College Football

[Hail2theskins]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

I meant Peterson individually. He was injured most of last season if I'm not mistaken. He was so good his freshman year that I'd be suprised if it was just a fluke.

true, injury combined with the infamous "sophmore slump"... thats why im worryin about my boy slaton this year, hopin he doesnt fall into that category....

[Hail2theskins]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

West Virginia will likley be playing for the national championship because of the weak big east schedule they'll play...and they're a pretty good team.

actually the soft schedule will hurt them come time for the computer rankings...

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Hail2theskins

actually the soft schedule will hurt them come time for the computer rankings...

They do have a very good team but they are going to need to blow their opponents away every game in order to get championship consideration.

[That Guy]

i like ND, they've probbably got the #1 QB and WR for the 2007 draft on the team. peterson makes oklahoma good if he can rebound (which is likely)...

[Hail2theskins]

peterson plays for oklahoma...

[That Guy]

here are position ratings from NFLdraftscout (i'm omitting the blurbs)

QB:
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, 6-4, 230, SR:
Quinn was already considered one of the nation's more gifted quarterbacks before coach Charlie Weis was hired in 2005 to resurrect Notre Dame's proud tradition. The combination of Weis' tutelage and Quinn's natural talents made for a good fit from the start. In 12 starts in 2004, Quinn threw for 2,586 yards and a respectable 17-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Last year, however, Quinn was arguably the best quarterback in the country, passing for 3,919 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions.

Quinn has the classic blend of size, arm strength and tenacity pro scouts are looking for in a franchise quarterback. His ability to adapt so quickly to Weis' complicated offensive scheme speaks volumes about his work ethic and understanding of the game. Quinn enters next season not only as the top-ranked quarterback in the country, but the odds-on favorite to be the first player selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.

2. Drew Stanton, Michigan State, 6-3, 222, SR:
3. Pat White, West Virginia, 6-2, 185, rSO:
4. Jordan Palmer, Texas El-Paso, 6-5, 232, SR:
5. Brian Brohm, Louisville, 6-4, 224, JR:
6. Troy Smith, Ohio State, 6-1, 205, SR:
7. Chad Henne, Michigan, 6-2, 225, JR:
8. Kevin Kolb, Houston, 6-3, 224, SR:
9. Chris Leak, Florida, 6-0, 210, SR:
10. JaMarcus Russell, LSU, 6-5, 252, JR:

RB:
1. 1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, 6-2, 218, JR:
Adrian Peterson will claim his status as the nation's top collegiate running back with Reggie Bush off to the NFL. There are some who feel Peterson would have been the top back in the country in 2006 even if Bush had remained with the Trojans for his senior season. Peterson signed with Oklahoma as an elite prep talent, and it didn't take him long to live up to the hype. As a true freshman, Peterson finished with an OU-record 1,925 rushing yards despite starting just eight games. He finished second in the Heisman voting as a true freshman, the highest any freshman has ever ranked in the Heisman polling.

Unfortunately, Peterson was hampered by an ineffective passing offense and injuries in 2005. With quarterback Jason White graduating, the Sooners were led into battle by Rhett Bomar, and opposing defenses were able to crowd the line of scrimmage. That slowed Peterson considerably, and a nagging ankle sprain was even more bothersome. The injury caused Peterson to miss all or more than half of four games in 2005. He still led all Big 12 backs with 1,024 yards and once again earned consensus All-Big 12 honors. He possesses a spectacular combination of size, speed, strength and is a natural, fluid runner who can change directions easily.

2. Michael Bush, 6-2, 248, Louisville, SR:
3. Kenny Irons, Auburn, 5-11, 202, SR:
4. Brian Leonard, Rutgers, 6-2, 235, SR:
5. Marshawn Lynch, California, 5-11, 215, JR:
6. Lorenzo Booker, Florida State, 5-11, 195, SR:
7. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, 5-07, 174, SR:
8. Steve Slaton, West Virginia, 5-10, 185, So:
9. Darius Walker, Notre Dame, 5-11, 200, JR:
10. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern, 5-09, 190, So:

[That Guy]

1. Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 228, JR:

Already considered by many to be the top wide receiver in the country, Johnson is only entering his junior season. Despite being double-teamed on most snaps, Johnson is still responsible for more than 40 percent of Tech's passing production over the past two seasons. His rare combination of size, strength, hand-eye coordination and acrobatics has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald and even Cris Carter.

An All-ACC selection each of the past two seasons, Johnson's exploits earned him All-American honors in 2005. Because so many players are relative products of collegiate offenses, it is important to point out that Georgia Tech is hardly a passing powerhouse. In fact, before Johnson arrived, the Yellow Jackets had not produced a wide receiver with any type of All-American honors since Billy Martin was recognized -- in 1963. After just 24 games, Johnson has 102 receptions for 1,725 yards and 13 touchdowns; ranking him seventh in Tech history in career receiving yards, 10th in receptions and tied for sixth in touchdown receptions.

