Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Branden Smith?

Branden Smith hasn't made much noise at Georgia since his freshman year when he burst onto the scene in with one very big play against the South Carolina Gamecocks. A play that happened so long ago that you've likely forgotten how spectacular it was—see it again below:



That one still leaves me shaking my head in awe—his speed is amazing—but what happened to Mr. Smith? Where has he gone and when the hell will he be back? All indications point to a 2011 return—whether it comes more on offense than defense is yet to be seen—as Smith was observed fielding kicks and punts over the weekend.

Is that where Georgia hopes to see him do the most damage this season, particularly given Smith's injury history? After all, it's well-known that Smith suffered through multiple concussions in 2011, and if he continues to play defense, collisions with opponents who outweigh him by better than 40-50 pounds is likely. Of course there are those who would point out that defensive back Brandon Boykin doesn't dwarf Smith by very much, size wise, yet he's been able to achieve success.

While the latter is true, it's premature to place Smith and Boykin in the same category where skill or development is concerned. Smith is not yet the caliber of player—at least not defensively—that Brandon Boykin is, and Boykin makes up for in ball skills and mental play what he lacks in overall size.

Overall, however, the biggest challenge Smith will have—if he does intend to succeed on defense—is grasping Todd Grantham's defense.

Recall that when Smith signed with Georgia in 2009, Martinez was still running the defense, and the soft-zone scheme Georgia's defense operated under was meant for guys like Smith and Boykin who could use their speed to catch up to a play if they missed a read (although, to be honest, we all remember how well that worked out).

With Grantham at the helm, defensive backs have to take a more proactive role in how they play their position. They have to both read and react—not just react—and not every player has proven that they can do this with ease.

If Smith is going to get back on the field fast, I suspect it will be in a special teams capacity—for the most part—with some gadget plays thrown in for good measure. I don't know that he has a future on defense at the corner spot, at least not now, but his speed and talent are simply too valuable a commodity to not find a home on the football field in 2011. 

Georgia Bulldogs: Coach Bobo Needs To Bring His 'A' Game In 2011

Last season, Mike Bobo wasn't impressive.

While Mark Richt was quick to point out the streak where Georgia's offense put up 30 or more points (six)—setting some kind of record—most of us failed to be wowed by the overall product.

To be frank, Bobo's tendencies towards being too predictable became difficult to watch and, most of the time, you found yourself wondering why he was wearing a set of headphones in the first place.

So, the natural question continues to be this: why is he still the offensive coordinator at Georgia? What on earth does coach Richt see that so many others don't?

Those of us who judge Bobo, from our sofas and office water coolers, have already decided at least this much about him, 1) he often moves away from what's working (whether that be the run or the pass) in an attempt to diversify the offense, 2) he falls in love with a particular play and keeps running it (even when it becomes clear said play is not working), 3) he can't seem to make an offensive adjustment to save his life, and 4) he has no idea how to use the talent he has on the field.

Last season was a perfect example of that last point. It was clear that Green was Bobo's ace, and he wasn't prepared to call an offense that didn't feature him—who could blame him, right? A.J. Green wasn't only a playmaker for Georgia, he was the playmaker—no disrespect to Kris Durham—and while he was out, no one else seemed to step up.

Where were Marlon Brown?... Rantavious Wooten?... Tavarres King?

Or perhaps the better question was this: why didn't Bobo change his play calling to fit the guys he had on the field? Why not develop plays that take advantage of each player's respective skills?

Every team can't be blessed with an A.J. Green, so it's important that the offensive coordinator understand the skill-sets of each position player on his team's roster so that he is better able to use those skills in a productive manner.

For example, Tavarres King was able to get deep at numerous points last season, yet Bobo seemed hesitant to target him—even when it was clear that Green was not the best option (although, to be fair, that blame could have been just as much on Aaron Murray's shoulders).

Marlon Brown is a huge target, why didn't he get more redzone looks? Better still, with the gluttony of talent at tight end, why not employ more two-tight end sets once Georgia was in scoring range? Mix it up! Be innovative! Do something!

If Bobo has clear concepts of what he wants to do, he doesn't seem to have a clue how to get them from his head to the football field and that's a a problem.

2011 will be his defining season and, minus Green, Bobo will need to tap into whatever creativity he has if he expects to see the further progression of Aaron Murray on the football field.

Bobo's on-the-job-training ended a long time ago, it's time to see if he's worth the confidence that coach Richt keeps throwing his way—his job, and coaching future, likely depends on it.

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• About that scoring streak... (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

College Football: Louisville Making A Strong Statement For 2011

Make no mistake, Charlie Strong is looking to return the Cardinals to their championship winning ways sooner—not later. He's already made a lot of noise this season by leading his team back to bowl eligibility (just one year shy of them finishing 4-8) and fielding a defense that was, arguably, one of the best in the nation.

Now the eyes of most college football fans turns towards recruiting where, today, Strong was able to pull off another coup by hooking former Miami Hurricane commitment, Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater is rated the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by Rivals and was one of the more sought-after prospects in the country this year. He will bring his teammate, and close friend, Eli Rogers along with him for the ride—both are a major 'get'.

Charlie Strong has long been lauded as a phenomenal recruiter and it is clear that he still has his nails dug deep in South Florida as he continues to secure top talent out of the sunshine state's rich pool of high school talent.

Bridgewater is an exciting player to watch, but it is clear that he still relies more on his instincts than his intelligence when it comes to making plays. He's an above-average passer with excellent mobility that can make as many plays on the run as he can standing tall in the pocket.

His potential is endless and he could be the game-changer the Cardinals need on offense.

As for Eli Rogers, he brings great technique to the field. He's phenomenal at running clean routes and making plays with the ball in his hands. He's a bit light, physically, but if he can tack on about 10-15 pounds to his 5'10" frame, he could be devastating to the passing game due to his ability to play bigger than his size would suggest.

Both players are going to make an immediate impact on a Louisville team that is steadily becoming a fierce challenger in the Big East and Charlie Strong continues to impress.

Georgia Football: S&C Is A Lot More Than Just Strength & Conditioning

BEAU CABELL/The Macon Telegraph

The Leather Helmet (a great blog that, it must be said again, should be bookmarked by every UGA fan) posted some comments coach Richt made regarding changes in the strength program.  It was clear from his statements that he understood the need for a change and felt that Georgia had to make some adjustments in their approach. 

