This is without a doubt the most anticipated opening matchup within recent memory, as No. 1 Alabama takes on No. 3 Florida State at the Atlanta Falcons' brand new Mercedes-Benz stadium. The most obvious reason for this game being crowned the best game of Labor Day Weekend is that it's inhumane to not be excited about two top-three teams battling it out. With typically a surplus of lopsided games in week one, 2017 begins with two games in which both teams are ranked; 'Bama vs. FSU in Atlanta and No. 11 Michigan vs. No. 17 Florida at Jerry World, TX. For what it's worth, I think Michigan's coming out on top and probably covering the spread.
The high preseason praise of both these teams, as portrayed in their preseason rankings, generates buzz leading up to kickoff. But this game has a few more factors contributing to the deserved hype. A major storyline heading into Saturday night's bout is the history between head coaches Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher. Back in good ol' Baton Rouge, Louisiana circa 2003, head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher led the LSU Tigers to a "split-National Championship," the greatest example of why the College Football Playoff is far superior to the BCS. Anyway, Saban and Fisher have never faced off against each other as head coaches; although in 2007 Saban's Tide lost to Florida State with Jimbo Fisher as the offensive coordinator. Fisher has obviously proven himself to be an elite head coach in today's college football landscape, and beating the best is a great way to maintain your presence in the discussion. It would be especially impressive for Jimbo to pull this off, as Nick Saban is 10-0 as a head coach while playing against his former assistant coaches. The odds are stacked against ya there, Jimbo.
Non-conference games obviously mean a little less in the long run, but right now the great debate of college football is which conference should be considered the best. In recent years, the ACC has certainly challenged the SEC's undisputed label as the King. The general argument is that the SEC's depth isn't what it's cracked up to be. Alabama is undoubtedly amazing, but the variety in the arsenal of the conference as a whole is being questioned. The ACC has won two of the last four National Championships, has produced two of the last four Heisman Trophy winners, and has been represented by one of its teams in all three College Football Playoffs (FSU and Clemson). In that same timeframe, Alabama alone (no other SEC squad) has won one National Championship, produced one Heisman Trophy winner, and has appeared in all three College Football Playoffs. So realistically, the argument is Alabama against the top tier of the ACC. But what better way to settle that than Alabama playing the ACC's presumed top dog?
So enough about all the storylines, how do these two teams matchup? In the simplest terms, Alabama and Florida State are extremely similar. They both have well-established head coaches, reputations as blue-chip programs, monster defenses, and talented sophomore quarterbacks. That's what I want to talk about the most; the talented young quarterbacks who have to take on massive leadership roles. Deondre Francois and Jalen Hurts both had great freshman seasons. The Seminoles as a whole didn't quite have the résumé that Alabama did in 2016, but Francois still threw for 3,350 yards and 20 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Jalen Hurts, who gave his team the lead with barely any time left in the National Championship before his defense blew it, threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine picks.
Both Francois and Hurts performed impressively, especially for freshmen starting for such significant programs. But starting Saturday, the pressure is on for these two. Both teams' expected success is heavily contingent on their maturation since last season. I think Francois is better than Hurts in regards to raw talent, but I think Nick Saban and Jalen Hurts compliment each other more than girls do on each other's Instagram posts. I'm not even trying to pull the old "he's not good! He's a system quarterback!" on Jalen Hurts. I like Jalen Hurts, and he's a great athlete who can get the job done. It is in fact possible to be a good quarterback that just so happens to play in a good system.
Deondre Francois' alleged biggest problem on Saturday will be his offensive line containing pressure from Alabama's front seven. The 'Noles O-line has been catching a lot of heat as one of the teams' biggest weaknesses, but they return a few starters who played pretty damn well against Michigan's beastly front seven in the Orange Bowl last year. Francois' biggest problem on Saturday will absolutely be Alabama's secondary. This is hands down one of the best defensive back units in the country, featuring Minkah Fitzpatrick, Anthony Averett, and Ronnie Harrison.
Alabama's loaded defensive backfield will obviously present Francois and the Seminoles with some challenging obstacles through the air attack. This is a huge opportunity for the Florida State running backs to step up. The running game will be key in beating this Alabama defense, and the 'Noles are plenty capable of doing some damage on the ground. Dalvin Cook was obviously a huge loss, but FSU should have plenty of faith in junior Jacques Patrick and freshman Cam Akers. And let's not forget, despite averaging 1.8 yards per carry and only five rushing touchdowns in 2016, Deondre Francois is athletic enough to do damage in some capacity with his feet. That is, if Jimbo draws up a scheme for him to do so.
Switching to the Alabama offense, they've certainly got numerous lethal weapons. I've talked about Jalen Hurts, and he will have plenty of assistance in the backfield. The spawn of Mark Ingram/Eddie Lacy/Derrick Henry that we know as Bo Scarbrough will be joined by Damien Harris. Much like Florida State, the Crimson Tide have a running back duo that should give defensive coordinators anxiety attacks. To top off what 'Bama is capable of on the ground, Jalen Hurts has an elite target in junior wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley had 161 receptions for 1,814 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016.
So Alabama's offense is prettayyy, prettayyy, pretty good.
But so is Florida State's defense, which is highlighted by Derwin James, one of the single best defensive players in the country. James is also joined by junior d-back Tavarus McFadden, who was tied for the most interceptions in the country last year with eight. The 'Noles defensive line will be anchored by senior d-tackle Derrick Nnadi, who stands at 6'1" and 312 pounds. Nnadi will really have to put his leadership on display in order to get his surrounding cast to stop the Alabama run game.
I absolutely love the big time opening weekend games that take place at a neutral site, and Atlanta is a perfect neutral site for Alabama and Florida State. Atlanta is 202.2 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL and 261.5 miles from Tallahassee. The fan advantage should be a stalemate in this one, which truly makes the neutral site fulfill its purpose. Alabama is currently a seven point favorite according to Bovada, but that is subject to change from the moment I'm writing this. I think Florida State is the safe bet on the spread, especially because I think they'll come out on top by four. Perhaps my prediction is heavily influenced by my ACC bias, and my life mission of proving that the SEC isn't as far ahead of everyone as they once were. So for now, that's it. See you ladies and gentlemen on Saturday night. Party at the moon tower.
First things first: I kinda feel bad for Isaiah Thomas.
The NBA fell by the wayside for me a little bit after the Pierce/Garnett/Doc Rivers exodus in 2013, mainly because I was fearful the Celtics would be baaaaaaaaaaad for a loooooooooong time.
