In light of the NFL draft and the wrapping up of spring practices, I am going to release my Top 25 NCAA Preseason Football Rankings. I am an avid follower of NCAA football and know my teams. I would love to hear from you if you disagree (or agree) with me on any of these rankings. Drum Roll, please!!
1. Ohio St. - They bring back Boeckman, Wells, Robisikie and just about everybody else on offense. The only key loss is Gholston. Jenkins and Laurinaitis are top 5 NFL prospects. I see no reason they can't make it to the BCSCG again.
2. Georgia - Stafford continues to make huge strides, Knowshon Moreno is just amazing. Defense should be better this year. The only question mark is that very difficult schedule.
3. Oklahoma - Bradford is the most impressive QB in the country in my opinion. The loss of Patrick and Kelly are huge, but the Sooners should be able to reload.
4. Florida - When you have Tim Tebow, you're always a threat. Harvin is the fastest man in the country, and the potential emergence of Chris Rainey makes the Gators very scary. The defense will need to take a step forward this year.
5. Clemson - With no huge losses except Merling, the Tigers should be a force this year. With arguably the best RB tandem in the country, this offense will be tough to stop. Cullen Harper could be a Heisman contender this year.
6. Missouri - The loss of Rucker and Temple are huge, I don't see a repeat of last year's performance, but the Tigers should be okay.
7. West Virginia - A surprising departure of Steve Slaton, makes this team less intimidating. If Noel Devine can keep his nose clean, WVU could compete for a NC. Pat White is a flat out stud college football player.
8. Auburn - The Tigers will have an experienced RB corp coming back and a new offensive system that will make Auburn fun to watch. The secondary will need to step it up this year with the loss of 2 playmakers to the NFL.
9. Southern Cal - The Trojans lose 10 players to the draft, but they always seem to find a way to reload. Rey Maualuga could be the #1 overall pick in next year's NFL draft.
10. Texas - Huge losses on offense will keep the Longhorns from making a run in the Big 12 where Oklahoma reigns supreme. McCoy will need to continue to mature. The defense should be quite good.
11. Illinois - With the exception of Ohio St., it's shaping up as a down year in the Big 10, one in which Juice Williams and company could take advatage of. We'll have to see how bad the loss of Rashard Mendenhall will hurt.
12. Wisconsin - PJ Hill and Travis Beckum are some of the best at their position (when healty). A new QB will create some growing pains, but the Badgers should have a 9 win season at least.
13. Arizona St. - Rudy Carpenter is underrated as a QB, when he's not on his back. A West Coast offense will likely be implemented with a nearly new offensive line coming aboard.
14. Texas Tech - Harrell and Crabtree are fun to watch. Now if they could only find a defense then the Raiders could be a team to be reckoned with.
15. Kansas - I really like Todd Reesing, but there are some key losses that leaves the team with definite question marks (Talib and Collins).
16. Tennessee - The loss of Ainge is a blessing in disguise in my opinion. Crompton should fill in nicely. The defense will be solid as Eric Berry is one of the hardest hitting DB's in the country.
17. BYU - Do you like offense? They you'll love BYU. Do you despise defense? Then you'll love BYU. Certainly the best team in the Mountain West, for what it's worth.
18. Virginia Tech - The Hokies need solid QB play to contend for an ACC title. You know the defense will be good. Big problems at RB.
19. South Florida - George Selvie and Matt Groethe are back, however 3 huge losses on defense will hurt this team.
20. LSU - No Perriloux means no chance for LSU to compete for anything. They'll start in the Top 25, but I don't expect them to end there.
21. Penn State - With the only key loss being Anthony Morelli and some guy named Connor, PSU should have a 8 or 9 win season. Not quite a Big 10 contender, but getting there.
22. Fresno State - The elite team of the WAC. Offensive firepower at it's best.
23. Florida State - The Seminoles land here by default because the ACC has only two or three decent teams. FSU can contend for an ACC title this year, needs consistent QB play though. Three key losses on defense, but I don't see that hurting much. Rolle and Carr are NFL prospects.
