NCAA Football Forum

[Hank]

This is funny.

[Shag]

I'm gonna have to side with Deb on this one!

[BrickBanland]

Connecticut Huskies

Preview 2009

By Richard Cirminiello

Head coach: Randy Edsall
11th year: 58-60
Returning Lettermen: 34
Off. 18, Def. 17, ST 2
Lettermen Lost: 21
Ten Best Husky Players
1. LB Scott Lutrus, Jr.
2. FS Robert Vaughn, Sr.
3. LB Lawrence Wilson, Jr.
4. DE Lindsey Witten, Sr.
5. OT Mike Hicks, Sr.
6. CB/PR Jasper Howard, Jr.
7. LB Greg Lloyd, Jr.
8. RB Jordan Todman, Soph.
9. RB Andre Dixon, Sr.
10. C Moe Petrus, Soph.
2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: COMING
2009 Record: 0-0

9/5 at Ohio
9/12 North Carolina
9/19 at Baylor
9/26 Rhode Island
10/3 OPEN DATE
10/10 at Pitt
10/17 Louisville
10/24 at West Virginia
10/31 Rutgers
11/7 at Cincinnati
11/14 OPEN DATE
11/21 at Notre Dame
11/28 Syracuse
12/5 USF

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2008 Record: 8-5

8/28 Hofstra W 35-3
9/6 at Temple W 12-9 OT
9/13 Virginia W 45-10
9/19 Baylor W 31-28
9/27 at Louisville W 26-21
10/4 at North Carolina L 38-12
10/11 OPEN DATE
10/18 at Rutgers L 12-10
10/25 Cincinnati W 40-16
11/1 West Virginia L 35-13
11/8 OPEN DATE
11/15 at Syracuse W 39-14
11/22 at South Florida L 17-13
11/29 OPEN DATE
12/6 Pitt L 34-10
International Bowl
1/3 Buffalo W 38-20

Donald Brown. Cody Brown. Darius Butler. William Beatty. Few major schools wanted them coming out of high school. Not only did Randy Edsall sign them, but he and his staff spent four years turning these hidden gems into first-day NFL Draft choices in April. It’s a model for success that’s clearly working in Storrs.

When your campus is in the Northeast, you’ve got to be creative if you want to be successful. There’s just not enough talent in the region to fill a roster or compete for postseason games. So what does Edsall do? He logs plenty of frequent flyer miles, traveling from Canada to Florida to find raw materials. And when he lands those two and three-star recruits, he quickly begins the process of transforming a handful into next-level players. Witness Brown, Brown, Butler, and Beatty.

The staff has helped make Connecticut surprisingly relevant in football, winning 17 games the last two seasons and getting invitations to back-to-back bowl games. The Huskies have succeeded the old fashioned way, leaning on a power running game and one of the most underrated defenses in the country. Now what?

With the foundation beginning to settle and the facilities among the best in the Big East, Connecticut is now hoping to get to another level and compete seriously for a league championship. Getting there will require more production from a feeble offense, which is why Edsall hired Joe Moorhead away from Akron to coordinate his attack. The new system is of the up-tempo, no-huddle variety, which sounds trendy in theory, but will sorely test a passing game that hasn’t had a pulse in years. The triggerman is expected to be the same Zach Frazer who high-tailed it out of South Bend two years ago when the depth chart got crowded. He has an opportunity this fall to make that decision look like a stroke of genius.

Is Connecticut about to sink back into the ranks of the irrelevant now that its brightest stars are shining elsewhere? Don’t bank on it as long as Edsall resists the temptation to coach elsewhere. Still, duplicating last year’s eight wins is going to be a tall order unless the offense improbably wakes from its four-year slumber.

What to watch for on offense: The replacements. One back won’t be enough to replace the production of Donald Brown, the 2,000-yard rusher and Indianapolis Colts draft pick. It’s a good thing Connecticut has two talented backs. In sophomore Jordan Todman and senior Andre Dixon, the Huskies are confident that their ground game isn’t going to skip a beat, even without the services of their star runner. Todman showed flashes as a true freshman reserve, finishing second on the team with 296 yards and winning the starting job in the spring. Dixon actually out played Brown in 2007, running for 828 yards and earning All-Big East honors. Together, they make a formidable tandem that’s going to keep the offense from becoming stale.

