by CollegeSportsView.com

Our fair haired boy, Gil Lock, of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers, made an executive decision on behalf of his team that will likely carry dire consequences on the homefront.  After two straight winless weeks, Gil has replaced his bride, the lovely Jill Lock, as one of his college football experts.

“It wasn’t that tough a decision”, said Gil.  “We can’t have someone going 0-6 over two weeks. On top of that, she put my butt on the bench last season when I couldn’t pick a winner to save my bolts. Turnabout is fair play.  Fair or not, though, she didn’t take it very well.  Looks like the action on the football field will be the only action I’ll be worried about for awhile.”

When asked who would be stepping in, Gil revealed an odd solution.  “I have a very loyal follower that I often run into around the neighborhood.  Usually he’s in the pork store or OTB and he always stops to talk about college football.  So, I decided to give him a shot.  We’ll keep an eye on Jill and put her back in the lineup when she gets back on track.  Until then, meet Johhny Dudaguanda.”

Locks of the Week (32-18-4)

 Gil Lock (11-6-1)

Kansas State -3 over Kansas- The Jayhawks have struggled under new coach Turner Gill.  My only hesitation is that the game is in Lawrence but State coach Bill Snyder doesn’t lose Big XII games that he’s supposed to win.

Army +7 over Rutgers- Things get tighter for RichRod as the Wolverines head into the teeth of their schedule.

Iowa – 3 1/2 over Michigan- The bulldogs have to pretty angry over last week’s debacle at Hawaii. New Mexico State is terrible.  Lay the wood.

 Johnny Dudaguanda (0-0-0)

Georgia -15 over Vanderbilt- I usually try to stay out of the South since my cousin bailed a friend and me out of some legal trouble a few years back, but I learned my lesson after Jill picked Vandy two weeks ago.  What a dead piece!  They got smoked by UConn; Georgia should kill ‘em.  Go Dawgs.
 

Boise State -39 1/2 over San Jose State- Our weekly Boise pick, as the Broncos must run up the score on every opponent.

Nevada-Hawaii Over 74-  Really?  74?  What is this, a freakin’ basketball game?

Pad Lock (10-5-3)

Southern Miss -14 1/2 over Memphis -  So. Miss has put up 40+ the past two weeks, and while they don’t have the ’85 Bears defense, I’m confident they’ll contain dreadful Memphis.  Maybe if the Tigers cheated like their basketball team

Alabama-Mississippi Under 55- Bama should still be livid that they let their title hopes slip away last week, and their defense should be wide awake because of it. Expect Saban’s crew to smother Mississippi. Bama’s run offense will also help the cause, eating clock once the lead’s safe.

UTEP +2 1/2 over UAB- Let me get this straight, a 5-1 UTEP team is getting  points from 1-4 UAB team with losses to Florida Atlantic and UCF on its schedule ?  

Utah -20 1/2 over Wyoming-  This is just laughable. Uncle Gil would have Utah at -4 TDs at least.  Jump all over this one.

Is it possible to blow a billion bucks in just two weeks?   Tiger Woods may be in the process of answering that very question right now.  Since driving into a fire hydrant on Thanksgiving night, we’ve found out a lot about how Tiger may have been entertaining himself off the course.  True or not, you can bet that those sponsors that originally stood behind him are having second thoughts as each alleged dalliance is revealed.  As it is, not one commercial featuring Woods has appeared in prime time since the story began.   If he can’t stop the bleeding somehow, his wife and family may not be the only things he loses.

New York Knicks Sit Nate And Go On Tear
If Knicks’ head coach Mike D’Antoni does nothing else during the regular season, he’s already won me over with his benching of Nate Robinson; his super-talented and super-childish guard.  Robinson is a classic case of a player that just doesn’t get it. He defended his role in a brawl with the Nuggets as a reaction to the fact that Denver was, essentially, running up the score and seeking to embarrass New York.  Then, after that philosophy earned him a ten game suspension, he was lambasted by Knicks’ coach Isiah Thomas for a ridiculously comical dunk attempt in a close game that resulted in a traveling violation.  Contradicting his earlier stance and showing no remorse, he claimed that, net time, he’d wait until the Knicks were up twenty before he tried it.

This season, his second under D’Antoni, Nate finally pushed too hard when he intentionally shot the ball at the wrong basket against New Jersey and spent most of the pre game warmups vs. Orlando fraternizing with his buddy, Dwight Howard.   D’Antoni, having seen enough, banished Robinson to the bench and sent the 4-14 Knicks into their hottest streak of the season.

Robinson has no idea how to play a winning brand of basketball. He’s  a player that thinks the outcome of a game is incidental to the way he plays, not a direct result.  As such, he’s as unwatchable as any player in the league and the first guy that should be shown the door when the housecleaning begins next summer.

New York Yankees Trade for Granderson
About a year ago, the Yankees made what looked to be a safety-net type of trade with the White Sox in acquiring Nick Swisher.  Swisher, who can play all three outfield positions as well as first base, provided the Bombers some protection in case they couldn’t sign Mark Teixeira.  More than that, however, they’d acquired a player with a team-first mentality whose personality would be an asset to the team in the clubhouse as well as on the field.  Swisher quickly became a fan favorite and flourished at the bottom of New York’s order.  He was a huge part of their World Championship; a throwback who’d have been just as comfortable with Joe Torre’s Yanks as he was with Joe Girardi’s.  Swisher debunked the “rotisserie baseball” style of filling out a roster that had been employed by the Yankees over the last decade and brought back some of the grinding temperament that hadn’t been seen since Paul O’Neill and Tino Martinez left town.   Perhaps realizing the secret of his success, GM Brian Cashman made a similar move this week in grabbing Curtis Granderson from the Tigers.  He comes to the Bronx with a better resume than Swisher but is a very similar player.  Young, handsome and quick witted, he’ll be the object of fan affection the moment he steps on the field and should be equally as popular in the clubhouse.  Looks like Cashman has finally realized the value of good chemistry.

Fordham Basketball Coach Whittenburg Fired
Just five games into the season, Fordham University decided to dismiss men’s basketball coach, Dereck Whittenburg.  Coming off a disastrous 3-25 campaign, school athletic officials were hoping for a much better start from their Rams than four losses in the first five games.  So, after a twenty four point loss to neighborhood rival, Manhattan College, Whittenburg was shown the door. Fordham announced that a national search would commence immediately.

They can look all they want, even bring back Digger Phelps;  it won’t solve the biggest problem facing their basketball program.  Fordham, as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, is in way over its head; a point driven home on Sunday by its former MAAC opponent, Manhattan.  In the world of big-time college hoops, Fordham is a relatively small school with very little success as part of its history.  They have no geographic rivals within the conference and generate little or no interest among fans in New York City.  As part of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, however, they enjoyed rivalries with the aforementioned Jaspers and Iona while receiving  infinitely more local coverage.  You won’t see too many fans or reporters headed to Rose Hill on a cold February night for a Fordham-Saint Louis matchup.  Though, on the same night, Draddy Gym will have twice as many people for a Manhattan-Iona clash.  For some reason,(money), Fordham officials decided to leave the MAAC and signed on to be sacrificial lambs to the likes of A-10 powers Xavier, Dayton, St. Joseph’s, LaSalle and Temple; all programs with national reputations.  To expect a head coach to compete with those teams while also fighting a recruiting war at home with six other Division I programs is asking for too much.  That’s if he even chooses to fight that war in the first place.

