The BCS goes back to the alliance days which was a power grab and a money grab by certain conferences and it hasn't changed in its intent," Jackson said. "To add another game, will it resolve controversy over who's who and what's what? I really truly doubt it."

The Pac-10 and the Big Ten didn't start the fire.

They were plenty happy before the Bowl Alliance (or whatever it was called back then) came along.  They were less happy after it.  And they're a little less happy now with the BCS.  Here's guessing they'd be content with things going back to the way they were before the other conferences changed the composition of the game.  It was a bad move then and heading towards a playoff is an even worse move now.

Does anyone really think 12-team conferences are good for college football?  How about conference title games?  Schedules are finite.  College football simply cannot play a 16-week season like the NFL.  Flying in the face of logic, most of the same conferences that pushed us into this Alliance/BCS reality are also the conferences carrying twelve members.

It's obvious that round-robin play (or something close to it) is superior to split divisions (see SEC, Big 12, ACC) and possible repeat matchups in conference title games.  Can a team truly be its league champion if it hasn't faced all its league opponents?  Do you follow?

The major conferences most associated with sensible conference play (Pac-10, Big Ten, Big East) are the same ones treated as the villains in all of this, Big East excluded.  Amazing.  We had it right, once ...

Mission creep:

"We've never seen a four-team playoff stay as a four team playoff. So if you are concerned, and we are, about an eight-team, 12-team or 16-team playoff and what it would do to college football, we don't believe that you allow the camel's nose under the tent with a four-team playoff."

[Big Ten Commissioner Jim] Delaney said ABC executives presented a "plus-one" plan to the Big Ten, SEC, Big East, Big 12 and Pac-10 conferences two years ago, and all six rejected it.

We will not be snookered by a "Plus One" 

For years the usual complaints about the Heisman Trophy was that its winners were formulaic, pre-determined, and not necessarily the best players the game had to offer.  The formulaic thing makes sense, I mean the fact that there exist Heismandments speaks to a certain pattern of determining the winner.  Whether or not the Heisman Trophy winner is college football's best player is debatable and ultimately meaningless to its real virtue.

As for that other critique, this season has completely thrown out the window the whole pre-determined thing.

Much like the insanity of the first half of this 2007 college football season, the Heisman Trophy race is one big mess.  The sage and knowing Heisman Pundit has gone so far as to make like its a 1988 Nintendo game and is hitting the reset button.

We have come to a turning point in the race for the 2007 Heisman.

Seven weeks into the season, each of the players on the preseason HP Heisman Watch have suffered devastating blows to their candidacies. It makes for a very confusing race.

No other candidate from a traditional power is in place and ready to make a move. No player is wowing the country with season stats (Texas Tech players aside) that capture the imagination. No one player is dominating week in and week out.

Therefore, I think it is time to re-set the race, because right now there is no real leader.

So yes, sad orangutan.

This thing is wide open and it's exactly what the doctor ordered for Heisman Trophy critics.  At the same time, there's absolutely no energy to this race.  Is there a connection between this lack of excitement and a wide-open field?  You tell me.  What I do know is that this is quite rare what we're witnessing and while the opportunity's there for some player from outside the traditional powers who also isn't a preseason favorite for the honor to make a run ... it just ain't happening.

In a few more weeks those ballots go out and voters have three lines to fill out three names.  If form holds, voters will truly have a wide range of choices and we're going to learn something new about the award and its mysterious cabal of voters here.

Personally, Michigan's Mike Hart has been on my radar since week one.  I believe he's had only one game under 100 yards and showed a real competitiveness throughout some of Michigan's tougher, embarrassing games.  Heisman Pundit and MGoBlog both are banging that Hart drum a bit, so this isn't an isolated sentiment (see: website + shirts).  Hart is college football's Little Engine That Could - and does - so if nobody else makes a break for this thing, why not?

I think he can.

Take it away, MGoBlog:

 

In two games Lloyd Carr has gone from a potential mini-Bo, pending the successful resolution of his final season, to a definitive mini-Bump and Michigan is searching for the man on the left again ten games too early. And while I would still give Lloyd Carr a sandwich, I no longer want him mucking around with my football program. This is an opinion now universally held by Michigan fans, and the alternative is too mindboggling to consider. So going forward, the assumptions:

• Carr will retire at the end of the season.
• His assistants will be given nice severance packages and a firm handshake.
• Martin conducts Michigan's first open, national search for a new football coach since 1968 [emphasis mine - CFR].