When Danny Ainge traded for Isaiah at the deadline in 2015, it still didn't really register much for me. Yes, the Brooklyn picks hadn't materialized yet, but the Celtics were going to base their turnaround on a guy three inches shorter than me? (Humble brag, I barely cracked six feet).
Well that 5-foot-9 point guard did the improbable: he made me start checking Celtics scores again. But that was nothing compared to when he did the impossible: he made me start actually watching the Celtics again.
And this is the thanks he gets? I like the trade all things considered but Isaiah Thomas balled out like few others on the parquet floor in his brief two-and-a-half year stint in Boston. Does the acquisition of Kyrie Irving bring the Celtics closer to a championship? Perhaps.
Still, it got me thinking...
Is Isaiah Thomas the best player to pass through Boston since the turn of the century and somehow not find his way on to a Duck Boat Parade?
The oddity is, that while the Celtics and Bruins have won just one title apiece, the list is dominated by former Patriots -- the team that's won five.
My pal Jerry Thornton wrote a great book, From Darkness to Dynasty, on the first 40 years of the Patriots' existence. If he or anyone else is looking to write a follow up, might I suggest: 2005-2013: The Patriots Abyss, years in which the team still had a first-round bye pretty much every year but couldn't quite grab another Lombardi Trophy.
So while the debate is essentially Isaiah Thomas vs. several Patriots players, there's a few ground rules: players considered had to have been here for at least two years, and must have been reasonably prominent contributors on the teams that came up short. In no particular order, this disqualifies Jaromir Jagr, Adrian Beltre, Adrian Gonzalez, John Smoltz (you forgot he was here), Stephon Marbury (him too) and most certainly, Chad Ochocinco.
Ray Bourque was technically traded in March 2000, but his coming up short was a late-'80s/early-'90s thing.
Two very interesting cases: Marc Savard and Jerod Mayo. Both were on their respective teams' rosters for titles, but neither took a shift/played a snap for the entirety of the playoff runs. But Savard's name is on the Stanley Cup, and Mayo did come back in 2015. I'm counting them both as champions. To a much lesser extent, Tuukka Rask meets this metric since he was Tim Thomas' backup in '11. There's another player on this list who was here at the beginning of a championship season but didn't find his way on to the postseason roster; we'll get to him in a minute, and why he does not count as a champion.
Before I give you the top five, some honorable mentions:
Junior Seau (Patriots, 2006-2009). If there's one player you can really look back and feel for during the aftermath of Super Bowl XLII, it's Seau. He's forever a San Diego Charger and was certainly over the hill by the time he got to Foxboro, but definitely wasn't riding coattails in his pursuit of a ring, either. He had a career-high three interceptions in '07. RIP.
Antoine Walker (Celtics, 1996-2003; 2005). People forget that Danny Ainge once traded Gary Payton for Antoine Walker. People further forget that 'Toine got his ring just a year after his second Celtics stint came to an end, with the Miami Heat. And lest we forget one other thing, it's that Dwyane Wade won a championship on his own before LeBron did.
Mookie Betts (Red Sox, 2014-present). It was surprisingly hard to find Red Sox players who qualified, since their titles were relatively spread out ('04, '07, '13). I'm only including Betts because unlike Bogaerts and JBJ, he was still in the minors when the Red Sox won their most recent title. And he should've won MVP last year, despite what the nerds may tell you.
Without further ado, the Top Five Boston athletes who have not won a ring here this century:
5. Logan Mankins (Patriots, 2005-2013)
Mankins was the Pats' first draft pick after beating the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX...and lasted on the roster all the way until deep into training camp, 2014. In other words, that "Patriots Abyss" could be re-titled The Curse of Logan Mankins. Poor guy. Mankins was a badass on the interior line for the Patriots for nearly a decade, earning one AP All-Pro nod (in 2010, despite missing seven games due to a holdout) and seven Pro Bowl berths. There's an old saying, that Tim Wright (whom the Patriots got for Mankins, along with a future fourth round pick) caught six more touchdowns in 2014 than Mankins. While this is true, the season was almost over before it began with Jordan Devey starting at left guard in the place of Mankins.
It was a cold, cold trade of Mankins to football purgatory in Tampa Bay, but in classic Belichick fashion, you know who that future fourth round pick turned in to? Trey Flowers.
4. Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox, 1996-2004)
On talent alone, Nomar belongs on this list. Probably higher than this, even. I'll go to my deathbed saying the Red Sox don't breakthrough in '04 without the Nomar trade though. There was a time when Nomar could roll out of bed at hit .350 like it was nothing, even hitting for respectable power and playing electric defense along the way. He was not that guy on July 31, 2004, when Orlando Cabrera came to town and shaped history in his own right.
Unlike Mayo and Savard, Nomar was with a different organization when the Red Sox won their title. Big difference.
There's a number of ways to look at Nomar's exit. As we learned years later (see: Lester, Jon) this ownership group wasn't exactly the smoothest in offering extensions to pending free agents. If I remember correctly, Nomar was offered a four-year, $60 million extension in the spring of 2003 -- which was a lot of money at the time. Nomar was never the same player after leaving Boston. He had a decent year with the Dodgers in 2006, but was done by 2009.
3. Isaiah Thomas (Celtics, 2015-2017)
Here you go. Fifth in MVP voting last season, scored a million points in the fourth quarter, played in playoff game the night after his sister's death...and was unequivocally the best player on a team that went from below .500 to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in a manner of two years. There aren't enough good things I can say about Isaiah Thomas.
If the Celtics were the Memphis Grizzlies, they'd probably be retiring his number upon his return next season. Alas, they're the greatest franchise in NBA history instead.
However brief his stay was, Thomas made the Celtics rebuild even briefer. He's now a casualty of it, but his legacy will remain.
2. Wes Welker (Patriots, 2007-2012)
WW. Woodrow Wilson? Walter White? Wes Welker.
The average season for Welker in New England consisted of 112 catches for 1,243 yards and six touchdowns. His "worst" season featured only 86 catches...but of course he was coming off of a torn ACL in Week 17 of the previous regular season.
Welker didn't just refine the slot wide receiver position, he re-invented it. Without The Simpsons, there's no Futurama. Without Nirvana, there's no Foo Fighters. And without Wes Welker, there's no Julian Edelman -- or Danny Amendola.
