College Football Week – Preseason 2: Are we there yet?
Interesting and fun times during the
offseason: Coordinators, the ‘Saban Rule’
and Bootsie pulls a Rockledge Gator

Well, while we sit here and wait for the season to start…..are we there yet?.....it’s a good time to take a look at some of the interesting, fun and crazy things that happened during the long offseason.  Some sad times too.

No sooner had Florida State won the national championship, beating Auburn in the championship bowl, when the coordinators grabbed the spotlight – the headlines.  Yeah, Florida State was still celebrating, basking in their glory when the coordinators up and stole the Seminoles' show.  I’m talking about the offensive and defensive coordinators.    

It began when Lane “Little Kiffy” Kiffin was named the new offensive coordinator at Alabama.  The Tide’s OC – Doug Nussmeier – had left Tuscaloosa for Michigan, as in the Wolverines.  If that wasn’t enough, Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham – the Evil Dawg – announced he was going to Louisville.  Well, Georgia up and grabbed Florida State’s defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.  The same Jeremy Pruitt who had been Alabama’s defensive backs coach in 2012.  Does that mean Georgia is going to win the national championship this year?

And there’s more.  The two fat guys are back.  Former Kansas coach Mark Mangino was named the offensive coordinator at Iowa State, while former Maryland coach Ralph “The Fridge” Friedgen was named the offensive coordinator at Rutgers.  I guess they got tired of hangin’ out at Duncan Donuts…..or was it the Cheesecake Factory?  Maybe it was in Charlie Weis’ backyard.

And there’s more.  But let’s go back to the start and take things one step at a time. 

Where did it all begin?  First, just two days after Florida State won the national championship, Michigan coach Brady Hoke, under pressure himself, fired his offensive coordinator Al Borges.  The very next day, Hoke hired Doug Nussmeier away from Alabama.  Nussmeier had been the Tide’s OC since 2012.  Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator at Washington and Fresno State.  In college, Nussmeier quarterbacked Idaho under John L. Smith.     

Four days after Nussmeier was hired away by Michigan, Nick Saban announced that Lane Kiffin would be the new offensive coordinator at Alabama.  Kiffin had been fired by USC after only five games into the 2013 season.  Now, mark October 25 on your calendar.  That’s the day Alabama plays Tennessee in Knoxville.  Tell me that’s not going to be fun.  I can see the signs now.

Kiffin, by the way, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1975.  That’s when his father – Monte – was the defensive coordinator for the Huskers.  Kiffin played college ball – quarterback – at Fresno State.
On the same day Kiffin was hired at Alabama, new Louisville coach Bobby Petrino announced that Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was the new DC for the Cardinals.  Grantham had been Mark Richt’s defensive coordinator since 2010.  Grantham, by the way, was born in Pulaski, Virginia.

Georgia, in turn, hired Florida State’s defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to replace Grantham.  Just the year before, Jimbo Fisher hired Pruitt away from Alabama where he had been a defensive backs coach for five seasons – since 2007.  Pruitt coached on four national championship teams – three at Alabama and one at Florida State.

Then there are the horizontally-inclined guys.  On February 1, Rutgers hired former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen as its new offensive coordinator.  The Terrapins had fired Friedgen after the 2010 season.  He had coached the Terps for 10 years – since 2001.  Friedgen, a graduate of Maryland, had previously been an offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers, Georgia Tech and several other schools.

Later, Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads announced the hiring of former Kansas coach Mark Mangino as the Cyclones new offensive coordinator.  Mangino coached Kansas from 2002 to 2009 when he was fired.  Prior to that, he was Bob Stoops offensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

Two coaches who both served as defensive coordinators at Texas last season surfaced with new DC jobs.  First, Manny Diaz, who was fired by Texas coach Mack Brown after two games into the season last year was named the new defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech.  Diaz had been a real up-and-comer in college coaching, establishing a name for himself at Mississippi State where he was the defensive coordinator prior to Texas. 

Mack Brown replaced Diaz with Greg Robinson.  But Robinson lost his defensive coordinator job in Austin when Brown was fired at the end of the season.  Robinson was later named the new DC at San Jose State.  He is a former head coach at Syracuse and a former defensive coordinator at Michigan and for several NFL teams.   

This whole thing began at Alabama and now we are back at Alabama when in February Nick Saban was talking about adding 10 seconds to the 30-second clock to give defenses more time to substitute.  The 30-second play clock would become a 40-second play clock between plays.  Under the proposed rule, offenses would be penalized five yards if they snapped the ball with 30 or more seconds showing on the clock. 

