Hey everyone, I apologize that I did not have any picks for week 4. With the 11 o'clock start for the Huskers I did not have time before the game to make a post and I was busy on Friday night. I will for sure have some picks this week!
Now onto my reflection of the Huskers and the rest of the College Football Nation as we look back on week 4 of the season. The Huskers pulled out a 36-28 victory over the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. Nebraska looked like they would cruise to an easy blowout with a 22-0 lead at the half, but the Huskers were out coached in the second half and let So. Miss back into the game. My two biggest concerns are the pass defense and the red zone offense. Let's start with the big one and discuss the defense. Obviously pass defense has been the Huskers biggest problem through the non-conference schedule. Everyone blames the secondary, which is natural, but from what I've seen, most of the issues lie in the middle with the linebackers. If you go back through the film, many of the passes that teams torch us with are between the hashes in the middle of the field. Yes, there have been plenty of deep bombs on the sidelines, but our corners are there, they just need to turn and make a play on the ball. Easier said then done, but in the case of the linebackers, they are no where near the holes that offenses continually seem to hit in the middle of the field. I'm not sure if they are not dropping back into their zones quick enough, or if they are having trouble staying with their man, but something is wrong. One route in particular that we seem to have problems with is the swing route to the running backs. Every time an offense runs that, our linebackers are at least two steps late getting outside. That is one route that is consistently killing us. As for the secondary, they need to make plays. Our corners are almost always in good position coverage wise, but they need to turn and play the ball more. I always used the side line to my advantage when I played. Shade the receiver toward the edge while running and looking back at the ball. As long as you can feel where the receiver is at, you can easily stick with him. Lastly, we need more pressure. Our defensive line is supposed to be one of the best in the conference this year, and they need to start playing like it. My friend Freedom has been playing like a mad man and rightfully earned his Blackshirt on Monday. However, for most of the game, our defensive line is no where near the QB. They often get a sack early in the game, disappear for about 2-3 quarters, and then return at the end of the game. For our defense to be what the Huskers need them to be, our defensive line needs to get a lot more pressure on opposing Quarterbacks. These three components are essential to any defense's success. All are fixable, but it's easier said then done. We'll see what the Blackshirts come up with heading into BIG 10 Conference play.
On the offensive side of the ball, it was good, but not great. The problem was that great was right in front of them for the taking, but instead we settled for 5 straight field goals. The offense looked very good in the first half against Southern Miss, but only until they got to the 25 or inside that. Once in the redzone, or on their half of the field for that matter, the offense seemed to hit a wall. Penalties, bad play calls, and just poor execution really kept the Huskers out of the endzone. The run game was not very effective all game, and that's becoming a problem. The offensive line really needs to start opening more holes and getting the run game powered up. The run game is crucial to success in Coach Riley's system. The play action is set up by the run game, and that's how we can torch the opposing defenses for big gains in the passing game. Tommy has played with tremendous confidence and composure through the non-conference schedule. If he can keep that up, with a little more help from his friends, Nebraska still has a legitimate chance to win the West Division and compete in the BIG 10 Championship. Hopefully DPE will return within the next couple weeks and give Tommy another vital weapon on offense. The Huskers have all the components to be one of the top offenses in the Conference and possibly the country, they just need to execute.
Around the nation, some teams are making some big splashes and surprising a lot of people. Utah, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and LSU would be my top four teams through the first month of the season. With no other factors besides how they played in September, these are my top four. They have been the most impressive teams and all have a chance at staying in the hunt for the playoffs. Utah seems to get stronger every game, and everyone watched them unleash an all out attack on Oregon last Saturday. Notre Dame lost their starting QB & Safety, but haven't lost a step on the field, we'll see if they can continue that success at Clemson this weekend. LSU has done one thing so far this season, hand the ball to Leonard Fournette. That's all I expect them to do going forward. Fournette is playing like an absolute monster and no one can tackle him. We'll see if anyone can figure out how by the end of the season. Finally, Ole Miss is in my top four as well. They have been playing at a very high level so far this season. We'll see if they can continue that through the rest of the year.
One month down already in College Football! If you would like my analysis on any other teams please leave a comment! Thank you & GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Week 3 Reflection
Hey everyone, sorry I wasn't able to make any posts last week, I had a lot of things I needed to get caught up on. This post will be about my reflections on the Huskers road game versus Miami. I'd also like to brag just a little bit about my 7-1 record on my Week 2 Predictions! Here we go!
Obviously a roller-coaster of a game for Husker fans everywhere. Hated foe Miami was able to survive in Overtime. Yes, the throw by Tommy wasn't his best, yes, Alex Lewis put us in a tough spot with the penalty, but we cannot count this season as a loss yet. I hate it when fans throw away a season while still in the non-conference schedule, or when they call out specific players saying they lost us the game. Neither of those are ever a possibility in football, NEVER! My family and friends often call me the eternal optimist, but I will explain why this season is not a bust. I try to look at everything in a positive light, and I will never say a season is a complete bust unless you lose every single game and none of them were close. The Huskers are 1-2 three weeks into the season. Two losses look bad, but the quality of the losses are two of the best in the nation. To lose on a Hail Mary on the final second of a game after you come back from two or more scores down is nothing to scoff at. BYU is a very good football team, with or without Taysom Hill. Tanner Mangum has filled his shoes quite well in my opinion leading them to a 2-1 start to their season with a 1 point loss to #10 UCLA. Miami on the other hand is 3-0 with their only solid win coming against the Huskers. Anyone could see that Miami has great speed and a very prolific passing game. Look for them to compete well in the ACC this year. Plus, they had to go all the way to OT to beat the Huskers after holding a 23 point lead to start the 4th Quarter! So please don't count a 1-2 start a terrible thing when our two losses are last-second, one-score games.
Secondly, all of the fair-weather fans out there need to chill out. Everyone needs to remember that these players are just college kids. Football is an emotional game and players can lose their cool at any moment. Not everyone has their best game every single time they run out on the field, I know that from experience. I had plenty of games where I missed tackles or dropped a pass, it happens. Yes, Alex Lewis made a mistake. He lost his cool after the OT interception and shoved the Miami defender to the ground. Yes, he's a captain, but everyone makes mistakes. He's still a strong leader on this team and one of our best linemen. Fans tweeting at him or calling him out after the game doesn't help the situation at all. Once again, these players are just kids, they have a million and one other things to worry about than some upset fan calling them out in front of the entire world on social media. I'm never one for negative criticism, so I always say if you're not going to try to build them up, you're only knocking them down. Fans have no idea how hurtful their words can be, I hear it from my friends on the team and a lot of the other players when I'm helping out at practice. There's really no reason to say anything mean about these kids. If you really don't think that they give their all each and every game, go back and watch the 4th Quarter in Miami. Don't just watch them throw and catch the ball, watch how they pull each other back up, how the team rallies together and how each and every one of them believe with all their heart that they can still win this game. I'll get off my Soap Box now, but I just want all the fans of College Football to remember that they are just kids playing their favorite game out there and trying their best. I have a little more background then a lot of other fans might have, but I think that everyone needs a little bit of a reminder that it's just a game and it's main purpose is for fun and entertainment. I mean c'mon, how can you not love a 23 point 4th Quarter comeback to send it to OT?!
