College Football Preview – Top 25 – #20 BYU

by josh on June 19, 2008

Returning Starters
Offense: 10
Defense: 4

Key Player
Offense: Max Hall (QB)
Defense: Jan Jorgensen (DE)

Key Losses
Kelly Poppinga (LB)
Bryan Kehl (LB)
Korby Hodgkiss (S)
Kayle Buchanan (CB)

2007 Key Stats
11-2 (8-0)
Rushing Offense: 144 Yd/Game (67)
Passing Offense: 298 Yd/Game (14)
Scoring Offense : 30 Pt/Game (47)
Rushing Defense 97 Yd/Game (9)
Passing Defense: 210 Yd/Game (32)
Scoring Defense: 18 Pts/Game (9)
Sacks Allowed: 1.54/Game (34)

Schedule/Early Prediction
Aug. 30: Northern Iowa
Sept. 6: @ Washington
Sept. 13: UCLA
Sept. 20: Wyoming
Oct. 3: @ Utah St.
Oct. 11: New Mexico
Oct. 16: @ TCU
Oct. 25: UNLV
Nov. 1: @ Colorado St.
Nov. 8: San Diego St.
Nov. 15: @ Air Force
Nov. 22: @ Utah

Red: Loss- I’m convinced. E-Mail me your hate.

Summary
This is going to be a rather short preview compared to my others. I now have a 2nd job, plus night classes have started. I really don’t have the time to put into writing 5 days a week and putting all the research into these. I will do my best, but I value my sleep, so with that, #20, BYU.

BYU went 11-2 last year and it was a rather surprising finish for them. BYU had to replace NFL draft pick John Beck and only returned 11 starters and pulled off this 11 win season. While BYU doesn’t exactly play the toughest of schedules, the Cougars returning 9 on offense is going to be big for them.

Bronco Menenhall is going to depend heavily on his offense to carry and out score opposing teams as BYU only returns 3 on defense. It is going to be crucial for BYUs offense to continue building on last year’s performance.

The strength of this offense is along the offensive line where one time SEC All Freshman Tom Sorenson (transfer from Vanderbilt) anchors the line in the middle. Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds both anchor the left side and both gave up 0 sacks in Mountain West play and made the 1st team all conference to show for it. Tight End Dennis Pitta made the 1st team MWC himself grabbing 59 passes for 813 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The play of Max Hall was surprising to a lot of people in the college football community last year as the sophomore transfer from Arizona State put up 3800 yards and 26 TDs with only 12 INTs. Now that opposing defenses respect and realize what Hall is capable of doing, it will be interesting to see if he and returning WRs Michael Reed and Austin Collie will continue progressing together.

On defense the strength lies up front in this front 7, and it starts with end Jan Jorgenson who racked up 77 tackles and 14 sacks as a sophomore. Ian Dulan (DE) and David Nixon (MLB) are the only other 2 players that return from last year’s defense. There is not a lot of experience at nose tackle as projected starter Russell Tialavea was injured last year with a ACL injury, and backup Rick Wolfey has only 8 tackles to show for his playing time.

Kellen Fowler is the closest thing to a returning starter in the secondary as he was listed as the starter for the final four games for the Cougars, and as the senior in this group, will be depended on heavily to provide leadership to a rather inexperienced and undersized group.

Overall, I look for the defense to obviously drop off. It’s tough enough to run a 3-4 in college football as I would say 90% of college football teams don’t have the talent to run a 3-4. When your 3 listed returning starters are all in the front 7, and 2 are on the defensive line, it will be a tough year on defense. Ask Florida if it’s easier to replace 8 starters on offense, or 8 starters on defense.

Offensively this group is going to have to break the top 20 and average close to 40 a game IMHO in order to pull off the record I have them going. I see losses at Washington to open their road schedule, at Utah and an upset by TCU on primetime ESPN on Thursday night. Special Teams is a position I forgot to mention above, but will quickly let my readers know that the Cougars also have to replace their FG kicker and punter from last year.

I realize that it seems to be a popular pick for me, 9-3…9-3…9-3, for most of my predictions. For starters, I don’t see another year like last year with 4 and 5 loss teams putting people into New York and 2 loss teams vying for BCS Title games. Once I hit the top 15, I think you will see more 10-12 win predictions, so, stick with me here folks.

