What's Happened to Michigan Football?

Earlier this week there was a very suspect hiring in the Big10, in my opinion. The Michigan Wolverines solved their defensive woes by hiring Greg (the 10-27 coach from Syracuse) Robinson as their new coordinator. What the hell!?

Now I am no Michigan fan in any way but if I were a Michigan fan I'd be losing it right now. There have to be so many other coaches with better track records. Well, unless you consider him an upgrade because Syracuse hasn't lost to any 1-AA schools lately and Michigan lost to Toledo this year while Syracuse only lost to Akron!

I just wanted to point out this head-scratcher to everyone else. As an Iowa fan, however, I love this hire! And I'm sure the rest of the BigTen does too.

Boo-Hoo Big Blue

Don't say that I didn't sort of call it...(Proof). After possibly the largest upset in college football history what else did you expect me to write about?

First off, hats off to the Appalachian State University Mountaineers! You should be very proud and you are part of a great, great program that I think will become 3-peat D1-AA (FCS) National Champions this season, and you probably belong in the D1-A (BCS).

Next, Wolverine players, coaches and fans you should be ashamed. No D1-AA (FCS) team has ever beaten a top 25 AP ranked team. Now they've beaten a top 5 AP ranked team! Not only was the game just embarrassing for the Wolverines, but I want to know who the hell thought it would be smart to play Appalachian State for a season opener? Did they think it would be a warm-up game like many other top-ranked teams had? That was a HUGE and catastrophic scheduling mistake. There are a lot of BCS teams that they would have been better off playing, rather than just another one of those FCS "push overs".

In my opening paragraph I posed this as the biggest upset in college football history. I'm sure some of you readers cringed there, but I want you to really dig deep into your sports minds and find me a bigger upset. Without being illogical or retarded, you can't. Like I said, a D1-AA team had never beaten a ranked I-A team! There aren't many teams in the Big Ten who can go into "The Big House" and take one from Michigan. I'm calling it the biggest upset in college football history and if you disagree drop it as a comment.

As for Michigan....your season is over before it even began. Chad Henne and Mike Hart must be stoked to have come back for the 2007 season right now, and Lloyd Carr has made a complete fool of himself. This was a huge scheduling mistake and a huge coaching mockery. Carr is lucky to have such a history at Michigan and such a good relationship with his AD, because I think he deserves to lose his job. I've never fancied him as the upper-tier coach many have him thought out to be. I've always found him to be a sub-par coach, but this has sealed the deal for me. Considering that it made no sense to schedule this game, especially as their opener. That along with the actual coaching that went on during the game, and cap it off with the stunning post game conference, where Carr literally didn't know what to say (I looked on YouTube but it's not up yet. I'm sure it's a matter of hours) and I really can comfortably tell you that I don't think Lloyd Carr is a good coach. He is a sub-par coach at best who greatly benefits from having the great, blue-chip, talented prospects that the U. of Michigan draws. Even today, they couldn't save him.

After the upset here is what I know for sure: Michigan won't be ranked next week (or shouldn't anyways), Lloyd Carr is going to face some potent fan dissatisfaction, Michigan's only hope for a BCS bowl is to run the table and win the Big Ten, and you can expect to see a lot of Appalachian State Mountaineers apparel around the Big Ten this year, I was rooting for the Mountaineers all along, I loved every minute of Michigan going down today and took an intensely gratifying and sick pleasure from Michigan's misery.

TSF College Football Pre-season Top 20 Poll

As we continue TSF's comprehensive College Football preview, here is our pre-season Top 20 Poll.

