Archive for July, 2009

Alabama Ready to Get Defenders Lost in Its Maze

Posted by Larry Burton on July 31 2009 Add Comments
"Dag Nabbit!  He was here a second ago! Where did he go?" That will be the question many a cornerback will ask this year once they get lost in the Bama 'Maze game.' With this 'Maze game,' if you ever take your eyes off of Marquis Maze, you're liable to get lost really fast trying to find and catch up to him. At 5'10" and around 179 pounds, Maze is neither big or tall, but he won't ...

The Calm Before the Storm

Posted by Clashmore Mike on July 31 2009 Add Comments
It is the last week of July. For football fans, this is the deep breath before the plunge. All across the country training camps are getting ready to open...soon, but not just yet. The Irish report in 10 days. I was on the Notre Dame campus this past week. It was a beautiful early evening in high summer. Despite the peace and stillness, the echos were there, stirring, getting ready to wake up in just a ...

Top 10 NFL Prospects Coming Out of the SEC in 2010

Posted by William Guillory on July 31 2009 Add Comments
This is a list of the top-10 NFL prospects coming out of the SEC this year. Not necessarily the best 10 players in the conference. This list indicates who will be the highest rated prospects by the time the 2010 NFL Draft rolls around next year. The SEC is a conference known for their defense, so of course, defensive players highlight most of the list. Honorable Mentions include: Jermaine Cunningham, Carlos Dunlap, Chad Jones and Geno Atkins If you ...

Generations of Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Notre Dame Stadium Is Special

Posted by Ed Leiser on July 31 2009 Add Comments
With kickoff a mere 35 days a way, legions of fans will soon be flocking once again to a little town in Indiana known as South Bend. But this small town is nothing like the hundreds of small towns you'll find while aimlessly driving through Indiana. South Bend is home to the University of Notre Dame. It's not worth the time to argue that Notre Dame is one of the most prestigious universities in our country, and ...

Great Freshman Performances in College Football History: Maurice Clarett

Posted by Tim Cary on July 31 2009 Add Comments
Forgive Ohio State fans for living in the past.  With OSU's recent well-publicized BCS failures still stinging, many of my neighbors in the Buckeye State cling desperately to memories from a few years further back. They remember the good old days when no one would dare suggest leaving an undefeated Big Ten squad out of the national title game. They remember the not-so-distant time in college football when OSU/Michigan was a big deal outside the Midwest. They remember the ...

Auburn Holds Edge Over Alabama In Recruiting Battle For Ladarius Owens

Posted by Douglas Webb on July 31 2009 Add Comments
There are many reasons why Bessemer, Jess Lanier linebacker Ladarius Owens should end up signing with the Auburn Tigers next February. Family connections, history, being a lifelong fan of the Tigers, and pressure to support a new staff are just a few. There are only two reasons for him to sign with the Crimson Tide. Linebackers coach Sal Sunseri and Head Coach Nick Saban. Owens grew up a lifelong Auburn fan as was the majority of his ...

Eugene Who? Without Monroe, Cavaliers’ O-Line Must Gel

Posted by Jack Harver on July 31 2009 Add Comments
When left tackle Eugene Monroe graduated from Virginia this past May, he took 32 starts, two years of All-ACC recognition, and last season's Jacobs Blocking Trophy with him into the NFL.Since regaining his starting job in 2007 after an injury-plagued 2006 season, Monroe had become a rock on his end of the Cavaliers' offensive line. His departure has created a hole in Virginia's starting lineup that no one on the current roster seems equipped to ...

2009 College Football Preseason Rankings

Posted by Spencer Roach on July 31 2009 Add Comments
These are pretty much my final rankings before the season starts, although I might make a few slight changes. These are a little different than my previous rankings after I took a different approach to them.     1. Florida All 11 starters on defense return for the Gators, along with QB Tim Tebow, RB Chris Rainey, RB Jeffrey Demps and most of the offensive line. No doubt the No. 1 pick for 2009.   2. USC USC will find an answer at ...

North Carolina: Don’t Be Hasty With The Expectations

Posted by Rachel Scall on July 31 2009 Add Comments
It is difficult to predict anything meaningful about UNC football and where the team will end up in the standings.Sure, the Tar Heels are picked to finish third in the Coastal Division in the ACC Preseason Media Football Poll. But if last year's football season taught us anything, it is that ACC football is unpredictable—especially when it comes to the Heels.Predicting Carolina to finish third implies that UNC's lineup will be healthy. That means quarterbacks ...

My Advice to the Mountain West Conference: It’s Time to Expand

Posted by Jason Dunigan on July 31 2009 Add Comments
They did it.  The Mountain West Conference (MWC) conformed and signed their contract with the BCS.  They did it begrudgingly, but they did it nonetheless. On the surface, it would be easy to call the conference a group of sell-outs, but in reality they had no choice.  The BCS really does hold all the cards in terms of power and money, and with their recent partnership with ESPN/ABC, the Mountain West Conference could not risk being ...