1. Randy Moss (Patriots, 2007-2010)
Did it end poorly for Moss in New England? Of course it did. Did he put together the single-greatest regular season by a wide receiver ever in 2007? You betcha. Is he MAYBE the greatest wide receiver to ever live? I'll default to Jerry Rice, who had the consistency. But what Moss did in 2007 (and 1998, his rookie year in Minnesota, for that matter) just might trump anything Rice did in San Francisco (or Oakland...or Seattle) over the course of a full season.
When Brady hit Moss in the corner of the end zone with 2:42 to go in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII, it should have been the game winner. Even after the Tyree debacle, Brady came *this close* to hitting Moss on a streak up the sidelines well inside half a minute to go that could have at least put the Patriots in a position to tie the game. Then you remember that Adam Vinatieri was no longer kicking for New England at this point...
Nevertheless, if you want to talk pound for pound, freak of nature, playmakers that crossed through the Greater Boston Area this century and somehow didn't win a ring, there's really only one answer: Randy Moss, Rand University. Which does absolutely nothing to discredit the accomplishments of Isaiah Thomas, who I really hope does win a ring some day. Just not with Bronny.
Before we get into the rationale of the specific prices on the preseason Heisman odds, it is important to take into account the apparent trends in recent Heisman winners:
Since the turn of the century, only three two running backs have been deemed college football's most outstanding player. Mark Ingram in 2009 and Derrick Henry in 2015. Reggie Bush is the only non-Alabama running back to win the Heisman, and although his award was vacated, you're a fool if you think that means anything.
Other than Bush, Ingram, and Henry, every other Heisman winner since the turn of the century has played quarterback.
The last Heisman winner that did not play QB or RB was Charles Woodson in 1997.
Lamar Jackson (2016 Heisman winner) was the first player in the College Football Playoff era to win the Heisman and not appear in the final four. In fact, the last Heisman winner before Lamar Jackson with four losses on the season was Tim Tebow in 2007.
Two of the last five Heisman winners hailed from the ACC (Lamar Jackson, Jameis Winston), with the SEC also boasting two (Derrick Henry, Johnny Manziel) and the Pac 12 produced one with Marcus Mariota.
The 2016 preseason Heisman odds had Lamar Jackson at +5000 and the 2015 preseason odds had Derrick Henry at +1200.
So now, let's take a look at the current preseason odds for who will be crowned as the most outstanding college football player in the country, which is a confusing way to define the award. Is "most outstanding" calculated by pure excitement? Extraordinary stats? Value to their team's success? It's all up for grabs, honestly, and that's what makes the anticipation of this trophy so much more perplexing, which is fantastic.
Sam Darnold, QB, USC Trojans, +400
Sam Darnold is understandably the Heisman favorite with +400 odds. Betting on the favorite is typically a safe move, but the Heisman race is the Wild, Wild, West. It's easy to feel confident in the guy with the best odds, but it's very likely that some player will come out with spectacular play, despite a lack of preseason hype. But Darnold has a pretty damn good setup for the road to the Heisman; I'm confident the Trojans will win the Pac 12 and earn a spot in the playoff. Being in the spotlight is obviously largely helpful in a player's Heisman campaign. It also doesn't hurt that USC players are no stranger to college football's most coveted trophy: Reggie Bush in '05, Matt Leinart in '04, Carson palmer in '02, Marcus Allen in '81, Charles White in '79, Orenthal James Simpson in '68, and Mike Garrett in '65. It clearly helps to play for a storied program, so Sam Darnold's destiny is in his own hands. The Trojans are set to have an excellent defense this year, which will be key in boosting USC's stock, therefore boosting Darnold's likelihood of winning the Heisman.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State, +700
Saquon Barkley is an absolute beast, and the way he played last season makes these high Heisman hopes reasonable. But at the end of the day, today's college football landscape is set up for dual-threat quarterbacks to win. That is, unless you're the running back for a team that spectators will be watching in the National Championship. The only running backs to win the Heisman since 2000 have been two Alabama running backs that won the National Championship, and Reggie Bush who came up just short of a ring thanks to my boy Vince Young. So when it's all said and done, with much respect to Barkley's game, it just doesn't seem very likely that he'll finish the 2017 season with the Heisman on his living room mantle. For him to put up Heisman numbers this season against in the BIG 10 would be remarkable.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma, +800
Baker Mayfield has been in the Heisman discussion for the last few years now; in 2015 he finished 4th in Heisman voting and in 2016 he finished 3rd. Based on the upward trend, some people are thinking this could be the year Mayfield finishes first. And that's also a rational thought since Mayfield is able to put up big numbers with both his feet and his arm. But I'm sorry, Baker Mayfield will not be your 2017 Heisman Trophy winner. Mayfield might not even finish the season as the best QB in the Big 12, as Mason Rudolph is right on his tail. Rudolph has +2500 Heisman odds, which also won't happen.
Oklahoma's schedule won't do Mayfield any favors in his Heisman campaign, as I'm heavily expecting a week two blowout with the Sooners falling to Ohio State in Columbus. Not to mention that Mayfield will be playing under a new head coach this season, and I think the Big 12 is stronger than it has been in recent years. So do what you want, but I think throwing money on Baker Mayfield to win the Heisman is a wasteful move. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville, +800
Lamar Jackson, last season's Heisman winner who essentially came out of nowhere, has incredibly high expectations entering 2017. "Well he's clearly talented enough to win the Heisman, why can't he do it again?" Well, the only time a player won back-to-back Heisman trophies was in 1974-75 when Ohio State's running back Archie Griffin achieved the nearly impossible task. Sure, Jackson's supreme talent is still present, but his lack of expectations played a big role in his success. I think Jackson will still tally some impressive stats, but now defensive coordinators know what to expect from him. Yeah, it's definitely still tough to defend such an athletic specimen, but opponents' schemes will be solely focused on the Louisville QB, most likely disrupting his monster numbers. I think the expectations for Jackson in 2017 are simply too high, so regardless of his performance, it won't seem substantial unless he eclipses his 2016 stats. And for that reason, I'm out.
J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State, +800
Nothing too unfamiliar here, JT Barrett and the Ohio State Buckeyes are being highly praised in the preseason, with a forecast of a BIG 10 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Look, Ohio State is stacked. They're bound to make plenty of noise once again in 2017. Barrett is a talented QB. But "talented" and "outstanding" are two completely different words. In 2016, Barrett ranked No. 58 in the country for total passing yards (2,555), while finishing the season at the No. 30 in passing touchdowns (24). Again, Barrett is good. He's good enough to lead the team to a conference championship and a playoff game, in which they scored zero points. But even just Barrett's style of play makes me question his ability to win the Heisman; he doesn't "wow" the crowd. He doesn't leave you with a sense of amazement. In my mind, that's what a Heisman winner needs to do. And in my mind, you're better off investing your money in Blockbuster stock than in JT Barrett winning the Heisman.
