Pre-BCS Top 25

Tonight the first BCS rankings will come out. Pretty sure we all know the top 3 schools, and the order is a little irrelevant since LSU plays Alabama in a few short weeks. What will be interesting is where the Boise (Blowout) Blue Broncos fall. Odds are good they will be short of all the undefeateds from the major conferences, possibly including Clemson and Wisconsin. Speaking of undefeated teams, a few ran into problems yesterday which results in a new team in the Top 10.

It is so....

Put up or Shut up!

Conference play is in full swing, and there were some heavy-hitting matchups among top 25 teams this weekend. A little redemption for Nebraska and Taylor Martinez against Big Ten perennial powerhouse Ohio State. Who cares if the Buckeyes are down this year due to the scandals? The Huskers are trying to hold onto a respectable season after the defense has vastly underperformed so far this year. Also, the Red River Rivalry was not close, and that's why I think Oklahoma continues to be the obvious number 1.

So, without further adieu...

Conference Shakedown - 10/1/11

Some serious matchups between top 25 schools this week. Some schools stepped up big (Bama, Wisc). Others were a letdown (Neb, Va Tech). I will say this much. The B1G Ten has 1 school carrying the torch for the conference right now, and Wisconsin better win out to keep things respectable. The SEC dominated the news again, and it looks like a Big XII v. SEC title is brewing.

Show me whatcha workin with.

Top 25 - 9/11/11

Ten years later...

This isn't an article about the terrorist attacks or "where was I", but I think it's important to acknowledge something that has definitely had an impact on me in many areas of my life over the last decade.

That being said, it's also my mom's birthday today. Not a great way to remember someone's birthday, but at least it didn't take a historic event to lock it away in my mind. She's been celebrating 9/11 a lot longer than we've been memorializing 9/11/01. Today is still my mom's birthday first, and the anniversary of a National tragedy second.

And onto the new top 25.

Super Duper Mega Conferences: Pac-16

All this talk of superconferences is not new. In fact, when the Big Ten announced they were looking for a 12th team 2 years ago, I put in my two cents (as I always do) that 16-team conferences were right around the corner. Apparently I was just a little bit premature - er, early - in making such a bold claim. But it is certainly looking more and more like a viable possibility.

So, why not some hypothetical Superconferences? Keep in mind, my firsthand knowledge is only by performance in College Football. And college football is the obvious draw here since NCAA basketball already has a playoff system that people are mostly happy with. I'll try to due some diligence to include academic accolades, but no guarantees.

Imagine 4 conferences with 16 teams each resulting in a veritable "King of the Hill" of college football. Mandatory conference review/realignment every 5 years to ensure up-and-comers get their fair shake too. Today's report looks at a hypothetical Pac-16 since they are the focal point among experts right now.

The 2011 College Football Season is Here

What a better way to avoid back-to-back hangovers and save some $$ than by staying in on Saturday night to blog! It's been a while since I've written, so I'm probably a bit rusty. Let's get to it.

Not the BCS - Week 1

What up SportsTemps blog followers?!

It's been 6 months since ANY blog posts. Yes, I gave up on NASCAR blogging almost as quickly as I started it, but the real surprise is that Anderson hasn't found the time or need in so long.

So here's my Top 10 for NCAA Football. Last year I did a top 25 each week, but that became a bit complicated to justify. Trying to simplify my life and this post....

1. Oregon - They beat legitimate Stanford a few weeks back...Ohio State hasn't beaten anyone other than a shaky Miami.
2. Ohio State - see above
3. Boise State - Giving them some respect that is long overdue. If I'm not mistaken, QB Kellen Moore has only 1 INT on the season (and about 15 TDs).
4. TCU - Similar story to Boise State. Kind of curious to see if the upset bug hits Oregon and Ohio State, could we actually have a BCS title with 2 non-majors?!
5. Nebraska - Not if the Big Red can help it. I'm a fan, but I'm still not 100% sold on this team yet. Our QB runs like Nebraska QBs of past, and the defense is strong, but something still feels off.
6. Oklahoma - The remaining schedule doesn't look too bad at this point. Could be a Big XII Championship game vs. Nebraska to decide which team plays for BCS glory.
7. Auburn - Tigers have had a few scares, including this week's road victory over Kentucky. They do have the victory over the recently amazing South Carolina Gamecocks.
8. South Carolina - Only Auburn has beaten them, and Spurrier is looking to take his 2nd SEC team to a BCS game...possibly a 2nd NCAA Championship.
9. Alabama - Let's face it. They are still a quality football team. Conference play in the SEC often favors the home team, and if this week's game was in 'Bama and not South Carolina, they may still be #1.
10. LSU - Nobody is impressed with the other Tigers of the SEC, but they are still undefeated, so they deserve this spot...for now.

