Why is it that the teams in the Big East are all of a sudden so great? What were they when Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College were there? They are still the same teams just that they are not getting three losses added to their records like they did before because they had to play those teams. They would all be mid level teams at best in the SEC. Don't you agree?
Jeff
Georgia
I don’t agree Jeff. And here’s why. First, when Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College all bolted for the ACC, the Big East was down and out. They had programs with potential but nothing of any substance. West Virginia got real good real fast, namely because of Rich Rodriguez, Pat White and Steve Slaton. Louisville was a budding power. These two programs pretty much carried the conference. All along, the Big East was just waiting for a few more teams to emerge. Last year it was Rutgers. This season it’s South Florida and to a certain extent Cincinnati. Sure Louisville is down (actually they just don’t play defense) but as a whole, at least in my mind, they are much improved. I would even say they are probably the third best conference in college football after the SEC and Pac 10.
You said that the Big East would be mid level SEC teams. You are not giving the Big East enough credit. South Florida beat Auburn at Auburn. Auburn lost on the last play of the game to LSU last weekend and the Tigers beat Florida in the Swamp. West Virginia beat Mississippi State (38-13). Kentucky beat Louisville with a long touchdown pass late in the game. That means the Big East is 2-1 versus the SEC this so far this season. Sure the Big East doesn’t have the depth of the SEC and Pac 10 but they are getting there, slowly but surely.
What team(s) should be on upset alert this weekend?
Skip
Columbus, Ohio
With the way this season is going, all favorites should be on upset alert this weekend. Seriously, Ohio State will get it’s most serious test of the year playing at Happy Valley at night, where they always have problems with the Nittany Lions. If Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli plays well and avoids the the big mistake the Buckeyes could be in trouble.
I think the Hokies can take out unbeaten BC on Thursday night in Blacksburg. Sure you have to give a huge quarterback edge to Matt Ryan and the Eagles but it’s awfully tough to win in Blacksburg at night.
Oregon hosts USC this weekend. The Trojans are getting healthy and their backs are against the BCS wall. Will they play like champions this weekend against the Ducks?
Arizona State takes on Cal. All of a sudden the Bears go from being ranked No. 2 to a two game losing streak.
West Virginia is playing the Scarlet Knights at Rutgers. Will they pull off two big upsets in a row to remain unbeaten in Big East play? They play great defense and have Ray Rice.
Undefeated Kansas plays at Texas A&M. If the Aggies have any chance of keeping their coach they have to win this game. For Kansas, they most win to keep their dream season alive. They are the first Big 12 North school in five years to start off 3-0 in conference play.
I think all of these favorites better be on upset alert. I think VT beats BC and I like USC and Rutgers. Ohio State and ASU will have huge battles on their hands to stay unbeaten. Don’t be surprise if week nine of this college football season is like a few weekends ago, with many upsets inside the top 25. You have to love fall madness.
Bill Callahan
How do the coaching uncertainties at schools like Nebraska, Texas A&M and Arizona hurt their recruiting efforts?
Dick
Scottsdale, Arizona
There is no question that it’s already hurting these schools and others with the uncertainty of Bill Callahan, Dennis Franchione and Mike Stoops. Look at what is happening in Lincoln? With former Cornhusker legendary coach Tom Osborne taking over as AD and the Big Red in the midst of a terrible three game losing streak, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that Callahan is gone. Recruits know this and they are looking elsewhere. Running back Jonas Gray, once a commitment to Nebraska, starting looking at some other schools recently. Last weekend he took an official visit to South Bend and is now currently committed to Notre Dame. This is just one. Others could follow (QB Blaine Gabbert) in terms of de-committing from Nebraska.
If A&M, Arizona and others make changes with their head coaches they will likely take some kind of recruiting hit. That’s just how things work in the ultra competitive recruiting battles. It becomes a blood bath, especially at this time of the year. What makes matters even worse is that so many prospects made early decisions. With the uncertainty at many schools, this causes committed players pause, as they ask themselves did I make the right decision? Do I want to stick with my decision and pick a school because of the school or do I open things up just to make sure? More times than not the later happens and chaos follows. That’s what we will see at many schools that make coaching changes this season.
