2008 Mountain West Coference Football Preview: #3 TCU Horned Frogs

#9 San Diego State

#8 UNLV

#7 Air Force

#6 Wyoming

#5 Colorado State

#4 New Mexico

Do not sleep on TCU which is actually what the team wants so they can sneak up on teams.  Last year was a down year for TCU who had an 8-5 record last year.  Coach Patterson always has his teams ready to play, and even when they do lose they rarely get beat by a lot of points.

Offense: The quarterback situation was a mess last year between Andy Dalton and Marcus Jackson both split time and one never had a firm grasp on the job.  In 2008 Andy Dalton is named the starter and with one year behind him he should be able to prosper, especially since he is not going to be looking over his shoulder.

Running back will be a strong position with Aaron Brown who is a very talented back.  Last year he was injured in the mid to late part of the season which also hurt the Horned Frogs success.  With Brown fully healthy he could be the best back in the league who was the preseason 2007 player of the year.  Brown also is featured in the return game in certain situations.  The offense will go through Brown and if he plays well then the team will play well.

Receivers was another low point in TCU’s offense who had no experienced receivers to bail out the offense who was with out Aaron Brown.  This year the receiving corp should be better with their leading receiver in Ervin Dickerson returning.  If Dickerson can become a better receiver then the opposing teams defense will be unable to focus on just the running game.

Defense: The defense is usually the strong point at TCU and this year is no exception.  Even with the loss of Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz this defense has the chance to be special.  The defense will be lead by future NFL player Daryl Washington at linebacker who is a stud.  Last year the defense ranked  top 15 nationally in scoring defense (18.7), run defense (103.5), pass defense efficiency (107.8 rating), sacks (41) and total defense (323.6 yards).  This year Gary Patterson believes this team can be better then last years team.  If they are better then TCU has a shot to win the Mountain West this year.

8/30	@ New Mexico
9/06	Stephen F. Austin
9/13	Stanford
9/20	@ Southern Methodist
9/27	@ No. 4 Oklahoma
10/04	San Diego State
10/11	@ Colorado State
10/16	No. 16 Brigham Young
10/25	Wyoming
11/01	@ UNLV
11/06	@ Utah
11/22	Air Force

Not a chance… @Oklahoma

50/50… @New Mexico, @ Colorado State, BYU, Wyoming, @Utah, Air Force

Lock it Up… Stephen F. Austin, @SMU, San Diego State, @UNLV

Projected Record: 8-4

2008 Mountain West Coference Football Preview: #4 New Mexico Lobos

#9 San Diego State

#8 UNLV

#7 Air Force

#6 Wyoming

#5 Colorado State

These next four teams all have chances to win the league, and coming it at four is New Mexico.  The Lobos last year sheded some of their past with losing to inferior opponents to become more stable.  Last year New Mexico won its first bowl game since 1961 by defeating Nevada 23-0. 

Offense: The Lobos do return a multiple of offensive weapons, and the most dangerous is running back Rodeny Ferguson who is one of many good running backs the league has.  The other is returning quarterback  Donovan Porterie who is in his third year in the program and third year as the starting quarterback.  The big losses are at wide receiver with Travis Brown and Marcus Smith who accounted for nearly all of the receiving yards. 

This just means that Ferguson will get extra carries early on in the season until the team is comfortable with their receivers and able to become more balanced.   Even with four of the five offensive lineman gone the offensive line should be fine, because of the depth they had last year which allowed many of the new starters to get significant playing time last year. 

The receivers are young, but it looks like the likely starters are junior Roland Bruno who started six games last season and who had five receptions for a career-high 86 yards in the New Mexico Bowl, senior Jermaine McQueen  the team’s fastest wideout, and sophomore Chris Hernandez.  With the veteran quarterback in Porterie the receving game should be fine with his patience and experience he brings.

Defense:  The Lobos run the wacky 3-3-5 and try to cast confussion which can be a hit or miss defense.  The defense was very good last year when they were 14th nationally defensively, however the defense loses most of which comes in the front six. 

The position that coach Long is most concered with is the linebacker position because all three starters are gone from last year, and the only players with experience are Zach Arnett and Herbert Felder.  The way that Long rotates through linebackers there will be plenty of new faces, and that is something he is worried about.

The good news is that the defensive backfield is intact from last years team with all five starters returning.  With this experience Long will be able to do multiple things with this experienced group, and they will be able to help out with the linebacking position to disgues coverages.  Teams that want to pass on the Lobos will have to be really good to beat the Lobo secondary for big plays.

8/30	TCU
9/06	Texas A&M
9/13	Arizona
9/20	@ Tulsa
9/27	@ New Mexico State
10/04	Wyoming
10/11	@ No. 16 Brigham Young
10/18	San Diego State
10/23	@ Air Force
11/01	Utah
11/08	@ UNLV
11/15	@ Colorado State

No Chance… NONE

50/50… TCU, Texas A&M, Arizona, @Tulsa, @New Mexico State, @BYU, @Air Force, Utah

Lock it up… Wyoming, @UNLV, @San Diego State

Projected Record: 8-4

The Mountain West Sports Network goes live on DirecTv

The day has finally come, August 27th, the Mountain West Sports Network goes nation wide on DirecTv channel 616, well kind of.  Tomorrow The Mtn. launches in all the states of the league, local areas in Dallas/Fort Worth area, San Diego, and areas in nearby states which include Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska and others.  If you live outside of these areas then you have to order the sports pack, and as of now it is not on Dish Network.

So, will I clear my schedule to watch the premier of the Mountain on DirecTv, ummmm no.   I have seen the program they offer and the production value, which is next to nothing.  Mainly I will be watching the live games and hope one day that the studio shows will improve along with the production value.   Also, where is the high-definition for this season.  That is what hurts because ever since having high def regular seems unacceptable to watch.  Perhaps once the directv money starts flowing in they channel can move to high def, and get better production value.

Seriously this is a HUGE advancement for the league to increase its footprint and exposure nationally.  The channel will still be an unkonwn to most across the country and not many people have the sports pack or the highest package that includes everything.   One thing that I do know is that people who find football on will at least pay attention to it for a few minutes, and with the league being possibly its strongest ever and with BYU and Utah considered as BCS bowl participants maybe a few extra people will find their way to the channel

Michigan Interview with Maize N Brew

Check out this interview I held with Dave over at Maize n Brew about how the Utah and Michigan game will shape out.  Go check out his site after you read his responses.  This is an excellent read so check it out.

1. Do you buy the hype over Michigan’s players not “fitting the system”?

Offensively I don’t think there’s any question that several of Michigan’s players are not optimally suited to run rodriguez’ preferred offense. A 6′6″ statue with a cannon arm is not what Rodriguez generally prefers to run his offense. However, Steven Threet or Nick Sheridan or Justin Feagin all ran the Spread in high school, so each of them has some knowledge of what the system entails and their better suited to run whatever version of the Spread Rodriguez installs than anyone who’s taken the snaps at Michigan for the last decade. So while the signal caller may not be Rodriguez prototypical player, whomever he names the starter will be more than capable for running the offense. When you get to the skill positions (RB, WR, TE),
though you’d like to see more experience on the wings, Michigan is loaded with more talent and capability than Rodriguez has ever had, with the possible exception of Noel Devine.

The real issue is on the offensive line. All of these linemen, with the exceptions of Tackles Steve Schilling and Mark Ortmann, were traditional pro style linemen who floundered under the horrific tutelage of former line coach Andy Moeller. None of the linemen were ever required to work, run, sprint, or block the way Rodriguez’ system requires. Top that off with the antiquated conditioning system Michigan formerly employed which valued girth over strength and athleticism, well, you start to get the picture. Michigan’s biggest “fit the system” problem will come at the offensive line, simply because of the lack of depth and the fact that most of them have ever run an offense remotely similar to Rodriguez’.

On Defense? Stacked like pancakes on Sunday, son. The defense is fast, mean, and loaded with speed. New DC Scott Schafer, last seen guiding Stanford’s defense to an upset over top ranked USC, loves what he’s got. This is arguably the second best defense in the Big Ten behind Ohio State’s.

2 Who will Rich Rodriguez play at quarterback in week one, and will he
stick to just one or use a rotation?

According to the projected two-deeps and various media outlets, redshirt freshman Steven Threet will take the Michigan’s first snaps this season. Threet is a former consensus 4 star, Elite 11 quarterback. He initially committed to Georgia Tech and bolted after fall practice. The reasons were never clear but the consensus was a combination of home sickness and dissatisfaction with the Tech coaches. Threet is as tall as the statute of Liberty and reputed to be just about as mobile. Though he ran the spread in high school, Threet isn’t a threat to run. There are the occasional quotes from his high school coach indicating he’s faster than he looks, or that no one’s giving his athleticism any credit, but everything I’ve seen/read/heard says coffee table like mobility. I hope he proves me wrong.

Where Threet will make his money is in the passing game. He’s got a cannon for an arm and is reputed to throw as pretty a deep ball as you’ll find in college football. This isn’t to say his arm is as strong as Henne’s, or even now departed Ryan Mallett, but it’s pretty good. Threet has also garnered praise for his leadership qualities and seems to have the best grasp of the huddle and a smidge more poise than Sheridan.But nothing is wrapped up.

As surprising as it sounds, walk-on Nick Sheridan’s performance during fall practice has him neck and neck with Threet to start August 30th. This should be and is (somewhat) a cause for concern. Programs like Michigan aren’t supposed to have walk-ons at starting quarterback. However, there is some precedent for this. Brian Griese was a preferred walk on who didn’t earn a scholarship until his senior year.
Which is incidentally the year he led the Wolverines to a national title. While no one is suggesting that’s going to happen this year, it does offer at least a little bit of comfort. Inapplicable historical minutia aside, there are several reasons for optimism when it comes to Sheridan’s potential as a signal caller. First he was a fairly successful quarterback at Ann Arbor Saline high school before a knee injury derailed his senior season. Sheridan is the more athletic of the two quarterbacks and was used to running the spread in high school as well as tucking the ball under and running.

Next, though he doesn’t possess the arm strength that Threet has, Sheridan’s accuracy has improved dramatically with the extra reps he’s gotten with the first team this fall and he’s got enough arm strength to get the ball where it needs to be. Finally, Sheridan’s a smart kid and a coach’s son. Part of the reason Sheridan came to Michigan was at the request of Lloyd Carr for him to matriculate as a preferred walk on. Sheridan’s dad was a coach at Michigan at the time (or a former coach), so there’s some nepotistic rationale for the invitation but Carr wasn’t a guy who’d take a kid who get killed at the D-1 level. So, baseline, Carr felt Sheridan would be able to contribute in some way, whether running the scout team or as a sort of player/coach during drills. One thing that’s been praised over and over again is Sheridan’s grip of the basics and how coachable he is. The benefits of being a coach’s son become pretty apparent in those circumstances.

Regardless of who starts, Rodriguez has made clear you’re probably going to see both quarterbacks on the 30th.

3. How do you think the Michigan defense will do against Utah’s
spread? Especially since they struggled against Appalachian State and
Illinois, two teams that use a spread offense.

While it’s true the spread offense has been Michigan’s Achilles Heel the last ten years, most of that has to do with the coaching that left rather than any deficiency in talent. Michigan’s past teams were built
around defending a power running team or a standard, pro-style offense. Carr wasn’t a spread guy, so no matter how much practice time the team got out of it’s practice squad it wasn’t going to match up to
the Ohio State, USC, or Texas/Vince Young offenses. But if you’re talking about defending a standard spread offense, well, Michigan’s faired better than people perceive.

Michigan really hasn’t struggled with Illinois, despite the offense it runs. If you watch the last two year’s games, Michigan had a simple philosophy with Juice Williams. Make him throw. Stack the line and do
your best to knock him around. It worked. Regarding the loss to Appalachian State, it’s a two part answer. First, Armanti Edwards did his best Troy Smith imitation, and deserves full credit for being the
best player on the field that day and arguably the third best player to set foot on Michigan turf last year (Denis Dixon and Beanie Wells are 1 and 2). Second, and more damningly, Michigan’s defense was totally unprepared for the quality of team they were facing. It was an utter coaching failure on the part of Michigan’s defensive staff.  People can say what they want, but based on Michigan’s performance the
rest of the year the ASU game was more the result of a talented but lazy team taking a hungry and talented team too lightly.

It’s worth noting that in the second half ASU managed 6 points, when they put up 28 in the first. If Michigan played both halves like the second, I wouldn’t be writing this. But they didn’t, and deserved to lose. Bottom line, ASU is the less an example of Michigan’s difficulty with the spread than the team’s uncanny ability to lose games it shouldn’t over the last five years of Carr’s tenure.

The best example of difficulty that Michigan has with the Spread is Northwestern. Prior to his death, Gary Walker has Northwestern giving Michigan fits with his system which was largely derived from Rich
Rodriguez’ system. Multiple people in motion, quick slants, quarterback reads, the option, etc. All gave Michigan headaches because it was, in effect, a pure spread offense than Michigan had never been able to replicate in practice. Now, facing the Rodriguez’ spread every day in practice, and with the talent on defense this year I think the days that people perceive the “spread’s” pwnage of
Michigan’s defense are coming to a close.

But, as everyone knows, a special player makes the difference in that type of offense. Vince Young. Troy Smith. Look at what happened to Oregon when Denis Dixon went down. If Brian Johnson is healthy, then
he could be a difference maker. However, I haven’t seen enough of the guy to know just how good he can be. If he’s as good as people say, and as quick a runner as he’s made out to be when healthy, I think he’ll give our linebackers fits.

I think the QB makes the difference. I just don’t think the fact that Utah runs a spread offense matters this year, even though it might have in the past.

4.  Is Rich Rodriguez going to be stubborn and force ‘his offense’ on
this team or will he gradually mix it in and utilize the strengths of
the players he has?

Will he force a square peg into a round hole? No. He’s too good a coach for that. Rodriguez has a history of molding his offenses around his personnel. Certainly he has a system, but that system can be adapted a number of ways to take advantage of the talent he has. Look at his success with Tulane. Hell, he somehow managed to get Shaun King drafted! King had all the foot speed of a wicker swing set and he
still guided that team to a 12-0 season and a bowl win. Everything we’ve heard or seen from this Michigan team indicates he’s crafting his system around his players.

5. Who wins and why?

Michigan, based on their defense. Don’t get me wrong, I think Utah’s got ever possible chance to win this game, but my questions with Utah’s defense are greater than my concerns over Utah’s offense.

Utah’s primary returning starters on the D-Line are at the end positions, where Michigan’s best linemen are located. Utah’s returning interior line appears to be a little banged up or inexperienced, just
like its Michigan opposite. There just isn’t a clear advantage there, so a push, you move to Utah’s linebackers who, with the exception of Stevenson Sylvester, are unknowns. However, Michigan’s tailbacks are known quantities each of whom went over 100 yards against Big Ten opponents, and I think they win that battle. Michigan should be able to put up enough points to beat Utah, so the question becomes can the defense keep Utah off the board? I think they can.

The interior line of Terrance Taylor and Will Johnson maybe the best combo in the Big Ten. On the ends I’ve made no secret of how good I think Brandon Graham
(http://www.maizenbrew.com/2008/8/21/598489/15-michigan-football-playe)

and Tim Jamison
(http://www.maizenbrew.com/2008/8/15/594161/15-michigan-football-playe)
are going to be. I think, despite the size and experience returning on Utah’s line, Michigan will be able to get to Johnson. Part of that also has to do with the fact I don’t think Utah will find a lot of success in the air based on the CB combo of Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren.

Both new safeties played extensively last year and our nickel back, Boubacar Cissoko, is a five star top rated CB who’s been extensively praised for his coverage and toughness (even if he does get run over by a running back every now and then). If Utah does find success in the air, it will mean trouble for Michigan. But Johnson’s performance to date, combined with the quality of Michigan’s secondary, makes this a ground and trenches type game. And if it’s decided in the trenches, I think Michigan’s stronger up front. But that’s my partisan opinion.

2008 Mountain West Coference Football Preview: #5 Colorado State Rams

#9 San Diego State

#8 UNLV

#7 Air Force

#6 Wyoming

This may same high for a team that was terrible last year and a team that is breaking in a new starting quarterback.  However, the Rams should pose one of the best running attacks in the league with Gatrell Johnson III and Kyle Bell back full from his injury, and include Kory Sperry who is a top two league tight end, before he injured his knee early on in the Cal game.  The coaching staff is new with Steve Fairchild taking over for long time coach Sonny Lubbick.  Fairchild was with the program during the teams great run during the 90’s where the team went to multiple bowl games and won multiple conference titles.

Offense: The quarterback situation finally came to an end and the starter to replace Caleb Hanie will be Senior Billy Farris.  Farris has seen very little time on the field as last year he had only 20 attempts.  The Rams should not have to rely heavily on Farris, because the running game should be one of the strongest in the league.  Kyle Bell who came back last year in 2007 after sitting out 2006 with a torn ACL was good at times, but he was no where near is 2005 season when he was considered one of the leagues top runners.  Gattrell Johson III came on very strong and actually replaced Bell as the starter near the end of the season.  If both backs can produce to their potential then the running game could be dominant and by doing that the passing game will open up.