Speaking of OT, I do need to mention Tommy's pass. Definitely not the best of his moments, but not the worst either. Should he have made that throw, probably not. However, if you go back and watch the play, he had very good reason to throw that ball. Taariq Allen was running across the back of the endzone with a 2 yard separation on the DB. Had Tommy put that ball in the back corner instead of in front, that's a Touchdown and I believe Nebraska wins the game. Sadly, it didn't quite happen that way. Since he was on the run, he was not able to set his feet and put full strength into that pass. It floated on him and that's what caused the interception. Anytime this game is brought up, everyone will talk about what a terrible throw Tommy made to lose us the game, but it is never one play that causes you to lose a football game. Think about it, had we not had those 6+ drops earlier in the game, we could've kept drives alive and possibly scored. Maybe then overtime isn't even a factor, maybe it still is. It's always a "coulda-shoulda-woulda" thing in football. Had the coaches made a few better play calls at some points in the game, it's a completely different outcome. Please don't look at Tommy and say that he lost us that game, he's one of the very few players who kept his head in it for the full 60 minutes of regulation. The plays he made with his feet, especially in the 4th Quarter, were some of the best scrambles I have seen out of any QB. He made some amazing plays all game to keep the Huskers in it. The score board didn't show us in it, but Tommy knew we were. If his receivers had helped him out a little more earlier in the game, I think that it's a completely different score. Tommy played a great game, his stats don't reflect it, but if you watch the tape, it's there. Two of the interceptions were bogus anyways. It looked like Stanley Morgan Jr. (who had a fantastic day) went the wrong way on the pick before the half, and then the other one was tipped and literally fell into the lap of the Miami defender. We will need Tommy going forward, so any fans calling him out, the only thing you should call him out for is being a fantastic leader and for always fighting.
Overall, the Huskers played very good football... for a quarter. Adjustments were obviously made at halftime which I'm very pleased to see, but we obviously have a lot of work to do if we want to be competing for championships. It's going to take time, but this is a good football team capable of beating everyone on their schedule. The two losses have showed that we are just a couple plays from a completely different outcome. The team needs to put a full game together. The only way to beat everyone is to beat everyone in every quarter, not just one or two. I can tell you that the team is hungry and ready to prove to everyone that they are better than their record shows. Please don't count this season out yet Huskers, we haven't even made it to the BIG 10 yet, and our division is wide open. If you have any questions or comments please post them and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Obviously a roller-coaster of a game for Husker fans everywhere. Hated foe Miami was able to survive in Overtime. Yes, the throw by Tommy wasn't his best, yes, Alex Lewis put us in a tough spot with the penalty, but we cannot count this season as a loss yet. I hate it when fans throw away a season while still in the non-conference schedule, or when they call out specific players saying they lost us the game. Neither of those are ever a possibility in football, NEVER! My family and friends often call me the eternal optimist, but I will explain why this season is not a bust. I try to look at everything in a positive light, and I will never say a season is a complete bust unless you lose every single game and none of them were close. The Huskers are 1-2 three weeks into the season. Two losses look bad, but the quality of the losses are two of the best in the nation. To lose on a Hail Mary on the final second of a game after you come back from two or more scores down is nothing to scoff at. BYU is a very good football team, with or without Taysom Hill. Tanner Mangum has filled his shoes quite well in my opinion leading them to a 2-1 start to their season with a 1 point loss to #10 UCLA. Miami on the other hand is 3-0 with their only solid win coming against the Huskers. Anyone could see that Miami has great speed and a very prolific passing game. Look for them to compete well in the ACC this year. Plus, they had to go all the way to OT to beat the Huskers after holding a 23 point lead to start the 4th Quarter! So please don't count a 1-2 start a terrible thing when our two losses are last-second, one-score games.
Secondly, all of the fair-weather fans out there need to chill out. Everyone needs to remember that these players are just college kids. Football is an emotional game and players can lose their cool at any moment. Not everyone has their best game every single time they run out on the field, I know that from experience. I had plenty of games where I missed tackles or dropped a pass, it happens. Yes, Alex Lewis made a mistake. He lost his cool after the OT interception and shoved the Miami defender to the ground. Yes, he's a captain, but everyone makes mistakes. He's still a strong leader on this team and one of our best linemen. Fans tweeting at him or calling him out after the game doesn't help the situation at all. Once again, these players are just kids, they have a million and one other things to worry about than some upset fan calling them out in front of the entire world on social media. I'm never one for negative criticism, so I always say if you're not going to try to build them up, you're only knocking them down. Fans have no idea how hurtful their words can be, I hear it from my friends on the team and a lot of the other players when I'm helping out at practice. There's really no reason to say anything mean about these kids. If you really don't think that they give their all each and every game, go back and watch the 4th Quarter in Miami. Don't just watch them throw and catch the ball, watch how they pull each other back up, how the team rallies together and how each and every one of them believe with all their heart that they can still win this game. I'll get off my Soap Box now, but I just want all the fans of College Football to remember that they are just kids playing their favorite game out there and trying their best. I have a little more background then a lot of other fans might have, but I think that everyone needs a little bit of a reminder that it's just a game and it's main purpose is for fun and entertainment. I mean c'mon, how can you not love a 23 point 4th Quarter comeback to send it to OT?!
Speaking of OT, I do need to mention Tommy's pass. Definitely not the best of his moments, but not the worst either. Should he have made that throw, probably not. However, if you go back and watch the play, he had very good reason to throw that ball. Taariq Allen was running across the back of the endzone with a 2 yard separation on the DB. Had Tommy put that ball in the back corner instead of in front, that's a Touchdown and I believe Nebraska wins the game. Sadly, it didn't quite happen that way. Since he was on the run, he was not able to set his feet and put full strength into that pass. It floated on him and that's what caused the interception. Anytime this game is brought up, everyone will talk about what a terrible throw Tommy made to lose us the game, but it is never one play that causes you to lose a football game. Think about it, had we not had those 6+ drops earlier in the game, we could've kept drives alive and possibly scored. Maybe then overtime isn't even a factor, maybe it still is. It's always a "coulda-shoulda-woulda" thing in football. Had the coaches made a few better play calls at some points in the game, it's a completely different outcome. Please don't look at Tommy and say that he lost us that game, he's one of the very few players who kept his head in it for the full 60 minutes of regulation. The plays he made with his feet, especially in the 4th Quarter, were some of the best scrambles I have seen out of any QB. He made some amazing plays all game to keep the Huskers in it. The score board didn't show us in it, but Tommy knew we were. If his receivers had helped him out a little more earlier in the game, I think that it's a completely different score. Tommy played a great game, his stats don't reflect it, but if you watch the tape, it's there. Two of the interceptions were bogus anyways. It looked like Stanley Morgan Jr. (who had a fantastic day) went the wrong way on the pick before the half, and then the other one was tipped and literally fell into the lap of the Miami defender. We will need Tommy going forward, so any fans calling him out, the only thing you should call him out for is being a fantastic leader and for always fighting.