24. Alabama - The Tide faithful are getting rowdy. A top recruiting class will surely help this team and the offensive line has two NFL prospects. Can't overlook the loss of the top 3 WR's who will need to be replaced.
25. Boise St. - The Broncos do it year after year and should be in for another good season. They will need to replace 3 OL.
Outside looking in: Mississippi St., Pittsburgh, Virginia, Michigan, Michigan St., Oregon, Wake Forest
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
NFL Mock Draft Recap
Just wanted to see how my picks played out, so I figured I'd post it:
1. My pick: Jake Long, Actually drafted 1 Diff = 0
2. My pick : Chris Long, Actually drafted 2, Diff = 0
3. My pick: Glenn Dorsey, Actually drafted 5, Diff = 2
4. My pick: Vernon Gholston, Actually drafted 6, Diff =2
5. My pick: Matt Ryan, Actually drafted 3, Diff = 2
6. My pick: Darren McFadden, Actually drafted 4, Diff = 2
7. My pick: Keith Rivers, Actually drafted 9, Diff = 2
8. My pick: Ryan Clady, Actually drafted 12, Diff =4
9. My pick: Sedrick Ellis, Actually drafted 7, Diff =2
10.My pick: Leodis McKelvin, Actually drafted 11, Diff =1
11. My pick:Dominique R-Cromartie, Actually drafted 16, Diff =5
12. My pick: Branden Albert, Actually drafted 15, Diff = 3
13. My pick: Derrick Harvey, Actually drafted 8, Diff =5
14. My pick: Rashard Mendenhall, Actually drafted 23, Diff =9
15. My pick: Jeff Otah, Actually drafted 19, Diff =4
Overall, I would say that my predictions weren't too bad, with Mendenhall being the only one that was ore than 5 spots off, but I would bet you wouldn't bet he would have slipped that far either. Harvey went higher than I thought and Cromartie fell farther than I thought. Other than that, no real surprises to me. Can't wait until NFL season.
1. My pick: Jake Long, Actually drafted 1 Diff = 0
2. My pick : Chris Long, Actually drafted 2, Diff = 0
3. My pick: Glenn Dorsey, Actually drafted 5, Diff = 2
4. My pick: Vernon Gholston, Actually drafted 6, Diff =2
5. My pick: Matt Ryan, Actually drafted 3, Diff = 2
6. My pick: Darren McFadden, Actually drafted 4, Diff = 2
7. My pick: Keith Rivers, Actually drafted 9, Diff = 2
8. My pick: Ryan Clady, Actually drafted 12, Diff =4
9. My pick: Sedrick Ellis, Actually drafted 7, Diff =2
10.My pick: Leodis McKelvin, Actually drafted 11, Diff =1
11. My pick:Dominique R-Cromartie, Actually drafted 16, Diff =5
12. My pick: Branden Albert, Actually drafted 15, Diff = 3
13. My pick: Derrick Harvey, Actually drafted 8, Diff =5
14. My pick: Rashard Mendenhall, Actually drafted 23, Diff =9
15. My pick: Jeff Otah, Actually drafted 19, Diff =4
Overall, I would say that my predictions weren't too bad, with Mendenhall being the only one that was ore than 5 spots off, but I would bet you wouldn't bet he would have slipped that far either. Harvey went higher than I thought and Cromartie fell farther than I thought. Other than that, no real surprises to me. Can't wait until NFL season.
2008 Kentucky Derby Predictions
Let me preface this with "I don't follow horse racing" and I'm just making these predictions for sheer entertainment value. Take from this what you want. Here we go!!
1st - Big Brown - Anything Big and Brown has got to be just nasty
2nd - Pyro - Because I like fire, and this horse it H-O-T!
3rd - Denis of Cork - Cork sounds like pork, and bacon is delicious
4th - Colonel John - Seems to be the favorite, but favorites never win, so I'll give him fourth.