What to watch for on defense: The twin tackles. The coaching staff has to control its enthusiasm when the topic is Twyon Martin and Kendall Reyes, the similarly-sized sophomore defensive tackles with the bright futures. Both played extensively as freshmen, even starting a bunch of games, and earning reps that’ll benefit them over the next three seasons. With explosive first steps and great motors, they’re liable to drive opposing interior linemen batty as they try to keep both out of the backfield and off ballcarriers. It’s early, but Martin and Reyes have qualities that could make them household names in the league before very long.

The team will be far better if… the offense is able to achieve a degree of balance. Everyone knows the Huskies can run the ball, but it’s been years since they’ve given the opposition a reason to respect the pass. Connecticut was 116th nationally in passing efficiency a year ago, which made the option-oriented offenses of Air Force and Navy look unpredictable. Joe Moorhead was hired to be the new coordinator and inject some 21st century ingenuity into the attack. If he’s successful, it would not only give the Huskies that balance it craves, but it would also make it much tougher to defend the ground game.

The Schedule: The Huskies will be thoroughly tested for Big East play with a big statement game against North Carolina and a trip to Baylor wrapped around winnable games against Ohio and Rhode Island. The URI game is followed up by a week off, so the team should be rested and ready for the showdown in the conference opener at Pitt. The Huskies' Big East title hopes will be made or broken after the first three weeks of league play with at trip at West Virginia a likely must win. If playing the Panthers and the Mountaineers on the road wasn't bad enough, the other Big East road game is at Cincinnati. A late November road trip to Notre Dame will be coming off a week off meaning the Huskies will go almost a whole month between home games. Getting South Florida in the cold at home on December 5th is a major plus.

Best offensive player: Senior OT Mike Hicks. Is this a testament to Hicks’ consistency at tackle or the dearth of top-shelf talent on offense for the Huskies? You decide. One certainty is that Hicks has been a model of stability up front for the program, earning starts in 35 games over the last three seasons. At 6-6 and 325 pounds, he can maul defensive linemen, yet is surprisingly light on his feet. After being one of the faceless cogs in the Connecticut ground game, he should be ready for all-league recognition.

Best defensive player: Junior LB Scott Lutrus. Save for a few extra pounds of muscle, Lutrus is exactly what a college program looks for in a linebacker. He plays hard and fast, and always seems to be near the ball, whether it’s on running plays or mid-range passing routes. He’s also displayed tremendous versatility in his first two seasons, compiling more than 100 tackles as a middle linebacker and at strongside. Barring injury, he’s going to wind up as a three-time All-Big East selection and the school’s all-time leader in tackles.

Key player to a successful season: Junior QB Zach Frazer. Who else, right? The Huskies are installing a new no-huddle, up-tempo offense that has designs on achieving more balance and better production through the air. If Frazer can’t come through in his first season as the starter, coordinator Joe Moorhead’s mission will be sunk. The junior transferred from Notre Dame two summers ago for this exact opportunity. Now, he has to take advantage of a system that’ll allow him to open his arm up and show the nation why he was considered one of the 10 best prep quarterbacks of 2006.

The season will be a success if ... the Huskies bowl for a third year in-a-row. Too conservative? No way. Although they’re not about to tank by any means, this isn’t Ohio State that’s trying to replace four first-day NFL Draft choices on the fly. It’s Connecticut, where depth is still an issue. Plus, the schedule is rugged. The Huskies must travel to Baylor, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame, while hosting North Carolina, Rutgers, and South Florida. If they can get seven wins out of this schedule, it should be deemed as progress.

Key game: Nov. 21 at Notre Dame. No, this game won’t have any impact whatsoever on the Big East race, yet it still carries plenty of importance to the Connecticut program. Faced with an identity crisis and little respect outside the region, what better way to make a big splash than with a nationally-televised win over the Fighting Irish in South Bend? It’ll be the first-ever meeting between the two schools in football and the return of QB Zach Frazer to the school he left a few years ago.