Saban and other coaches were proposing this change to the NCAA rules committee.  South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier dubbed it the “Saban Rule.”  Actually, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema was a stronger proponent of the change than Saban.  ESPN polled all 128 FBS coaches and reported that only 23 were in favor of the change.     

In March, the NCAA withdrew the proposed 40-second clock rule from consideration.  The proposal was dropped because there was so much negative feedback to the rule from the majority of coaches.  Steve Spurrier, however, continued to make comments about Nick Saban.  Over the summer, when asked if Saban was the best coach in college football, Spurrier responded, “Well…..he’s the best recruiter in college football.”

Also in March, Bootsie was in Birmingham visiting her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.  Rockledge Gator stayed home to mind the fort in Florida.  With that scenario in mind, you are probably wondering what did Rockledge Gator do now.  But this time, the shoe was on the other foot.
On a Sunday morning in Birmingham, with her children and grandchildren at church, Bootsie stayed at the house to cook.  While cooking, she inadvertently set off the smoke alarm.  The smoke alarm, in turn, inadvertently brought a fire truck and four firemen to the house.  Yes, it sounds more like something Rockledge Gator would do, but he was 575 miles away this time.  But Rockledge Gator is thinking maybe it wasn’t so inadvertent after all.  It turns out the four firemen were young, well-chiseled and “easy on the eye,” according to Bootsie. 

There were a number of passings during the offseason, including Tom Gola, Pete Seeger, Shirley Temple Black, Sid Caesar and Earl Morrall to mention a few.  Tom Gola, 81, was a virtual folk hero in Philadelphia for his basketball exploits there in high school, college and the pros in the 1950s.  He led LaSalle to the NIT championship in 1952 and the NCAA championship in 1954.  He played for the Philadelphia Warriors when they won the NBA championship in 1956.

Pete Seeger, 94, was the singer-songwriter who spearheaded the American folk revival.  Sid Caesar, 91, pioneered live television series.  He and Imagine Coco helped to make my 1950s.  Meanwhile, Earl Morrall, 79, was best known as the backup quarterback who helped lead the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins to Super Bowls in the 1960s and 1970s.  He was an All-American quarterback at Michigan State.  Morrall led Michigan State to a 9-1 season, capped by a victory over UCLA in the 1956 Rose Bowl.  He quarterbacked the Colts to a 13-1 season after Johnny Unitas was injured, and the Dolphins to an undefeated season in 1972 after Bob Griese was injured.
           
Speaking of football, well the other football – but I like it too – a group of my friends who work with the Space Coast U14 Boys soccer team here in Brevard County are busy raising money to help with the team’s travel this season.  They are selling bags of pasta as a fund raising project.  The pasta is an ideal gift for your college football friends.  The bags are labeled with the logo of a specific college.  You can order the college (pasta) of your choice.  Check it out at this Website:

www.funpastafundraising.com/shop/space-coast-u14-boys-travel
  
I may have to order some with the Texas Tech logo for Swamp Mama.  She was mad last week because I failed to mention or talk about Kliff Kingsbury in Preseason 1.  He’s easy on her eyes.  She’s got it bad. 

And I tell you, I’m worried about Bootsie and Rockledge Gator.  Lately, the two of them have been spending so much time in Georgia and Alabama I’m not real sure but what they aren’t traitors.  First Rockledge Gator sent me a picture of a Bulldog eating a Gator.  Can you imagine?  Then Bootsie sends me a picture of her holding a frilly Auburn sign.  Of all things. 

Are we there yet?

Touchdown Tom
August 18, 2014
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Quotes of the Week

“I know you lie in recruiting a bunch and that’s just part of it,” West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen, on the realities of recruiting. 

“It’s time to move on.  You know it, I know it, your kid’s goldfish knows it.  Everybody knows it except Tebow.  He’s still working out like a maniac, consulting a passing guru in Los Angeles and campaigning for another NFL shot.  For your own good Tim, let it go.  There’s a much brighter future being yourself than trying to be the next Seth Lobato,” Orlando Sentinel columnist David Whitley.

“We are more talented on offense than we have ever been since I have been at Florida, Gator coach Will Muschamp, on his 2014 offense.

