Alabama Faces Toughest Schedule In Country

[cloverleaf]

ESPN Power Football Index uses metrics to simulate how each FBS team will fare this season. Among the metrics is strength of schedule, and ESPN determined that Alabama faces the most difficult schedule in the country this year for its new Power Football Index. The FB Power Index gives Alabama a 12.9 percent chance of winning the SEC, ranking Alabama behind Georgia (25.5%), LSU (14.4%) and Tennessee (13.4%). Alabama is given a 1 percent chance of going undefeated, according to the simulations.

Top 10 Most Difficult Schedules:

1. Alabama
2. South Carolina
3. Arkansas
4. Southern Cal
5. Vanderbilt
6. Auburn
7. Texas A&M
8. Stanford
9. Texas
10. Washington

16. Virginia - rated toughest in ACC
24. Kansas - toughest in Big 12
29. Notre Dame - toughest Independent
40. Minnesota - toughest in Big 10
67. East Carolina - toughest in AAC
69. Western Kentucky - toughest in CUSA
75. UNLV - toughest in Mt. West
77. La-Monroe - toughest in Sun Belt

Some teams face a much more difficult grind than others!

 

[BigdaddyQH]

Auburn's HC Malzahn was crying about how tough it is for SEC teams to play in the playoffs because of their difficult schedule. Aside from the fact that his comments were a bunch of B.S, he managed to overlook a few facts. If the season is so tough, how come the SEC West got their tails kicked in last season's Bowl Games? What about the fact that BOTH Alabama and Auburn have what amounts to bye weeks before their big game, with Auburn hosting Idaho (5-42 in the past 4 years) and 'Bama hosting FCS Charleston Southern. As far as I am concerned, these ratings are meaningless because no one knows just how good or bad teams are before the season starts. I am also getting a little tired of Saban and Malzahn whining about everything. Alabama and Auburn seem to be looking for excuses. That is not a good sign.

 

[CoachCB]

Auburn's HC Malzahn was crying about how tough it is for SEC teams to play in the playoffs because of their difficult schedule. Aside from the fact that his comments were a bunch of B.S, he managed to overlook a few facts. If the season is so tough, how come the SEC West got their tails kicked in last season's Bowl Games? What about the fact that BOTH Alabama and Auburn have what amounts to bye weeks before their big game, with Auburn hosting Idaho (5-42 in the past 4 years) and 'Bama hosting FCS Charleston Southern. As far as I am concerned, these ratings are meaningless because no one knows just how good or bad teams are before the season starts. I am also getting a little tired of Saban and Malzahn whining about everything. Alabama and Auburn seem to be looking for excuses. That is not a good sign.

So basically: If the SEC doesn't win it all EVERY YEAR they stink?

Great post....

 

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The Muschamp Factor - Auburn

The talk about the Auburn Tigers this off-season has been Defense. After hiring former Florida coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator in December, fans and coaches have been wondering how much improvement can be made under the guy coach Gus Malzahn called the "best defensive mind in all college football."

The Tigers ranked 66th in total defense last year...98th in pass rushing but with future star DE Carl Lawson returning from an ACL tear, and ESPN's No. 1 recruit at defensive end Byron Cowart coming in, hopes are high the Tigers will be able to get to the quarterback. Muschamp believes the front seven will be the strength of the team. With a thin secondary, getting to the passer will be a top priority for a coach who loves to bring pressure.

So, will the defense be better under Muschamp this season? You can bet on it my friends!

 

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Baylor Offensive Machine

Can the Baylor Bears maintain their offensive excellence of the past four years? Baylor piled up 581 total yards per game last year...the second consecutive season the Bears led the NCAA and their fourth year in a row in the top two. They also had the nation's top-scoring offense the past two years, 48.2 points per game last season after 52.4 in 2013. Baylor has a new starter at quarterback in Seth Russell along with eight starters including 1,000-yard receivers Corey Coleman and KD Cannon. Nine back on defense to aid getting the ball back for the high-flyers.

So, can Baylor's offense match-up with the past four Bear offenses? Yes, and you can bet on it!

 

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Oklahoma's "Air Raid" Offense

Will Oklahoma's new offense get the Sooners back on track after two disappointing years? Stoops hired Lincoln Riley to bring back the Air Raid offense that the Sooners used primarily while winning eight Big 12 titles from 2000-2012. (remember OC Mike Leach)

So, can Oklahoma's new offense return the Sooners to the glory days? Don't know, mainly because of questions at quarterback. Who will it be.....returning starter Trevor Knight or Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield.

 

[GoSooners]

Oklahoma's "Air Raid" Offense

Will Oklahoma's new offense get the Sooners back on track after two disappointing years? Stoops hired Lincoln Riley to bring back the Air Raid offense that the Sooners used primarily while winning eight Big 12 titles from 2000-2012. (remember OC Mike Leach)

So, can Oklahoma's new offense return the Sooners to the glory days? Don't know, mainly because of questions at quarterback. Who will it be.....returning starter Trevor Knight or Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield.

Only time will tell on OU's offense, but I do like some of the things that Riley has changed. I never liked the way OU had the QB looking to the sideline for a play, and the clock running down to the last second before they snap it, or in many cases the clock running out. Those delay of game penalties used to drive me crazy! Riley is going to hurry up the offense a bit more, simplify the offense, and not the let the defense dictate what they are going to run like Huepel did in the past. So i like that. Something tells me it's going to be a dogfight between Mayfield and Knight. Mainly because i think this offense could suit Knight much more than Huepel's offense did. Mayfield is the better passer, but Knight is probably the better runner and more experienced. So it could be a tough decision between these two depending on the situation. Rumor is Mayfield will start the season.