Said Richt:

"...I think there are different ways to skin a cat in strength, different philosophies. We aren’t saying that Coach Van isn’t a good strength coach, I’m not saying that at all, but I think there are different ways to do things, and I want to go a little bit more old school I guess. We’ll get after it a little bit differently. Like something I mentioned before, and by no means am I saying it’s just the strength area that we need to improve on when it comes to winning the fourth quarter and finishing, because coaching has to do with a lot of things. I’m sure that will be a big emphasis in our program is to make sure we truly finish the drill. We say finish the drill but are we really doing it? Did we do it this year? We did not."

Clearly, coach Richt wasn't blind to the lack of execution displayed on the football field this year. The team did not play up to their potential in 2010 and every one knows it.

Now, no one is saying that the hiring of Joe Tereshinski fixes all of those issues. However, the prevailing sentiment—amongst those who doubt the importance of the S&C program's impact on the overall product on the football field—is that the move doesn't matter much for next season's prospects. 

For those who believe that, no disrespect, but you are missing the overall point. S&C is as much about mental toughness, and a fighting mentality, as it is about lifting weights and running laps.

Heck, just read the mission statement:

The mission of the Strength & Conditioning program at the University of Georgia is to provide each student-athlete with the opportunity to perform at the highest level possible throughout his or her career. This is accomplished by helping the athletes become as physically and mentally competitive as possible...

...From a mental aspect, the athletes learn the importance of hard work and dedication. Each athlete is held accountable for not only their own work, but for that of their teammates as well. Each athlete is expected to be on time for all workouts, and work their hardest to get as much from his or her opportunity as possible. [emphasis added]

How many games were lost in the fourth quarter this season because Georgia failed to execute? How many defensive plays were blown due to poor focus? How many times did you watch Georgia's line play and think to yourself, "these guys look tired and defeated by halftime"?

One of the most telling quotes about the team came from Justin Houston after the Auburn Loss, "There were just blown assignments. People weren’t where they were supposed to be and they capitalized on our mistakes. … Some guys weren’t as focused as they need to be and it hurt us. It’s been hurting us all season" [emphasis added].

Does that sound like a guy playing on a team that is Prepared? Communicating with each other? Mentally strong in the clutch?

No one here professes to be a coach, a player, or an expert, but here's what is known: Georgia players were not always accountable, they weren't always physically prepared, and they certainly did not perform at the highest level—at all times—and those things are all about strength and conditioning.

Should Richt escape criticism for not making a move quicker? No, absolutely not, I have been amongst a few that have pointed the finger at Richt and stated as much. That said, if Richt wasn't going to be the man to go, then a change in the culture of Georgia football had to start somewhere and there was no place better than the S&C program—period.

Will this change translate into a 10 or 11 win season next year? That remains to be seen, as Richt stated "...the proof will be in the pudding..."

However, if nothing else, we can be assured the status quo will no longer be tolerated and, no matter your personal opinion on the issue, you have to agree that's a good place to start.

NFL Thoughts: Brett Favre Needs To Hang It Up...Seriously

Listen, no one here will profess to know what an NFL level hit feels like—don't want to know—but it seems that Brett Favre may need to rethink his decision to keep bringing his "41-year old man" body out on the football field.

After all, like the announcer says in the clip above, the defense is gunning for him on a weekly basis, they don't give a damn how old he is. He's got the ball, he's the quarterback, and they want to lay his pass-throwing backside out as much as possible.

At last check, that's how the game of football is played. No one should feel any obligation to keep Favre upright just because he's the oldest man on the football field—he made the choice to be out there so it's open-season.
  
It's high time that Brett took a longer look at how he wants to spend the remainder of his young days because, if this is the kind of hit that's going to require him to be carted off like a man who just had his jock strap set on fire, then he's beyond the iron man stage—he's just a man—and it won't be long before someone really knocks his butt out.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: If This Is The Conditioning Program, Georgia Is In Trouble (VIDEO)

Have to give an ENORMOUS shout to the Leather Helmet Blog as they were the original posters of the first two videos you will see below. You can draw your own conclusions, most assuredly, but it's definitely clear that the approach that Dave Van Halanger takes at Georgia is a bit modest in comparison to others around the country.

Heck, let's be real, when compared to the program run by Benny Wylie at the University of Tennessee, Georgia's program looks like a Gymboree class.

Please, feast your eyes on this training video, for the "advanced athlete", presented by Georgia's strength and conditioning coach—Dave Van Halanger:



Now, did he really say three sets of ten? Now, no one here is professing to be an expert, but, shouldn't the routine be a touch more challenging—these are football player after all.

The  video above looks like it needs to be for the beginning athlete, not the advanced one and, production quality aside, no coach in the SEC is going to be rushing out the door looking for Van Halanger's regimen in any manual if this is what he's bringing to the table—hell, I can do three sets of ten!

Is he for real?!?

Now, take a look at Tennessee's strength coach, Benny Wylie, and ask yourself one question: could anyone describe him as soft?



"If you suffer as a group, you'll normally bond, and that's what we try to do. We put our guys through intense training, hard training, things that the normal person can't do—couldn't do—and we forge our guys together in the summer..."

Well, that sounds like a great idea: "suffer as a group and bond". Haven't seen too much bonding on the Georgia football field lately, could that be a part of the reason why? Just asking questions, here, because it seems that not enough light is being shined on Dave Van Halanger just yet and there has to be some accountability swept his way too.

But, no worries, right? The guys on the field can still lift with the best of them:

College Football: Power Ranking The SEC Quarterbacks After Week Four

See week three here.

1.  Cameron Newton, Auburn (16/21 for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. 25 carries for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns) versus South Carolina. 

Pretty soon the Auburn Tigers might take on the moniker of the "cardiac cats" as the last two weeks have both seen some dramatic come-from-behind victories by the Tigers. Once again, Cameron Newton put on his Superman cape in the fourth quarter as he led his team to another victory over a worthy opponent.

2010 season total: 43/68 for 683 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. 75 carries for 485 yards and 5 touchdowns. 

2. Matt Simms, Tennessee (19/34 for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns) vs. UAB

Simms sealed the Volunteers second victory of the season on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Denarius Moore to win in double overtime. The junior quarterback showed plenty of poise and leadership on the field against a feisty UAB team that seemed determined to walk out of Neyland with a win. Simms has made subtle progressions each week and, so far, has given Vol fans a reason to be hopeful for the future.