“We are a brotherhood that is not defined by cultural and personal differences, but rather an individual’s commitment to the Sun Devil way.  Chip is a fifth-year senior and a Scholar Baller, a graduate and a master’s student.  His commitment to service is unmatched and it is clear he is on his way to leading a successful life after his playing career, a goal that I have for every student-athlete.  Diversity and acceptance are two of the pillars of our program, and he has full support from his teammates and the coaching staff,” Arizona State coach Todd Graham, on ASU offensive lineman Edward “Chip” Sarafin who announced last week that he is gay.

“I do now.  I didn’t at the time.  I honestly took great pride in Wake Forest.  I had some really good friends there.  I trusted some people there.  I thought Wake was a little different than other schools.  I really, at the time, thought we were going to get a bigger commitment in terms of facilities and support for the program that never really materialized.  We loved all 13 years we were in Winston-Salem, but I’m not real happy with the way things ended,” former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, on his decision not to accept the Nebraska job offer in 2007.  Grobe was fired by Wake Forest at the end of last season. 


The Running Backs – 2014

From 1972 to 1983, running backs ruled.  For 12-straight years (1972-83), a running back won the Heisman Trophy.  But since 1983, only seven backs have won the Heisman.  The last RB to win was Alabama’s Mark Ingram in 2009.  Prior to Ingram, you have to go all the way back to 1999 to find a running back winning the trophy.  That was Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne.

Entering the 2014 season, seven running backs stand out from the others in the preseason laurels – three from the SEC, three from the Big Ten and one from the ACC.  The top 2 among the seven are Georgia junior Todd Gurley (6-1, 232) and Wisconsin junior Melvin Gordon (6-1, 207).

Last year, in an injury-plagued season, Gurley averaged 6.0 yards-per-carry, rushing for a total of 989 yards.  The Georgia back averaged 99 yards-per-game and scored 10 touchdowns.  Meanwhile, Gordon rushed for 1,609 yards in 2013 and scored 12 touchdowns.  The Badger running back averaged 124 yards-per-game and 7.8 yards-per-carry.

Gurley and Gordon are the preseason front runners, but three other backs aren’t far behind – Alabama junior T. J. Yeldon (6-2, 218), Nebraska senior Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 195) and South Carolina junior Mike Davis (5-9, 216).

Yeldon scored 14 touchdowns last season, averaging 103 yards-per-game.  He racked up a total of 1,235 yards, averaging 6.0 yards-per-carry.  Abdullah amassed a total of 1,690 yards on the season, averaging 6.0 yards per carry.  The Husker back averaged 130 yards-per-game and scored nine touchdowns.  Davis averaged 5.8 yards-per-carry, rushing for a total of 1,183 yards on the season.  He scored 11 touchdowns and averaged 99 yards-per-game.

Also receiving a lot of recognition at preseason are Miami (Florida) junior Duke Johnson (5-9, 206) and Michigan State senior Jeremy Langford (6-0, 205).  Johnson suffered from an injury-shortened season in 2013 but still managed 920 yards rushing, scoring six touchdowns.  He averaged 115 yards-per-game and 6.3 yards-per-carry.  Langford was the touchdown king, scoring 18 TDs while averaging 102 yards-per-game.  The Spartan back rushed for 1,422 yards total and averaged 4.9 yards-per-carry.
    
The SEC and the Big Ten are the strongest conferences at the running back position in 2014.  The two conferences are loaded.  In addition to Todd Gurley, T.J. Yeldon and Mike Davis, several other RBs will make the scene in the SEC.

For starters, Georgia and Alabama have no concerns whenever they give Gurley and Yeldon a rest.  The Dawgs remain a threat with junior Kenith Marshall (5-11, 219) as do the Tide with sophomore Derrick Henry (6-3, 238).  Arkansas has a dual threat in sophomore Alex Collins (5-11, 206) and junior Jonathan Williams (6-0, 223).  Between them, Collins and Williams rushed for more than 1,900 yards last year.

Florida has a new offense this season and hopefully senior Mack Brown (5-11, 215) and junior Matt Jones (6-2, 226) will be playing like new.  Both were hampered with injuries in 2013.      
Meanwhile, in the Big Ten, Melvin Gordon, Ameer Abdullah and Jeremy Langford will have their share of competition in the conference.  Indiana junior Tevin Coleman (6-1, 210) averaged 106 yards-per-game last year, including 7.3 yards-per-carry, while Minnesota senior David Cobb (5-11, 225) rushed for more than 1,200 yards in 2013.

Three other Big Ten backs to keep an eye on in 2014 are Iowa senior Mark Weisman (6-0, 236), Illinois junior Josh Ferguson (5-10, 195) and Northwestern senior Venric Mark (5-8, 175).  Weisman rushed for 975 yards in 2013 and Ferguson averaged 5.5 yards-per-carry.

