2011 College Football Season

[Damian WayLNKe]

Miami is screwed. I was listening to All Night on ESPN Radio and I feel like every other phrase was 'Death Penalty'.

[gunnar hendershow]

Al Golden made a brilliant career move.

[The Heartbreak Kid]

And I know it's months late, but I just saw this on the Notre Dame forum I visit.

+1

+1 all day.

[HailtotheYo]

Miami is fucked ... guy serving jail time for a ponzi scheme at the heart of hit.

Story

Bama Aides Involvement

Everything I've heard has talked about it being the most outrageous stuff anyone has heard of, including the SMU deal ....

Oh, and also this: Big East Commish meets with Big 12/ACC about realignment

[Meacon Keaton]

Yeah, what this guy is saying makes the SMU boys look like choir boys.

I'm excited about Notre Dame this year. I'm predicting a 9-4 or 10-3 season, though I think we could do better. I have a feeling an Air Force or Maryland will beat us, when we really should win. But I'm starting to understand why so many people hate Notre Dame fans. This is my first year hanging out on a Notre Dame forum, and all I'm seeing are people predicting 12-1 and 13-0. Clearly these people haven't been fans of the Irish that long. I learned long ago not to have expectations that high.

[Maxx]

Shapiro said he gave money, cars, yacht trips, jewelry, televisions and other gifts to numerous players, including several starters on Miami's current roster. Shapiro also claimed he paid for nightclub outings, sex parties, restaurant meals and in one case, an abortion for a woman impregnated by a player.

Wow and damn.

[Meacon Keaton]

He claims to have credit card bills, returned checks, and all types of shit to prove he's telling the truth, too.

[HailtotheYo]

Also coming out that Miami has already been under investigation for around 5 months ....... This is going to be really ugly.

Yahoo Sports says it spent 11 months and roughly 100 hours interviewing Shapiro and auditing thousands of pages of financial records and business records.

He's named names too.

[naiwf]

Rumor has it that the NCAA is going to have a 25 letter alphabet soon, since they will be getting rid of "The U".

[JStarr]

Also coming out that Miami has already been under investigation for around 5 months ....... This is going to be really ugly.

Yahoo Sports says it spent 11 months and roughly 100 hours interviewing Shapiro and auditing thousands of pages of financial records and business records.

He's named names too.

And the names are ridiculous. Andre Johnson, Vince Wilfork, Willis McGahee, Jon Beason, Jon Vilma...nearly everyone who's anyone in Miami football the last decade.

A few of the guys are talking, but it's mostly the ones that have washed out of pro ball. That's going to be the nugget of Miami's defense, that it's disgruntled guys who are looking to make some bank off of being a part of this story. They'll come up with some alibi for the pics with guys like Wilfork, and there won't be anything approaching the death penalty, even though there richly should be. The TV partners like being able to put the U on when they're decent, and they won't be happy if that ratings source gets axed.

[gunnar hendershow]

There won't be a death penalty but it'll be really close and it's going to be a few years of serious punishments before The U can even dream of returning to respectability.

This is the scandal all those other schools were hoping for.

[HailtotheYo]

It may not be the death penalty but I guarantee that whatever comes down will be far more harsh than what anyone would ever believe.

Funny comments about it: "when Miami/OSU play this year it should be the ineligibowl" ...... "You can't spell SMU without The U"

[Meacon Keaton]

Rumor has it Al Golden resigned this afternoon by simply hurling his whistle at reporters and running off the field.

[HailtotheYo]

Oddly enough, USA Today just put up a story about Golden saying that Miami should have food him about all of this while they were in negotiations for him to come coach. Yes they knew, and no they didn't tell him.

Even worse, is that the dealings extend to coaches and staff.

[Meacon Keaton]

I can't remember how long he signed for, but I feel bad for the poor guy.

[Blaze09]

Every Miami fan needs to be shown this:

[gunnar hendershow]

I thought Michael Irvin quit the Bolivian Marching Powder for good?

