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What??!?!?!?!

January 7th, 2008, 12:23 pm by patrickdonohue

The Associated Press is reporting that Hawaii coach June Jones is leaving Hawaii to become the head coach at … wait for it… SMU.

This is a story that makes absolutely, positively no sense to me. As I sit here trying to reason why Jones would leave a school that, gets no nationally credibility mind you, to coach a team that went 1-11 last year. I get that it’s a challenge to put SMU back on the map but of all the jobs open in college football, he takes this one? Granted he will make more than $2 million a year, which one would be crazy to think didn’t factor into this decision in a big ole way but why this job.

Hats off to SMU athletic director Steve Orsini who has managed to bag former UNC head coach Matt Doherty to coach the Mustangs men’s basketball team and now Jones, who was mentioned in connection to a number of big-time head coaching vacancies including UCLA.

I am just blown away by this story.

Posted in: College Football • Hawaii | Post a Comment »

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2008, 11:38 am by patrickdonohue

2008 is starting with a handful of great college football games. The two games that have my attention is the Outback and Capital One Bowl. But something very special could happen in that Capital One matchup, the kids from Michigan have come out of the gate jacked up and Florida had better figure it out and match their intensity or a team that was voted to lose by 93 percent of American football fans in an ESPN poll could send head coach Lloyd Carr out on a high note. On an unrelated sidenote, I have no idea why Rich Rodriguez is a) at the game and b) standing on the sideline. At first blush, it is a completely classless, attention-grabbing move by the Wolverines new head coach.

Posted in: College Football • Florida Gators • Michigan Wolverines | Post a Comment »

‘Tis the season

December 31st, 2007, 8:54 am by patrickdonohue

Bowl projections are going pretty well going into the homestretch, with an overall winning percentage of 60%. As we head into the BCS games and the major bowl games that present the most exciting matchups, I thought I’d look at what have been the most disappointing teams for me this bowl season:

ARIZONA STATE

Dennis Erickson’s team opened the Holiday Bowl playing as flat as a two week old bottle of Mountain Dew rolling around the floor board of your car. Though I was never a believer in the idea that Arizona State ever deserved to be mentioned among the elite of college football, I fully expected the Sun Devils to come out and play motivated football against an inconsistent Texas team but my hats off to Mack Brown, who got his guys up for that game and they got embarrassed Arizona State on national television. This season may have been a step forward for the Sun Devil program but giving up 52 points on national television and getting outplayed in every aspect of the game is never good for business.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

I was a big believer in UCF going into the bowl season after watching Kevin Smith, the nation’s leading rusher, slice and dice the Tulsa defense in the Conference USA championship. But they got caught playing Bulldog football. The 10-3 win Mississippi State got in Saturday’s Liberty Bowl is exactly the kind of win Sylvester Croom’s team has gotten all year. To George O’ Leary’s credit, he tried to go with what got him there, handing the ball to Smith 35 times but Mississippi State clamped down on the run, forcing the Knights to turn to quarterback Kyle Israel. And that’s when things got a little ugly. Israel threw for just 88 yards and three interceptions. You have to give some credit to Sylvester Croom for getting this Mississippi State team, one of the most offensively ugly teams I’ve ever seen, to eight wins. I fully anticipate a return to mediocrity for the Bulldogs in ‘08 but their ‘07 campaign is as good a story as any in college football.

Posted in: College Football • Texas Longhorns • University of Central Florida | Post a Comment »

Back

December 26th, 2007, 7:35 am by patrickdonohue

Back in Destin after a chilly trip back to Indiana. The bowl picks are fairing alright at 3-3 going into today’s Motor City Bowl. No real surprises though I was happy to see Howard Schellenberger and FAU get a big bowl win over Memphis in a game that was never really close. I am kind of surprised by the effort Chris Petersen’s Boise State team gave in the Hawaii Bowl, just seemed like Skip Holtz’s ECU Pirates wanted it more and won a close one. So before I left, my girlfriend and I were kicking around some new top 20/top 20 lists and I’m definitely interested in doing that and, of course, getting your lists in return so keep an eye peeled for that. I haven’t forgotten about the Patties and will likely do those after the bowl season (the way they should award the Heisman).