2010 season total:  67/118 for 836 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

3.  John Brantley, Florida (24/35 for 248 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception) vs. Kentucky.

Brantley finally did two things for the first time this season—break 200 yards passing and throw his first interception. The latter is impressive, the former not so much. Though he was largely overshadowed by his freshman counterpart, Trey Burton, Brantley still gets credit for being steady, if not stellar, for the Gators in their win over Kentucky.

2010 season total: 73/114 yards for 700 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

4. Aaron Murray, Georgia (18/31 for 274 yards and 1 touchdown) at Mississippi State

Murray continues to be impressive for Georgia, in spite of the teams' overall anemia on offense, and offers plenty of reason for fans to believe he is the future at quarterback. He looks more comfortable in the pocket each week and, even minus A.J. Green, has developed solid chemistry with his other receivers. Now, if the rest of the team could play with as much passion, the Bulldogs might have something.

2010 season total: 64/105 for 879 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 

5. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss (8/12 for 153 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception) vs. Fresno State

The Rebels left most of the dirty work to their running backs this week, but Masoli helped get the party started with a touchdown early. He's not been the spark that Houston Nutt hoped he would be, but he hasn't been downright abysmal either.

2010 season total: 48/77 for 733 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

6. Chris Relf, Mississipi State (8/13 for 135 yards and 1 touchdown. 20 carries for 109 yards) vs. Georgia.

Leading your team to victory over a cross-division rival has to count for something, right? This was, without question, one of Relf's best SEC performances so far this season.

2010 season total: 33/57 for 409 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. 48 carries for 249 yards. 

7. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina (15/21 for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns) vs Auburn.

You're probably wondering why Garcia isn't ranked a bit higher, right? Well, his position here has less to do with what he did do, than what he didn't do. Garcia fumbled twice in the second half, clearing the way for 14 of the points Auburn needed to win the game and spoil the Gamecocks bid to go 4-0 on the season—2-0 in the SEC.

2010 season total: 56/81 for 743 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 

8.  Greg McElroy, Alabama (18/26 for 194 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions) at Arkansas.

McElroy was mediocre for the majority of the day, but money when it mattered. He made a drive saving play on fourth-and-inches and helped engineer two touchdown scoring drives in the second half.

2010 season total: 61/86 for 899 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

9. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (25/38 for 357 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions) vs. Alabama.

It was a valiant effort that nearly turned into a big win for the Razorbacks, but Mallett lost his groove after throwing his first interception—in the fourth quarter—and never recovered. Arkansas was close to being the beasts of the West...but, as we all know, close only counts in horseshoes.

2010 season total: 95/138 for 1438 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.  

10. Mike Hartline, Kentucky (21/39 for 242 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions) at Florida.

Hartline couldn't continue the momentum of the Wildcats in the face of the Gators smothering defense, but he did give a valiant effort. 

2010 season total: 75/114 for 922 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.  

11. Jordan Jefferson, LSU (10/22 for 75 yards and 2 interceptions) vs West Virginia.


Jefferson has been atrocious this year. Is he the victim of bad coaching or does he really suck this bad? My goodness, it's an utter miracle that the Tigers are 4-0 —an. utter. miracle. If Jefferson continues to play his uninspired brand of football the rest of the way, it's a miracle that should end very soon.

2010 season total: 43/79 for 419 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. 

Georgia Wide Receiver, A.J. Green, Is Ready To Play Some Football (VIDEO)

The Georgia Bulldogs have been without A.J. Green for the last four weeks. Many thought he would return to a team that was 4-0, at best, and 3-1, at worst. There were few who believed he would make his debut on a team that was 1-3 and reeling from one of the most embarrassing losses in a very long time.

However, Green is undeterred by the record or the circumstance. After sitting on the sidelines, watching the offense sputter minus his play making hands, he is simply ready to suit up in his signature No. 8 jersey and play a little Georgia Bulldog football.

Fans are hungry for something to feel good about and, for the first time in a month, A.J. brings the hope of something better—at least for the moment.

Green is ready to play—saying he still feels he has a lot to "prove" to those out there who might still be questioning his overall legitimacy as a player. (h/t wnegtv)

College Football: 25 Players Who Have Been Flying Under The Radar This Season

College football is as much a popularity contest as it is a playing field for deciding who's a player and who gets played. The big names are easy to find on a stat sheet because networks like ESPN, Fox Sports, and ABC have no trouble pointing you in their direction. However, there are plenty of guys making a name for themselves on the college gridiron, minus the helpful hype.

These guys play every bit as hard on Saturday, sometimes with just as spectacular a result, but it doesn't seem to be enough to get their names in print or their highlights on a reel. Some play for big boys, others don't, but they are all worthy of a special mention for what they've been able to do for their respective teams so far this year.

In advance, it must be said that this slide/video show is peppered with a few I-AA standouts because, well, don't they deserve some recognition too?

Feel free to add some player names of your own in the comment section; clearly this presentation can't give every guy his due.

1. Mike LeShoure, RB: Illinois

If you are an Illinois fan, the name Mike LeShoure isn't new to you. He wears No. 5 for the Fighting Illini—a number made famous by former running man, Rashard Mendenhall. He's finally ready to make a name for himself as he has rededicated himself to getting fitter, faster, and better this past offseason.

His hard work has paid off so far: he is not only the No. 6-ranked tailback in the country, but he has also helped carry Illinois to a 2-1 record this season.
2010 Stats: 58 carries, 398 yards, and three touchdowns (6.86 yard per carry)

2. Dominique Davis, QB: East Carolina

The East Carolina Pirates fell short against the Virginia Tech Hokies this past weekend, but that doesn't change the fact that Dominique Davis (the former freshman phenom for Boston College) is one heckuva quarterback.

He's the new face of Pirate football after the departures of both the head coach, Skip Holtz, and his star quarterback, Patrick Pinkney. So far, Davis has done a fine job of developing under Ruffin McNeil's offense, and has excelled at being a strong leader on the field for his teammates.

If nothing else, the young man is fun to watch on Saturday.

2010 Stats: 85/129 for 890 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. Thirty-five carries for 132 yards and three touchdowns.

3. Kealoha Pilares, WR: Hawaii

Kealoha Pilares...go ahead, say it again, Kealoha Pilares. It's a mouthful, I grant you, but it was said all night in the Hawaii Warriors debut against the USC Trojans. The senior receiver went off for 176 yards and three touchdowns that night. He was, in a word, AMAZING! Unfortunately, for him, the Warriors defense wasn't quite as glorious, as his team lost the game.