1. USC- opens Sept. 1 vs. Idaho
Toughest game- Nov. 10 at California

2. West Virginia- opens Sept. 1 vs. W. Michigan
Toughest game- Oct. 27 at Rutgers

3. LSU- opens Aug. 30 at Mississippi St.
Toughest game- Sept. 8 vs. V-Tech

4. Virginia Tech- opens Sept. 1 vs. East Carolina
Toughest game- Sept. 8 at LSU

5. Florida- opens Sept. 1 vs. W. Kentucky
Toughest game- Oct. 6 at LSU

6. Wisconsin- opens Sept. 1 vs. Washington St.
Toughest game- Nov. 10 vs. Michigan

7. Michigan- opens Sept. 1 vs. Appalachian St.
Toughest game- Nov. 10 at Wisconsin

8. Louisville- opens Aug. 30 vs. Murray St.
Toughest game- Nov. 8 vs. Louisville

9. Texas- opens Sept. 1 vs. Arkansas St.
Toughest game- Oct. 6 vs. Oklahoma

10. Oklahoma- opens Sept. 1 vs. North Texas
Toughest game- Oct. 6 at Texas

11. California- opens Sept. 1 vs. Tennessee
Toughest game- Nov. 10 vs. USC

12. Arkansas- opens Sept. 1 vs. Troy
Toughest game- Nov. 23 at LSU

13. UCLA- opens Sept. 1 at Stanford
Toughest game- Dec. 1 at USC

14. Ohio St.- opens Sept 1. vs. Youngstown St.
Toughest game- Nov. 17 at Michigan

15. Rutgers- opens Aug. 30 vs. Buffalo
Toughest game- Oct. 27 vs. West Virginia

16. Penn St.- opens Sept. 1 vs. Florida International
Toughest game- Sept. 22 at Michigan

17. Tennessee- opens Sept. 1 at California
Toughest game- Sept. 15 at Florida

18. Nebraska- opens Sept. 1 vs. Nevada
Toughest game- Sept. 15 vs. USC

19. Auburn- opens Sept. 1 vs. Kansas St.
Toughest game- Oct. 20 at LSU

20. TCU- opens Sept. 1 vs. Baylor
Toughest game- Sept. 8 at Texas

College Football 2007 Conference Preview: Big Ten

The Big Ten has been very competitive in the BCS race and always produces some of the top tier teams in the country. Look for Wisconsin and Michigan to be the ones competing for a chance to play in the BCS National Championship game, with Ohio St., Penn St., Purdue, and Iowa not far behind.

Predicted Order of Finish
1. Wisconsin
The offense should be solid even after losing QB John Stocco and T Joe Thomas. Tyler Donovan is battling with KSU transfer Allan Evridge for the starting QB job but Donovan looks to have the upper hand. Donovan has some experience replacing Stocco while he was injured last season. Heisman Candidate PJ Hill returns at RB, he rushed for 1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns while he led the Big Ten in all-purpose yards. They also return a solid WR corps and one of the best TEs in the land in Travis Beckum. The defense should be rocking with 8 starters back that includes DE Matt Shaughnessy, CB Jack Ikegwuounu, and LBs Jon Casillas and DeAndre Levy.

2. Michigan
There is no question Michigan's offense will be able to score at will this year with QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, WR Mario Manningham, and T Jake Long all returning. But the defense lost a lot and still has some question marks. On that side of the ball they lost DT Alan Branch and DE Lamar Woodley, two of the best defensive linemen in the country last season. DE Rondell Biggs is gone too along with two very good LBs in David Harris and Prescott Burgess. The secondary will be hurting as well after losing All-America CB Leon Hall and FS Willis Barringer. If they want to compete for that BCS National Championship again this season they'll need to find some play makers on the defensive side.

3. Ohio St.
The Buckeyes lost their top players in Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, WRs Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez, and RB Antonio Pittman. They will need to rely on the defense more as that seems to be their strength, returning LB James Laurinaitis, CB Malcom Jenkins, and DL Vernon Gholston. They have a fairly easier schedule this year, especially non-conference wise which should get them into a decent bowl game.

4. Penn St.
The Nittany Lions should be improved by a game or two this season. They return 15 starters and should have a solid offense. QB Anthony Morrelli returns after throwing for 2,424 yards and 11 TD. Morrelli struggled at times last season and will need to be more consistent if PSU wants to win the Big 10 Title at all. They return all of their WRs and should have one of the best WR corps in the land with Jr. Derrick Williams (How did Florida let him get away?), Jr. Jordan Norwood, Sr. Terrell Golden, and So. James McDonald all back. The offensive line returns 3 starters, but losing T Levi Brown will be a huge loss. Also, the defense returns some good players in LB Dan Connor, All-Big Ten Safety Anthony Scirrotto, and CBs Justin King and A.J. Wallace. But replacing Paul Posluszny is inevitable.

