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Clemson
COACH AND PROGRAM
This is Clemson's best chance in years to become ACC champions, a title the Tigers once won with regularity.
But -- and this story line is getting really, really old to Tiger fans -- they haven't brought home the league's championship trophy since 1991, a year before Florida State became the ACC's ninth member. Winning that title is even harder these days, now that there are 12 members, two divisions and an ACC championship game.
There is no doubt, however, that the Tigers have the best group of talent in the ACC's Atlantic Division, which has about six more contenders for the league title than the weaker Coastal Division. Clemson has the league's top returning quarterback in Cullen Harper; the top returning tailback in James Davis; and the top returning wide receiver in Aaron Kelly.
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Harper set 21 passing records as a junior last season, after winning the starting job in fall drills. He returns this season as the ACC's most accomplished signal-caller. Both Davis and Kelly considered leaving after last year for the NFL, but both opted to return for their final year of eligibility, allowing the Tigers to join Tennessee as the only two schools in the country that can boast having a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver returning this season.
Davis will again team up with speedy tailback C.J. Spiller to give the Tigers one of the country's top backfields, if Bowden and his staff can fill in several gaping holes on the offensive line. If they can find the right people to block for them, Davis and Spiller can reach the end zone on any play they touch the ball.
Kelly decided not to enter the NFL draft and hopes to improve on his record-setting junior season, in which he caught 88 passes and scored 11 touchdowns. Tyler Grisham ranked in the top 10 in pass receiving yardage in the ACC last season. And the Tigers have even more speed on the other side of the line in junior Jacoby Ford, one of the fastest players in college football.
On defense, the Tigers have finished in the top 25 in points allowed each of the three years that Vic Koenning has been the team's defensive coordinator. All four starters, led by second-team All-ACC selection Michael Hamlin, return in a secondary that allowed just 188.5 passing yards per game, tops in the ACC and 13th in the nation.
In all, the Tigers return 40 of their top 44 lettermen, which is exactly the kind of experienced depth champions need.
"The combination of players coming back, I've never had," Bowden said. "We have confidence in their abilities because they have shown their success on the field in big games. Our biggest challenge in the preseason will be to develop a line that will create areas for the backs and receivers to run and score."
Bowden and his staff also brought in one of the most heralded recruiting classes in school history, a collection of 26 signees highlighted by January enrollee Da'Quan Bowers, ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's top incoming recruit.
Those are some of the many reasons the Tiger faithful are ready to sink their teeth into the program's first berth into the ACC championship game, played this year for the first time at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 6.
"We've finished second in the division the past three years and we have some people coming back from last year's team," Bowden said. "Based on last year's accomplishments, some people are picking us.
"The last three years we've been close [to an ACC title], and based on who we've got coming back, I'm anxious to see how the team responds to the preseason ranking. Hopefully they'll understand like coaches that the ranking at the end of the season is important."
The Tigers know they can't make reservations for a week at Tampa Bay just yet. In each of the last three seasons, the Tigers have had golden opportunities to win the ACC's loaded Atlantic Division and each time they managed to lose games at home to yank those possibilities out from under themselves.
Last year, it was a 20-17 loss to Boston College in which Kelly dropped a wide-open pass late in the game that would have given Clemson a go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute to play. Two years ago, the Tigers lost at home to 19-point underdog Maryland to end its bid for the division title and faded badly down the stretch, losing four of its last five games. And three years ago, they lost 16-13 in overtime to league newcomer Boston College at Death Valley.
Bowden, who has whipped his father Bobby and Florida State three straight seasons, still hasn't completely won over Tiger fans. He was nearly fired four years ago, and that story-line has followed him every year that his team has faltered out of the gate.
He created some good will by going 9-4 last season, concluding with a 23-20 overtime loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.
That probably won't be an issue this season, since shortly after he flirted with taking the vacancy at Arkansas, Bowden and the school agreed to a $1.8 million extension in late May to remain with the Tigers through 2014.
Bowden knows that the most important game of the year might be the Aug. 30 season-opener against Southeastern Conference foe Alabama at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, in the first meeting between the two southern powers since 1975. That opener will be the Tigers' first opportunity to show that they have filled two biggest question marks heading into fall drills, at linebacker and on the offensive line.
The Tigers have only one starter returning on the O-line, junior center Thomas Austin, and only right tackle Chris Hairston assured himself of a starting position in the spring.
Two of last year's starting linebackers, tackle leader Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie, completed their eligibility, and two more, Antonio Clay and Kortney Vincent, left the program for reasons other than football. So Bowden had only five linebackers to rotate through spring practice, but he found three new starters in Scotty Cooper, Brandon Maye and Kavell Conner. He will look for depth in preseason drills.
"We got the right pegs in the right slots at those positions," Bowden said. "Now how much they mature over the summer and how ready they are to play Alabama, I don't know.
"There is a lot of concern simply because you have a lot of players who haven't performed at this level. You know they are going to be good, you just don't know how soon. We won't have much room for margin of error that first game."
A win against the Crimson Tide would keep Tiger fans in a good mood, because Clemson plays five of its next six games at home and should be favored to win all of them. The Tigers end the season on the road for three of their final five games, with trips to Florida State and Boston College included.
"Three of the final four ACC games will be on the road, and that will certainly be a challenge," Bowden said.
One thing that makes Bowden and the Tigers confident going into the season is experienced leadership. Harper, Davis and Kelly are all seniors on a balanced offense that has somehow found a way to share the ball equally. The Tigers ranked second in the ACC in rushing and third in passing and were the only team to rank in the top five in both categories. The Tigers scored more points than any team in the ACC last year.
The defense is less experienced, but possibly more talented. Koennig will have to find some leadership among his down linemen and a secondary that returns all four starters to make up for the lack of experienced leadership among the linebackers.
Bowden was able to keep his coaching staff intact during the offseason and his program appears to be in line to finally end the 17-year ACC title drought. Bowden, who has ab-sorbed as much ire as he has praise in his first nine years at Clemson, enters the season off the hot seat for the first time in a long while.
"Usually the bulls eye is on me," Bowden said in the spring. "It'll be on the team this year. That's a different angle."
And, Tiger fans hope, the outcome will be different as well.
QUARTERBACKS
This time last year, Clemson had no idea who its quarterback would be. The Tigers had to replace one-year starter Will Procter, and it was the first time in Bowden's tenure that he did not have an experienced signal-caller under center.
Twenty-one school records later, senior Cullen Harper (6-4, 220) is about as solid as an incumbent as there is in college football. Harper grabbed the starting job in the preseason and never let go. He threw 27 touchdowns passes and just six interceptions.
To tell the truth, Harper had all the tools for the job: height, arm strength, accuracy and toughness. He even had the pedigree: His father, Jimmy, was a starting offensive lineman for Georgia's 1980 national-championship team. He just had no experience, other than a few mop-up appearances as a sophomore. He did manage to complete 14 of his 20 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. But everything has changed now, after Harper started all of Clemson's 13 games last season.
He completed 282 of his 433 passes (65.1 percent) for 2,991 yards. His 27 touchdown passes broke the school record by six, as he guided the highest-scoring offense in school his-tory. He also became the first Clemson quarterback to lead the ACC in passing efficiency in 25 years.
Harper earned second-team All-ACC honors, even though he had better overall numbers than ACC Offensive Player of the Year Matt Ryan of Boston College.
If he can come close to repeating those numbers -- and if the Tigers are as successful as most publications expect them to be -- the fifth-year senior will not only get strong consideration for ACC Offensive Player of the Year, he will also find himself on many of the lists of Heisman Trophy contenders.
Here is something that should help the Tigers even more: Harper is the first returning starter at quarterback under offensive coordinator Rob Spence. His two most recent predeces-sors -- Proctor and Charlie Whitehurst -- started for just one season under Spence.
"I am really interested to see what we can do on offense with a returning starter at quarterback," Bowden said. "Rob has done a great job with our quarterbacks the last three years, but we have had three different starting quarterbacks in those three years. Cullen is now in his fourth year in the system and his second year as a starter. He was very efficient for the entire year and broke a lot of records. He made some accurate throws in clutch situations."
So the starting job belongs to Harper, but there is a wealth of talent behind him, should he fall to injury. Sophomore Willy Korn (6-2, 215) was impressive in his few appearances last season, completing 8-of-11 passes for 150 yards.
The Parade high school All-American enrolled at Clemson in January 2007 and worked his way up from fourth on the depth chart to second by the time spring practice was over. He learned enough about the offense to serve the entire season as Harper's backup.
Bowden brought in two highly regarded recruits in the spring and one of them has already made a big impression -- for the Tiger baseball team. Kyle Parker (6-0, 190) enrolled at Clemson in January and immediately joined Jack Leggett's baseball program, hoping to get a jump-start on his two-sport career. He earned Freshman All-America honors after batting .303 with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 50 RBI. But as long as Harper and Korn stay healthy and productive, it is likely that both Parker and fellow freshman Jon Richt (6-2, 185), the son of Georgia head coach Mark Richt, will redshirt this season.
RUNNING BACKS
Sometimes, pure power isn't enough, even if opponents do fear the rolling thunder in Clemson's backfield. But the Tigers can also zap them with a little lightning as well.
For the third straight year, the Tigers will attack with the running back tandem of senior James Davis (5-11, 210) and junior C.J. Spiller (5-11, 190), perhaps the best one-two backfield punch in the nation.
But there were a few testy weeks in early January when Bowden wasn't sure that Davis, who became the first Tiger tailback in 20 years to earn consecutive first-team All-ACC honors, would return for his final season. Davis actually declared for the NFL draft, but pulled his name out on the day of the NFL deadline, Jan. 9.
"[Returning] was always on my mind and my mom had talked to me about it," Davis said. "I woke up at 3 a.m. and thought, 'I think I want to go back to school.' If you look at it, we have great players on our team, and I think my stock can't do anything but go up. "We can compete for the ACC championship and a national title, and that can help, too. Returning to school will definitely make me a better prospect for next year."
Bowden and his team have come to rely on Davis' productivity. With 3,310 career yards, he ranks fourth among active NCAA running backs coming into the season. He has led the Tigers in rushing for three straight years and needs 837 yards to break Raymond Priester's career school rushing record of 3,966 yards. He's also within reach of becoming the sixth running back in ACC history to reach the 4,000-yard milestone.
Davis is tied for the second most touchdowns -- 36 rushing and two receiving -- in school history and needs 13 this season to break Travis Zachary's school record of 50. He has an outside chance of breaking former NC State star Ted Brown's long-standing ACC rushing record of 4,602 yards but would have to turn in the best season of his career to get there.
This stat alone shows how important Davis is to the Tigers: The Tigers are 12-0 in games when Davis rushes for 100 or more yards. Last season, Davis had five 100-yard games, including three of the final five games of the season.
As good as he's been, he also realized he would probably be no better than a third-round pick in a draft that was deep in running backs like Arkansas' Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart and Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall.
"I see myself getting better as a player off the field, working on the little things I need to," Davis said. "This year will definitely give me a lot to add to what I've got to bring to the game."
He went into spring practice with a renewed energy, right up until he suffered a shoulder injury mid-way through spring drills. He needed arthroscopic surgery to repair the prob-lem, but he's expected to return at 100 percent when fall drills begin.
That's a big relief for Clemson fans, who are sometimes frustrated by Spiller, Davis' understudy, because of his inability to run through an open hole. They believe he would rather bounce around the backfield, find a seam to the outside and use his world-class speed to run for daylight. Filling in for Davis throughout the spring allowed Spiller to become a better north-south runner.
Spiller, Davis' partner in the Tiger backfield the last two years, is the faster of the two, a scat-back runner who can break free any time he touches the ball. He was fast enough to qualify for the 100- and 200-meter races, as well as the 400-meter relay, at the NCAA South Regional, where he finished sixth in the 100-meter dash, just missing a berth to the national meet.
He's also a versatile contributor on special teams, serving as the team's primary punt and kickoff returner. He led the team with 1,723 all-purpose yards. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry last year. He finished the season on a high note, breaking free for an 83-yard touchdown run in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the longest run in the bowl's history and the longest post-season run in school history. Spiller was the offensive MVP of the bowl.
The Tigers have some other options in the backfield, including transplant Rendrick Taylor (6-2, 240), who spent his first three seasons at wide receiver. Last season, Taylor caught 25 passes for 259 yards, but his size limited his future in football. The senior tried playing linebacker in the spring, but he wanted to move back to the offensive side of the ball. He won't be a receiver this year, but Bowden said in the spring that he might create an H-back position to get the ball in Taylor's hands.
He probably won't get many carries this season, especially because the Tigers signed a pair of highly regarded tailbacks, Andre Ellington (5-10, 170) of Moncks Corner, S.C., and Jamie Harper (6-0, 227) of Jacksonville, Fla. Both were rated among the top 50 recruits in the nation and will wait for their chance to replace the upperclassmen "Thunder and Lightning."
When the Tigers use a fullback, redshirt freshman Chad Diehl (6-2, 250) gets the call. He played in three games last year before suffering a season-ending injury. He underwent surgery on his ankle after spring practice but is expected to return at full strength in the fall.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
While opposing defenses worry about stopping Davis and Spiller, the Tigers have also developed a worrisome receiver corps as well.
Leading the group is senior Aaron Kelly (6-5, 190), who established a school record with 88 receptions last season. He also led the ACC in touchdown receptions with 11.
If he has a similar season, Kelly will not only break Clemson's career reception record (at 165 receptions, he needs only three more to do it), he will also break former Wake Forest receiver Desmond Clark's ACC record of 216 career catches.
With two more touchdown passes, Kelly will break the Clemson record for career scoring passes. The old record of 18 was set by Glenn Smith, whose career ended in 1951, making it the longest standing record in the school's books.
Kelly has two accomplished foils on the other side of the line. Senior Tyler Grisham (5-11, 180) caught 60 passes in 13 games last year, ranking seventh in the ACC in receptions per game. A part-time starter for two straight seasons, Grisham is a possession receiver who amassed 653 receiving yards last season. And even though he was second on the team in catches, his biggest contribution might have been as a downfield blocker.
Junior Jacoby Ford (5-10, 185) hopes he has retained his speed after suffering a broken ankle in the Tigers' blowout of Maryland last October. Ford, once clocked at 4.13 seconds in the 40-yard dash, was as fast as ever during track and field season, earning All-America honors in the 60-yard dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 100-yard dash.
Ford missed the last four games of the season, but still finished third on the team with 172 rushing yards and fifth with 310 receiving yards on 17 catches. He also scored four touchdowns, all on receptions. His 18.2-yard-per-catch average was tops on the team.
Fifth-year senior Nelson Faerber (5-11, 180) and sophomores Xavier Dye (6-5, 205) and Terrance Ashe (6-2, 190) all contributed last season.
The Tigers will look to newcomers Brandon Clear (6-5, 205), a redshirt freshman, and Marquan Jones (6-0, 180), who enrolled in January and went through spring practice as a freshman, for help in the passing game.
Clemson has always relied on its tight end for pass receiving and for blocking, and this year's team returns three players who have started at tight end. Last year, Michael Palmer (6-5, 245) caught 13 passes for 128 yards, a 9.8-yard average. He returns for his junior season -- and second year as a starter -- ready to make an even bigger impact on the Tiger offense.
Sophomore Brian Linthicum (6-4, 235) caught three touchdown passes among his 11 catches for 76 yards, and graduate student Akeem Robinson (6-4, 260) has made 11 starts in his 38 appearances.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Without question, the biggest mystery heading into the season is how well Tiger associate head coach and offensive line coach Brad Scott can replace the four departed start-ers on what was, at best, a mediocre offensive line.
The most pressing need is to replace four-year starter and two-time first-team All-ACC selection Barry Richardson at left tackle, the most important position on the line with a right-handed quarterback.
In the spring, junior Cory Lambert (6-6, 310) and fifth-year senior Jock McKissic (6-7, 300), a converted defensive lineman, battled for the position Richardson held for four consecutive seasons. Lambert took a slight edge heading into the fall. But they both could stand in the large shadow of freshman Antoine McClain (6-6, 305) once he arrives on campus.
"We're not counting on him, but we'd sure like to see if he can," Bowden said of McClain. "He's got some skills and his high school skills indicate he's going to have a chance if he stays healthy and can pick up the offense."
Not knowing who the starters limited the Tigers' downfield passing in the spring, as Scott worked on finding the right combinations on the line. But that never really happened, because only returning starter Thomas Austin (6-3, 315) at center and Chris Hairston (6-6, 315) at right tackle solidified their starting jobs in the spring.
Austin, a junior who was twice chosen ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, began last season as the starting right guard, but he moved to center for the final eight games, even though he had limited experience at the position. He led the team with 95 knockdown blocks and proved to be the team's most consistent blocker. Fifth-year senior Bobby Hutchinson (6-3, 305) can provide support at either center or guard, and sophomore Ben Ramsey (6-4, 285) saw limited action last season as a back-up center.