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU, +1200
Derrius Guice is a fast, powerful, explosive running back that has the skill to be amongst the nation's best regarding stats. But even more so, Guice's explosive style of play gives him the "wow" factor that JT Barrett lacks. The way Guice can absolutely plow through defenders will certainly gain him some attention. His +1200 odds make Guice a reasonable bet with a risk factor that shouldn't make you lose any sleep. Guice's predecessor Leonard Fournette was the Heisman favorite entering 2017, but a nagging ankle injury snatched those hopes away from him.
Although LSU's schedule is a tough one, it does setup Guice to have some major "Heisman moments." The Oct. 14 matchup vs. Auburn and the Nov. 4 trip to Tuscaloosa against 'Bama stick out the most, as those two squads are clearly the top in-conference competition. These big time battles give players the opportunity to step up and make a name for themselves, much like Leonard Fournette didn't do. In last year's Alabama/LSU game, Fournette was limited to 35 total rushing yards. That essentially eliminated any Heisman chatter. If Guice can make some noise against these top tier defenses, while also toying with inferior defenses, he has a chance to be a Heisman finalist. It is also worth noting that the only LSU player to ever win the Heisman was running back Billy Cannon in 1959.
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama, +1400
As I've already mentioned multiple times, two of the three Heisman-winning running backs since 2000 have worn an Alabama jersey. And I'd politely recommend you schedule an appointment with your eye doctor if you don't see any similarities to Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram when Bo Scarbrough carries the football. Bo is a massive human who moves quicker than any man that size should be able to move. The Crimson Tide are once again expected to remain the only team to appear in every College Football Playoff. Bo Scarbrough has many aspects going for him that could lead me to believe that he is capable of making the trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony. However, although Bo benefits from being surrounded by such a talented cast with the best coach in the country, the Tide's depth at running back could restrict Bo's production throughout the season. Bo will most likely be splitting time with Damien Harris, who ran for 1,040 yards and two touchdowns. So perhaps instead of winning the Heisman, Bo will be part of the best one-two running back punch in the country. But then again, Reggie Bush did have to share carries with LenDale White, so you never know. Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama, +1600
The other key player in 'Bama's backfield, QB Jalen Hurts, enters 2017 with +1600 Heisman odds. I think Hurts gets overly criticized to be honest. As a freshman, Hurts won SEC offensive player of the year, led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated regular season, and was a Deshaun Watson miracle drive away from winning a National Championship. Let it be known that Alabama's failure to win yet another ring cannot be blamed on Hurts; the QB got 'Bama into the end zone, giving them a three point lead with 2:07 left on the clock. That loss is on the defense.
I like the way Hurts plays, and I don't understand why so many people think he's subpar, but that doesn't particularly mean I think betting on him for Heisman is a wise decision. I don't think Alabama's eventual week one loss to Flroida State will help Hurts' cause. I have a feeling the Seminole defense will apply a surplus of pressure on the sophomore quarterback. Also, I can't help but be bothered by the fact that an Alabama quarterback has never won the Heisman. But on the other side of that argument, three of the last ten Heisman winners were SEC quarterbacks, more than any other conference. Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State, +1800
I personally believe that Deondre Francois is the best bet on this list, especially at +1800. Francois is a talented quarterback without a doubt, and he has a defensive unit that will do a great job with giving him backup. With Dalvin Cook gone to the NFL, Francois is officially the go-to guy for Florida State's offense. I've mentioned how a few of these players are fortunate enough to have a schedule that supports their Heisman campaign. That applies to nobody more than Deondre Francois and the Seminoles. The 'Noles open up the season against Alabama, they have their classic ACC battles against Clemson, Louisville, & Miami, topped off by the in-state rivalry against Florida in the regular season's final week. There's a whole lot of meat in that sandwich, and if Florida State can finish that sandwich without any hiccups, I don't see why Deondre Francois could go over the heads of Heisman voters. With such a good price and a schedule tailored for a Heisman season, I'd recommend investing in Deondre Francois.
ESPN - Florida has suspended seven players for its season-opener against Michigan on Sept. 2 (3:30 ET on ABC) -- including its top playmaker, wide receiver Antonio Callaway -- for making improper charges on their university student IDs at the school bookstore and then selling those items for cash, university officials confirmed to ESPN Sunday. One source said that the cards did not have the proper amount of funds on them to purchase the items. The others are offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort, linebackers James Houston and Ventrell Miller and defensive linemen Jordan Smith, Richerd Desir-Jones and Keivonnis Davis. "We have a small group of players that have made some choices that are extremely disappointing," head coach Jim McElwain said in a statement, though he did not elaborate on the reason for their suspension. "Action has been taken -- they have missed some practice and will miss the Michigan game. We will use this as a learning opportunity and we will have some players step up as we move forward."
And there it is, folks. As we all know, the college football season can't officially start until a big-name program has some of its stars suspended for week-one due to some absolutely idiotic reason, and this year, the Florida Gators stepped up and delivered an absolute gem.
Look, I've been to college. I know what it's like to be short on meal plan money or "Hill Dollars" (that's what my school called the money you put down to buy books/stuff at the bookstore). But, to actually go into the school bookstore and put charges on a student ID with YOUR OWN NAME on it and then turn around and sell that stuff for cash, is up there as one of the dumbest things any college football player or collegiate athlete has ever done. If you're stupid enough to scam your own school's bookstore, at least don't be stupid enough to scam your own school's bookstore and attach your name to it. Day one stuff, guys. It's one thing if they stole some random guy or girl's student ID, made some charges, and started their own dormitory pawn shop. At least then, as scummy as that is, there's no direct link right back to you being the perpetrator. But to do this.... it just shows that there are more than just significant character issues with this Florida Gator team.
Hope all those books you weren't going to read anyway and the University of Florida t-shirts that you've probably already been given 300 of were worth a week-one loss, ruining your playoff chances, and disgracing yourselves. Best of luck down in Arlington, guys. #chompchomp
UCLA's junior quarterback Josh Rosen did an awesome Q&A with Bleacher Report that stuck out to me as great because of Rosen's level headed honesty, and the accurate description of his polarizing career as a Bruin. My expectations for Josh Rosen in 2017 change everyday; I can't get a good read on him. That of course is largely due to the fact that he was out for the majority of last season with a shoulder injury. He claims it's 100% now, but the looming question is if he has the consistency of a top tier QB. He had a great freshman year, but everyone seems to have mixed reviews on the California Native.
