With so much attention drawn to the campus gridiron since Auburn defeated Oregon for the National Championship, the pigskin is finally ready to fly. Thursday night saw a total of 15 FBS games played across the country as the majority of the nation returned to the desired American pastime of screaming at college kids while drunkenly ogling at the girls in the stands and on the sidelines (America, the beautiful). So without further ado, here are the five things I will be looking at between the beers and the girls:
5. Conference Changes
The Big 12 is now the Big 10 while the Big Ten has become the Big Twelve with Nebraska and Colorado both jumping ship. This creates a very interesting, and complex, divisional discourse within the Big Ten conference as the Huskers now join the likes of Ohio State, Minnesota and Michigan in a very smash mouth, run-the-football-down-your-throat style of football. I love this change because it also pits Bo Pellini (who led Nebraska to prominence in the 90’s) against the ever immortal Joe Paterno. Also, the Husker-Badger rivalry will be fun. Coaching changes across the scene also make for an interesting season. However, these two aren’t the only adjustments that have to be made in the conference media guides as the newly christened Pac-12 begins play with the additions of Colorado and Utah. Now, I don’t realistically see either of these teams competing for a bid to the Rose Bowl immediately, but Utah was once a BCS buster and has set the trend for teams like Boise State and TCU, who will move to the Big East shortly. Make no mistake, Andrew Luck and Stanford will compete with Oregon State and maybe UCLA and USC but this change could be very fun to watch in years to come.
4. Is This the Last Shot for Boise State?
The Broncos have been the darlings of FCS football ever since shocking Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in 2007, and watching Ian Johnson propose to his cheerleader girlfriend on national TV. However, that class was led by a group of veterans who were able to put it all together in their senior season and shock the world. This time around, another group of veterans who have become accustomed to the lifestyle their predecessors built for them will try and make another BCS Bowl Game and continue to lead the fight for a playoff system as the best non-AQ school in the country. Kellen Moore is back, along with the majority of his offensive weapons and one of the best defenses in the country. Boise is also ranked #5 in the preseason polls and will realistically have to drop two games to be “out” of the running for the national title. That feat, by the way, would double the amount of losses for the Class of 2012 who is 38-2 in their career. My answer, this is NOT the last shot Boise State will have at truly busting the BCS and playing for a national title. Coach Chris Peterson has developed a great program and he will have more guys wanting to go play “underdog” for years to come. However, this is their last BEST shot for the next few years. After this, you lose 14 players including soon to be two-time Heisman finalist Kellen Moore, and two top tier talents in lineman Nate Potter and running back Doug Martin. This will be a great season for the Broncos, and of course, all playoff dreamers will be rooting for them.
3. Effects of Off-Field Scandals on Play
First it was Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State, then (and still) it’s Miami (again) and now, even Boise State will lose three players due to eligibility review. This is becoming a scary trend in college football. It seems as though recruiting isn’t pure anymore. I mean, between boosters paying for sex for players, players signing memorabilia in exchange for free tattoos and the likes, and coaches violating recruiting standards, who can tell which players made their decisions without bribes? But, ya know what, they play football really good and that makes the boosters happy and brings in more money so I guess we’ll put Nick Shapiro on a pedestal at the U and let Jim Tressel become the AD for the Buckeyes in three years. Look, players will play the game at a high level if they have the ability to do it. The way this takes away from on the field accomplishments is if it disrupts the everyday flow of preparation. What I mean is if it forces a coach, or player, to leave mid-season. Cam Newton’s scandal didn’t bother Auburn because they didn’t lose Newton. I would be worried if I was a fan of the ‘Canes or a resident of the Horseshoe because you have lost things, or could potentially lose them. But it doesn’t matter because neither of those schools will really challenge for a title this year anyway.
2. Can the Big 12 Be Saved?
As mentioned earlier, both Nebraska and Colorado have jumped ship, leaving a once proud conference pondering what their future will be. Now, before you go screaming that I’m over-sensationalizing this, I’m not suggesting that the Big 12 will fold ever, it’s “too big to fail”. What I am saying is that they need to find a way to turn this conference around. Former Big 8 power Nebraska use to be the savior when Oklahoma and Texas continuously dominated. And for the last three years, it looked as though the Blackshirts were back to take on the two big boys. But with them leaving, Texas A&M wanting out, and the Longhorns starting their own TV Network, what’s next for Commissioner Dan Beebe? Well, you need to figure out a new marketing plan. Find a way to get the majority of your remaining team’s national exposure. Who wouldn’t want to see Baylor play Iowa State? Also, understand that the Big 12 has “niche” schools in “niche” sports. In football, it’s Boomer Sooner and Hook ‘em Horns. For basketball, you have Rock Chalk and the occasional EMAW. In baseball (which is NOT a revenue sport nationwide) it’s back to the horns. There has to be better recruiting for all schools in those other sports so you can have a shot at becoming a Florida, USC or Maryland that can compete in a multitude of sports. Finally, get SMU in to the conference. A storied school that had a rich history of very good football players deserves to be in a BCS conference. If the Pac-12 can have every California team, why can’t you have every Texas team? Besides, if you can’t get the Mustangs to play, what’s your other option? BYU?
1. Is Notre Dame Truly Back?
Ok, so maybe it’s number one ranking is a bit biased due to my (and the entire medias) love affair with the Irish, but think about it. Every season one of the biggest questions is can the Irish get back to glory? Ever since Ty Willingham was run out of his exorbitant deal, many Notre Dame boosters have lost faith in Touchdown Jesus. A failed experiment with one of the great offensive minds in the NFL and the terrible disappointment of both Brady Quinn and Jimmy “Heisman” Clausen brought even the most doubting Catholics to church on Friday’s in prayer for the Blue and Gold. This year, you have Brian Kelly, a good ol’ Irish Catholic boy back after going 8-5 and getting a victory over both rival USC and a Sun Bowl victory. With a schedule that boasts key matchups at home (Michigan State, USC, Navy, BC) and a veteran team led by quarterback Dayne Crist, it’s not inconceivable to think the top-20 Irish can make a bid for the a BCS bowl. Besides, with a last name like Crist (I know it’s not pronounced Christ, but the headlines are awesome), how can you not think they have a legitimate shot? Just like Barry Pepper is credited with saying in Saving Private Ryan, “If God’s on our side, who could be on theirs?”
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