2008 Key States:
- Rushing yards per game: Connecticut 216.4 - Opponents 109.8
- Sacks: Connecticut 32 for 197 yards - Opponents 15 for 87 yards
- Passing touchdowns: Opponents 9 - Connecticut 5

[Spaz]

go Noles !!!!.......................

[BrickBanland]

Boise State keeps on winning tons of games, keeps on beating BCS league teams, and keeps on proving to the world that this isn't a fluke, yet it keeps getting disrespected and passed over in the discussion of the top teams. What more does the team have to do? Check out the CFN Boise State Preview.


Head coach: Chris Petersen
4th year: 34-4
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 220, Def. 17 ST 2
Lettermen Lost: 17
Ten Best BSU Players
1. CB Kyle Wilson, Sr.
2. QB Kellen Moore, Soph.
3. DE Ryan Winterswyk, Jr.
4. RB Jeremy Avery, Jr.
5. FS Jeron Johnson, Jr.
6. P/PK Kyle Brotzman, Jr.
7. CB Brandyn Thompson, Jr.
8. WR Austin Pettis, Jr. br>99. WR Titus Young, Jr.
10. FB Richie Brockel, Sr.
2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: COMING
2009 Record: 0-0


2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 9-3
2008 Record: 12-1

8/30 Idaho State W 49-7
9/6 OPEN DATE
9/13 Bo. Green W 20-7
9/20 at Oregon W 37-32
9/27 OPEN DATE
10/1 La Tech W 38-3
10/11 at Southern Miss W 24-7
10/17 Hawaii W 27-7
10/24 at San Jose St W 33-16
11/1 at NMSU W 49-0
11/8 Utah State W 49-14
11/15 at Idaho W 45-10
11/22 at Nevada W 41-34
11/28 Fresno St W 61-10
Poinsettia Bowl
12/23 TCU L 17-16

After ten years, 108 wins, three unbeaten regular seasons in the last five, and the 2007 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma still seeming fresh two years later, you'd think the college football world would have Boise State football figured out by now. You'd think the program would start to get the benefit of the doubt after being a model of consistency, with the high level of production continuing on through three head coaches. You'd think that someone, somewhere would've given the program an honest look at an at-large BCS slot after going unbeaten. But the reality is that there's still a general lack of respect for Boise State football, and it's not going to change.

The numbers continue to be astounding. Boise State has the nation's best home-field record over the last ten years going 64-2 (more on that in a moment), it has the nation's highest winning percentage over the last decade, it has the eighth highest winning percentage in the history of any college football program, has been the nation's highest scoring team since 2000, and has the nation's best conference winning percentage (93%, 70-5) by far. Will any of this history matter to the pollsters come BCS time? Not really.

Yes, there's been a tremendous upgrade in talent level since the astonishing run began. No, the place isn't exactly a factory for NFL talent, even though Ryan Clady might be able to start working on his Hall of Fame speech. Since 2000, just 12 Broncos have been drafted, with none being taken in the 2009 Draft, and with just three going earlier than the fifth round.

Yes, Boise State fans are sick to death of being thought of as a little guy, and woe to anyone who dares to continue to call this a scrappy team. Worse yet, try to refer to the program as a cute story. No, Boise State wouldn't have anywhere near this level of success in a BCS league if it had to play non-WAC teams week in and week out.

Yes, Boise State is starting to generate enough recognition to be put in the top 20 on brand-name. No, the people in those polls don't know who Kellen Moore is.

Yes, Boise State deserved to be in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl instead of Ohio State. No, the Broncos still won't get the nod for an at-large spot in the BCS this year over a bigger-name program, even though they'll probably go undefeated again.

