3-8 in 2005 and 8-4 this season. Tomey worked his magic playing basic, smash mouth football. He still prefers an I-formation backfield and uses the running game to set up the pass, a rarity in the pass happy WAC.

San Jose State quarterback Adam Tafralis passed for 2,075 yards and 18 touchdowns. Tailback Yonus Davis ran for 984 yards and six scores, and James Jones had 64 catches for 787 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the offense.

The overall defense has made great strides under Tomey, who was the architect of the Desert Swarm defense with Arizona, but the Spartans’ run defense remains mediocre and the pass rush has been average at best.

Lobos head coach Rocky Long overcame a 2-4 start and a season-ending injury to starting QB Kole McCamey and become bowl eligible.

One advantage for New Mexico is home field and a swarming 3-3-5 defense that’s based on speed and aggressiveness. While it doesn’t have great size, it’s disruptive and surprisingly effective stopping the run. Not surprisingly, it can also get to opposing quarterbacks and generate big plays when the opponent’s drop back to pass.

Lobos quarterback Chris Nelson threw for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tailback Rodney Ferguson ran for 1,132 yards and seven touchdowns, and Travis Brown had 57 catches for 784 yards and four scores.

Nelson has been inconsistent and Donovan Porterie has been more reliable at QB. He missed the last two games of the season, but should be back for the bowl game.

Prediction: It helps to have home-field advantage in a bowl game, heck any game for that matter. In the end, this game will come down to defense. San Jose State has the better and more balance offense, but the Spartans defense has been inconsistent against the run and its pass rush is mediocre at best. Look for the Lobos to exploit that. New Mexico wins 34-17.

South Florida (8-4) vs. East Carolina (7-5)

East Carolina has come on this season under coach Skip Holtz, who guided the Pirates to their first winning season in five years.

Pirates quarterback James Pinkney threw for 2,658 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tailback Brandon Fractious had 675 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Cornerback Trae Williams had seven interceptions, tied for sixth-most in Division I-A.

East Carolina is at its best controlling tempo and setting up the passing game with the run. On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven is relatively inexperienced and has been adequate at best against the run. In addition, the Pirates’ pass rush has been almost nonexistent.

East Carolina faces a tough South Florida squad. Freshman quarterback Matt Grothe has been as impressive as any young quarterback in the country. Grothe completed nearly 64 percent of his passes, racking up 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran for 607 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Bulls have had problems developing a consistent running game and they are a team that gets penalized quite frequently. There are fewer concerns on the defensive side of the ball, as the Bulls have flashed the ability to shut down opposing running games and corner Trae Williams has intercepted seven passes.

Prediction: The Pirates are playing in their first bowl game since 2001. They beat two ACC teams this season, 31-21 over Virginia and 21-16 at North Carolina State. The Bulls upset West Virginia 24-19 and came within a dropped two-point conversion pass of tying Rutgers and forcing overtime. Both teams can be very good when they stay consistent with their game plans. South Florida has played a more difficult schedule and knows what it’s like to play in big games. In the end, the stingy Bulls defense should be the deciding factor. South Florida wins 27-20.

Rice (7-5) vs. Troy (7-5)

Rice head coach Todd Graham should be the NCAA coach of the year for what he’s done with the Owls program in his first season.

He’s done a great job adapting the Owls to a completely new offensive structure. Rice has won seven of its last eight, including a win over Tulsa on the road, earning the school its first bowl bid since 1961.

Rice is led by WR Jarrett Dillard. The All-American has had a spectacular sophomore season - 82 receptions for 1,176 yards and 20 TDs. Dillard has caught a touchdown pass in 14 straight games. He has excellent hands and nice size, making him one of the best in the nation.

The key to Rice’s offensive success will be the health of QB Chase Clement, who is trying to return from a shoulder injury. Clement threw for 1,707 yards and 21 touchdowns and ran for 481 yards and four scores. Also in the offensive mix is RB Quinton Smith (206-1,092-10).

Defensively, WLB Brian Raines is relentless in pursuit and he has forced five fumbles but the Owls have one of the most porous run defenses in the nation. Rice has been far stronger against the pass.

Troy is playing in its second bowl game in five years since moving up to Division 1-A and have a spread offensive attack that could cause problems for the Owls.

Troy’s spread offense stretches defenses horizontally and effectively creates seams for RB Kenny Cattouse. Cattouse (774 yards, 4 TDs) has the burst to take advantage and he can be difficult to bring down once he gets into the open field. The Trojan spread scheme also frequently gives QB Omar Haugabook the option to run or pass.

Haugabook has passed for 2,184 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he’s thrown 16 interceptions on the season as well. Defensively, Troy has defended the run well and the pass rush can force quarterbacks to get rid of the ball quickly but it doesn’t make enough big plays to make up for the offense’s miscues.

Prediction: Both teams are on a hot streak - Rice has won seven of eight and the Trojans took six of the last seven to win the Sun Belt title. The Owls have more balance and are one of the best teams in the country in turnover margin, while Troy is one of the worst. It should be an exciting game with lots of action, but in the end, the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins and that will be the Owls. Rice will win its first bowl game since 1953 when they beat Alabama 28-6 in the Cotton Bowl. Rice wins 31-26.