The part of Rosen's Q&A that has been gaining the most attention, "Football and school don't go together. They just don't" is an honest answer that would only upset chumps wearing grumpy pants. Rosen goes on to explain the football/academics balance is equal to two full-time jobs. Even Cardale Jones, who was highly criticized for this tweet from 2012:
weighed in on the current Rosen situation by telling the Bruin quarterback to "Chill bro, play school."
First of all, I think it's ludicrous that Cardale Jones ever had to apologize for his statement from a few years ago, and this is something Josh Rosen does a great job discussing during his Bleacher Report interview. Rosen pointed out, "There are guys who have no business being in school, but they're here because this is the path to the NFL." That's not knocking certain guys, not calling them stupid, nor is it Rosen making an arrogant claim regarding his intelligence compared to other college football players. What that statement is, is the truth. And that's why the NCAA pay-for-play debate is so cyclical; a large number of these elite recruits have no intention of gaining an education. For many, many players, college sports are merely a stepping stone to the professional level.
That's what Ohio State was for Cardale Jones, and he was just being honest. If Jones had the option to play football at any Ivy League school, he still would have chosen Ohio State because the Buckeyes are one of the best football programs in the country, thus making an easier path to the NFL. Anyone who is critical of NCAA athletes "taking advantage of the education system" can take a tumble off of their high horse. Do students enroll at Ohio State because they want to see Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliot excel in the classroom and get a diploma? No. The one connection to your enrollment in that school and the school's student-athletes is you get to watch these guys tear it up on the field.
Such a large amount of players utilize college sports as a scouting tool to get to the pros, and that's completely fine because (especially in football) there is a lack of other options. Rosen was simply pointing that out, while also explaining that his personal plan involved properly utilizing a UCLA education in case his future is not defined by football.
Some people were also a little upset about Rosen saying, "Raise the SAT requirement at Alabama and see what kind of team they have. You lose athletes and then the product on the field suffers." If you think that's invalid, you're delusional. This is not to say that any successful football program doesn't have smart guys on the roster. And I'm not saying good athletes are dumb/smart people are bad athletes. It's simply a numbers game: if your school is easier to get into, more people will be eligible to play there whether they intellectually are Einstein or Peter Griffin. If your school is hard to get into, there will be plenty of players good enough to be on the team, but they don't quite meet the academic standards. Therefore, you might not be as good on the field, since you had to deny some great athletes the opportunity. Just ask the 4-8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Once again, Rosen is simply speaking the truth, not being a hazard.
Rosen goes on to talk about his potential future as a businessman, his confusion about NFL scout's negative reviews of him, and just overall uses his status as a platform to state his beliefs. As we've seen in football recently, players publicly taking a stand on certain issues can lead to endless debate and difficult discussions to be had. But a college quarterback publicly saying it's hard for student-athletes to balance both aspects of their identity? Come on, these are some really shallow waters we're in, everyone needs to stop freaking out because the kid said what was on his mind. It could have been a lot worse.
Rosen's punishment for his outspokenness won't result in suspension or really anything that will affect college football fans. Apparently, UCLA coach Jim Mora simply had a talk with the QB about how speaking your mind can cause controversy, lead to controversy, blah blah blah. Rosen is a smart kid, so although he's very forthright, his answers to questions are well-calculated as opposed to arrogant verbal vomit. At the end of the day, I can't really find anything in what Rosen said to be dangerous whatsoever. There will always be people out there who will be outraged at someone's public thoughts, and that's the consequence Rosen will have to face. It will be a pain in the neck for him, that's for sure. But the fact that people act like they are legitimately concerned with college football players' academics is something that will always exist and I will never get over it. I'm here to watch the product on the field, you're here to watch the product on the field, and if you say otherwise you're a liar.
While a lot of things have taken a turn for the worst over at the World-Wide Leader (hockey coverage, layoffs, "The 6"), ESPN's 30 For 30 series has stayed consistently entertaining and almost always fails to disappoint. However, there are definitely some stories in today's sports world that have yet to be told through a 30 For 30 film. Here's my list of topics that I hope ESPN signs off on for a 30 For 30 at some point in the near future. 10. Greg Oden
Once the No. 1 overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007, Greg Oden's NBA career was plagued by knee injuries, and ultimately, he lasted just six seasons, of which he played in three and appeared in just 105 career games. The Blazers passed on arguably one of the best forwards in NBA history in Kevin Durant (went to Seattle at No. 2), a decision that changed the fate of the Western Conference and the Portland Trail Blazers franchise for both the present and the future. Oden told ESPN's Outside The Lines in 2016 that he'll be "remembered as the biggest bust in NBA history," and that he is no longer healthy enough to play professional basketball.
Greg Oden's NBA demise came mainly due to injury, and unlike some of the other star athletes who've busted in recent memory (Johnny Manziel, Todd Marinovich, etc) very little of Oden's downfall was due to foul play off-the-court. However, that isn't to say Oden has lived a perfect life off of the hardwood, as he was arrested in 2014 and pleaded guilty to assault and battery on an ex-girlfriend. Since last playing in China in 2015-2016, Oden has become a student-assistant coach at his alma mater of Ohio State. Obviously, ESPN loves telling the story of a guy who had it all and lost it quicker than anybody could imagine (Brian Bosworth, Trent Richardson, Todd Marinovich, etc). From his success at Ohio State to all of the hype surrounding his name as a pro and the injuries and scrutiny that came with being an NBA player, Greg Oden's story is the perfect narrative for a 30 For 30 film.
9. Avalanche/Red Wings Rivalry Of The 90's
One of the bloodiest and intense hockey rivalries we've ever seen took place from the mid-90's to the early 2000's between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings. From 1996-2002, the Avalanche and Red Wings won a combined five Stanley Cups, and almost every single one of those championships saw either the 'Wings or Avs go through one another in an intense Western Conference playoff series.
Infamous incidents between these two clubs include Claude Lemieux's absolutely gutless hit-from-behind on Detroit's Kris Draper in the 1996 Western Finals....
The hit sparked these comments by Detroit's Dino Ciccarelli...
An absolute melee in Detroit the following year on March 26, 1997, that saw a total of 138 combined penalty minutes and featured an all-time goalie bout between Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon....