Overall, the Huskers played very good football... for a quarter. Adjustments were obviously made at halftime which I'm very pleased to see, but we obviously have a lot of work to do if we want to be competing for championships. It's going to take time, but this is a good football team capable of beating everyone on their schedule. The two losses have showed that we are just a couple plays from a completely different outcome. The team needs to put a full game together. The only way to beat everyone is to beat everyone in every quarter, not just one or two. I can tell you that the team is hungry and ready to prove to everyone that they are better than their record shows. Please don't count this season out yet Huskers, we haven't even made it to the BIG 10 yet, and our division is wide open. If you have any questions or comments please post them and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Week 2 Predictions
Hey everyone, hope you're all ready for another football-filled Saturday! I'm very excited because I get to give another football tour before our game against South Alabama. Just a quick update on Nebraska's game, I would look for a pick up in the run game tonight. Now I'm going to make some picks on a few games, hopefully I can do a little better than my 2-4 record last week! Let's see!
1. Oregon State at Michigan
Two 1st-year head coaches battle it out in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh is looking for his first win as Head Coach of the Wolverines and I think he'll get it today at home. Michigan struggled last week on the road, but I think hosting Oregon State will make a difference. Look for the run game to be a big factor today. Michigan 31 Oregon St. 17
2. Minnesota at Colorado State
This might not be the most flashy game, but expect a good one out of this match-up. Minnesota kept it very close against TCU last week, and their defense proved that they can hang with any offense in the nation. Colorado State has a very prolific offense, especially with superstar wideout Rahsaad Wiggins. I think that Minnesota will get their offense rolling against a weaker defense and shutdown Wiggins and the Rams offense. Minnesota 24 CSU 10
3. 19 Oklahoma at 23 Tennessee
Big top 25 match up here. Two growing offenses face off in a battle of two traditional powerhouses. Oklahoma is getting a lot of attention as a sleeper in the Big XII, but I still don't see it. To me, they don't have enough to keep up with the likes of Baylor and TCU, at least not yet. Tennessee has been steadily improving over the past few seasons, and I expect QB Josh Dobbs and RB Jalen Heard are a deadly duo in the backfield. I expect them to have a big game and start a party up on Rocky Top. Tennessee 38 OU 20
4. 14 LSU at 25 Mississippi State
Our classic week 2, prime time SEC match up is upon us. This will be a good one too! Mississippi State shocked the nation last year with their incredible start to the season. Dak Prescott is back to lead them again, but facing LSU in week 2 is not ideal. LSU has a very powerful defense and an absolute beast of a Running Back in Leonard Fournette. I expect LSU to run over, around and through this Bulldog defense. Low-scoring battle though. LSU 20 Miss State 13.
5. 20 Boise State at BYU
Now that the Cougars are not facing my Huskers, I can go back to cheering for them. Boise State is a very good team walking into Provo, but I think the Cougars have this one. Coming off of that Hail Mary win, losing their starting QB AGAIN, I think they have a lot of fire and they are ready to fight. Tanner Magnum played fairly well coming off the bench in last week's match-up. I saw that he looks off the coverage quite well, and he's very good at escaping pressure. BYU 30 Boise State 20
6. 7 Oregon at 5 Michigan State
The Spartans aim to avenge last year's blow up in Eugene. The Ducks are coming into East Lancing looking to spread out that strong Spartan defense and score a high amount of points. Points are hard to come by against Michigan State, but they found a way last year. Connor Cook will definitely keep MSU's offense in it, and I think that the defense will make a key stop to flip the game in their favor. Michigan State 30 Oregon 27.
7. South Alabama at Nebraska
This should be a much better outing for the Cornhuskers. They played well last week, but couldn't quite seal the deal. Look for some new schemes to emerge from the offense, and the running game to be more involved. I really hope they start letting Tommy Armstrong run more, because he is deadly when he uses his feet. The defense will be interesting to watch. South Alabama lost their stud QB and TE from last season, but they do still have weapons. Hopefully our secondary will be back on the same page this game. It will be a different defense with Rose-Ivy and Rose back in the game. They looked really good in practice, and I'm excited to see what our defense can do this year. Nebraska 42 South Alabama 10
If you have any predictions please comment and see if you can beat me! Watch out for a couple of my good friends playing today, #91 Freedom Akinmoladun is starting for Jack Gangwish at DE, and #21 Mikale Wilbon is looking for some more touches at RB. GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
1. Oregon State at Michigan
Two 1st-year head coaches battle it out in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh is looking for his first win as Head Coach of the Wolverines and I think he'll get it today at home. Michigan struggled last week on the road, but I think hosting Oregon State will make a difference. Look for the run game to be a big factor today. Michigan 31 Oregon St. 17
2. Minnesota at Colorado State
This might not be the most flashy game, but expect a good one out of this match-up. Minnesota kept it very close against TCU last week, and their defense proved that they can hang with any offense in the nation. Colorado State has a very prolific offense, especially with superstar wideout Rahsaad Wiggins. I think that Minnesota will get their offense rolling against a weaker defense and shutdown Wiggins and the Rams offense. Minnesota 24 CSU 10
3. 19 Oklahoma at 23 Tennessee
Big top 25 match up here. Two growing offenses face off in a battle of two traditional powerhouses. Oklahoma is getting a lot of attention as a sleeper in the Big XII, but I still don't see it. To me, they don't have enough to keep up with the likes of Baylor and TCU, at least not yet. Tennessee has been steadily improving over the past few seasons, and I expect QB Josh Dobbs and RB Jalen Heard are a deadly duo in the backfield. I expect them to have a big game and start a party up on Rocky Top. Tennessee 38 OU 20
4. 14 LSU at 25 Mississippi State
Our classic week 2, prime time SEC match up is upon us. This will be a good one too! Mississippi State shocked the nation last year with their incredible start to the season. Dak Prescott is back to lead them again, but facing LSU in week 2 is not ideal. LSU has a very powerful defense and an absolute beast of a Running Back in Leonard Fournette. I expect LSU to run over, around and through this Bulldog defense. Low-scoring battle though. LSU 20 Miss State 13.