Hairston, a sophomore, played in 10 games last season, mostly as a reserve. He did, however, start the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn, his only start of the season. Behind him, redshirt freshman Landon Walker (6-5, 280) and sophomore Jamal Medlin (6-5, 290) continue to vie for playing time.
Redshirt freshman Mason Cloy (6-3, 300) moved from center to right guard to battle junior Barry Humphries (6-3, 295), who started the first five games at center and two more games at right guard last season. Redshirt freshman Wilson Norris (6-4, 295) and Bobby Hutchinson (6-3, 305) will also challenge.
At left guard, junior Jamarcus Grant (6-4, 305) was the starter going into spring, but he was pushed by redshirt freshman Davis Smith (6-5, 295).
KICKERS
Kicker Mark Buchholz (6-2, 205) was reliable in three different ways for the Tigers. He ranked 12th in the nation in field goals per game, and his 22 successful kicks were just two away from the school record. He made 48 consecutive point-after attempts. And he was also a decent mid-fielder on the Tiger soccer team.
He pulled off a double-duty double that no athlete in Clemson history had ever accomplished, earning Academic All-ACC honors in both sports.
But it wasn't necessarily an easy achievement. Buchholz, who won the starting job in the spring of 2007 by beating out former Parade All-American Richard Jackson (5-11, 190) attempted 36 field goals. At just over 60 percent, Buchholz was anything but automatic. After he missed 4-of-5 chances in the 13-3 loss to Georgia Tech, Bowden insisted that Buchholz spend more practice time with the football team.
Early in the season, Buchholz just worked out with the football team before practice and then moved next door to the adjacent soccer practice fields. After the Tech loss, Bowden insisted that Buchholz stay for all of football practice. He still missed eight attempts over the Tigers' final eight games, but it made the coach feel better.
Buchholz did give Tiger fans something to cheer about when he made a 35-yard, game-winning field goal against archrival South Carolina in the regular-season finale.
This year, having already completed his eligibility in soccer, Buchholz will stick to just football, hoping to improve on his percentage this season.
Jackson, a sophomore, is still around as Buchholz's backup and senior John Early (5-9, 175) attempted one onside kick last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Losing a second-round draft pick who could have returned for his senior season might have hurt some programs. For the Tigers, however, it just opened the door to the future. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning didn't fret when Phillip Merling opted to forego his senior season.
That's because it cleared a path for Da'Quan Bowers (6-5, 265), rated by ESPN.com as the nation's top incoming freshman, to get on the field at defensive end. Bowers, from Bamberg, S.C., enrolled in January so he could go through spring drills with the Tigers. He enters the fall listed behind junior Kevin Alexander (6-3, 245) and redshirt freshman Andre Branch (6-5, 245) Don't expect that to keep Bowers off the field for long.
"He's learning what to do," Koenning said. "He's very athletic and has got a good feel and good vision. At times, when he's really going, he's a rolling ball of butcher knives. He's hard to get a handle on."
But no one wants to rush him into the lineup, least of all the head coach.
"He's going to have to understand the intensity level every single play," Bowden said of Bowers. "But he certainly has the talent."
At the other end, junior Ricky Sapp (6-4, 240) returns after starting all 13 games at the bandit end last year. He had 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and a team-high 22 quarterback pressures last season. Sophomore Kourtnei Brown (6-4, 225) saw action in 11 games last year as a freshman.
The strength of the defensive line might be the interior, where fifth-year seniors Dorell Scott (6-4, 320) and Rashaad Jackson (6-2, 280) are immovable anchors. Junior Jamie Cumbie (6-7, 270) and sophomore Miguel Chavis (6-5, 260) are the interior reserves. Sophomore Jarvis Jenkins (6-4, 320), who saw some action as a freshman last year, is pushing for more playing time this season, as well as junior Antwon Murchison (6-4, 270).
Redshirt freshmen Byron Clear (6-5, 215), Chris Richardson (6-3, 220) and Drew Taylor (6-5, 230) and sophomores John Wright (6-2, 235) and Rennie Moore (6-4, 270) will look to gain experience at defensive end this season.
Jarrett Crittenden, from North Dakota State College of Science, met NCAA minimum admission requirements, but was not admitted to the university. He opted to attend Memphis, leaving a hole in the Tigers' defensive line depth.
LINEBACKERS
Similar to the offensive line, chemistry and depth were the two biggest things missing in the linebacker corps for the Tigers in the spring.
And, just like on the O-line, finding the right replacements after losing last year's top four linebackers will be key to just how good the Tiger defense, which finished ranked in the top 25 last season in total defense and scoring defense, can be this year.
"The key for us on defense will be the development of some young linebackers," Bowden said.
Veterans Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie were starters for most of the last four seasons. Watkins was the team's leading tackler last year with 118, while Billie was fourth on the team with 79 hits.
Also gone is third starter Courtney Vincent, who was booted off the team after being arrested last December for DUI and then failing to comply with team rules in the spring. Vincent had 68 tackles last season in his 12 starts at middle linebacker.
Also out of the fold is would-be senior Antonio Clay, who spent the spring semester home in Georgia dealing with emotional issues. Clay has played in 38 career games while starting 13. He is not expected to return to the team in 2008.
The Tigers' most experienced linebackers are junior Kavell Conner (6-1, 225) and sophomore Scotty Cooper (6-1, 210), who have four career starts between them. Senior Josh Miller (6-0, 235) and junior Jeremy Campbell (6-1, 225) have seen some action, but both are career reserves.
Not surprisingly, the Tigers mixed and matched their linebackers throughout the spring, hoping to find the right combination, by switching players from inside to out-side and from safety to linebacker and vice versa.
Throughout the spring, redshirt freshman Brandon Maye (6-2, 215) was consistently good and freshman Stanley Hunter (5-10, 220), who enrolled in school in January, showed promise that he could contribute immediately. Freshman Tarik Rollins (6-2, 205) also enrolled early so he could go through spring practice with the Tigers.
Sophomore DeAndre McDaniel (6-0, 200) moved to linebacker from safety in the spring.
"Right now, I feel like we're more productive at linebacker than I can remember us being in a while," said Koenning, in his fourth season as coordinator.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
With four starters returning from a defensive secondary that led the ACC and was 13th in the nation in passing defense, there are few worries about pass coverage.
Fifth-year senior safety Michael Hamlin (6-3, 205) leads the Tiger secondary. He begins his fourth season as a starter on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. Last season, Hamlin was second on the team with 97 tackles, earning him second-team All-ACC honors. Perhaps his biggest game came in the overtime loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, in which he recorded 14 stops in just 54 plays.
In each of Hamlin's three years as a starter, the Clemson defense has ranked in the Top 25 in four statistical categories. His 12 takeaways -- eight interceptions and four fumble re-coveries -- are tied for eighth in school history.
At the other safety, fifth-year senior Chris Clemons (6-2, 210) returns for his third year as a starter. He was just behind Hamlin with 94 tackles last year.
There is not a lot of depth behind the two starting safeties, both of whom have started at least 23 straight games, especially because Hamlin's backup De'Andre McDaniel moved to linebacker. That leaves junior Sadat Chambers (5-11, 195), who lettered as a safety two years ago and as a running back last season, and junior walk-on Ike Ihewunwa (6-0, 195) as the only other safeties listed on the roster.
At the corners, junior Chris Chancellor (5-10, 170) returns with junior Crezdon Butler (6-0, 185) for their second season in the starting lineup. Chancellor had more pass break-ups (nine) than anyone on the team last year and tied with Hamlin for the most interceptions (four). Butler picked off three passes and broke up another two.
Behind them, sophomore Marcus Gilchrist (5-11, 180) played in 13 games as a reserve. Sophomore Byron Maxwell (6-1, 185) played well in his first season, and redshirt freshman Coty Sensabaugh (5-10, 180) could contribute at one of the corners this year. Senior Haydrian Lewis (5-11, 185) has earned three letters as a cornerback.
PUNTERS
Senior Jimmy Maners (6-1, 190), in his first year as the Tigers' starting punter, was consistently strong throughout the season and finished ranked No. 20 in the nation with a 42.8-yard average. That was the eighth-best season average in Clemson history and the best in 17 years.
Maners had a streak of eight consecutive games with a punting average of at least 40 yards. He had 13 punts of 50 yards or longer. And he had 16 punts inside the 20-yard line.
But Maners did not get much help from his coverage. The Tigers finished last in the ACC in net punting, averaging just 32.9 yards per game.
Bowden, never particularly at ease with his kickers, has faith that Maners can continue to get the job done, even with the arrival of freshman Dawson Zimmerman (6-2, 195) of Snellville, Ga., who was ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's No. 2 high school punter.
There are also other options, including Richard Jackson and newcomer Spencer Benton (6-2, 185), who enrolled in January. However, Bowden said in the spring that he would prefer to redshirt Benton.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Few teams in the country have as much speed in the kickoff- and punt-return games as the Tigers. C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are both standouts on the Tiger track and field team, with Ford qualifying for the NCAA Championship and Spiller just missing the chance to go.
Spiller put his speed to good use, averaging 28.8 yards as the Tigers' primary kickoff returner. That ranked second in the ACC and 14th in the nation. He became the first return man in school history to score touchdowns in consecutive games, when he went 84 yards against Duke and 90 yards against Wake Forest.
As a team, the Tigers ranked first in the ACC with a 23.9-yard return average on kickoffs.
Spiller and Ford split duties on punt returns, with Spiller averaging 8.6 yards per return and Ford averaging 9.0 yards. Five others had one return on the season, but as a team the Tigers were in the middle of the ACC in punt returns.
Senior Charles Roediger (6-0, 225) will return as the long snapper on punts, extra points and field goals, with junior Michael Palmer (6-5, 245) as his backup.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Tigers</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
We've seen this scenario before: Clemson is loaded with talent, the rest of the league is somewhat down and the opportunity is ripe to end that 16-year ACC championship drought.
Bowden, heading into his 10th season, has been alternately vilified and praised during his tenure, but the fact is he has put his team in position to get there the last three years.
The other side of that coin, of course, is that Bowden's team has blown three golden shots to reach the title game.
Bowden could finally worm his way into the hearts of his most vocal critics if he could get over that hump, returning the ACC championship to Death Valley and finally securing a bid to a Bowl Championship Series game.
He has the talent, the experience and the depth to do it this year, and he knows it. But it's hard to erase the memories of those crucial losses that have prevented the Tigers from getting there before.
Clemson Tigers
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Clemson, S.C.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>ACC (Atlantic)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>9-4 (.692)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>5-3 (2nd)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Tigers</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Burnt Orange & Northwest Purple</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Memorial Stadium (81,473)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Tommy Bowden (West Virginia '77)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>69-42 (9 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>87-46 (11 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Brad Scott (Florida '79), Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
• Dabo Swinney (Alabama '93), Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers
• Rob Spence (Iona '82), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Vic Koenning (Kansas State '82), Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• David Blackwell (East Carolina '97), Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
• Billy Napier (Furman '03), Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
• Andre Powell (Indiana '89), Special Team Coordinator/Running Backs
• Chris Rumph (South Carolina '94), Defensive Ends
• Ron West (Clemson '79), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>9-6-8-8-9</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>14-44-23-45-27</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to Auburn in Chick-fil-A Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Alabama </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Citadel </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>North Carolina State </TD><TD>12:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>South Carolina State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Maryland </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 9</TD><TD>at Wake Forest </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>Georgia Tech </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Florida State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Duke </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at Virginia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>South Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
This is Clemson's best chance in years to become ACC champions, a title the Tigers once won with regularity.
But -- and this story line is getting really, really old to Tiger fans -- they haven't brought home the league's championship trophy since 1991, a year before Florida State became the ACC's ninth member. Winning that title is even harder these days, now that there are 12 members, two divisions and an ACC championship game.
There is no doubt, however, that the Tigers have the best group of talent in the ACC's Atlantic Division, which has about six more contenders for the league title than the weaker Coastal Division. Clemson has the league's top returning quarterback in Cullen Harper; the top returning tailback in James Davis; and the top returning wide receiver in Aaron Kelly.
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Harper set 21 passing records as a junior last season, after winning the starting job in fall drills. He returns this season as the ACC's most accomplished signal-caller. Both Davis and Kelly considered leaving after last year for the NFL, but both opted to return for their final year of eligibility, allowing the Tigers to join Tennessee as the only two schools in the country that can boast having a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver returning this season.
Davis will again team up with speedy tailback C.J. Spiller to give the Tigers one of the country's top backfields, if Bowden and his staff can fill in several gaping holes on the offensive line. If they can find the right people to block for them, Davis and Spiller can reach the end zone on any play they touch the ball.
Kelly decided not to enter the NFL draft and hopes to improve on his record-setting junior season, in which he caught 88 passes and scored 11 touchdowns. Tyler Grisham ranked in the top 10 in pass receiving yardage in the ACC last season. And the Tigers have even more speed on the other side of the line in junior Jacoby Ford, one of the fastest players in college football.
On defense, the Tigers have finished in the top 25 in points allowed each of the three years that Vic Koenning has been the team's defensive coordinator. All four starters, led by second-team All-ACC selection Michael Hamlin, return in a secondary that allowed just 188.5 passing yards per game, tops in the ACC and 13th in the nation.
In all, the Tigers return 40 of their top 44 lettermen, which is exactly the kind of experienced depth champions need.
"The combination of players coming back, I've never had," Bowden said. "We have confidence in their abilities because they have shown their success on the field in big games. Our biggest challenge in the preseason will be to develop a line that will create areas for the backs and receivers to run and score."
Bowden and his staff also brought in one of the most heralded recruiting classes in school history, a collection of 26 signees highlighted by January enrollee Da'Quan Bowers, ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's top incoming recruit.
Those are some of the many reasons the Tiger faithful are ready to sink their teeth into the program's first berth into the ACC championship game, played this year for the first time at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 6.
"We've finished second in the division the past three years and we have some people coming back from last year's team," Bowden said. "Based on last year's accomplishments, some people are picking us.
"The last three years we've been close [to an ACC title], and based on who we've got coming back, I'm anxious to see how the team responds to the preseason ranking. Hopefully they'll understand like coaches that the ranking at the end of the season is important."
The Tigers know they can't make reservations for a week at Tampa Bay just yet. In each of the last three seasons, the Tigers have had golden opportunities to win the ACC's loaded Atlantic Division and each time they managed to lose games at home to yank those possibilities out from under themselves.
Last year, it was a 20-17 loss to Boston College in which Kelly dropped a wide-open pass late in the game that would have given Clemson a go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute to play. Two years ago, the Tigers lost at home to 19-point underdog Maryland to end its bid for the division title and faded badly down the stretch, losing four of its last five games. And three years ago, they lost 16-13 in overtime to league newcomer Boston College at Death Valley.
Bowden, who has whipped his father Bobby and Florida State three straight seasons, still hasn't completely won over Tiger fans. He was nearly fired four years ago, and that story-line has followed him every year that his team has faltered out of the gate.
He created some good will by going 9-4 last season, concluding with a 23-20 overtime loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.
That probably won't be an issue this season, since shortly after he flirted with taking the vacancy at Arkansas, Bowden and the school agreed to a $1.8 million extension in late May to remain with the Tigers through 2014.
Bowden knows that the most important game of the year might be the Aug. 30 season-opener against Southeastern Conference foe Alabama at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, in the first meeting between the two southern powers since 1975. That opener will be the Tigers' first opportunity to show that they have filled two biggest question marks heading into fall drills, at linebacker and on the offensive line.
The Tigers have only one starter returning on the O-line, junior center Thomas Austin, and only right tackle Chris Hairston assured himself of a starting position in the spring.
Two of last year's starting linebackers, tackle leader Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie, completed their eligibility, and two more, Antonio Clay and Kortney Vincent, left the program for reasons other than football. So Bowden had only five linebackers to rotate through spring practice, but he found three new starters in Scotty Cooper, Brandon Maye and Kavell Conner. He will look for depth in preseason drills.
"We got the right pegs in the right slots at those positions," Bowden said. "Now how much they mature over the summer and how ready they are to play Alabama, I don't know.
"There is a lot of concern simply because you have a lot of players who haven't performed at this level. You know they are going to be good, you just don't know how soon. We won't have much room for margin of error that first game."
A win against the Crimson Tide would keep Tiger fans in a good mood, because Clemson plays five of its next six games at home and should be favored to win all of them. The Tigers end the season on the road for three of their final five games, with trips to Florida State and Boston College included.
"Three of the final four ACC games will be on the road, and that will certainly be a challenge," Bowden said.
One thing that makes Bowden and the Tigers confident going into the season is experienced leadership. Harper, Davis and Kelly are all seniors on a balanced offense that has somehow found a way to share the ball equally. The Tigers ranked second in the ACC in rushing and third in passing and were the only team to rank in the top five in both categories. The Tigers scored more points than any team in the ACC last year.
The defense is less experienced, but possibly more talented. Koennig will have to find some leadership among his down linemen and a secondary that returns all four starters to make up for the lack of experienced leadership among the linebackers.
