A few teams to go with and against?

upstatenycapper · Jun 30, 2003

Its early but lets get cracking.

I see Army and Baylor tanking against the spread, and TCU and SJSU doing well.

I have mixed emotions with TCU so use caution.

As long as qb Gunn and rb's Hobbs and Madison are healthy, pull the trigger. The TCU off-line is big, mobile and powerful and should provide Gunn time to find Harrel, Galbert, and Brown. Wr factors to be the biggest obstacle in the TCU offense since the team lost both Madise and Dunbar.

TCU will once again have one of the best defenses in the nation. Dt Pugh, de Schobel, lb Patterson, and cb's Godbolt and Sanders are some of the best in Conference-USA.

Army is right down the road so coverage is a bonus; from reporters and open-public practice. The qb situation is key but the offensive line is young and very in-experianced. Depth is a major concern for coach Berry.

Baylor is Baylor regardless of who the administration brings in. From what I understand rb Armstrong might be ineligible. Newhouse is gone so that leaves qb Karras with only Quimoga. The offensive line allowed 52 sacks in 02 and the only returning starters are lt Outland and c fields. This spells trouble. Spring reports were not favorable as the replacements were all out of shape and very slow.

Look for defensive progress from the Spartans of SJSU. 16 starters return.

I like the look of the defensive line with Perry and Gustus. I see a tremendous year for de Brown. The lb's took a hit with the loss of LaHerron but keep your eye on Okumu and Ossai.

The Spartan backfield, in my opinion, might be the best in the WAC. The Spartans ranked 3rd in int's. Powell and Jones are again poised for another special season.

Other teams that might tank include Utep, Utah-St, Cal, and Ark-State.

TheGeneral+ · Jun 30, 2003

Thanks & welcome aboard The Rx

mr_oliver · Aug 1, 2003

Keep on an eye on Air Force this year.

ppeter · Aug 2, 2003

I am dying to bet against Florida all season

I predict Zook will be gone by the end of the season.

Washington should be good ats early, the linesmakers will overreact to the Neiheisel matter, the Huskies won't miss a beat under Gilbertson

Proman · Aug 16, 2003

PPeter Good Post

I agree that Zook is terrible. His on field decisions leave a lot to be desired. However, the best time to go against Florida was last year. The team has talent. This is the first time that they are sort of an underdog to win the SEC. There is a chance Zook could learn from his mistakes an allow the assistants to play a larger role.
The QB at Washington will keep them in a lot of games despite Neuheisal not being there. Their defense will still be a little shaky.

primetime21+ · Aug 16, 2003

ppeter, why do you think washington won't miss a step without neuheisal. What have you heard from washington? I would think that there would be at least mild chaos.

primetime21+ · Aug 16, 2003

reading up on the new washington head coach and he doesn't seem to be overqualified. He coached at cal and didn't do much. He himself thinks that he was never going to have another chance to coach.

Then again, i think neuheisal was very overrated as a head coach so it can't be too much of a drop off.

silver7 · Aug 17, 2003

Watch this conf., as they are usually undervalued. NIU, Miami Oh, Akron, & UCF are all worth watching especially in a "dog" role. 2 early gms, Miami @ Iowa and NIU vs Md. Also like the Zips vs Kent. All pending the # of course! LOL

DanTanna · Aug 18, 2003

Good post upstate.
But I have to disagree with your assumption that Arkansas State might tank. This team has as much or more talent than they've had in years. They've got their QB Jacobs back, along with RB Warren who rushed for about 800 yards last year despite being out half the season with bruised ribs, and sharing time with Sun Belt Player of the Year D Smith. ASU also signed a highly recruited RB juco transfer in Shemar Bracey. At receiver they've signed Mike Cox, who shattered Jason Sehorn's record for yards and receptions at Shasta College in California. On defense, they return 9 players, including two 1st All-Conference players in Jon Bradley and Corey Williams.
This ASU team has been playing good football under their new coach Steve Roberts. I expect them to build on that this year.

huskie88 · Aug 20, 2003

Washington would have had better coaching this year because of Snow, the new DC and secondary coach, and Cozzetto new the OL coach. They are huge upgrades over Hundley as DC now LB coach and Hauck as Secondary coach now Head Coach of Montana, ugh, and Meyers now OL and Assistant Head Coach of Utah, ugh.

Snow has simplified the defense and emphasized tackling, a novel concept from Hundley who seemed to like to blitz a cornerback every 5 plays and inevitably get burned. Snow was a very good DC at ASU and turned around UCLA's defense the last 2 years.

Cozzetto has worked on the OL to blast out, and open up for a running game. He is great OL coach from Oregon State and previously was OL coach and OC at ASU when they almost won a National Championship with Jake Plummer.

New Head Coach Gilbertson was the offensive coordinator for 91 National Championship Team, grew up in Washington loving the Huskies, he is beloved by the team and is a Don James protege like Gary Pinkel at Missouri. He is bringing discipline, toughness and organization to a talented UW team. Neuheisel recruited well he just was soft and sloppy and the team reflected it.

This team is capable of giving Ohio State a very good game with the major question marks of 2 new freshmen kickers starting their first game at the Shoe and whether they will be able to run on Ohio State at all.

Defensively they will be tough for Ohio State to run on with potential all Pac 10 players like DT Terry Johnson and ILB Marquis Cooper.

Offensively Reggie Williams and Charles Frederick are probably the best tandem of WR's in the country and Cody Pickett is one great tough, competitive QB, against Ohio State missing Doss UW will score through the air.