Seth's 50 Centers

In addition to the Ohio State football preview that’s been up for a few days here, I’ve asked a few friends, relatives and those I simply put up with (you know who you are) to give me an update on their favorite college football program.

It’s a hodge-podge of schools, most of them competitive, with perspective coming from students at the school, alumni, those who live in the area, or simply those who’re a little out of place living in enemy territory.

I just got some thoughts on the Georgia Tech football team from cousin Becky and her friends in Atlanta:

Out with the old and in with the new! With Georgia Tech’s firing of Chan Gailey and subsequent hiring of Navy’s Pat Johnson last spring, the Yellow Jackets have committed to some major changes.

No changes are as obvious as those on offense. Gailey’s pro-style offense has been replaced by Johnson’s triple option offense. Although sophomore quarterback Josh Nesbitt is the perfect fit for this offense, it will take time for the team to completely understand the system and for Nesbitt to consistently make correct decisions.

After many fumble-prone practices this spring and summer, if the offense is able to maintain possession of the football, the defense is strong enough to keep the Yellow Jackets in the game, thanks to returning sack leader Michael Johnson (DE) and returning tackle leader Morgan Burnett (safety).

A major factor working against Georgia Tech this year is the schedule. Their road schedule is brutal and features ACC contenders Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and North Carolina as well as intrastate rival and preseason No. 1 Georgia. Conversely, Tech’s home schedule includes more favorable games against Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb, Duke, Miami and Virginia.

The Yellow Jackets look poised to use this season as a stepping stone to many strong years with Pat Johnson at the helm.

Game day experience: It’s never a bad day in the South on game day, as temperatures remain mild (if you’re from the North) throughout the season. Grills and yard games populate the campus as a strong alumni presence descends on the area to re-live their glory days. Playing in a city offers the unique experience of watching football with the Atlanta skyline providing the back-drop.

Matt’s OSU thoughts

I see this team with more talent than any other I’ve followed as a Buckeye!

That doesn’t always mean taking the title. I can be quite the pessimist at times when it comes to my sports teams. I’ve got a different light, a different feeling about this bunch.

IF and WHEN they win in the Coliseum, it will propel them through an undefeated season (with scares @MSU, @ Wisky and a home “holy buckeye” type moment). Beanie battles Tebow for the Heisman, and the Buckeyes and Gators meet again, this time in Miami!

It should be a fun ride buddy. Hopefully we stay healthy and have a ride to remember!

GO BUCKS!

Diesel’s 2008 fall preview

The Ohio State defense will set the tone this year. Expect many 3 & outs, many turnovers, and many eye-popping moments (a possible castration may be in the works for Joe McKnight as well, accidental of course). Improved motion on defense as well as overall communication will lead to a more sound group. Look for Donald Washington to do something really stupid and have to sit out for the Michigan game.

Obviously we will see new formations as we exploit the talents of Saine and Pryor. The first play Pryor is in the game against USC will be a direct snap to Saine. Look for Sanzenbacher to become a terrific third option with Devier Posey not too far behind.

At least 3 games will be decided by a field goal or less, and neither of these will be USC or Illinois.
Whoever becomes the starting Right Tackle and Fullback will not matter a whole lot. They will be successful whoever Tressel puts in there.

Fourth quarter has to be Beanie Time, not Boeckman throw interceptions and (throw) away opportunity after opportunity time. I cannot emphasize this enough, POUND POUND POUND the ball. If he has to carry 20 times on a drive, POUND the ball and chew up the clock in the fourth.

My wild prediction for the Buckeyes will be a perfect season capped with a national title in Miami. As far as the opponent, probably whoever wins the Big 12 or Big East will play the Buckeyes.

Most overrated team in the top 5: Florida (Capital One Bowl…nuf said).

Former Buckeye who tries too hard to not show bias to the Buckeyes by never giving them credit for anything: Kirk Herbstreit.

Most underrated team in the Big Ten: Michigan State

Conference Champion Predictions:
Big Ten: Ohio State
Pac-10: USC (does anybody else field a decent team in the Pac-10, we can start calling it the Pac-1)
Big-12: Oklahoma
SEC: LSU
Big East: West Virginia
ACC: Clemson

Expect great things from our team, as I noted above, this will be a tremendously fun year, and win or lose, our guys set a great example for the sport, for the school, and for themselves, I am so proud to be a Buckeye!!!

- Diesel

Gator Mike with some Buckeye love

This Gator-Buckeye’s crystal ball reveals a rematch

First, full but brief disclosure – I’ve got deep ties to and a genuine love for UF and OSU. Pretty rare, but true. It will be harder for Florida to pull this off, but it also plays into my rationale for the winner of the BCS National Championship Jan. 8 in Miami.