[Lint]

NCAA head says death penalty is definately an option

[HailtotheYo]

And away we go, part 1 of HttK's Predictions we'll all point and laugh at later:

Sun Belt Predictions

Last year I said MTSU. That probably would have come through had Dwight Dasher not been a douche. Instead, I settled for my pick finishing 3rd in conference so not that bad. I also said that WKU would would not go winless and would win a game against LA and FLA school. They got 2 wins, beat a LA team, and were 7pts away from beating a FLA team.

Now for this year ... Troy wins the Title. FIU looks really good, but Troy has only 5 conferences losses in the last 5 years. They have the best overall team and arguably the best QB in the conference. They do play FIU on the road, but of the two teams FIU is more likely to drop a contest outside of their match up with Troy. I still think FIU has one more year of growing.

I won't be surprised if: FIU does win the title. I also won't be surprised if ULM takes it either. They overacheived last year and have 17 starters back from that squad. Even more so, the schedule gives them their toughest games at home. An upset over Troy or FIU and they could find themselves as an accidental Conference Champ.

Surprise Team - North Texas

Bold Prediction - North Texas will be bowl eligible. In all honesty I could put them in ULM's 'darkhorse' role. Last year they were killed with injuries. 2 games into the season they had lost 7 starters to injury. They've got the best RB in the league in Dunbar (sorry Mr Rainey) and have all the momentum of a brand spanking new stadium (which is bad ass by the way). Troy and FIU are the only clear cut better teams in terms of talent.

If that doesn't work, how about this ... WKU will double their win total (they'll win 4 this year) and will not finish in the basement of the Sun Belt.

Players to Watch - Lance Dunbar RB North Texas ++ Corey Robinson QB Troy ++ Bobby Rainey RB WKU ++ Jonathan Massaquoi DE Troy ++ Tourek Williams DE FIU

MAC Predictions

Last year I went with Temple as my conference champ. If it weren't for a Bernard Pierce injury (again) they most likely would have at least been in the title game. They finished third in the East but were 8-4 on the season (and were on their way to beating Penn State when Pierce went down). As for my surprise team, well ... they went 10-4 and won the MAC. Miami (OH) remembered the days of being the upset king and trounced MAC opponents before going on to beat MTSU in the GoDaddy bowl. I'll say that's an even wash, if not a bit ahead.

Now for this year ... The Ohio Fighting Solich's win the title. Ohio has too much going for them to not get it done. They only have 4 conference road games, and they're against opponents with a combined 5-28 record last year. They don't play Toledo, Western Michigan, or Northern Illinois from the West. They host Temple, Miami, and Kent St. I mean really, you can't draw up your conference schedule any better on the freaking NCAA video game.

I won't be surprised if: Ohio shits the bed. Their defensive line and secondary are suspect and we all know what happens to the best laid plans. Toledo has the best overall team, and defending champ Miami has the best defense and a ton of returning starters. Miami playes everyone on the road though, but Toledo's schedule is second only to Ohio's. If either Toledo or Miami take it don't color me shocked. Temple is also a darkhorse if Pierce stays healthy.

Surprise Team - Eastern Michigan. They'll win 4 this year and be 100% more competitive than in the past. Alex Gillet is a solid dual threat guy and the team is now in the 3rd year of HC Ron English's system. All of the left overs are pretty much gone. This team has been heavy on the strength and conditioning (thanks Ron) and this is the year it starts to pay off. It helps that they play 3 of the likely worst teams (other than themselves) in conference this year.

Bold Prediction - Bernard Pierce will play in every game this year. The guy is a stud but hasn't been able to stave off injuries the last two years. This year he'll be in every game for Temple and just might finally get them over the hump.

If that doesn't work for you ... how about this: The trend of upsets in the MAC Title game will not continue this year. Whomever fleshes out over the season will keep the ball rolling through the title game.