Duke Johnson may be the marquee running back in the ACC, but close on his heels is Florida State senior Karlos Williams (6-1, 219).  When he got the ball, Williams averaged 8.0 yards-per-carry in 2013.

Three other notable backs in the ACC are Virginia senior Kevin Parks (5-8, 205), NC State junior Shadrach Thornton (6-1, 207) and Louisville senior Dominique Brown (6-2, 216).  Last year, Parks rushed for more than 1,000 yards and Brown averaged 5.1 yards-per-carry. 

Baylor sophomore Shock Linwood (5-8, 200) leads the list of Big 12 running backs, coming into the 2014 season.  In 2013, Linwood averaged 6.9 yards-per-carry.  Texas has a dual threat in senior Malcolm Brown (6-0, 228) and junior Johnathan Gray (5-11, 210).  Together, Brown and Gray rushed for almost 1,700 yards in 2013. 

Also, in the Big 12, keep an eye on Oklahoma State senior Desmond Roland (6-2, 210) and Iowa State senior Aaron Wimberly (5-9, 174).  Roland rushed for 811 yards last season.   West Virginia has a cadre of backs anyone of whom could prove interesting in 2014.  They are senior Dreamius Smith (5-11, 224), junior Andrew Buie (5-9, 190), junior Dustin Garrison (5-8, 185) and sophomore Rushel Shell (6-0, 215).

In the Pac-12, Oregon has two dangerous running backs – junior Byron Marshall (5-10, 201) and sophomore Thomas Tyner (5-11, 211).  Combined, they rushed for more than 1,700 yards in 2013 and both Marshall and Tyner averaged 6.2 yards-per-carry last year. 

Two other strong running backs in the Pac-12 are Arizona State junior D.J. Foster (5-11, 203) and USC junior Javorius Allen (6-1, 220).  Allen averaged 5.8 yards-per-carry last year.  Meanwhile, Oregon State junior Storm Woods (6-0, 211) hopes to make some noise in 2014.  

The AAC has three running backs of note, entering the 2014 season.  They are Connecticut senior Lyle McCombs (5-8, 171), UCF senior William Stanback (5-11, 221) and Memphis senior Brandon Hayes (5-8, 198). 

Two backs lead the MWC at preseason.  They are Boise State junior Jay Ajayi (6-0. 216) and San Diego State sophomore Donnel Pumphrey (5-9, 170).  In 2013, Ajayi tallied 1,425 yards, averaging 110 yards-per-game and 5.7 yards-per-carry.  As a freshman, Pumphrey averaged 6.0 yards-per-carry.  

The MAC has its share of good running backs.  The top two appear to be Bowling Green junior Travis Greene (5-10, 181) and Ball State senior Jahwan Edwards 5-10, 219).  Last year, Greene averaged 5.7 yards-per-carry and 114 yards-per-game, rushing for a total of 1,594 yards.  Edwards rushed for more than 1,100 yards, averaging 101 yards-per-game.

Three other good backs in the MAC are Akron senior Jawon Chisholm (6-1, 206), Kent State senior Trayion Durham (6-1, 248) and Miami (Ohio) junior Spencer Treadwell (5-10, 202).  Chisholm rushed for 869 yards in 2013.

Louisiana Tech junior Kenneth Dixon (5-10, 222) and UAB sophomore Jordan Howard (6-1, 228) headline C-USA, entering the 2014 season.  Last season Dixon rushed for 917 yards and Howard rushed for 881 yards.  Both backs averaged 6.1 yards-per-carry.

The Sun Belt is led by Louisiana-Lafayette senior Alonzo Harris (6-1, 216).  Harris rushed for 942 yards in 2013.  

Among the Independents, the marquee running back is BYU junior Jamaal Williams (6-0, 200).  Last year, Williams rushed for 1,233 yards, averaging 5.7 yards-per-carry and 103 yards-per-game.  Army has two dangerous backs in senior Terry Baggett 6-1, 200) and senior Larry Dixon (6-0, 238). 

Baggett averaged 103 yards-per-game in 2013, rushing for 1,113 yards and averaging 7.9 yards-per-carry.  Dixon averaged 6.4 yards-per-carry.  


