Contenders and Pretenders

After week 3, there are some teams who have started off strong but can they keep it up throughout the season? I will give you six teams who I feel are either contenders or pretenders. Here we go:

Penn State Nittany Lions

Picked to finish 7th in the Big Ten by sporting news, the 'Lions have rallied over their new found superstar quarterback, Daryll Clark. JoePa has finally arrived in the 21st century with his play calling. The Nittany Lions run a type of spread offense which they like to call "Spread HD". With the dual threat capability of Clark, this offense if perfect for them. They have just steamrolled over their first three opponents this year. They have outscored their opponents 166-37. When the Big Ten season starts the Nittany Lions have to play at Ohio State and Wisconsin which can be trouble. But not to fear, Penn State has plenty of experience. They have 8 senior starters on offense. With this dynamic offense, Penn State may surprise a few people and win 10 or 11 games and find themselves playing in a BCS bowl.

Verdict: Contender

Utah Utes

Utah has quickly become a potential BCS buster this season. Many people feel that they have the talent to run the table and play in a BCS game. After starting the year 3-0 and upsetting Michigan, the only real challenges for Utah are Oregon State, BYU and TCU in which they play those three at home. In my opinion I think they will falter and lose at least two games. They are far too inconsistent to run the table. Remember that this is a team who beat UCLA 44-6 and then was blanked by UNLV 27-0 the following week. This is not a team that I would put my money on to run the table because of their inconsistency.

Verdict: Pretender

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama started off the year at #24 in the AP poll. After beating Clemson, Tulane and Western Kentucky they suddenly leap-frogged ahead to #9 in the AP poll. Yes, they manhandled Clemson and yes, they do deserve to be ranked this high but I just dont feel that their success will continue. With a brutal schedule (@ Georgia, @ Tennessee, @ LSU and home to Auburn) and lack of experience on defense I would be surprised if Alabama finished the year with 8 wins. Alabama may be a title contender in the next few years but I doubt that they will be this year.

Verdict: Pretender

BYU Cougars

BYU has gotten through the hard part of their schedule already. They played two BCS conference teams in Washington and UCLA. Now, the only two games I could possibly see them losing would be at Utah and at TCU. But I feel that BYU will run the table and play in a BCS game. They have so much experience (the only starter not a Junior or Senior is star running back Harvey Unga) and are very motivated to finally play in a BCS game. Furthermore, they a sure-fire, consistent quarterback in Max Hall who, by the way, threw 7 touchdown passes against UCLA in a 59-0 win. Can you say BCS?

Verdict: Contender

North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC won only 4 games last year but many people, including me, feel that they are this year's Kansas. They return 10 starters on offense and return their entire secondary. This team has the talent to do big things. They must get over a few tough games in the schedule but overall their schedule is favorable to them (missing Clemson, Wake Forest and Florida State). In my opinion this team is capable of winning the ACC. With the conference down, it wouldn't be too much of a long shot if North Carolina shocked the world and made it to a BCS bowl. North Carolina is a team on the rise and I expect them to get better and better as time passes.

Verdict: Contender

East Carolina Pirates

East Carolina is 16th in the recent AP poll after beating Virgina Tech and West Virginia in consecutive weeks and winning a hard fought game over Tulane. It looks as if ECU is headed for a perfect season and a C-USA title. Before everyone starts talking BCS, remember that this team is notorious for losing winnable games late in the season against conference opponents. Last year they lost to Marshall 26-7 late in the season. They still must play at UCF, at Southern Miss, at NC State and at Virginia. Still convinced that they can run the table? I would be surprised if ECU can come out of the season with only 2 losses. As much as I want them to succeed, I still feel that they wont. Prove me wrong ECU!

Verdict: Pretender

Photos courtesy of Google.

College Football programs on the rise/decline

With the season just getting underway I am going to share my thoughts on which football programs are on the rise and which ones are taking a skydive. These are the teams that are not only going to be good (or bad) for this season but for many more seasons. First I will start off with the teams that are on the rise.

On The Rise



1. University of South Florida - The bulls, who have only been in the FBS since 2001, are now becoming a major factor in the Big East. Last year they quietly climbed to #2 in the nation before going on a slide. The bulls, led by gritty quarterback Matt Grothe, are poised for a breakout year not only this year but for many more years. Coach Jim Leavitt has been with the program for 11 years and has amassed a record of 79-47. Leavitt has been solid on the recruiting trail as well, bringing in the 45th ranked recruiting class of 2008 according to Athlon Sports.

2. University of North Carolina - After going 4-8 last season it is hard to say that this team is on the rise but many people are optimistic about the Tar Heels. The 'Heels return 19 starters this year most of which are sophomores and juniors. Many people are feeling that North Carolina is this years Kansas which went from 6-6 to 12-1 and a BCS bowl win. North Carolina brought in the 36th ranked recruiting class of 2008 according to Athlon Sports. Butch Davis is a great coach and he will lead the Tar Heels to the top of the ACC within the next couple of years.

3. University of Illinois - Illinois won a combined 8 games in 4 seasons from 2003-2006. Then all of a sudden, the Fighting Illini won 9 games including a major upset of #1 Ohio State and an appearance in the Rose Bowl. Not the average season of a team who won an average of 2 games over 4 years prior to the 2007 season. This year, Illinois is primed for another great season. With such a good season last year, the fighting Illini were able to bring in the #20th ranked recruiting class according to Athlon Sports. The Illini will be prepared to remain atop the Big Ten for years to come.

On the Decline

1. University of Louisville - With all the hype surrounding Louisville last season, no one expected them to go 6-6 with no bowl appearance. Now the Cardinals have only 7 starters returning and have no hope in sight. A brutal recruiting class which didn't rank in the top 50 and two new coordinators are not going to help the Cardinals get any better.

2. University of Hawaii - After going undefeated in the regular season Hawaii was a feel good story. But after getting humiliated by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Hawaii is in a serious rebuilding mode. Hawaii lost coach June Jones who led Hawaii to its first BCS bowl and basically was the face of the program. Hawaii also lost its record setting quarterback and four starting wide receivers. Hawaii also replaced both coordinators. Hawaii is starting from scratch now and they will be hard pressed to play in a bowl game this year. Hawaii shouldn't be a factor in the WAC for a couple of years.

3. University of Iowa - Last year, Iowa missed the postseason for the first time since 2000 and the outlook for the Hawkeyes is gloomy. Iowa has been in a downward spiral after the 2004 season when they won 10 games and a conference title. Since then they have been mediocre winning only 19 games over 3 years. Not only did Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz fail to deliver a bowl appearance, he also failed to deliver a top 50 recruiting class.

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