College Football Kickoff (Week 12)

Games of the Week

#14 Stanford Cardinal (8-2) at #1 Oregon Ducks (10-0)
Easily the game of the week we have the top two teams in the Pac 12 facing off against each other.  The winner of this game would represent the North Division in the Pac 12 Title Game.  We'll see Oregon's high octane offense go up against Stanford's physical defense.  Last year Stanford couldn't handle Oregon's speed and athletism, will they be able to this year?  Can Stanford QB Kevin Hogan pick up where he left off and help keep the Cardinal in the game?  Or will Oregon's improved defense shut down Stanford?
Prediction:  Stanford 24  Oregon 42

#2 Kansas State Wildcats (10-0) at Baylor Bears (4-5)
Just looking at these two teams records it doesn't look like too good great of a match up.  But Baylor is a lot better than their record indicates.  They have the ability to score a ton of points and will put a lot of pressure on KState's defense.  But Baylor's defense is one of the worst in the nation and that isn't a good sign when you have KState's efficient offense coming to town.  This could be a big game for QB Collin Klein that could help him solidify his Heisman chances.  But this game could go to a shootout.  And Baylor might be due to knock somebody off.
Prediction:  KState  44  Baylor 32

#18 USC Trojans (7-3) at #20 UCLA Bruins (8-2)
This game doesn't have the national appeal we thought it was going to have early in the season, but there is still a lot to play for here.  Not only is this the battle for Los Angeles, but the winner of this game will represent the Pac 12 South in the Conference Title Game.  With a loss USC will have four on the season and with Notre Dame coming next week could be their 5th.  UCLA has a lot to prove.  New HC Jim Mora will want to make a statement against USC to keep the Bruins momentum going.  But will UCLA have enough defense to slow down the potent USC offense.  But can UCLA's running game expose USC's lack of depth on defense?
Prediction:  USC 35  UCLA 38

#25 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-1) at Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2)
The Big East race will come down to how Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Louisville play each other.  The team that wins the round robin will be the conference champion.  Cincinnati has already lost to Louisville, so they really need to knock off Rutgers here.  However Rutgers has been playing very good lately especially on defense.  Not a good sign for the Bearcats who haven't had good consistent play out of the QB position.  They could really use Munchie Legaux to regain his old form if they want to win. 
Prediction:  Rutgers 24  Cincinnati 17

#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-3) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-3)
Unlike the rest of the games listed here this game doesn't have any affect on a conference or nation title.  But it is still a quality game between to top 25 contenders looking to finish the season strong.  Texas Tech is looking to get some revenge from last year's blow out loss to Okie State.  Oklahoma State is looking to get things back on track but will have to do so with some uncertainty at QB.  But we do know that this will be a high scoring affair with the #1 (Tech) and #4 (Okie State) passing offenses in the nation.  So it could be the team with the ball last will bed the winner.
Prediction:  Tech 45  Oklahoma State 38

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Coaching Hot Seat

Lane Kiffin
Record at USC:  25-10
Bowl Appearances:  0

Some people may be surprised to see Lane Kiffin's name associated with being on the hot seat, but you shouldn't be surprised.  USC was ranked #1 at the beginning of the year and there were a lot of expectations.  The Trojans returned star QB Matt Barkley and had stud WRs in Robert Woods and MarQuise Lee.  They have two talented RBs in Silas Redd and Curtis McNeill.  The offense was loaded at at a minimum were going to be able to outscore a lot of opponents. 

It's safe to say that the Trojans haven't lived up to them.  They've lost 3 games so far this season and with games against UCLA, Notre Dame, and possibly Oregon (again) it's safe to say they might lose two more.  Even with the sanctions they have enough talent to be better.  But QB Matt Barkley has struggled to be consistent and the defense has holes all over it.

Adding insult to injury there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Kiffin.  Against Colorado USC had a backup QB change his jersey to be the same as the punter (who is also the FG holder) and then ran a fake off of it.  A clear violation of NCAA rules.  Then there was the case of the deflated footballs.  USC "fired" a student manager because it was found out that the Trojans were deflating the footballs below NCAA standards.  Most people know that a student manager isn't going to do that without direction from the head coach.  Why bring this up, because Kiffin is widely known for bending the rules from his days at Tennessee and was on staff at USC when NCAA violations were broken. 

But the biggest reason why Kiffin's job might be in jeopardy is because USC Athletic Director Pat Haden wasn't the AD that hired Kiffin.  And word is that Haden isn't too pleased with Kiffin's run ins with NCAA rules.  Add that to a struggling team and Haden could feel the need to change coaches.  USC is one of the top jobs in college football and they could get whoever they wanted.  This could be Haden chance to get his own guy.