In the mean time the potential threat or talk of a coaching change in Lincoln, College Station and every other college football town in the country definitely impedes the recruiting process for coach Callahan, coach Fran and all the others. That black cloud of whether you’ll be back or not hangs over your program. What can you tell the prospects when you hear all the chatter? What can you tell them about the truth when you don’t know what they truth really is?
Why is this article showing up on the Washington Cougars site?
Pat
Washington
The Blitz is filtered to all the (college) team sites on the Scout.com network. It’s an article that has a wide range of topics involving teams, conferences and prospects all over the nation. In addition you have to chance to send in questions. That’s why it appears on the WSU site and all the others.
Tyron Smith
Who do you think the best offensive line prospect is in the country?
Steve
San Diego, California
Personally, I would favor Tyron Smith (Moreno Valley, Calif) or Matt Khalil (Anaheim, Calif.) right now. Smith, our current No. 1 offensive linemen, has a great frame, long arms and super feet. Khalil has an even better frame and I love his desire and competitiveness. The difference between the two is that Smith is just the better athlete. To be honest with you it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Matt Patchan (Seffner, Fla.) turned out to be the best OL from this class in four to five years. I really like Mike Adams (Dublin, Ohio) and Michael Brewster (Orlando, Fla.) as well but I would go with Smith right now but keep an eye on Patchan and how he develops at the next level. Another one to watch at the next level is Antoine McClain (Anniston, Ala.). He has to be one of the best athletes of all the OLs in the country.
Cordy Glenn
Jamie my old buddy, would like your take on where you think these two players commit; Dontavius Jackson (Franklin, Ga.) and Cordy Glenn (Riverdale, Ga.). I noticed that Jackson had eliminated Alabama from his list, and is down to Georgia, Clemson, and LSU. Glenn is hard to read, but I think it is Georgia or Alabama for him. I just wanted your take on them.
Al
Fayetteville, Georgia
Good to hear from you AlDog. It’s been a while. I know Georgia wants to close with two quality offensive tackles and I think Glenn could be one (maybe Zebrie Sandes as the other). Plus, Bama already has offensive tackle commitments from Tyler Love (Mountain Brook, Ala.) and John Michael Boswell (Northport, Ala.) while Georgia has none. As far as Jackson is concerned I am really not sure right now as I can see that one could in all three directions. UGA has a few running back commitments so maybe it’s LSU.
Antoine McClain
What is the possibility of Alabama landing William Green, Antoine McClain, Jerrell Harris from the state of Alabama and Barrett Jones from Tennessee in this years recruiting class?
Freddie
Pensacola, Florida
I really don’t know what Antoine McClain will do but I think it will be hard for anyone to pull him out of the state. I think this o-tackle has great upside and is one of the better players at this position. I think William Green (Hoover, Ala.) and Barrett Jones (Cordova, Tenn.) both come down to Florida and Alabama and I see the Tide winning both of those battles, although Green could end up in Gainesville. Jerrell Harris (Gadsden, Ala.) has narrowed his list to USC, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, FSU, Clemson, Tennessee and LSU. I honestly don’t think Harris has any idea yet where he is headed.
Michael Shaw
What is your assessment of Penn State commitment Michael Shaw?
Steve
Happy Valley, Pa.
Michael Shaw is a prospect from Trotwood (Ohio) Madison High School. Shaw, 6-0 and 187 pounds, is a four-star prospect and ranked No. 18 at this position. Shaw shows excellent speed, vision and balance. He explodes out of his cuts showing a great burst and acceleration. When he does cut, it’s quick and decisive. Shaw has the ability to blow right by you or make a move. He has quick feet and sees the field exceptionally well. Shaw stays on his feet, getting yards after the initial contact. At times he does run a tad high but finds a way to get away with that. I honestly feel he is one of the more under-appreciated running back prospects in this class and a borderline National Top 100 player. I just love him and his upside.