5. 20 Boise State at BYU
Now that the Cougars are not facing my Huskers, I can go back to cheering for them. Boise State is a very good team walking into Provo, but I think the Cougars have this one. Coming off of that Hail Mary win, losing their starting QB AGAIN, I think they have a lot of fire and they are ready to fight. Tanner Magnum played fairly well coming off the bench in last week's match-up. I saw that he looks off the coverage quite well, and he's very good at escaping pressure. BYU 30 Boise State 20
6. 7 Oregon at 5 Michigan State
The Spartans aim to avenge last year's blow up in Eugene. The Ducks are coming into East Lancing looking to spread out that strong Spartan defense and score a high amount of points. Points are hard to come by against Michigan State, but they found a way last year. Connor Cook will definitely keep MSU's offense in it, and I think that the defense will make a key stop to flip the game in their favor. Michigan State 30 Oregon 27.
7. South Alabama at Nebraska
This should be a much better outing for the Cornhuskers. They played well last week, but couldn't quite seal the deal. Look for some new schemes to emerge from the offense, and the running game to be more involved. I really hope they start letting Tommy Armstrong run more, because he is deadly when he uses his feet. The defense will be interesting to watch. South Alabama lost their stud QB and TE from last season, but they do still have weapons. Hopefully our secondary will be back on the same page this game. It will be a different defense with Rose-Ivy and Rose back in the game. They looked really good in practice, and I'm excited to see what our defense can do this year. Nebraska 42 South Alabama 10
If you have any predictions please comment and see if you can beat me! Watch out for a couple of my good friends playing today, #91 Freedom Akinmoladun is starting for Jack Gangwish at DE, and #21 Mikale Wilbon is looking for some more touches at RB. GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Week 1 Reflection
Hey everyone, sorry it's a little late on my reflection, but I think we all had to let that one sink in a little bit. Great opening weekend in College Football, even with Nebraska losing their opener to BYU. Here's my reflection on Nebraska's game and the picks that I made.
The debut for Coach Riley and his staff could've gone a little bit better. I was saying all week leading up to the game, it's going to be a toss up. However, I was a little bit surprised when it turned into a literal toss up with the Hail Mary. Regardless of the outcome, it was a great game to watch. I saw a lot of good things with Nebraska's new style, but I saw some bad things as well. Obviously the Defense was not on the same page for a good portion of the game, especially the second quarter. They struggled to get pressure on the Quarterback, and that lead to the secondary being out of position at times. With the QB having so much time to sit back and throw, it was a lot easier for BYU to pick apart our secondary. I was surprised with the lack of pressure that we put on BYU, but that may have been to account for Taysom Hill's ability to scramble out of the pocket. However, adjustments were made at halftime, and I was very glad to see that. That is something Husker Nation hasn't really seen for a long time. The third quarter was fantastic for the Huskers, not allowing a point and shutting down BYU's offense which was running wild before the half. A lot of people are upset about the final play, saying that the defense was out of position and messed up big time. Hail Mary's seem like pretty simple plays to defend, but in the moment it's a lot more difficult, trust me. I do agree that someone should have been placed in front of the receiver, but they did cover the play very well in my opinion. It had to be tough covering a Wide Receiver who is 6'6 215. I think that the defense really missed Johnathan Rose and Michael Rose-Ivy as well. Luke Gifford played well, but he's just not quite at the level to keep up with BYU yet. He will be a great linebacker for the Huskers in another couple years though.
On the offensive side, there were obviously some issues. The biggest problem that I saw was the lack of blocking by the O-line. This caused numerous problems in the passing game and basically made our run game non-existent. I honestly have never seen a Husker team not run the ball so much. That kind of worried me a little bit to be honest. I think that our line will settle in and start making some holes though. Expect the run game to pick up as we progress through the season and our backs get used to the new system. Our QB Tommy Armstrong looked very good in his Junior season debut. He looked like a much more efficient passer to me. He did miss a few open shots, but I think part of that was due to the heavy pressure he was under for most of the game. I was a little annoyed by the lack of running he did throughout the game though. I think that Tommy is a much better passer when he is able to run throughout the game. There were a few times last Saturday where we could all tell that Tommy held off of a big gain on the ground to throw the ball downfield. I think that Coach Riley and staff need to let him be the dual threat QB that he is and set him loose. That will spread the defenses out a lot more and open up more lanes for our running backs.
I was really glad to see a couple of my friends on the team get some quality playing time and use it well! My good friend Freedom got the first sack of the season and fellow Red-shirt Freshman Mikale Wilbon looked solid while in at RB. Can't wait to see them get a lot more playing time.
I am getting a lot closer with the football program as I now work with Husker Video and get to help film practice 2 days a week. I am also a tour guide for prospective football recruits that come to Memorial Stadium for a game. I am not allowed to give any information on the recruit or any of that stuff, but I will say that the tours are a lot of fun and it's great getting to know the kids and just talk football with them. Hopefully I can get us some future Huskers! GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
The debut for Coach Riley and his staff could've gone a little bit better. I was saying all week leading up to the game, it's going to be a toss up. However, I was a little bit surprised when it turned into a literal toss up with the Hail Mary. Regardless of the outcome, it was a great game to watch. I saw a lot of good things with Nebraska's new style, but I saw some bad things as well. Obviously the Defense was not on the same page for a good portion of the game, especially the second quarter. They struggled to get pressure on the Quarterback, and that lead to the secondary being out of position at times. With the QB having so much time to sit back and throw, it was a lot easier for BYU to pick apart our secondary. I was surprised with the lack of pressure that we put on BYU, but that may have been to account for Taysom Hill's ability to scramble out of the pocket. However, adjustments were made at halftime, and I was very glad to see that. That is something Husker Nation hasn't really seen for a long time. The third quarter was fantastic for the Huskers, not allowing a point and shutting down BYU's offense which was running wild before the half. A lot of people are upset about the final play, saying that the defense was out of position and messed up big time. Hail Mary's seem like pretty simple plays to defend, but in the moment it's a lot more difficult, trust me. I do agree that someone should have been placed in front of the receiver, but they did cover the play very well in my opinion. It had to be tough covering a Wide Receiver who is 6'6 215. I think that the defense really missed Johnathan Rose and Michael Rose-Ivy as well. Luke Gifford played well, but he's just not quite at the level to keep up with BYU yet. He will be a great linebacker for the Huskers in another couple years though.