A long-time columnist with the Gainesville Sun calls this Florida football season the most important in Urban Meyer’s head coaching career. Pat Dooley’s reasoning stems from the idea that a solid season will help maintain the momentum Meyer has right now, especially when compared to Free Shoes…I mean Florida State and Miami, the other programs in the state’s so-called Big 3. I tend to disagree because that momentum extends beyond the football field.

Meyer – like Jim Tressel at Ohio State – has ultimate job security. Barring some bizarre event or NCAA violation, Meyer and Tressel can stay as long at they wish. Sure they win games. Both coaches inherited programs that were underachieving, and won national titles in their second year in charge. But they also emphasized the traditions of the schools and keenly built some of their own. Many are similar.

Both coaches have their teams walk to the stadium in the middle of fans before home games. Both coaches have their teams sing with the band after games. Both coaches make a sincere effort to get to know their players off the field, and they make sure the players know each other. That closeness often translates to a competitive group on gameday and can make the difference in those games that often come down to who wants it more.

How similar Meyer and Tressel are in how they run their programs has to be attributed to one key mentor they both have in common – Earle Bruce, who coincidentally and appropriately can be seen choking my brother-in-law in a picture accompanying the Meeeshigan report (below). I still owe the CPA’s brother for the Wolverines whipping the Gators in last year’s bowl game. Still not sure I’m over that one, but it just proves that when a team hears for more than a month how they don’t belong on the same field with their opponent (Michigan with Florida, Florida with OSU), the disrespected team enters the game like Rocky Balboa in the second fight against Clubber Lang. I’m not sure why that didn’t work for the Buckeyes against LSU, but that’s not important right now.

I know Buckeye fans and Big Ten backers have grown weary of all this talk about the SEC being so much better than other conferences. But just look at the coaches in SEC. Based on their credentials alone, not necessarily their reputation as human beings, you have to be impressed with that bunch. Pat Forde’s recent column notes that five SEC coaches have national championship rings. The conference includes Fulmer, Saban, Miles, Richt, Petrino and that former Gator Spurrier – who someone out there reading this has referred to as Steve Superior, Darth Visor or maybe something unfit for print. I miss Steve, and it’s still strange seeing him throw a visor with a different logo – but it doesn’t get any better than Meyer or Tressel.

But Buckeye fans, can you imagine three Michigan-like games in one season. That’s essentially what you have with Florida in Tennessee, Georgia and FSU. Now I say Michigan-like because no game can match the rivalry and intensity of the game, but the Gators have three that are nearly equal to that even before you mention Auburn and LSU.

Now, I’m not making excuses or complaining. I love these games. It makes the season more exciting. Are those teams stellar every year – no. But like any rival, the records are irrelevant. So Florida will lose one of those games this season. I think it’s Tennessee – the third game on the schedule. The Buckeyes too will lose their third game of the year at USC. Then Florida and Ohio State will win the rest of their games leading up to their rematch in Miami, where the Buckeyes beat Florida in a game that goes into 6 overtimes – one for each year since the overtime fun the Buckeyes had the last time they won a title. This also prompts the NCAA to dump this ridiculous overtime rule and makes Tressel admit that maybe some good things do happen after 10pm.

Seriously, I see OSU doing with Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor what Florida did with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. And because this will be the third straight title game for the Buckeyes, they will be so ridiculed by every analyst and every column that Tressel will come out with another edition of his winner’s manual featuring the opinions as motivation.

Some quick thoughts on why Florida will be good and isn’t overrated:

The offense returns seven starters, including Heisman winner Tim Tebow. An eighth and big-time team leader TE Cornelius Ingram was lost for the year to injury. Percy Harvin – the Ted Ginn of Florida – continues to battle injuries. Harvin led the team in receptions and receiving yards as a sophomore last season and also ran for another 764 rushing yards. So his health remains critical down the stretch, but Tebow makes the difference. Still, there’s no way the Orange and Blue version of Superman can duplicate what he did last year, and he won’t have to because the backfield is much better this year. Whereas Tebow led the team in rushing a year ago with nearly 900 yards, Meyer expects that production from Kestahn Moore and USC transfer Emmanuel Moody. Speedster Chris Rainey will likely be used in the Harvin role until Percy recovers. Good depth on the line, so Tebow should have plenty of time to throw. As for Tebow’s Heisman hopes, I like his chances more if he returns for a senior season next year, and there’s no reason he won’t come back.

The defense – Eight starters back as well, and the corners that Michigan exposed in the bowl game have improved according to Meyer’s assessment. Linebackers are solid led by Brandon Spikes, though he will miss the opener. Meyer has raved about the improvement on the defensive line too. Hawaii will be a nice test to see how better this defense is.