While any coach would be behind the eight ball at Fordham, Whittenburg did have a hand in his own undoing.  A perusal of the Rams’ roster shows only one player from New York City; Alberto Estwick of Brooklyn.  Despite the fact that the New York Catholic High School League is considered the best in the nation, not one grad from among its members plays at Fordham.  Even Estwick played in New Jersey.  Legendary St. John’s coach, Lou Carnesecca, used to joke that his recruiting budget was a handful of subway tokens as his roster was made up mostly of city kids.  How’d he do with that strategy?  Current Johnnies’ head man, Norm Roberts,  has struggled almost as much as Whittenburg in his tenure; mainly due to his inability to recruit in his own backyard.   Ironically, Whittenburg’s last defeat came at the hands of Manhattan coach Barry Rohrssen, formerly Pitt’s chief recruiter who made a living bringing New York players to Pittsburgh after they were ignored by their hometown colleges.   I’ve attended better than a hundred CHSAA games over the last eight years.  Rohrssen is a fixture.  I’ve never seen Whittenburg.

Fordham’s got a long road ahead on its way to hoop respectability; something it may never accomplish no matter how earnest the effort.  The first step taken should be toward a head coach with a New York reputation who’ll bring city players to Rose Hill and start to generate interest among Big Apple hoop fans. A few regular season games at The Garden wouldn’t hurt either. Until then, however, they’re just boys among men.  No matter who’s running the program.

It wasn’t the best performance we’ve seen from the Locks but it still produced a winning weekend.  Jill turned in her first losing record, going 1-2, while nephew Pad and husband Gil logged 2-1 Saturdays.  Gil’s was especially sweet, as he had been coaxed out of semi-retirement by his nephew.  “I was happy to be back but I’m still not at the top of my game.  I picked Cincy-UConn under 52 and both teams almost went over by themselves.”

Well, there’s just no pleasing some people but, with a stellar record, the Locks have pleased more than not.  Let’s take a look at this week’s selections.

Locks of the Week

Jill (14-7)

Idaho-Boise State over 63-

I’m staying with Boise but only on the over as they let me down last week. I expect the Broncos to try and run it up on their in-state rival but Idaho can score, too, as eveidenced by the 45 points they scored vs. Nevada that sent Gil over the wall.

Utah + 17.5 over TCU- 

TCU is ranked fourth with an outside shot at the BCS Championship.  They’ve been killing teams lately but Utah’s lost just once in two years and they’ve already beaten Oklahoma.  I think the Utes lose here but not by double digits.

Oregon -17 over Arizona State-

Took a look at Arizona State’s record and, boy, do they give up a lot of points.  Oregon’s going to be real pissed after getting their Ducks knocked off last week and should win going away.

Pad (4-2)

Clemson – 6 over North Carolina  State-

Clemson is really starting to hit its stride and has its sights set on an Atlantic Division title.  NC State is really weak but, somehow, managed to beat Pitt.  That’ll remain their one upset as the Tigers keep rolling.

San Jose State-Utah State over 55.5-

Another case of “Arifemetic”.  Bothe teams can score, neither can defend.  Good bet that one of them will come close by themselves.

Western Michigan -10 over Eastern Michigan-

Eastern Michigan is 0-9 and will get no sympathy from its biggest rival.

Gil (9-11-1)

Cincinnati-9.5 over West Virginia (Friday)-

Playing a hunch here that Cincinnati will take advantage of its second straight week on National TV.  Would feel a lot better about it if they hadn’t given up 45 to UConn but I think that’ll be a wakeup call.

Missouri +2  1/2 over Kansas State-

The Big 12 North is a weak division but Missouri is one of its better teams.  They have more talent than K State so I’m picking the Tigers.

BYU -27 over New Mexico-

Went with Utah over New Mex last week and found out what a generous team they are.  BYU QB Max Hall should have a field day.

Season Record 27-20-1

Yankees Manager Should Tell Burnett, “Shut Up and Pitch.”

I can’t believe Yanks’ manager Joe Girardi is planning to bench Jorge Posada in Game 2 of the ALDS because of the perception that A.J. Burnett pitches better when Jose Molina is behind the plate.  Now, I might give Girardi a little wiggle room here if say, C.C. Sabathia preferred Molina.  But Burnett?  What, exactly, has he done this year to warrant such a huge accomodation?  Here’s a little perspective on A.J.’s season:  He’s got 13 wins for a team with the best offense in the game at the not-so-bargain basement price of $18 million.  Conversely, Minnesota’s Game 3 starter, Carl Pavano, had 14 wins while pitching most of the year for the last place Indians.  See how many Yankee fans you can find that’d want Pavano in pinstripes tomorrow night.  To bench Posada, a proven post season vet enjoying one of his best seasons, for such a disappointing pitcher is ludicrous. And with Girardi facing dismissal if he doesn’t bring home a ring, it’s really ill advised to alienate one of the team’s leaders.  For the skipper’s sake, Burnett had better throw a gem.

Gardenhire Thumbs Nose At Robotic Managers

Despite the fact that there were really no pennant races in Major League Baseball outside of the AL Central, The Twins and Tigers certainly made up for it Tuesday night.  Of all the moves and counter moves made by both managers throughout the twelve inning marathon, my favorite came in the top of the eighth.  With two on and one out, Twins’ skipper Ron Gardenhire handed the ball to,(hold on to something before you read this), his closer Joe Nathan.  Yes, in the most crucial part of the game and season, a manager finally decided that he needed his best pitcher to get him out of trouble, no matter what inning it was.   Look for Gardenhire to have his Manager’s Union card revoked.

Jets Look To Bounce Back With Some Extra Help

While it’s true that there is no such thing as a good loss, that wasn’t such a bad one suffered by the Jets in New Orleans.  It’ll have no impact on Division or Conference tie-breakers, they held one of the league’s top offensive units to just ten points and were done in by the mistakes of their rookie QB; something they knew would eventually happen.  Mark Sanchez had better start tucking that ball away in the pocket, though, and the offensive line has to step it up in order to make use of RB Thomas Jones.  We’ll get our first look at how Sanchez handles adversity this week.  I like his chances. Especially with WR Braylon Edwards in the fold.  Maybe all  he needed was a change of scenery.  Jet fans certainly hope so.

Give Eli A Week Off To Heal Heel

I’m not saying the Giants can win a Super Bowl without Eli Manning. But, they can absolutely beat the Raiders with David Carr under center, something I hope to see this Sunday.  No sense losing sight of the big picture while facing such a bad team.