Posted in: College Football | Post a Comment »

Bowl Pick ‘Em Finale

December 20th, 2007, 12:56 pm by patrickdonohue

Monday, Jan. 7 - Allstate BCS National Championship

Ohio State vs. LSU

Before last year’s BCS National Championship game, some foolish, young sportswriter wrote this about Ohio State:

“No offense Florida faced this year is packed with the kind of dynamite the Buckeyes will have when Troy Smith … lines up under center… The difference between the two teams … is that Ohio State has Troy Smith and Florida doesn’t.”

Yes, I can admit when I’m wrong and boy, was I wrong. What followed was a humbling lesson in prognostication as Florida’s defense pressured Smith all night and limited him to less than 50 yards passing, winning the national championship easily.

So here we are again.

The Ohio State team that heads down to New Orleans is very different from the juggernaut that I, and many others, thought last year’s Buckeyes to be. This year’s Ohio State team is coming in a little under the radar but needless to say, I won’t be going that far out on a limb for Jim Tressel’s team against this year. Especially not against LSU.

The key for LSU will be finding a weakness in the nation’s best defense, a task that will prove tricky, particularly considering how bland the Tiger offense has looked at various points this year. Without question, the strength of the LSU offense lies with Jacob Hester and their ground game. I wonder how Les Miles will respond if Ohio State stuffs the run early and LSU has to take to the air against the nation’s top-ranked pass defense. Having Matt Flynn back in the lineup will help LSU changes things up on offense and use backup Ryan Perriloux strategically and not as an every down quarterback. LSU will have to find Vernon Gholston on every snap and will likely double team Gholston, who finished fourth in the country with 13 sacks.

Without question, this game will be won or lost for both teams when Ohio State has the ball. It will be the ability of junior Todd Boeckman to stay patient and poised in the pocket and make feet with his feet when he has to as he will likely see an exotic combination of blitz packages from a defense loaded to the gills with NFL-caliber talent. If you’re a fan of great offensive and defensive line play, this is the game for you because when Ohio State has the ball, the tempo of the game will be decided by the big guys up front. If Ohio State can control the tempo of the game and the line can open holes for Beanie Wells, the national championship trophy will be headed to Columbus but if the LSU line can confuse Ohio State into missing assignments and not account for blitzing defenders, Boeckman will turn the ball over and the Buckeyes will lose. I have to wonder what effect the departure of defensive coordinator Bo Pelini for Nebraska will have on his unit or whether it will be business as usual for this quick, ball hawking defense.

In the words of the President, “fool me once, shame on me, fool me.. you can’t get fooled again.” I’m going with Ohio State in this one. I question Les Miles’ decision making, especially in a close game and this LSU team has been living on the edge all year long. Todd Boeckman at QB for Ohio State scares me but he has weapons in Robieski and Hartline and one of the best young running backs in the country in Beanie Wells at his disposal. I’ve just seen LSU’s offense flounder so horribly against teams with much worse defenses than Ohio State’s to believe they are capable of moving the ball up and down the field on this Buckeye defense.

Posted in: College Football • LSU • Les Miles • Ohio State Buckeyes | Post a Comment »

Bowl Pick ‘Em - Day 10

December 17th, 2007, 12:59 pm by patrickdonohue

Saturday, Jan. 5 - International Bowl

Ball State vs. Rutgers

I’ll never understand why bowl games like the International Bowl and the GMAC Bowl position themselves after the BCS bowls but before the national championship but the second-ever International Bowl could be an interesting game. The game features a matchup between two head coaches who were both mentioned for the Michigan head coaching job in Rutgers’ Greg Schiano and Ball State’s Brady Hoke. Rutgers has been a steady, if not unspectacular football team, after becoming a household name last season. Offensively, Rutgers strategy has been simple: Hand the ball to Ray Rice. Rice finished first in the Big East and third nationally in rushing yards and Ball State may try to load the box to stuff the run and make Mike Teel, he of 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the year, beat them. Defensively, the Cardinals haven’t had too much success stuffing the run, allowing almost 200 yards rushing a game, 99th best in the country. My hats off to Brady Hoke for the job he has down turning around this Ball State team but I don’t forsee one of the weakest rushing defenses being able to slow down one of the country’s most prolific rushers. I’m going with Schiano and Rutgers in this one. Look for Rice to rush for at least 125 and for Rutgers wideout Tiquan Underwood to have a big day going up against a mediocre Ball State secondary, which will likely be focused primarily on stuffing the run.