Unless the men in the nails-on-a-chalkboard bad new uniforms choke, which hasn't been the program's style over the last ten years, this is a four game season. Oregon, at Fresno State, at Louisiana Tech, and Nevada. They're not better than the Ducks, but the Broncos don't lose statement games at home. In fact, they don't lose at home, period, with the last non-bowl defeat in Boise coming against Washington State on September 8th, 2001. (Seriously, let that one sink in for a moment.) Fresno State is better, but it's Fresno State, and Nevada, as good as it is, has to play on the screaming blue turf. Louisiana Tech is likely going to be the biggest non-Oregon problem, but any team good enough to think about the BCS has to be good enough to win that game.

But that's setting the standard too high, and it's unfair. So going 11-1 with yet another WAC championship would be a disappointment? Considering the team is about a year away from being truly special (by Boise State standards), well, maybe.

There's a lot of rebuilding to be done, but there's plenty of talent ready to rise up. The defense will be fantastic with a special secondary that'll be a brick wall against all the overrated WAC passing teams. The special teams, thanks to punter/kicker Kyle Brotzman, might be the best in America, and Moore (he's the starting quarterback, pollsters) would be the front-runner for WAC Player of the Year if it wasn't for Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick. The holes, like wide receiver and linebacker, aren't going to be filled that easily, but they aren't major weakness, while the defensive line might be better despite losing three starters.

America, your job is simple. Watch the Oregon game, watch the nationally televised games against Fresno State, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, Utah State, and Nevada, and at least know what you're talking about in the post-season debate. Of course, if Boise State loses a game, the BCS question becomes moot, but at this point, not going unbeaten would be more of a shock than another 12-0 record.

What to watch for on offense: The line. Boise State might be great at reloading, and it appears to have done so at receiver and on the defensive front seven, or six, but the offensive line could be a different story. Starters Kevin Sapien and Nate Potter are injured, and while there are good players waiting in the wings, the front five could use as many veterans as possible going into the Oregon battle. Kellen Moore isn't a runner, Ian Johnson is gone from the backfield, and three of the top four wide receivers from last year are gone. The more time the line can provide, the better, but everyone has to be 100% and the right combination has to be found considering there are four spots that are still open, at least on the depth chart, going into the fall.

What to watch for on defense: A 4-2-5 being used more often than not. The linebackers will be more than fine, even though just one starter, Derrell Acrey, is back. The secondary gets back four starters and has a fantastic recruit in JUCO transfer Winston Venable to work as a nickelback. The defense can easily transition on the fly between alignments, but it'll be hard to keep so many talented defensive backs off the field.

The team will be far better if … the run defense comes up big in the biggest games. Boise State was only challenged in three games last year: Oregon (win), Nevada (win), and TCU (loss). Those were the three games the Bronco defense allowed the most rushing yards along with five of the nine rushing scores. More often than not, teams got behind and had to abandon the ground game, but Southern Miss was held in check even though the score never got out of hand. With the secondary the Broncos have, a perfect season might just come down to the run defense stuffing the top teams.

The Schedule: The season will be made or broken in the first three weeks with Oregon to open things up and a trip to Fresno State to open up the WAC schedule. If the Broncos can win those two, it'll be time to think BCS even though there's a run of four road games in five and five in seven. There's a trade-off with the Nevada game at home and the Louisiana Tech battle in Ruston. Talk about your frequent flier mileage, Boise goes to Louisiana Tech two weeks after going to Hawaii, and three weeks after going to Tulsa. On the plus side, the weakest part of the schedule is at the end with Idaho, Utah State and New Mexico State part of the soft finish.

Best Offensive Player: Sophomore QB Kellen Moore. He threw three interceptions against Nevada. That was it as far as his struggles in a fantastic season throwing for 3,486 yards and 25 touchdowns with ten picks spread out over the non-Nevada games. He handled the pressure well, got rid of the ball quickly, and was deadly-efficient. He won't have as good a receiving corps to work with this year, so he'll have to be even sharper. If the offseason was any indication, he will be.

Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Kyle Wilson. Not just a dominant coverman, Wilson is one of the surest tackling corners in all of college football. He could've turned pro early, and while he would've been a key player right away, he likely would've been drafted around the fourth round. He came back to Boise with an even harder work ethic and appears to be in for an even more dominant senior season.