TT’s Top Ten Favorite Running Backs at Preseason:

1. Todd Gurley – Georgia
2. Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin
3. Jeremy Langford – Michigan State
4. Ameer Abdullah – Nebraska
5. Mike Davis – South Carolina
6. T.J. Yeldon – Alabama
7. Duke Johnson – Miami (Florida)
8. Byron Marshall – Oregon
9. Jamaal Williams – BYU
10. Keith Marshall – Georgia


And keep an eye on:

Tevin Coleman – Indiana; Jahwan Edwards – Ball State; David Cobb – Minnesota; Jawon Chisholm – Akron; Josh Ferguson – Illinois; Shock Linwood – Baylor, and Jay Ajayi – Boise State.


The Other Positions – 2014

Wide Receivers

In today’s game, many consider the wide receiver to be the best and most popular position in football.  This year, the ACC, Pac-12 and Big Ten have some of the best wide receivers.  The ACC is led by Florida State senior Rashad Greene (6-0, 178), Pitt sophomore Tyler Boyd (6-2, 185) and Duke senior Jamison Crowder (5-9, 175).

The Pac-12 counters with USC junior Nelson Agholor (6-0, 185), Arizona State junior Jaelen Strong (6-3, 212) and Stanford senior Ty Montgomery (6-2, 215).  While the Big Ten offers Maryland junior Stefon Diggs (6-0, 195), Nebraska senior Kenny Bell (6-1, 185) and Michigan junior Devin Funchess (6-5, 230).

Wide receiver strength in the SEC comes from Alabama junior Amari Cooper (6-1, 204) and Ole Miss sophomore Laquon Treadwell (6-2, 224).  Among the best in the Big 12 are Baylor senior Antwan Goodley (5-10, 225) and Kansas State senior Tyler Lockett (5-11, 175).  Outside the Power Five conference, the best wide receiver appears to be Boise State senior Matt Miller (6-3, 220).      


Tight Ends

The SEC leads the way in 2014 in the tight end department.  Headlining the SEC are Auburn senior C.J. Uzomah (6-4, 264), Ole Miss sophomore Evan Engram (6-3, 217 and Alabama sophomore O.J. Howard (6-2, 240).
 
The ACC and Big Ten each have a pair of fine tight ends.  In the ACC, they are Florida State senior Nick O’Leary (6-3, 244) and Duke senior Braxton Deaver (6-5, 240).  The Big Ten counters with Ohio State senior Jeff Heuerman (6-5, 255) and Rutgers junior Tyler Kroft (6-6, 240).

The best in the Big 12 appears to be Iowa State senior E.J. Bibbs (6-3, 261), while Pac-12 has USC senior Randall Telfer (6-4, 250).  Among the Independents, Notre Dame has a quality tight end in senior Ben Koyack (6-5, 261).


Centers

The SEC and the Pac-12 provide us with some of the best centers in the country.  In the SEC, they are Auburn senior Reese Dusmukes (6-3, 295), Alabama junior Ryan Kelly (6-5, 290) and Georgia senior David Andrews (6-2, 295).  In the Pac-12, the best centers are Oregon senior Hroniss Grasu (6-3, 297), Oregon State junior Isaac Seumalo (6-4, 295) and USC junior Max Tuerk (6-6, 285).

The Big Ten has two outstanding centers in Michigan State junior Jack Allen (6-1, 300) and Northwestern senior Brandon Vitabile (6-3, 300).  The Big 12 has a fine center in Kansas State senior B.J. Finney (6-4, 303).


Offensive Guards

The ACC appears to lead the way with some of the best offensive guards.  They are Florida State senior Tre Jackson (6-4, 339), Georgia Tech senior Shaq Mason (6-1, 311) and Duke senior Laken Tomlinson (6-3, 320).  Also in the ACC are Florida State senior Josue Matias (6-6, 331), Louisville senior Jake Smith (6-4, 312) and North Carolina junior Landon Turner (6-4, 320).

The SEC is well represented with South Carolina senior A.J. Cann (6-4, 318), Auburn sophomore Alex Kozan (6-4, 300) and Alabama senior Arie Kouandjio (6-5, 315).  The Big 12 has a fine pair of guards in Kansas State junior Cody Whitehair (6-4, 309) and West Virginia senior Quinton Spain (6-5, 342).  The Pac-12 has a star in UCLA senior Malcolm Bunche (6-7, 327).  


Offensive Tackles

Among the best offensive tackles, the SEC dominates.  The conference is led by Texas A&M senior Cedric Ogbuehi (6-5, 300), LSU senior Lael Collins (6-5, 315) and Ole Miss sophomore Laremy Tunsil (6-5, 315).  Also, South Carolina senior Corey Robinson (6-8, 348) and Florida junior D.J. Humphries (6-5, 285).