On the offensive side, there were obviously some issues. The biggest problem that I saw was the lack of blocking by the O-line. This caused numerous problems in the passing game and basically made our run game non-existent. I honestly have never seen a Husker team not run the ball so much. That kind of worried me a little bit to be honest. I think that our line will settle in and start making some holes though. Expect the run game to pick up as we progress through the season and our backs get used to the new system. Our QB Tommy Armstrong looked very good in his Junior season debut. He looked like a much more efficient passer to me. He did miss a few open shots, but I think part of that was due to the heavy pressure he was under for most of the game. I was a little annoyed by the lack of running he did throughout the game though. I think that Tommy is a much better passer when he is able to run throughout the game. There were a few times last Saturday where we could all tell that Tommy held off of a big gain on the ground to throw the ball downfield. I think that Coach Riley and staff need to let him be the dual threat QB that he is and set him loose. That will spread the defenses out a lot more and open up more lanes for our running backs.
I was really glad to see a couple of my friends on the team get some quality playing time and use it well! My good friend Freedom got the first sack of the season and fellow Red-shirt Freshman Mikale Wilbon looked solid while in at RB. Can't wait to see them get a lot more playing time.
I am getting a lot closer with the football program as I now work with Husker Video and get to help film practice 2 days a week. I am also a tour guide for prospective football recruits that come to Memorial Stadium for a game. I am not allowed to give any information on the recruit or any of that stuff, but I will say that the tours are a lot of fun and it's great getting to know the kids and just talk football with them. Hopefully I can get us some future Huskers! GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Get Up. It's Gameday!
Hey everyone, welcome to the opening Saturday of College Football! Today I'm going to 6 games to give my predictions on. I'm very excited because I get to give a tour to one of our football recruits before the game and have lunch with him and his family! I'm not allowed to discuss details about the tour, but know that I'm going to do my best to get us lots of commits this year! Today's games I'm making predictions on are:
1. Virginia at 13 UCLA
This might be a more intriguing game than most might think. Virginia lost in last years match-up, but people often forget the score. The 28-20 final raised some eyebrows, not only for the strength of UCLA, but for that of Virginia. They played in a lot of close games last year, and I think they might win a few of those this year. That being said, I think that UCLA is still a little too strong for UVA and will pull this one out with a 35-20 win.
2. 21 Stanford at Northwestern
Northwestern has had a few struggles winning games over the past couple years, but they are known very well for their upsets. They are more than capable of knocking off the 21st ranked Cardinal. However, I think that Senior QB Kevin Hogan and that powerful Stanford offense will be a little too much. If Northwestern can score early, they have a chance, but once Stanford's defense settles in, they won't be able to move the ball very easily. I predict Stanford winning 31-20.
3. Texas at 11 Notre Dame
If I could, I would pick both teams to lose, but sadly that's not an option. Texas made some improvements last year under Charlie Strong, but they still have a lot of work to do. Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire tore it up in the bowl game against LSU, and looks ready to lead this squad. I see Notre Dame winning a closer one than the experts might think. 28-23 Fightin' Irish.
4. 15 Arizona State vs. Texas A&M
Arizona State is primed to be one of the top teams in the Pac12 this year. An opener versus A&M will show if they are truly the real deal. A&M still has a lot of firepower on offense, and the Sun Devils have a lot of younger guys starting on defense. I think that this will be a high-scoring, fast-paced, close game. Arizona State 48-40.
5. 3 Alabama vs. 20 Wisconsin
The Badgers have a new Head Coach in Paul Chryst, I doubt their overall strategy will change though. Both teams are known well for their tough defense and their power run game offense. I predict a low scoring, defensive game. No one is really sure what each offense will bring, especially after losing so much talent on each side. I say Wisconsin 14-10.
6. BYU at Nebraska
This game has a lot of personal connection for me as I have a lot of family friends that are big cougar fans. I'm really excited to watch this game, not just because of my Huskers, but because it's going to be a fantastic football game. Taysom Hill is the superstar QB for the Cougars and one of my favorite players to watch in College Football. The Huskers are loaded on both sides of the ball, but how quickly the offense gels will be the determining factor. This will be more of a defensive game than most people might think. I'm saying Nebraska 28-20. GO BIG RED!
Let me know what your predictions are in the comments! Have a fantastic Gameday everyone!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
1. Virginia at 13 UCLA
This might be a more intriguing game than most might think. Virginia lost in last years match-up, but people often forget the score. The 28-20 final raised some eyebrows, not only for the strength of UCLA, but for that of Virginia. They played in a lot of close games last year, and I think they might win a few of those this year. That being said, I think that UCLA is still a little too strong for UVA and will pull this one out with a 35-20 win.
2. 21 Stanford at Northwestern
Northwestern has had a few struggles winning games over the past couple years, but they are known very well for their upsets. They are more than capable of knocking off the 21st ranked Cardinal. However, I think that Senior QB Kevin Hogan and that powerful Stanford offense will be a little too much. If Northwestern can score early, they have a chance, but once Stanford's defense settles in, they won't be able to move the ball very easily. I predict Stanford winning 31-20.
3. Texas at 11 Notre Dame
If I could, I would pick both teams to lose, but sadly that's not an option. Texas made some improvements last year under Charlie Strong, but they still have a lot of work to do. Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire tore it up in the bowl game against LSU, and looks ready to lead this squad. I see Notre Dame winning a closer one than the experts might think. 28-23 Fightin' Irish.
4. 15 Arizona State vs. Texas A&M
Arizona State is primed to be one of the top teams in the Pac12 this year. An opener versus A&M will show if they are truly the real deal. A&M still has a lot of firepower on offense, and the Sun Devils have a lot of younger guys starting on defense. I think that this will be a high-scoring, fast-paced, close game. Arizona State 48-40.
5. 3 Alabama vs. 20 Wisconsin
The Badgers have a new Head Coach in Paul Chryst, I doubt their overall strategy will change though. Both teams are known well for their tough defense and their power run game offense. I predict a low scoring, defensive game. No one is really sure what each offense will bring, especially after losing so much talent on each side. I say Wisconsin 14-10.
6. BYU at Nebraska
This game has a lot of personal connection for me as I have a lot of family friends that are big cougar fans. I'm really excited to watch this game, not just because of my Huskers, but because it's going to be a fantastic football game. Taysom Hill is the superstar QB for the Cougars and one of my favorite players to watch in College Football. The Huskers are loaded on both sides of the ball, but how quickly the offense gels will be the determining factor. This will be more of a defensive game than most people might think. I'm saying Nebraska 28-20. GO BIG RED!
Let me know what your predictions are in the comments! Have a fantastic Gameday everyone!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Thursday, September 3, 2015
2015 Conference Outlook
Hey everyone, I've been a little busy with school starting up, but the long wait for college football is nearly over! In just over a week that time of year we all wait for will be upon us again. This post will be my thoughts about how each conference will shake out at the end of the year, who the favorites are to win, and who needs help. We'll start from the bottom and work our way up to the top!