5. Purdue
With plenty of experience back and playing Iowa at home, I think that will get Purdue the 5th spot. They return 18 starters and have a favorable schedule not playing Wisconsin and getting Ohio St., Iowa, and Michigan St. at home. QB Curtis Painter is solid and one of the most underrated QBs in the conference. RBs Kory Sheets and Jaycen Taylor also return which will put a smile on many Purdue fans' faces. And WR Dorien Bryant returns, plus three offensive linemen return as well; pretty impressive for the offense. Now the defense does indeed return 9 starters, but they did give up some hefty point totals last season, if they can pick it up, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio St. Penn St., and Iowa will be in for a surprise.

6. Iowa
Iowa returns plenty of experience with 14 starters back and they have an easy home conference schedule. How the hell did they miss out on playing Michigan or Ohio St. this year? Lucky Hawkeye fans! They'll need to replace QB Drew Tate, but Jake Christensen looks like a decent replacement, plus he'll have a great WR tandem in Andy Brodell and Dominique Douglas. The defense is in good shape with 8 starters returning that includes LB Mike Klinkenborg and DE Bryan Mattison.

7. Minnesota
They have some voids to fill at QB and WR but every other position should be okay. The O-Line returns a lot of veterans with 4 starters back. The defense has 9 starters back and should be average. They have a new coach in Tim Brewster and he has a lot of work to do though. They do have an easy early non-conference schedule which could help them get back to a bowl game. But they will once again fold when their tough conference schedule comes around. (The Gophers will also play North Dakota St. again this season, I went to the game last season where they escaped with a 10-9 win. I will be attending the game again and it should be another hard fought battle.)

8. Michigan St.
The Spartans had a tough '06 season and finished tied for 10th in the conference. 13 starters return but new head coach Mark Dantonio has plenty of work to do. They'll need to replace QB Drew Stanton, who had a good career at MSU. Jr. Brian Hoyer looks to be his successor and was pretty impressive last season while filling in for Stanton when he was injured. One bright spot is at RB where Javon Ringer returns. Three key WR's are gone but they do return some experience back at that position. Dantonio has proclaimed that WR will be one of their strengths this season. The defense returns just 6 starters and has plenty of holes all over the field.

9. Illinois
Ron Zook has recruited well at Illinois, which should help the program continue to improve. He got one of the school's best recruiting classes ever landing WR Arrelious Benn and LB Martez Wilson. QB Juice Williams returns and should put up more respectable numbers. The defense has improved drastically over the last few seasons. With DT Chris Norwell, LBs J Leman and Antonio Steele, and CB Vontae David all returning, the Illini will have a very athletic defense.

10. Northwestern
15 starters return for the Wildcats. They'll need to find a QB once again, replace WR Shaun Herbert, and find some depth on the o-line. But one of the top RBs in the nation, Tyrell Sutton, returns. Sutton rushed for 1,000 yards last season. The defense returns 8 starters and no doubt has talent at every position. Northwestern has the potential to make some noise in the Big Ten and should not be taken lightly by anybody.

11. Indiana
IU's offense returns some good experience with QB Kellen Lewis, WR James Hardy, and 5 starting linemen all back. The defense was a mess last year and needs much improvement. Expect Indiana to finish last again in the Big Ten.

Offensive Player of the Year:
P.J. Hill, RB- Wisconsin

Defensive Player of the Year:
James Laurinaitis, LB- Ohio St.

Freshman of the Year:
Arrelious Benn, WR- Illinois

Coach of the Year:
Bret Bielema- Wisconsin

Games to Watch:
Penn St. at Michigan- Sept. 22

Michigan at Wisconsin- Nov. 10

Ohio St. at Michigan- Nov. 17

Iowa at Purdue- Oct. 20

Wisconsin at Ohio St.- Nov. 3

Wisconsin at Penn St.- Oct. 13

2007 College Football Games of the Year

The 2007 College Football season schedules officially came out earlier this week, so now we'll take a look at the best of the best of all the games.