Pilares continues to put up stellar numbers in Hawaii's high-powered air attack. While he's not the tallest receiver on the field (he stands 5'10"), he's got just enough physicality and strength to be a challenge for just about any defensive back he's liable to face on game day.

2010 Stats: 17 receptions, 397 yards, and five touchdowns.

4. Jarvis Phillips, DB: Texas Tech

Jarvis Phillips is only a freshman, but he's already turning some heads in the Big 12. Unless you're a fan of the Red Raiders or happened to be watching the Texas Tech loss to Texas last Saturday night, you might have missed him. I'll give you a hint, he was that blur running Garrett Gilbert's errant pass back for a touchdown.

Phillips has a way to go to truly become a legitimate force on defense, but he's already made a name for himself in the Texas Tech secondary by snagging four interceptions this year—that leads the nation.

2010 Stats: 10 tackles, three passes defensed, four interceptions, and one touchdown.

5. Andrew Pierce, RB: Delaware

I know what you're probably thinking, the FCS doesn't count—it's like junior-varsity football to the big-boy FBS, right? Well, there are more than a few fans and I-AA players who might take offense at that statement. Considering what both UMass and Jacksonville State have been able to do this season, I'd be inclined to agree.

I-AA has players too—they might not be eligible for all the accolades, but they have players all the same—and Andrew Pierce is a player. He's been tearing it up for the Blue Hens this year and he's only a freshman—wow!

2010 Stats: 55 carries, 484 yards, and four touchdowns.

6. Mario Harvey, LB: Marshall

Aside from the unflattering facial he appears to receive from Ohio State quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, Mario Harvey has been an absolute beast for the Thundering Herd this season. His impressive showing against the West Virginia Mountaineers during a Thursday night game (where he amassed 17 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles) brought him to the attention of many who didn't already know his name—he's continued to impress.

The senior linebacker weighs in at a touch above 240 lbs, but has clocked a 4.35 forty—there aren't too many players who can get away from his grasp. He's a definite weapon on defense, and it won't be long before others take notice of his skills as well.

2010 Stats: 39 tackles, six tackles for loss (minus 29 yards), four sacks (minus 24 yards), and two forced fumbles.

7. Ryan Kerrigan, DE: Purdue

While he's on a ton of 2010's watch lists for his great defense, Kerrigan has been equally talented at flying under the radar. Few outside the Big Ten know how good he truly is; that's a shame because he has been a beast for the better part of his college career. He's not flashy, but he continually gets the job done.

His name was on the tongues of many NFL scouts last season, but he opted to stay in West Lafayette to complete his senior year: he felt he had some "unfinished business" to take care of for the Boilermakers—he wants to help get them get to a bowl game. They are off to a good start at 2-1, and there is little doubt that Kerrigan has played a key role.

2010 Stats: 23 tackles, eight tackles for loss (minus 34 yards), three sacks (minus 21 yards), and two forced fumbles.

8. Taylor Martinez, QB: Nebraska

His name isn't nearly as hyped as that of a similar quarterback with eye-popping numbers, but he's been almost as impressive for Big Red this season. Taylor Martinez, aided in large part by a phenomenal Nebraska defense, has helped the Cornhuskers to a 3-0 record. He looks locked in on the football field as he slices and dices through everything that has been thrown his way.

It's only a matter of time before he starts getting more respect from those outside Omaha but, for now, he is more than happy to toil in obscurity—let the other guys get the hype.

2010 Stats: 28/43 for 392 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Forty carries for 462 yards and eight touchdowns.

9. Mario Kurn, DE: San Diego

He's not the biggest or the best player on the field every week, but he makes a strong case for that role as he has dominated the competition so far this year.

Mario Kurn's size won't blow you away—he's playing defensive end but, if he were on an FBS team, he'd be about the size of a strong safety. However, that hasn't stopped him from being aggressive and making plays wherever the Toreros need him to—he's a gamer.

He loves to play football and it shows in his attitude and play on the field.

2010 Stats: 18 tackles, eight tackles for loss (minus 52 yards), seven sacks (minus 49 yards), and one forced fumble.

10. Jordan White, WR: Western Michigan

Western Michigan is in the MAC, in case you weren't aware. Even though there are many teams in that conference that are recognized by the average fan, most people completely blank on Western Michigan. It's an easy mistake to make, especially since they play in a conference where Ball State, Toledo, and Central Michigan are more likely to see their names in lights.

However, don't be fooled: Western Michigan has a few players of its own to tout—QB Alex Carder immediately comes to mind. Who is Carder's favorite target? Jordan White—he's been outstanding for the Broncos this season and he continues to go about his business with ease.

He's No. 1 in the MAC in receiving yards (No. 4 in the nation), and is helping his quarterback set a few records along the way.

2010 Stats: 27 receptions, 382 yards, and three touchdowns.

11. Tim Fugger, DE: Vanderbilt

Tim Fugger plays for a team that, perennially, doesn't get taken as seriously in the SEC as they might like. It's not for lack of quality athletes or tough play; on the contrary, the Commodores field some very competitive teams each season—despite what their record suggests.

So, to find a gem like Fugger sitting pretty on their defensive line isn't nearly as surprising as the fact that he's gone unnoticed on a national level for as long as he has. He's got good speed off the edge (he's a converted TE and is relentless as a pass rusher), and he's developed tremendously over the last season. He's now beginning to hit his stride.

2010 Stats: eight tackles, two tackles for loss (minus 14 yards), one sack (minus 14 yards), and three forced fumbles.

12. Kyle Martens, P: Rice

Punters don't get nearly enough love in college football, but field position is a key component of any team's ability to win games. Rice may not have All-Americans playing at every position but, this season, Kyle Martens is doing his part to make sure his Owls at least have the punting game covered.

2010 Stats: 19 punts for 911 yards (47.95-yard average).

13. Shaky Smithson, WR/PR: Utah

It seems odd to have a guy named "Shaky" returning punts, but this guy's name speaks less to his catching ability than it does to his ability to shake off would-be tacklers. As the earlier slide stated, field position is a major part of winning football games, and Shaky Smithson has done a very good job of getting his Utes in position to score points.

2010 Stats: 10 returns for 266 yards (26.6 average) and two touchdowns.

14. B.J. Coleman, QB: Chattanooga

B.J. Coleman no longer wears the orange-and-white of the Tennessee Volunteers, but he's found new life playing at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He's taken advantage of the opportunity to redeem himself as their starting quarterback.