Carr's retirement seemed like a foregone conclusion in January, but the fact that it's a cold inevitability at this point is awkward.  Even more surreal: that last line.  Read it, re-read it, and read it again.

Martin conducts Michigan's first open, national search for a new football coach since 1968

Michigan is a mountain.  For the first time in almost 40 years, it's will get up and move its craggy construct someplace new.

Shock to the system?  Youbet.  Ohio State quickly shedded the Hayes identity and legacy after he punched that poor Clemson kid.  Not so for Michigan and Bo.  Bo may have stepped down in 1989, but in many ways he never left - until now.  The change from the dynastic cannot be overlooked.

By comparison, people complain about the American Presidency being in only three hands for the last 27 years:  Reagan, Bush and Clinton.  Fatigued of those guys (and maybe that gal and her seemingly inevitable 4-8 year run)?  Michigan's got that setup beat by a decade plus.  Only Penn State and Florida State have similarly unevolved leadership, and yet they both seem more modern, less rooted to that opening act of a very long play.  Neither can trace itself back to a Fielding freaking Yost the way Michigan does.

Mountains aren't meant to be moved.  They are the rock, you go around them.  Michigan's one giant rock, so you know this coaching search will be the very opposite of happenstance.  Besides Lloyd Carr's chances of hand-picking his successor, the biggest loser here is Jim Harbaugh.  Is there a less-welcome big-school alum other than maybe O.J. Simpson?  Pride came before that ill-timed fall, which makes the Les Miles name suddenly, inexplicably appealing (don't do it!).

There is no Lloyd Carr for Lloyd Carr to point to and say "he's next".  That House of Usher just fell, the bloodline ending with Lloyd Carr and no true heirs to the Yost/Schembechler line.  Somehow I doubt this is how Bo would have wanted it, but them's the facts and that mountain will be moved.  College football's Halley's comet has burst through the horizon and we are all witness to it.

See my entry at FanHouse.

First glance: This looks like a good idea.  I might change my mind after I sleep on it a bit.  I wouldn't have put Appalachian State in my top 25 if I were an AP voter, but it's nice that a hypothetically qualified team is now eligible to be ranked.

It's remarkable what that game has done to the national sport landscape in just a few days.  The videos over the internet of cheering Ohio State and Penn State fans, the Appalachian State students jacking the goalpost and planting it on the chancellor's yard (with the assistance of police!), the opening up of AP voting rules.  Wow. 

How many of you would have put Appalachian State in your top 25?  I'm deeply curious.

Braves and Birds

The third most vexing aspect of the [Michigan/Appalachian State] game yesterday is that it reminded me of the soul-crushing nature of college football. I love the sport because it is the only American sport with a meaningful regular season and as a result, every game means so much. The downside to this reality is that my team blew its season in the noon timeslot on the first day of the season. Where do I go from here (other than to decide that sports are a cruel bitch goddess that needs to be dumped)? Additionally, because college football games mean so much, fans remember them. No one remembers the Devil Rays beating the Yankees or the Hawks beating the Spurs, but everyone will remember Michigan losing to Appalchian State.

Get The Picture

Of course, if we had an extended playoff, Michigan wakes up this morning with an embarrassed grin on its face and gets on with the task of qualifying to be the twelfth or sixteenth best team in the country ...

The money men still like them as nearly a touchdown favorite against Oregon

Many teams will have the same problem this year, but Oregon's run/pass defense was his first victim: Anthony Alridge.  Now, Alridge is one of the speedier backs around and Mike Hart's more of a courageous plodder, but you get the idea that Oregon's run defense (or lack thereof) might be a factor here.

Update: Oregon 39, Michigan 7

Ok, now they're dead! 

Counting down College Football Resource's preseason top 25 teams.

***

(5) - Texas

Briefly:  Colt McCoy's a soon-to-be superstar, the defense looks to be more aggressive this year and can't play any worse against the pass and Jamaal Charles bulked up to add some power to the running game.  The 'Horns also have that mental edge of having beat Oklahoma last year.  Like Boise State, this is about the upper limit of Texas' reach in the rankings, but they're probably no worse than 10th regardless.