Players to Watch - Bernard Pierce RB Temple ++ Eric Page WR Toledo ++ Roosevelt Nix DT Kent State ++ Jordan White WR Western Michigan ++ Dwayne Woods LB Bowling Green

WAC Predictions

Last year I went with Boise St of course. They won the title .... along with Nevada (who I had in real contention), and Hawaii. I pegged LT as my surprise team and they didn't disappoint going 4-4 in conference and damn near knocked off Fresno St.

As for this year ... Fresno State finally gets it done. On paper they don't look as good as Hawaii and Nevada. In all honesty it's hard to go against Nevada with their schedule, and against Hawaii with their talent. Being up against it though, is when Pat Hill has done his best coaching. I think we'll finally see it pay off here.

I won't be surprised if: Louisiana Tech or Idaho makes a run at the conference title. This is the first time in a while that the WAC looks as though it will be it's old self. You've got to go 5-6 down the line before you get real discrepencies between the teams.

Surprise Team - San Jose St. They get the 4 home games, were an ass hair away in 4 games last year (losses of 2,4,7,3 points), have 18 starters returning, and have arguably the best defense in the WAC. They could easily have a winning conference record.

Bold Prediction - Despite the outrageous loss of talent (Boise St, Kapernick, Via Taua, Salas, Pilares) the WAC will still manage to trip people up. Games against Oregon, TTech, Boise St (x3), Cal, Nebraska, Ole Miss (x2), Colorado, Washington, BYU (x2), Houston, Miss St, A&M, Virginia, Stanford, UCLA, Auburn ... will provide plenty of chances to ruffle some feathers. I'll call for 7 wins out of that group.

If that doesn't work, how about this ... SJSU and NMST were a combined 3-22 last year. They'll both win 3 games this year.

Players to Watch - Lennon Creer RB LaTech ++ Rishard Matthews WR Nevada ++ Philip Thomas S Fresno St ++ Logan Harrell DT Fresno St ++ Ryan Bass RB Idaho ++ Aaron Brown LB Hawaii

Conference USA Predictions

Last year I went with Houston ... who crapped out thanks to Keenum getting injured. Oops. They finished 3rd in the West. My surprise team of SMU won the West and gave 11 win UCF all it could handle in the title game. Again, a wash. My other title contenders were UCF - Southern Miss - SMU ... I just reminded you about SMU, and well UCF won the title and SM was 9pts away from it (2OT loss to UAB and 6pt shootout loss to Tulsa).

Now for this year ... - Southern Miss will take the title. They've been on the verge of a breakout for almost a decade now. This year they will and could do it in a huge way. 14 starters are back and they even get the majority of their 2 deep back as well. No losses at the skill positions and their schedule is as good as you could hope for (no Tulsa or Houston and they host SMU and UCF).

I won't be surprised if: - Houston rapes. They're light on returning starters, but Keenum was granted another year. Bryce Beall is a dynamic threat, Patrick Edwards might be the best WR in the conference, and their backup QB has almost a full year of starting experience just in case. Also, UCF has a stout defense and does return their QB so a return to the title game is just as likely as anyone else getting there if not more.

Surprise Team - Rice. They'll go to a bowl. Last year they suffered injuries by the boat load. They have the most returning starters and 2 deep of anyone. Their Special Team unit is arguably the best in the league and McGuffie is one of the best RBs in the league.

Bold Prediction - Conference USA will have 4 teams with 9 wins.

Players to Watch - Case Keenum QB Houston ++ Zach Line RB SMU ++ Vince Curry DE Marshall ++ Quincy McDuffie WR UCF ++ Orleans Darkwa RB Tulane

Mountain West conference Predictions

Last year I went with TCU and it wasn't even close. Yeah, Utah only lost to TCU but holy fuck did they lose to TCU (47-7 at home). My other title hopefuls finished 2,3, and tied for 4th (Utah, AF, BYU). Surprise team was Colorado St ... and uh they surprised me in the wrong way. 3-9 wasn't at all what I thought would happen for them. Asses.

How about this year ... - Welcome Boise St as your conference champs. They have a legit Heisman hopeful, legit National Title hopes, a standout RB, the best OL and DL in the conference, and get TCU at home.