The Chattanooga Mocs sport a high-powered offense geared towards the pro-style arm of Coleman. They air it out early and often—usually with success. The Mocs recently secured their second win of the season, playing in the well-respected Southern Conference of the FCS, 42-24 over Eastern Kentucky. Coleman's line in that game, 12-of-16 for 375 yards and four touchdowns.

2010 Stats: 57 of 91 for 864 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.

15. Daniel Thomas, RB: Kansas State

It's not that people don't know about Daniel Thomas, it's that they know and aren't talking about him enough. He's been a monster this season—so far—mauling the competition with ease. If he continues at his current pace, he will easily eclipse his respectable 1,200-plus yard total from last year, and could make a strong case for getting some Heisman love.

It's early yet, but Wildcats fans have to be encouraged by his tenacity. He wants the ball as much as he can get it, and his head coach, Bill Snyder, seems more than content to hand it off to him. So far, the reward for that confidence has been a hot start for the Wildcats (3-0).

2010 Stats: 83 carries, 552 yards, and six touchdowns.

16. Brandon Weeden, QB: Oklahoma State

At 26, Weeden certainly isn't your average college quarterback but, then again, neither was Chris Weinke (and he seemed to do all right for himself).

Weeden took over a Cowboys team that had said goodbye to such prolific players as Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant, and Perrish Cox. He was faced with tons of national media who pegged the Cowboys as being in "rebuild" mode. Well, apparently Weeden missed that memo.

His ridiculous numbers for the Cowboys have placed their record at 3-0. True enough, they haven't faced any stout competition yet. Still, you have to give a bit of credit to Weeden for showing that he's not just some old guy trying his hand at football—he's for real.

2010 Stats: 74/101 for 975 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions.

17. Marquess Wilson, WR: Washington State

Washington State is not a good football team, but they do have a few shining stars on their roster. One of them is Marquess Wilson—a true freshman. He's had a short learning curve thus far, but he's made the most of a bad situation, flashing some brilliant signs that seem to promise a dazzling future.

Now, if the rest of the team could just get on the right page...

2010 Stats: 13 receptions, 281 yards, and two touchdowns.

18. A.J. Klein, LB: Iowa State

“Individual performances don’t matter if you don’t win.” That was the quote from A.J. Klein following Iowa State's loss to Kansas State this past weekend. Despite his impressive stat line, he wasn't willing to focus on his accomplishments because they meant nothing minus the win. You have to love his attitude at a time in college football when it seems more important to make ESPN than it is to make tackles.

He's only a sophomore, but he's already proven to be an instrumental part of a Cyclones team that is still trying to find its identity. He's yet to become the premier talent at his position that he looks to eventually be, but he's definitely working hard to get there.

2010 Stats: 36 tackles, four tackles for loss (minus 5yards), one interception (69-yarder returned for a touchdown).

19. Marco Nelson, DB: Tulsa

In just his first season as a defensive player, Marco Nelson (No. 20, above) has been brilliant for the Tulsa Hurricanes. His speed and ability to get to the ball have proven to be an asset for him as he's been a nuisance for quarterbacks this season.

His overall attitude in the locker room and willingness to do whatever it takes to make it happen for Tulsa make him a coach favorite. Being only a true freshman has to give a lot of hope for what he can do in the future.

2010 Stats: 21 tackles, one pass defensed, two interceptions, one touchdown.

20. Ronnie Hillman, RB: San Diego State

He's been named the Player of the Week twice by ESPN and Rivals.com. His colossal numbers last week against the Missouri Tigers speak to his ability to run against just about any team he chooses.
There is no doubt that he has both the skills and the drive to be a major part of the Aztecs offense this year. He gains more respect with each impressive performance and, if that continues, it won't be long before his name is a household one in the Mountain West—and the nation.

2010 Stats: 60 carries, 443 yards, and seven touchdowns.

21. Jordan Todman, RB: Connecticut

 

Perhaps it's just tough to exist in a league where both Dion Lewis and Noel Devine are household names. Or maybe it's the fact that Connecticut is still searching for some respect—despite what Randy Edsall has accomplished.
Whatever the case, people are still sleeping on Jordan Todman.

Ask the everyday football fan to name ten running backs in the country, and Todman's name isn't likely to warrant even a mention. He might get a sniff at the top 15, but he's more than likely going to slip from the minds of most
fans every. single. time.

Wonder if anyone realizes that Todman is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation for yards gained? No. 4 in average yards per game? Statistically better than Trent Richardson (Alabama), Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh), Noel Devine (West Virginia), and John Clay (Wisconsin)?

If they realize it, we sure haven't been hearing much about it.

2010 Stats: 61 carries, 448 yards, and five touchdowns.

22. Lyle Leong, WR: Texas Tech

Red Raider fans already know all about Lyle Leong. Chances are, a few Michigan State fans know all about him, too, after his big catch against them in the Alamo Bowl. The rest of the country, maybe not so much.

Leong's coming-out party began in 2009 and hasn't stopped yet, as he is well on his way to eclipsing his numbers from last year. He's not the most noticeable player on the field, but his work ethic and dedication to becoming the best player he can be for the Red Raiders have been tireless.

So far in 2010, he's scored six times (No. 2 in the nation), and he's gunning for more as his team continues to grow into the Tommy Tuberville era of Texas Tech football.

2010 Stats: 20 receptions, 251 yards, and six touchdowns.

23. Justin Washington, DT: Arizona

Washington has come a long way since the spring, and it is clear that his focus is playing good football. He plays a position that takes spectacular stats to be noticed, but it's obvious that he is an important part of Arizona's defense this season.

It will be interesting to see if he can keep up this pace for the whole season but, so far, he looks like the real deal.

2010 Stats: 13 tackles, five tackles for loss (minus 27 yards), and four sacks.

24. Dan Persa, QB: Northwestern

Poor Dan. He exists in a conference where he is, essentially, nonexistent. It's got to be a tough deal playing in the shadow of Ohio State's Terrelle

Pryor—no way Northwestern can get much pub when that team in Columbus gets all the love. Not to mention, some kid named Denard Robinson takes the rest of the spotlight by being some kind of wunderkind—what's a guy gotta do to get a little attention over in Evanston?

Don't worry Dan, you just keep putting up those wins and—sooner or later—somebody will notice you're doing one phenomenal job for the Wildcats this season.