Sunday, Jan. 6 - GMAC Bowl

Bowling Green vs. Tulsa

Those not familiar with Tulsa and quarterback Paul Smith had better get acquainted. The senior is every bit as good as Colt Brennan and is leading an offense that finished the season averaging 542 yards per game, tops in America. Nationally, Smith ranks in the top 10 in the country in pass efficiency, passing yards per game and total passing yards. Ranked second only to Heisman winner Tim Tebow, Smith is 2nd in America in points responsible for, accounting for more than 25 points a game, .12 points less than Tim Tebow. Truthfully, I don’t see how Bowling Green competes in this one. Giving up more than 413 yards per game on defense and averaging 416 yards on offense, I don’t think the Falcons can keep up in a shootout. The most BG can hope for is a soggy day in Mobile that might limit the ability of Smith to throw the ball or hope that the NCAA amends the rules prior to kickoff and begins allowing 14 men on the field on defense. I saw Paul Smith play in the Conference USA Championship game against UCF and was very impressed with his poise in the pocket and his accuracy and if Bowling Green gives him time in the pocket, he will put up 60. No surprise here, Tulsa in a rout.

NOTE: I’ll be posting my pick for the National Championship game in tomorrow’s Pick ‘Em. Along with a wrap up of all my picks.

Posted in: Big East • College Football • Rutgers | Post a Comment »

Bowl Pick ‘Em - Day 9

December 14th, 2007, 10:48 am by patrickdonohue

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - Allstate Sugar Bowl

Hawaii vs. Georgia

The Warriors travel to the Mainland in their first BCS game in school history to try to prove that they are worth of their BCS berth after going undefeated while playing one of the weakest schedules in all of college football. Unfortunately for Hawaii, they aren’t playing another undeserving team (like Kansas), they have to play Georgia, one of the hottest team’s in the country. Georgia must be sure not to get follow the trend set by other teams that narrowly missed their chance to play for the National Championship, only to get upended in their bowl game (Ask Michigan about that). Defensively, I don’t think Hawaii has what it takes to hang with the Bulldogs as long as they don’t turn the ball over. Knowshon Moreno’s Heisman candidacy in 2008 will begin in New Orleans, expect the redshirt freshman to run for at least 150 as Hawaii has never gone against a line as big or as physical as Georgia’s all year. For Georgia’s offense, the play of true sophomore quarterback Matt Stafford will be the key. Stafford’s a gunslinger and his decision-making has been questionable at times last year and this year and limiting his brain farts will be huge for Georgia’s offense. But the game will truly be won or lost on defense for UGA. Georgia’s corners don’t match up well against Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen and the unit has failed to force defensive turnovers all year, ranking just 85th in the country in turnovers forced. Willie Martinez’s unit is extremely physical and has been a solid run-stopping team all year, a skill that won’t come in particularly handy against an offense that has run the ball just 261 times all year. Still, I like Georgia’s physicality in this game and given how poorly Hawaii has played on the road this year (narrowly winning at Louisiana Tech, at Nevada and at San Jose State), I’ll take Georgia in what could be the most entertaining of all the BCS bowls.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Oklahoma vs. West Virginia

A second consecutive trip to the Fiesta Bowl and I’m guessing that Bob Stoops and the Sooners hope this one ends better than their last visit to Tempe. A year removed from losing one of the greatest bowl games in college football history to Boise State, the Sooners come into this year’s game against West Virginia riding high off a schlacking of Missouri in the Big 12 title game. Facing one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and one of the most underrated receivers in the country in Darius Reynaud, the Sooners will be without All-Big 12 first-teamer Reggie Smith, who broke his big toe in the Big 12 Championship game and will miss the Fiesta Bowl. For West Virginia, the game will be a test to get their offense back on the rails after they were completely dominated by Pittsburgh, scoring a season-low nine points, in their dream-shattering loss at home. The Mountaineers will need Pat White to prove that he has recovered from a dislocated thumb that kept him out of most of the game against Pitt and Steve Slaton will need to show that he can be the game-changing back everyone expected him to be at the beginning of the year, a feat that will prove to be most difficult against all-universe linebacker Curtis Lofton and a stout Oklahoma defense that finished in the nation’s top 20 in total defense that gave up less than 100 yards a game on the ground all year long. The game will rest squarely on the shoulders of Pat White for West Virginia. Oklahoma isn’t likely to give up much on the ground, much to the chagrin of the Mountaineers, who finished the season averaging 292 yards per game on the ground. White will need to exploit an Oklahoma secondary that, even with Smith, finished 68th in the country against the pass. On offense, Oklahoma will have to play mistake-free football when they line up against a West Virginia defense, led by All-Big East defensive tackle, Keilen Dykes, who finished in the nation’s top 10 in passing and rushing defense. I’m going against my instincts on this one and taking Oklahoma. Bob Stoops finds a way to get his guys motivated for the big games and I didn’t like what I saw from West Virginia last week.