New York Mets Broadcaster At Top Of His Field

Tuesday night, during Twins-Tigers on TBS, a national audience saw first hand what Mets fans have known for a few years: Ron Darling is a superb analyst.  Never too wordy, always on point, Darling had his best moment in the bottom of the seventh.  With one out and one on, Orlando Cabrera stepped into the box with the Twins trailing 3-2.  “Orlando Cabrera is a winning player who always seems to get a big hit when his team needs it the most”, said Darling.  The Twins’ shortstop made Darling a prophet with his two tun homer just a few minutes later.  And, as Cabrera rounded the bases, not one “I told you so” from Darling.  A total professional.

Fifty Years? Already?

On October 10th 1959, Notre Dame traveled to Berkeley and laid a 28-6 pasting on California while LSU, the #1 team in the country, knocked off Miami 27-6. The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford was born, Pan Am announced the beginning of the first global airline service and Eileen Forsyth married Artie Mayrose at St. Anselm’s Church in Brooklyn. In the fifty years since, through four children, twelve grandchildren and all of the excitement, disappointment, triumphs, setbacks, achievements, failures, milestones and heartbreaks that make up half a century, they have been a shining example of the invincibility of two people that love each other.  They created a strong family that spawned four others by living and teaching one simple rule:  There is nothing that parents can give their children that is more valuable than the parents themselves.  Though they never missed anything, even though our time took up all of theirs, and we never wanted for anything, despite the fact they were not wealthy, it is a simple fact that they never sacrificed anything for us.  At least, that’s what they’d say.  As kids, our lives didn’t take away from theirs, rather, our lives became theirs. It is a legacy of love that now benefits their grandchildren as well.  So, Happy 50th, Mom and Dad.  Here’s hoping the next fifty are just as much fun.  Eat your heart out, Lou Kennedy.

Yankees Have Unfinished Business

Summer officially ended for the Yankees and their fans on Sunday with the clinching of the American League Eastern Division. Despite a wonderful season that saw the opening of a beautiful new ballpark, record numbers of home runs, exciting, last-inning heroics that seemed to occur every night, two or three viable MVP and CY Young candidates as well as the best record in baseball, a playoff run that ends short of a World Series title will turn 2009 into a failure.

It’s the one downside to playing for the Bronx Bombers.  Yes, you enjoy the best that money can buy but at a price:  If you don’t win it all, the season is lost.  Just ask Manager Joe Girardi, whose status for next year is still undetermined despite this season’s success.  Or Alex Rodriguez, possibly the greatest player of his time, who has struggled mightily in the post season since joining the Bombers and has become a target of fans’ frustration because of it.

Former Mets GM Frank Cashen once said that the best team always wins the division but the playoffs are a crap shoot. While it’s true that the Yankees go into the post season with some big question marks, namely their starting rotation after C.C. Sabathia, they have markedly fewer problems than the rest of the AL’s contenders.  Now, if ARod can just get hot and A.J. Burnett can imagine that he’s pitching for a contract, maybe Joe Girardi can worry about his ring size instead of his resume.

New York Jets Might Not Be “Same Old”

Try as I might to resist, the Jets are starting to nudge me in the direction of optimism.  Not so much because of their perfect record but more for the attitude with which the defense is confounding veteran quarterbacks.  Attack, attack, attack is the modus operandi; one that couldn’t be more foreign to fans raised on the heartbreak of the Prevent Defense.  Apparently, the aggressive style is contagious, as evidenced by Mark Sanchez lowering his head and driving toward the end zone during his touchdown run on Sunday.  No sissy-boy slide for Rex Ryan’s QB.

Before I start booking a Super Bowl trip, however, I’d like to see some consistency in the running game.  Despite their 3-0 record, the Jets have only been productive on the ground in the second half of their opener in Houston.  With a rookie signal caller in Sanchez, they’ll have to establish their ground attack if they hope to keep opposing defenses out of his face as the season goes on.

Knicks Plan For Life Without LeBron James

Finally, the Knicks seem to be acknowledging that they must have an alternative plan in place should they come up empty next summer when players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh become free agents.  While it’s true that Donnie Walsh has done a great job in ridding the Knicks of the bad contracts that left the organization no room under the salary cap, that cap space alone does not guarantee that James or Wade will be wearing a New York uniform in 2010.

In signing David Lee to a one year deal for significantly more than Lee was entitled, Walsh established some good will with his young star going forward while maintaining wiggle room under the cap.  Besides, there’s this little business of playing the 82 games on this year’s schedule first; something not all that promising to begin with but entirely more watchable with a budding star like Lee on the squad.

MLB Disabled List Doesn’t Have To Mean All Is Lost

Is it reasonable to expect a Major League team to contend for a divisional title when   its two best players miss huge chunks of the season to injury; only to be followed to the disabled list by three of the five starters in the rotation?  Even if the team survives that initial wave of injuries, it couldn’t possibly stay in the race when a second wave of bad health removes two more power hitters from the middle of the lineup; one for the remainder of the season, could it?   Well, if you’re asking that question out at CitiField,  Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel would tell you the answer is a resounding, “No”.   But, in Minnesota, where the Twins head into Detroit this week for a four game series just two behind the Tigers in spite of all the aforementioned casualties, the answer is, “Why not?”

The Twinkies spent the first month of the season without Joe Mauer, a two time batting champ about to add a third title and an MVP award to his trophy case.  Think they might have been two games better over the first five weeks with him behind the plate?  Their projected ace, Francisco Liriano, has contributed nothing while serving three different stints on the DL,  they’ll finish the season without former MVP Justin Morneau, down with a bad back, just as they’ve muddled along trying to patch the huge hole left by starter Kevin Slowey; 10-3 before saying goodbye to ’09 with a broken wrist.  Hard to believe Minnesota wouldn’t have long since iced the division with these guys all in the lineup but, even without them, they still have a shot.  It’s a tribute to the excellence of the organization, from scouting to player development, and something for Mets’ owner Fred Wilpon to consider when evaluating the job done by Minaya.  It’s also why there should be an investigation if Ron Gardenhire isn’t named AL Manager of the Year.

Florida Gators Lose Tebow For No Good Reason

Bonehead call of the week goes to Urban Meyer, Head Coach of the top ranked Florida Gators.  With under eight minutes to go in the third quarter of Florida’s matchup with Kentucky on Saturday, the Gators scored to make it 31-7.  To that point, Tim Tebow, perhaps the game’s premier player, had been directing Meyer’s spread offense even though he was sick enough to require two bags of intravenous fluids before the game just to be able to play.  Yet, despite the big lead and his superstar’s illness, Meyer chose to leave Tebow in the game; a decision that bit him on the behind when Tebow suffered a concussion. 

Now, if Meyer thought that Kentucky would rally from 24 points down in 22 minutes against his Gator defense, he was the only one in the country.  But let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.  Say there was enough time for the Wildcats to come back.  This was a football game; not baseball.  If Kentucky made it close, Tebow could always return to the lineup.  Instead, Meyer flirted with one of  the few things that could derail his team’s run to its third title in four years.  Bonehead.