Key player to a successful season: Junior OT Matt Slater. Or sophomore Garrett Pendergast, or redshirt freshman Michael Adams. If healthy, Nate Potter is the right tackle, protecting Moore's blind side. The left tackle spot is open, and there's a major battle going on for it with Slater, a 6-4, 289-pound junior, leading the way. The line needs as many steady blockers as possible, and Slater has the tools to be a good one for the next few seasons.

The season will be a success if ... Boise State goes unbeaten. Again, the bar is set unreasonably high, but for a team that makes double-digit win seasons a habit, and with the two best teams on the schedule (Oregon and Nevada) coming to Boise, anything less than 12-0 will be a downer. That's all Boise State can do. The pollsters will have to decide the rest.

Key game: Sept. 3 vs. Oregon. This is it. Beat the Ducks for a second year in a row, and it's game on for a run to a possible BCS slot. Lose, and it's home for the holidays against someone from the Mountain West.

[BrickBanland]

2009 CFN Fresno State Preview


Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews By Pete Fiutak
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Jun 8, 2009


Can Ryan Mathews lead the Bulldogs to the promised land and out from the Boise State shadow? Check out the 2009 CFN Fresno State Preview.



Fresno State Bulldogs

Preview 2009

By Pete Fiutak

- 2009 CFN Fresno State Preview | 2009 Fresno State Offense
- 2009 Fresno State Defense | 2009 Fresno State Depth Chart
- 2008 FSU Preview | 2007 FSU Preview | 2006 FSU Preview

Head coach: Pat Hill
13th year: 92-61
Ten Best FSU Players
1. RB Ryan Mathews, Jr.
2. LB Ben Jacobs, Jr.
3. DE Chris Carter, Jr.
4. RB Lonyae Miller, Sr.
5. CB/KR A.J. Jefferson, Sr.
6. WR Seyi Ajirotutu, Sr.
7. RB Anthony Harding, Sr.
8. WR Chastin West, Sr.
9. OG Andrew Jackson, Jr.
10. LB Nico Herron, Jr.
2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: COMING
2009 Record: 0-0

9/5 UC Davis
9/12 at Wisconsin
9/18 Boise State
9/26 at Cincinnati
10/3 OPEN DATE
10/10 at Hawaii
10/17 San Jose State
10/24 at New Mexico State
10/31 Utah State
11/7 at Idaho
11/14 at Nevada
11/21 Louisiana Tech
11/28 OPEN DATE
12/5 at Illinois

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 10-2
2008 Record: 7-6

9/1 at Rutgers W 24-7
9/6 OPEN DATE
9/13 Wisconsin L 13-10
9/20 at Toledo W 55-54 2OT
9/27 at UCLA W 36-31
10/4 Hawaii L 32-29 OT
10/11 Idaho W 45-32
10/18 OPEN DATE
10/25 at Utah State W 30-28
11/1 at Louisiana Tech L 38-35
11/7 Nevada L 41-28
11/15 New Mexico St W 24-17
11/21 at San Jose St W 24-10
11/28 at Boise State L 61-10
New Mexico Bowl
12/20 Colorado State L 40-35

2008 was supposed to be when it all came together for a supposedly loaded Fresno State team, but once again, Pat Hill's team came up short making this a pivotal year for the program. Bad things happen when teams don't live up to expectations, and coaches get put on hot seats when their teams lose four of their final six games.

Hill was a hot commodity a few years ago with his brash attitude, his fearless desire to play anyone at anytime, and his drive to turn Fresno State into a national power. But along the way, Boise State turned into the program Hill had always wanted FSU to become, while his team did just enough to tantalize and tease everyone to make it seem like there should be bigger things happening.

So how did a team that could open up the year with a dominant win over Rutgers, could battle with Wisconsin, and could beat UCLA, even though it was a lousy Bruin team, in Los Angeles become so mediocre? Simple ... it didn't play up to its athleticism and potential.

The offense was full of speed and explosion, but it rarely showed it off. The talent that was able to come up with the best all-around return game in America couldn't bring that same devastating playmaking ability to the offensive attack. But the offense was hardly the problem, and this year it should be even better as long as the line can be healthy and the coaching staff can settle on a starting quarterback. The stable of running backs, with Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller, and Anthony Harding, is among the best in the country, and the receivers have the speed to stretch things out. And then there's the defense.