Phil Steele Says:  This year they have 7 starters back (on offense) and will be more potent.  The Horns have 6 starters back on D, which is their fewest since 2002 but ironically that year they allowed 16.3 ppg (fewest in last 5 years).  Despite UT's 6-2 mark in the Big 12, they only outgained Big 12 foes by 43.9 ypg (4th best), a big drop from 2005 (211.0 ypg).  The Horns are a legitimate National Title contender this year.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 3 nationally, No. 1 Big 12 South

(4) - Michigan

Briefly:  Theoretically this is a Michigan outfit not too dissimilar from last year's group.  The real issue is that the Wolverines lost some All Americans on defense.  That said, I think they can play at the same level or better this year.  Remember, last year's performance was a bit of a surprise after a deeply disappointing 2005.  The defense was exposed in the last two games last year but it was also against two incredibly talented offenses and a lot of good defenses would have suffered similarly.  Mike Hart and Chad Henne have a lot of ghosts chasing them and this should be an incredibly motivated and no-nonsense team capable of being among the nation's top 5 or so teams.  The defense will replace All Americans with some pluggers but there's still some playmakers in Tim Jamison, the great Shawn Crable and potentially Brandon Graham.

Phil Steele Says:  This year UM has 6 starters back on offense including Heisman candidates QB Henne and RB Hart.  The D does lose seven starters but is still loaded with talent and the 15.9 ppg they allowed last year was their best since their National Championship year of 1997.  This year all four road games fall into the winnable category as they get to host both Ohio St and N.  The Wolves are once again a National Title contender.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 4 nationally, No. 1 Big Ten

(3) - West Virginia

Briefly:  The Mountaineer offense has a little of that USC 2005 unstoppable feel especially if superfrosh Noel Devine can make any kind of impact.  White and Slaton are now three-year starters, and are surrounded by talents like the bruising Owen Schmitt and the elusive Darius Reynaud.  Any defensive stops are like presents, and I think one thing in the program's favor this year is that they know this could be a special year.  Count on at least modest defensive improvement which should be enough to help them through the Big East gauntlet and perhaps show enough to be in national championship game consideration.

Phil Steele Says:  The defense has just 5 starters back in the last two years and has their most veteran unit since 2001 with 8 starters back.  This year they face 7 teams that made it to bowls last year.  The Mountaineers do have to play 4 of those teams on the road including USF and Rutgers but will be favored in all 12 games, so they are a legitimate National Title contender.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 5 nationally, No. 1 Big East

(2) - Florida

Briefly:  The big talking point is that this team only returns two starters on defense.  Many had the same worries about Ohio State last year but I liked the Buckeyes' available talent then and I like the Gators' now.  Besides, this team is loaded on offense as we should see even more of Tebow (who can throw the football, believe it or not), Harvin, Fayson, Ingram, Walker, Rainey, Moore, Caldwell, etc.  Urban Meyer has taken a page from the Lou Holtz sandbagging playbook because he has what by the end of the year could be a better overall squad than last year's national champions.  Like Boise State, the underdog win has this team completely believing in itself which will help them win some close ball games.  I see a lot of 2001-2004 USC in how Meyer keeps beating expectations in his early years and loads up in recruiting before finding the special players to become his team's center of gravity (Tebow/Harvin vs. Leinart/Bush).  I see the Gators greatly surpassing lowered expectations this year and making a serious push for the BCS championship game.

Phil Steele Says:  This year the Gators have 6 starters back on offense, but lose QB Leak, their top RB and WR.  They also have just 2 starters back from the D that allowed 13.5 ppg (best since 1983).  Eleven of their top 13 tacklers are gone.  UF did have a tough schedule last year having to face Tenn, Aub, UGA, Fla St, Ark and Ohio St all away from The Swamp.  This year most of the tough opponets are at home but a couple of things trouble me.  UF benefitted from 5 net close wins last year (pg 299) and is a lot less experienced than last year's senior-laden team.  They also lose a ton of talent to the NFL.  Even with the heavy graduation losses, the Gators are clearly still one of the best teams in the country but it will be very difficult to repeat as National Champs having to face LSU, Georgia and SCar away from The Swamp.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 6 nationally, No. 1 SEC East

(1) - USC

Briefly:  Where have we seen this before?  Oh yeh, 2005.  USC is a bit more of an enigma this year, as it returns a ridiculous defense and the great John David Booty, but the offense is different and no longer as fierce as during the Chow years.  I'll address my other concerns about USC on another entry sometime soon, but it's safe to say there are questions about this team's offensive line and running game.  The talent is there at every position and USC can clearly manage expectations.  There's no doubt that on paper this is the best team in the country.  Although there are inevitable scares, USC has barely disappointed against staggering annual expectations from 2002 to the present.  How good will this team be?  It's up to them.  The all-time talk is premature if not ridiculous, but maybe this team plays effortlessly and surprises as opposed to the choppy play seen in 2005 and 2006.  I really don't know, but they're good and an easy choice to be No. 1 on here.