September 1
Tennessee at California

This game should be at least better than last years game with the Vols drubbing the Golden Bears. Both teams are heavy contenders to win their own conferences and are legitimate contenders for a BCS Bowl game as well.

Early Prediction: California

September 3
Florida St. at Clemson

Bowden Bowl IX will take place on Labor Day Weekend. Tommy has handled his dad pretty well recently winning the last two and three of eight overall. This is a huge early game to get a jump start in the ACC and FSU cannot afford a loss here with their tough schedule as it is.
Early Prediction: Clemson

September 8
Virginia Tech at LSU

Two of the countries top defenses will meet at one of the most hostile environments on CBS. Both teams return a lot of talent; this should be a great game with players such as Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, Early Doucet, Ali Highsmith of LSU and Sean Glennon, Branden Ore, Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi of V-Tech clashing on the field.

Early Prediction: LSU

September 15
Tennessee at Florida
This is definitely one of the greatest rivalries in College Football. It seems like the winner usually comes out as the SEC East Champ. I love the QB matchup here with Tim Tebow vs. Erik Ainge. The big thing for Florida is their inexperienced defense being able to handle the Vols' big WR's; the good thing for the Gators is that their playing in their backyard.
Early Prediction: Florida

USC at Nebraska
This will be a little closer game than last year, I believe Nebraska will win the Big 12 North again and have a decent shot at a BCS Bowl bid. The Cornhuskers will be improved but USC is the pre-season national champion favorite. USC returns a lot and will have one of the best defenses in the country.
Early Prediction: USC

October 6

Florida at LSU

This will be one of the biggest games of the year and definitely the biggest in the SEC. Look for these two teams to both be ranked in the top 5 coming into this game. LSU looks to get revenge after the Gators embarrassed them last season at the Swamp.
Early Prediction: LSU

Texas vs. Oklahoma

The Red River Shootout is always an intense and fierce game. Texas has won the last two over the Sooners; expect this to be one of the best of the last few seasons.
Early Prediction: Too close to call right now

October 20
USC at Notre Dame

Remember the Bush push two years ago? This game should be similar to last years game in So. Cal, USC scoring at will and ND sucking it up and looking overrated. With Jimmy Clausen at QB the experienced USC D will tear him up. Even if this is a blowout it is still one of the biggest games of the year.
Early Prediction: USC

October 25
Boston College at V-Tech
These two teams always have great games against one another and don't be surprised to see these two teams in the ACC Championship either on Dec. 1.

Early Prediction: V-Tech

October 27

Florida vs. Georgia

The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party should be a good one again. The two super sophomore QB's Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford will be clashing again. Expect Florida to continue their dominance of this rivalry.

Early Prediction: Florida

November 3
Wisconsin at Ohio St.
Two early Big 10 favorites will meet at the Horseshoe as OSU tries to get back to the national title game. OSU won't be near the team they were last year but will be one of the top teams in the Big 10. In my opinion, Wisconsin is the Big 10 favorite and if both teams are undefeated come this date, this will be one of biggest games of the year.
Early Prediction: Ohio St.

November 8
Louisville at West Virginia
Both teams should be undefeated by this game and the winner could be in that BCS National Title Game. The best backfield in the nation will take on a very good L'Ville defense. I encourage you to mark this date on your calendar.

Early Prediction: West Virginia

November 10

Michigan at Wisconsin
From my stand point, these two will be the top two teams in the Big 10. This is no doubt the Big 10 Game of the Year. The winner will play in the Rose Bowl and possibly the BCS National Championship Game.
Early Prediction: Wisconsin

USC at California

Early Prediction: USC

November 17
Ohio St. at Michigan

Well, it won't be as big as last seasons game, but this is arguably the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

Early Prediction: Michigan

November 23
Arkansas at LSU
The winner of this game will be heading to the SEC Title Game.
Early Prediction: LSU

November 24
Rivalry Week
State rivalry day. Alabama vs. Auburn. Virginia vs. Virginia Tech. Georgia vs. Georgia Tech. Florida vs. Florida State. Washington vs. Washington State. Clemson vs. South Carolina.
Early Predictions: Auburn, V-Tech, Georgia, Florida, Washington St., and Clemson.