2010 Stats: 62/76 for 769 yards, six touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.

25. Taiwan Jones, RB: Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington is a tough team to watch play at home—due mostly to that headache-inducing red turf—but Taiwan Jones makes the sore eyes bearable. The junior back for the Eagles is a well-known playmaker in the Big Sky conference and has been since day one.

He's a weapon in every phase of the game and already has close to 1,000 all-purpose yards this season—after only three games.
Some are convinced that Jones is every bit as good as some of the best players in the FBS, especially after the show he put on in his team's season-opening loss to the Nevada Wolfpack (yes, the same Nevada Wolfpack that recently upended Cal). Jones didn't go down without a fight that day and, by the end of the game, he had over 300 yards of offense all by himself.

2010 Stats: 53 carries, 455 yards and three touchdowns. Nine receptions, 215 yards, and two touchdowns. Eight kicks returned for 165 yards and five touchdowns.

(This article appears courtesy of The Lady Sportswriter)

Steve Spurrier Reacts To The Passing of Former Gamecock, Kenny Mckinley (VIDEO)

Kenny McKinley has died. The cause of death has not been officially released but speculation is that it is the result of a suicide.

McKinley was a member of the Denver Broncos at the time of his death, drafted by the team in the fifth-round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

However, fans of the SEC remember him best as being a standout wide receiver for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He, along with current Minnesota Viking, Sidney Rice, formed a talented duo for Steve Spurrier from 2005 to 2006.

After Rice's departure, McKinley continued to light up the field with his big play ability and sure-hands. He never let up, despite his tussle with injuries in his final season, and by the time he closed the chapter on his college career, he held numerous records.

He was not expected to be a major factor in the Bronco's offense this season but, said McDaniels, "

"Kenny had a promising future on the football field, but more importantly, he was a great teammate whose smile and personality could light up the room".

McKinley was only 23-years old. 

McKinley's former coach, Steve Spurrier, was surprised to hear the news of his death. Spurrier stated that McKinley was present at the Gamecocks' game against Georgia a couple weeks ago and seemed in good spirits. Spurrier was visibly shaken by the news and seemed genuinely perplexed at what might have prompted McKinley to take such a drastic measure.  (h/t TheBigSpur)

Highlights from McKinley's 2008 season with the Gamecocks:

Mckinley speaks on his future with the Denver Broncos shortly after being drafted in 2009.

Georgia Bulldog Football: Mark Richt Needs More Than A.J. Green To Win Games

The Georgia Bulldogs, in case you didn't know it, are now 0-2 in SEC play after a heartbreaking loss to Arkansas today. The team fought hard, in the fourth quarter, but fell short as the Razorbacks walked out of Athens, GA sporting something they had not since 1993—a win.

It would be easy to make excuses for the team but, in the end, the truth would be simple: Ryan Mallett played like Ryan Mallett and the Georgia defense had no answer for him.

You see, all week long, the media and the journalists have tried their best to make Georgia Bulldog fans believe that without A.J., this team cannot win. However, in two weeks, the team has proven that it can indeed win—if they can ever get out of their own way.

Today, the run defense showed up in against the veteran running presence of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Aside from the one-yard touchdown run by Knile Davis in the first quarter, no other tailbacks made a significant contribution to the running game for the Hogs. As a unit, they carried 20 times for 59-yards (less than three yards per carry).

So, unlike last week, the run defense did a nice job of stopping the run and forcing the quarterback to make plays. Unfortunately for Georgia, they couldn't do two things well, on defense, at one time because Ryan Mallett had a field day with Georgia's secondary.

He was rarely pressured into a poor pass and every touchdown he threw, of which there were three, his man was left wide open. By the end of the day, the receivers had all-star numbers: Joe Adams snagged six balls for 130, Greg Childs caught three for 82, D.J. Williams...six for 61—see a poor trend here?

The secondary never seemed to show up today and that cost Georgia big time—none bigger than on Arkansas last possession of the game (a 36-yard, game winning touchdown). 

Truthfully, if you didn't know any better, you might have actually believed that Willie Martinez never
left the sidelines because it was deja vu all over again.

But, this article is not meant to be a recap. If you watched the game, you know what happened, and you can surmise from your own intelligence how it transpired—no need to do it for you here. That said, what is perplexing is how everyone seems to keep telling themselves that A.J. Green would have been the difference.

 While it cannot be denied that Green is a catalyst, a playmaker, and a genuinely wonderful weapon to behold, he cannot play defense. He cannot run block for the offensive line, he cannot pass rush for the linebackers, he cannot punt for Drew Butler, he cannot cover kickoffs for special teams, he cannot playcall for Mike Bobo, and he cannot cover wide receivers for the secondary.

As outstanding a football player as A.J. Green most certainly is, he is one guy and, as much as some outlets would like you to believe it, he is not the only piece this team needs to win on Saturday.

Furthermore, to say that A.J. is the only guy worthy of catching the ball on Saturday is disrespectful to Kris Durham. Durham has done a tremendous job in A.J.'s absence. No, he doesn't have the speed, the highlight reel grabs, or the NFL pedigree, but he does have 13 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown (through the same number of games last season, Green had 17 receptions, for 275 yards, and three touchdowns). Durham may not be Green, but he's done a phenomenal job filling in for him this season. 

Even more, a great point was made by Quinton McDawg over at the Georgia Sports Blog following the game on Saturday. He stated that the Alabama Crimson Tide have been without their Heisman winning playmaker for the last two weeks and they haven't missed a beat. His point, great teams can survive the storm—that's what great teams do.

Is this Georgia Bulldog team a great team?...No, it's a young one, with a redshirt freshman quarterback and a new defensive scheme—period.

This loss will lead to a lot of "hot seat" talk—be prepared. Some of the arguments for the inconsistencies of Richt's team this season will be valid, while others could likely be chalked up to the ridiculous rantings of a message board maniac. Neither argument will make a difference where this season is concerned—that's a fact. Richt is not going to be fired this season, but he could be under a lot more pressure if this 1-2 start turns into a 7-5 or 6-6 finish.

Curious to hear your thoughts after three weeks of play by this Georgia Bulldog team. Where do you stand on them now? I haven't given up on them but I certainly have begun to temper my expectations a bit more after today.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Arkansas Comes To Play...Will Georgia?

It's high noon as this article is being written and that means the Georgia Bulldogs are getting set to kickoff against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Sanford Stadium—it's gameday in Athens, GA!