Bowden was able to keep his coaching staff intact during the offseason and his program appears to be in line to finally end the 17-year ACC title drought. Bowden, who has ab-sorbed as much ire as he has praise in his first nine years at Clemson, enters the season off the hot seat for the first time in a long while.
"Usually the bulls eye is on me," Bowden said in the spring. "It'll be on the team this year. That's a different angle."
And, Tiger fans hope, the outcome will be different as well.
QUARTERBACKS
This time last year, Clemson had no idea who its quarterback would be. The Tigers had to replace one-year starter Will Procter, and it was the first time in Bowden's tenure that he did not have an experienced signal-caller under center.
Twenty-one school records later, senior Cullen Harper (6-4, 220) is about as solid as an incumbent as there is in college football. Harper grabbed the starting job in the preseason and never let go. He threw 27 touchdowns passes and just six interceptions.
To tell the truth, Harper had all the tools for the job: height, arm strength, accuracy and toughness. He even had the pedigree: His father, Jimmy, was a starting offensive lineman for Georgia's 1980 national-championship team. He just had no experience, other than a few mop-up appearances as a sophomore. He did manage to complete 14 of his 20 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. But everything has changed now, after Harper started all of Clemson's 13 games last season.
He completed 282 of his 433 passes (65.1 percent) for 2,991 yards. His 27 touchdown passes broke the school record by six, as he guided the highest-scoring offense in school his-tory. He also became the first Clemson quarterback to lead the ACC in passing efficiency in 25 years.
Harper earned second-team All-ACC honors, even though he had better overall numbers than ACC Offensive Player of the Year Matt Ryan of Boston College.
If he can come close to repeating those numbers -- and if the Tigers are as successful as most publications expect them to be -- the fifth-year senior will not only get strong consideration for ACC Offensive Player of the Year, he will also find himself on many of the lists of Heisman Trophy contenders.
Here is something that should help the Tigers even more: Harper is the first returning starter at quarterback under offensive coordinator Rob Spence. His two most recent predeces-sors -- Proctor and Charlie Whitehurst -- started for just one season under Spence.
"I am really interested to see what we can do on offense with a returning starter at quarterback," Bowden said. "Rob has done a great job with our quarterbacks the last three years, but we have had three different starting quarterbacks in those three years. Cullen is now in his fourth year in the system and his second year as a starter. He was very efficient for the entire year and broke a lot of records. He made some accurate throws in clutch situations."
So the starting job belongs to Harper, but there is a wealth of talent behind him, should he fall to injury. Sophomore Willy Korn (6-2, 215) was impressive in his few appearances last season, completing 8-of-11 passes for 150 yards.
The Parade high school All-American enrolled at Clemson in January 2007 and worked his way up from fourth on the depth chart to second by the time spring practice was over. He learned enough about the offense to serve the entire season as Harper's backup.
Bowden brought in two highly regarded recruits in the spring and one of them has already made a big impression -- for the Tiger baseball team. Kyle Parker (6-0, 190) enrolled at Clemson in January and immediately joined Jack Leggett's baseball program, hoping to get a jump-start on his two-sport career. He earned Freshman All-America honors after batting .303 with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 50 RBI. But as long as Harper and Korn stay healthy and productive, it is likely that both Parker and fellow freshman Jon Richt (6-2, 185), the son of Georgia head coach Mark Richt, will redshirt this season.
RUNNING BACKS
Sometimes, pure power isn't enough, even if opponents do fear the rolling thunder in Clemson's backfield. But the Tigers can also zap them with a little lightning as well.
For the third straight year, the Tigers will attack with the running back tandem of senior James Davis (5-11, 210) and junior C.J. Spiller (5-11, 190), perhaps the best one-two backfield punch in the nation.
But there were a few testy weeks in early January when Bowden wasn't sure that Davis, who became the first Tiger tailback in 20 years to earn consecutive first-team All-ACC honors, would return for his final season. Davis actually declared for the NFL draft, but pulled his name out on the day of the NFL deadline, Jan. 9.
"[Returning] was always on my mind and my mom had talked to me about it," Davis said. "I woke up at 3 a.m. and thought, 'I think I want to go back to school.' If you look at it, we have great players on our team, and I think my stock can't do anything but go up. "We can compete for the ACC championship and a national title, and that can help, too. Returning to school will definitely make me a better prospect for next year."
Bowden and his team have come to rely on Davis' productivity. With 3,310 career yards, he ranks fourth among active NCAA running backs coming into the season. He has led the Tigers in rushing for three straight years and needs 837 yards to break Raymond Priester's career school rushing record of 3,966 yards. He's also within reach of becoming the sixth running back in ACC history to reach the 4,000-yard milestone.
Davis is tied for the second most touchdowns -- 36 rushing and two receiving -- in school history and needs 13 this season to break Travis Zachary's school record of 50. He has an outside chance of breaking former NC State star Ted Brown's long-standing ACC rushing record of 4,602 yards but would have to turn in the best season of his career to get there.
This stat alone shows how important Davis is to the Tigers: The Tigers are 12-0 in games when Davis rushes for 100 or more yards. Last season, Davis had five 100-yard games, including three of the final five games of the season.
As good as he's been, he also realized he would probably be no better than a third-round pick in a draft that was deep in running backs like Arkansas' Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart and Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall.
"I see myself getting better as a player off the field, working on the little things I need to," Davis said. "This year will definitely give me a lot to add to what I've got to bring to the game."
He went into spring practice with a renewed energy, right up until he suffered a shoulder injury mid-way through spring drills. He needed arthroscopic surgery to repair the prob-lem, but he's expected to return at 100 percent when fall drills begin.
That's a big relief for Clemson fans, who are sometimes frustrated by Spiller, Davis' understudy, because of his inability to run through an open hole. They believe he would rather bounce around the backfield, find a seam to the outside and use his world-class speed to run for daylight. Filling in for Davis throughout the spring allowed Spiller to become a better north-south runner.
Spiller, Davis' partner in the Tiger backfield the last two years, is the faster of the two, a scat-back runner who can break free any time he touches the ball. He was fast enough to qualify for the 100- and 200-meter races, as well as the 400-meter relay, at the NCAA South Regional, where he finished sixth in the 100-meter dash, just missing a berth to the national meet.
He's also a versatile contributor on special teams, serving as the team's primary punt and kickoff returner. He led the team with 1,723 all-purpose yards. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry last year. He finished the season on a high note, breaking free for an 83-yard touchdown run in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the longest run in the bowl's history and the longest post-season run in school history. Spiller was the offensive MVP of the bowl.
The Tigers have some other options in the backfield, including transplant Rendrick Taylor (6-2, 240), who spent his first three seasons at wide receiver. Last season, Taylor caught 25 passes for 259 yards, but his size limited his future in football. The senior tried playing linebacker in the spring, but he wanted to move back to the offensive side of the ball. He won't be a receiver this year, but Bowden said in the spring that he might create an H-back position to get the ball in Taylor's hands.
He probably won't get many carries this season, especially because the Tigers signed a pair of highly regarded tailbacks, Andre Ellington (5-10, 170) of Moncks Corner, S.C., and Jamie Harper (6-0, 227) of Jacksonville, Fla. Both were rated among the top 50 recruits in the nation and will wait for their chance to replace the upperclassmen "Thunder and Lightning."
When the Tigers use a fullback, redshirt freshman Chad Diehl (6-2, 250) gets the call. He played in three games last year before suffering a season-ending injury. He underwent surgery on his ankle after spring practice but is expected to return at full strength in the fall.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
While opposing defenses worry about stopping Davis and Spiller, the Tigers have also developed a worrisome receiver corps as well.
Leading the group is senior Aaron Kelly (6-5, 190), who established a school record with 88 receptions last season. He also led the ACC in touchdown receptions with 11.
If he has a similar season, Kelly will not only break Clemson's career reception record (at 165 receptions, he needs only three more to do it), he will also break former Wake Forest receiver Desmond Clark's ACC record of 216 career catches.
With two more touchdown passes, Kelly will break the Clemson record for career scoring passes. The old record of 18 was set by Glenn Smith, whose career ended in 1951, making it the longest standing record in the school's books.
Kelly has two accomplished foils on the other side of the line. Senior Tyler Grisham (5-11, 180) caught 60 passes in 13 games last year, ranking seventh in the ACC in receptions per game. A part-time starter for two straight seasons, Grisham is a possession receiver who amassed 653 receiving yards last season. And even though he was second on the team in catches, his biggest contribution might have been as a downfield blocker.
Junior Jacoby Ford (5-10, 185) hopes he has retained his speed after suffering a broken ankle in the Tigers' blowout of Maryland last October. Ford, once clocked at 4.13 seconds in the 40-yard dash, was as fast as ever during track and field season, earning All-America honors in the 60-yard dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 100-yard dash.
Ford missed the last four games of the season, but still finished third on the team with 172 rushing yards and fifth with 310 receiving yards on 17 catches. He also scored four touchdowns, all on receptions. His 18.2-yard-per-catch average was tops on the team.
Fifth-year senior Nelson Faerber (5-11, 180) and sophomores Xavier Dye (6-5, 205) and Terrance Ashe (6-2, 190) all contributed last season.
The Tigers will look to newcomers Brandon Clear (6-5, 205), a redshirt freshman, and Marquan Jones (6-0, 180), who enrolled in January and went through spring practice as a freshman, for help in the passing game.
Clemson has always relied on its tight end for pass receiving and for blocking, and this year's team returns three players who have started at tight end. Last year, Michael Palmer (6-5, 245) caught 13 passes for 128 yards, a 9.8-yard average. He returns for his junior season -- and second year as a starter -- ready to make an even bigger impact on the Tiger offense.
Sophomore Brian Linthicum (6-4, 235) caught three touchdown passes among his 11 catches for 76 yards, and graduate student Akeem Robinson (6-4, 260) has made 11 starts in his 38 appearances.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Without question, the biggest mystery heading into the season is how well Tiger associate head coach and offensive line coach Brad Scott can replace the four departed start-ers on what was, at best, a mediocre offensive line.
The most pressing need is to replace four-year starter and two-time first-team All-ACC selection Barry Richardson at left tackle, the most important position on the line with a right-handed quarterback.
In the spring, junior Cory Lambert (6-6, 310) and fifth-year senior Jock McKissic (6-7, 300), a converted defensive lineman, battled for the position Richardson held for four consecutive seasons. Lambert took a slight edge heading into the fall. But they both could stand in the large shadow of freshman Antoine McClain (6-6, 305) once he arrives on campus.
"We're not counting on him, but we'd sure like to see if he can," Bowden said of McClain. "He's got some skills and his high school skills indicate he's going to have a chance if he stays healthy and can pick up the offense."
Not knowing who the starters limited the Tigers' downfield passing in the spring, as Scott worked on finding the right combinations on the line. But that never really happened, because only returning starter Thomas Austin (6-3, 315) at center and Chris Hairston (6-6, 315) at right tackle solidified their starting jobs in the spring.
Austin, a junior who was twice chosen ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, began last season as the starting right guard, but he moved to center for the final eight games, even though he had limited experience at the position. He led the team with 95 knockdown blocks and proved to be the team's most consistent blocker. Fifth-year senior Bobby Hutchinson (6-3, 305) can provide support at either center or guard, and sophomore Ben Ramsey (6-4, 285) saw limited action last season as a back-up center.
Hairston, a sophomore, played in 10 games last season, mostly as a reserve. He did, however, start the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn, his only start of the season. Behind him, redshirt freshman Landon Walker (6-5, 280) and sophomore Jamal Medlin (6-5, 290) continue to vie for playing time.
Redshirt freshman Mason Cloy (6-3, 300) moved from center to right guard to battle junior Barry Humphries (6-3, 295), who started the first five games at center and two more games at right guard last season. Redshirt freshman Wilson Norris (6-4, 295) and Bobby Hutchinson (6-3, 305) will also challenge.
At left guard, junior Jamarcus Grant (6-4, 305) was the starter going into spring, but he was pushed by redshirt freshman Davis Smith (6-5, 295).
KICKERS
Kicker Mark Buchholz (6-2, 205) was reliable in three different ways for the Tigers. He ranked 12th in the nation in field goals per game, and his 22 successful kicks were just two away from the school record. He made 48 consecutive point-after attempts. And he was also a decent mid-fielder on the Tiger soccer team.
He pulled off a double-duty double that no athlete in Clemson history had ever accomplished, earning Academic All-ACC honors in both sports.
But it wasn't necessarily an easy achievement. Buchholz, who won the starting job in the spring of 2007 by beating out former Parade All-American Richard Jackson (5-11, 190) attempted 36 field goals. At just over 60 percent, Buchholz was anything but automatic. After he missed 4-of-5 chances in the 13-3 loss to Georgia Tech, Bowden insisted that Buchholz spend more practice time with the football team.
Early in the season, Buchholz just worked out with the football team before practice and then moved next door to the adjacent soccer practice fields. After the Tech loss, Bowden insisted that Buchholz stay for all of football practice. He still missed eight attempts over the Tigers' final eight games, but it made the coach feel better.
Buchholz did give Tiger fans something to cheer about when he made a 35-yard, game-winning field goal against archrival South Carolina in the regular-season finale.
This year, having already completed his eligibility in soccer, Buchholz will stick to just football, hoping to improve on his percentage this season.
Jackson, a sophomore, is still around as Buchholz's backup and senior John Early (5-9, 175) attempted one onside kick last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Losing a second-round draft pick who could have returned for his senior season might have hurt some programs. For the Tigers, however, it just opened the door to the future. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning didn't fret when Phillip Merling opted to forego his senior season.
That's because it cleared a path for Da'Quan Bowers (6-5, 265), rated by ESPN.com as the nation's top incoming freshman, to get on the field at defensive end. Bowers, from Bamberg, S.C., enrolled in January so he could go through spring drills with the Tigers. He enters the fall listed behind junior Kevin Alexander (6-3, 245) and redshirt freshman Andre Branch (6-5, 245) Don't expect that to keep Bowers off the field for long.
"He's learning what to do," Koenning said. "He's very athletic and has got a good feel and good vision. At times, when he's really going, he's a rolling ball of butcher knives. He's hard to get a handle on."
But no one wants to rush him into the lineup, least of all the head coach.
"He's going to have to understand the intensity level every single play," Bowden said of Bowers. "But he certainly has the talent."
At the other end, junior Ricky Sapp (6-4, 240) returns after starting all 13 games at the bandit end last year. He had 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and a team-high 22 quarterback pressures last season. Sophomore Kourtnei Brown (6-4, 225) saw action in 11 games last year as a freshman.
The strength of the defensive line might be the interior, where fifth-year seniors Dorell Scott (6-4, 320) and Rashaad Jackson (6-2, 280) are immovable anchors. Junior Jamie Cumbie (6-7, 270) and sophomore Miguel Chavis (6-5, 260) are the interior reserves. Sophomore Jarvis Jenkins (6-4, 320), who saw some action as a freshman last year, is pushing for more playing time this season, as well as junior Antwon Murchison (6-4, 270).
Redshirt freshmen Byron Clear (6-5, 215), Chris Richardson (6-3, 220) and Drew Taylor (6-5, 230) and sophomores John Wright (6-2, 235) and Rennie Moore (6-4, 270) will look to gain experience at defensive end this season.
Jarrett Crittenden, from North Dakota State College of Science, met NCAA minimum admission requirements, but was not admitted to the university. He opted to attend Memphis, leaving a hole in the Tigers' defensive line depth.
LINEBACKERS
Similar to the offensive line, chemistry and depth were the two biggest things missing in the linebacker corps for the Tigers in the spring.
And, just like on the O-line, finding the right replacements after losing last year's top four linebackers will be key to just how good the Tiger defense, which finished ranked in the top 25 last season in total defense and scoring defense, can be this year.
"The key for us on defense will be the development of some young linebackers," Bowden said.
Veterans Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie were starters for most of the last four seasons. Watkins was the team's leading tackler last year with 118, while Billie was fourth on the team with 79 hits.
Also gone is third starter Courtney Vincent, who was booted off the team after being arrested last December for DUI and then failing to comply with team rules in the spring. Vincent had 68 tackles last season in his 12 starts at middle linebacker.
Also out of the fold is would-be senior Antonio Clay, who spent the spring semester home in Georgia dealing with emotional issues. Clay has played in 38 career games while starting 13. He is not expected to return to the team in 2008.
The Tigers' most experienced linebackers are junior Kavell Conner (6-1, 225) and sophomore Scotty Cooper (6-1, 210), who have four career starts between them. Senior Josh Miller (6-0, 235) and junior Jeremy Campbell (6-1, 225) have seen some action, but both are career reserves.
Not surprisingly, the Tigers mixed and matched their linebackers throughout the spring, hoping to find the right combination, by switching players from inside to out-side and from safety to linebacker and vice versa.
Throughout the spring, redshirt freshman Brandon Maye (6-2, 215) was consistently good and freshman Stanley Hunter (5-10, 220), who enrolled in school in January, showed promise that he could contribute immediately. Freshman Tarik Rollins (6-2, 205) also enrolled early so he could go through spring practice with the Tigers.