Johnson's opportunities became limited once teams began to increasingly role coverage toward him in 2005. He was held to only four catches over the final two games, losses to Georgia and Utah. Johnson will likely be entering his final collegiate season, as a chance at NFL riches could be too much to pass up.



2. Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame, 6-5, 216, SR:

Entering last season, Samardzija was known more for his pitching exploits than for his production on the football field. In fact, before the 2005 season, Samardzija had only 24 career receptions and no touchdowns. Of course, with former New England Patriot offensive coordinator Charlie Weis becoming Notre Dame's head coach and future first-round pick quarterback Brady Quinn coming into his own, the table was set for Samardzija to enjoy a breakout season. Still, no one could have predicted his record-breaking performance -- breaking school records for most receiving yards (1,249) and touchdowns (15) and tying a 35-year-old record for most receptions in a single season (77) previously set by Tom Gatewood.

NFL scouts are intrigued by Samardzija due to his rare combination of size and agility. Though he lacks spectacular speed, Samardzija is deceptively smooth and is at his best with the ball in the air. Like Johnson, Samardzija has rare hand-eye coordination and has shown a knack for making the spectacular reception in tight coverage. The game comes naturally to Samardzija even though his spring practice time is limited due to his commitments as a pitcher for the Irish baseball team. Professional football and baseball scouts are left imagining what this kid could do if he focused on one sport.

3. Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Ohio State, 6-0, 180, JR:
4. Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC, 6-5, 210, JR:
5. Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina, 6-4, 192, SO:
6. Todd Blythe, WR, Iowa State, 6-5, 210, JR:
7. Jason Hill, WR, Washington State, 6-1, 210, SR:
8. Jarrett Hicks, WR, Texas Tech, 6-3, 210, SR:
9. Greg Olsen, TE, Miami, 6-5, 252, JR:
10. Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State, 6-4, 254, JR:

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Hail2theskins

Okay I know a lot of people here are probably big college ball fans as well, so how bout a lil ncaa talk... who would be your preseason top 10, heisman candidates etc...

Personally I like
1. ohio state
2. texas
3. WVU
4. norte dame
5. lsu
6. miami
7. usc
8. louisville
9. oklahoma
10. TCU

i can see michael bush, the running back for louisville running away with the heisman this year given the big easts softness, he'll be able to rack up the numbers again this year, that being said, a darkhorse in the same conference in steve slaton... (i may be a little mountaineer bias )

I'm an Irish fan, and I do think they are the best team in the nation, but their schedule is redick. I could see them taking a loss to Michigan or maybe USC. Either way, I have to open with them at no. 1 because they are the best team in the nation, and Ohio State is way overrated losing 9 guys on defense to the draft.

1. ND
2. West Virginia
3. Auburn
4. Ohio State
5. Oklahoma
6. Louisville
7. USC
8. Texas
9. California
10. LSU

[Hail2theskins]

anybody else think samardzija playing pro baseball while in college is ridiculous?? im thinkin some norte dame loophole here

[Hail2theskins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Ohio State is way overrated losing 9 guys on defense to the draft.

but its jim tressel, he could build a top 10 defense with the cheerleading squad

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Hail2theskins

but its jim tressel, he could build a top 10 defense with the cheerleading squad

Which is why they are good every year, not the no. 1 every year.

Ohio State can't be number 1 when they have 9 guys on defense that have never proven jack. No. 4 is me giving Tressel the benefit of the doubt. If a few of these guys can't play, this is a 3-4 loss team, and probably out of the top 25.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by Hail2theskins

anybody else think samardzija playing pro baseball while in college is ridiculous?? im thinkin some norte dame loophole here

Elway did it.

[Hail2theskins]

I dont know about norte dame being number one though, they showed that their defense could be exposed when playing a team of similar caliber, however they are a year better and weis focused more on the D big time during spring...

i just have a hard time putting them in the one spot, i hold a certain amount contempt for ND as they thwarted WV's last shot at a title...

[Hail2theskins]

elway did it? i did not know that, learn something new everyday

i retract my previous statement about smardzija

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Hail2theskins

I dont know about norte dame being number one though, they showed that their defense could be exposed when playing a team of similar caliber, however they are a year better and weis focused more on the D big time during spring...

i just have a hard time putting them in the one spot, i hold a certain amount contempt for ND as they thwarted WV's last shot at a title...

My boy Zbikowski will do more than hold down the fort, and hes also one of the best returners in the nation. Everyone knows how good that offense is.