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What happened to....

Wake Forrest Demon Deacons
Let's take a look back to 2006.  That was the year that Wake Forrest made a big jump.  The went 10-2 on the regular season, won the ACC Championship, and went to the school's first BCS Bowl Game (Orange Bowl).  Head coach Jim Grobe was hailed for his coaching and schools (almost got the Nebraska job) were looking to hire him away from the Winston-Salem school.  Grobe was known for redshirting every freshman with the thought that his 4th year juniors and 5th year seniors would lead to success.    Linebacker Aaron Curry went #4 overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Wake Forrest used the momentum from the 2006 ACC Championship season to reel off a 9 win and 8 win years.  The future was bright for Wake Forrest and it looked like they would be a consistent threat in the ACC's Atlantic Division. 
However, Wake Forrest was never able to maintain that success.  Since the 2008 season the Demon Deacons have only 14 wins and made it to only one bowl game (Music City Bowl loss to Miss State).  This year Wake Forrest has gotten better, but only have 5 wins on the season.  But with games against #3 Notre Dame and Vanderbilt left on schedule it doesn't look like they'll be bowl eligible.  That's a far cry from the program that we thought Grobe had built around 2007. 

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How about....

UCLA Bruins
Often times there are lists made of underachieving programs or schools that have the potential to become college football powers.  A name that you always see on both lists is the UCLA Bruins.  And why not, UCLA is in the fertile recruiting grounds of Los Angeles that produces a ton of football talent.  The Bruins have had some tradition of success.  But they've never really been able to put it together to reach a consistent level of success.  The Bruins have brought in several different coaches to try and turn their fortune around, but they usually end up firing the coach because a lack of success.

Well they may have finally found the guy that can get the job done.  Jim Mora Jr was hired this past year and there were a lot of negative reactions.  Mora wasn't very successful while being a head coach in the NFL (being fired twice) and his only experience coaching in college was when he was a GA at Washington in 1984.  Many thought that Mora was hired because all the top names they wanted turned down the job. 

But sometimes it's not the first choice that ends up being the best choice.  When Mora took over he hired assistants that have had a ton of experience in the college game.  His OC Noel Mazzone is regarded as one of the top offensive minds in college football.  Together they have transformed a UCLA offense that was rather pedestrian into one of the best in the Pac 12.  RB Jonathan Franklin has emerged as one of top RBs in the nation, while freshman QB Brett Hundley is thriving in the spread attack.  The Bruins have been a regular in the top 25 and if they can beat USC this weekend they will make it to the Pac 12 Title Game with a chance to get to the Rose Bowl.

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Player Spotlight

Chase Thomas

Height:  6'4
Weight:  240
School:  Stanford
Year:  Senior
Position:  Rush Linebacker

Andrew Luck may get a lot of the attention for helping Stanford become a yearly Pac 12 contender, but a huge reason for their success is the improved play of their defense.  One player that has really embodied the physical play of the defense is outside linebacker Chase Thomas.  Playing outside linebacker in the Cardinal defense it is Thomas' responsibility to seal the edge and put pressure on the QB.  Thomas played DE but once the Cardinal moved to the 3-4 Thomas was able to transition easily to the OLB spot.  He has a high motor, good quickness, and an understanding of how to get to the QB.  His specialty is the sack/fumble.  A skill that defensive coordinators love.  A good comparison might be current Bear and former Boise State Broncos Shea McClellian.  Teams are always looking for pass rushers and we are beginning to see teams take guys regardless of scheme (Bruce Irvin, McClellian) which only helps somebody like Thomas.

Big 12 Predictions

I've been spending a lot of time lately on the NFL, but with College Football starting soon I'll be taking a look at how I believe each of the conferences will play out.

Today I'm looking into the Big 12 and how it will go without Nebraska and Colorado in the conference.

1. Oklahoma Sooners,12-0 (9-0)

The Sooners are my #1 ranked team in my preseason rankings are obviously they are my favorite to win the Big 12. They return two year starting quarterback Landry Jones and a very underrated WR in Ryan Broyles. Add in a pair of talented sophomore running backs and we always know that Bob Stoops will have a good defense and that could spell a conference championship and a possible BCS Championship Game. As long as Oklahoma can get through Florida State in Tallahassee I don't see any other team in the Big 12 beating them. They are hands and feet better than anybody in this conference.

2. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 10-2 (7-2)

Although the Cowboys lose RB Kendall Hunter and OC Dana Holgerson I still expect their offense keep performing at a high level and a lot of that will be because of my #1 WR Justin Blackmon. Blackmon and QB Brandon Weeden expect to pick up where they left off last year and even improve on their numbers. They key to the Cowboys success will be their defense. OSU hasn't been known for great defenses lately, but to contend with Oklahoma they are going to have to get contain opponents offenses. If they can do that then the sky is the limit, but we'll have to wait and see.

3. Texas Longhorns, 9-3 (6-3)

I was surprised last year when the Longhorns missed out on their bowl game. Texas is full of talented HS recruits and UT always gets their pick of the litter. Head Coach Mack Brown had to replace both of his coordinators and I think he found a good one in OC Bryan Harsin who comes from Boise State. The change in philosophy should really help the Longhorns find an identity, which they didn't have last year. Harsin has worked well with Boise State QB Kellen Moore, so if he can mold Garrett Gilbert the Longhorns can get back to the upper echelon where they have been for the past ten years.

4. Texas A&M Aggies, 8-4 (5-4)

The Aggies are every body's preseason darlings, but I'm not seeing it. They had a couple of good games at the end of the season last year and then got blown out against LSU in the Cotton Bowl. They have some good talent on offense in Jeff Fuller, Cyrus Gray, and Christine Michael. But I believe their defense is going to step back. As much as I believe Von Miller is overrated, his absence is going to hurt them. Tim DeRuyter is one heck of a DC, but he is going to have to find some pass rushers to help the Aggies challenge for the Big 12 crown.

5. Missouri Tigers, 8-4 (5-4)

HC Gary Pinkel has done a great job of turning Missouri from a Big 12 doormat into a team that always has a chance to win the conference. However this year might be a little different. Offensively he has to replace three year starter Blaine Gabbert who run their spread offense perfectly. James Franklin will be taking over and he is more Brad Smith than Blaine Gabbert. Brad Smith was a good quarterback for the Tigers, but Pinkel's offenses where much better with pocket QBs like Gabbert and Chase Daniel. But just like every other year, the Tiger defense will be the key. Last year the defense improved and it showed in an upset of #1 Oklahoma. But they loose impact DE Aldon Smith and have to replace his production.

6. Baylor Bears, 6-6 (4-5)

This is a key year for the Bears of Baylor. Robert Griffen is entering his fourth year in their system and their schedule gets easier since they get to play Iowa State, Kansas, and K State all in one year. However this also means that they still have to go against Oklahoma, Texas, A&M, and Oklahoma State. If the Bears can sneak a win out against one of the former Big 12 South powers they could get back to their second straight bowl game.

7. Iowa State Cyclones, 6-6 (4-5)

When the Cyclones hired Gene Chizik I thought they had a great hire. But a couple of bad seasons and he bolts for Auburn. But Chizik's replacement has turned out to be a much better hire. Paul Rhodes is an excellent coach who has Iowa State on the right path. It may not lead to a Big 12 championship but I see Iowa State getting back to the success that Dan McCarney had while here. They'll go to bowl games, knock off a top level team each year (Texas in 2010 Nebraska in 2009), and maybe once every few years contend for a conference championship. This year might not be that year, but they have an improve team with some key starters back. They could surprise some people.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 6-6 (4-5)

Firing Mike Leach was the dumbest thing Tech could have every done. Tech was a constant Big 12 title contender under him, but under Tommy Tubberville hasn't had the same success. He isn't getting the same level of players and its showing with them being a Big 12 bottle dweller. I don't see any reason for this to change. Maybe that's why Tubberville has been linked to many other jobs this past off season.

9. Kansas Jayhwaks, 3-9 (1-8)

Tunner Gill did wonders for the Buffalo Bulls which many people thought was a lost cause. So when he was hired to take over at Kansas I thought they were in good hands. However Gill struggled mightily last year and this year looks much the same. The Jayhawks are void of any playmakers and it will be a uphill climb with a tougher schedule. Maybe this is the year we see improvement, but I'm holding my breathe.

10. Kansas State Wildcats, 2-10 (0-9)

Going into this season you would think that the Wildcats could make a jump into the middle tier. They have highly touted Bryce Brown at RB (transfer from Tennessee) and his brother Arthur who is also very highly touted LB (transfer from Miami) but word out of Manhattan is that players aren't showing up for off season workouts. This can't be a good sign. That paired up with a shaky QB situation and I definitely see K State settling into the last place spot in the conference.

Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State

Defensive Player of the Year: Travis Lewis LB Oklahoma

Freshman of the Year: Malcolm Brown RB Texas

Coach of the Year: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma