TrojanWire - Georgia Tech

Don't Know Much About Sociology

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:10:59 -0800

A USA Today special report into athetes' majors showed clustering in certain majors ``without the academic demands most students face.'' A chart of the Top 25 football teams in 2007 showed 57.9 percent of USC's juniors and seniors (22 of 38) majored in sociology.
The only top 25 schools with more football players in a certain major were Michigan (75.6 percent in general studies) and Virginia Tech (63.3 percent in apparel, housing and resource management).
Outside the top 25, Georgia Tech had 81.8 percent major in management while UCLA had 50 percent major in history.

Hey, NCAA: Can Stepheson play?

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:00:54 -0800

Alex Stepheson is sitting, waiting, wishing.

He's sitting out games, having already missing USC's opener.

He's waiting to find out if he can play in the Trojans' second home game tonight.

And he's wishing he can board a red-eye flight that will take the team to Puerto Rico for a weekend tournament.

Stepheson is an impressive forward who transferred to USC after two seasons at North Carolina. Most players have to sit out one year, but the NCAA grants exceptions under certain circumstances. Stepheson applied for a transfer waiver, reportedly after an illness in the family caused him to come home to the LA area. But with the season already underway, he still doesn't know if he'll be eligible to play.

The Stepheson ripple runs deep. Coach Tim Floyd never divulges his starting lineup, but you can interpret his assessment of Stepheson yourself. "We feel like he's a guy that can have an impact, not only on our team but in the league."

Basketball analysts agree. ESPN's Andy Katz thinks his addition would make USC a Pac-10 title favorite, alongside UCLA and Arizona State.

In the meantime, the Trojans are spending valuable practice time on schemes that they might not be able to run.

"We're trying to prepare with both scenarios in mind," said Floyd. "We've done a lot of work with him as a part of the group that would be out there, and a lot of work without him in that group.... We really had to think in terms of two offensive systems, which has been somewhat of a distraction. If he wasn't as talented as he is, it wouldn't be worth doing. But he is, and we're trying to prepare ourselves the best we can in the event that we get good news."

It also wouldn't be worth doing if Stepheson's case were a long-shot. Based on NCAA precedent, there's reason for the Trojans to be optimistic. And that can make the waiting game frustrating.

Last year, the NCAA granted 55 transfer waivers and denied 34. Tyler Smith, who transferred from Iowa to Tennessee just before his father passed away from cancer, was one of six approved in men's basketball, out of 10 requests. This season, the NCAA had nine requests in men's basketball by the start of November -- approving four and denying one. That leaves four in progress, including Stepheson.

According to college sport's governing body, one of the common reasons they grant a transfer waiver is documented illness to a member of student-athlete’s family "that results in the need for the student-athlete to transfer." No need to overanalyze that. In tough times, his family needs him. He needs them. And as a lifelong athlete, he still needs basketball. Teammates are usually like a second family, and Stepheson has joined a team that certainly knows how to deal with life's hardest knocks. Two years ago, they lost point guard Ryan Francis in a tragic shooting. He would have been a senior this season.

The NCAA obviously can't issue a free pass to anybody who wants to jump ship and skip the normally required redshirt year. A few months ago, they denied the waiver of Colin Peek, an Alabama football transfer who left Georgia Tech because their new coach doesn't typically use his position (tight end). The NCAA won't comment on specific cases, but a representative said that type of reasoning falls outside the scope of a transfer waiver. There were reports that Peek would seek a "hardship" waiver (typically granted by conferences, not the NCAA, for severe injury or illness), but ultimately he found himself on this season's Tide scout team.

Though some might sympathize with Peek, who couldn't sympathize with Stepheson? His situation is serious enough that he missed missed playing time last season at UNC in order to travel home, including the Tar Heels' conference opener against 19th-ranked Clemson. Then he ditched the No. 1 team in America -- where he might have been a starter for part of the year. All-world Tyler Hansbrough is hurt, and guess who was a top candidate to fill in -- or at least get more playing time? Katz added that one thing is clear: "The Tar Heels definitely could have used Alex Stepheson back."

Even though he could be having an influence on Tobacco Road, it's difficult to imagine that UNC would oppose the transfer waiver; the school reportedly wouldn't appeal if it goes through. But the school is caught up in the protracted NCAA process. The Tar Heels were sent paperwork on the case last week, and have up to 10 days to respond.

North Carolina declined to publicly comment on the matter until the NCAA announces its decision, but an initial feel-good press release about the transfer quoted Coach Roy Williams as saying, "Being closer to home he will be able to provide the necessary support and help his family needs at this time. He is a wonderful kid."

Anybody with Internet access (including the NCAA) could have known this was coming three months ago, but sources indicate the full waiver request was filed with them only in October. The Stepheson family was asked to provide additional documentation just two weeks ago, and North Carolina still may not have finished all of its paperwork.

"I think they've been pretty responsive on the NCAA end," said Floyd. "I think it takes time to present your case."

Whether it's something on its end or not, the NCAA's wheels-of-justice have a reputation for turning very slowly. There are plenty of examples with USC alone, including two ongoing investigations about extra benefits allegedly received by Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo.

In 2004, the NCAA waited just two days before USC's football team kicked off its season to announce that wide receiver Mike Williams was ineligible after losing a reinstatement appeal. The organization claimed that it "responded within 24 hours of receiving the final information," though the situation had been under public scrutiny for several months and all parties appeared cooperative.

At least Williams found out before his team boarded the plane. It's looking less and less likely that the NCAA will be able to do the same for Stepheson.

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Bob Donnan/US Presswire

For further reading:

Check out this roundtable discussion about waivers on Rivals.com.
ESPN's Andy Katz goes into detail about Stepheson's family, basketball strengths and what he would mean to the Trojans.

Year-in, Year-Out?

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:12:36 -0800

This is a phrase that is often used when talking about the superiority of the SEC as a conference. As in “year-in, year-out, the SEC is the strongest league in college football.”

You hear it a lot. Way too much, in fact.

Now, here’s the thing. The SEC is currently the top conference. It was amazingly good last year and will be amazingly good this year.

But it is not set in stone that the SEC is the default top conference every year, or at least it shouldn’t be. Yet, that seems to be the prevailing opinion among the college football media, year-in, year-out.

To refute this notion, I present to you… the data provided by the indispensable CollegeFootballDataWarehouse.

The CFBDW has a ranking of teams and conferences based on (1) Winning Percentage Points (2) Schedule Points (3) National Championship Points and (4) Big 4 Bowl Points.

For the period 2000-2007, the BCS conferences are ranked as follows (total points is the first bit of data, followed left to right by the previously mentioned totals):


1	Southeastern Conference	941.69	286.64	350.05	150.00	155.00
2	Pacific-10 Conference	923.11	277.43	405.67	100.00	140.00
3	Big 12 Conference	860.65	285.30	330.35	100.00	145.00
4	Atlantic Coast Conference	837.01	286.51	365.50	50.00	135.00
5	Big Ten Conference	834.64	278.17	356.47	50.00	150.00
6	Big East Conference	609.62	282.21	272.41	0.00	55.00

As you can see, the SEC is on top in this decade (941 total points), but it’s not a slam dunk. And, the real reason for the top ranking is due to the SEC having 12 teams to accumulate its points vs. 10 teams for the Pac-10. The Pac-10 (923 points) gets to No. 2 largely on the strength of its schedule, while the SEC is dragged down somewhat by playing the fourth-toughest schedule among the six major conferences. Averaging the total points per team per conference, the Pac-10 averages 92.3 and the SEC averages 78.4.

If you look at the top 25 programs for 2000-2007, another interesting piece of data is revealed:


1	Southern California	1015.17	397.06	433.11	100.00	85.00
2	Louisiana St.	899.66	394.23	345.43	100.00	60.00
3	Oklahoma	884.39	420.56	343.83	50.00	70.00
4	Ohio St.	879.65	400.99	363.66	50.00	65.00
5	Miami (FL)	856.27	383.84	367.43	50.00	55.00
6	Florida	827.74	362.75	374.99	50.00	40.00
7	Texas	822.43	416.67	325.76	50.00	30.00
8	Georgia	797.31	388.35	368.96	0.00	40.00
9	Florida St.	781.10	334.95	406.15	0.00	40.00
10	Michigan	771.56	365.00	376.56	0.00	30.00
11	Oregon	749.76	338.38	396.38	0.00	15.00
12	Virginia Tech	741.11	379.81	341.30	0.00	20.00
13	Auburn (AL)	730.82	367.65	348.18	0.00	15.00
14	Notre Dame (IN)	725.92	293.81	402.10	0.00	30.00
15	Tennessee	716.38	348.04	368.34	0.00	0.00
16	Oregon St.	713.15	318.18	379.96	0.00	15.00
17	UCLA	699.59	282.83	416.76	0.00	0.00
18	Wisconsin	691.42	334.95	356.47	0.00	0.00
19	West Virginia	691.24	343.43	317.81	0.00	30.00
20	Boston College (MA)	686.01	351.49	334.53	0.00	0.00
21	Washington St.	682.55	284.21	388.34	0.00	10.00
22	Clemson (SC)	679.03	318.18	360.85	0.00	0.00
23	Maryland	677.47	311.22	356.24	0.00	10.00
24	California	675.74	275.51	400.23	0.00	0.00
25	Georgia Tech	674.88	299.02	375.86	0.00	0.00

In the ranking of the top 25 programs for this decade, only 5 SEC teams make the cut. However, the ACC puts 7 teams in there, while the Pac-10 contributes 6.

Take this data for what you think it is worth. It certainly isn’t the be-all and end-all of conference rankings, but it is at least an objective method of measuring them.

The conclusion I reach: The SEC is a great conference. Great most years. Sometimes, if not often, the best. Always the hands-down best? Nope. Year-in, year-out the best? Not really, not according to the data.

So writers, adjust accordingly.

The best rankings system?

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:28:15 -0800

Everyone seems to have computer formula these days. But some systems engineer professors at Georgia Tech claim their system ``consistently predicts NCAA basketball rankings more accurately than . . . even the tournament seeds themselves.''
The LRMC methord says it was right 55-65 percent of the time in games where picked different winners than other computer formulas. LRMC says it correctly identified an underseeded potential Final Four team in five of the last seven seasons by ranking them in the LRMC Top 10.
Here's the link, with USC currently ranked 20th.
http://www2.isye.gatech.edu/~jsokol/lrmc/lrmc.sort0.html

Ellis Keeps Streak Alive

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:17:21 -0800

The College Football News always tries to do things differently -- and so they did with their All-America team this year. But one thing they didn't do differently was keep USC nose tackle Sedrick Ellis' All-American streak alive. He's been named first-team on every single one released to date.

But naming Oregon's Dennis Dixon as the No. 7 quarterback in the nation and running back Jonathan Stewart the No. 6 running back? Please. Don't be that dumb.

USC fans may want to take note. CFN.com has Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall second-team, four spots ahead of Stewart.

Nice hit for Rialto grad Ryan Grice-Mullen, one of Hawaii's wide receivers, who was named second team. Another Rialto guy, Boise State's Ryan Clady, was named second team offensive line along with USC tackle Sam Baker and tight end Fred Davis.

USC DE Lawrence Jackson made third team while LBs Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga were honorable mention, as was Oregon's Patrick Chung of Raqncho Cucamonga.

Here's the team, listed by position.

Quarterbacks
First Team
1. Tim Tebow, Soph. Florida

Second Team
2. Colt Brennan, Sr. Hawaii

Third Team
3. Sam Bradford, RFr. Oklahoma

Honorable Mention
4. Chase Daniel, Jr. Missouri
5. Pat White, Jr. West Virginia
6. Matt Ryan, Sr. Boston College
7. Dennis Dixon, Jr. Oregon
8. Todd Reesing, Soph. Kansas
9. Dan LeFevour, Soph. Central Michigan
10. Graham Harrell, Jr. Texas Tech
11. Cullen Harper, Jr. Clemson
12. Paul Smith, Sr. Tulsa
13. Brian Brohm, Sr. Louisville
14. Erik Ainge, Sr. Tennessee
15. Chase Clement, Jr. Rice
16. Andre Woodson, Sr. Kentucky

Running Backs
First Team
1. Darren McFadden, Jr. Arkansas
2. Kevin Smith, Jr. UCF

Second Team
3. Rashard Mendenhall, Jr. Illinois
4. Ray Rice, Jr. Rutgers

Third Team
5. Jamaal Charles, Jr. Texas
6. Matt Forte, Sr. Tulane

Honorable Mention
7. Jonathan Stewart, Jr. Oregon
8. Knowshon Moreno, Fr. Georgia
9. Tashard Choice, Sr. Georgia Tech
10. Justin Forsett, Sr. California
11. Eugene Jarvis, Soph. Kent State
12. Chris Wells, Soph. Ohio State
13. Anthony Alridge, Sr. Houston
14. Chad Hall, Sr. Air Force
15. Chris Johnson, Sr. East Carolina

Wide Receivers
First Team
1. Michael Crabtree, RFr. Texas Tech
2. Jordy Nelson, Sr. Kansas State

Second Team
3. Ryan Grice-Mullen, Jr. Hawaii
4. Davone Bess, Jr. Hawaii

Third Team
5. James Hardy, Jr. Indiana
6. Mike Thomas, Jr. Arizona

Honorable Mention
7. Aaron Kelly, Jr. Clemson
8. Harry Douglas, Sr. Louisville
9. Jeremy Maclin, Fr. Missouri
10. Mario Manningham, Jr. Michigan
11. Brandon Gibson, Jr. Washington State
12. Kenny McKinley, Jr. South Carolina
13. Donnie Avery, Sr. Houston
14. Dante Love, Jr. Ball State
15. Jabari Arthur, Sr. Akron

Tight Ends
First Team
1. Travis Beckum, Jr. Wisconsin
Second Team
2. Fred Davis, Sr. USC
Third Team
3. Martin Rucker, Sr. Missouri

Honorable Mention
4. Cody Slate, Soph. Marshall
5. Bear Pascoe, Jr. Fresno State
6. Darius Hill, Sr. Ball State
7. Gary Barnridge, Sr. Louisville
8. Ryan Purvis, Jr. Boston College
9. Dennis Pitta, Soph. BYU
10. Dustin Keller, Sr. Purdue

Offensive Line
First Team
1. OT Jake Long, Sr. Michigan
2. OT Anthony Collins, Jr. Kansas
3. OG George Robinson, Jr. Oklahoma
4. OT Barry Richardson, Sr. Clemson
5. C Jonathan Luigs, Jr. Arkansas

Second Team
6. OT Kirk Barton, Sr. Ohio State
7. OT Sam Baker, Sr. USC
8. OG Branden Albert, Jr. Virginia
9. OT Ryan Clady, Jr. Boise State
10. OG Hercules Satele, Sr. Hawaii

Third Team
11. C Alex Mack, Jr. California
12. C Steve Justice, Sr. Wake Forest
13. C Adam Spieker, Sr. Missouri
14. OT Jeremy Zuttah, Sr. Rutgers
15. OT Michael Oher, Jr. Ole Miss
16. OT John Greco, Sr. Toledo

Defensive Line
First Team
1. DT Glenn Dorsey, Sr. LSU
2. DT Sedrick Ellis, Sr. USC
3. DE Greg Middleton, Soph. Indiana
4. DE George Selvie, Soph. South Florida

Second Team
5. DE Chris Long, Sr. Virginia
6. DE Wallace Gilberry, Sr. Alabama
7. DE Greg Hardy, Soph. Ole Miss
8. DE Vernon Gholston, Soph. Ohio State

Third Team
9. DE Chris Ellis, Sr. Virginia Tech
10. DE Nick Reed, Jr. Oregon
11. DE Maurice Evans, Soph. Penn State
12. DE Lawrence Jackson, Sr. USC

Honorable Mention
13. DT Lorenzo Williams, Sr. Missouri
14. DE Chase Ortiz, Sr. TCU
15. DE Jan Jorgensen, Soph. BYU
16. DT James Jones, Sr. Eastern Michigan

Linebackers
First Team
1. Dan Connor, Sr. Penn State
2. Curtis Lofton, Jr. Oklahoma
3. Jordon Dizon, Sr. Colorado

Second Team
4. Scott McKillop, Jr. Pitt
5. James Laurinaitis, Jr. Ohio State
6. J Leman, Sr. Illinois

Third Team
7. Spencer Larsen, Sr. Arizona
8. Sean Lee, Jr. Penn State
9. Shawn Crable, Sr. Michigan

Honorable Mention
10. Beau Bell, Sr. UNLV
11. Jerod Mayo, Jr. Tennessee
12. Keith Rivers, Sr. USC
13. Rey Maualuga, Jr. USC
14. Erin Henderson, Jr. Maryland
15. Brandon Spikes, Soph. Florida
16. Wesley Woodyard, Sr. Kentucky

Defensive Backs
First Team
1. S Craig Steltz, Sr. LSU
2. FS Jamie Silva, Sr. Boston College
3. CB Antoine Cason, Sr. Arizona
4. CB Aqib Talib, Jr. Kansas

Second Team
5. CB Alphonso Smith, Jr. Wake Forest
6. CB Mike Mickens, Jr. Cincinnati
7. FS Rashad Johnson, Jr. Alabama
8. CB Mike Jenkins, Sr. South Florida

Third Team
9. SS Kenny Phillips, Jr. Miami
10. CB Reggie Smith, Jr. Oklahoma
11. SS Chris Horton, Sr. UCLA
12. FS Jonathan Hefney, Sr. Tennessee

Honorable Mention
13. SS Patrick Chung, Jr. Oregon
14. CB Terrence Wheatley, Sr. Colorado
15. SS Tyrell Johnson, Sr. Arkansas State
16. FS William Moore, Jr. Missouri

Placekickers
First Team
1. Thomas Weber, Fr. Arizona State
Second Team
2. John Sullivan, Sr. New Mexico
Third Team
3. Gary Cismesia, Sr. Florida State

Honorable Mention
4. Travis Bell, Georgia Tech
5. Kai Forbath, Fr. UCLA
6. Austin Starr, Jr. Indiana
7. Jeff Wolfert, Jr. Missouri
8. Michael Torres, Sr. UCF
9. Leigh Tiffin, Soph. Alabama
10. Louie Sakoda, Jr. Utah

Punters
First Team
1. Durant Brooks, Sr. Georgia Tech
Second Team
2. Kevin Huber, Jr. Cincinnati
Third Team
3. Chris Miller, Sr. Ball State

Honorable Mention
4. Brett Kern, Sr. Toledo
5. Owen Tolson, Sr. Army
6. Jacob Richardson, Jr. Miami Univ.
7. Ryan Weigand, Sr. Virginia
8. Louie Sakoda, Jr. Utah
9. Michael Hughes, Sr. San Diego State
10. Tim Reyer, Sr. Kansas State

Kickoff Returners
First Team
1. A.J. Jefferson, Soph. Fresno State
Second Team
2. Matt Slater, Sr. UCLA
Third Team
3. Kevin Robinson, Sr. Utah State

Honorable Mention
4. Bryan Williams, Jr. Akron
5. Felix Jones, Jr. Arkansas
6. Kevin Marion, Sr. Wake Forest
7. Chris Johnson, Sr. East Carolina
8. Malcolm Lane, Soph. Hawaii
9. Marcus Herford, Jr. Kansas
10. Dorien Bryant, Sr. Purdue

Punt Returners
First Team
1. Kevin Robinson, Sr. Utah State
Second Team
2. Leodis McKelvin, Sr. Troy
Third Team
3. Deon Murphy, Jr. Kansas State

Honorable Mention
4. Eddie Royal, Sr. Virginia Tech
5. Jeremy Maclin, Fr. Missouri
6. Derrick Richards, Sr. Utah
7. Marty Tadman, Sr. Boise State
8. Philip Beck, Jr. Louisiana Tech
9. Brian Bonner, Sr. TCU
10. Brandon James, Soph. Florida

Upset Special

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 13:20:46 -0800

It was an upset sort of weekend for college football's elite. Nine of the AP-25 teams awoke with hangovers; the foul taste of defeat in their mouths. Five of the losing teams were previously ranked in the top ten. And to make matters worse only two of the losing teams, West Virginia and Oregon, fell to ranked opponents.

The first domino fell on Friday night when run-heavy #5 West Virginia went down against a more balanced #18 South Florida. This started the chain reaction that would tear through college football's top-teams. #3 Oklahoma blew a 24-7 lead, succumbing to Colorado in a last minute field goal. The national champion Florida Gators #4 followed suit, upset by a last minute field goal by Auburn, the same team that upset the one-loss Gators last season.

Sagarin Not So Impressed

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:34:42 -0800

USA Today's computer rankings guru Jeff Sagarin wasn't as impressed with the Trojans' 38-10 win over 109th-ranked Idaho. His rankings this week drop USC (90.10) from the top spot to No. 2, fip-flopping the Trojans with LSU 93.99), last week's No. 2 team.

The complete Sagarin ratings can be viewed at:http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt07.htm

If there is any good news from the first week, USC remains ahead in the rankings the BCS computers use, without the margin of victory factored in, 91.59 to 91.16 over LSU. But in the rankings factoring in margin of victory, USC trails both LSU (97.39) and Georgia Tech (92.32), a 30-point winner over Notre Dame, at 88.32.

UCLA (86.20) is No. 13 this week with Nebraska, next week's USC foe, No. 14 (86.07)

Cal's 14-point win over Tennessee moved the Bears to No. 4 overall at 89.91.

Trojans Gain in Coaches Poll

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:32:59 -0800

The 38-10 ho-hum win over Idaho didn't hurt USC at all in the ESPN-Coaches Poll out Tuesday morning with the Trojans actually picking up four first-place viotes from the 45 they had in the preseason poll.

UCLA (1-0) improved from No. 17 to No. 14 this week with USC's next opponent Nebraska (1-0) improving two spots from No. 19 to No. 17.

1. Southern California (49) 1-0 1,486 1
2. LSU (4) 1-0 1,417 2
3. Florida (7) 1-0 1,341 3
4. West Virginia 1-0 1,275 6
5. Wisconsin 1-0 1,183 7
6. Oklahoma 1-0 1,146 8
7. Texas 1-0 1,136 4
8. Louisville 1-0 995 11
9. Virginia Tech 1-0 988 9
10. California 1-0 985 12
11. Ohio State 1-0 977 10
12. Georgia 1-0 796 13
13. Auburn 1-0 644 14
14. UCLA 1-0 607 17
15. Penn State 1-0 585 18
16. Rutgers 1-0 576 16
17. Nebraska 1-0 512 19
18. Arkansas 1-0 455 20
19. TCU 1-0 351 22
20. Boise State 1-0 315 23
21. Georgia Tech 1-0 311 NR
22. Hawaii 1-0 269 24
23. Texas A&M 1-0 214 25
24. Tennessee 0-1 162 15
25. Boston College 1-0 153 NR

Dropped out: No. 5 Michigan (0-1, lost to Applachian State 34-32), No. 21 Florida State (0-1, lost to Clemson 24-18).

Others receiving votes Others receiving votes: Clemson 145; Michigan 132; Miami (Fla.) 61; Brigham Young 49; Oregon 41; South Carolina 34; Missouri 29; Texas Tech 25; Oregon State 24; Alabama 21; South Florida 20; Southern Mississippi 16; Florida State 14; Kentucky 4; Arizona State 3; Iowa 1; Wake Forest 1; Washington 1.

Weis not making QB choice public

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:51:44 -0800

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has decided on a starting quarterback, he's just not telling anyone who it is - including the player he's picked. Weis has said repeatedly since the team began practicing this month he would not announce whether Evan Sharpley, Demetrius Jones or Jimmy Clausen would start at quarterback until it was time to take the field Sept. 1 for the opener against Georgia Tech. Thursday night following practice, Weis said for the first time he had made his choice.

Demar DeRozan #2 Pick in NBADraft.net's 2009 Mock Draft

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:41:18 -0800

Way too early to take stock, but still fun to make predictions. Here are the lottery picks:

B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
Demar DeRozan, SG, USC
Greg Monroe, PF, Undecided
Kyle Singler, SF, Duke
Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
Alexey Shved, PG, Russia
Donte Greene, SF, Syracuse
Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech
Brandon Jennings, PG, Arizona
Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Chris Wright, PG, Georgetown
James Harden, SG, Arizona State
Victor Claver, SF, Spain

I actually think it's a pretty bad mock draft, but Demar is a legit one-and-done player and future top 7 pick. If everything works out in our favor, we may have 3 lottery picks in a span of two years in Mayo, DeRozan, and (Greg) Monroe (possible #1 pick overall). How amazing would that be for our recruiting?

Preseason Top 25 Roundup

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:23:04 -0800

As the college football preseason magazines come out and the websites assemble their preseason lists, here's a quick look at some of the higher profile college football preseason top 25 lists.

Lindy's	Athlon	FoxSports	Rivals.com	AJC
1. USC	1. USC	1. USC	1. USC	1. USC
2. LSU	2. Texas	2. LSU	2. Michigan	2. West Virginia
3. Michigan	3. LSU	3. Texas	3. LSU	3. Oklahoma
4. West Virginia	4. Wisconsin	4. Florida

4. West Virginia 4. Ohio State 5. Texas 5. West Virginia 5. Wisconsin 5. Florida 5. Florida 6. Wisconsin 6. Florida 6. Ohio State 6. Ohio State 6. LSU 7. Tennessee 7. Oklahoma 7. Oklahoma 7. Virginia Tech 7. Texas 8. Virginia Tech 8. Michigan 8. Arkansas 8. Oklahoma 8. Michigan 9. Louisville 9. Virginia Tech 9. UCLA 9. Texas 9. Arkansas 10. Oklahoma 10. Rutgers 10. Michigan 10. Wisconsin 10. Virginia Tech 11. Florida 11. Cal 11. West Virginia 11. Louisville 11. Louisville 12. Cal 12. Ohio State 12. Georgia 12. Georgia 12. Wake Forest 13. Ohio State 13. Louisville 13. Virginia Tech 13. Nebraska 13. Wisconsin 14. Arkansas 14. Georgia Tech 14. Auburn 14. Auburn 14. Auburn 15. TCU 15. UCLA 15. Nebraska 15. Cal 15. Nebraska 16. Rutgers 16. Georgia 16. Tennessee 16. Arkansas 16. Georgia 17. Georgia 17. Penn State 17. Florida State 17. Tennessee 17. Tennessee 18. Texas A&M 18. Nebraska 18. Cal 18. Penn State 18. Rutgers 19. Hawaii 19. Hawaii 19. Boston College 19. Rutgers 19. South Carolina 20. Wake Forest 20. Tennessee 20. Texas A&M 20. Florida State 20. Florida State 21. Florida State 21. Auburn 21. Rutgers 21. Texas A&M 21. Notre Dame 22. UCLA 22. Oregon State 22. Georgia Tech 22. Notre Dame 22. Texas A&M 23. Auburn 23. Texas A&M 23. TCU 23. Hawaii 23. TCU 24. Boston College 24. Miami 24. Penn State 24. Boston College 24. Boise State 25. Nebraska 25. TCU 25. Oregon State 25. Clemson 25. Oklahoma St.

From the list above, here's some things I think I think:

- What in the hell is going on with the UCLA rankings? Fox has them in the top 10, Athlon at number 15 and Lindy's at number 22, while Rivals and the AJC don't even have the Bruins ranked. That's a pretty wide disparity. UCLA is the only team that cracked the top ten in one poll, that didn't make it onto everybody's top 25 list. For my part, I can't get the FSU ass-whipping out of my mind. If UCLA intends to play the way they did last year (and I haven't really seen enough to think that this year's team would be better), then I think the Bruins are #24 or #25-ish projection, if they make the list at all.

- By the same token, what the hell with West Virginia? The 'Eers are getting mucho amor in all the polls except Fox. WVU gets a #2, two #4s, a #5 and.... a #11 ranking? Who exactly is doing the Fox rankings? UCLA makes the Fox top ten and West Virginia can't manage to crack it? Is there anyone (outside of UCLA homers) who doesn't think WVU would hang half-a-hundred on the Bruins?! WVU got hosed in the Fox poll, plain and simple.

- My how the mighty have fallen. Notre Dame doesn't make the Lindy, Athlon, or Fox pre-season top 25s... and I couldn't agree more.

- Put Rutgers in the "no one knows" category. The Scarlet Knights (and don't forget to say they're from New Jersey) are ranked as high as #10 (Athlon) and as low as #21 (Fox). I'm inclined to think that Rutgers may go the way of Biz Markie... another one hit wonder.

- Best unranked team - Although the crack the Rivals list (barely) the best unranked team in has to be Clemson. The Tigers have some transitions to make on both sides of the ball, but you can't argue their talent level and team speed. Clemson is perfectly capable of landing in a BCS game this year as ACC champ (and that would be a hell of an accomplishment with strong VTech, awakening FSU, Georgia Tech, Boston College, and South Carolina on the schedule, plus an ACC championship game!)

Comment on Preseason Top 25 Roundup...

First Mock Draft Rd 1

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:06:32 -0800

1. Oakland (2-14)- Jamarcus Russell, QB, LSU

Jamarcus is the most talented player in this draft. Will he save a dead franchise though?

2. Detroit (3-13)- Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

If the Lions do not go with Quinn here they will have a hard time explaining this one to their fans.

3. #Cleveland (4-12)- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

From everything we hear the Browns are in love with Peterson.

4. #Tampa Bay (4-12)- Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Too much talent here and Gruden knows the value of a great WR to his QB Chris Simms coming off an injury.

5. Arizona (5-11)- Joe Thomas, LT, Wisconsin

Perfect fit in Arizona who needs a monster to protect Leinart and his offensive weapons.

6. Washington (5-11)- Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

High rising specimen who bolsters a weak front line of the Redskins.

7. Minnesota (6-10)- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

Adams could be the most gifted pass rusher in this draft but do not be shocked if he falls to the Vikings.

8. Houston (6-10)- Alan Branch, DT, Michigan

With the drafting of DE Mario Williams #1 last year this pick helps solidify a future dominating front line.

9. Miami (6-10)- Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

Miami has needed a lockdown corner since Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain have left. Here he is.

10. Atlanta (7-9)- Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

New HC Bobby Pertino saw all of Vick’s films and noticed his lack of pass protection. Here is your protection Mr. Vick.

11. San Fransico (7-9)- Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio St

The top playmaker in the draft goes to one of the most improved offensive teams in the NFL.

12. Buffalo (7-9)- Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal

Hughes had a monster senior year and if the Bills lose CB Nate Clements in Free Agency this is a nice filler.

13. St. Louis (8-8)- Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

The talk of the Senior Bowl this is a nice pick for a struggling defense.

14. Carolina (8-8)- Reggie Nelson, S, Florida

Nelson could go higher with great workouts but the Panthers would love if he was there for them at 14.

15. Pittsburgh (8-8)- Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh

Revis can improve on some things but shows great tools. Steeler CB Ike Taylor struggled and Revis is familiar to the Pittsburgh area.

16. Green Bay (8-8)- Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal

Trades could shake up where Lynch goes but with Ahman Green getting old he is a nice fit here.

17. Jacksonville (8-8)- Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State

If Posluzny is not a Jack Del Rio type of player than we do not who is.

18. Cincinnati (8-8)- Laron Landry, S, LSU

Great addition to the D Backfied if Landry falls here.

19. Tennessee (8-8)- Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC

DJ may also experience a team trading in but if he falls to the Titans Jeff Fischer and QB Vince Young will be licking their chops.

20. NY Giants (8-8)- Aaron Ross, CB, Texas

High riser in many draft boards Ross is a talent and the Giants need to get younger on defense and in the D Backfield.

21. Denver (9-7)- Adam Carricker, DE Nebraska

We predict that Carricker will be a workout warrior and Coach Shannahan loves athletic and strong talent.

22. Dallas (9-7)- Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida

Starting another run on the strongest position in the first Round(DE’s). Moss will step in and play right away.

23. Kansas City (9-7)- Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia

KC is another squad in need of help defensively. Johnson will need some time but has major upside.

24. New England (from Seattle) (9-7)- Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia

Moses fits perfectly as the Pats LBs are getting older and they love the hybid DE/LB types. Georgia also has given them DT Seymour amongst others.

25. NY Jets (10-6)- Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State

McCauley struggled late in the year but is a first round talent that will be a good match for the Jets at 25.

26. Philadelphia (10-6)- Tank Tyler, DT, NC State

The Eagles continue to get big up front and Tyler is a monster weighing over 330. He gives HC Andy Reid major beef.

27. New Orleans (10-6)- Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas

After watching the playoffs it is obvious that the Saints could use some more DB help.

28. New England (12-4)- Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU

Bowe is another player on the rise and the Pats need major help at the WR position.

29. Baltimore (13-3)- Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee

Meachem gives the Ravens some speed to compliment WR Derrick Mason on the other side.

30. San Diego (14-2)- Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina

San Diego has everything else, maybe another reciever is the only position they really lack.

31. Chicago (13-3)- Greg Olsen, TE, Miami

Olsen is a tough kid who will be a better pro than collegian. The Bears need a security blanket for QB Rex Grossman.

32. Indianapolis (12-4)- Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State

The SB Champs may have to replace LB Cato June who could leave via Free Agency and Timmons may be that man.

Trojans Established as the Team to Beat

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 08:54:15 -0800

Can Florida repeat? According to the offshore book Pinnacle Sports, the team to beat for the 2008 Bowl Championship Series title is USC. Pinnacle made the Trojans a 5-to-2 favorite (win $5 for every $2 bet) when it posted odds last week. Michigan, the Trojans' opponent in the Rose Bowl, was second at 13/2. Then came the Gators at 7/1, followed by Texas at 10/1, West Virginia at 14/1, Louisiana State at 15/1, Oklahoma at 17/1 and Arkansas at 19/1. Other opening odds: Ohio State 28/1; Nebraska 38/1; Auburn 46/1; Notre Dame 47/1; Rutgers 52/1; Louisville 52/1; California 67/1; Brigham Young 67/1; Georgia 73/1; Tennessee 99/1. Teams listed at 100/1: Wisconsin, Miami, Florida State, Wake Forest, Boise State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Clemson, UCLA, Texas Christian and Hawaii. As a sidenote, Pinnacle announced shortly after it released the odds that it would no longer accept clients located within the United States. This appears to be a response to a crackdown against online gambling by U.S. authorities that started in July with the arrest of David Carruthers, chief executive of Bet On Sports, a publicly traded company in Britain. Carruthers remains under house arrest at a hotel in St. Louis, pending a trial later this year. Two months after Carruthers' arrest, Peter Dicks, a former chairman of Sportingbet PLC, was detained in New York. ... Thanks to Image of Sport for the shot of USC mascot Traveler.

BlogPoll: Week 14

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:29:03 -0800

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Ohio State	--
2	Southern Cal	--
3	Michigan	--
4	Florida	2
5	Boise State	4
6	Louisville	4
7	LSU	4
8	Arkansas	3
9	Oklahoma	5
10	Notre Dame	6

BlogPoll: Week 13

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:29:15 -0800

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Ohio State	--
2	Southern Cal	1
3	Michigan	1
4	Notre Dame	--
5	Arkansas	--
6	Florida	--
7	West Virginia	--
8	Texas	--
9	Boise State	2
10	Louisville	3