Years later, Kris Draper opened up about the hit he took from Lemieux back in 1996 and stated that he agrees that the hit definitely sparked a fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Obviously, hockey has never been ESPN's bread and butter, and they made that abundantly clear when they laid off almost their entire hockey staff during the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past spring. But, due to the fierceness of this rivalry and how long it lasted, the Avs/Wings of the late-90's and early-2000's is definitely a story worth telling through a 30 For 30, even with ESPN's hockey coverage in 2017 being a total and utter joke.
8. Conference Realignment In College Athletics
While the NCAA only wants to show the good side of what realignment did to college athletics with the rise of the Power-Five conferences and all the money that now flows through them as well as the big television deals (SEC Network, BIG-10 Network, Longhorn Network), there's a lot of bad that came with conference realignment in college athletics.
Example 1: One of the best programs in the history of NCAA basketball, UConn, with a combined 15 national championships between the women (11) and men (5), being forced to play in the American Athletic Conference and having really no true rival. Example 2: The ending of football rivalries such as Texas vs. Texas A&M, Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, West Virginia vs. Pitt, basketball rivalries such as Syracuse vs. Georgetown, UConn vs. Syracuse, Pitt vs. UConn, and hockey rivalries such as North Dakota vs. Minnesota. Example 3: The deaths of entire conferences such as the BIG-East for football (still a thing for basketball but not nearly the same), CCHA and WCHA in hockey (BIG-10 ruined both).
There are a million different ways ESPN or whoever decides to make the film could go about this, but money is obviously the biggest point of emphasis. Almost every time a school switches conferences, it's because of money. Rutgers, Maryland, and Nebraska went to the BIG-10 because of it, as did Virginia Tech, Miami and BC to the ACC, and so on and so forth. This is a topic that I think a lot of people would be interested in seeing get its own 30 For 30 given how mixed the feelings are with every fan base. ESPN has done 30 For 30's in the past that have highlighted the deaths of certain conferences/leagues (XFL, USFL, BIG-East, etc), so why not do one on college athletics as a whole highlighting the changes/implosions of certain conferences?
7. Toronto Maple Leafs
I can see it now, the most cliche of all 30 For 30 film names. "Falling Leafs." It's now been 50 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are arguably the most popular NHL team in all of Canada and play in the "centre of the hockey universe," have raised the Stanley Cup. Comparably to the Boston Red Sox from 1918-2004 or the Chicago Cubs from 1908-2016, the Maple Leafs always seem to find a way to get close, but either collapse, lose in the most devastating of fashions, or both.
Toronto has fallen in the Conference Finals four times (1992, 1993, 1999, 2002) since lasting winning the cup in 1967. In 2013, the Maples Leafs overcame a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern quarterfinals to force a game-seven back in Boston. After going ahead 4-1 midway through the third period, Toronto surrendered three goals late (including two in the final 1:22) forcing overtime. Patrice Bergeron completed the comeback with a rebound goal 6:05 into the extra frame to send the Bruins onto round two, stunning the Leafs and their fans.
As already mentioned, ESPN's hockey coverage is nothing spectacular. But, the sad saga of the Toronto Maple Leafs is a story that needs to be told. After drafting and developing young stars such as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Leafs fans are hoping that they've finally found the answers to their championship woes, but only time will tell.
6. Penn State
The Penn State child sex abuse case involving Jerry Sandusky and the cover up that forever disgraced legendary head coach Joe Paterno is and always will be one of, if not the, biggest scandal in the history of college athletics. What Jerry Sandusky did throughout his years of working at Penn State and at their football camps can only be described as evil. He deserves to rot in his jail cell for the rest of eternity, and I don't think I need to dwell or emphasize that aspect of this stain on Penn State any more than that.
The more intriguing part of this story, to me, is all of the lying, cover-ups, and lawsuits that came about once all of the information began pouring out of Happy Valley. ESPN is no stranger to doing 30 For 30's that involve serious or downright disgusting crimes/allegations (Fantastic Lies, etc). Penn State paid a heavy price for the ignorance and neglect shown by many of their board and staff members, and Joe Paterno's legacy will forever be tarnished because of it. This story deserves to be told through a 30 For 30 and at some point, it definitely will be. The only question is whether or not ESPN wants to dig back into that bag so soon, as some of the civil lawsuits filed by the victims and their families are still ongoing so it may be wise to let all of the legal actions come to a close before a film is set into works.
5. Malice At The Palace
I still remember waking up on a Saturday morning when I was 12 years old in 2004. One of my buddies had slept over because we had hockey tryouts early that morning. My dad came into my room laughing hysterically saying "you have got to get your ass downstairs and turn on Sportscenter, you aren't going to believe it." I had no idea what I was about to watch, I figured it had something to do with the Celtics because the Bruins had the night off on Friday. I wasn't much of a basketball fan so I didn't really know why my dad thought I would care, but I soon found out why. I got downstairs to find my brother and my friend glued to the television watching Ron Artest try to take on the entire city of Detroit. It was incredible, I've never felt so at home watching an NBA game or basketball highlights in my entire life.
Anyways, moving on from my personal memories of the "Malice at the Palace," while this is hands down one of the ugliest moments in NBA history, it goes without saying that it is one of the most memorable and iconic stadium disasters in recent memory. From the complete lack of security and control to the fans pouring every drop of beer left in the arena on that fateful night on top of Pacer players as they made their ways to the locker room, this was a moment that I and most sports fans will never forget. Dan Patrick and Reggie Miller agree that there is going to be a 30 For 30 made on it one day, but Miller says that it'll be almost impossible to get Artest to take part.
ESPN has done 30 For 30 shorts on stadium disasters before like Hillsborough (England), where people actually died, so doing a 30 For 30 on the Malice at the Palace really wouldn't be far out of their lane. There are so many angles to go about with this incident for a 30 For 30, but maybe none are more intriguing than how this fight completely changed the fate of the Indiana Pacers franchise. If this film ever gets made, I'd expect a significant portion of it to reflect on that aspect following the total run down of the mayhem that took place.
4. The 2006-2008 Florida Gators
Here we have three extremely popular stories all mixed into one with the legend that is Urban Meyer (three national titles between Florida and Ohio State), the hype that was Tim Tebow with his two national titles in college and his wild rookie season in Denver, and the murderous disgrace that was Aaron Hernandez.