I won't be surprised if: - TCU or Air Force win the conference. Just like Pat Hill at Fresno, Patterson usually does his best work when he's got to replace a bunch of people. He's only got 8 starters coming back this year and has to replace Andy Dalton. However, TCU has been stocking up on talent for years now and their 2 deep has gotten plenty of time on the field year over year. The transition shouldn't be too big of an issue. Air Force brings everyone back from a damn good football team last year (3pts away from beating Oklahoma in Norman) and catches TCU early.

Surprise Team - Colorado State again. Two years of bum luck like they've had doesn't usually happen. I'm calling for 6 wins. They got the 4 home game split out of the conference schedule with AF and Boise St at home. They also get SDSU at home too. They finally have a QB back for a 2nd year in a row and bring back their entire OL. Special Team unit is pretty good and they've got a difference maker on defense in Mychal Sisson at LB.

*** Also look out for New Mexico. They've absolutely stockpiled on the transfer talent (Deon Long WR WV - Lamaar Thomas WR Ohio St - Javrie Johnson LB Maryland - Reggie Ellise DT Illinois - Rod Davis DT A&M) Easily should be able to win more than 1 game as they have the last two years. 3-4 is more likely and out of the basement as well.

Bold Prediction - The MWC will once again have 4 teams with 9 wins and at least 2 with 10. Boise St, TCU, Air Force, and SDSU all have the talent to get these wins.

If that doesn't work then how about this ... Boise St plays for the National Title.

Players to Watch - Kellen Moore QB Boise St ++ Ronnie Hillman RB SDSU ++ Tank Carder LB TCU ++ Tashaun Gipson CB Wyoming ++ Will Chandler CB UNLV

Big East Predictions

Last year I went out on a limb and said UConn. Good choice. They won the thing. My surprise team was Syracuse. Good choice. They found an 8-5 season.

How about this year ... - Tough call, but I go with Pittsburgh as your champion. The main reason ? Their conference best defense ... no. The 4 conference home games ... no. It's their new HC, Todd Graham. He's won everywhere he's been (WV - Rice - Tulsa) and knows how to best utilize talent, which is what Pitt has.

I won't be surprised if: - USF, WV, or even Cincy nip the thing. We could be in for another everyone but the basement dwellar is in contention season. WV will be good again but their schedule does them no favors. USF has the most talent of anyone but has to fill the most important holes of any of the top teams in the conference, and Cincy has a tough conference schedule as well. Still, this league has been very hard to call and any of these guys wouldn't surprise me. Hell, even Syracuse has a shot.

Surprise Team - Again, tough because not too many teams could really qualify as a surprise. I'll go with Rutgers though. Easily the best schedule of anyone in the conference and they've got all the important parts back.

Bold Prediction - The worst team at the end of the season will have won at least 4 games. This conference is full of 'good' teams and rarely has a stand out. It's very deep and despite someone having to finish last, usually the team that does still isn't that bad.

If that doesn't work, how about this ... the conference lost 4 RBs that ran for 1000+yds last year, but this year there will be 5 1000yd rushers.

Players to Watch - Isaiah Pead RB Cincy ++ Darrell Scott RB USF ++ Brandon Lindsey DE Pitt ++ Keith Tandy CB WV ++ Nick Williams ST UConn

===========================================================================

I don't see how this doesn't end up with either the death penatly, or an insanely large bowl/tv/conference title ban for Miami. The NCAA already said it most likely is going to use the "willful violater" clause to get ride of the statute of limitations of 4yrs. With the multiple times this program has been suspended/on the shits combined with the outrageous crap that went down this time around ? Yeah, the NCAA is going to have no choice but to absolutely hammer the fuck out of them or else the last tiny bit of anything the NCAA still has as an organization is going to be flushed down the toilet.

[HailtotheYo]

Also, college fantasy football (ESPN) ... play it:

Pick'em group EWB, password: Death Penalty

Showdown group EWB, password: Prop Bets

Challenge group EWB, password: Homerism