Sophomore DeAndre McDaniel (6-0, 200) moved to linebacker from safety in the spring.
"Right now, I feel like we're more productive at linebacker than I can remember us being in a while," said Koenning, in his fourth season as coordinator.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
With four starters returning from a defensive secondary that led the ACC and was 13th in the nation in passing defense, there are few worries about pass coverage.
Fifth-year senior safety Michael Hamlin (6-3, 205) leads the Tiger secondary. He begins his fourth season as a starter on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. Last season, Hamlin was second on the team with 97 tackles, earning him second-team All-ACC honors. Perhaps his biggest game came in the overtime loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, in which he recorded 14 stops in just 54 plays.
In each of Hamlin's three years as a starter, the Clemson defense has ranked in the Top 25 in four statistical categories. His 12 takeaways -- eight interceptions and four fumble re-coveries -- are tied for eighth in school history.
At the other safety, fifth-year senior Chris Clemons (6-2, 210) returns for his third year as a starter. He was just behind Hamlin with 94 tackles last year.
There is not a lot of depth behind the two starting safeties, both of whom have started at least 23 straight games, especially because Hamlin's backup De'Andre McDaniel moved to linebacker. That leaves junior Sadat Chambers (5-11, 195), who lettered as a safety two years ago and as a running back last season, and junior walk-on Ike Ihewunwa (6-0, 195) as the only other safeties listed on the roster.
At the corners, junior Chris Chancellor (5-10, 170) returns with junior Crezdon Butler (6-0, 185) for their second season in the starting lineup. Chancellor had more pass break-ups (nine) than anyone on the team last year and tied with Hamlin for the most interceptions (four). Butler picked off three passes and broke up another two.
Behind them, sophomore Marcus Gilchrist (5-11, 180) played in 13 games as a reserve. Sophomore Byron Maxwell (6-1, 185) played well in his first season, and redshirt freshman Coty Sensabaugh (5-10, 180) could contribute at one of the corners this year. Senior Haydrian Lewis (5-11, 185) has earned three letters as a cornerback.
PUNTERS
Senior Jimmy Maners (6-1, 190), in his first year as the Tigers' starting punter, was consistently strong throughout the season and finished ranked No. 20 in the nation with a 42.8-yard average. That was the eighth-best season average in Clemson history and the best in 17 years.
Maners had a streak of eight consecutive games with a punting average of at least 40 yards. He had 13 punts of 50 yards or longer. And he had 16 punts inside the 20-yard line.
But Maners did not get much help from his coverage. The Tigers finished last in the ACC in net punting, averaging just 32.9 yards per game.
Bowden, never particularly at ease with his kickers, has faith that Maners can continue to get the job done, even with the arrival of freshman Dawson Zimmerman (6-2, 195) of Snellville, Ga., who was ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's No. 2 high school punter.
There are also other options, including Richard Jackson and newcomer Spencer Benton (6-2, 185), who enrolled in January. However, Bowden said in the spring that he would prefer to redshirt Benton.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Few teams in the country have as much speed in the kickoff- and punt-return games as the Tigers. C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are both standouts on the Tiger track and field team, with Ford qualifying for the NCAA Championship and Spiller just missing the chance to go.
Spiller put his speed to good use, averaging 28.8 yards as the Tigers' primary kickoff returner. That ranked second in the ACC and 14th in the nation. He became the first return man in school history to score touchdowns in consecutive games, when he went 84 yards against Duke and 90 yards against Wake Forest.
As a team, the Tigers ranked first in the ACC with a 23.9-yard return average on kickoffs.
Spiller and Ford split duties on punt returns, with Spiller averaging 8.6 yards per return and Ford averaging 9.0 yards. Five others had one return on the season, but as a team the Tigers were in the middle of the ACC in punt returns.
Senior Charles Roediger (6-0, 225) will return as the long snapper on punts, extra points and field goals, with junior Michael Palmer (6-5, 245) as his backup.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Tigers</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
We've seen this scenario before: Clemson is loaded with talent, the rest of the league is somewhat down and the opportunity is ripe to end that 16-year ACC championship drought.
Bowden, heading into his 10th season, has been alternately vilified and praised during his tenure, but the fact is he has put his team in position to get there the last three years.
The other side of that coin, of course, is that Bowden's team has blown three golden shots to reach the title game.
Bowden could finally worm his way into the hearts of his most vocal critics if he could get over that hump, returning the ACC championship to Death Valley and finally securing a bid to a Bowl Championship Series game.
He has the talent, the experience and the depth to do it this year, and he knows it. But it's hard to erase the memories of those crucial losses that have prevented the Tigers from getting there before.
Clemson Tigers
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Clemson, S.C.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>ACC (Atlantic)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>9-4 (.692)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>5-3 (2nd)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Tigers</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Burnt Orange & Northwest Purple</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Memorial Stadium (81,473)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Tommy Bowden (West Virginia '77)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>69-42 (9 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>87-46 (11 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Brad Scott (Florida '79), Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
• Dabo Swinney (Alabama '93), Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers
• Rob Spence (Iona '82), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Vic Koenning (Kansas State '82), Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• David Blackwell (East Carolina '97), Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
• Billy Napier (Furman '03), Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
• Andre Powell (Indiana '89), Special Team Coordinator/Running Backs
• Chris Rumph (South Carolina '94), Defensive Ends
• Ron West (Clemson '79), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>9-6-8-8-9</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>14-44-23-45-27</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to Auburn in Chick-fil-A Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Alabama </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Citadel </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>North Carolina State </TD><TD>12:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>South Carolina State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Maryland </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 9</TD><TD>at Wake Forest </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>Georgia Tech </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Florida State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Duke </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at Virginia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>South Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Florida State
COACH AND PROGRAM
Transition seasons seldom unfold seamlessly, and 2007 was no exception at Florida State, where the final record (7-6) bore an exact resemblance to the 2006 campaign despite an overhaul of the offensive staff and the return of a long-time defensive assistant.
Bobby Bowden never once suggested that the arrival of offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, offensive line coach Rick Trickett, receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey and running backs coach Dexter Carter -- plus Chuck Amato's return to direct the linebackers -- would induce time-warp results.
In fact, Bowden preached patience, albeit to a fan base that had emptied a tank full of it in the darkening seasons that followed the end of a 14-year dynasty in 2000. Ironic, isn't it, that the 78-year-old Bowden can practice what he was preaching?
Be careful not to confuse Bowden's patience with someone marking his time until he's had enough. Despite the December 2007 announcement that Fisher will eventually succeed Bowden -- who is now working on a one-year contract with the annual option to re-up -- he is as committed to as ever. <OFFER>
"I want to go out with a championship," Bowden said.
It appears that might require more than an extreme staff makeover.
FSU heads into the 2008 season still coping with the fallout of an academic scandal that created a season-long undercurrent in '07 and virtually sucked the life out of a trip to the Music City Bowl. Approximately two dozen players, some of whom were walk-ons, were ruled ineligible for the bowl game. Most of those who return will miss the first three games of the '08 season -- which Bowden described as a "dark cloud" -- resulting from the school's self-imposed sanctions after input from the NCAA.
Approximately six returning starters were involved in the scandal, which revolved around a tutor providing answers to an on-line section of a music elective within the confines of the school's academic athletic support study area.
While FSU will not have its case go before the NCAA Infractions Committee until January '09 at the earliest, the school has also self-imposed scholarship reductions which new athletic director Randy Spetman told a Seminole booster gathering in the spring numbered eight, spread over a two-year period (four each year).
Those scholarship reductions will exact a toll on the program, which no longer boasts the most top-to-bottom talent in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Bowden is well aware of the program's personnel shortcomings, something fans have steadfastly refused to acknowledge.
"I think the [2008 NFL] draft shows it as good any," Bowden said. "Where's the big-play guy that we you used to have? Where's the Charlie Ward, the Warrick Dunn, the Derrick Brooks? I think that's the thing we've got to come up with. I think the draft kind of typifies it -- it was the third round before anybody was taken."
The '08 NFL draft marked the first since 1987 that FSU -- which had more players on any opening day roster last season than every school but Miami -- did not have a player selected on the first day. Defensive tackle Andre Fluellen was the first 'Nole off the board in round three.
Bowden was aware of the fall-off in talent, though he may not have realized what a profound impact it has played over the last seven seasons.
"I didn't recognize it as, 'It's going to kill us,' but I've been saying for two years we need a big-time player; we need an All-American," he said. "Somebody needs to go out there and play like [Heisman-winning Florida quarterback Tim] Tebow or some of these other great players. It might be the only thing we're lacking. You could get by if you had that.
"We need some more game-breakers. Preston Parker was as close a thing as we had to that."
The versatile Parker, who was FSU's top receiver, punt returner and more-than-capable fill-in at tailback, will also miss the first two games of the regular season after his April arrest for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. The felony gun charge was later reduced, clearing his conditional return to the program.
Still, the off-field troubles resulted in another black eye for a program trying desperately to upgrade its performance on the field and its reputation off it.
As for filling the talent void, the Seminoles have made significant inroads already. With Fisher serving as the point man and Bowden playing the role of closer, FSU landed a consensus top-10 recruiting class in '08 and is already off to a strong start with double-digit early commitments for '09. Adding director of player personnel Bob LaCivita, now in his second season, is also paying dividends. His primary responsibility is identifying prospects early on.
From there, he turns it over to Bowden's staff. Fisher is a dynamic recruiter who was largely responsible for the accumulation of talent at LSU during his days there. Dawsey and Trickett have also earned their stripes on the recruiting trail, as has Amato, who is re-opening the once-fertile South Florida pipeline of talent. Perhaps most importantly, Fisher's enthusiasm for identifying and landing talent seems to have re-energized defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and the staff on his side of the ball.
And not to be forgotten, James Coley was brought in to replace long-time recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach John Lilly. Coley has not only worked with Fisher before, but is both an FSU grad and a South Florida native who was on Nick Saban's Miami Dolphins staff.
With the staff in place, now it's a matter of bringing all the components together to produce a winning football program. Bowden concedes that will require changing the culture.
"We're trying to get back to where we were," Bowden said. "Nearly everybody in the conference has beaten us. We want to get back to the way it was, and you'd have to say it's nearly another culture."
That won't happen overnight.
"If you've got inferior players, they can't get it back," Bowden said, pointedly. "If we can recruit the right guys with these coaches, we can get it back. There's no doubt. I've got so much confidence in Mickey, Chuck Amato, Jimbo, Trickett ... If we can get the right guys, we can get it done. We have to improve on the draft board. We have to improve draft day."
More immediately, Bowden and staff must find a way to get the most out of a squad that will be significantly thin in a number of key positions, in part by design. At least a dozen players who would have had eligibility remaining for the '08 season have left the program since the end of last season.
For those who stayed, spring practice was far more productive the second time around with the retooled coaching staff.
"The biggest difference this spring, compared to a spring ago, is the coaches knew the boys, the boys knew the coaches and the boys knew the system," Bowden said. "A spring ago, none of that was true. You could really tell the difference."
Bowden isn't ready to say the Noles should contend for a national championship in '08 -- something he regularly did throughout the '90s -- but he expects to see his team improve.
"I'll be really disappointed if it doesn't," he said.
QUARTERBACKS
It's 2008 P.D. (post dynasty) and the one constant -- beyond Bowden's presence -- is the Seminoles head into fall practice with questions to be resolved at the quarterback position.
A quartet of candidates, led by senior and 33-game starter Drew Weatherford (6-3, 216), have all thrown their hat in the ring. The only thing different from the last three falls is that Xavier Lee isn't one of them. Unable to lock down the job despite opportunities the last two seasons, Lee left the program after the '07 season when Fisher suggested he consider changing positions.
Oddly enough, Lee was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent tight end.
Lee's absence and Weatherford's spring surgery to repair torn knee cartilage opened the door for the next wave of quarterback contenders, led by redshirt sophomores Christian Ponder (6-2, 212) and D'Vontrey Richardson (6-1, 205).
Then there's incoming freshman E.J. Manuel (6-4, 215), Fisher's hand-selected choice to lead the Noles into the future, and the nation's second-rated quarterback in 2007. Manuel has told multiple media outlets that he has no intention of accepting a redshirt season without first putting up a fight for immediate playing time.
Regardless of who lands the job, or when, this figures to be the most competitive quarterback competitions in years.
Given his experience in Fisher's offense, Weatherford is the early leader, based largely on his 20-13 track record as the starter. He ranks among the top three in school history for passing yards (7,411), completions (634) and 300-yard games. After offering up 29 interceptions over his first two seasons, Weatherford led the nation in interception avoidance last year, yielding just three in 318 attempts.
What Weatherford didn't do was make enough plays to secure the job, especially once the Noles reached the red zone. The spring knee injury prevented him from showing Fisher that he had improved his mobility and arm strength to the point he was ready to take the next step in progression. Still, he enters fall practice atop the depth chart, but with Ponder and Richardson in hot pursuit.
"[Weatherford's injury] gave us a chance to work with Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson," Bowden said. "They got a lot of work, and I'm hoping they can close the gap and make it a real competition."
Though Fisher lists Ponder and Richardson as co-backups on the preseason two-deep, there's clearly a pecking order. Ponder received all of the first-team spring snaps when Weatherford went down and was especially effective leading the offense in the red zone. That's an important quality on a unit forced to kick a nation-leading 27 field goals last sea-son.
Blessed with confidence, quickness, good speed and enough arm, Ponder backed up the skills he flashed against Virginia Tech in his only action of the '07 season. More importantly, he's been a quick study, which should come as no surprise; he enters the fall holding an undergraduate degree in finance.
"He's extremely bright, which is something that jumps off the page right away," Weatherford said of Ponder. "He understands the offense; he understands the defenses. I think he does a good job understanding the players and how to deal with people. For a young kid, he does a good job leading them out on the field, being assertive in the huddle. He's way beyond his years, I think."
Fisher acknowledged as much: "He's pushing now. He's ready to play."
Richardson, who is bigger, more elusive and possesses a bigger arm than either Weatherford or Ponder, closed the gap with a strong spring finish.
Fisher, however, was somewhat protective of Richardson, limiting his spring reps to second-team duties.
"It's easier to break [a quarterback] than make one," said Fisher, who will loosen the reins once August rolls around to determine whether he has a full-fledged, three- or perhaps four-man battle to lead the offense.
RUNNING BACKS
It doesn't take long to run through the tailbacks on FSU's roster with significant game experience. The list begins with senior Antone Smith (5-9, 188), and unless you count last season's worthy fill-in work by receiver Preston Parker, it ends there.
Since the close of the '07 season, veteran reserves Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball have transferred. Redshirt freshman Brandon Paul (5-10, 170), a gifted athlete without a natural position, did little to distinguish himself as Smith's backup in the spring.
With senior walk-on Pat Davis (5-9, 180) limited by injury, the Noles were forced to use junior H-back/fullback Marcus Sims (6-0, 230) to lighten Smith's practice load.
That doesn't figure to be an issue in the fall when the cavalry arrives.
In his desire to bring in bigger, more versatile backs, Fisher signed three to scratch that itch. Junior college transfer Tavares Pressley (6-1, 215) will be joined by freshmen Jermaine Thomas (6-1, 190) and Carlton Jones (5-11, 215) in the competition to push Smith for playing time.
Though the popular theory is that Pressley will eventually supplant the starter, Smith won't go away quietly, despite his decision to decline interview requests all spring.
Smith's best bet to hold off the trio of challengers is to start the way he finished last season. As FSU's featured back, Smith ran for a career-high 819 yards on 192 carries (4.3 ypc), highlighted by a career-high 156 yards on 19 totes in the Seminoles' Music City Bowl loss to Kentucky. His season also included back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Duke and Miami, a first for the run-challenged Noles since Leon Washington did it in 2004.
Not to be discounted, Smith also collected a career-high 22 pass receptions. His value to the passing game figures to give him an edge over the contenders, who boast quality resumes.
Pressley provided El Camino (Calif.) Community College with plenty production in limited at-bats, piling up 832 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite averaging fewer than 10 carries a game in a spread attack. The well-traveled Arcadia, Fla. native was even more impressive as a freshman, when he accounted for 1,713 yards of total offense for Monterey Peninsula College, including 1,211 on the ground. Those are impressive stats for anyone, let alone a guy who was exclusively a quarterback when he entered the JUCO ranks.
Thomas brings a skill set to the table comparable to Parker, who rushed for 250 yards while filling in for the injured Smith last season. One of three Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast High signees by the Noles, Thomas ran for more than 1,500 yards over his final two prep seasons, but his real value is his versatility. In addition to lining up in the backfield, he's capable of creating mismatches while lining up in the slot.
Jones is a more traditional between-the-tackles back, after powering for 1,200 yards in his junior and senior seasons for Tampa Middleton.
Fisher's emphasis on the ground game relies heavily on utilizing fullbacks and H-backs, primarily as blockers. Junior Seddrick Holloway (5-10, 247) fills the bill well as a guard wearing No. 41, though he's also capable of moving the pile in short yardage.