Special teams – Returner Brandon James truly is a game-changer. Florida’s freshman kicker will boot a 60-yard or more field goal sometime during the season.

The CPA’s brother’s (we’ll leave his name out of this for his safety) thoughts on that school up north

Below is a picture of the CPA’s brother being a handful for former OSU coach Earle Bruce.

I was recently asked by the blog owner to comment on the Michigan Wolverines and the upcoming 2008 Football Season. Who better than long time Wolverine fan, who finds himself in a constant world of Buckeyes, both in family, friends and in neighbors. Yes, it is your worst nightmare…..the CPA’s Older Brother!

As a longtime reader and first-time guest blogger, I invite you to read with the same passion you have for your Buckeyes!

The 2008 Football Season will truly test the Michigan motto of “Those who stay will be Champions!” Not since 1969 has there truly been a season of doubts in Ann Arbor among the faithful. Rich Rodriguez brings a new aggressive style to Ann Arbor, one much needed from this fans vision. With little Michigan returning starters (4 on offensive and 8 on defensive); Michigan team is young and inexperienced….but that does not mean they are not hungry and dangerous. Michigan has very tough road games in South Bend, State College, West Lafayette and of course Columbus. Notre Dame, Penn State and Purdue all must be salivating at thought of sticking it to Wolverines; who for years have dominated these games. Joe Pa, Joe Tiller and Charlie Weiss all must be having a secret conference call on the terror they want to unleash on the young Wolverines. Before you place a W in your column…lets review the Michigan Wolverines.

Offense
Steven Threet seems to be odd favorite to be the next Michigan Quarterback, redshirt Sophomore transfer from Georgia Tech and local Michigan product is a good fit for this team. Much is made about the graduation of Henne and transfer of Mallet, but any quarterback on the Michigan team was going to have to learn a new offensive, so why not a High School Valedictorian. Watch out for True Florida HS Justin Feagin to get some snaps as well. He is Pat White model that Rodriguez is looking for the future. Running back is stocked as usual with Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown and newcomer Sam McGuffie (Texas); who from my sources in Dallas, Texas area is going to really help this Michigan team immediately. Mack Brown was very disappointed to hear the Mr. McGuffie signed with Wolverines in February! Wide receiver is one of two key spots for offensive team…..Greg Matthews continues in his possession receiver position and we all know how key this spot is for an offensive. Expect sophomore Junior Hemingway and junior LaTerryal Savoy to line up in the three wideout set on offense. Both are relatively inexperienced…but are big tall, fast receivers and saw action on special teams all of last year. Offensive line is the final key to this offensive team…..with only Steve Schilling as a returning starter…this is the biggest key to 2008, but also the deepest position on the team. This is one reason Michigan spent $1M in upgrading the seight room in Schembechler Hall. Michigan will be quicker and stronger in 2008. Expect Juniors Mark Ortmann, Tim McAvoy, David Moosman and Cory Zirbel to complete a quick O-line for the Wolverines in 2008.

Defense
This is the strength of the 2008 team. Eight of the 11 starters return on this team….yes, the defense was not exactly a strong part of 2007…but with lumps come experience and 2007 saw a lot of lumps. It is 2008 and Michigan returns Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren at CBs, Brandon Harrison at FS, Obi Ezeh at ILB and DTs Terrance Taylor, Will Johnson and DEs Tim Jamison and Brandon Graham. Expect Steve Brown to take the field at SS and at OLBs, John Thompson and Austin Panter, both 5th year seniors. The Michigan offseason saw the new coaching staff strengthen this team and increase the endurance of the defense. I firmly believe this defense will steal 2-3 games for Michigan in 2008. Mark my words…don’t sleep on this defense.

Schedule
Michigan kicks off the 2008 season with a contest against Utah in the construction at the Big House, followed by a visit from Miami of Ohio before the trip to South Bend. Then the Big Ten conference begins. Most of the answers of this Michigan team will be answered before 7pm on August 30th….so tune in to ABC and witness the new Era of Michigan Football. I am excited and eager to engage in the most passionate sport among fans that I know! Go BLUE!

Predictions
I am fan of Michigan, but also am not an idiot….Michigan needed this change, (much like the changes to Big House) to continue the tradition of the all time Victories (869) and Winning percentage (77.45%) for NCAA Football. However, I do see bumps in the road in 2008 to the delight of several of my family, friends and neighbors….how soon we forget the past!!! But, this Michigan team is bowl bound with 8-4 or 7-5 record. I know that is shocking….but come on….this is not Notre Dame!!!!!!!

Warm up the band……Hail to Victors Valiant….Hail to the Conquering Heroes…Hail Hail to Michigan….the Leaders and best…………

- The CPA’s brother

Email thoughts about this or other topics by clicking the “Contact” button at the top of the page.