Phil Steele Says:  The defense has 10 returning starters which is the most they've had in over 20 years.  This is the first time since 2002 that USC did not lose a player in the first round of the draft.  Last year, Carroll called it the fastest D he's ever coached and they most likely will be among the top D's in the country this year.  USC has some tough road games including Nebraska, ND, Oregon, Cal and Ariz St but the Trojans are the most talented team in the country and will be favored to win another National Title.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 1 nationally, No. 1 Pac-10

***
Previously at College Football Resource:

CFR's 2007 Top 25 Countdown: 6-10
CFR's 2007 Top 25 Countdown: 11-15
CFR's 2007 Top 25 Countdown: 16-20
CFR's 2007 Top 25 Countdown: 21-25 

Counting down College Football Resource's preseason top 25 teams.

***

(15) - UCLA

Briefly: You know the talking points - 20 returning starters, beat USC, blah blah blah.  This is a solid team that has improved at an agonizingly slow rate since hiring Karl Dorrell.  DeWayne Walker is a rare competent defensive coordinator in Westwood which makes this team a legitimate contender in the Pac-10 when you can combine that with the available talent.  Ben Olson is potentially a phenom although he's working with some pedestrian receivers and tight ends.  Membership in the Pac-10 dictates that an unexpected loss or two will strike all but the best teams, so count on one of those this year.  Running back depth is scary and something of a major concern.  It's too bad they lose frosh Raymond Carter to injury, he would have added good pop to that group.  Defensive tackle Brian Price is still in NCAA limbo and that situation looks grim as well.

Phil Steele Says:  After 3 years of having small senior classes, Dorrell has his most experienced and talented team with a large 2007 senior class.  He has 10 starters back on offense and with new OC Norvell calling the shots, should have one of the most improved ppg's in the NCAA.  The D went from a weakness to a strength last year allowing over 2 TD's per game less and also had 10 starters back in '07.  UCLA could be favored in their first 11 games this year which could set up a titanic struggle vs USC in the season finale.

Preseason Consensus: No. 13 (tie) nationally, No. 2 Pac-10

(14) - Auburn

Briefly:  Last season was a disappointment for the Tigers who scored some big wins but clearly weren't as good as advertised (preseason No. 4).  Quarterback Brandon Cox dealth with a boatload of injuries and other issues but looks healthier this time around.  The stable of backs is exciting but the receivers look subpar and the defense is unsettled and a bit young.  There's speed to burn but it also makes them a smallish group vulnerable to swift and powerful run attacks like the massacre against Arkansas last year.  All that said, Tommy Tuberville clearly figured something out in the last few seasons about winning in the SEC and can cover for a lot of the Tigers' deficiencies.

Phil Steele Says:  This year the schedule gets tougher with SEC road games vs Florida, Arkansas, LSU and UGA.  They have just 5 starters back on offense and must replace their top RB and WR.  OC Borges says they were less aggressive in '06 due to injuries to Cox and Irons and the offense will be more freewheeling this year, but they also have the least experienced O-line since Tuberville arrived.  The D does have 7 starters back and allowed just 13.9 ppg in '06.  A big question is the special teams unit which suffers some significant losses.  Auburn has just 12 scholarship seniors this year.  The Tigers should be bowl eligible once again but unlike the last 3 years, don't figure to be prime contenders in the SEC West.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 17 nationally, No. 2 SEC West

(13) - Arkansas

Briefly:  When I was putting this together a few weeks back, Arkansas was jumping all over my list.  That up-and-down movement mirrored the Razorbacks' turbulent year.  At present, I feel the offseason stuff won't get to this team as most of the disgruntled figures are no longer with the team.  Last year Arkansas snuck up on people and that won't happen this time around.  Everyone knows they're one-dimensional on offense but they still find ways to get things done in the defense-heavy SEC.  The defense was always average at best in the SEC and took some hits with NFL departures but its still a decent unit.  Fundamentally this is a solid if unspectacular football team with a transcendant figure in McFadden which makes me think they'll overachieve.  If you look at the teams with those kinds of players (Bush, Young), they're always near the top of the rankings once the player has his breakout year.  Arkansas doesn't possess the overall talent of a Texas or USC, but they can be much more competitive than we feel they should be thanks to McFadden's Final Ride.