As a kid who grew up during the Tebow years at Florida, it wasn't hard to fall in love with the Gators. Whether or not you liked Tim Tebow (pointing at you 'Noles and Bulldog fans), you at least had to respect his work ethic and competitive drive. As for Urban Meyer, his resume of winning everywhere he's gone (Utah, Florida, Ohio State) speaks for itself. He's easily a top-three/five coach in college football today, and there's no argument. Hernandez, meanwhile, put a black mark on the New England Patriots franchise after being convicted of murder in the first degree of Odin Llyod in 2015. The paths Hernandez and Tebow took were obviously complete opposite directions, yet neither path taken by Hernandez or Tebow led to any sort of lengthy NFL career (not drawing any sort of comparison, just pointing out facts).
A 30 For 30 on the '06-'08 Gators would have a similar storyline/tone to it as Youngstown Boys, a film that highlights the rise and fall of Maurice Clarett and Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes. Obviously, with three unique stories like Meyer's, Tebow's, and Hernandez's, it opens up the narrative a little more. But, this is a story or combination of stories that I think would make a great 30 For 30 film, especially considering how far the University of Florida's football program has fallen since Meyer's departure and Tebow/Hernandez left school. Hernandez's troubles, which went extremely unreported, while at Florida that inevitably led to a life of drug abuse and despicable crime after leaving Gainesville and how Tebow attempted to intervene could and should be an obvious point of emphasis for this film.
3. Belichick And Brady, Spygate/Deflategate
It won't happen for 10-15 years because of how bad it made ESPN look with all the terrible reporting done by Chris Mortenson and clear biases of analysts like Mark Brunnel, but everything that was Deflategate, Spygate, Tom Brady, and Bill Belichick, will eventually (and hopefully) be in a 30 For 30 one day.
What the New England Patriots have done in the Belichick/Brady era is just absolutely ridiculous. Seven Super Bowl appearances, five rings, 16-0 in 2007, the list goes on and on. Even without the two cheating "scandals" this team's story deserves a 30 For 30 on its own, but when you add in all of the controversy surrounding this team and how much the Pats have been universally despised going on now 11 or so years, it's almost too perfect. I imagine a Patriots 30 For 30 having extreme similarities to I Hate Christian Laettner and Trojan War, two classic 30 For 30 films that highlighted the rise and fall of two programs (Duke basketball, USC football) whom you either loved or you hated and were the talk of the sports world. Since winning their first Lombardi in 2002, it's safe to say that the New England Patriots have been not only the talk of the sports world, but they've been the main headline. Everything Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, or any Patriot says or does gets blown out of context or put on the front page of the Boston Globe. Everything.
So, what exactly will this film highlight? Well, obviously the success the franchise has had, going all the way back to the selecting (stealing) of Tom Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Bill Belichick's road from Cleveland to New England as well as his lack of caring for the media. Players buying into the Patriot way. And, of course, the cheating bull crap. Again, it'll be some time until this film is put into works, as the Brady/Belichick dynasty needs to come to a formal end in order for this 30 For 30 to have a complete storyline, but it is definitely a film that is 100% going to be made at some point in the future.
2. Johnny Manziel
You all know the story of Johnny Football at this point. The partying, the domestic violence, the constant sucking and losing his starting job for wildly dumb reasons (lying to his coach, drinking and snap chatting it out to the world, etc), all of it.
The kid just completely went off the deep end and was ran out of town less than two years after arriving in Cleveland. Johnny Football's college career was one that everybody who was alive during that time period will always remember, with constant highlight performances, headlines, big-plays/wins, and the fiery attitude he had that drew the eyes of millions.
Johnny Manziel's life is the perfect 30 For 30 film. Not much else needs to be said other than that, and it's only a matter of time until this idea becomes a reality. 1. Roll Tide/War Eagle Part II
We saw a sequel to "The U." Now, it is time for a sequel to one of my favorite 30 For 30's in Roll Ride/War Eagle. After Roll Tide/War Eagle debuted in 2011 with featured aspects such as the Harvey Updyke tree poisoning, the Cam Newton-led come back in 2010, and the Tuscaloosa tornado, that this rivalry could have ever become any bit more crazy. Well, we were wrong. In fact, since 2011, so much has happened in this rivalry that a full two-hour 30 For 30 seems like the only way to truly give it justice. In just the last six seasons, the Iron Bowl has seen its victor go on and play in five national championship games (both BCS and CFP), three college football playoffs, five SEC Championship games (won all five), and won three national championships (all three Alabama).
Oh, and let's forget arguably the craziest finish in the history of college football with Chris Davis' kick-six to defeat Alabama 34-28 in 2013, propelling Auburn to an SEC-West Division title, an SEC championship a week later against Missouri in Atlanta, and an appearance in the BCS National Championship against Florida State out in Pasadena (lost 34-31).
I know what you're saying. Alabama's Nick Saban-led dynasty is far from being over and done with anytime soon, but these last six seasons have supplied us with some of the best memories in the history of college football. This rivalry is completely different than anything we've ever seen in professional or collegiate sports. The people of Alabama truly do live and die with this game. Roll Tide/War Eagle Part II needs to happen, and it needed to happen yesterday.
*Sidenote* I also wouldn't mind an update on outstanding citizen Harvey Updyke. You have to wonder what on Earth that guy is up to after killing the Toomer's trees and becoming public enemy No. 1 in Auburn. I'd be shocked if that Chris Davis kick-six didn't stop his heart.
Other 30 For 30 ideas I wouldn't mind seeing.... 1. Corruption in FIFA ESPN has done a series of Outside The Lines and E60 features on the fraudulent and corrupt cancer to the world of soccer that was ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and this story had a way of dodging a lot of the attention it should have gotten due to the lack of soccer coverage here in the United States. ESPN making a 30 For 30 on the corruption of Sepp Blatter and FIFA seems to be the only true way to document this long and twisted story in the manner it deserved to be documented at the onset.
2. John McEnroe Johnny Mac was one of the most controversial figures of his time due to his loud and often overly energetic and emotional play on the tennis court. Being an ESPN guy now, he'd be a perfect target for a 30 For 30 film. 3. Steroids in MLB It's honestly a little bit surprising that this hasn't had its own 30 For 30 yet with all of the big names that are involved (Bonds, Clemens, McGuire, Sosa, Canseco). Steroids were a massive part of baseball during the 70's, 80's, and 90's, and as much as they were a stain on the game of baseball, it's a story that needs to be told.