Thursday, Jan. 3 - FedEx Orange Bowl

Kansas vs. Virginia Tech

If I am to miss a single BCS snap this year, they will likely all accumulate in this one game. In one corner, you have Virginia Tech, a team with a brilliant defense and a something-less-than-brilliant offense and Kansas, a completely fraudulent BCS team, who has no business playing in this game given that they loss to the other viable opponent they played all season. Virginia Tech will need to get pressure on Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, something they have shown little problem doing this year, finishing in the top ten in the nation in sacks. Offensively, Virginia Tech has been one of the most frustrating teams to watch all year as they putter down the field like an old lay in the grocery store when you’re trying to pick up a few things on the go. But they seemed to have found a way to minimize Sean Glennon’s horrible-ness and mix a two quarterback system with the aforementioned Glennon and freshman Tyrod Taylor splitting snaps. It’s hard to gauge what kind of a chance Kansas has in this one given that they have only played one legitimate opponent all year (and got it handed to them). I’ll take Virginia Tech in a close one. Neither of these teams are particularly great and it could be a game of field possession and turnovers. Too bad The Office isn’t air new episodes.

Posted in: ACC • Big 12 • Big East • Bob Stoops • College Football • Colt Brennan • Georgia Bulldogs • Oklahoma • SEC • Virginia Tech • WAC • West Virginia | Post a Comment »

Bowl Pick ‘Em Day 8

December 13th, 2007, 1:21 pm by patrickdonohue

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

Texas Tech vs. Virginia

This game presents one of the truly great matchups of the entire bowl season. For UVA, you have a tough defense led by Chris Long and his 14 solo sacks, tops in the ACC going against Mike Leach, Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree and another explosive Texas Tech offense. With two such evenly matched units lining up against each other, it seems pertinent to look at the other side of the ball for each team. Offensively, UVA has struggled to score points offensively, finishing seventh in the ACC in scoring offense. Quarterback Jameel Sowell has been solid but unspectacular and hasn’t got much help from a UVA offensive unit without a player in the ACC’s Top 10 in rushing, reception and receiving yards. If the Cavaliers are to have success offensively, it will likely have to be on the ground with Sowell making plays and improvising on the run. Al Groh would do well to stay out of the skies against the Big 12’s top ranked pass defense and away from Texas Tech sophomore Jamar Wall who finished tied for second in the conference in interceptions. UVA’s defense has been good but not good enough to stop an offense that is AVERAGING 537 yards per game, the nation’s 2nd best. Look for Chris Long to get at least one sack, the great ones always find a way, but Long won’t be enough to slow down the nation’s leading quarterback and receiving combo. I’ll take Texas Tech in what could be Mike Leach’s last game in Lubbock.