Phil Steele Says:  Arkansas did suffer some turmoil in the offseason and QB Mustain, WR Williams and OC Malzahn have all moved on.  This year they have 6 starters back on offense and have the best RB's in the country and should come close to 2006's 28.9 ppg.  The D has 6 starters back but must replace 4 of their top 6 tacklers.  They allowed 18.3 ppg which was their best since '99 and figure to still be tough.  The Hogs outgained SEC foes by 54.9 ypg (2nd best) and it was their highest final ranking (#15) S/'89.  Arkansas will have another successful season, but probably will not match 2006's final ranking.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 22 nationally, No. 3 SEC West

(12) - Miami

Briefly:  We all know what's happened to this program.  They've been on steady decline for several years and eventually terminated coach Larry Coker.  Much like Florida State, the Hurricane defense remained outstanding but offensive woes could never be shaken.  Hiring Randy Shannon was curious with his defensive background and I'm not a huge fan of new OC Patrick Nix, but the offense could still be much improved.  The 'Canes have a productive tailback in sophomore Javarris James and freshman Graig Cooper could be as good or better.  They should be much more dynamic on the ground this year and create opportunities for an average offensive line and ho-hum quarterback Kirby Freeman.  I may have them ranked a bit higher than most folks but the defense is so good that this team could soar with anything resembling a legitimate offense.

Phil Steele Says:  This year the Hurricanes have 16 starters which is the most for them since 1996 as they have not had more than 13 since their 2001 National Title season.  Ten true frosh played last year and combined for an ACC high 35 starts.  Their offense only averaged 19.6 ppg, their lowest since 1979 (17.4) and should be much stronger with 9 starters back.  The D set a school record allowing just 67.8 ypg rushing.  They have allowed the fewest defensive TD's in the NCAA the last 8 years (165, Okla is #2 177).  Despite having to face Okla, Fla St, VT and BC all on the road, the Hurricanes are one of the top teams in the ACC and could have their first double-digit win season since 2003.

Preseason Consensus:  Unranked (No. 26), No. 3 ACC Coastal

(11) - Ohio State

Briefly:  Troy Smith?  Gone.  Ted Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez & Antonio Pittman?  Gone.  But maybe that's alright.  Ohio State won some games with their offense last year but it's not really how I see Jim Tressel comfortably winning ball games.  The defense is solid as always and the bruising (and speedy) Chris Wells could be the best Buckeye tailback since Eddie George.  This team isn't a national title contender, but they're still among the nation's elite and should revert to a more familiar style of football.

Phil Steele Says:  Last year's squad had 17 seniors while this year's has just 4 that have seen significant playing time.  The Bucks return just 5 starters on offense and will come nowhere near 2006's 34.6 ppg (best S/'98).  The D is always solid.  Last year they returned just 2 starters and allowed 12.8 ppg, (even after yielding 80 in the final 2) their best S/'98.  This year they have 6 starters back on D.  OSU benefitted from +9 in TO's and some ypp factors will be working against them (pg 299).  They outgained B10 foes by a league best 149.3 ypg winning those by an avg of 26.6 ppg.  Despite having to face Penn St and Mich on the road, one of my 8 sets of power rankings calls for Ohio State to go 12-0 so they are again Big 10 and National Title contenders.

Preseason Consensus:  No. 11 nationally, No. 3 Big Ten
***
Previously at College Football Resource:

CFR's 2007 Top 25 Countdown: 16-20
CFR's 2007 Top 25 Countdown: 21-25 

Counting down College Football Resource's preseason top 25 teams.

As always, this is a "power" ranking reflecting team quality over expectations relative to schedule.  I assembled this list a few weeks ago and am not intellectually bound to it as the on-field and off-field events of the season will obviously dictate future rankings.  Frankly it's difficult to rank teams beyond the top 10-15.  There are many many teams who are within range of these rankings, so fear not neglected fan.  Enjoy.
***
(25) - Wisconsin

Briefly: We've seen this formula before - run the ball, stop the run, limit turnovers.  Ohio State is now on the schedule and Michigan more or less had its way with the Badgers last year.  Where's the beef?

Phil Steele Says: The Badgers (last year) had 29.2 ppg, their 2nd best total in the last 6 years.  This year they have 9 returning starters but must replace QB Stocco and franchise LT Thomas.  The D was the key to their success, allowing a paltry 253 ypg and 12.1 ppg.  They have 7 starters back on the stop unit.  This year, NW is replaced with Ohio St on the schedule.  This is the Badgers' best team in the last 3 years and despite 3 tough road games, they are a Big 10 and National Title contender.

Preseason Consensus: No. 8 nationally, No. 2 Big Ten

(24) - Florida State

Briefly: New assistant coaches, new attitude, improving defense.  It will take a while to return to top 10 form but for once this team's made some adjustments.  Mickey Andrews always has a great defense but this team won't get better until its offense does.