The Big 12 has a pair of good tackles in Oklahoma senior Darryl Williams (6-6, 328) and Baylor junior Spencer Drango (6-5, 315).  From the ACC, there is Florida State senior Cameron Erving (6-6, 302).  The Pac-12 has Stanford junior Andrus Peat (6-7, 312), and the Big Ten offers Iowa senior Brandon Scherff (6-5, 320).  The best offensive tackle outside the Power Five is from the AAC.  He is Cincinnati senior Eric Lefeld (6-6, 309).


Defensive Ends

The nation’s best defensive ends are from the Big Ten and the Big 12.  The Big Ten provides Michigan State junior Shilique Calhoun (6-4, 257), Nebraska junior Randy Gregory (6-6, 245) and two Ohio State players – sophomore Joey Bosa (6-5, 285) and junior Noah Spence (6-3, 252).

Meanwhile, the Big 12 has Texas senior Cedric Reed (6-6, 271), Oklahoma junior Charles Tapper (6-4, 273), Kansas State senior Ryan Mueller (6-4, 245) and TCU sophomore Devonte Fields (6-4, 240).  The SEC has three top defensive ends – Florida junior Dante Fowler (6-3, 266), Alabama sophomore A’Shawn Robinson (6-4, 320) and Arkansas senior Trey Flowers (6-4, 267).

The remaining best DEs are from the ACC – Clemson senior Vic Beasley (6-2, 235) and Florida State junior Mario Edwards (6-3, 294), and the Pac-12 – Washington senior Hau’oli Kikaha (6-3, 250) and Stanford senior Henry Anderson (6-6, 278).   


Defensive Tackles

The SEC has some great defensive tackles – Mississippi State sophomore Chris Jones (6-5, 300), Ole Miss sophomore Robert Nkemdiche (6-4, 277), Alabama senior Brandon Ivory (6-4, 310) and Auburn junior Montravius Adams (6-4, 306). 

The Pac-12 has two great defensive tackles – USC junior Leonard Williams (6-5, 290) and Washington senior Danny Shelton (6-1, 327).  Also, the Big Ten with Ohio State senior Michael Bennett (6-2, 288) and Iowa senior Carl Davis (6-5, 315).

The Big 12 comes in with TCU senior Chucky Hunter (6-1, 300) and Texas junior Malcom Brown (6-4, 320).  From the ACC are Virginia Tech senior Luther Maddy (6-1, 291) and Clemson senior Grady Jarrett (6-1, 295).  Outside the Power Five, the best defensive tackle is Rice junior Christian Covington (6-3, 295).


  
Linebackers

The SEC and PAC-12 are loaded with good linebackers.  In the SEC are Tennessee senior A.J. Johnson (6-2, 242), Georgia sophomore Leonard Floyd (6-4, 220), Georgia senior Ramik Wilson (6-2, 232) and Alabama senior Trey DePriest (6-2, 245).  Also, Ole Miss senior Serderius Bryant (5-9, 218), Mississippi State junior Benardrick McKinney (6-5, 245) and Georgia junior Jordan Jenkins (6-3, 246).

Meanwhile, the Pac-12 counters with UCLA sophomore Myles Jack (6-1, 230), Stanford senior A.J. Tarpley (6-2, 238) and Washington junior Shaq Thompson (6-2, 225).  Also, USC senior Hayes Pullard (6-1, 230), UCLA senior Eric Kendricks (6-0, 230) and Oregon senior Derrick Malone (6-2, 220).

The Big 12 has three fine linebackers – Oklahoma junior Eric Striker (6-2, 242), Baylor senior Bryce Hager (6-2, 235) and Kansas senior Ben Heeney (6-0, 230).  The ACC contributes Miami (Florida) senior Denzel Perryman (6-0, 242) and Louisville senior Lorenzo Mauldin (6-4, 243).

The Big Ten’s lone linebacker on the best list is Michigan senior Jake Ryan (6-3, 235).  Among the Independents, Notre Dame has a dandy in sophomore Jaylon Smith (6-2, 230).  The AAC has two good ones in Temple junior Tyler Matakevich (6-1, 230) and UCF senior Terrance Plummer (6-1, 241).  And finally, the MWC has a top notch linebacker in Utah State junior Kyler Fackrell (6-5, 245).  


Cornerbacks

The ACC comes in with some of the best cornerbacks – Virginia Tech sophomore Kendall Fuller (5-11, 195), Florida State junior P.J. Williams (6-0, 196), Louisville senior Charles Gaines (5-11, 174) and Florida State junior Ronald Darby (5-11, 188). 