That statement alone should be plenty to get any Georgia Bulldog excited but, in the malaise that has followed the news that A.J. Green, Branden Smith, and Shaun Chapas won't play today, people seem to be feeling a little less than confident about what the outcome will be.

Last night, the Twitter feed was bursting with commentary as both fans and frenemies boasted about the Georgia Bulldogs chances of remaining relevant without A.J. Green to catch the ball from his new quarterback. One individual even surmised that the Bulldogs would be 0-3 in the SEC by the time it was all said and done—a notion so ludicrous and short-sighted, in my opinion, that it became necessary for this author to launch into a rant all her own.

Yet, I digress.

No one can overstate the value of A.J. Green to this Georgia team. He's a playmaker, a man amongst boys, and a future pro ball player—without question. That said, he doesn't play defense. The Georgia Bulldogs played without passion or fire last week against a South Carolina team that seemed more motivated than ever to make it to the SEC Championship Game this season—no matter what A.J. might have done last week, he wouldn't have been on the field when the tackling was taking place.

How much of a difference could he have truly made?

Georgia cannot play like the timid bunch of schoolboys they played like on last Saturday. If they do, they will lose again today. There is no question about that. However, my expectation is that these Bulldogs will be ready to play and focused on winning—A.J. or not, they will be ready to get after those Hogs.

My faith is in the red and black—where's yours?

Time to play a little football.

Inez Sainz: Is Lance Briggs An Idiot or Just Speaking The Truth?

UPDATE: This link was offered by a commenter and clears up the question of whether or not men are allowed into the locker rooms of women. The article specifically states that the WNBA does allow such access—at designated times. While the information does slightly alter my opinion of the matter, it does not change the fact that "women in men's locker rooms" is something that will always be debated. That said, in the interest of full-disclosure, the article below has not been altered in any way. 

Lance Briggs, a professional football player for the Chicago Bears, has recently come under fire for some comments he made regarding the issue of female reporters conducting post-game interviews in male locker rooms. Said Briggs:

"I don't think women should be allowed in the locker room...A lot of times I'm asking the media to wait until I'm dressed" (Grizzly Detail, 9/16/10)

His comments have come on the heels of the Inez Sainz incident which, unless you have been hiding in a galaxy far, far, away, you have heard about in much detail by now. If not, feel free to read about it here.

However, the purpose of this article isn't to support her efforts nor is it to spew vitriol at Lance Briggs for his statements...there's plenty of hand-wringing and political toe-tapping going on about both of those issues already.

The point of this article is to ask this simple, yet completely glossed over, question: are men allowed
into the locker rooms of female sports teams?

In all of the furor over the treatment of Inez Sainz, treatment that was immature but not unexpected—considering the circumstances—people seem content to leave out the fact that male reporters are not allowed into the dressing rooms of professional female athletes either (at least not to my knowledge).

And, why aren't they?

 

The obvious, short-sighted, is likely because it is assumed that women have a better ability to control their hormones and their actions than men would if put in a similar situation. Women wouldn't be as likely to give in to their urge to stare, comment, or objectify the person standing, half-naked, in front of them, as a man might be.

Translation: men are dogs and, if taken off the leash, they will make a mess of such a situation. 

While the argument could be considered a valid one, based in part on the comments made both in the media (Rush Limbaugh called Sainz "bootylicious") and on some message boards, regarding the Inez Sainz issue, it doesn't change the fact that there is a double-standard in play—most women would not be comfortable allowing a male reporter to interview them, if the only piece of clothing they had on was a towel. 

Should women be allowed to have access to the players? Absolutely! However, why is it so important that the locker room be a part of that access? Isn't there just as much information to be gleaned from the post-game press conference?...No?

Oh, yeah, that's right, it's impossible to truly get a feel for the emotional distress or disappointment a player is feeling if he has too much time to compose himself. The viewing public wants the gritty stuff—the reality bite. The viewing public wants to be able to see things like this:

Uh-huh...because that interview had so much to do with the game that was played.

Listen, this is a blog written by, and from the perspective of, a lady sportswriter so, I get it, I do. That said, I also know that this is an issue that can easily be solved by allowing no reporters in the locker room whatsoever.

Why does anyone, male or female, have to be there? There are certainly more than a handful of men who share Lance Briggs' desire to be able to shower, relieve, and dress himself without some media type shoving a mic in his face.

Even more, if the need for a quick sound bite is the driving force behind conducting an interview in such an informal and intrusional way, then there is reason to believe that the opportunity for that is every bit as probable in the conference room—just ask Jim Mora, Dennis Green, Allen Iverson, or, my personal favorite, Mike Gundy how easy that can be:

No locker room access needed for that gem, folks—just saying.

 

Women are worthy of equal treatment—across the board—no one is arguing that point here. However, is this really the issue that women want to tout as important? And, if so, are you preparing for the day when the inevitable, yet obvious, question is finally asked about men being allowed to do the same?

Be prepared because the day that question gets asked with more conviction is not only coming, but it's here, and it's valid—whether you think so or not.

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Georgia Bulldogs Football: The Best Individual Performers in The Loss to South Carolina

It seems comical to walk away from this loss with anything but a laundry list of negatives. After all, as much credit as you feel obliged to give South Carolina for securing a big time SEC victory at home, you feel equally sick to your stomach that Georgia didn't play the best they could play on Saturday.

That said, you start looking for the silver lining—wherever you can find it—because there is still a lot of football left to play.

So, after revisiting the game, and the box score, here are the performances that represent hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day.

1. Aaron Murray, QB

Murray was solid. Despite the final score, you have to be impressed with how the young freshman performed under hostile conditions, on the road, for the very first time. He made good decisons—aside from a play in the first half where he should have thrown it away, but took the sack instead.
He didn't try and do too much with the football and he didn't turn the ball over—that's key. He was as steady as the fans could have hoped in that pressure-cooker of a situation and that bodes well for the future. That said, the coaches need to take the handcuffs off him a little more.
Richt and Bobo still seem hesitant to set him loose and, to be frank, it's time to see what he can do with a more wide-open playbook.

2. Justin Houston, LB

Lost in the mess that was a myriad of missed tackles and poor run defense was the fact that Justin Houston performed well on Saturday—three sacks, ten tackles, and a forced fumble—against South Carolina.

3. Kris Durham, WR

Everyone, both before and after the game, emphasized the loss of A.J. Green and the impact his absence might have played in the loss. However, no one gave nearly as much credit to Kris Durham who, in Green's absence, managed to rack up 76 yards on three catches (25.3 avg). The senior continues to be a reliable set of hands for Murray and, unfortunately, not much attention is being paid to that fact.