SEC Football Not For The Faint Of Heart

Three conference matchups this week gave a bit of a preview as to just how tough this season may be in the SEC.  While Alabama cruised past Arkansas, Mississippi State came up less than a yard short of knocking off #5 LSU in Baton Rouge.  The Bulldogs had a first and goal at the Tigers’ 2 yard line but couldn’t punch it in.  In Lexington, despite Florida’s thrashing of previously unbeaten Kentucky, All-World QB Tim Tebow was knocked from the game with a concussion.  After spending Saturday night in the hospital, Tebow’s availability to return in time for the Gators’ road trip to LSU this weekend had yet to be determined.

Big East Conference Makes a Statement

Ask a college football fan which of the BCS conferences is the weakest and he’ll usually tell you it’s the Big East.  Seemingly bristling from that tag, the Big East made a Big Statement this weekend when South Florida, behind an untested freshman QB, went into Tallahassee and dominated Florida State.  Led by Tallahassee native B.J. Daniels, the Bulls led from start to finish in vanquishing Seminole squad coming off a huge win over Brigham Young.  Daniels, who decided to attend South Florida because Florida State wanted him to play defense, ran the ball well, made the passes he had to and gave his team reason to believe there might be life after Matt Grothe… Rutgers used a strong second half to put Maryland away while Pitt blew a fourth quarter lead in Raleigh and fell to N.C. State.

Miami Hurricanes Not All The Way Back Just Yet

Much was made last week of Miami’s 3-0 record that included victories over Florida State and Georgia Tech.  While their return to the Top Ten of the Coaches’ poll grabbed a lot of attention, it also seemed to make people forget just how good Virginia Tech is.  The pre season league favorite, none too happy at being listed as an underdog on their home field, sent “The U” back to the drawing board with a 31-7 thrashing in Blacksburg… Georgia Tech recovered from its loss to Miami and routed the offensively-challenged North Carolina Tar heels 24-7.

Big 12 Takes Weekend Off

Not a busy week in the Big 12, as early season cupcakes were still on the menu.  As league play commences this week, Texas has clearly established itself as the team to beat; at least until Sam Bradford returns to the Oklahoma lineup.

Parity Means Mediocrity Once Again In The Big Ten

One of these years, college football analysts will see the Big Ten for the Big Fraud that it is and stop ranking its teams so high in the pre season; especially Penn State.  Despite the fact that Paterno’s boys annually beat up on women’s colleges to start the year, pollsters taken with the ancient coach write the Nittany Lions onto their ballots.  Iowa made a mockery of PSU’s ranking this week and with it all talk of one last title for Paterno.  Indiana showed some chops by hanging with Michigan in the Big House, Wisconsin remained undefeated and Ohio State restablished itself as the cream of the crop.

Three BCS Party Crashers Still Left

Through the first month of the season, we’ve seen Boise State, TCU and Houston all establish solid resumes for a BCS bowl in spite of their residing in Non-BCS conferences.  Boise continues to roll; it’s decisive victory over Oregon to open 2009 now looking even better with the Ducks’ annihilation of California.  TCU traveled to Clemson and handled the Tigers; no easy task in Death Valley.  The Horned Frogs’ chances will come down to a matchup with BYU in the Mountain West.  As for Houston, if they weren’t in Conference USA,  they’d currently be sitting atop the standings of the Big 12 South off of their victories over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.  As we always do here at CollegeSportsView.com, we hope all three finish the season with perfect records and cause the BCS computer to explode.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1) Florida                4-0
2) Texas                   4-0
3) Alabama             4-0
4) LSU                       4-0
5) Boise State         4-0
6) Cincinnati           4-0
7) TCU                       3-0
USC                        3-1
9)Virginia Tech      3-1
10)Ohio State          3-1
11)Oklahoma           2-1
12)Kansas                 4-0
13)Houston              4-0
14)South Florida    4-0
15)Iowa                      4-0
16)Oklahoma State 3-1
17)Georgia                3-1
18)Mississippi          3-1
19)Michigan              4-0
20)Oregon                 3-1
21)California             3-1
22)Penn State           3-1
23)BYU                       3-1
24)Missouri              4-0
25)Auburn                4-0

Five Teams to Watch

Utah
South Carolina
Nebraska
Indiana
Miami

1. Sept. 5 Middle Tennessee
2. Sept. 10 at Georgia Tech (ESPN)
3. Sept. 19 Boston College
4. Oct. 3 at Maryland
5. Oct. 17 Wake Forest
6. Oct. 24 at Miami
7. Oct. 31 Coastal Carolina
8. Nov. 7 Florida State
9. Nov. 14 at NC State
10. Nov. 21 Virginia
11. Nov. 28 at South Carolina

Eastern Division

1) FLORIDA-  Not only do the Gators return all eleven starters to a defensive unit that won a National Championship but all eleven backups, as well. The best of the bunch, All American LB Brandon Spikes, was the team’s leading tackler in ’08 and will front a secondary that led the nation in interceptions. On the other side, some guy named Tebow is the nation’s best player and operates in system perfectly suited to his talents. Even though the Gators will have to replace and, on the offensive line, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Florida doesn’t win its third in four years with Tebow taking home his second Heisman. Their first test will come at LSU on Oct 10 and the second on Halloween vs. Georgia.

2) GEORGIA- Even though it’s almost impossible to overcome the losses of players like Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, the Dawgs may actually pull it off, thanks to five returning starters on the Offensive Line.  QB Joe Cox will rely heavily on WR  A.J. Green while the running game sorts itself out.  While head coach Mark Richt looks to tackles Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens to lead strong defensive unit.  They’ll be tested early, as they travel to Oklahoma State for their opener.

3) KENTUCKY- As the defense goes, so go the Wildcats.  Kentucky has NFL talent at MLB in Micah Johnson and CB Trevard Lindley; both seniors.  For the ‘Cats to go bowling, though, they’ll need a better season from QB Mike Hartline, someone to step up at RB and immediate help from a strong recruiting class.

4) VANDERBILT- The Commodores return 18 starters to a team that appeaed in a bowl for the first time in 26 years. Most importantly, each line is completely stocked with veteran players.  They’ll have to improve on their paltry offensive output in ’08 and may just do so behind Soph QB Larry Smith who emerged as the starter late last season.  Defensively, Vandy is led by CB Myron Lewis and LB Chris Marve. 

5) SOUTH CAROLINA- The Gamecocks ride into ’09 looking to ride their defense as far as it can take them.  Studs like LB/DE Eric Norwood and LB Rodney Paulk top the list, followed closely by DE Cliff Matthews and CB Akeem Auguste.  Stephen Garcia gets the nod at QB ; almost by default.  The ‘Cocks led the nation in interceptions thrown last season and may do so again if a questionable Offensive Line can’t protect Garcia.