Phil Steele Says:  This year they have 14 returning starters tying for the most veteran group that Bowden has had since their National Title in 1999!  After not having averaged below 30 ppg since 1981, they have averaged just 25.2, 28.9 and 26.5 ppg the last 3 years.  With 6 starters back, I look for them to top 30 ppg.  The defense has 8 starters back from a group that allowed just 291 ypg last year and figures to be one of the ACC's best.  FSU does only have five home games and must play Clemson, BC VT and Florida on the road as well as Bama at a neutral site.  Despite their worst ever ACC record last year (3-5), they still outgained ACC foes by 42 ypg (3rd best!).  Last year's team had just 9 scholarship seniors and this year's has 18.  Seventeen true frosh played in '06 (most in NCAA!).  Bowden has assembled a killer schedule but I rate the 'Noles a National Title contender.

Preseason Consensus: No. 19 (tie) nationally, No. 1 ACC Atlantic Division

(23) - Virginia Tech

Briefly: Fans around the country want to see this team do great things.  The Hokies play almost exactly like Wisconsin  There are some great athletes on defense and they'll try to beat you on the ground and in special teams.  It's safe and wins games but dynamic offenses come in handy when you need a bail-out.  Sean Glennon to date has been a subpar quarterback and there's little beyond Branden Ore with the running game.  I see some major offensive struggles ahead.

Phil Steele Says:  VT has 8 starters back on offense, their most since 2000 (40.3 ppg) and should easily top last year's 25.8 ppg (lowest S/'92).  Foster's defense allowed just 219 ypg (#1 in NCAA) and that was with 5 starters back.  This year 8 are returning!  VT does have to play LSU, Clemson and GTech on the road and also draws Florida St out of the Atlantic Division.  Despite the tough schedule, if they beat LSU on Sept. 8th, mark VT Down as prime National Title contender.

Preseason Consensus: No. 6 Nationally, No. 1 ACC Coastal Division

(22) - Iowa

Briefly: Iowa?!  Sure, why not.  Drew Tate was great at times but regressed and wore on people.  In steps sophomore Jake Christensen who is a little more of a pocket guy with some mobility and is more level-headed.  The defensive line could be special and for once there's a playmaker at receiver in Andy Brodell.  Assuming tailback Albert Young can stay healthy this is easily one of Ferentz's best Iowa squads and they should be among the top 25 again.  The schedule's as friendly as it was in 2002 as well (no Ohio State or Michigan).

Phil Steele Says: This year they must replace 5 starters on offense including QB Tate but their 23.8 ppg was their lowest total since 2000.  The D has 8 starters back.  If you read pg 312 you will see that their -11 in turnovers is a good sign for 2007 as was their 2 net close losses.  Both Ohio State and Michigan drop off the schedule this year.  After a rare losing season (6-7), the Hawkeyes look like a team capable of double digit wins.

Preseason Consensus: Unranked, No. 38 overall, No. 5 Big Ten.

(21) - Oregon State

Briefly:  This pick isn't looking so hot several weeks later.  The Beavers have lost wayward superstar receiver Sammie Stroughter indefinitely and 16 frosh either failed to qualify or were grayshirted and cannot enroll until January.  Their quarterback battle remains unsettled and instead of choosing a leader, they're apparently going to play both.  Ack.  All that said, this team should be competitive within the Pac-10, has playmakers in all three defensive units, has a great offensive line, runs the ball, throws the ball --- there's a lot to like, excluding those hideous new uniforms.

Phil Steele Says: This year the Beavers have 16 returning starters which is tied with last year for the most they've had since 1998.  They must replace QB Moore and TE Newton along with 1st Tm Pac-10 SS Sabby Piscitelli.  They most troubling factor is that OSU was +4 in net close wins last year and +8 in turnovers.  On the positive side, the D led the Pac-10 in sacks and the returning players accounted for 41 of the team's 47 sacks.  Riley should have his team in the post season once again.

Preseason Consensus: Unranked, No. 30 overall, No. 5 Pac-10.

I did this last year and with another year of college football it's worth another try as we head into the final week before the 2007-2008 college football season.

1. Artists and Mechanics 2006
2. Whit's Response: Artists and Mechanics 2006

See above for a full background of what follows.  In brief: Sun Sports TV's Whit Watson came up with an intuitive but rarely discussed concept called Artists and Mechanics.  He wrote about it, fleshed it out a bit and that's kind of how this internet thing works.

