Everyone loves to argue college FB. Just look at Lisa's latest rundown of the USA Today Coaches top 25. We all want to step up and defend our team, our conference, our coach and our players. Wouldn't it be great though, to have some ammunition when these flare-ups happen. Instead of just trading back and forth with "My team can whip your team," you could actually name a player or two, and sound like you're an expert. Let's face it. In college FB, like life, name-dropping is the secret to prestige, success, girls and fame.
Okay, maybe i got a little carried away there.. But just think about it. You're at the water cooler, and that smarmy little kid from IS (who can't even fix your inter-office e-mail that's been spammed so much you missed the one from your boss about that big meeting Friday afternoon so you slipped out early and went golfing and now your in deep doodoo,) is spouting off about how "his" Boise State Bronco's are gonna wipe the field this fall. Never mind that he graduated from East Central Kentucky Technical Training Institute, and the only Boise State game he's ever seen was last years incredible Fiesta Bowl.
Imagine, instead of shaking your head and spitting in disgust, or complaining about the weakness of the WAC, you throw the kid for a complete loop. "Ian Johnson's a great back, but without Zabransky at QB, Boise's gonna have to prove they can do more than run the ball. Tharp hasn't even proven he can beat out Hamden, and neither one has taken a meaningful snap in a game."
Immediately, the kid realizes he's in over his head. "Oh yeah!!" he says, with a glimmer in his eye of fear mixed with awe, then returns to his cubicle. You smile to yourself, smug in the knowledge that, even though now he'll be deleting your e-mails from the boss, you have proven that you are the reigning office college FB guru.
So where do you get such inside info? How do you get to know some key names to drop, without spending way too much time on the internet researching all this stuff?
Never fear, HogFan is here.
I've been spending too much time on the internet for years, and I've mastered the art of name-dropping. For the next few weeks leading up to the 2007 season, I'll be giving you a rundown of the top 25 as determined by our Bloggers Poll . Nothing overwhelming, just pieces of info that'll hopefully make the coming season more enjoyable, and put those water cooler flare-ups in your win column. Hope you enjoy it.
25. Boise State Broncos
2006 Record - 13-0
Best Returning Player: RB Ian Johnson 1714 yds 25 TD's
Johnson was sensational in 2006, and captured the hearts of CFB fans with his on-field marriage proposal at the Fiesta bowl. Now he's tied the knot, and looks poised for a great Junior season.
Strength: Running Game
Johnson will be greatly helped by a veteran offensive line that should be one of the best units in the land. Look for the Broncos to run often and with great success.
Biggest Question Mark: QB
With Jared Zabransky graduated, the battle in the Spring for the next Bronco signal caller came down to Senior Taylor Tharp and Junior Bush Hamden. Hamden had a slight lead at the end of Spring ball, but nothing is likely to be settled until one or the other steps up in game conditions.
Biggest Game: At Hawaii.
This game could well feature two undefeated teams and two Hesiman Trophy candidates with a BCS Bowl bid at stake. It sounds like the WAC has arrived.
24. South Carolina Gamec()cks
2006 record - 8-5
Best Returning Player: LB Jasper Brinkley
Brinkley anchors a unit with eight returning starters, and is a powerful run stopper with a nose for the ball. If you've never seen him play, this head-hunter may be the best linebacker in the SEC.
Strength: Experience
South Carolina returns 17 starters, and the Ol' Ball Coach has had 'em in his system for a couple of years now. The offensive line was improving at year's end, as was much maligned QB Blake Mitchell. Leading receiver Sydney Rice is gone to the NFL, but Spurrier has always had great wide-outs.
Biggest Question Mark: QB Blake Mitchell
Mitchell has been in and out fo Spurriers dog house for two years. He can be very good, as in his MVP performance in SC's bowl game, or he can be very bad, as when he was benched in the early part of last season. He finished the year strong, and if he picks up where he left off, the real biggest question could be.....the schedule. SC plays at Georgia, at LSU, at Tennesee and at Arkansas. Throw in home games against Florida and Clemson, and that's a rough road for any team with designs on a great season.
Biggest Game: Florida
Almost every year, the biggest game in the state of South Carolina is the showdown with Clemson. It's one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports. But this year, SC will be focused on the Gators. Spurrier's old team travels to Columbia, and after last year's miraculous escape, Meyer's troups will have their hands full in this one.
23. Texas A&M Aggies
2006 record - 9-4
Best Returning Player: QB Stephen McGee 2295 passing 12 TD's 666 rushing 4 TD's
McGee is a really good QB in a conference loaded with QB's. A true run-pass threat who seldom makes mistakes, the Junior signal caller will be key to Aggie success in '07.
Strength: Running game
Texas A&M is loaded in the backfield, with talent equal to anyone in college FB. Throw in an offensive line that many rate as the best in the land, and it means a long game for anyone who can't man up and slow down the ground attack. With McGee also a threat to run, play-action should set up enough big plays to make the Aggies very good offensively.
Biggest Question Mark: The Schedule
No doubt the Aggies are good. But it's also true that they have one brutal schedule. Games at Miami, at Texas Tech, at Nebraska, at Oklahoma, and at Missouri. Wow. Throw in the season closer at home against Texas, that's not a schedule for the faint at heart.
Biggest Game: Texas
This year, last year, every year. Beat the Longhorns, and A&M's season is a success. With Dennis Franchione on the hot seat last year, the big win in Austin bought him some relief. This year, if the Ag's play up to their abilities, a trip to the Big 12 CG could be on the line.
22. Florida State Seminoles
2006 Record - 7-6
Best Returning Player DB Myron Rolle
Rolle was arguably the best player on the team last year as a true freshman, and one of only a handful of defensive players who can personally swing the outcome o####ame. How good is he? He could have played in the NFL last year.
Strength: Defense
Florid State is loaded with returning talent on defense. Seven returning starters will anchor what should be one of the top units in college FB. They need to be really good because....
Biggest Weakness: Offense
Bobby Bowden has finally put an end to the nepotism that has plagued the Seminoles' offense the last few seasons. Son Jeff has been replaced by veteran Jimbo Fisher. Fisher is one of the top OC's in all of football, and luring him away from LSU was a great move by Bowden. I've seen teams with great defenses and subpar offenses tear themselves apart with internal strife. How quickly the offense can improve will determine the success for FSU this season.
Biggest Game: Miami
It's hard to pick one big game for the 'Noles. Almost every game is key, and the schedule is tough. Usually you would say Florida, because of the national implications. But FSU has fallen so far that they first have to worry about climbing that ladder in their own state. With Miami trying to get up off the mat also, the winner of this one can at least see hope that they're headed in the right direction.
Brennan is everyone's pick for a Heisman darkhorse. The perfect player for the system, or maybe the perfect system for the player. Either way, Brennan is a handful. His stat's are staggering, but I'm not sure the dink passing game gives Brennan enough chances at the kind of shake your head did-you-see-what-he-just-did plays to make a serious run at that famous trophy.
Strength: The Schedule
While others in the top 25 have to figure out how to navigate through tough games just to stay competitive in their conference, all Hawaii has to do is keep from being their own worst enemy. The schedule sets up for a serious run at national recognition. There are probably dozens of schools that could navigate through the Warriors' schedule until that last game against Boise State.
Biggest Question Mark: Running game
Brennan is a great passer. Unfortunately, he's also the leading returning rusher. Even a dynamic offense like Hawaii's need to find some backs who can hammer out that tough yard when it's needed. Right now, it's unclear who that back is.
Biggest Game: Boise State
This one should be for all the marbles in the WAC. With the game at home, the Warriors should have no excuses in their quest for a perfect season.