6) TENNESSEE- It’s time for new coach Lane Kiffin to walk the walk after spending most of the last few months talking the talk.  He’ll have to do it with an unproven Jonathan Crompton at QB and Bryce Brown, a freshman, at RB.  The defense will give the Vols their best chance to win as All American S Eric Berry returns along with stud DT Dan Williams and LB Rico McCoy.

Western Division

1) ALABAMA- Despite the losses of QB John Parker Wilson and leading rusher, Glen Coffee, the Tide should again roll to the top of the SEC West standings on the strength of Nick Saban’s second straight, top ranked recruiting class. Glen McElroy steps into the void created by Wilson’s departure and will seek support from RB Mark Ingram, who set a freshman record for TD with 12. Terrence Cody and Rolando McLain lead nine returning starters on a defensive unit whose secondary is its only question mark. We’ll get an early idea about what kind of season it’ll be for Alabama in the September 5th opener vs. Virginia Tech.

2) MISSISSIPPI- The Rebels are the sexy pick to challenge in the SEC this year, ranked as high as sixth nationally by Sports Illustrated. Behind QB Jevan Snead, the offense averaged 30 PPG last season and returns most of its starters. The defense must overcome the loss of DT Peria Jerry and improve its secondary. Many point to the ’08 upset of Florida in Gainesville and the thrashing of Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl as reasons to expect big things. Maybe so, but bad losses at Wake Forest and South Carolina indicate that consistency is still a problem.

3) LOUISIANA STATE- QB Jordan Jefferson emerged as the starter late last season and carries the torch for the Tigers’ O into 2009. He’ll have premier talent to rely on in WR Brandon LaFell and RB Charles Scott. The big questions lie on the other side of the ball where the Bayou Bengals were extremely generous in ’08. A strong secondary led by CB Patrick Peterson and S Chad Jones will have to pick up the slack for a D-Line with three new starters.

ARKANSAS- The Hogs, in Head Coach Bobby Petrino’s second year, will look to QB Ryan Mallett, a transfer from Michigan, to lead the offense to the level of efficiency Petrino was known for at Louisville.  RB Michael Smith and TE D.J. Williams will be Mallett’s main weapons.  Their problems on defense, however, may be too difficult to overcome.  In an unforgiving SEC, nine returning starters from the league’s worst unit is not an ideal situation.

AUBURN- Good luck to new Head Coach Gene Chizik, who must make a quick impression on Tiger fans in order to make them forget his 5-19 record at Iowa State. That’ll be tough as an uncertain QB situation will be further complicated by the introductuion of the spread offense.  Look for Kodi Burns to start the year under center with RB’s Ben Tate and Mario Fannin carrying most of the load.  A highly rated recruiting class could help.

MISSISSIPPI STATE-  MSU joins the club of teams installing the spread offense.  In their case, however, they have Dan Mullen, one of its originators, as head coach. Mullen left Urban Meyer’s Florida staff to come to Starkville and may be the team’s only attraction in his first year.  A solid, if unspectacular, defense is led by LB Jamar Chaney and will have to step it up as the offense suffers the growing pains of Frosh QB Tyler Russell.

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 2009 SCHEDULES

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Sept.5   Virginia Tech (Atlanta)
Sept.12  FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Sept.19  NORTH TEXAS
Sept.26  ARKANSAS
Oct. 3   at Kentucky
Oct. 10  at Ole Miss
Oct. 17  SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 24  TENNESSEE
Nov. 7   LSU
Nov. 14  at Mississippi State
Nov. 21  CHATTANOOGA
Nov. 28  at Auburn

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Sept.5   MISSOURI STATE (Little Rock)
Sept.19  GEORGIA
Sept.26  at Alabama
Oct. 3   Texas A&M (Arlington, Texas)
Oct. 10  AUBURN
Oct. 17  at Florida
Oct. 24  at Ole Miss
Oct. 31  EASTERN MICHIGAN
Nov. 7   SOUTH CAROLINA
Nov. 14  TROY
Nov. 21  MISSISSIPPI STATE (Little Rock)
Nov. 28  at LSU

AUBURN TIGERS

Sept.5   LOUISIANA TECH
Sept.12  MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept.19  WEST VIRGINIA
Sept.26  BALL STATE
Oct. 3   at Tennessee
Oct. 10  at Arkansas
Oct. 17  KENTUCKY
Oct. 24  at LSU
Oct. 31  OLE MISS
Nov. 7   FURMAN
Nov. 14  at Georgia
Nov. 28  ALABAMA

FLORIDA GATORS

Sept.5   CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
Sept.12  TROY
Sept.19  TENNESSEE
Sept.26  at Kentucky
Oct. 10  at LSU
Oct. 17  ARKANSAS
Oct. 24  at Mississippi State
Oct. 31  Georgia (Jacksonville)
Nov. 7   VANDERBILT
Nov. 14  at South Carolina
Nov. 21  FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Nov. 28  FLORIDA STATE

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Sept.5   at Oklahoma State
Sept.12  SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept.19  at Arkansas
Sept.26  ARIZONA STATE
Oct. 3   LSU
Oct. 10  at Tennessee
Oct. 17  at Vanderbilt
Oct. 31  Florida (Jacksonville)
Nov. 7   TENNESSEE TECH
Nov. 14  AUBURN
Nov. 21  KENTUCKY
Nov. 28  at Georgia Tech

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Sept.5   Miami (Ohio) (Cincinnati)
Sept.19  LOUISVILLE
Sept.26  FLORIDA
Oct. 3   ALABAMA
Oct. 10  at South Carolina
Oct. 17  at Auburn
Oct. 24  LOUISIANA-MONROE
Oct. 31  MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 7   EASTERN KENTUCKY
Nov. 14  at Vanderbilt
Nov. 21  at Georgia
Nov. 28  TENNESSEE

LSU TIGERS

Sept 5   at Washington
Sept 12  VANDERBILT
Sept.19  LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE
Sept.26  at Mississippi State
Oct. 3   at Georgia
Oct. 10  FLORIDA
Oct. 24  AUBURN
Oct. 31  at Tulane
Nov. 7   at Alabama
Nov. 14  LOUISIANA TECH
Nov. 21  at Ole Miss
Nov. 28  ARKANSAS

OLE MISS REBELS

Sept.6   at Memphis
Sept.19  SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
Sept.26  at South Carolina
Oct. 3   at Vanderbilt
Oct. 10  ALABAMA
Oct. 17  UAB
Oct. 24  ARKANSAS
Oct. 31  at Auburn
Nov. 7   NORTHERN ARIZONA
Nov. 14  TENNESSEE
Nov. 21  LSU
Nov. 28  at Mississippi State

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

Sept.5   JACKSON STATE
Sept.12  at Auburn
Sept.19  at Vanderbilt
Sept.26  LSU
Oct. 3   GEORGIA TECH
Oct. 10  HOUSTON
Oct. 17  at Middle Tennessee
Oct. 24  FLORIDA
Oct. 31  at Kentucky
Nov. 14  ALABAMA
Nov. 21  Arkansas (Little RoCK)
Nov. 28  OLE MISS