In short, I believe that the world is split into two groups: Artists and Mechanics. Some might call it right-brain and left-brain, but I think Artists and Mechanics is much more lyrical and descriptive. Artists tend to be big-picture types, unconcerned with mundane details. They're strong on the "why," but weaker on the "how." Process is irrelevant; experience is everything...

...A Mechanic, on the other hand, thrives on process. The "how" supercedes the "why." Details bring joy. Learning how to accomplish a new task is a thrill...

...Artists need Mechanics, and vice versa. One cannot survive without the other.

I saw it, loved it, responded and he was kind enough to respond back with his takes.  I looked at college football's big picture, and he nailed down the Florida schools and dabbled with SEC/ACC notables.

Time to try it again, as it's a new year and we have new names and faces to talk about.  I'm going to write this up and pass it along to Whit Watson and if he's got the time (he's a busy man right about now), he'll send us a reply to which I'll gladly reproduce on here.  Sound good?

***
There's no better way to start out than talking about the preseason favorite USC Trojans.  Although he's lauded for his aggressiveness and risk-taking, USC coach Pete Carroll is a mechanic.  The man is still in love with the NFL (nothing if not a mechanic's league) and conservative, let the defense win it football.  Notably, he's edged even further towards the mechanic camp in recent years, transforming the vision of the USC offense from Norm Chow's artist's interpretation to a more grinding pro style.

His right hand man in the new offense is Steve Sarkisian.  Although a Chow "disciple", Sarkisian speaks a lot about execution and mastery of an increasingly complex system.  Their system is now less about daydreams and "what could be" and more about NFL 101 and "what we're going to do".

Down in the Bayou, I've got a funny feeling that LSU coach Les Miles is a bit more of an artist than he lets on.  Behind that bravado and huff-puffing is a guy who 1)wears his hat real funny and 2)hired freaking Gary Crowton to run an SEC offense.  That takes some imagination.  His mind was also flexible enough to permit both a pass-happy and run-happy offense in separate years at Oklahoma State.  Dogma is the realm of mechanics and Miles doesn't strike me as a repeatedly dogmatic person.

I talked last year about Arkansas coach Houston Nutt being an artist - that hasn't changed.  Whit Watson has alluded to how pairing artists with mechanics can create a synergistic harmony.  Well, pairing artists with artists or mechanics with mechanics may be bad medicine.  I think that may have been part of the issue last year with former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn (artist!).  Malzahn liked his art one way (the forward pass), Nutt liked his the other way (run, run, run).  Thus: splittsville.

Malzahn's gone, but Arkansas has dusted off some old school tricks and made them modern with its Wildcat offense (now renamed WildHog).  Tell me that's not an artist at work?

New Alabama coach Nick Saban is an almost overbearing Mechanic.  Last year I said the 'Tide was too mechanical.  So what'd they do?  They went out and got another mechanic.  Here's hoping new offensive coordinator Major Applewhite is an artist to balance things out.

Now, for some players.

Leading Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden strikes me as an artist.  His game isn't all that fancy, but he's creative enough to play multiple roles as returnman, tailback and quarterback at the D-I level.  He drives a funky, tricked-out car.  And he wears dresses on the side.  Artist.

Out west, quarterback John David Booty is an artist.  His game isn't all that fancy, but here's a guy who ditched his senior year of high school at age 17 to compete for a starting quarterback job at a major program.  That's vision at work.  As a high school passer, he was magnificent in a gimmick offense.  Somehow he was able to transform himself from a shotgun/gunslinger into a pure pocket passer.  It's one of the most remarkable transformations I've ever seen and something that stumped guys like Brock Berlin, Brent Rawls, Josh Booty and so many others.  Kid's got some imagination.

Another signal caller worth mentioning is Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen.  He's a big-time mechanic.  He's been groomed since birth to be a quarterback and by the end of high school had all but mastered college-level mechanics and understanding of defenses.  He's very polished (which also means he has a low ceiling) and a ready-made product.  Artists tend to be more freewheeling and prone to mistakes whereas Clausen's had that tunnel-vision of a grinding mechanic.

At Michigan, one player who really stood out last year was linebacker/defensive end Shawn Crable.  His versatility alone speaks to artistic tendencies.  He plays decent in space and can run with tight ends and backs.  But he can also stuff the run and has a real knack for getting to the quarterback.  His game is imaginative and freewheeling.  Need more?  He was born in Buckeye country and was one of those rare high high high profile Ohio ballers to give serious thought to programs around the country before settling on hated rival Michigan.  Independence?  Check.  Creativity?  Check.  Artist.