The SEC and Pac-12 each have three top cornerbacks.  In the SEC are Florida sophomore Vernon Hargreaves (5-11, 192), Texas A&M senior Deshazor Everett (6-0, 188) and LSU sophomore Tre’Davious White (5-11, 177).  The Pac-12 answers with Oregon senior Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (5-10, 195), Washington junior Marcus Peters (6-0, 198) and Stanford junior Alex Carter (6-0, 200).

The Big Ten’s best are Michigan junior Blake Countess (5-10, 183) and Michigan State junior Trae Waynes (6-1, 183).  The Big 12 has Texas senior Quandre Diggs (5-10, 204).  From the AAC is a good cornerback in Tulane junior Lorenzo Doss (5-11, 175).


Safeties

The SEC and ACC are the front runners with quality safeties.  From the SEC are Ole Miss senior Cody Prewitt (6-2, 212), Alabama junior Landon Collins (6-0, 215) and LSU junior Jalen Mills (6-1, 189).  The ACC counters with Florida State sophomore Jalen Ramsey (6-1, 198), Virginia senior Anthony Harris (6-1, 190) and Duke junior Jeremy Cash (6-2, 210).

The Big 12 and Pac-12 each have two top safeties.  In the Big 12 are TCU senior Sam Carter (6-1, 215) and West Virginia junior Karl Joseph (5-10, 194).  The Pac-12 answers with USC sophomore Su’a Cravens (6-1, 215) and Stanford senior Jordan Richards (5-11, 208).

The Big Ten has Michigan State senior Kurtis Drummond (6-1, 200).  The MWC has an outstanding safety in Fresno State senior Derron Smith (5-11, 200).  The AAC has a winner in UCF senior Clayton Geathers (6-2, 208). 


Kickers

The AAC has the most placekickers on the marquee list with two – South Florida senior Marvin Kloss 6-0, 196) and Memphis sophomore Jake Elliott (5-10, 160).  The best in the ACC is Florida State sophomore Robert Aguayo (6-1, 209).  The top kickers in the Pac-12 and SEC are Oklahoma senior Michael Hunnicutt (6-1, 178) and Georgia junior Marshall Morgan (6-3, 200) respectively.

The Big Ten is represented with Maryland junior Brad Craddock (6-1, 180), while the Pac-12 offers Utah sophomore Andy Phillips (5-11, 210).  The MAC has a sharp kicker in Toledo senior Jeremiah Detmer (5-8, 120).  The MWC has a good one with Colorado State senior Jared Roberts (6-12, 205).


Punters

The Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Sun Belt each have two of the best punters in the country.  From the Big Ten are Ohio State sophomore Cameron Johnston (6-0, 195) and Michigan State senior Mike Sadler (6-0, 170).  The Big 12 answers with Baylor senior Spencer Roth (6-5, 220) and West Virginia junior Nick O’Toole (6-3, 215).

The ACC offers Duke junior Will Monday (6-4, 210) and North Carolina senior Tommy Hibbard (5-10, 190).  From the Sun Belt are Louisiana-Monroe senior Justin Manton (6-2, 200) and Idaho sophomore Austin Rehkow (6-3, 202).  The SEC has Texas A&M junior Drew Kaser (6-3, 205).  And finally, the Pac-12 makes the list with Utah junior Tom Hackett (6-0, 187).


The Teams – 2014

It should come as no surprise that Florida State and Alabama are the No. 1 and No. 2 teams respectively in Touchdown Tom’s annual preseason poll.  Every year, I gather and average together as many legitimate preseason polls as I can find to come up with my Consensus Top 40.  This year’s Consensus Top 40 is the result of merging 11 different polls, including those of the preseason magazines, various sports websites and the USA Today Coaches and Associated Press polls.

As mentioned (1) Florida State and (2) Alabama are the top two teams in this year’s Consensus Top 40.  The Seminoles were first in 10 of the 11 polls.  Alabama was ranked second in 8 of the polls.  The remainder of the top 10 are (3) Oregon, (4) Oklahoma, (5) Ohio State, (6) Auburn, (7) UCLA, (8) Baylor, (9) Georgia and (10) South Carolina. 

Oklahoma beat out Florida State for No. 1 in one of the polls.  Oregon was second in two of the polls, while Ohio State was second in one poll.  Auburn’s highest ranking was third (in one poll).  UCLA also was third in one poll.  No one else in the top 10 placed higher than seventh.

