*** NCAA Football Week 1 ***

Quote Originally Posted by dugie243:

Boom-
Talk to me about the Tenn/NCST game. I see this being a really good game with great QB play on both sides. I think Tenn comes out and tries to establish some sort of a run game to get ST's DBs to cheat down therefore opening up the passing game. And a couple of big scores coming from that. For NCST I see them moving the ball slow and steady but with success. Ultimately, I see a 31-24 type win for Tennessee. Your thoughts?









GL to all

I know this was meant for Boom, but I wanted to add a thought. I believe that TN will use the passing game to set up the running game, similar to the LY game against Cincy (although that was the second game of year so could work out a few kinks in the opener). I believe it will be a controlled passing game exploiting match-ups. The secondary of NC State is certainly very good, but it appears that they lost two quality LBs to graduation (1^st and 4^th leading tacklers I believe…Someone from NC State should share a little knowledge about this). From want I read although I do not think it will be named until tomorrow it appears Rajon Neal will be the starting RB for TN (a converted RB to WR to RB). Leaking out of the backfield with some play action may exploit a match-up against a LB. Rivera the TE also causes problems with the WRs getting so much attention. I am not sold as to TN having a conventional running game (between the tackles/off tackle) but more to the outside using their speed and sprinkle in a swing pass every now and again….wheel route with Neal maybe. I just do not know what to expect out of the TN running game right now…hearing good things out of the scrimmages, but got to see that on the field as it was atrocious LY. 

I would like to hear some thoughts from an NC State fan (and correct me if I am wrong), but how much will losing Graham hurt…not only the passing game but ST as well. Any new comers rising stars. State lost the 1st and 3^rd leading receptions from a year ago with #2 was the RB.  And with TN defensive strength at LB,  the receptions may be a little tougher to come by for the RB

Another thing to consider: TN had a lot of turn-over in staff. This could be a good thing with regard to energy and discipline, but could be a bad thing different system and first game. (same Off Coord though). It will also add difficulty for State to gameplan as watching film of LY’s TN can only make your cringe….but not much for an opponent to learn from with different schemes.

I believe it will be a hard fought game with some 1^st game jitters. A lot of pressure on TN to perform well, could make it difficult, but squeaking out the cover!

Good Luck too all!

Been on covers for a few years now, mostly baseball and football and have enjoyed your posts and insight you provide for college football Boom! Always been profitable but your additional inputs have helped alot! BOL this year, and to everyone, im sure everyone is as excited as i am.

There is going to be money to made this year no doubts.

couldnt agree more on Oklahoma. Just got done my review.

Oklahomas deep receiving core against UTEPS secondary. Stills, Reynolds, Brown, Frannks... Utep has a very good safety in Deshawn Grayson but mismatch. Utep also lost all three of its starting linebackers. On offense the Miners have Mike Edwards who reminds me of Ryan Swope. Gets great seperation and the Sooners allowed 241 yards per game through the air. Special teams Oklahoma has a great punter in Tress Way and Michael Hunnicutt who was 21/24 last year. UTEP's D-LIne is ok ith Reed and Miller but they wont stop Oklahoma from scoring 50+  52-16 sooners

Leans

Vandy +7

La Tech + 7 1/2

UTEP is just do depleted at every position. All three starting backers have no experience. They were really week in the secondary last year and havent improved. Utep is a really sub par football team and Jones and company have something to prove. Thise three looses are in th eback of their mind. I think OKlahoma gets up a few scored by mid second quarter and just pulls awy as Jones pads his stats for the Heisman

Quote Originally Posted by Boom_Boom:

mr pidaso - well thought out response


RockNRose - The South Carolina / Vandy game is gonna be a good game. 2 things to point out here. 1) South Carolina usually starts a little slow. Any gamecock fan will tell you that. For whatever reason they struggle coming out the gate. They win but seem to not look sharp. I personally think Vandy is very motivated and  re-energized. What im saying is Vandy as a program is at their highest of highs right now. Never have they been more excited about where they stand. Franklin has these guys believing and half of the time in college sports, that's all you need. This will be a competitive game for 4 quarters.... Vandy will going up against a solid DL. But, Vandy has one of the best " no name " running backs in the country in Stacy. IMO, 7 points at home is enough to bite.

Thank Boom!

Been lurking here for a while and I must say your College football thread it the best read! I appreciate all you put into it and wish you the BOL

I’ll be rolling against you on Vandy though. I am having trouble seeing Vandy hanging here. There is a lot of excitement at Vandy and they were tough at home last year at 5-2 (and two close loses to Ark by 3 and UGA by 5, which is especially impressive considering that Vandy’s home it is not all that daunting a place to play). I just do not think that Spurrier will overlook this team. SC dominated the game last year.  SC loses A Jefferies, but I believe Conner Shaw is an upgrade to S Garcia (who threw 4 picks in this matchup a year ago) and Latimore is a beast.  And how is Vandy going to stop Clowney?

The offense for Vandy will be nice this year and I agree Stacy is a superb back, returning most of the starters but losing a couple of linemen which against SC front 7 will be significant.

The Vandy defense has some big losses as well: From Vandy Site “The Commodores return seven starters from last year’s lineup, but the four holes are Casey Hayward, Chris Marve, Tim Fugger and Sean Richardson sized ones. Those four combined for 43 percent of the team’s tackles for loss, 48 percent of sacks, 47 percent of interceptions and 39 percent of passes broken up.”

I agree that SC can be sluggish but they really could win this game 13-3 or 17-7. We will see though.  Franklin may get his boys fired up for the upset too and +7 at home is certainly not a bad play!