Senior Joe Surratt (6-1, 262), who missed last season because of injury and suspension, is the most capable receiver from the lead back spot, while Sims has the speed to pop big plays from the pile.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The return of its top two receiving yardage leaders and rapid development of a pair of redshirt freshmen -- plus the arrival of three big and fast newcomers -- left Fisher pondering the possibilities of the unit becoming a team strength this season.
"If our receivers will continue to get more consistent, I think it can be a definite strength, because I think we have playmakers," said Fisher.
It's hard to argue against Fisher's assessment.
There isn't a wide receiver in college football with the size and resume of FSU senior Greg Carr (6-6, 210). With 109 career receptions covering 2,032 yards, including 25 touchdowns, Carr has the nation's highest yards-per-catch average (18.6) among returnees with more than 100 grabs.
Statistically speaking, Carr is coming off his best campaign, setting personal bests for receptions (45) and yards (795), though he managed a career-low four touchdowns. That production, however, came during a year when Carr's bread-and-butter jump ball route was called sparingly.
Under receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey's guidance, Carr became a more complete receiver, improving his route running and becoming a more effective downfield blocker. Despite the dip in touchdown production, Carr's improved work ethic and attitude earned him offensive game captain honors four times.
While Carr was a known commodity entering the '07 season, Preston Parker (6-0, 190) came from nowhere and emerged as the Seminoles' top receiver and playmaker in the open field.
The team leader in receptions (62) and yardage (791), Parker's intuitive make-you-miss skills were critical to the attack. A nightmare match-up for linebackers coming out of the slot, Parker was responsible for a team-high 51 first downs. His versatility as a punt returner and fill-in tailback helped him pile up a team-leading 1,513 all-purpose yards, though Fisher repeatedly said Parker was only scratching the surface of his potential.
Parker's two-game suspension to open the season means Dawsey will have to find some capable replacements to fill the void early on. Among the veterans, senior Richard Goodman (6-0, 186) and junior Rod Owens (6-0, 179) are the most seasoned.
Goodman's junior season was cut short by a fractured fibula, but not before the speedster set personal bests with 20 receptions for 184 yards and a pair of scores. After missing the '06 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery, Owens caught only six passes last season, but those came in the final two games. Four of those came against rival Florida.
Experience aside, it's the new faces that provide the most optimism for the receiving corps. Redshirt freshmen Bert Reed (5-11, 165) and Taiwan Easterling (5-11, 192) were the most productive pass catchers throughout the spring.
Reed, a former high school quarterback, has a burst of speed and plenty of shake to be especially effective out of the slot. He also benefited substantially from working with the second-team offense throughout his freshman season. Easterling, who spent his first year on the scout team, came on strong as spring progressed.
Easterling's ability to catch the ball in traffic and get up field drew rave reviews from all corners.
"I really thought he was kind of the offensive star," Bowden said, after Easterling grabbed five receptions for 81 yards in the spring game.
Much like the tailback position, the receiving corps will be upgraded substantially with the summer arrival of three newcomers, all of whom possess size and speed. El Camino (Calif.) Community College wideout Corey Surrency (6-5, 210), who is blessed with 4.45 40-yard dash speed, caught 53 passes for 1,102 yards in two years of JUCO ball. What makes those numbers more impressive is the fact he didn't play high school football, despite attending powerhouse Miami Southridge.
Freshmen Jarmon Fortson (6-3, 220) and Avis Commack (6-4, 182) "are going to have a shot" at contributing, Fisher says. Fortson, whom the Noles lured from Auburn's grasp, had 1,500 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns over his final two seasons. Commack, a two-time state hurdles champion out of Jacksonville First Coast, has outstanding body control in addition to a sprinter's burst.
The tight end spot remains a bit of a mystery. Incumbent junior starter Charlie Graham (6-3, 238) left school in January to get his academics in order, but is expected to return. Junior Caz Piurowski (6-7, 277) also returns but must sit out the first three games. They combined for 16 receptions for 141 yards last season.
Junior Matt Dunham (6-2, 255) and senior walk-on Josh Dobbie (6-4, 221), who is the best receiver of the bunch, could factor into the mix as well. They are joined by incoming freshman Ja'Baris Little (6-4, 240).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rick Trickett was nothing short of a miracle worker in his first season directing the offensive front, a group he pared down considerably upon arrival and built into a vastly im-proved unit by the end of the year.
Act II will require more magic, as the Seminoles, for the first time in Bowden's coaching tenure, don't have a single junior or senior on the roster. Perhaps more daunting, collectively this is a unit small in number, stature and experience.
The departure of four with starting experience -- three graduates and would-be junior left tackle Daron Rose's transfer to a junior college for academic reasons -- leaves Trickett with two returning starters and only one other player with college experience on the roster.
Two of those, sophomore center Ryan McMahon (6-3, 274) and sophomore left tackle Rodney Hudson (6-2, 283), were good enough to be consensus Freshmen All-Americans last season. Hudson, however, moves from guard to tackle, filling the void left by Rose's departure.
Hudson, a freshman in '07, put up some mind-numbing numbers in his nine starts. He missed five assignments all year -- the majority of which came against Clemson in the opener -- allowed one sack and was not flagged for a penalty all season.
McMahon, a converted defensive tackle, was the lone freshman or sophomore among Bowl Subdivision schools to take every offensive snap at the center position. That makes his penalty-free first season all the more impressive.
Sophomore Evan Bellamy (6-4, 296) is the likely starter at left guard after making his only previous start at right tackle in the Music City Bowl because of the rash of suspension.
The remaining cast is a collection of freshmen or redshirt freshmen, none of whom have seen the field.
Redshirt freshman Antwane Greenlee (6-6, 302) is the most heralded of the bunch. A potential contributor last season, he suffered a cervical injury near midseason and wasn't cleared for contact again until the start of spring ball. Redshirt freshman Will Furlong (6-2, 262) displayed the kind of tenacity Trickett wants as the starting right guard all spring.
Collectively, their greatest asset is they know what to expect from the demanding Trickett and have displayed a willingness to deliver.
"Last year it seemed like every day you just went out coaching effort, trying to get them going," Trickett said. "Hopefully now they understand. This group here flies around pretty good. Now we can zero in a lot more on technique, fundamentals and really get grooved in that way."
Among the reserves, sophomore guard/center Brandon Davis (6-2, 272) and redshirt freshman center A.J. Ganguzza (6-3, 269) have little more than practice time to count toward experience. That's better than the incoming freshmen -- left-tackle Zebrie Sanders (6-5, 273), left/right-guard David Spurlock (6-5, 287) and Rhonne Sanderson (6-4, 280) and right-tackle Andrew Datko (6-6, 285).
"I'm going to play them all," Trickett said of the incoming freshmen. "They knew that when they signed. They're all second team. I'm going to try to find out between Zebrie and Datko, which one makes the best left tackle. The other guy will go to right tackle. Spurlock and Sanderson will probably start out at guards.
"We'll open up the first game with our top 10 and seven of them have not been in a game. It will be interesting."
KICKERS
Bowden and Fisher are hopeful that senior Graham Gano (6-1, 197) won't be burdened in the same way that graduated kicker Gary Cismesia was a year ago. The Seminoles' red zone offensive struggles enabled Cismesia to kick an ACC- and school record-tying 27 field goals.
Gano, who has been FSU's starting punter and kickoff specialist for two seasons, has yet to attempt a single game kick, though he has plenty of leg.
As a high school senior, the athletic Gano set a Florida high school record by converting from 65 yards, one of three longer than 55. He also had a 67-yarder erased by penalty.
Junior transfer Zach Hobby (5-11, 200), who played at Delaware, received most of the second-team reps in the spring. He'll compete against sophomore walk-on Nathan Ojibway (6-3, 253) and grey-shirt scholarship freshman Shawn Powell (6-5, 212) for emergency duties.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Over the last 10 years, the Seminoles have produced a half-dozen NFL-quality interior defensive linemen, which followed a lengthy run of first-round defensive ends. Now it looks as if FSU could be ready to churn out another run of pass rushers.
A quartet of junior ends, led by veteran Everette Brown (6-4, 246) and the arrival of national junior college player-of-the-year Markus White (6-4, 245), could be poised to put some punch in the Seminoles' recently dormant pass rush.
If the spring game was any kind of indicator, the Noles are heading in the right direction. The defense dominated, piling up 11 quarterback sacks and countless hurries, contribut-ing to a pair of interceptions.
Brown, who is tabbed as the starting right end ahead of walk-on Ben Lampkin (6-0, 212), spent the entire game in the backfield. After finally cracking through the starting lineup in '07, the jet-quick Lampkin delivered his best season, leading the team in sacks (6.5) and all linemen in tackles (37) and tackles for loss (11.5).
One of the biggest surprises from the spring game was the play of senior left end Neefy Moffett (6-1, 255), who used a pair of sacks to climb to the top of the depth chart. Consistency has eluded Moffett to this point, but with the arrival of White and the return of junior Kevin McNeil (6-2, 255) from injury and suspension, the bull-rushing specialist will either put up or step aside.
McNeil came on strong as a freshman in '06, registering a pair of sacks and five tackles for loss in 10 games after missing the first three until he was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. His sophomore season was derailed by an offseason auto accident that left him with foot and shoulder injuries. He was ultimately caught up in the academic scandal, sacking him for the year. McNeil spent the spring working off the ring rust and was at his best at the end of the 20-day practice period.
White brings a stunning resume to the Noles from Butler (Kansas) Community College, leading the nation with 24.5 sacks and six forced fumbles for the 12-0 Grizzlies, who won the NJCAA national title.
Redshirt freshman Jamar Jackson (6-4, 232) finally got on the field in the spring after suffering an ACL injury during the first weeks of practice last fall. The depth will likely allow incoming freshmen Everett Dawkins (6-2, 242) and Toshmon Stevens (6-5, 205) to mature as redshirts.
Unlike recent seasons, the interior line is an area of concern. Junior Budd Thacker (6-2, 268) missed four games because of injury and suspension, but he still contributed 23 tackles (4.5 for loss) and plenty of energy.
Senior Paul Griffin (6-2, 278), the team's strongest player, is expected to be more of a factor a second season removed from ACL reconstructive surgery. Still, Griffin did make 24 stops (6.5 for loss) in '07. Junior Justin Mincey (6-5, 265) appears to have finally settled on a spot inside the line, after splitting time inside and out his first two seasons.
Unfortunately, the status of all three players at the start of the season remains fuzzy, which means interior line coach Odell Haggins will have to piece things together with significant contributions from a cast of less-distinguished players.
Juniors Kendrick Stewart (6-2, 269) and Emmanuel Dunbar (6-5, 284) could well be the opening day starters; roles they served in the Music City Bowl. Stewart, however, missed spring practice with an injury after contributing 11 tackles in '07. Dunbar, who is two years removed from career-threatening back surgery, has played in only 13 games.
The wild card in the bunch is senior Dumaka Atkins (6-4, 296) who missed all of last season with a knee injury and was moved from offensive line in the spring. Atkins, whose brother was former Miami standout Baraka Atkins, provides a physical presence against the run.
Given the lack of depth, Haggins has told incoming freshman Moses McCray (6-2, 268) to be ready for action upon arrival. McCray is certainly athletic enough, boasting a 4.68 40-yard dash which helped him log 15 sacks for Tampa Hillsborough High, where he was also a wrestler.
LINEBACKERS
Once stockpiled with potential NFL talent, FSU's linebacker corps is facing a year of transition. That's not to say the Noles are void of talent or productive players, but defections have depleted a group once teeming three-deep with quality.
Senior middle linebacker Derek Nicholson (6-2, 234) is back for a final season after establishing himself as a solid run-stuffer in leading FSU in tackles last season with 99.
Nicholson is backed by junior Recardo Wright (6-2, 223), redshirt freshman Aaron Gresham (6-2, 230) and early-entry freshman Vince Williams (6-0, 210). Four of Wright's 18 career stops came in the Music City Bowl.
If there's a star in the making within linebacker coach Chuck Amato's group, it's clearly junior weak-side starter Dekoda Watson (6-2, 222). In his first season as a starter, Watson racked up 50 tackles, but eight of those were behind the line of scrimmage -- 3.5 at Virginia Tech, including a sack and a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Andrews showers Watson with praise.
"He's more confident," FSU's veteran coordinator said during spring practice. "He carries himself loose, but more important, he's been a good leader. He's, 'Follow me' and 'I'll holler at you when you need hollering at.' He's a guy who's very emotional and plays with a lot of enthusiasm, the way you're supposed to."
It's those leadership skills the Noles have been missing since Buster Davis moved on two seasons ago. Still, he's the most physically gifted guy in the unit after Geno Hayes' decision to jump to the NFL and Marcus Ball's suspicious departure from the squad.
Watson, however, will miss the first three games, which creates opportunity for sophomore Kendall Smith (6-1, 224). Smith played in every game last season, primarily on special teams, until he earned his first start at strong-side linebacker in the bowl game. With length and speed, converted senior safety Kenny Ingram (6-6, 233) may have found a home leading up to the bowl.
The strong-side linebacker spot is a little less clear. Projected starter, senior Toddrick Verdell (6-3, 222), wasn't in school for the spring semester but was back on campus this summer. Verdell was on the verge of a breakout season in '07 when he broke his leg in the 10th game. As a backup to Hayes, he logged 22 tackles and had a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown against Miami. A safety when he signed with the Noles out of the JUCO ranks, Verdell has the skills to provide an upgrade to the pass defense.
Heralded freshman Nigel Bradham (6-2, 227), the nation's top-rated outside linebacker prospect, has the physical tools to become a force but made little impact throughout spring practice. Sophomore Maurice Harris (6-0, 210) and senior Rodney Gallon (6-0, 192) provide depth.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
A unit that in theory should have been one of the Seminoles' strongest last season, based on experience, proved to be a weak link. Despite the return of three starters, FSU ranked 11th in the ACC and 85th nationally in passing defense (245.4 ypg).
No ACC team surrendered more touchdown passes (24).
Whether the return of three starters (again) will make a difference is anyone's guess, but there is no shortage of physical talent among the group, especially at cornerback.
Senior field corner Tony Carter (5-9, 166) is back as a fourth-year starter, coming off a career-best four interception, 45-tackle campaign. Carter has a knack for making the big play (four touchdown returns), but he's also prone to indecision. Still, Andrews believes he has the talent to make a living on the edge, and this season will provide one last stage to prove that.
Junior boundary corner Patrick Robinson (5-11, 189) led the Seminoles with six interceptions last season, including one in five consecutive games to tie a school mark held by former Thorpe winner Terrell Buckley. Robinson, however, will miss the first three games, which allows senior Michael Ray Garvin (5-8, 185) to regain a spot he has held periodically. Like Carter, Garvin is small but makes up for it with national class sprint speed and a combative disposition.
Sophomore Ochuko Jenije (5-10, 185) saw considerable time a year ago in FSU nickel- and dime coverage packages, but remains a raw talent. Redshirt freshman Dionte Allen (5-11, 167), the prized secondary signee from the '07 class, made considerable strides while spelling Carter at the field corner spot in the spring.
Junior Korey Mangum (6-0, 190) earned high marks this spring at boundary corner, when Robinson was nursing a tender hamstring. A physical player, his coverage skills were noticeably improved. Freshman Terrance Parks (6-1, 200) suffered the usual ups and downs associated with inexperience, but with size and speed, he made enough plays in the spring to merit a long look in August.
Where the Noles need to improve the most, however, is at the back end of the secondary. Junior rover Myron Rolle (6-2, 218) enters his third season as the starter and could be on the verge of a breakthrough campaign.
Stout against the run (144 career tackles), Rolle has just one interception in two seasons to go along with seven other pass breakups. The highly acclaimed honor student has yet to flash the playmaking skills that one would associate with being the nation's No. 1 prep prospect in 2006.
Rolle is back up by senior Roosevelt Lawson (5-11, 202), a former walk-on and long-time special teams contributor.
There's a healthy battle being waged between senior Darius McClure (5-11, 207) and converted corner Jamie Robinson (6-2, 187) to replace three-year starter Roger Williams at free safety. Both players are significantly better than Williams in coverage, which should provide a significant lift.
Though he's battled a variety of nagging injuries throughout his career, McClure is the likely starter. Robinson, however, might prove to be a more natural fit over the long haul. He put up big numbers in high school, where he was allowed the freedom to make plays on the ball in a zone defense. Those skills didn't translate as a corner for Andrews' man-to-man press scheme but are perfectly-suited for free safety.
Incoming freshmen Nick Moody (6-1, 218) and Ed Imeokparia (6-0, 188) boast blazing speed (4.4 40s) and were two-way standouts in high school, but they will have to impress early in camp to stake a claim to playing time.
PUNTERS
A third-year starter, Graham Gano is the ACC's top returning punter after putting up career-best numbers in '07. His 43.4 average ranked 17th nationally, aided by a string of 11 consecutive games with at least one punt of more than 50 yards.