There you go folks. With my luck this will be the exact order of finish. The race is Saturday, get you mint juleps and Budweiser on the infield ready!!
1st - Big Brown - Anything Big and Brown has got to be just nasty
2nd - Pyro - Because I like fire, and this horse it H-O-T!
3rd - Denis of Cork - Cork sounds like pork, and bacon is delicious
4th - Colonel John - Seems to be the favorite, but favorites never win, so I'll give him fourth.
There you go folks. With my luck this will be the exact order of finish. The race is Saturday, get you mint juleps and Budweiser on the infield ready!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
NASCAR Talladega Results
1. Tony Stewart, 38th, unfortunate finish for him, that's Dega though.
2. Kevin Harvick, 24th, was a contender, just got caught up in the wreck
3. Jeff Gordon, 19th, was 2nd with 9 laps to go, tried the outside, didn't work
4. Denny Hamlin, 3rd, well at least I got one
5. Kurt Busch, 39th, two of the best finish as two of the worst, can happen any week
Brian Vickers. 5th, surprises me a little with a Top 5, but I did like him
Grade, C+, Only thanks to Vickers. Easily my worst predictions of the year. That's what you get at the best racetrack in the world though.
Lots of no-names in the Top 10 this week so it would have been difficult to have correctly predicted any of those, Kvapil, Montoya, Ragan, Mears, Vickers. A ton of surprises for sure.
We'll try it again next week at Richmond.
2. Kevin Harvick, 24th, was a contender, just got caught up in the wreck
3. Jeff Gordon, 19th, was 2nd with 9 laps to go, tried the outside, didn't work
4. Denny Hamlin, 3rd, well at least I got one
5. Kurt Busch, 39th, two of the best finish as two of the worst, can happen any week
Brian Vickers. 5th, surprises me a little with a Top 5, but I did like him
Grade, C+, Only thanks to Vickers. Easily my worst predictions of the year. That's what you get at the best racetrack in the world though.
Lots of no-names in the Top 10 this week so it would have been difficult to have correctly predicted any of those, Kvapil, Montoya, Ragan, Mears, Vickers. A ton of surprises for sure.
We'll try it again next week at Richmond.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Nascar Talladega Predictions
Top 5:
1. Tony Stewart, wants JGR to pay him more, allegedly, he'll be out to prove himself, not to mention he's the second best behind Kurt Bush at Talledega
2. Kevin Harvick, it's been a slow start for Kevin, he breaks through this week
3. Jeff Gordon, he's Jeff Gordon, what other explanation do you need
4. Denny Hamlin, there's just something about him this week
5. Kurt Busch, as mentioned, there's noone better in the field at Talladega than Kurt
Dark Horse: Tough call this week, but let's go with Brian Vickers, he does have a win here, so he does have that going for him.
1. Tony Stewart, wants JGR to pay him more, allegedly, he'll be out to prove himself, not to mention he's the second best behind Kurt Bush at Talledega
2. Kevin Harvick, it's been a slow start for Kevin, he breaks through this week
3. Jeff Gordon, he's Jeff Gordon, what other explanation do you need
4. Denny Hamlin, there's just something about him this week
5. Kurt Busch, as mentioned, there's noone better in the field at Talladega than Kurt
Dark Horse: Tough call this week, but let's go with Brian Vickers, he does have a win here, so he does have that going for him.
Monday, April 21, 2008
2008 NFL Mock Draft
I'm only going to do the Top 15 picks, because after that, it becomes anybody's guess and really is just pointless. So here it goes:
1 - Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OL, Michigan, The Dolphins need help everywhere, so they'll be using Parcells philosophy, "From the ball out"
2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia, I think this is a no-brainer for the Rams. This kid is Grant Wistrom, but with more of a motor, if that's even possible.