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Sept.3   at N.C. State
Sept.12  at Georgia
Sept.19  FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Sept.26  OLE MISS
Oct. 3   SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Oct. 10  KENTUCKY
Oct. 17  at Alabama
Oct. 24  VANDERBILT
Oct. 31  at Tennessee
Nov. 7   at Arkansas
Nov. 14  FLORIDA
Nov. 28  CLEMSON

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Sept.5   WESTERN KENTUCKY
Sept.12  UCLA
Sept.19  at Florida
Sept.26  OHIO
Oct. 3   AUBURN
Oct. 10  GEORGIA
Oct. 24  at Alabama
Oct. 31  SOUTH CAROLINA
Nov. 7   MEMPHIS
Nov. 14  at Ole Miss
Nov. 21  VANDERBILT
Nov. 28  at Kentucky

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Sept.5   WESTERN CAROLINA
Sept.12  at LSU
Sept.19  OLE MISS
Sept.26  at Rice
Oct. 3   MISSISSIPPI STATE
Oct. 10  at Army
Oct. 17  GEORGIA
Oct. 24  at South Carolina
Oct. 31  GEORGIA TECH
Nov. 7   at Florida
Nov. 14  KENTUCKY
Nov. 21  at Tennessee 

While the Big XII conference used the most logical method in forming the two divisions that make up the league; geographically, the result has been the most lopsided conference among the six participating in the Bowl Championship Series.  Last season, three different schools, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech were ranked either #1 or #2 in the nation while another, Oklahoma State, cracked the top ten.  While the Sooners, Longhorns and Red Raiders each went undefeated vs. the rest of the league and split with each other, Missouri cruised to the top of the North division while posting a 5-3 conference record that would have landed them in fourth place had they been in the South.  The disparity showed, too, as Oklahoma rolled over the Tigers, 62-21 in the Dr. Pepper Big XII Championship game. 

Things don’t look like they’ll be any different this year as reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford, returns to Norman for another title run and Colt McCoy, who finished second, is back in Austin with the same goal.  It’s bad enough that there is no chance that these two will play for the national title but even more disappointing that there is only one spot open to them in the conference championship tilt.  Such is the way of the Big XII, the strongest league in the country, despite what SEC fans might say.

Big XII North

1) Kansas- The Jayhawks will try to take advantage of a favorable schedule, weak competition in the division and eight returning offensive starters to punch their ticket to the title game.  QB Todd Reesing to WR Dezmon Briscoe is a lethal combo that will be helped by the addition of WR Jonathan Wilson.  No team can contend in this league without a strong secondary and Kansas has a formidable one led by S Darrell Stuckey and CB’s Justin Thornton and Anthony Davis.   

2) Colorado- While the offense is unsettled as far as who will start and where, it’s because Head Coach Dan Hawkins has a number of solid choices in the backfield.  RB Darrell Scott has a narrow lead atop the depth chart, just ahead of playmaker Demetrius Sumler. That depth will be tested as the Buffs’ lack of a big time receiver will force them to rely on the ground attack.  Cody Hawkins heads into camp slightly ahead of Tyler Hansen, who broke his thumb in spring practice.  Both will see time.  Colorado’s weak secondary will be the biggest obstacle in making a run at Kansas.

3) Missouri- As RB Derrick Washington goes, so goes the Mizzou offense, as long as an inexperienced offensive line comes together enough to open some holes for him.  Soph QB Blaine Gabbert will have new faces on the outside as the Tigers must replace their top three pass catchers from a year ago. The defense is solid in the secondary and features such top talent as DE Jacques Smith, LB Sean Witherspoon and NT Jaron Baston.

4) Nebraska- The biggest star for the Cornhuskers is returning NT Ndamukong Suh who had been projected as a top ten pick had he made himself available for the NFL draft.  Suh is one of three starters returning on the D-line who will front a deep linebacker corps.  Zac Lee takes over at QB and will lead a largely inexperienced group of skill position players.  Their success will depend on a talented offensive line.

5) Kansas State-  Legendary coach Bill Snyder returns to rescue the Wildcats from the depths of the conference.  Unfortunately for Wildcats’ fans, it won’t be a quick fix.  Snyder needs to find a RB, his best WR, Brandon Banks, is just 5’6”and his first option at QB, Carson Coffman, is not a good fit for Snyder’s offense.

6) Iowa State- The spread offense comes to Ames, courtesy of new coach Paul Rhoads.  That should be good news for QB Austen Arnaud, a solid runner.  He may have more running opportunities than he’d like, however, due to the porous offensive line.  The Cyclones defense couldn’t stop anyone last year and will look to correct that by installing a playmaking, risk taking system.  Wait’ll Texas and Oklahoma hear that.

Big XII South

1) Oklahoma State- That’s right, Oklahoma State.  Despite the presence of two national title favorites in the division, the Cowboys are the pick here to represent the South in the Big XII title game.  Zac Robinson, who would be the best QB in most other conferences, leads a high powered offense that features the league’s best WR in Dez Bryant and top RB, Kendall Hunter.   While the defense was last in the league in sacks, Jeremiah Price looked very strong in spring practice and should benefit from the presence of new coordinator, Bill Young.   

2)Texas- Colt McCoy surprised many by deciding to spurn the megabucks of the NFL and return for his senior season.  McCoy, who threw 45 TD while posting a 77% completion percentage, was also the Longhorns leading rusher something Mack Brown would rather say about junior Vondrell McGee or freshman Chris Whaley.  On defense, Texas looks to LB/DE Sergio Kindle to replace Brian Orapko, who took his Lombardi Award to the NFL. 

3) Oklahoma- QB Sam Bradford brought his Heisman back to Norman for another crack at a national championship.  The task may be difficult as the Sooners have to replace most of their offensive line and two top WR.  Two RB, Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray ran for 1,000 YDS and both return. The defense returns 9 starters, among them DT Gerald McCoy, LB Travis Lewis and starting CB’s Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks. 

4)Texas Tech- Soph QB Taylor Potts has the unenviable task of replacing record breaking QB Graham Harrell while it is still unclear who will fill the shoes of departed WR Michael Crabtree.  Those losses are the two most notable and tend to take attention away from significant losses on the defensive side of the ball, namely Big XII sack leader Brandon Williams and safety Darrell McBath.  Could be a long year in Lubbock.

5) Baylor- It has to be frustrating for a program to have significant improvement that doesn’t translate into victories.  Such is the case for Baylor, a school that managed to be infinitely more competitive last year while managing just two conference wins.  QB Robert Griffin, an exciting playmaker, will be happy to see WR Kendall Wright and RB Jay Finley return.  Their production, however, is dependent on how well Baylor replaces two starting offensive tackles.

6)Texas A&M- The Aggies will rely heavily on freshman RB Christine Michael to carry its ground game, an imposing task if the play of the offensive line continues to be sub par. 