More importantly, the senior has become more proficient at pinning opponents deep in their own territory. He had a career-high 19 punts inside the 20 and a career-low four touchbacks, and thanks to improved punt coverage, boasted a net average of 35.9 yards. Gano will also try and close out his career without yielding a blocked punt.
With the graduation of walk-on and former Louisville punter Brent Moody, Shawn Powell will assume the back-up duties as a freshman.
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the second consecutive season Jody Allen will coordinate all special teams for the Seminoles. Though the duties were once shared throughout the staff -- and remain so to some extent -- Allen's organization skills made a difference.
FSU's coverage units, a sore spot in recent seasons, were vastly improved. Opponents averaged 21 yards on kickoff returns and an impressive 7.5 on punt returns, as the Noles leaned on more scholarship players and few walk-ons to set up better field position for the defense.
The Seminoles also saw a reduced number of special teams penalties, especially illegal blocks, and were seldom forced to burn timeouts to get the right personnel on the field.
Still, there are voids to fill and improvements to be made.
Most notably, the Noles must replace deep snapper Garrison Sanborn, who in two seasons earned himself a shot at the NFL with his quick and accurate snaps.
Walk-on juniors Zack Aronson (6-2, 212) and Jeremiah Thomson (5-10, 230) will carry the battle for that job into the fall.
Powell and Ponder are the likely candidates to replace Moody as the holder on all kicks, though neither has collegiate experience in those areas.
Yet the area FSU must improve the most is in the return game. While Parker is the top punt returner (10.6 ypr) back in the ACC, the Noles have not brought back one for a score since Willie Reid left for the NFL after the 2006 season.
That goes for kickoffs as well. Garvin ranks among the fastest players in all of college football, but he averaged a pedestrian 19.9 yards for a unit that ranked dead last in the ACC and 107th nationally in kickoff returns (18.7).
The arrival of Pennsylvania high school sprint star A.J. Alexander (5-11, 170) could provide a nice upgrade in an area where the Noles once excelled. Alexander has been repeatedly timed at 4.3 in the 40 and returned two kicks for scores as a high school senior.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Seminoles</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Bowden has never been one to shy away from a challenging schedule, but faced with widespread suspensions through the first three games, the Seminoles scheduled accordingly. FSU should get off to a quick start against FCS weaklings Western Carolina and Chattanooga, which will give a host of newcomers -- and perhaps a new starting quarterback -- the chance to acclimate.
The improvement through two games will be critical, because ACC Atlantic Division rival Wake Forest visits Tallahassee in week three for a game that could alter the long-range success or failure of Bowden's 32nd FSU team. The Demon Deacons have beaten the Seminoles the last two seasons.
With the suspensions lifted in time for the Sept. 27 date with Colorado in Jacksonville, FSU can't afford to be any worse than 3-1. Weatherford should either be entrenched as the starter, or Ponder must be warmed up and ready, because the stretch run is a bear.
October includes trips to Miami and NC State, before the team returns home to face Virginia Tech, the first of six consecutive opponents who closed out the 2007 season in a bowl game. Road trips to Georgia Tech and Maryland are surrounded by home dates against Clemson, Boston College and rival Florida.
Good health, especially along the paper-thin offensive and defensive lines, will be critical along the way. The Seminoles must be able to run the football and score touchdowns in the red zone if they are going to get off the 7-6 cycle and begin to resemble a conference contender again.
Florida State Seminoles
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Tallahassee, Fla.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>ACC (Atlantic)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>7-6 (.538)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>4-4 (4th)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Seminoles</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Garnet & Gold</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Doak Campbell Stadium (82,300)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Bobby Bowden (Samford '68)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>300-87-4 (32 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>373-119-4 (42 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Chuck Amato (NC State '69), Executive Head Coach/Linebackers
• Mickey Andrews (Alabama '64), Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Rick Trickett (Glenville State '72), Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
• Jimbo Fisher (Salem College '89), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Jody Allen (Valdosta State '83), Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coordinator
• Dexter Carter (Florida State '90), Running Backs
• James Coley (Florida State '97), Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
• Lawrence Dawsey (Florida State '90), Wide Receivers
• Odell Haggins (Florida State '93), Defensive Tackles
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>10-9-8-7-7</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>11-19-35-32-35</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to Kentucky in Music City Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Western Carolina </TD><TD>6:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Chattanooga </TD><TD>3:45 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>Wake Forest </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Colorado </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>at Miami (FL) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 16</TD><TD>at North Carolina State </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>Virginia Tech </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Georgia Tech </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Clemson </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at Maryland </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
Transition seasons seldom unfold seamlessly, and 2007 was no exception at Florida State, where the final record (7-6) bore an exact resemblance to the 2006 campaign despite an overhaul of the offensive staff and the return of a long-time defensive assistant.
Bobby Bowden never once suggested that the arrival of offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, offensive line coach Rick Trickett, receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey and running backs coach Dexter Carter -- plus Chuck Amato's return to direct the linebackers -- would induce time-warp results.
In fact, Bowden preached patience, albeit to a fan base that had emptied a tank full of it in the darkening seasons that followed the end of a 14-year dynasty in 2000. Ironic, isn't it, that the 78-year-old Bowden can practice what he was preaching?
Be careful not to confuse Bowden's patience with someone marking his time until he's had enough. Despite the December 2007 announcement that Fisher will eventually succeed Bowden -- who is now working on a one-year contract with the annual option to re-up -- he is as committed to as ever. <OFFER>
"I want to go out with a championship," Bowden said.
It appears that might require more than an extreme staff makeover.
FSU heads into the 2008 season still coping with the fallout of an academic scandal that created a season-long undercurrent in '07 and virtually sucked the life out of a trip to the Music City Bowl. Approximately two dozen players, some of whom were walk-ons, were ruled ineligible for the bowl game. Most of those who return will miss the first three games of the '08 season -- which Bowden described as a "dark cloud" -- resulting from the school's self-imposed sanctions after input from the NCAA.
Approximately six returning starters were involved in the scandal, which revolved around a tutor providing answers to an on-line section of a music elective within the confines of the school's academic athletic support study area.
While FSU will not have its case go before the NCAA Infractions Committee until January '09 at the earliest, the school has also self-imposed scholarship reductions which new athletic director Randy Spetman told a Seminole booster gathering in the spring numbered eight, spread over a two-year period (four each year).
Those scholarship reductions will exact a toll on the program, which no longer boasts the most top-to-bottom talent in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Bowden is well aware of the program's personnel shortcomings, something fans have steadfastly refused to acknowledge.
"I think the [2008 NFL] draft shows it as good any," Bowden said. "Where's the big-play guy that we you used to have? Where's the Charlie Ward, the Warrick Dunn, the Derrick Brooks? I think that's the thing we've got to come up with. I think the draft kind of typifies it -- it was the third round before anybody was taken."
The '08 NFL draft marked the first since 1987 that FSU -- which had more players on any opening day roster last season than every school but Miami -- did not have a player selected on the first day. Defensive tackle Andre Fluellen was the first 'Nole off the board in round three.
Bowden was aware of the fall-off in talent, though he may not have realized what a profound impact it has played over the last seven seasons.
"I didn't recognize it as, 'It's going to kill us,' but I've been saying for two years we need a big-time player; we need an All-American," he said. "Somebody needs to go out there and play like [Heisman-winning Florida quarterback Tim] Tebow or some of these other great players. It might be the only thing we're lacking. You could get by if you had that.
"We need some more game-breakers. Preston Parker was as close a thing as we had to that."
The versatile Parker, who was FSU's top receiver, punt returner and more-than-capable fill-in at tailback, will also miss the first two games of the regular season after his April arrest for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. The felony gun charge was later reduced, clearing his conditional return to the program.
Still, the off-field troubles resulted in another black eye for a program trying desperately to upgrade its performance on the field and its reputation off it.
As for filling the talent void, the Seminoles have made significant inroads already. With Fisher serving as the point man and Bowden playing the role of closer, FSU landed a consensus top-10 recruiting class in '08 and is already off to a strong start with double-digit early commitments for '09. Adding director of player personnel Bob LaCivita, now in his second season, is also paying dividends. His primary responsibility is identifying prospects early on.
From there, he turns it over to Bowden's staff. Fisher is a dynamic recruiter who was largely responsible for the accumulation of talent at LSU during his days there. Dawsey and Trickett have also earned their stripes on the recruiting trail, as has Amato, who is re-opening the once-fertile South Florida pipeline of talent. Perhaps most importantly, Fisher's enthusiasm for identifying and landing talent seems to have re-energized defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and the staff on his side of the ball.
And not to be forgotten, James Coley was brought in to replace long-time recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach John Lilly. Coley has not only worked with Fisher before, but is both an FSU grad and a South Florida native who was on Nick Saban's Miami Dolphins staff.
With the staff in place, now it's a matter of bringing all the components together to produce a winning football program. Bowden concedes that will require changing the culture.
"We're trying to get back to where we were," Bowden said. "Nearly everybody in the conference has beaten us. We want to get back to the way it was, and you'd have to say it's nearly another culture."
That won't happen overnight.
"If you've got inferior players, they can't get it back," Bowden said, pointedly. "If we can recruit the right guys with these coaches, we can get it back. There's no doubt. I've got so much confidence in Mickey, Chuck Amato, Jimbo, Trickett ... If we can get the right guys, we can get it done. We have to improve on the draft board. We have to improve draft day."
More immediately, Bowden and staff must find a way to get the most out of a squad that will be significantly thin in a number of key positions, in part by design. At least a dozen players who would have had eligibility remaining for the '08 season have left the program since the end of last season.
For those who stayed, spring practice was far more productive the second time around with the retooled coaching staff.
"The biggest difference this spring, compared to a spring ago, is the coaches knew the boys, the boys knew the coaches and the boys knew the system," Bowden said. "A spring ago, none of that was true. You could really tell the difference."
Bowden isn't ready to say the Noles should contend for a national championship in '08 -- something he regularly did throughout the '90s -- but he expects to see his team improve.
"I'll be really disappointed if it doesn't," he said.
QUARTERBACKS
It's 2008 P.D. (post dynasty) and the one constant -- beyond Bowden's presence -- is the Seminoles head into fall practice with questions to be resolved at the quarterback position.
A quartet of candidates, led by senior and 33-game starter Drew Weatherford (6-3, 216), have all thrown their hat in the ring. The only thing different from the last three falls is that Xavier Lee isn't one of them. Unable to lock down the job despite opportunities the last two seasons, Lee left the program after the '07 season when Fisher suggested he consider changing positions.
Oddly enough, Lee was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent tight end.
Lee's absence and Weatherford's spring surgery to repair torn knee cartilage opened the door for the next wave of quarterback contenders, led by redshirt sophomores Christian Ponder (6-2, 212) and D'Vontrey Richardson (6-1, 205).
Then there's incoming freshman E.J. Manuel (6-4, 215), Fisher's hand-selected choice to lead the Noles into the future, and the nation's second-rated quarterback in 2007. Manuel has told multiple media outlets that he has no intention of accepting a redshirt season without first putting up a fight for immediate playing time.
Regardless of who lands the job, or when, this figures to be the most competitive quarterback competitions in years.
Given his experience in Fisher's offense, Weatherford is the early leader, based largely on his 20-13 track record as the starter. He ranks among the top three in school history for passing yards (7,411), completions (634) and 300-yard games. After offering up 29 interceptions over his first two seasons, Weatherford led the nation in interception avoidance last year, yielding just three in 318 attempts.
What Weatherford didn't do was make enough plays to secure the job, especially once the Noles reached the red zone. The spring knee injury prevented him from showing Fisher that he had improved his mobility and arm strength to the point he was ready to take the next step in progression. Still, he enters fall practice atop the depth chart, but with Ponder and Richardson in hot pursuit.
"[Weatherford's injury] gave us a chance to work with Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson," Bowden said. "They got a lot of work, and I'm hoping they can close the gap and make it a real competition."
Though Fisher lists Ponder and Richardson as co-backups on the preseason two-deep, there's clearly a pecking order. Ponder received all of the first-team spring snaps when Weatherford went down and was especially effective leading the offense in the red zone. That's an important quality on a unit forced to kick a nation-leading 27 field goals last sea-son.
Blessed with confidence, quickness, good speed and enough arm, Ponder backed up the skills he flashed against Virginia Tech in his only action of the '07 season. More importantly, he's been a quick study, which should come as no surprise; he enters the fall holding an undergraduate degree in finance.
"He's extremely bright, which is something that jumps off the page right away," Weatherford said of Ponder. "He understands the offense; he understands the defenses. I think he does a good job understanding the players and how to deal with people. For a young kid, he does a good job leading them out on the field, being assertive in the huddle. He's way beyond his years, I think."
Fisher acknowledged as much: "He's pushing now. He's ready to play."
Richardson, who is bigger, more elusive and possesses a bigger arm than either Weatherford or Ponder, closed the gap with a strong spring finish.
Fisher, however, was somewhat protective of Richardson, limiting his spring reps to second-team duties.
"It's easier to break [a quarterback] than make one," said Fisher, who will loosen the reins once August rolls around to determine whether he has a full-fledged, three- or perhaps four-man battle to lead the offense.
RUNNING BACKS
It doesn't take long to run through the tailbacks on FSU's roster with significant game experience. The list begins with senior Antone Smith (5-9, 188), and unless you count last season's worthy fill-in work by receiver Preston Parker, it ends there.
Since the close of the '07 season, veteran reserves Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball have transferred. Redshirt freshman Brandon Paul (5-10, 170), a gifted athlete without a natural position, did little to distinguish himself as Smith's backup in the spring.
With senior walk-on Pat Davis (5-9, 180) limited by injury, the Noles were forced to use junior H-back/fullback Marcus Sims (6-0, 230) to lighten Smith's practice load.
That doesn't figure to be an issue in the fall when the cavalry arrives.
In his desire to bring in bigger, more versatile backs, Fisher signed three to scratch that itch. Junior college transfer Tavares Pressley (6-1, 215) will be joined by freshmen Jermaine Thomas (6-1, 190) and Carlton Jones (5-11, 215) in the competition to push Smith for playing time.
Though the popular theory is that Pressley will eventually supplant the starter, Smith won't go away quietly, despite his decision to decline interview requests all spring.
Smith's best bet to hold off the trio of challengers is to start the way he finished last season. As FSU's featured back, Smith ran for a career-high 819 yards on 192 carries (4.3 ypc), highlighted by a career-high 156 yards on 19 totes in the Seminoles' Music City Bowl loss to Kentucky. His season also included back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Duke and Miami, a first for the run-challenged Noles since Leon Washington did it in 2004.
Not to be discounted, Smith also collected a career-high 22 pass receptions. His value to the passing game figures to give him an edge over the contenders, who boast quality resumes.
Pressley provided El Camino (Calif.) Community College with plenty production in limited at-bats, piling up 832 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite averaging fewer than 10 carries a game in a spread attack. The well-traveled Arcadia, Fla. native was even more impressive as a freshman, when he accounted for 1,713 yards of total offense for Monterey Peninsula College, including 1,211 on the ground. Those are impressive stats for anyone, let alone a guy who was exclusively a quarterback when he entered the JUCO ranks.
Thomas brings a skill set to the table comparable to Parker, who rushed for 250 yards while filling in for the injured Smith last season. One of three Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast High signees by the Noles, Thomas ran for more than 1,500 yards over his final two prep seasons, but his real value is his versatility. In addition to lining up in the backfield, he's capable of creating mismatches while lining up in the slot.
Jones is a more traditional between-the-tackles back, after powering for 1,200 yards in his junior and senior seasons for Tampa Middleton.
Fisher's emphasis on the ground game relies heavily on utilizing fullbacks and H-backs, primarily as blockers. Junior Seddrick Holloway (5-10, 247) fills the bill well as a guard wearing No. 41, though he's also capable of moving the pile in short yardage.
Senior Joe Surratt (6-1, 262), who missed last season because of injury and suspension, is the most capable receiver from the lead back spot, while Sims has the speed to pop big plays from the pile.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The return of its top two receiving yardage leaders and rapid development of a pair of redshirt freshmen -- plus the arrival of three big and fast newcomers -- left Fisher pondering the possibilities of the unit becoming a team strength this season.
"If our receivers will continue to get more consistent, I think it can be a definite strength, because I think we have playmakers," said Fisher.
It's hard to argue against Fisher's assessment.
There isn't a wide receiver in college football with the size and resume of FSU senior Greg Carr (6-6, 210). With 109 career receptions covering 2,032 yards, including 25 touchdowns, Carr has the nation's highest yards-per-catch average (18.6) among returnees with more than 100 grabs.
Statistically speaking, Carr is coming off his best campaign, setting personal bests for receptions (45) and yards (795), though he managed a career-low four touchdowns. That production, however, came during a year when Carr's bread-and-butter jump ball route was called sparingly.
Under receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey's guidance, Carr became a more complete receiver, improving his route running and becoming a more effective downfield blocker. Despite the dip in touchdown production, Carr's improved work ethic and attitude earned him offensive game captain honors four times.
While Carr was a known commodity entering the '07 season, Preston Parker (6-0, 190) came from nowhere and emerged as the Seminoles' top receiver and playmaker in the open field.