3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU, The Falcons may be tempted to take Matt Ryan here, but this draft has a lot of mediocre QB's in it with a talent level that isn't seperated by much. Look for them to snap up a QB in the 2nd round
4. Oakland Raiders - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St., I know what you're thinking, how can they pass up McFadden? Well, the truth is that Oakland has a stable of RB's, none as talented as McFadden, but servicable. After Gholston, the DE talent falls way off. Simply the best player available
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, The Brodie Croyle experiment won't last long. Expect Ryan to play by Game 6.
6. NY Jets - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas, Thomas Jones just wasn't the answer, DMac will be. A freak of nature, not by size, but by skill.
7. NE Patriots - Keith Rivers, LB, USC. With an average age of 65 on their LB corp, this is a need pick, but not a bad one. Rivers is a mad man.
8. Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St., The Ravens were hoping for Matt Ryan to fall, but it just won't happen. Meet Mr. Ogden's replacement.
9. Cincinatti Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC, The Bengals would be thrilled if Ellis fell to them at 9. It could happen.
10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy, The Saints could spend their entire draft on Corners and I'd call it a good draft. They need major help in the Secondary.
11. Buffalo Bills - Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St., You can never have enough corners, and he's a good one.
12. Denver Broncos - Branden Albert, G, Virginia, Will be between he and Otah from Pitt, but I definitely think O-line.
13. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida, I also could see them going LB here with Mayo.
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois, Will be between he and Stewart, but I think the Bears go with the in-state guy.
15. Detroit Lions -Jeff Otah, T, Pitt, or Williams from Vandy.
There you go, my first 15 picks of the NFL Draft. Mark em down.
1 - Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OL, Michigan, The Dolphins need help everywhere, so they'll be using Parcells philosophy, "From the ball out"
2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia, I think this is a no-brainer for the Rams. This kid is Grant Wistrom, but with more of a motor, if that's even possible.
3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU, The Falcons may be tempted to take Matt Ryan here, but this draft has a lot of mediocre QB's in it with a talent level that isn't seperated by much. Look for them to snap up a QB in the 2nd round
4. Oakland Raiders - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St., I know what you're thinking, how can they pass up McFadden? Well, the truth is that Oakland has a stable of RB's, none as talented as McFadden, but servicable. After Gholston, the DE talent falls way off. Simply the best player available
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, The Brodie Croyle experiment won't last long. Expect Ryan to play by Game 6.
6. NY Jets - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas, Thomas Jones just wasn't the answer, DMac will be. A freak of nature, not by size, but by skill.
7. NE Patriots - Keith Rivers, LB, USC. With an average age of 65 on their LB corp, this is a need pick, but not a bad one. Rivers is a mad man.
8. Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St., The Ravens were hoping for Matt Ryan to fall, but it just won't happen. Meet Mr. Ogden's replacement.
9. Cincinatti Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC, The Bengals would be thrilled if Ellis fell to them at 9. It could happen.
10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy, The Saints could spend their entire draft on Corners and I'd call it a good draft. They need major help in the Secondary.
11. Buffalo Bills - Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St., You can never have enough corners, and he's a good one.
12. Denver Broncos - Branden Albert, G, Virginia, Will be between he and Otah from Pitt, but I definitely think O-line.
13. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida, I also could see them going LB here with Mayo.
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois, Will be between he and Stewart, but I think the Bears go with the in-state guy.
15. Detroit Lions -Jeff Otah, T, Pitt, or Williams from Vandy.
There you go, my first 15 picks of the NFL Draft. Mark em down.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Printable 2008 NFL Schedule Grid
Here you go folks, 2008 NFL Schedule Grid from your friends at sportsgawd.blogspot.com. I had to make it anyway to do my Fantasy Football predictions throughout the year over at BarracudaFantasySports.com, so I thought I'd just share it. Enjoy. Strength of Schedule Rankings coming out soon!!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Subway 500 Phoenix Results
Jimmie Johnson, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! Two in a row!!!