Loaded with so much promise, potential, and athleticism, the D was a disaster getting worse and worse against the run as the season went on. The front four that was supposed to be so devastating with its pass rush couldn't get into the backfield, while the linebackers, other than Ben Jacobs, couldn't seem to come up with a meaningful tackle. As always, the Fresno State D is loaded with good athletes and big hitters, but everyone will be playing with a heavy heart after the loss of coordinator Dan Brown to his battle against brain cancer.

So now all the attention will be on Hill and his 13th year at the helm. Does he have a trick up his sleeve to be able to save his job, or is this a case of a program growing stale after a coach has been around too long. Another bowl game is a given, but it might take a big season, helped by a win over Boise State and consistency throughout, for there not to be big changes going into next year.

What to watch for on offense: The quarterback situation. Tom Brandstater had size, experience, and a next-level arm, but he was never able to come up with the production needed to get the program over the hump. Now the offense is going to incorporate more spread and more running, even though the quarterbacks don't necessarily fit the type. Left-handed Ryan Colburn is a bomber who can get the ball anywhere he wants to, while David Carr's brother, Derek, a true freshman, appears to be ready to do big things from day one. And then there's Ebahn Feathers, the wild-card in the mix with a nice blend of quickness and passing skills.

What to watch for on defense: Pass rush. The Bulldogs were stunningly bad at getting into the backfield last season generating just 18 sacks while finishing last in the WAC and 108th in the nation in tackle for loss. That's where Chris Carter comes in. Part linebacker, part defensive end, the junior was moved around last season and ended up making 88 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss. Now he'll be a pure pass rusher asked to shake things up in the backfield. There's enough quickness along the rest of the line to do more, but the Bulldogs need production from all four spots.

The team will be far better if … it can pick off a pass and can stop the run. Over the last two seasons, Bulldog opponents have thrown the ball 844 times and Fresno State came up with a grand total of nine interceptions. Only Miami, with four, picked off fewer passes last season, while only ten teams came up with fewer than nine interceptions last year alone. And then there was the run defense. It came up surprisingly clutch against Wisconsin, but was gouged by Toledo the next week for 297 yards and four scores. Nevada ran for 472 yards, Boise State tore off 346, and Colorado State ran for 362. How bad was the run D? Despite holding New Mexico State and San Jose State to a combined -14 net yards rushing, FSU finished 108th in the nation in run defense allowing 210 yards per game.

The Schedule: As always, Fresno State will challenge itself in non-conference play, but this is ridiculous. The Bulldogs have to go on the road to Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and close the season out at Illinois in December. If that wasn't enough, the Boise State showdown is the WAC opener sandwiched between the Badgers and Bearcats in mid-September. At least the Boise State game is at home, as is the Louisiana Tech game in late November. Three of the final four games are on the road for the second painful stretch like that of the season. There are only five home games overall.

Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Ryan Mathews. The only question is whether or not he can stay healthy. When he was able to stay on the field, he was among the nation's most productive backs running for 606 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. Combining with Lonyae Miller, who ran for 812 yards and seven scores, and Anthony Harding, who led the team with 822 yards and six scores, Fresno State is loaded in the backfield.

Best Defensive Player: Junior LB Ben Jacobs. Whether he ends up playing inside or out, he's the team's only do-it-all linebacker. Not only did he lead the team with 113 tackles, he also broke up five passes. He has to clean up things the other linebackers don't get to and he ends up getting in on seemingly every tackle, but now he has to start getting into the backfield on a regular basis.

Key player to a successful season: Senior SS Moses Harris. The secondary needs playmakers. The corners have speed and potential, but A.J. Jefferson is a better return man than a defender and Desia Dunn needs to be able to come through when picked on. The safeties have to start providing more help, especially until the pass rush comes through, if it comes through. Harris finished third on the team with 75 tackles and broke up five passes, but he didn't pick off a pass and he didn't do enough to come up with stops to halt drives.