See you next week!
-MT

Wanting More From The Linebacker Store

My fellow blogger Zorak84 opened up a can of worms the other day in my mind when he stated he doesn't like 3-4 defenses. I have thought about the 3-4 defense a bunch since then and have made several observations.

NFL 3-4 defenses obviously need specific personnel. I think scouting these types of players is somewhat difficult. Hybrid outside linebackers in a 3-4 are hard to find. A scout must watch 4-3 rush ends on tape and in practice and make evaluations on overall athleticism. Scouts must simply make a prediction as to whether or not these players can make a successful position change at the next level. These defensive ends will not be asked to get out of a 3-point stance and stand farther back on the line of scrimmage very often.

There is enough evaluation involved when it comes to selecting collegiate players in the draft. Guessing about whether a position change is possible right off the bat makes things even more difficult. The draft is about acquiring talent that can help the organization sooner rather than later. The 3-4 automatically requires position changes to take place immediately.

Few college football programs run three-four defenses. Only a hand-full of players in the draft can play nose-tackle in the NFL 3-4 defense. A couple of defensive tackles will weigh-in around 300 pounds but have the sheer brute strength to at least be decent at the position. 350 pounds plus though is a general requirement. This position requires taking on at least two blockers every down, maintaining the line of scrimmage and causing as much inside havoc as possible to stop the run. These players are asked to do this for the first two downs of every series, then usually come out for third downs when a pass play is likely from the offense. Thus they are a one-dimensional player that rarely provides any sort of pass rush.

The inside linebackers in the 3-4 defense usually weigh-in at around 250 pounds because they are asked to take on offensive linemen much more often than their 4-3 counterparts. These middle linebackers though, are usually asked to have the athleticism to cover and provide a little pass rush just like the 4-3 middle linebacker. This type of player is also tougher to find in many peoples eyes. The 3-4 defensive end usually has as much strength as many 4-3 defensive tackles while being taller and having longer arms for taking on offensive tackles. Sometimes these players also played another position previously, usually defensive tackle in college.

Many NFL teams have recently switched their defensive scheme to the 3-4, but for many I think this will be unsuccessful overall. Why? Because the type of players they require are simply harder to find. Several teams will take players in the first or second round, expect them to change positions and learn the scheme instantly, but this will not be the case. Others will try to move NFL defensive players from the 4-3 around so that the 3-4 defense can be used. This will also only have mixed results.

Then why do I still favor a 3-4 defense? A successful one is dominant in many fashions. When the right players are added, both stopping the run and rushing the passer is made possible. When a dominant nose-tackle takes up two blocks and forces the runner outside, he has a huge impact on the game. Even if the nose tackle doesn't provide a pass rush, by taking up two blocks, he allows other players, probably an outside linebacker, to squeak through sometimes completely unblocked. If the front three have the strength to take up most of the offensive line, you have three to four linebackers running around free to stop plays. The biggest reason though that I like the 3-4 is the schematic possibilities. Linebackers can rush from many different places and leave offenses confused and exposed.

Freebs_51

NFL impact players in tonight's game

• Jermaine Gresham TE: Big receiving tight end that some scouts say is the best receiving tight end since Kellen Winslow.  He can't be covered by a linebacker and is too tall for most corners.  Buffalo could take him with the 11th pick but I'm hoping they go for a pass rushing defensive end.  Fantasy players take note.  This guy will have an impact.
• Percy Harvin SE: The dude can run and catch with the best of them.  Sorta reminds me of Reggie Bush.  Will he be a WR or be a 3rd down back in the NLF?  For fantasy players out there, remember this guy has trouble staying healthy in college.  Probably a late first or early second rounder.  I could see San Diego or Tennessee taking this guy. 
• Sam Bradford QB: Unlike Big12 Qb's Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, and Chase Daniels, Bradford has a skill set that appears will translate to the next level.  The Heisman winner is probably the first or second best pocket passer in college.  I don't think Detroit takes him with the first pick but I could see him going in the middle of the first round, possibly to the Texans or Jets.  What does Kiper say? (please post in the comments)
• Gerald McCoy DT:  Blows up blockers as soon as the ball is snapped.  Can rush the passer or stop the run.  Could be the new Tommie Harris.  Let's just hope he doesn't lose his passion after signing like Tommie did.  I think he goes in the top 10.  St. Louis would be a great fit.
• Tim Tebow: I don't see Tebow making a big impact in a statistical point of view, but he is perhaps the biggest name in this game.  I see three options for him in the NFL: Safety, fullback, or a piece in a wild-cat type offense.  His lack of accuracy will prevent him from being a quarterback and he's not nearly fast enough to be a feature running back.  Unfortunately for him he's just a product of the Gators offensive system.  Fortunately for him he was the perfect fit and it earned him a Heisman trophy and at least one national championship.