Tony Stewart, 14th, Smoke let me down this week. I expected better
Kyle Busch, 10th, Okay, we'll take it
Mark Martin, 5th, I knew the old timer had it in him this week
Carl Edwards, 4th, Carl is on fire
Martin Truex, Jr., 8th, Told ya so, the highest place "Dark Horse"
Grade: A, Had Tony Stewart finished Top 10, it would have been an A+, but we'll take it, an overall good week.
Tony Stewart, 14th, Smoke let me down this week. I expected better
Kyle Busch, 10th, Okay, we'll take it
Mark Martin, 5th, I knew the old timer had it in him this week
Carl Edwards, 4th, Carl is on fire
Martin Truex, Jr., 8th, Told ya so, the highest place "Dark Horse"
Grade: A, Had Tony Stewart finished Top 10, it would have been an A+, but we'll take it, an overall good week.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
NASCAR @ Phoenix Predictions
Top 5:
Jimmie Johnson, He breaks out of the funk this week
Tony Stewart, Will definitely be top 5
Kyle Busch, loves it at Phoenix
Mark Martin, second only to Jimmie in average finish at Phoenix
Carl Edwards, starts 3rd and ride the hot hand
Dark Horse: Martin Truex, Jr., starts 9th, should do well.
Jimmie Johnson, He breaks out of the funk this week
Tony Stewart, Will definitely be top 5
Kyle Busch, loves it at Phoenix
Mark Martin, second only to Jimmie in average finish at Phoenix
Carl Edwards, starts 3rd and ride the hot hand
Dark Horse: Martin Truex, Jr., starts 9th, should do well.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Samsung 500 Results
Carl Edwards - Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!!
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 12th, so so
Jimmie Johnson - 2nd, I knew he'd do well here
Matt Kenseth - 9th, he had a better car than that
Jeff Gordon - Dead F'n last - What a disappointment
Casey Mears-22nd, did not perform as well as I thought he would
Grade - B+, four guys in the top 12 and then there's Mr. DuPont who has to bring everybody down. I knew I should have went Kyle Busch.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 12th, so so
Jimmie Johnson - 2nd, I knew he'd do well here
Matt Kenseth - 9th, he had a better car than that
Jeff Gordon - Dead F'n last - What a disappointment
Casey Mears-22nd, did not perform as well as I thought he would
Grade - B+, four guys in the top 12 and then there's Mr. DuPont who has to bring everybody down. I knew I should have went Kyle Busch.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Samsung 500 Texas Predictions
Top 5:
Carl Edwards: I would use the he's due theory, but I just like him this week
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Here we go, he's due
Jimmie Johnson - Here he comes, I like him here
Matt Kenseth - There's noone better at Texas
Jeff Gordon - He's getting better every week
Dark Horse: Casey Mears, strong showing last week, and does well at Texas
Good Luck!!!
Carl Edwards: I would use the he's due theory, but I just like him this week
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Here we go, he's due
Jimmie Johnson - Here he comes, I like him here
Matt Kenseth - There's noone better at Texas
Jeff Gordon - He's getting better every week
Dark Horse: Casey Mears, strong showing last week, and does well at Texas
Good Luck!!!
Martinsville Results
Jeff Gordon: 2nd, needed 5 more laps and he would have caught Hamlin
Tony Stewart: 5th, good day for Tony
Kyle Busch: No comment
Jimmie Johnson: 4th, nailed it
Jeff Burton: 3rd, Pretty much a Top 10 lock every week
Ryan Newman: 19th, should have been better, but okay
Grade: A, picking 4 of the top 5 will get you an A, Busch just killed me
Tony Stewart: 5th, good day for Tony
Kyle Busch: No comment
Jimmie Johnson: 4th, nailed it
Jeff Burton: 3rd, Pretty much a Top 10 lock every week
Ryan Newman: 19th, should have been better, but okay
Grade: A, picking 4 of the top 5 will get you an A, Busch just killed me
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