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BIG TWELVE FOOTBALL 2009 SCHEDULES

BAYLOR

09/05      at Wake Forest  
09/19      Connecticut 
09/26      Northwestern State 
10/03      Kent State
10/10      at Oklahoma 
10/17      at Iowa State  
10/24      Oklahoma State 
10/31      Nebraska 
11/07      at Missouri
11/14      Texas 
11/21      at Texas A&M 
11/28      Texas Tech  Arlington, Texas

COLORADO

09/06      Colorado state
09/11      at Toledo 
09/19      Wyoming
10/01      at West Virginia
10/10      at Texas
10/17      Kansas
10/24      at Kansas State
10/31      Missouri
11/07      Texas A&M
11/14      at Iowa State
11/19      at Oklahoma State
11/27      Nebraska

IOWA STATE

09/03      North Dakota State 
09/12      Iowa 
09/19      at Kent State 
09/26      Army  
10/03      Kansas State at Kansas City, Mo.
10/10      at Kansas
10/17      Baylor 
10/24      at Nebraska
10/31      at Texas A&M 
10/07      Oklahoma State
11/14       Colorado
11/21       at Missouri

KANSAS

09/05      Northern Colorado
09/12      at UTEP 
09/19      Duke
09/26      Southern Miss
10/10      Iowa State
10/17      at Colorado 
10/24      Oklahoma 
10/31      at Texas Tech  
11/07      at Kansas State
11/14      Nebraska  
11/21      at Texas  
11/28      Missouri at Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS STATE

09/05      Massachusetts 
09/12      at Louisiana-Lafayette  
09/19      at UCLA 
09/26      Tennessee Tech
10/03      Iowa State at Kansas City, Mo.   
10/10      at Texas Tech
10/17      Texas A&M
10/24      Colorado  
10/31      at Oklahoma 
11/07      Kansas
11/14      Missouri
11/21      at Nebraska

MISSOURI

09/05      Illinois at St. Louis, Mo.
09/12      Bowling Green
09/19      Furman
09/25      at Nevada 
10/08      Nebraska  
10/17      at Oklahoma State
10/24      Texas
10/31      at Colorado
11/07      Baylor
11/14      at Kansas State
11/21      Iowa State Columbia, Mo. TBA
11/28      vs. Kansas Kansas City, Mo.

NEBRASKA

 09/05      Florida Atlantic
09/12      Arkansas State 
09/19      at Virginia Tech 
09/26      Louisiana-Lafayette 
10/08      at Missouri
10/17      Texas Tech  
10/24      Iowa State
10/31      at Baylor 
11/07      Oklahoma
11/14      at Kansas
11/21      Kansas State
11/27      at Colorado

OKLAHOMA

09/05      BYU at Arlington,Texas
09/12      Idaho State
09/19      Tulsa 
10/03      at Miami 
10/10      Baylor 
10/17      Texas @ Dallas,Tx
10/24      at Kansas  
10/31      Kansas State 
11/07      at Nebraska  
11/14      Texas A&M 
11/21      at Texas Tech 
11/28      Oklahoma State

OKLAHOMA STATE

09/05      Georgia  
09/12      Houston 
09/19      Rice 
09/26      Grambling St. 
10/10      at Texas A&M 
10/17      Missouri 
10/24      at Baylor 
10/31      Texas 
11/07      at Iowa State
11/14      Texas Tech 
11/19      Colorado 
11/28      at Oklahoma 

TEXAS

09/05      Louisiana-Monroe
09/12      at Wyoming 
09/19      Texas Tech
09/26      UTEP 
10/10      Colorado 
10/17      Oklahoma @ Dallas,Tx 
10/24      at Missouri 
10/31      at Oklahoma State 
11/07      Central Florida
11/14      at Baylor 
11/21      Kansas 
11/26at    Texas A&M 

TEXAS A&M

09/05      New Mexico
09/19      Utah State
09/26      UAB
10/03      Arkansas @ Arlington, Texas
10/10      Oklahoma state 
10/17      at Kansas State  Manhattan, Kan. TBA
10/24      at Texas Tech  Lubbock, Texas TBA
10/31      Iowa state
11/07      at Colorado 
11/14      at Oklahoma 
11/21      Baylor
11/26      Texas

TEXAS TECH

09/05      North Dakota
09/12      Rice
09/19      at Texas 
09/26      Houston
10/03      New Mexico
10/10      Kansas State
10/17      at Nebraska
10/24      Texas A&M 
10/31      Kansas 
11/14      at Oklahoma State 
11/21      Oklahoma
11/28      Baylor @ Arlington, Texas

Coastal Division

1) Virginia Tech- The Hokies come into ’09 looking for the conference hat trick; having won two straight ACC titles.  Even with that record, however, dsominance is not something associated with Va. Tech as a mediocre 5-3 record was all it took for a spot in the conference championship game.  Tyrod Taylor takes the helm at QB where he’ll need to improve his passing numbers; something that should be helped along by a strong receiving corps led by Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin.  Soph RB Darron Evans ran for almost 1,300 YDS including a school record 253 vs. Maryland.  A strong defensive front seven will front a secondary with two new starters and, you know, Frank Beamer will have strong special teams.  We’ll learn alot about the Hokies when they travel to Atlanta for a metting with Alabama.

2) North Carolina- The best D Line in the league is a reason for high hopes in Chapel Hill.  DT Cam Thomas, LB Quan Sturdivant and FS Deunta Williams give the Heels strength up the middle where they’ll be tough to run against.  T.J. Yates is an experienced QB and will team with RB Shaun Draughn to lead an unspectacular offense that must quickly replace a receiving corps diminished by graduation.

3) Georgia Tech- It was a bad end to ’08 for the Jackets, who were pasted by LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, 38-3.  Worse, second year coach Paul Johnson must replace three defensive linemen.  John Nesbitt starts at QB but could give way to Jaybo Shaw, a soph more suited to the system.

4) Miami-  The ‘Canes success in “09 will come down to the performance of Jacoby Harris, who will no longer have to share the QB spotlight.  Miami has talented skill position players in WR Aldarius Johnson and RB Javaris James for Harris to lean on.  If an experienced defense can become dominant, it might be a year of rebirth for “The U”.

5) Virginia- Head Coach Al Groh is on a short leash after a 5-7 season marred by off-field player issues that embarrassed the university.  Things don’t look good as the Cavs’ new, hurry-up offense will be run by a QB chosen from among Jameel Sewell, returning from a year lost to suspension, Vic Hall, a defensive starter for all but the last game of ’08 and the untested Marc Verica.  Which ever one gets the call will be throwing to a brand new group at WR while the loss of three starting LB’s weakens an already less than stellar defense.  Could be a long year.

6) Duke- A solid QB in Thaddeus Lewis and a decent RB in Re’Quan Boyette won’t be enough to compete.  The Blue Devil defense is capable with DT Vince Oghobaase as its foundation but Duke fans will still have nothing to cheer about until hoops season.