The weakest conference in Division 1 College Football is definitely the Sun Belt. However, I always believe that any team can beat anyone on any given weekend, so don't always expect a cakewalk down there. Last year, Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt Title with a perfect conference record of 8-0 (9-3 Overall). They did get lucky though, not having conference powerhouses Arkansas State and Louisiana Lafayette on their schedule. Louisiana Lafayette finished in second with a 7-1 conference record (9-4 Overall), and Appalachian State finished third with a 6-2 conference and 7-5 overall record. I expect Georgia Southern to continue their year 1 success and make a run for back to back conference titles. Their biggest challenge will be rival newcomer Appalachian State. They picked up a lot of momentum once in conference play and won six straight last year, including victories over both ULL and Arkansas State. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State face off in mid-late October which could make a big difference in the final few weeks of conference play. Lafayette isn't quite out of the mix though. They did lose their superstar QB Terrance Broadway, who threw for nearly 3,000 yards last year and ran for another 800. The good news is that they do return their leading rusher, Elijah McGuire who ran for nearly 1300 yards and 14 TDs last year as a Sophomore. I think that his Junior campaign will give the Ragin' Cajuns a good chance to compete for a Sun Belt Conference Championship.
Next we'll go to the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Although this conference isn't always known for big-time football programs, they have been gaining a lot of strength the past few years. Four main teams are the big competitors in this season, but a few others have a prime chance to surprise people. Three of those four major players, Northern Illinois, Toledo, and Western Michigan, are all from the West division. Bowling Green is the heavy favorite in the East. With three conference powerhouses in one division, things could get heated pretty quickly. NIU is probably the favorite heading into a season where they are looking to reach their 6th straight conference title game. However, the Rockets from Toledo have one of the top backs in the nation in Kareem Hunt, so their running game will be tough to stop this year. Last year Hunt ran for over 1,600 yards averaging 8 yards per carry. The Broncos return 16 starters from last season, but have a very difficult schedule. Playing both Michigan State and Ohio State in their non-conference lineup, and finishing their last 3 weeks of the season with Bowling Green, and then away at both NIU and Toledo. They'll have a lot of work to do with that rough of a schedule. My prediction is a Bowling Green vs. Toledo MAC Championship Game with Toledo winning it all this year. I think Hunt will explode this year and be too much to stop.
Now over to the Mountain West Conference. Very much like the MAC, there are four major players this year, and three of them are in the Mountain Division. San Diego State is favored in the West Division. They return their leading rusher Donnel Pumphery who rushed for over 1,800 yards and 20 TDs. Boise State is once again top dog in the Mountain Division, but they have a lot of ground to make up after losing both their starting QB and star RB Jay Ajayi. However, Colorado State is looking to knock off the Broncos from the top of the mountain. Biletnikoff Award Finalists Rashard Higgins is headed into his Junior year after a stellar 1750 yard, 17 TD performance in his Sophomore campaign. The biggest setback for CSU is the loss of their head coach as he moved down to Gainesville to coach the Gators. The third powerhouse team in the Mountain Division is Utah State. They've had a number of injury problems over the last few seasons that have held them back, but superstar QB Chucky Keaton is back and in good health headed into his Senior year. He's a proven threat in the league and in my opinion is one of the most underrated Quarterbacks in the nation. My prediction is that Utah State will finally get through the season in pretty decent health and knock of the Broncos to claim the crown.
Next up, Conference USA. Western Kentucky looks like the team to beat this year. Returning Senior QB Brandon Doughty is huge for the Hilltoppers. He's back to lead an offense that averaged nearly 45 points per game last season. Marshall is their biggest threat in the East, but they have to replace the deadly passing duo of Rakeem Cato and Tommy Shuler. I don't think they'll have enough firepower to keep up with WKU on November 27th. I'm giving the East to the Hilltoppers. Over in the West Division, Louisiana Tech is still way out front compared to the rest of the division. With RB Kenneth Dixon back to tear up the backfield, and Florida QB transfer Jeff Driskel, the Bulldogs could have an explosive offense this year. I think they will meet WKU in the Conference Championship, but the experience Doughty has will lead the Hilltoppers to the crown.
The American Athletic Conference looks to be kind of tricky this year. Cincy and Houston are the favorites to meet in the inaugural Conference Championship Game, but I think that newcomer Navy and the high-powered Memphis Tigers might cause some trouble. Cincy has a pretty good lock on the East with a juiced offense and not much competition. Their struggles on defense may need to be fixed before the championship game though. The West is a different story. Houston is the early favorite, but my prediction is that Navy will show up early in their conference debut. Memphis could make some waves, but I personally don't think they have enough defense to keep them in the running for long. My prediction is a Cincy-Navy championship with the Midshipmen upsetting the Bearcats to take the first ever American Athletic Conference Championship game.
Now into the Power 5; I'll start with the ACC. Florida State is looking for their fourth straight Conference Title, but losing their star QB will make that tough. They did however, acquire Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson and named him the starter about a week ago. He should help FSU reload quickly. As usual, Clemson is FSU's biggest challenge to achieve their four-peat. The Tigers have a lot to replace from one of the best defenses last year, but with Sophomore stud QB Deshaun Watson and a whole crew of weapons returning on offense, they will definitely contend. The Coastal Division is a little more open. Georgia Tech is the favorite as they return experienced QB Justin Thomas, but they still lost a good portion of their backfield. Down south, the Canes are starting to cause some ripples. Even with losing RB Duke Johnson from last year, Miami has a good chance to compete in this division. Sophomore QB Brad Kaaya has a year under his belt and played well in some tough games as a Freshman. Look for him to step up this year. My prediction is that Miami and FSU will meet in the title game with FSU getting their four-peat.
The infamous Big XII is next on the list. They are the only Power 5 Conference to not have a Championship Game, and are quite bitter after being left out of last year's playoff. Two teams dominate the conference as of now, and they are the Bears from Baylor along with their arch rival the Horned Frogs from TCU. A lot of people have been mentioning Oklahoma as the true top dog and some (Kirk Herbstreit) have even put them into the upcoming College Football Playoff! I honestly don't see it. Everyone was saying the same thing a year ago, and look where they ended up, 7-5. I think that they will have a very similar record this year and once again be no where near the playoffs. I predicted it last year, and I just don't see it with their team right now. Especially with their final 3 games being at Baylor, home for TCU, and at Oklahoma State. This year's Big XII Champion will once again come down to the Baylor-TCU showdown during rivalry weekend. It's possible that both could have the same record again and both be crowned champions again, so we'll just say that it depends on that game right now. This is a very tough choice, but I think that the Horned Frog will pull it out in another high-scoring shootout between these high-powered offenses.