Tight end Kory Sperry was a stud during his first game against Colorado and in the limited time against Cal before he injured his knee.  Sperry was the most reliable target during his time on the field, and the same goes for him as it does for Bell that if he comes back from injury he can be one of the leagues elite at his position.

Defense: Football is all about defense, and the Rams struggled to stop teams last year by giving up 31 points per game.  The six starters back should help, but only one of those is back on the defensive line in senior defensive end Tommie Hill who lead the team in sacks last year with five and a half.

The linebackers should be fine with all three starters back and their top back up as well.  The linebackers will need to help with the running game because the Rams had a tough time defending the run last year.  If the linebacking corp can stay healthy then expect this to be the best unit the team has.

Defensive backs are covered at the safety position but the corners will be filled with new and inexperienced players.  Both starting corners graduating and thus leaving two large holes for players to fill.  The Rams only have one corner on the roster with any division one experience and that is DeAngelo Wilkinson and he suffered a shoulder injury and was limited in the spring.  The secondary will have to grow up quick in this pass happy league in order to keep the team competitive.

August 31	at Colorado
September 6	Sacramento State
September 20	Houston
September 27	at California
October 4	UNLV
October 11	TCU
October 18	at Utah
October 25	at San Diego State
November 1	No. 16 Brigham Young
November 8	at Air Force
November 15	New Mexico
November 22	at Wyoming

Lock it up… Sacramento State

50/50… Colorado, Houston, UNLV, TCU, @ San Diego State, @ Air Force, New Mexico, @Wyoming

No Chance… @Cal, @Utah, BYU

Projected Record: 6-6

2008 Mountain West Coference Football Preview: #6 Wyoming Cowboys

#9 San Diego State

#8 UNLV

#7 Air Force

The Wyoming Cowboys look to continue their slide from mid season a year ago, and if a poor season again happens with five wins or less Joe Glenn could see himself out of Laramie.  The team started off great last year starting off 4-1 before falling off the map.  The defense is good enough to hold its own, but they gave up too many big plays.

Offense:  Karsten Sween who was to take the Pokes to new heights lost his starting job to junior college transfer Dax Crum.  Crum earned multiple accolades from Mesa Community College and had a 9-2 record in his only win there.  This can be spun as good news for Wyoming fans, because if Crum struggles or gets injured then they know they have a capable back up.

The running game should be able to improve off of its near last ranking in rushing offense.  Devin Moore will lead the way for the Cowboys, last year he 965 yards and a touchdown.  This year with the entire offensive line back their is no reason Moore will not be able to break out and be one of the better backs in the league.  Devin Moore did average 4.9 yards per carry during last year, his stats could have been better if Wyoming would have been able to keep games close and use his skills at running back.

Wide receivers are very sketchy this year with three of their top four who graduated and another, Greg Bolling, is questionable because of academic issues.  Breaking in a new quarterback and receivers will be a tough challenge for the team, so look for the team to rely heavily on Devin Moore to run the ball.

Defense: The Cowboys did have one of the top rushing defenses in the nation and only gave up a 100 yard rushers twice all season long.  Their defense should be very good again with three starters back at the defensive line, and even though graduation hit the linebackers coaches feel this group could be better then last years.

The loss at linebacker is not as crucial because of the depth that the Cowboys have built up over the years.  The only concern on defense is the same as last years which is the secondary.  This year is not any better because Wyoming lost two starters on the corners  and was the leagues eighth ranked pass defense by allowing 225 per game.  This is achilles heel of the defense and could lose the Cowboys some games this year.

August 30	Ohio
September 6	Air Force
September 13	North Dakota State
September 20	at No. 16 Brigham Young
September 27	Bowling Green
October 4	at New Mexico
October 11	Utah
October 25	at TCU
November 1	San Diego State
November 8	at No. 18 Tennessee
November 13	at UNLV
November 22	Colorado State	.

Lock it up… North Dakota State, San Diego State

50/50… Ohio, Air Force, Bowling Green, @ New Mexico, Utah, San Diego State, Colorado State.

No Chance… @BYU, @TCU, @Tennessee

Projected Record: 5-7