The team leader in receptions (62) and yardage (791), Parker's intuitive make-you-miss skills were critical to the attack. A nightmare match-up for linebackers coming out of the slot, Parker was responsible for a team-high 51 first downs. His versatility as a punt returner and fill-in tailback helped him pile up a team-leading 1,513 all-purpose yards, though Fisher repeatedly said Parker was only scratching the surface of his potential.
Parker's two-game suspension to open the season means Dawsey will have to find some capable replacements to fill the void early on. Among the veterans, senior Richard Goodman (6-0, 186) and junior Rod Owens (6-0, 179) are the most seasoned.
Goodman's junior season was cut short by a fractured fibula, but not before the speedster set personal bests with 20 receptions for 184 yards and a pair of scores. After missing the '06 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery, Owens caught only six passes last season, but those came in the final two games. Four of those came against rival Florida.
Experience aside, it's the new faces that provide the most optimism for the receiving corps. Redshirt freshmen Bert Reed (5-11, 165) and Taiwan Easterling (5-11, 192) were the most productive pass catchers throughout the spring.
Reed, a former high school quarterback, has a burst of speed and plenty of shake to be especially effective out of the slot. He also benefited substantially from working with the second-team offense throughout his freshman season. Easterling, who spent his first year on the scout team, came on strong as spring progressed.
Easterling's ability to catch the ball in traffic and get up field drew rave reviews from all corners.
"I really thought he was kind of the offensive star," Bowden said, after Easterling grabbed five receptions for 81 yards in the spring game.
Much like the tailback position, the receiving corps will be upgraded substantially with the summer arrival of three newcomers, all of whom possess size and speed. El Camino (Calif.) Community College wideout Corey Surrency (6-5, 210), who is blessed with 4.45 40-yard dash speed, caught 53 passes for 1,102 yards in two years of JUCO ball. What makes those numbers more impressive is the fact he didn't play high school football, despite attending powerhouse Miami Southridge.
Freshmen Jarmon Fortson (6-3, 220) and Avis Commack (6-4, 182) "are going to have a shot" at contributing, Fisher says. Fortson, whom the Noles lured from Auburn's grasp, had 1,500 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns over his final two seasons. Commack, a two-time state hurdles champion out of Jacksonville First Coast, has outstanding body control in addition to a sprinter's burst.
The tight end spot remains a bit of a mystery. Incumbent junior starter Charlie Graham (6-3, 238) left school in January to get his academics in order, but is expected to return. Junior Caz Piurowski (6-7, 277) also returns but must sit out the first three games. They combined for 16 receptions for 141 yards last season.
Junior Matt Dunham (6-2, 255) and senior walk-on Josh Dobbie (6-4, 221), who is the best receiver of the bunch, could factor into the mix as well. They are joined by incoming freshman Ja'Baris Little (6-4, 240).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rick Trickett was nothing short of a miracle worker in his first season directing the offensive front, a group he pared down considerably upon arrival and built into a vastly im-proved unit by the end of the year.
Act II will require more magic, as the Seminoles, for the first time in Bowden's coaching tenure, don't have a single junior or senior on the roster. Perhaps more daunting, collectively this is a unit small in number, stature and experience.
The departure of four with starting experience -- three graduates and would-be junior left tackle Daron Rose's transfer to a junior college for academic reasons -- leaves Trickett with two returning starters and only one other player with college experience on the roster.
Two of those, sophomore center Ryan McMahon (6-3, 274) and sophomore left tackle Rodney Hudson (6-2, 283), were good enough to be consensus Freshmen All-Americans last season. Hudson, however, moves from guard to tackle, filling the void left by Rose's departure.
Hudson, a freshman in '07, put up some mind-numbing numbers in his nine starts. He missed five assignments all year -- the majority of which came against Clemson in the opener -- allowed one sack and was not flagged for a penalty all season.
McMahon, a converted defensive tackle, was the lone freshman or sophomore among Bowl Subdivision schools to take every offensive snap at the center position. That makes his penalty-free first season all the more impressive.
Sophomore Evan Bellamy (6-4, 296) is the likely starter at left guard after making his only previous start at right tackle in the Music City Bowl because of the rash of suspension.
The remaining cast is a collection of freshmen or redshirt freshmen, none of whom have seen the field.
Redshirt freshman Antwane Greenlee (6-6, 302) is the most heralded of the bunch. A potential contributor last season, he suffered a cervical injury near midseason and wasn't cleared for contact again until the start of spring ball. Redshirt freshman Will Furlong (6-2, 262) displayed the kind of tenacity Trickett wants as the starting right guard all spring.
Collectively, their greatest asset is they know what to expect from the demanding Trickett and have displayed a willingness to deliver.
"Last year it seemed like every day you just went out coaching effort, trying to get them going," Trickett said. "Hopefully now they understand. This group here flies around pretty good. Now we can zero in a lot more on technique, fundamentals and really get grooved in that way."
Among the reserves, sophomore guard/center Brandon Davis (6-2, 272) and redshirt freshman center A.J. Ganguzza (6-3, 269) have little more than practice time to count toward experience. That's better than the incoming freshmen -- left-tackle Zebrie Sanders (6-5, 273), left/right-guard David Spurlock (6-5, 287) and Rhonne Sanderson (6-4, 280) and right-tackle Andrew Datko (6-6, 285).
"I'm going to play them all," Trickett said of the incoming freshmen. "They knew that when they signed. They're all second team. I'm going to try to find out between Zebrie and Datko, which one makes the best left tackle. The other guy will go to right tackle. Spurlock and Sanderson will probably start out at guards.
"We'll open up the first game with our top 10 and seven of them have not been in a game. It will be interesting."
KICKERS
Bowden and Fisher are hopeful that senior Graham Gano (6-1, 197) won't be burdened in the same way that graduated kicker Gary Cismesia was a year ago. The Seminoles' red zone offensive struggles enabled Cismesia to kick an ACC- and school record-tying 27 field goals.
Gano, who has been FSU's starting punter and kickoff specialist for two seasons, has yet to attempt a single game kick, though he has plenty of leg.
As a high school senior, the athletic Gano set a Florida high school record by converting from 65 yards, one of three longer than 55. He also had a 67-yarder erased by penalty.
Junior transfer Zach Hobby (5-11, 200), who played at Delaware, received most of the second-team reps in the spring. He'll compete against sophomore walk-on Nathan Ojibway (6-3, 253) and grey-shirt scholarship freshman Shawn Powell (6-5, 212) for emergency duties.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Over the last 10 years, the Seminoles have produced a half-dozen NFL-quality interior defensive linemen, which followed a lengthy run of first-round defensive ends. Now it looks as if FSU could be ready to churn out another run of pass rushers.
A quartet of junior ends, led by veteran Everette Brown (6-4, 246) and the arrival of national junior college player-of-the-year Markus White (6-4, 245), could be poised to put some punch in the Seminoles' recently dormant pass rush.
If the spring game was any kind of indicator, the Noles are heading in the right direction. The defense dominated, piling up 11 quarterback sacks and countless hurries, contribut-ing to a pair of interceptions.
Brown, who is tabbed as the starting right end ahead of walk-on Ben Lampkin (6-0, 212), spent the entire game in the backfield. After finally cracking through the starting lineup in '07, the jet-quick Lampkin delivered his best season, leading the team in sacks (6.5) and all linemen in tackles (37) and tackles for loss (11.5).
One of the biggest surprises from the spring game was the play of senior left end Neefy Moffett (6-1, 255), who used a pair of sacks to climb to the top of the depth chart. Consistency has eluded Moffett to this point, but with the arrival of White and the return of junior Kevin McNeil (6-2, 255) from injury and suspension, the bull-rushing specialist will either put up or step aside.
McNeil came on strong as a freshman in '06, registering a pair of sacks and five tackles for loss in 10 games after missing the first three until he was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. His sophomore season was derailed by an offseason auto accident that left him with foot and shoulder injuries. He was ultimately caught up in the academic scandal, sacking him for the year. McNeil spent the spring working off the ring rust and was at his best at the end of the 20-day practice period.
White brings a stunning resume to the Noles from Butler (Kansas) Community College, leading the nation with 24.5 sacks and six forced fumbles for the 12-0 Grizzlies, who won the NJCAA national title.
Redshirt freshman Jamar Jackson (6-4, 232) finally got on the field in the spring after suffering an ACL injury during the first weeks of practice last fall. The depth will likely allow incoming freshmen Everett Dawkins (6-2, 242) and Toshmon Stevens (6-5, 205) to mature as redshirts.
Unlike recent seasons, the interior line is an area of concern. Junior Budd Thacker (6-2, 268) missed four games because of injury and suspension, but he still contributed 23 tackles (4.5 for loss) and plenty of energy.
Senior Paul Griffin (6-2, 278), the team's strongest player, is expected to be more of a factor a second season removed from ACL reconstructive surgery. Still, Griffin did make 24 stops (6.5 for loss) in '07. Junior Justin Mincey (6-5, 265) appears to have finally settled on a spot inside the line, after splitting time inside and out his first two seasons.
Unfortunately, the status of all three players at the start of the season remains fuzzy, which means interior line coach Odell Haggins will have to piece things together with significant contributions from a cast of less-distinguished players.
Juniors Kendrick Stewart (6-2, 269) and Emmanuel Dunbar (6-5, 284) could well be the opening day starters; roles they served in the Music City Bowl. Stewart, however, missed spring practice with an injury after contributing 11 tackles in '07. Dunbar, who is two years removed from career-threatening back surgery, has played in only 13 games.
The wild card in the bunch is senior Dumaka Atkins (6-4, 296) who missed all of last season with a knee injury and was moved from offensive line in the spring. Atkins, whose brother was former Miami standout Baraka Atkins, provides a physical presence against the run.
Given the lack of depth, Haggins has told incoming freshman Moses McCray (6-2, 268) to be ready for action upon arrival. McCray is certainly athletic enough, boasting a 4.68 40-yard dash which helped him log 15 sacks for Tampa Hillsborough High, where he was also a wrestler.
LINEBACKERS
Once stockpiled with potential NFL talent, FSU's linebacker corps is facing a year of transition. That's not to say the Noles are void of talent or productive players, but defections have depleted a group once teeming three-deep with quality.
Senior middle linebacker Derek Nicholson (6-2, 234) is back for a final season after establishing himself as a solid run-stuffer in leading FSU in tackles last season with 99.
Nicholson is backed by junior Recardo Wright (6-2, 223), redshirt freshman Aaron Gresham (6-2, 230) and early-entry freshman Vince Williams (6-0, 210). Four of Wright's 18 career stops came in the Music City Bowl.
If there's a star in the making within linebacker coach Chuck Amato's group, it's clearly junior weak-side starter Dekoda Watson (6-2, 222). In his first season as a starter, Watson racked up 50 tackles, but eight of those were behind the line of scrimmage -- 3.5 at Virginia Tech, including a sack and a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Andrews showers Watson with praise.
"He's more confident," FSU's veteran coordinator said during spring practice. "He carries himself loose, but more important, he's been a good leader. He's, 'Follow me' and 'I'll holler at you when you need hollering at.' He's a guy who's very emotional and plays with a lot of enthusiasm, the way you're supposed to."
It's those leadership skills the Noles have been missing since Buster Davis moved on two seasons ago. Still, he's the most physically gifted guy in the unit after Geno Hayes' decision to jump to the NFL and Marcus Ball's suspicious departure from the squad.
Watson, however, will miss the first three games, which creates opportunity for sophomore Kendall Smith (6-1, 224). Smith played in every game last season, primarily on special teams, until he earned his first start at strong-side linebacker in the bowl game. With length and speed, converted senior safety Kenny Ingram (6-6, 233) may have found a home leading up to the bowl.
The strong-side linebacker spot is a little less clear. Projected starter, senior Toddrick Verdell (6-3, 222), wasn't in school for the spring semester but was back on campus this summer. Verdell was on the verge of a breakout season in '07 when he broke his leg in the 10th game. As a backup to Hayes, he logged 22 tackles and had a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown against Miami. A safety when he signed with the Noles out of the JUCO ranks, Verdell has the skills to provide an upgrade to the pass defense.
Heralded freshman Nigel Bradham (6-2, 227), the nation's top-rated outside linebacker prospect, has the physical tools to become a force but made little impact throughout spring practice. Sophomore Maurice Harris (6-0, 210) and senior Rodney Gallon (6-0, 192) provide depth.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
A unit that in theory should have been one of the Seminoles' strongest last season, based on experience, proved to be a weak link. Despite the return of three starters, FSU ranked 11th in the ACC and 85th nationally in passing defense (245.4 ypg).
No ACC team surrendered more touchdown passes (24).
Whether the return of three starters (again) will make a difference is anyone's guess, but there is no shortage of physical talent among the group, especially at cornerback.
Senior field corner Tony Carter (5-9, 166) is back as a fourth-year starter, coming off a career-best four interception, 45-tackle campaign. Carter has a knack for making the big play (four touchdown returns), but he's also prone to indecision. Still, Andrews believes he has the talent to make a living on the edge, and this season will provide one last stage to prove that.
Junior boundary corner Patrick Robinson (5-11, 189) led the Seminoles with six interceptions last season, including one in five consecutive games to tie a school mark held by former Thorpe winner Terrell Buckley. Robinson, however, will miss the first three games, which allows senior Michael Ray Garvin (5-8, 185) to regain a spot he has held periodically. Like Carter, Garvin is small but makes up for it with national class sprint speed and a combative disposition.
Sophomore Ochuko Jenije (5-10, 185) saw considerable time a year ago in FSU nickel- and dime coverage packages, but remains a raw talent. Redshirt freshman Dionte Allen (5-11, 167), the prized secondary signee from the '07 class, made considerable strides while spelling Carter at the field corner spot in the spring.
Junior Korey Mangum (6-0, 190) earned high marks this spring at boundary corner, when Robinson was nursing a tender hamstring. A physical player, his coverage skills were noticeably improved. Freshman Terrance Parks (6-1, 200) suffered the usual ups and downs associated with inexperience, but with size and speed, he made enough plays in the spring to merit a long look in August.
Where the Noles need to improve the most, however, is at the back end of the secondary. Junior rover Myron Rolle (6-2, 218) enters his third season as the starter and could be on the verge of a breakthrough campaign.
Stout against the run (144 career tackles), Rolle has just one interception in two seasons to go along with seven other pass breakups. The highly acclaimed honor student has yet to flash the playmaking skills that one would associate with being the nation's No. 1 prep prospect in 2006.
Rolle is back up by senior Roosevelt Lawson (5-11, 202), a former walk-on and long-time special teams contributor.
There's a healthy battle being waged between senior Darius McClure (5-11, 207) and converted corner Jamie Robinson (6-2, 187) to replace three-year starter Roger Williams at free safety. Both players are significantly better than Williams in coverage, which should provide a significant lift.
Though he's battled a variety of nagging injuries throughout his career, McClure is the likely starter. Robinson, however, might prove to be a more natural fit over the long haul. He put up big numbers in high school, where he was allowed the freedom to make plays on the ball in a zone defense. Those skills didn't translate as a corner for Andrews' man-to-man press scheme but are perfectly-suited for free safety.
Incoming freshmen Nick Moody (6-1, 218) and Ed Imeokparia (6-0, 188) boast blazing speed (4.4 40s) and were two-way standouts in high school, but they will have to impress early in camp to stake a claim to playing time.
PUNTERS
A third-year starter, Graham Gano is the ACC's top returning punter after putting up career-best numbers in '07. His 43.4 average ranked 17th nationally, aided by a string of 11 consecutive games with at least one punt of more than 50 yards.
More importantly, the senior has become more proficient at pinning opponents deep in their own territory. He had a career-high 19 punts inside the 20 and a career-low four touchbacks, and thanks to improved punt coverage, boasted a net average of 35.9 yards. Gano will also try and close out his career without yielding a blocked punt.
With the graduation of walk-on and former Louisville punter Brent Moody, Shawn Powell will assume the back-up duties as a freshman.
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the second consecutive season Jody Allen will coordinate all special teams for the Seminoles. Though the duties were once shared throughout the staff -- and remain so to some extent -- Allen's organization skills made a difference.
FSU's coverage units, a sore spot in recent seasons, were vastly improved. Opponents averaged 21 yards on kickoff returns and an impressive 7.5 on punt returns, as the Noles leaned on more scholarship players and few walk-ons to set up better field position for the defense.
The Seminoles also saw a reduced number of special teams penalties, especially illegal blocks, and were seldom forced to burn timeouts to get the right personnel on the field.
Still, there are voids to fill and improvements to be made.
Most notably, the Noles must replace deep snapper Garrison Sanborn, who in two seasons earned himself a shot at the NFL with his quick and accurate snaps.
Walk-on juniors Zack Aronson (6-2, 212) and Jeremiah Thomson (5-10, 230) will carry the battle for that job into the fall.
Powell and Ponder are the likely candidates to replace Moody as the holder on all kicks, though neither has collegiate experience in those areas.