Out west, the Pac12 is shaping up to be a good conference to watch, especially in the South. Oregon and Stanford are obviously top dogs in the North, and that division could be decided by that game. I would love to see Stanford pull it out, especially with returning QB Kevin Hogan at the helm, but I still see Oregon running away with the North Division. The South however, that's a completely different story. USC has the early predictions as favorites, but crosstown rival UCLA is still looking to compete. Plus, you can't forget about the teams in the desert, the Wildcats and Sun Devils are going to be teams to watch this year. Arizona State has a favorable schedule with 8 home games, but must replace QB Taylor Kelly and WR Jalin Strong. The Wildcats are looking stable on offense, but could use a big push from their defense if they want to compete against the other offenses in the conference. My prediction is that USC will pull out of the South and have a rematch against the Ducks. The Ducks are going to continue their winning though, and take the crown.
Now down south to the SEC. Often called the toughest conference in College Football. Somewhat of a loose term to me, but nonetheless, there are some good games down there. The natural favorite, Alabama, has a lot to replace, but still remains at the top. However, I don't think that their run in the west will be so easy. LSU, Auburn, and Mississippi State will make it another tough road for everyone in that Division. Dak Prescott is back and ready to rewrite the script from last year's incredible start. The bulldogs are looking to finish it this year. It'll be a tough road for them, but it's always possible in College Football. I think that they might surprise some people like they did last year. However, Alabama will somehow emerge victorious out in the west, just as they always do for some unknown reason. Auburn and LSU both have a chance to stop them once again, but I don't think they'll quite make it. Hopefully they prove me wrong. Out East, only one team is being called out, UGA. The Bulldogs have the talent to win the SEC title, but do they have the health? This has been the big question in the past few seasons, it seems like they lose at least half of their starters to major injuries every year! If they can avoid the injury bug, I think they could easily go all the way into the Playoff. Two time defending champ Mizzou might have something to say, but with the talent they've lost, it may take them another year to say it. My sleeper in this conference is Tennessee. The Vols have been getting sneakily good out there at Rocky Top. Look for them to compete this year. My prediction is Georgia winning the conference, if they can stay healthy.
Finally, the best for last, the BIG 10. Obviously, there's only one team to really know about, the Buckeyes, last year's national champs. They return not 1, not 2, but 3 superstar QBs that could start anywhere else in the nation. Braxton Miller took himself out of the QB showdown by switching to WR, but the question remains to be answered on who will be QB1. J.T. Barrett, or Cardale Jones? The East isn't a complete lock for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes though; steady power Michigan State is primed for a break out season. They return a good number of starters from one of the nation's top defenses, and 3rd year QB Connor Cook has his eyes set on a Championship. Lots of people think that Jim Harbaugh and Michigan will have an immediate impact in the East, but I think it will take a year before that happens. The East will be decided between OSU & MSU. I think Ezekiel Elliot will help OSU win the Division, most likely the Conference, and possibly another National Title. Out West, it's all up for grabs. Wisconsin is the favorite, but my beloved CornHuskers are not far behind. Both schools have new coaches in Paul Chryst and Mike Riley, and both schools lost one of their best offensive weapons in school history. I doubt that Wisconsin's game plans will change much, so I think it will depend on how quickly the Huskers can catch on to Riley & staff's new system. I always have to root for Nebraska, but I do honestly think that they will win the West. The defense has potential to be one of the best in the nation, and 3rd year starter Tommy Armstrong now has a QB coach that brings in a diverse new offensive system. Watch out for my Huskers, GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
The weakest conference in Division 1 College Football is definitely the Sun Belt. However, I always believe that any team can beat anyone on any given weekend, so don't always expect a cakewalk down there. Last year, Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt Title with a perfect conference record of 8-0 (9-3 Overall). They did get lucky though, not having conference powerhouses Arkansas State and Louisiana Lafayette on their schedule. Louisiana Lafayette finished in second with a 7-1 conference record (9-4 Overall), and Appalachian State finished third with a 6-2 conference and 7-5 overall record. I expect Georgia Southern to continue their year 1 success and make a run for back to back conference titles. Their biggest challenge will be rival newcomer Appalachian State. They picked up a lot of momentum once in conference play and won six straight last year, including victories over both ULL and Arkansas State. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State face off in mid-late October which could make a big difference in the final few weeks of conference play. Lafayette isn't quite out of the mix though. They did lose their superstar QB Terrance Broadway, who threw for nearly 3,000 yards last year and ran for another 800. The good news is that they do return their leading rusher, Elijah McGuire who ran for nearly 1300 yards and 14 TDs last year as a Sophomore. I think that his Junior campaign will give the Ragin' Cajuns a good chance to compete for a Sun Belt Conference Championship.
Next we'll go to the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Although this conference isn't always known for big-time football programs, they have been gaining a lot of strength the past few years. Four main teams are the big competitors in this season, but a few others have a prime chance to surprise people. Three of those four major players, Northern Illinois, Toledo, and Western Michigan, are all from the West division. Bowling Green is the heavy favorite in the East. With three conference powerhouses in one division, things could get heated pretty quickly. NIU is probably the favorite heading into a season where they are looking to reach their 6th straight conference title game. However, the Rockets from Toledo have one of the top backs in the nation in Kareem Hunt, so their running game will be tough to stop this year. Last year Hunt ran for over 1,600 yards averaging 8 yards per carry. The Broncos return 16 starters from last season, but have a very difficult schedule. Playing both Michigan State and Ohio State in their non-conference lineup, and finishing their last 3 weeks of the season with Bowling Green, and then away at both NIU and Toledo. They'll have a lot of work to do with that rough of a schedule. My prediction is a Bowling Green vs. Toledo MAC Championship Game with Toledo winning it all this year. I think Hunt will explode this year and be too much to stop.
Now over to the Mountain West Conference. Very much like the MAC, there are four major players this year, and three of them are in the Mountain Division. San Diego State is favored in the West Division. They return their leading rusher Donnel Pumphery who rushed for over 1,800 yards and 20 TDs. Boise State is once again top dog in the Mountain Division, but they have a lot of ground to make up after losing both their starting QB and star RB Jay Ajayi. However, Colorado State is looking to knock off the Broncos from the top of the mountain. Biletnikoff Award Finalists Rashard Higgins is headed into his Junior year after a stellar 1750 yard, 17 TD performance in his Sophomore campaign. The biggest setback for CSU is the loss of their head coach as he moved down to Gainesville to coach the Gators. The third powerhouse team in the Mountain Division is Utah State. They've had a number of injury problems over the last few seasons that have held them back, but superstar QB Chucky Keaton is back and in good health headed into his Senior year. He's a proven threat in the league and in my opinion is one of the most underrated Quarterbacks in the nation. My prediction is that Utah State will finally get through the season in pretty decent health and knock of the Broncos to claim the crown.