 

[cloverleaf]

It wouldn't surprise me if Baker Mayfield started since he ran a similar offense at Texas Tech. He did have to sit out a year after transferring but I'm guessing he still practiced with the team. How did Mayfield do at Tech and why did he transfer...can't remember the problem there.

I'm guessing if one of the QBs adapts and produces for the offense...the Sooners may just surprise some folks this season, at least in the Big 12.

 

[cloverleaf]

Tough-Ass Job...Kansas

Looking at my first post, Kansas is rated just after Texas as having the most difficult schedule in the Big 12. Lord have mercy on the Jayhawks...please! Why bring the Lord into this? Well, it will take some divine intervention for this team to win a game this season. Kansas has won just four conference games (4-48) in the last six seasons.

Enter new head coach David Beaty who is a first time college head coach. He spent the past three season as Texas A&M's receivers coach. Is there a tougher job facing a coach in big boy college football? NO!

 

[russ1945]

Keep in mind the new OC has never had RB's like he now has. The running game will open up the passing game and visa versa. The opponent's DC's will take a while to adapt to OU's new system also. As far as I am concerned OU is 3 deep at QB and who starts is the least of my worries. They are even deeper than that at RB. Shepard is as good as they get at WR. The OL is they key.

 

[CFBLore]

Out of curiosity, which power 5 team has the easiest? Iowa perhaps? No OSU, MSU, UM, PSU.

 

[rolltide]

Out of curiosity, which power 5 team has the easiest? Iowa perhaps? No OSU, MSU, UM, PSU.

from a straight opponent 2014 winning % it is Duke followed by Iowa, Wisconsin, TCU, K State

if you go by ESPN's REM SOS rating is would be Iowa followed by Wisconsin, state penn, Duke, UNC

 

[GoSooners]

Much of the decision for Mayfield to start will depend on his shoulder. His injury has put him a little behind the 8 ball and Stoops would never reveal how serious it is, which is why I think this QB race will be close right up to kickoff.

http://www.scout.com/college/oklaho...1&spJobID=602202869&spReportId=NjAyMjAyODY5S0

 

[cloverleaf]

I disagree with my friend Russ a little about the importance of the QB in this new offense.

Like NASCAR, you can have a great team but if you don't have the driver...average at best.

Oklahoma's new offense needs someone who can drive the team in a special way.

 

[russ1945]

I disagree with my friend Russ a little about the importance of the QB in this new offense.

Like NASCAR, you can have a great team but if you don't have the driver...average at best.

Oklahoma's new offense needs someone who can drive the team in a special way.

My point really is that OU has an exceptional group of RB's and that takes some pressure off of the QB's. If they get a QB like you described look out.

 

[cloverleaf]

Same page Mr. R............

Provided the Sooners get past Tennessee in the second game...agree with you...look out!

 

[Conan]

Auburn's HC Malzahn was crying about how tough it is for SEC teams to play in the playoffs because of their difficult schedule. Aside from the fact that his comments were a bunch of B.S, he managed to overlook a few facts. If the season is so tough, how come the SEC West got their tails kicked in last season's Bowl Games? What about the fact that BOTH Alabama and Auburn have what amounts to bye weeks before their big game, with Auburn hosting Idaho (5-42 in the past 4 years) and 'Bama hosting FCS Charleston Southern. As far as I am concerned, these ratings are meaningless because no one knows just how good or bad teams are before the season starts. I am also getting a little tired of Saban and Malzahn whining about everything. Alabama and Auburn seem to be looking for excuses. That is not a good sign.

I never heard Pete Carrol whining when his team had to play Arkansas or Auburn on the road or played Ohio State on the road with a true freshman QB when he was top dog. Saban and Malzahn would come off sounding a lot better if they just said we gotta do what we gotta do and left it at that. Getting a shot at the NC was even harder than it is now with 4 schools getting a shot at the CFP instead of only 2.

 

[rolltide]

I never heard Pete Carrol whining when his team had to play Arkansas or Auburn on the road or played Ohio State on the road with a true freshman QB when he was top dog. Saban and Malzahn would come off sounding a lot better if they just said we gotta do what we gotta do and left it at that. Getting a shot at the NC was even harder than it is now with 4 schools getting a shot at the CFP instead of only 2.

Saban?

wtf you talking about? not only does he not whine about the schedule he is the one that insisted on Mal Moore (and now Battle) scheduling one serious power-5 opponent every September (clemson, va tech, fsu, michigan, wisconsin, usc ring a bell?). Hell he's also the only SEC coach that is pushing to eliminate one shit OOC game each year to serve a 9-match SEC schedule.

funny how Saban gets blamed for everything these days. Guess ISIS is his fault, el Nino, Social Security debt, and shitty reality TV as well?

you guys are

 

[GoSooners]

I disagree with my friend Russ a little about the importance of the QB in this new offense.

Like NASCAR, you can have a great team but if you don't have the driver...average at best.

Oklahoma's new offense needs someone who can drive the team in a special way.

I'm with you on this Clover. Right now I'm concerned about the OU QB's proving themselves on the field against the likes of Baylor and TCU. Until then I'm rollin' skeptical. Don't trust any of them (yet).

 

[RunLeeRun]

Saban?

wtf you talking about? not only does he not whine about the schedule he is the one that insisted on Mal Moore (and now Battle) scheduling one serious power-5 opponent every September (clemson, va tech, fsu, michigan, wisconsin, usc ring a bell?). Hell he's also the only SEC coach that is pushing to eliminate one shit OOC game each year to serve a 9-match SEC schedule.

funny how Saban gets blamed for everything these days. Guess ISIS is his fault, el Nino, Social Security debt, and shitty reality TV as well?

you guys are

I blame him for the federal reserve and the titanic, too.