Who else would you like to discuss?  Leave a comment below and let's get the conversation started.  Some wild cards: Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit (broadcaster or player), Mack Brown, Colt McCoy, Arrelious Benn, Andre Woodson, Pat White, DeSean Jackson, Frank Beamer.

In the meantime, here are some possible questions for Mr. Whit Watson: You spoke last year about Urban Meyer, Bobby Bowden, Mickey Andrews, Jeff Bowden, Larry Coker, Chris Leak, George O'Leary, Jim Leavitt and Andre Hall.  With some new players and coaches emerging, how about these names: Randy Shannon, Jimbo Fisher, Rick Trickett (are there any artists among FSU's new coaches?!), Tim Tebow, Matt Grothe, Percy Harvin, Myron Rolle and Terry Bowden?

Also: How would you assess the great Tailgate Overtime show?  More artist or mechanic?  How about co-hosts Brady Ackerman and Terry Norvelle?  Or guests like Mike Bianchi or the myriad former Gators, Noles and Canes who make guest appearances?  Plus: wild cards.

My quick takes: Rolle is a tough-nosed defender, but I could see him dropping football tomorrow to follow some other pursuit.  He's a renaissance man and an artist in my book.  Shannon appears to be a big-time mechanic, same with Trickett.  Fisher strikes me as a mechanic, Grothe an artist (people keep comparing him to Joe Montana!), Harvin an artist, Tebow a great artist who is also a mechanic (keeps winning all the offseason hard-work awards).  Bowden's a bit of a renaissance man - surprisingly - went to Oxford and did law school and seemed surprised by the hours he's had to put in as a low-level assistant coach at Florida State.  Let's call him a closet artist.

The covers have been released and the theme is "The Year of the Runningback".

Five regional covers have been made (see gallery in link) with representation by Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden, West Virginia tailback Steve Slaton, Michigan tailback Mike Hart, Oklahoma tailback Allen Patrick and a trio of USC rushers in C.J. Gable, Chauncey Washinton and Emmanuel Moody.

Needless to say, McFadden was an easy choice for the coveted slot below. 

SportsIllustrated.com

(H/T: RazorBloggers Network)

New Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh is already making enemies.

Last month he suggested that USC coach Pete Carroll was leaving after this season.  Now he's giving subtle putdowns to the athletic department at dear old alma mater Michigan.

He may or may not be right about these things - but being who he is - he probably shouldn't say them.  I admire the confidence (or is it insanity?) but when you're already in a huge hole as the coach at Stanford ... don't make it worse.

(Via: MGoBlog) 

Final Count: 44 out-of-conference (OOC) games for all Big Ten teams in 2007.

Of those 44, we have 32 home games (.727), three neutral games (.068) and nine road games (.205).

Games against BCS conference opponents (and Notre Dame): 13/44 (.295)

Of those games against BCS conference opponents, eight are at home (.615), four are on the road (.308) and one is neutral (.077).

The Big Ten has lined up eight OOC games against teams that aren't in D-IA (.182).

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Opponents by Conference:

ACC - 1 (Duke)

Big East - 3 (Syracuse x 2, Pitt)

Big 12 - 2 (Iowa State, Missouri)

SEC - 0 (!!!)

Pac-10 - 3 (Washington, Washington State, Oregon)

Independents - 4 (Notre Dame x 4)

Mountain West - 1 (UNLV)

WAC - 1 (Nevada)

Conference USA - 1 (UAB)

Sun Belt - 2 (Florida International, Florida Atlantic)

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Shameful Non-DIA Opponents: (8) Youngstown State, The Citadel, Appalachian State, Eastern Illinois, North Dakota State, Indiana State, Northeastern, Western Illinois.

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Games I like: Ohio State/Washington, Wisconsin/Washington State, Michigan/Oregon, Michigan/Notre Dame, Penn State/Notre Dame, Iowa/Iowa State, Northwestern/Nevada, Michigan State/Pitt, Illinois/Missouri

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Per usual, I'l add the actual OOC schedules below in my first comment/reply to this entry.

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Notes:

The neutral games are often semi-home games for certain teams, but at a non-home venue.  Just something to take note of with the following - Iowa/NIU in Chicago (Soldier Field), Northwestern/Eastern Michigan in Detroit (Ford Field), Illinois/Missouri in St. Louis (Edward Jones Dome).

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2007 Out of Conference Schedules: SEC Edition
2007 Out of Conference Schedules: Pac-10 Edition