4. Pass Defense

The main focus of conversation is centered on the inefficiency of the Georgia run defense. They got  got pummeled by Marcus Lattimore—all day long.  The true freshman had no problem making ground against the defensive front of Georgia.

However, the pass defense was pretty good. Garcia managed 165 yards passing in the game—most of which came on a couple of really big third down completions, in the first half, to Alshon Jeffery.

5. The Georgia defense—overall

The poor tackling cannot be expressed enough. However, even with that, and without A.J. Green—Georgia still kept it close. They ONLY lost by 11 but, the way they tackled, Lattimore ran, this game could have easily been a blowout for South Carolina.

For all the guffaws of the first half, give a little credit to Grantham for making some adjustments to the defense at halftime. The Bulldogs were pitching a shutout until the late field goal and, if the offense were able to convert a couple key redzone opportunities—who knows?

6. Blair Walsh, K

Where his counterpart, Drew Butler, seemed to be having an off day, Walsh continues to be money in the bank for Georgia. He wasn't given much of a chance to do anything special—like kick a game-winning field goal—but he did manage to convert his field goal opportunities when called upon.

Again, that may not seem like much to hang your hat on, but it's important to know that your kicker is able to perform—no matter the situation—particularly on the road in the SEC.

7. Washaun Ealey, RB

Ealey's fumble will be the focus for many—no doubt about it. However, it was encouraging to see him come out early and hit the holes hard. He churned out a lot of big yards before the offensive line started to look suspect for Georgia. Even more, he did it by himself.

Caleb King was not a factor in this game (still not certain what happened there—ankle?) but Ealey didn't seem to mind carrying the load on his own. He finished with 19 carries for 79 yards in his season debut.

Okay, that's it for this week because, honestly, it would have been easier to find 20 things wrong with the way Georgia played than to find five things right.

Time to prepare for Arkansas.

As always, love to hear your thoughts on the game. So, what say you?

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Vince Dooley on the Georgia Bulldogs' 1980 Championship Team: "Herschel Was That Missing Piece" (VIDEO)

Former Georgia Bulldogs football coach, Vince Dooley, took a moment to sit down for an interview with the University of Georgia's student newspaper, the Red and Black, just prior to the start of Georgia's 2010 football season. In this taped interview, Dooley discusses not only the 1980 National Championship won by his team, but also what he feels is the future of the football program at Georgia.

The interview is in two parts: (h/t to wrbrown4):



Part 2...Vince Dooley on why Georgia hasn't won a national championship since 1980:

College Football Odds Week 2: 10 Picks To Click for Saturday

Week one is in the books and what an exciting week it was in college football. Florida looked pedestrian, Boise added another BCS feather to their collective hats, and Michigan gave the fans in Ann Arbor something to cheer about.

Now, as we move on to week 2, what teams should you be looking to place your bets for/against? The slate is heavy, as always, starting with the Thursday night match-up between Auburn and Mississippi State—what to do, what to do?

A running tally will be kept of the picks made by this site from week-to-week—just for credibility sake—so take the following for what its worth. As of week one, my record stands at 3-2 against the spread (ATS).

That's not bad, but here's to a better week than the last.

1. Auburn at Mississippi State: Auburn (-3)

The Bulldogs looked stout against Memphis last week, holding them to 41-yards on the ground. However, the Memphis Tigers lost their two leading rushers at the end of 2009 and didn't have the experience up front to fend off the Bulldogs defense—Auburn won't have that problem.

The Lady's Pick: Auburn

2.  Georgia Tech at Kansas: Georgia Tech (-14)

Kansas needs a quarterback and the Jayhawks defense is in transition after losing some of their best players on both sides of the ball. Expect Georgia Tech to take advantage of a suspect run defense and the total lack of playmakers in the secondary.

The Lady's Pick: Georgia Tech 

3. LSU at Vanderbilt: LSU (-11)


LSU wasn't impressive in their win against UNC last week and Vandy nearly eeked out a win over a vastly underrated Northwestern. Larry Smith looks like he might be motivated to keep his job this season and keeping it close with LSU would help him in that cause.

The Lady's Pick: Vanderbilt 

4. Colorado at California: California (-3)


Colorado looked great against Colorado State, but the Rams shouldn't be taken nearly as seriously in 2010 as they were in 2009—they have holes everywhere. Cal may have question marks as well, but it's a joke if anyone thinks Colorado is capable of keeping up with the Bears.

The Lady's Pick: California

5. Michigan at Notre Dame: Notre Dame (-3.5)

It's nice that the Notre Dame train of delusion just keeps chugging along. As much as Brian Kelly's offense should be respected and, as briliant as Dayne Crist may turn out to be, Michigan has the better athletes entering this game. They are quicker, faster, and more experienced—not to mention, the Irish players are banged up after their game last week.

The Lady's Pick: Michigan

6. Wyoming at Texas: Texas (-29.5)

The Cowboys don't look like a team that can keep up with the Longhorns, but even with all of the great players from last season on the field in 2009—the Cowboys managed to avoid being completely obliterated. They did lose by 31 points, but Texas was favored by -33.5.
I say they avoid annihilation.

The Lady's Pick: Wyoming

7. Syracuse at Washington: Washington (-13.5)

Jake Locker is "supposedly" a Heisman candidate—despite what his performance against BYU told us. That said, expect him to be much more comfortable playing at home, in front of the Seattle crowd, while Syracuse attempts to get over their jet lag.

The Lady's Pick: Washington


8. Penn State at Alabama: Alabama (-11.5)

This will be a huge game for  both teams, Penn State is looking for a little validation under the leadership of their new quarterback, and Alabama is trying to repeat as national champions. This game, obviously, should be all Bama, but Penn State might give them a bigger challenge than most are giving them credit for right now.

The Lady's Pick: Penn State

9. Troy at Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State (-13.5)

The Cowboys may have some issues in conference play, but Troy shouldn't pose much of a problem—especially now that Levi Brown has moved on.

The Lady's Pick: Oklahoma State

10. Georgia at South Carolina: South Carolina (-3.5)

Lost in all the hoopla surrounding the Carolina win over SMU was the fact that the Gamecocks' offensive line wasn't nearly as dominant as it should have been and the secondary gave up better than 300-yards passing. There are still questions on defense at South Carolina and that may leave the door slightly ajar for the Bulldogs.

The Lady's Pick: Georgia