Category: College Football (Page 239 of 296)

      One tired debate: College vs. Pro Football

      September 2, 2008 /

      In a recent column for FOX Sports.com, Michael Rosenberg writes that the NFL can’t compete with college football.

      From now until the end of the season, I’ll write about college football every Monday here on FOXsports.com. College football is 300 times more interesting, 600 times more controversial and 900 times more fun. It is also 1,700 times more prone to hyperbole. This is part of its charm.

      College football teams are a reflection of universities, fan bases, even entire states. NFL teams are a reflection of … the billionaire who owns the team. The only real difference between a Vikings fan and a Dolphins fan is that the Dolphins fan has a year-round tan. But Wisconsin fans see themselves in their Badgers.

      Critics say that college football is rife with hypocrisy, cheating and dishonesty. This is also part of its charm.

      This debate is tired and old. College football fans down the NFL because the athletes “only play for money.” While NFL enthusiasts crap on college football because it doesn’t have a defined playoff system.

      Know what? It’s football – they’re both great. College football rivalries are fantastic, while parity makes the NFL exciting every week. I wouldn’t want to cut either to save the other; football fans need college and pro games to fill up their fall weekends and I for one am happy as hell to have both in my life.

      College Football, NFL

      Nick Saban has Alabama fans smiling

      September 2, 2008 /

      Was anyone really surprised when Clemson folded like a house of cards against Alabama on Saturday night? Did anyone really think Tommy Bowden wouldn’t find a way to blow it against Nick Saban? From the first series, it was clear that Alabama meant business, and Clemson just didn’t have the fire to compete.

      We already knew Saban was a great college coach, but now we know he also has some real talent.

      Stewart Mandel explains that Terrence Cody will likely be a star.

      That Alabama may have the next Glenn Dorsey on its hands. Tide fans spent the offseason drooling in anticipation over the arrival of freshman WR Julio Jones, and while Jones did not disappoint in his debut, the truly astonishing newcomer was defensive tackle Terrence Cody. Clemson’s offensive line had no answer for the freakish 6-foot-5, 365-pound junior college transfer, who could be seen storming into the Tigers’ backfield over and over. Clemson’s vaunted rushing attack netted zero — yes, zero — total yards.

      With such a rare combination of size and speed, Cody — who, as legend has it, began the year nearly 30 pounds heavier yet could be seen on the basketball court “dunking and doing 360s with the ball,” Tide center Antoine Caldwell said this summer — looks like the same kind of one-man wrecking crew as the former LSU star. Foes will have no choice to double or triple-team him, which, in ‘Bama’s 3-4 scheme, frees up all kinds of gaps for the linebackers.

      We knew it was just a matter of time before Saban had Alabama back on track. We’ll see how much damage they can do this year.

      College Football

      UCLA opens the Rick Neuheisel era with a big win over Tennessee

      September 1, 2008 /

      The Rick Neuheisel era is off to a dramatic start with a 27-24 victory in OT over 18th-ranked Tennessee. Quarterback Kevin Craft rebounded from four first half interceptions to lead a comeback in the second half.

      Craft has a nice arm and he showed some character with his performance tonight. If he keeps improving, UCLA can do some serious damage in the Pac-10. USC fans have to be a little nervous. Their days of being the only show in town might be coming to an end.

      College Football

      ECU shocks Virginia Tech 27-22 on blocked punt

      August 31, 2008 /

      Perhaps the biggest upset in college football’s opening weekend came Saturday when East Carolina shocked No. 17 Virginia Tech 27-22. The Pirates returned a blocked punt for a touchdown with just under two minutes left to play to pull off the upset.

      It was over when… T.J. Lee blocked a punt for ECU and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:52 left to give the Pirates the 27-22. lead.
      Gameball goes to… Patrick Pinkney, who threw for 211 yards and 1 TD and ran for another score for ECU — and more importantly threw zero INTs.
      Stat of the game… 17. The Hokies had their 17-game winning streak broken in games in which they blocked a kick.

      Amazing. Frank Beamer’s special teams units are always some of the best in the nation, so it was a surprise to see VA Tech lose this way. Parity has slowly crept its way into college football and it has made the games more meaningful and exciting.

      College Football

      Pittsburgh, Michigan fall in home openers

      August 31, 2008 /

      No. 25 Pittsburgh lost its home opener on Saturday, as Bowling Green pulled off a 27-17 upset over the Panthers.

      It was over when… Tyler Sheehan ran 11 yards for a TD on a QB draw early in the fourth quarter to give BG a 27-17 lead.
      Gameball goes to… Sheenan, who threw for 163 yards and had one TD pass to go along with his big scoring run.
      Stat of the game… 24-1. Pitt lost a home game for the first time in school history against a MAC school.

      So much for PITT being everyone’s sleeper in the Big East. This is yet another game that proves the MAC is only getting stronger. The conference’s talent level continues to rise and no longer can top programs get away with scheduling a MAC school in the first two weeks and assuming it will be a cakewalk.

      Utah also ruined Rich Rodriguez’s Michigan debut by knocking off the Wolverines 25-23 at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

      A lot of pundits figured Utah would challenge the Wolverines so this upse wasn’t a total shocker, but man, how far has Michigan fallen? Just two years ago they were one win over Ohio State in the final game of the year from appearing in a national championship game. Now they’re starting a walk on at quarterback and getting beat by Mountain West program.

      Losing top recruit Terrelle Pryor (who scored a touchdown for the Buckeyes on Saturday) to Ohio State this year was a killer for UM. It might have set the program back two to three years because Rich Rod doesn’t have the quarterback he wants to run his offense effectively.

      College Football

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