The season will be a success if ... Fresno State beats Boise State and ends up winning at least a share for the WAC title. The Bulldogs aren't better than the Broncos and they aren't better than Nevada, but they get Louisiana Tech at home along with the big date with BSU. In the end, they're just good enough to go 6-2 in WAC play and get to a decent bowl again, but everyone wants more. The Humantiarian Bowl might not be enough to save Hill's job.

Key game: Sept. 19 vs. Boise State. It's not an overstatement to call this the most important game in Pat Hill's career. After last year's 61-10 bizarre embarrassment, with the Broncos scoring 51 second half points, the Bulldogs have to show that things have changed since last November by coming up with the win in the WAC opener.

2008 Fun Stats:
- Passes picked off: Opponents 12 - Fresno State 5
- Average yards per carry: Opponents 5.6 - Fresno State 4.9
- Penalties: Opponents 81 for 749 yards - Fresno State 64 for 543 yards

[DFender]

*tap*tap* C'mon Brick... bestow your ever-growing wisdom on Bradford in here... I'm waitin'...

[BrickBanland]

Originally Posted by DFender *tap*tap* C'mon Brick... bestow your ever-growing wisdom on Bradford in here... I'm waitin'...

LOL...I will.. I need to brush up a few notes and go back into a few games to watch some film.

[DFender]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland LOL...I will.. I need to brush up a few notes and go back into a few games to watch some film.

What was that? A cop out? I see...
C'mon, smartypants, get your groove on... *tap*fucking*tap...

[BrickBanland]

Should be the first QB selected in the NFL draft. Overall, should be a top five pick. Not ready as a Matt Ryan.

Size: 6'3 220, Good Size
Arm Strength: Above average but has a quick release
Can Sam make NFL throws: Throws a great deep ball and does not wind his arm up.Throws a dart down the seam, post, deep out, corner and circle out. His short to intermediate passing game is in tune except pushes the balls on flare patterns. For the most part can throw the slant, dig, in, out, and spot routes.
Pocket Presence: Good awareness in the pocket. Uses his athletic ability and footwork to buy enough time to make a throw. Fluid in this shotgun 3 and 5 step drops. Lead receivers and anticipates well.
Decision Making: Can process information and make a 3-5 step progression tho has ample time from talented offensive lines. Stares down receivers but quick release helps.

Question marks:
Playing under center. Sam will have to learn how to adjust to the pro style after thriving in a spread offense.
Reading a NFL defense. Any rookie QB will go through this conundrum of trying to read a complex NFL defense such as zone dog or man / zone schemes. The game will need to be simplified for Sam as for any such as Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, or a Ben Roethlisberger when they were rookies. Will also face more man coverage in the NFL.

Overall: I compare Sam more to Matt Ryan say than a Joe Flacco as in Sam will be more NFL ready. Notches and notches above Brady Quinn.

[DFender]

rofl @ Brady Quinn... dick.
Nice work, Brick. I actually agree with alla that. Heh. Go figure.
<applause>

[Hank]

This is good shit...to bad my A.D.D won't let me read all this nonesense...but it's still funny to me, glad I brought chips and a drink.....

Nice copy and paste work to all involved...lol. Gotta bust yalls balls a little bit.

[BrickBanland]

Originally Posted by DFender rofl @ Brady Quinn... dick. Nice work, Brick. I actually agree with alla that. Heh. Go figure. <applause>

He should be a good NFL pro. Hard worker to boot, one other concern were losing the bowl games but that is nit picking. He will have to adjust as most do.

[BrickBanland]

Originally Posted by Hank This is good shit...to bad my A.D.D won't let me read all this nonesense...but it's still funny to me, glad I brought chips and a drink.....

Oh come on, the world doesn't revolve around Tim Tebow.

[DFender]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland He should be a good NFL pro. Hard worker to boot, one other concern were losing the bowl games but that is nit picking. He will have to adjust as most do.

He didn't lose the fuckin' bowl game on his own... lolol... but I see the point and let's hope the transition is smooth because I really want him to succeed.