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My Home Run Derby Canidates

by sonny on June 19, 2008

I was lucky enough to attend the Home Run Derby a few year’s back when it was in Milwaukee at Miller Park. I came away amazed at how much better the event was live. This year’s competition will be nothing short of great as Yankee Stadium will be the backdrop. Compiling a list of eight players from both league’s, here is my prediction on who will going deep at Yankee Stadium next month.

*Stats through Wednesday June 18th. The Home Run Derby is composed of 4 players from each league.

American League
Josh Hamilton- 19 Home runs.
I never really paid attention to Hamilton until last week when I found out he was reaching 70 RBI’s. In 90 games last year, Hamilton had 19 jacks. He has now tied that mark and could easily be this year’s favorite if selected.

Carlos Quentin- 17 Home runs.
I haven’t really figured out what type of player Quentin really is, but after smacking 17 home runs thus far I think the kid is ready for the spotlight. I think Quentin could be a solid contributer to this year’s competition.

Marcus Thames- 13 Home runs.
This could be a shock, but for a guy who has never hit more than 26 bombs in a season Thames could be on pace for a special year. Already belting home 13 jacks in 120 at-bats, Marcus Thames could be a nice addition to the event. This could be a reach pick only because I feel Thames might not make the A.L. all-star team.

Nick Markakis- 12 Home runs.
Another surprise pick here for the American League. Markakis has averaged a home run in every week played since he has been in the league. Not bad for a guy who weighs in at 195. He should represent the Orioles at Yankee Stadium next month. [click to continue…]

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Randolph Canned, Nobody Shocked

by rich on June 17, 2008

Talk about a move that has been in the making for seemingly forever. Willie Randolph’s tenure as Mets manager has ended after a disappointing start to the 2008 season. While the Mets, who are floundering at 34-35 right now despite a payroll bigger than everyone in baseball not named the Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers, will have to press on with interim manager Jerry Manuel at the helm. You might remember Manuel from the one-dimensional White Sox teams he ran prior to Ozzie Guillen taking over. Then again, you might not.

What can we say about Randolph’s time as Mets manager that hasn’t been said about the Mets before. Underachievement will forever mark his time as manager after an epic collapse last year that can only be catergorized as hilarious. Compound last year’s disaster with the train wreck of a start to the 2008 season and you have the makings of a shit-canning.

Can we blame this whole thing on Randolph? Can we blame him for Carlos Delgado reverting back to playing like Pedro Serrano in the first half of the movie Major League instead of the Delgado that was one of the most feared left handed bats in the National League. Can we blame Randolph for Carlos Beltran not exactly living up to the five tool phenom that he was signed and promoted to be. Not entirely. It’s not his fault Pedro Martinez has all but kicked the bucket on his career. But thus is the tragedy in baseball; someone must take the fall.

Randolph will be missed in the media. Sure, he may not have rolled around the dugout with disguises on like previous managers, but he had his moments. I’d also like to note to GM Omar Minaya that, despite the illusion that I might not have the “experience” like Manuel, I’ll be awaiting a call for an interview for the job. What’s not to like about a resume that is chalked full of baseball video game strategy and a dabble of the Spanish language.

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The Legend of Tiger Continues to Grow

by ryan on June 15, 2008

When Torrey Pines was chosen as host of the 2008 U.S. Open, everyone and their mother safely assumed Tiger Woods would probably waltz right into the South Course and leave with another major. With 18 holes still to play, Tiger’s 14th major is close enough to smell. While that’s a ridiculous feat in itself, yesterday’s performance goes down in golf lore. Simple as that.

It’s downright silly. Nursing a knee injury that left him out of tournament golf for ten weeks, Tiger Woods has been able to tame a 7600 yard monster course, even though his knee buckled after every shot on yesterday’s historic backnine. Tiger knew he would cringe in pain after every shot late on Saturday. Didn’t matter, he hit great shot after great shot in one of the most tense atmospheres in sports: The weekend at the U.S. Open. That’s freakish, that’s mindboggling…that’s Tiger.

Once again, the storylines appear to be lining up for Eldrick. Today is Father’s Day, and we all know the impact Tiger’s dad had on his historic success. So, with that said, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Call up pops, lay your ass on the couch, and watch the magic continue. Tiger tees off at 4:30 p.m. EST, 18 holes away from cementing his legacy even further.

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Is Poker a Sport?
A lot of people who enjoy sports also play poker. It’s not a very demanding game physically but very competitive, especially at the top level. The best poker players in the world are treated like sports stars, and the high-stakes tables at the best poker sites are always viewed by lots of fans cheering for their favorites.

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