December 1
UCLA at USC
This game will be huge because of last years game; could we possibly have the same scenario as last season?
Early Prediction: USC

What games are you looking forward to? Any big games I missed?

NCAA Spring Football Top 10

Some teams have proven themselves quite a bit so far this spring and with some key additions and early enrollments, teams such as West Virginia, LSU, and Louisville have soared close to the top.

Top 10 Rankings for Spring
1. USC- The Trojans won't miss a beat and will have one of the top defenses (if not the top defense) in the country. The return of QB John David Booty, WR Patrick Turner, and T Sam Baker on the offense will help a lot. With freshman sensation Vidal Hazelton filling in at WR, Jarrett and Smith won't be missed as much as people say. Plus, it helps to have a deep backfield, which they can go 6 RB's deep.

2. LSU- The Tigers will also have one of the top defenses in the country. With physical players such as DT Glenn Dorsey and LB Ali Highsmith anchoring the D, it will be tough to run on them. Even with Jamarcus Russell gone, Matt Flynn has the potential to be a great QB. They have a lot of amazing young talent coming up as well. LSU won't miss a beat.

3. West Virginia- WVA will have the best and fastest backfield in the nation. QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton (inset) return and recruit Noel Devine will make an immediate impact (if he's accepted). If the defense can pick it up, this team will win the Big East and may earn a spot in that BCS National Championship game.

4. Florida- The defending national champions will have one of the top offenses in the country, but will the defense be able get them back to the title game or win the SEC for that matter? Tim Tebow returns to fill in for record breaker Chris Leak. WR's Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell along with 4 starting linemen return on offense. The Gators lose 9 starters on defense with DE Derrick Harvey and SS Tony Joiner back. Florida has a lot of shoes to replace on defense but with the last 2 recruiting classes it shouldn't be too bad. But still, this Gator team will be young and need the experienced sophomores to step up.

5. Wisconsin- The Badgers, yes, the Badgers will be the top team in the weak Big 10 (for now). 16 starters return overall from a team that defeated a good Arkansas team in the Capital One Bowl. Losing Joe Thomas will be tough to replace. RB P.J. Hill, TE Travis Beckum, DE Matt Shaughnessey, LB Jonathan Casillas, CB Jack Ikegwuonu all return. The Badgers loaded defense can take them to the next level, but the offense needs to improve after a mediocre spring so far.

6. Michigan- I would love to have this team in the top 3, but struggling in the Rose Bowl vs USC drops them back (Damn, they should have been in the BCS Title Game). The Wolverines return a load of amazing talent, but lose some key players as well, more specifically on the defensive side (Alan Branch, Lamar Woodley, and Leon Hall). QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, T Jake Long, WR Mario Manningham, LB Shawn Crable just to name a few returnees. With offensive weapons all over the field, there's no doubt that they will be able to score at will, but the defense is what will be holding them back.

7. Louisville- The Cards will compete again for a berth in the BCS Title Game. QB Brian Brohm, WR's Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, C Eric Wood, LB Malik Jackson are all key returnees, but they need to find some depth on the defensive front.

8. Texas- Texas will once again have one of the best passing games in the country with sophomore QB Colt McCoy back and healthy, as well as Limas Sweed and every other key receiver. The Horns' challenge will be patching up its secondary under a new defensive coordinator.

9. Virginia Tech- I believe 17 starters return, including the majority of the nation's top-rated defense. QB Sean Glennon, RB Branden Ore, LBs Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi, CB Brandon Flowers all return with just about every WR back as well. Glennon needs to prove himself if this Hokie team wants to win the ACC.

10. Arkansas- The Razorbacks return the majority of the offense and have some key returnees and additions on the defensive side as well. With their QB Casey Dick back and the best RB tandem of Heisman favorite Darren McFadden (inset) and Felix Jones in the country returning, they will be one of the top rushing teams in the country again. Also, WR Marcus Monk will be one of the best in the SEC.

Other teams to keep an eye on:
Boise St., Rutgers, Oklahoma, Auburn, Ohio St., and Nebraska

Just felt I had to do a College Football article. I'll be back tomorrow with an NBA Article.