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - Capital One Bowl

Florida vs. Michigan

Rather, the Storyline Bowl. In one corner, Michigan comes into the game off a disappointing season, losing its first two in catastrophic fashion and ending the season on a two-game losing streak, losing against to Ohio State. The Wolverines have a little extra motivation/distraction as the game will be head coach Lloyd Carr’s last game at Michigan. For Florida, Tim Tebow comes into the game after making Heisman history last week as the only sophomore ever to take home the trophy for the nation’s best player and has cemented a bull’s eye squarely on his back. Offensively for Michigan, Chad Henne has to have a big day and could very well going up against a Florida pass defense that finished dead last in the SEC. I like how Michigan stacks up against Florida’s corners with Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington. My concern is that the offensive strategy will be centered too much on Mike Hart and against a Florida defense that allowed just 99 yards a game on ground, the SEC’s best, rushing yards could be hard to come by. Michigan has to give Henne enough touches to let him get into a rhythm and pick apart this young, inexperienced Florida secondary and use Hart strategically. On defense, I think Florida’s offense poses some very troubling mismatches for this Michigan defense, particularly with the size and speed of Tebow, Percy Harvin and Bubba Caldwell. Michigan has been steady in shutting down the pass but their ability to defend the spread and keep Tebow in the pocket and not running around will be key in this game. Offensively, I just think Florida has too much speed for Michigan but if Henne plays well and the offense is centered around exploiting Florida’s secondary, Michigan could send Lloyd Carr out with a win. I’m still going with the Gators and more importantly with Tebow in this one.

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - The Rose Bowl

Illinois vs. USC

No bowl has a greater tradition than the Rose Bowl, the Granddaddy of Them All, but I think it’s safe to say that the Rosel Bowl may have gone overboard this year in trying to get a Big Ten/Pac-10 matchup after Ohio State was selected for the BCS Title Game in New Orleans. You really can’t say enough about the job Ron Zook has done at Illinois this year but I can’t say I think this team deserves to be in this game. Having watched the Illini play on two occasions this year, I can say that I love their swagger and the real sense of irreverence they play with. Watching them play against Wisconsin when the Badgers were a top 5 team and then again at Ohio State when they were number 1, I noticed that Illinois never seemed to have a sense about them that they weren’t supposed to beat those teams. They will need a similarly irreverent attitude when they face the red hot Trojans in Pasadena. From a team speed standpoint, USC has it in droves. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: No team in America has more depth and speed at the skill positions than USC and they will use that depth to exploit Illinois defense. Getting pressure on John David Booty will be huge for an Illinois defense that finished fourth in the Big Ten in sacks. Booty has shown poor mobility and decision-making when pressured this season and isn’t anywhere near as stoic or accurate as his predecessors, Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer. But if the Illinois defensive line can’t put pressure on the quarterback and give Booty time to find tight end Fred Davis, Patrick Turner, Vidal Hazleton and Joe McKnight out of the backfield, it could be a very long afternoon for Zook’s Illini. The key for USC on defense, a unit that finished first against the pass and second against the run, will be containing Illinois quarterback Juice Williams, who is most dangerous outside the pocket and tailback Rashard Mendenhall, who had a breakout year in ‘07 and stands to be a Heisman frontrunner in ‘08. I’ve liked Illinois all year but USC is playing great at the right time of year and will win the Rose Bowl for the 32nd time in school history.

Posted in: ACC • Big 12 • Big Ten • College Football • Florida Gators • Illinois Fighting Illini • Michigan • Michigan Wolverines • Pac-10 • Scrubs • Tim Tebow • USC | Post a Comment »

Coming Soon…

December 13th, 2007, 9:19 am by patrickdonohue

As my bowl predictions start coming to a close, I will be awarding the first annual Patty’s. I’ll be selecting first team offense and defense and recognizing the nation’s best college football players. Stay tuned for that. It’ll be coming up in the next week or so.

Posted in: College Football | Post a Comment »

Bowl Pick ‘Em Day 7

December 12th, 2007, 2:48 pm by patrickdonohue

Monday, Dec. 31 - Insight Bowl

Indiana vs. Oklahoma State

For the first time in my life, I have a horse in the proverbial bowl season race. For the first time since 1993, my Indiana Hoosiers are going bowling. I think, nationally, college football fans know very little about this Indiana team (and probably won’t this season given that the game is only being televised on the dreaded NFL Network) but Indiana has one of the most exciting offenses in America. Sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis is one of the nation’s most complete offensive players, ahead of Dennis Dixon, Matt Grothe and Kansas’ Todd Reesing, Pat White and Andre Woodson in total offense and ranks ahead of John David Booty, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford in passing efficiency. On the outside, the Hoosiers have 6′7″ James Hardy, one of the nation’s most exciting receivers playing in what is sure to be his last game in an Indiana uniform and Marcus Thigpen, an electrifying returner/receiver/running back. The Hoosiers will look to Lewis, Hardy and Thigpen to exploit an atrociously bad Oklahoma State pass defense that finished 116th of 119 teams in all of college football against the pass. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, Oklahoma State (and their screaming moron of a coach, Mike Gundy) has a sensational receiver in Adarius Bowman, who is averaging just under 100 yards a game in receiving. Indiana must use defensive end, Greg Middleton, who leads the nation with 14 solo sacks to pressure quarterback Zac Robinson into incompletions and turnovers and corner Tracey Porter must defend his reputation as one of the Big Ten’s best cover corners (Porter finished second in the Big Ten with 6 interceptions) and stick to Bowman like glue all day long. I’m going with my heart and the Hoosiers‘ pass attack in a shootout.