The second ten starts with a tie (11) Stanford, (11) Michigan State, (13) LSU, (14) USC, (15) Wisconsin, (16) Notre Dame, (17) Clemson, (18) Ole Miss, (19) Texas and (20) Texas A&M.  Stanford was ranked sixth in one poll, as was Michigan State in another poll.  No one else in the second 10 was ranked higher than 11th. 

The rest of the top 25 are (21) Florida, (22) North Carolina and a three-way tie at (23) Kansas State, (23) Nebraska and (23) Washington.  Filling out the top 30 are (26) Arizona State, (27) Michigan, (28) Mississippi State, (29) Louisville and (30) Iowa.

The final 10 of the Top 40 are tied at (31) Miami (Florida), (31) UCF, (33) TCU, (34) Virginia Tech, (35) BYU, (36) Oklahoma State, (37) Marshall, (38) Missouri, (39) Duke and (40) Boise State.  Just missing the Top 40 were Texas Tech and Oregon State at 41 and 42 respectively. 

The SEC placed 10 of its 14 teams (71.4%) in the Top 40 (4 in the top 10), followed by the ACC with 7 of its 14 teams (50%) and the Big 12, Big 10 and Pac-12 with six teams each.  The Big Ten only placed 42.9% of its teams in the Top 40.  

There were two Independents ranked in the Top 40 – Notre Dame and BYU.  The AAC (UCF), C-USA (Marshall) and the MWC (Boise State) were the only non-Power Five conferences to place teams in the Top 40.  The highest ranked MAC and Sun Belt teams were Bowling Green at 53 and Louisiana-Lafayette at 60 respectively.

Last year, (1) Alabama and (2) Ohio State were the top two teams in my Consensus Top 40.  However, Florida State and Auburn finished first and second at the end of the season.  In last year’s Consensus Top 40 at preseason, Florida State was ranked 10th and Auburn was – would you believe – 46th.  So don’t feel concerned if your team isn’t in the Top 40.  


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo of Tarpon Springs, Florida, has been named the starting quarterback for UCF when the Knights open their season August 30 against Penn State in Dublin, Ireland.  DiNovo beat out three other candidates….  Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin named sophomore Kenny Hill as the starting quarterback for the Aggies.  Hill is from Southlake, Texas. 

TCU and California have agreed to a home-and-home series in 2020 and 2021.  The Horned Frogs will host the first game….  True freshman John Wolford has been named the starting quarterback for Wake Forest.  Wolford is out of Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida….  Ohio State has added UNLV to its 2017 schedule and Oregon State to its 2018 slate.  Both games will be played in Columbus. 

Former Texas quarterback Vince Young has been hired by the University of Texas to be part of the school’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement program.  Young will serve as a development officer for the program, raising money to help first-generation and low-income students….  California and North Carolina have agreed to a home-and-home series for 2017 and 2018.  The Tar Heels will host the first game. 

Touchdown Tomwww.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were two passings of note last week – Robin Williams, Ed Nelson and Lauren Bacall.

Robin Williams, the comedian who evolved into the surprisingly nuanced Academy Award-winning actor, imbuing his performances with wild inventiveness and a kind of manic energy, died last week at his home in Tiburon, California.  He was 63.  Robin McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago on July 21, 1951, and was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Marin County in California.  He studied acting at the Julliard School. 

Ed Nelson, a prolific actor who became a familiar face to American television audiences over 40 years, notably as a star of the prime-time soap opera “Peyton Place,” died last week in Greensboro, North Carolina.  He was 85.  He also appeared in scores of other popular television shows, including “Have Gun – Will Travel,” “Bat Masterson,” “Gunsmoke,” “Rawhide,” “The Rifleman,” “The Detectives,” “The Untouchables,” “The Fugitive,” “The FBI,” “The Rockford Files” and “Quincy, M.E.”  Edwin Stafford Nelson was born on December 21, 1928, in New Orleans.  He graduated from Tulane University. 

Lauren Bacall, the actress whose provocative glamour elevated her to stardom in Hollywood’s golden age and whose lasting mystique put her on a plateau in American culture that few stars reach, died last week.  She was 89.  Lauren Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske in New York City on September 16, 1924.  Bacall, with a single “l” was her mother’s maiden name.  Lauren added the second “l” when she went to Hollywood.  Movie director/producer Howard Hawks gave her the name Lauren.  But her family and close friends called her Betty throughout her life.  Bogart always called her Baby.