Next up, Conference USA. Western Kentucky looks like the team to beat this year. Returning Senior QB Brandon Doughty is huge for the Hilltoppers. He's back to lead an offense that averaged nearly 45 points per game last season. Marshall is their biggest threat in the East, but they have to replace the deadly passing duo of Rakeem Cato and Tommy Shuler. I don't think they'll have enough firepower to keep up with WKU on November 27th. I'm giving the East to the Hilltoppers. Over in the West Division, Louisiana Tech is still way out front compared to the rest of the division. With RB Kenneth Dixon back to tear up the backfield, and Florida QB transfer Jeff Driskel, the Bulldogs could have an explosive offense this year. I think they will meet WKU in the Conference Championship, but the experience Doughty has will lead the Hilltoppers to the crown.
The American Athletic Conference looks to be kind of tricky this year. Cincy and Houston are the favorites to meet in the inaugural Conference Championship Game, but I think that newcomer Navy and the high-powered Memphis Tigers might cause some trouble. Cincy has a pretty good lock on the East with a juiced offense and not much competition. Their struggles on defense may need to be fixed before the championship game though. The West is a different story. Houston is the early favorite, but my prediction is that Navy will show up early in their conference debut. Memphis could make some waves, but I personally don't think they have enough defense to keep them in the running for long. My prediction is a Cincy-Navy championship with the Midshipmen upsetting the Bearcats to take the first ever American Athletic Conference Championship game.
Now into the Power 5; I'll start with the ACC. Florida State is looking for their fourth straight Conference Title, but losing their star QB will make that tough. They did however, acquire Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson and named him the starter about a week ago. He should help FSU reload quickly. As usual, Clemson is FSU's biggest challenge to achieve their four-peat. The Tigers have a lot to replace from one of the best defenses last year, but with Sophomore stud QB Deshaun Watson and a whole crew of weapons returning on offense, they will definitely contend. The Coastal Division is a little more open. Georgia Tech is the favorite as they return experienced QB Justin Thomas, but they still lost a good portion of their backfield. Down south, the Canes are starting to cause some ripples. Even with losing RB Duke Johnson from last year, Miami has a good chance to compete in this division. Sophomore QB Brad Kaaya has a year under his belt and played well in some tough games as a Freshman. Look for him to step up this year. My prediction is that Miami and FSU will meet in the title game with FSU getting their four-peat.
The infamous Big XII is next on the list. They are the only Power 5 Conference to not have a Championship Game, and are quite bitter after being left out of last year's playoff. Two teams dominate the conference as of now, and they are the Bears from Baylor along with their arch rival the Horned Frogs from TCU. A lot of people have been mentioning Oklahoma as the true top dog and some (Kirk Herbstreit) have even put them into the upcoming College Football Playoff! I honestly don't see it. Everyone was saying the same thing a year ago, and look where they ended up, 7-5. I think that they will have a very similar record this year and once again be no where near the playoffs. I predicted it last year, and I just don't see it with their team right now. Especially with their final 3 games being at Baylor, home for TCU, and at Oklahoma State. This year's Big XII Champion will once again come down to the Baylor-TCU showdown during rivalry weekend. It's possible that both could have the same record again and both be crowned champions again, so we'll just say that it depends on that game right now. This is a very tough choice, but I think that the Horned Frog will pull it out in another high-scoring shootout between these high-powered offenses.
Out west, the Pac12 is shaping up to be a good conference to watch, especially in the South. Oregon and Stanford are obviously top dogs in the North, and that division could be decided by that game. I would love to see Stanford pull it out, especially with returning QB Kevin Hogan at the helm, but I still see Oregon running away with the North Division. The South however, that's a completely different story. USC has the early predictions as favorites, but crosstown rival UCLA is still looking to compete. Plus, you can't forget about the teams in the desert, the Wildcats and Sun Devils are going to be teams to watch this year. Arizona State has a favorable schedule with 8 home games, but must replace QB Taylor Kelly and WR Jalin Strong. The Wildcats are looking stable on offense, but could use a big push from their defense if they want to compete against the other offenses in the conference. My prediction is that USC will pull out of the South and have a rematch against the Ducks. The Ducks are going to continue their winning though, and take the crown.
Now down south to the SEC. Often called the toughest conference in College Football. Somewhat of a loose term to me, but nonetheless, there are some good games down there. The natural favorite, Alabama, has a lot to replace, but still remains at the top. However, I don't think that their run in the west will be so easy. LSU, Auburn, and Mississippi State will make it another tough road for everyone in that Division. Dak Prescott is back and ready to rewrite the script from last year's incredible start. The bulldogs are looking to finish it this year. It'll be a tough road for them, but it's always possible in College Football. I think that they might surprise some people like they did last year. However, Alabama will somehow emerge victorious out in the west, just as they always do for some unknown reason. Auburn and LSU both have a chance to stop them once again, but I don't think they'll quite make it. Hopefully they prove me wrong. Out East, only one team is being called out, UGA. The Bulldogs have the talent to win the SEC title, but do they have the health? This has been the big question in the past few seasons, it seems like they lose at least half of their starters to major injuries every year! If they can avoid the injury bug, I think they could easily go all the way into the Playoff. Two time defending champ Mizzou might have something to say, but with the talent they've lost, it may take them another year to say it. My sleeper in this conference is Tennessee. The Vols have been getting sneakily good out there at Rocky Top. Look for them to compete this year. My prediction is Georgia winning the conference, if they can stay healthy.
Finally, the best for last, the BIG 10. Obviously, there's only one team to really know about, the Buckeyes, last year's national champs. They return not 1, not 2, but 3 superstar QBs that could start anywhere else in the nation. Braxton Miller took himself out of the QB showdown by switching to WR, but the question remains to be answered on who will be QB1. J.T. Barrett, or Cardale Jones? The East isn't a complete lock for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes though; steady power Michigan State is primed for a break out season. They return a good number of starters from one of the nation's top defenses, and 3rd year QB Connor Cook has his eyes set on a Championship. Lots of people think that Jim Harbaugh and Michigan will have an immediate impact in the East, but I think it will take a year before that happens. The East will be decided between OSU & MSU. I think Ezekiel Elliot will help OSU win the Division, most likely the Conference, and possibly another National Title. Out West, it's all up for grabs. Wisconsin is the favorite, but my beloved CornHuskers are not far behind. Both schools have new coaches in Paul Chryst and Mike Riley, and both schools lost one of their best offensive weapons in school history. I doubt that Wisconsin's game plans will change much, so I think it will depend on how quickly the Huskers can catch on to Riley & staff's new system. I always have to root for Nebraska, but I do honestly think that they will win the West. The defense has potential to be one of the best in the nation, and 3rd year starter Tommy Armstrong now has a QB coach that brings in a diverse new offensive system. Watch out for my Huskers, GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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