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - Chick Fil-A Bowl

Clemson vs. Auburn

It’s a matchup between two coaches that nearly went to Arkansas when Clemson and Auburn square off in Atlanta. Both Tommy Tuberville and Tommy Bowden were reportedly interviewed for the Arkansas head coaching job before pulling their names for consideration and staying where they were. Auburn comes into this one with another great defense and a slumping, boring offense led by senior quarterback Brandon Cox. Clemson is a little more well-rounded with a great offense, passing and rushing and one of the ACC’s top defenses. Clemson’s three losses came on the road to Georgia Tech, at home to a Virginia Tech team that would go on to win the conference and a nail-biter to BC thanks to Matt Ryan’s heroics. To win this game, which is being played less than 2 hours from the Auburn campus, the Tigers must find a way to generate some type of offense. Auburn didn’t have a rusher in the SEC’s top 10 rushers and Cox finished the year averaging 155 yards a game passing and that isn’t going to cut it against a Clemson defense that finished in the top 15 in the country against the pass and 20th in the country against the run, not to mention the weapons they have on the other side of the ball in quarterback Cullen Harper and running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller. Losing offensive coordinator Al Borges this week isn’t going to help Auburn put points on the board despite their defense. Clemson’s defense will force the Auburn offense to go three and out for much of the game and Clemson’s rushing attack will wear down the Auburn defensive front. I’m going with Tommy Bowden and Clemson.

Jan. 1 - Outback Bowl

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

One of three bowls that pits the SEC and the Big Ten, the Outback Bowl returns Tennessee to the scene of a pounding last year at the hands of the Nittany Lions. The key for Tennessee will be moving the ball up and down the field and being able to execute David Cutcliffe’s offense against a Wisconsin defense that finished 4th in the conference in total defense. Defensively, the Vols have struggled in spectacular fashion against the run, giving up more than 162 yards a game. That statistic is particularly troubling given who’s lining up in the backfield for the Badgers: The Wisconsin Winnebago, P.J. Hill. I’d look for Wisconsin to pound the ball and leave few chances for the ball-hawking Tennessee secondary chances to make plays off banged-up quarterback Tyler Donovan. This is a difficult game to pick because both teams have struggled at various points during the year but I will take Wisconsin and P.J. Hill in a close contest.

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - AT&T Cotton Bowl

Missouri vs. Arkansas

Playing in this game must be a tough pill to swallow for Gary Pinkel, Chase Daniel and Missouri. The loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game propelled the Tigers out of the BCS picture, to the benefit of the Kansas Jayhawks, a one-loss team that the Tigers had handled the week before. Still, the Tigers need to remain focus and not focus on their BCS snub as they prepare to square off against a dangerous Arkansas team. The trouble with Arkansas is that beyond Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, they don’t have much of an offense. Stuffing the run will be huge for Missouri, something they’ve done well this year limiting opponents to 118 yards per game on the ground. On offense, Missouri will look to do what they’ve done all year: Let Chase Daniel run around make plays and find Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker for big plays. It helps that Missouri has running back Tony Temple in the lineup but Temple played in the Big 12 Championship and was a nonfactor. Look for Missouri to exploit mismatches in the secondary, particularly on Coffman and Rucker. Given how bad Arkansas’ secondary has been all year, I’d look for Chase Daniel to have a big day and Missouri to win big.

Posted in: ACC • Arkansas Razorbacks • Auburn Tigers • Big 12 • Big Ten • Chase Daniel • Clemson Tigers • College Football • Darren McFadden • Hoosiers • Indiana Hoosiers • Indiana University • Missouri Tigers • SEC • Tennessee Volunteers • Wisconsin Badgers | Post a Comment »