4. The rise of Boise State football Everybody loves a feel-good story, so unlike a lot of these topics (Penn State, FIFA, Johnny Manziel), a film about Boise State would be a nice little change-up to the normal angle that a lot of these 30 For 30 films take. Chris Peterson took this program from scratch and turned it into a Fiesta Bowl winner in one of the wackiest and craziest games ever played which featured a hook-and-lateral touchdown on a fourth-and-16 in the final minute and a Statue of Liberty to win it in overtime. If that's not worth a 30 For 30 than I don't know what is. 5. Floyd Mayweather In order for this film to be successful, Floyd would have to open up and talk about some of his darkest moments (domestic violence allegations, etc). But, the story of Floyd "Money" Mayweather is definitely one that a lot of people would love to watch. Depending on how this fight with McGregor goes it may not be long until ESPN bites and does a film on The Money Team. 6. The Hypocrisy of the NCAA Obviously, it will never happen given all of ESPN's television rights/deals with the NCAA, but how awesome would it be to take the leash off of Jay Bilas and let him go all out for a full two hours? 7. Tiger Woods Ten years ago, Tiger Woods was living the dream, making tons of money and winning at an absolutely unprecedented rate as the face of golf. But, Thanksgiving night in 2009 changed Tiger's' life completely, as Woods and his wife at the time got into a physical confrontation that involved Woods being struck with a nine-iron before crashing his car in his drive way. After the incident, it became apparent that Woods was a "sex addict" and had affairs with countless amounts of women (hence why his wife attacked him). Woods has yet to win another major since that fateful night in 2009 due to a series of injuries (back, knee, hand) and was arrested on an OUI charge in May of 2017. This guy's rise and fall from fame are the perfect makeup for a 30 For 30. 8. Pete Rose Pete Rose's life has been a wild ride. A member of the 3,000-hit club, Rose was banished from baseball in 1989 due to an alleged gambling scandal while coaching the Cincinnati Reds. The debate of whether or not Rose should be allowed entry into the Hall of Fame is popular amongst sports fans, and one that would be a main focal point of a 30 For 30 film. This is a film I'd love to see be put into the works.
Now, granted, preseason college football rankings are generally the wild wild west, and you're better off shooting an arrow off a buddy's head's blindfolded than previewing this sucker correctly. But, the release of Thursday's USA-Today preseason Coaches Poll gives us a solid idea as to the types of expectations these schools and their coaches have heading into the 2017 season. So, without further ado, here is how the rankings look followed by a couple takeaways....
1. Alabama (49)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Florida State (4)
4. USC
5. Clemson (7)
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. LSU
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Louisville
18. Miami (FL)
19. Kansas Strate
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah
Takeaways
Top-10 as diverse as we've seen it in quite some time
Those who do not care much for the overall cockiness of the SEC and its fans (suck it, Finebaum) have got to be happy with this poll release. For years, the SEC has dominated the preseason rankings, often placing four or five of their big dogs (Alabama, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Georgia) within the top-10 to begin the year. However, while Alabama may still be the purebred goliath of the conference, the release of the 2017 preseason poll shows that times are changing in college football, as Alabama is the lone SEC team ranked in the top-10. Two representatives apiece from the ACC (Florida State, Clemson) and PAC-12 (USC, Washington), four from the BIG-10 (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin) and one from the BIG-12 (Oklahoma) round out this year's preseason top-10. Obviously, somebody else from the SEC (LSU, Auburn, Georgia) is going to win their way into a top-10 ranking within the first several weeks of the season, as with either Florida State or Alabama having to fall in week-one in Atlanta, somebody outside the top-10 is mathematically going to have to move up a spot or two. But, nevertheless, seeing the BIG-10, ACC, and PAC-12 get more love in the preseason polls than the so-called "best conference in college football" was a nice way to start my day.
South Florida the lone-wolf from the Group-Of-Five
It's almost impossible to expect more than one or two of the Group-Of-Five teams to be in the preseason top-25 in a given year, as the coaches are always going to give the benefit of the doubt to the Power-Five schools. But, that is why it's always extra special whenever a Houston, a Boise State, or in 2017 possibly even a South Florida emerges and cracks the New Year's Six. Surely, another one, two, or even three Group-Of-Five teams will make their ways into the rankings at some point throughout the season, who it will be, however, is almost impossible to say. But, for prediction's sake, we'll go with Boise State, Memphis, and Western Kentucky.
Texas?
Just goes to show how high the expectations are in Austin. Even after an absolute abortion of a season saw the Longhorns go 5-7 including a loss to a dismal Kansas team, Texas is back in the preseason top-25 to begin 2017. Now, most Texas fans who are reasonable will tell you that they are not expecting Tom Herman to come in and win the BIG-12 in year-one. But, with all of the resources, facilities, and history the program has, winning the conference is, unfortunately, the expectation at Texas every single year. Should Texas be in the top-25 to begin the season? Probably not, based off of their recent lack of success and the hiring of a new coach. But, a preseason ranking for Texas makes that '06 Rose Bowl rematch between the Horns and Trojans in week-three out in LA look a little sexier, so while I disagree with why Texas got in, I understand how.
Lamar Jackson and Louisville not being shown much love
Even with defending Heisman-winner Lamar Jackson and a veteran secondary returning, the Cardinals of Louisville were left out of the top-15 to begin the 2017 season. Like last year where they were ranked No. 19 to begin the season, Jackson and company will have to win over the support of the voters in order to climb into the top-10. Strong showings against Purdue in Indy and at UNC to begin the season should be enough to move Louisville up the ranks six or seven spots by the time week-three rolls around and they host Clemson for their home-opener in a mammoth of a match-up.
Snubs
- Washington State
- Colorado
- Notre Dame
- Pittsburgh
- Texas A&M
A strong top-25 case can be made for Washington State, who returns quarterback Luke Falk and surplus of lethal receivers, as well as Pitt, who upset eventual national champ Clemson last season and returns one of the nation's best-kept secrets at running back in Qadree Ollison. Colorado also returns a solid quarterback with big-game experience in Steven Montez and eight defensive starters after winning the PAC-12 South last season. Texas A&M and Notre Dame, meanwhile, are wild cards, with both Brian Kelly and Kevin Sumlin fighting for their jobs. It's been a while since the Irish have been left out of the top-25 to begin the season, but we really have no idea what to expect from Notre Dame in 2017 given how much of a disaster last year was. Colorado, Pittsburgh, and Washington State could and should end up cracking the top-25 in the early weeks of the season, but it's probably best that Notre Dame and Texas A&M are left out for now due to the number of question marks surrounding both programs as well as the job securities of Kelly and Sumlin.