Atlantic Division

1) Clemson- The Tigers are the team to beat in the Atlantic division with stars on both sides of the ball.  They return all five members of an O Line that should create plenty of room for RB’s  Jamie Harper and  C.J. Spillerto work their magic.  The defense, led by DE’s Ricky Sapp and D’aquan Bomens, should make Death Valley an unpleasant  visit for any ACC foes.

2) North Carolina State-  LB’s Ray Michel and Nate Irving head a talented and experienced defense that will be bolstered by the return of S Javon walker from a knee injury.  Under center, the Wolfpack returns Russell Wilson, the only freshman to win All-League honors at QB.  Look for him to grow in the role, especially if he can rely on a healthy Toney Baker at RB.      

3) Florida State-  The ‘Noles have been tabbed as a Top 20 team in a number of polls; possibly on reputation.  We don’t see it.  While five returning starters on the Offensive line will be a comfort to QB Christian Ponder, inexperience at RB and WR will be a lot to overcome.  Defensively, star LB Dekoda Watson stands between an inconsistent D Line and a secondary that will feature at least two Frosh.

4) Wake Forest-    Gotta love a QB who’s a three year starter as is the case with Riley Skinner.  He’ll look to make the most of a talented but green Terence Davis.  Bucking the trend, the offense goes from the spread to Power I and should better utilize the skills of RB Josh Adams, who’ll run behind an O Line returning all five starters.  The problems lie on Defense, where inexperience abounds.  You might want to bet the over in Demon Deacon games.

5) Maryland- A strong secondary bolsters a defense that also features LB Alex Wujciak.  That’ll help as the offense looks to replace the departedDarrius Heyward-Bey at WR.  They’re not punchless, however, as RB Da’Rel Scott and QB Chris Turner.  Now. if the O Line can gel quickly, their might be some hope in College Park.

6) Boston College-  The Eagles took a huge hit early with the news that LB Mark Herzlich, the ACC’s best defender in ’08, will miss the season as he undergoes cancer treatments.  That, on top of the transition involved with a new head coach has made for gloomy expectations on Chestnut Hill.  With the QB position up in the air, RB Montel Harris will carry the load behind an experienced O Line while the defense relies on a strong secondary.      

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                               2009 ACC Team by Team Football Schedules

                Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game, Raymond James Stadium

                            Tampa, Fla.—Saturday Dec. 5, 2009

Boston College
Sept. 5 Northeastern
Sept. 12 Kent State
Sept. 19 at Clemson
Sept. 26 Wake Forest
Oct. 3 Florida State
Oct. 10 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 17 NC State
Oct. 24 at Notre Dame
Oct. 31 Central Michigan
Nov. 14 at Virginia
Nov. 21 North Carolina
Nov. 28 at Maryland

 Clemson
Sept. 5 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 10 at Georgia Tech (ESPN)
Sept. 19 Boston College
Sept. 26 TCU
Oct. 3 at Maryland
Oct. 17 Wake Forest
Oct. 24 at Miami
Oct. 31 Coastal Carolina
Nov. 7 Florida State
Nov. 14 at NC State
Nov. 21 Virginia
Nov. 28 at South Carolina
 

Duke
Sept. 5 Richmond
Sept. 12 at Army
Sept. 19 at Kansas
Sept. 26 North Carolina Central
Oct. 3 Virginia Tech
Oct. 10 at NC State
Oct. 24 Maryland
Oct. 31 at Virginia
Nov. 7 at North Carolina
Nov. 14 Georgia Tech
Nov. 21 at Miami
Nov. 28 Wake Forest

Florida State
Sept. 7 Miami (ESPN)
Sept. 12 Jacksonville State
Sept. 19 at BYU
Sept. 26 South Florida
Oct. 3 at Boston College
Oct. 10 Georgia Tech
Oct. 22 at North Carolina (ESPN)
Oct. 31 NC State
Nov. 7 at Clemson
Nov. 14 at Wake Forest
Nov. 21 Maryland
Nov. 28 at Florida

Georgia Tech
Sept. 5 Jacksonville State
Sept. 10 Clemson (ESPN)
Sept. 17 at Miami (ESPN)
Sept. 26 North Carolina
Oct. 3 at Mississippi State
Oct. 10 at Florida State
Oct. 17 Virginia Tech
Oct. 24 at Virginia
Oct. 31 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 7 Wake Forest
Nov. 14 at Duke
Nov. 28 Georgia

Maryland
Sept. 5 at California
Sept. 12 James Madison
Sept. 19 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 26 Rutgers
Oct. 3 Clemson
Oct. 10 at Wake Forest
Oct. 17 Virginia
Oct. 24 at Duke
Nov. 7 at NC State
Nov. 14 Virginia Tech
Nov. 21 at Florida State
Nov. 28 Boston College

Miami
Sept. 7 at Florida State (ESPN)
Sept. 17 Georgia Tech (ESPN)
Sept. 26 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 3 Oklahoma
Oct. 10 Florida A&M
Oct. 17 at Central Florida
Oct. 24 Clemson
Oct. 31 at Wake Forest
Nov. 7 Virginia
Nov. 14 at North Carolina
Nov. 21 Duke
Nov. 28 at South Florida

North Carolina
Sept. 5 The Citadel
Sept. 12 at Connecticut
Sept. 19 East Carolina
Sept. 26 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 3 Virginia
Oct. 10 Georgia Southern
Oct. 22 Florida State (ESPN)
Oct. 29 at Virginia Tech (ESPN)
Nov. 7 Duke
Nov. 14 Miami
Nov. 21 at Boston College
Nov. 28 at NC State

NC State
Sept. 3 South Carolina (ESPN)
Sept. 12 Murray State
Sept. 19 Gardner-Webb
Sept. 26 Pittsburgh
Oct. 3 at Wake Forest
Oct. 10 Duke
Oct. 17 at Boston College
Oct. 31 at Florida State
Nov. 7 Maryland
Nov. 14 Clemson
Nov. 21 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 28 North Carolina

Virginia
Sept. 5 William & Mary
Sept. 12 TCU
Sept. 19 at Southern Miss
Oct. 3 at North Carolina
Oct. 10 Indiana
Oct. 17 at Maryland
Oct. 24 Georgia Tech
Oct. 31 Duke
Nov. 7 at Miami
Nov. 14 Boston College
Nov. 21 at Clemson
Nov. 28 Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech
Sept. 5 Alabama (Ga Dome, Atlanta)
Sept. 12 Marshall
Sept. 19 Nebraska
Sept. 26 Miami
Oct. 3 at Duke
Oct. 10 Boston College
Oct. 17 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 29 North Carolina (ESPN)
Nov. 5 at East Carolina (ESPN)
Nov. 14 at Maryland
Nov. 21 NC State
Nov. 28 at Virginia

Wake Forest
Sept. 5 Baylor
Sept. 12 Stanford
Sept. 19 Elon
Sept. 26 at Boston College
Oct. 3 NC State
Oct. 10 Maryland
Oct. 17 at Clemson
Oct. 24 at Navy
Oct. 31 Miami
Nov. 7 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 14 Florida State
Nov. 28 at Duke