Yet the area FSU must improve the most is in the return game. While Parker is the top punt returner (10.6 ypr) back in the ACC, the Noles have not brought back one for a score since Willie Reid left for the NFL after the 2006 season.
That goes for kickoffs as well. Garvin ranks among the fastest players in all of college football, but he averaged a pedestrian 19.9 yards for a unit that ranked dead last in the ACC and 107th nationally in kickoff returns (18.7).
The arrival of Pennsylvania high school sprint star A.J. Alexander (5-11, 170) could provide a nice upgrade in an area where the Noles once excelled. Alexander has been repeatedly timed at 4.3 in the 40 and returned two kicks for scores as a high school senior.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Seminoles</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Bowden has never been one to shy away from a challenging schedule, but faced with widespread suspensions through the first three games, the Seminoles scheduled accordingly. FSU should get off to a quick start against FCS weaklings Western Carolina and Chattanooga, which will give a host of newcomers -- and perhaps a new starting quarterback -- the chance to acclimate.
The improvement through two games will be critical, because ACC Atlantic Division rival Wake Forest visits Tallahassee in week three for a game that could alter the long-range success or failure of Bowden's 32nd FSU team. The Demon Deacons have beaten the Seminoles the last two seasons.
With the suspensions lifted in time for the Sept. 27 date with Colorado in Jacksonville, FSU can't afford to be any worse than 3-1. Weatherford should either be entrenched as the starter, or Ponder must be warmed up and ready, because the stretch run is a bear.
October includes trips to Miami and NC State, before the team returns home to face Virginia Tech, the first of six consecutive opponents who closed out the 2007 season in a bowl game. Road trips to Georgia Tech and Maryland are surrounded by home dates against Clemson, Boston College and rival Florida.
Good health, especially along the paper-thin offensive and defensive lines, will be critical along the way. The Seminoles must be able to run the football and score touchdowns in the red zone if they are going to get off the 7-6 cycle and begin to resemble a conference contender again.
Florida State Seminoles
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Tallahassee, Fla.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>ACC (Atlantic)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>7-6 (.538)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>4-4 (4th)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Seminoles</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Garnet & Gold</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Doak Campbell Stadium (82,300)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Bobby Bowden (Samford '68)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>300-87-4 (32 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>373-119-4 (42 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Chuck Amato (NC State '69), Executive Head Coach/Linebackers
• Mickey Andrews (Alabama '64), Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Rick Trickett (Glenville State '72), Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
• Jimbo Fisher (Salem College '89), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Jody Allen (Valdosta State '83), Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coordinator
• Dexter Carter (Florida State '90), Running Backs
• James Coley (Florida State '97), Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
• Lawrence Dawsey (Florida State '90), Wide Receivers
• Odell Haggins (Florida State '93), Defensive Tackles
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>10-9-8-7-7</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>11-19-35-32-35</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to Kentucky in Music City Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Western Carolina </TD><TD>6:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Chattanooga </TD><TD>3:45 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>Wake Forest </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Colorado </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>at Miami (FL) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 16</TD><TD>at North Carolina State </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>Virginia Tech </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Georgia Tech </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Clemson </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at Maryland </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Senior Charles Roediger (6-0, 225) will return as the long snapper on punts, extra points and field goals, with junior Michael Palmer (6-5, 245) as his backup.
Joebren would be jealous....long snapper analyses!!!:tiphat:
opcorn:
:36_11_6:
Joe Public
Gabibbo's Finest
These are great, but Blue Ribbon review is hardly comprehensive without a little of this.
I'm just sayin'.
I'm just sayin'.
Houston
COACH AND PROGRAM
Art Briles left the Houston program in much better shape than he found it. Don't be surprised if his successor, Kevin Sumlin, does the same.
Under Briles, the Cougars went to four bowls in five years, won a Conference USA title and had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1990.
All the hard work paid off for a lot of people. Briles got a seven-year deal from Baylor that will average anywhere from $1.2 to $1.8 million depending on incentives, and Sumlin got the opportunity to become the Cougars' first African-American head coach. In fact, Sumlin became the first black head coach for a Football Bowl Subdivision team in the state of Texas.
<OFFER>Sumlin spent the last two seasons of a five-year stay at Oklahoma as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for Bob Stoops. Before that he was R.C. Slocum's associate head coach at Texas A&M (2001-02).
Sumlin also built strong bonds during extensive stints working with Glen Mason at Minnesota and Joe Tiller at Wyoming and Purdue. He played linebacker at Purdue for Leon Burtnett, whom he has hired on his impressive inaugural staff as linebackers coach.
Sumlin was all about achievement from the get-go. He made 91 tackles as a freshman walk-on, which earned him recognition from Sports Illustrated. Considering what those who've worked with him are saying and the staff Houston has enabled him to assemble, Sports Illustrated might be doing a feature on Sumlin's success again before long.
Briles' whetted Houston's appetite for victories, then enhanced its hunger by leaving for nearby Baylor.
"The vision here for us is to reclaim our position in the national picture," Houston athletic director Dave Maggard said at a press conference when Sumlin was hired. "In my conversations with Kevin, he feels that's more than possible. His goals will be consistent with those of ours in terms of moving this program up beyond where it is at this current time."
Sumlin became familiar with Houston while recruiting for Oklahoma and Texas A&M. "This is a great university and a great city," Sumlin said. "This is a place that has won a conference championship in recent years, and we want to continue down that path and play for a conference championship every season. This is Dave Maggard's vision, and I share the same vision."
The local recruiting ties Sumlin cultivated the last seven years while working tirelessly for the Sooners and Aggies should pay off handsomely. Sumlin hired Clarence McKinney as his running backs coach. McKinney was a high school coach who spent the previous three years as head coach at Yates High School, right across the street from Robertson Stadium.
McKinney's hire shows Sumlin isn't tethered to conventional thinking, especially when it comes to recruiting. But McKinney's arrival is an afterthought compared to some of Sumlin's other staff additions, which have convinced pundits Houston is serious about building on what Briles started.
Sumlin sold Texas Tech offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen on leaving Lubbock. Think about that -- an offensive coordinator leaving Lubbock with the run the Red Raiders are on under Mike Leach. Texas Tech enjoyed four straight national passing titles and three total offense crowns during Holgorsen's eight-year stint (the last three as offensive coordinator).
"I feel good about it," Holgorsen said. "I made sure a lot of things were in place before I took the job. I feel really good about Kevin as a head coach and as an offensive coach." Holgorsen and Briles were together at Texas Tech. "I've got a lot of respect for Art and the job he did here," Holgorsen said. "It's exciting to take over an offense that he's had his hands on. But our schemes are extremely different."
Another impressive hire was getting defensive coordinator John Skladany away from the good thing George O'Leary seems to have going at UCF. Among Skladany's new assistants are former Dallas Cowboy defensive lineman Jim Jeffcoat and Burtnett. "I left a great situation," Skladany said. "Coaching is a funny business. Sometimes you just feel like a certain move is the right thing to do. I thought this was a good move. Time will tell."
The coaching staff hit the ground running. It has visited with the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints, bouncing around ideas. "You're always looking for something new," Skladany said. "Sometimes you'll pick up a new blitz or drill or maybe some different technique."
Skladany goes back a ways with Holgorsen. While at Iowa State, he matched wits with Holgorsen four times.
"I believe we won once and he got us three times," Skladany said. "That offense is something else when it's firing on all cylinders. You can see that [Holgorsen] is very professional and very thorough."
Sumlin was pleased with the job his staff did installing new schemes during the spring. The response from a veteran group of players that went from rags to riches with Briles was encouraging, too. "I was very pleased with the effort guys have given over the course of the 15 practices," Sumlin said. "When you put in three new schemes, we accomplished what we wanted to by getting the basics down and letting guys compete for positions."
QUARTERBACKS
Making do without Kevin Kolb proved to be easier than it might have first appeared, and sophomore Case Keenum (6-1, 210) and junior Blake Joseph (6-2, 215) figure to improve by leaps and bounds during their second go-round.
Keenum blossomed into a dual threat with an uncanny knack for turning plays that had broken down into gold. He calmly slid up past an all-out blitz to convert a fouth-and-10 with a touchdown pass on the move to Perry McDaniel, which got Houston within 24-17 late in the third quarter at Colorado State, and also threw accurately while scrambling to his left for a touchdown pass to L.J. Castile in the 38-27 victory against the Rams.
In his collegiate debut as a redshirt freshman last season, on a bright stage at Oregon, Keenum finished 14-of-27 for 179 yards and a touchdown. He also escaped all sorts of pressure for an 18-yard run to convert a third-and-9 against the Ducks. "He can work the pocket and keep plays alive," Holgorsen said. "He reminds me a lot of Cody Hodges at Texas Tech. He didn't have the strongest of arms, but he always made plays.
"Case can use our system to his advantage. He is smart; he's a coach's kid."
Keenum rushed for 412 yards. He showed an excellent burst on a designed rush around the left end on an 8-yard touchdown run at Colorado State, one of nine touchdowns on the ground last year for Keenum.
He passed for 2,259 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While a better touchdown-to-interception ratio would be welcome, Keenum did complete 68.5 percent of his passes (187-of-273).
Joseph, who started five games, has a strong arm and seems to possess the accuracy for a precision attack like Holgorsen's spread. He made a seamless transition to the new scheme. Joseph was 37-of-41 for 421 yards and five touchdowns during the spring game.
He was 100-of-155 passing (64.5 percent) for 1,324 yards last year. He passed for nine touchdowns and was intercepted four times. Joseph came off the bench to complete 24-of-29 for 250 yards and two touchdowns against East Carolina. In another relief role, he was 10-of-12 for 113 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane.
Joseph and Keenum each held their ground during a spring camp designed to give both ample opportunity to state their case. "We've split the reps fifty-fifty," Holgorsen said. "I don't care what they accomplished last year. We'll split the reps through camp and one of them will win the job. I couldn't begin to guess who it will be. Both are capable of doing it."
RUNNING BACKS
The Cougars need a quick fix in the backfield. Gone is Anthony "Quick" Alridge, a converted receiver who piled up 2,556 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground after switching positions his final two seasons. He also had 42 catches for 428 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.
Red-shirt sophomore Andre Kohn (5-10, 195) came out of spring showing the most explosion, if not the best work habits. Kohn had 28 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns last season, and his 67-yard reception was the Cougars' lone touchdown in its Texas Bowl loss to TCU. "Andre Kohn probably had more of a spark than anyone during the spring," Holgorsen said. "But he needs to make it happen every day, not every three days."
Sophomore Terrance Ganaway (6-0, 220) is the leading returning rusher. As a freshman he played in all 13 games last season. Ganaway, a nephew of Jeremiah Trotter, scored the Cougars' first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run at Oregon. He finished the year with 109 carries for 550 yards for a respectable five yards per carry. He also ran for six touchdowns. Of course 122 of those yards and two of the touchdowns came during a 59-6 rout of Texas Southern -- via a scant 10 carries.
Red-shirt freshman Justin Johnson (6-1, 230) enters August third on the depth chart. Johnson rushed for 1,548 yards and passed for 425 while combining for 27 touchdowns running and passing as a high senior in Richardson, Texas.
Fullbacks aren't prominent characters for Holgorsen, certainly not 270-pound ones.
Therefore, senior Jake Ebner (6-2, 270) has been moved to defensive line and sophomore Jordan Shoemaker (6-3, 270) is moving to center. "Running back is probably more wide open than any position on the entire team," Holgorsen said.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Houston's coaching staff should get an endorsement deal with Allstate. The receivers should be in good hands thanks to a quartet of coaches that includes Sumlin. Holgorsen was a receivers coach. He coached New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker in Lubbock. Wide receivers coach Jason Phillips was on the receiving end of many of Andre Ware's passes when he won the Heisman Trophy, and in 1988 he became the first player since 1965 to lead the nation in receiving in back-to-back seasons. And tight ends coach Tony Levine has coached tight ends at Auburn and receivers at Southwest Texas State.
Of course, there's plenty of coaching to be done. The Cougars must replace five of their top six wideouts, including second-round NFL draft choice Donnie Avery. He had 91 catches for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Jeron Harvey is also gone. He made 55 catches for 673 yards and three touchdowns. In all, Houston must replace 227 of last season's 291 receptions and 18-of-24 touchdown catches.
"I would say the University of Houston lost some pretty good wide receivers last year," Holgorsen said. "I think we have one guy with more than about six career catches. That's new for me."
The leading returning receiver is senior Mark Hafner (6-3, 230), who is making the transition from tight end to slot receiver. Hafner had 40 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns last season. He had 19 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore.
Holgorsen wasn't sold quickly on Hafner, who he said missed perhaps the first third of spring camp with an injury. By the end of the spring, Holgorsen says, he was finally beginning to get some idea where Hafner fans were coming from. There will basically be open auditions among 11 receivers for the other three receiver positions. Sophomore L.J. Castile (6-3, 210) would at least seem to control his own destiny in the free for all. He had seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown last season as a freshman, and also rushed nine times for 72 yards.
"Castile looks the part," Holgorsen said. "He's got unbelievable hands." Junior Chris Gilbert (5-8, 170) and sophomore Chaz Rodriguez (6-2, 185) entered August atop the depth charts at the other receiver positions. Gilbert had seven receptions for 38 yards last year, and Rodriguez caught two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Patrick Edwards (5-9, 165) is arguably the most dynamic of the four redshirt freshmen who will be vying for time. The others are JoJo Florence (6-4, 190), E.J. Smith (6-1, 185) and Tyron Carrier (5-7, 150). Junior Tim Monroe (6-2, 185) will return from defense this season. Sophomores Wesley Scourten (6-6, 225) and Anthony Reasno (5-11, 185) will also get a look, as will freshman Demetrius Woods (6-0, 195). Scourten was slowed after breaking a bone in his foot during spring camp.
"Patrick Edwards is probably the fastest and quickest," Holgorsen said. "Chaz Rodriguez is probably the hardest-working guy. Right now we've got a bunch of guys still learning to do what they need to do. "But with all of the guys on this staff, we've coached a bunch of good ones. We'll line up four at each position during camp and see who progressed during the summer and who sat around eating ice cream."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Houston must replace starters Jeff Akeroyd and Dustin Dickinson but also anticipates the return of talented redshirt senior SirVincent Rogers (6-1, 315). Rogers, a tackle who can run-block in punishing fashion, was a three-year starter when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of his junior season in 2006.
Rogers made the Conference USA All-Freshman team, then was a third-team all-conference selection as a sophomore. He was on the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy watch lists when he was injured early in his junior season. If he's close to 100 percent, Rogers could have an all-conference season, perhaps even a fruitful 2009 NFL draft.
Rogers was getting close to 100 percent by early summer. Holgorsen anticipates him being completely back to where he was before the end of August. "By then, I expect him to be in pretty good shape," Holgorsen said. "He's a good player. We recruited him when I was at Tech. The best thing about him is his leadership. When he talks, people listen."
The Cougars' other tackle, senior Sebastian Vollmer (6-8, 290), is as imposing in stature, though his is because of his height. The Duesseldorf, Germany native started all 13 games at left tackle last season after missing all of 2006 with a back injury. Vollmer, who'll give way to Rogers and return to right tackle, received all-conference honorable mention last year.
Still, experience will be slightly more scarce. Akeroyd started the last 27 games of his career. Dickinson, a right tackle, started all 39 games his final three seasons after playing in 10 games as a redshirt freshman. Junior center Carl Barnett (6-2, 285) started all 13 games last season after making the All-Conference USA freshman team in 2006. Senior Michael Bloesch (6-2, 295) started all 13 games at right guard last season, and was honorable mention All-Conference USA.
"Carl, Bloesch and Sebastian are all solid guys," Holgorsen said.
Senior Isaiah Agson (6-3, 335) is set to start at left guard. He played in 11 games last year. Holgorsen is high on redshirt freshman Chris Thompson (6-2, 295), who could get work at left guard or center, and junior backup left tackle Josh Bell (6-5, 315).
"Chris Thompson is a real solid guy," Holgorsen said. "He'll give us a ton of snaps. Josh Bell is good athletically. I like his body. He'll be the swing guy at tackle."
Junior Matt Hart (6-6, 310), who played in all 13 games last season, is the backup at right tackle. Sophomore converted fullback Jordan Shoemaker (6-3, 270) will begin August as the backup center.
KICKERS
Sophomore Jonathan Gibson (5-8, 175) and junior Ben Bell (6-0, 175) will compete for place-kicking duties. Bell redshirted last season after starting his first two years. He was second-team All-Conference USA as a sophomore. The left-footed Gibson could also replace the outgoing T.J. Lawrence, who missed 9-of-22 attempts last season.
Incoming freshman Jordan Mannisto (6-0, 170) of Westlake Village, Calif., could even end up with the job. He had numerous offers and was the kicker on the Los Angeles Times prep all-star team. "That job is still wide open," Sumlin said. "Obviously, we signed a kicker because of that. We had real inconsistency during the spring."
Bell figures to handle the kickoff duties. Sophomore Tommy Skinner (6-4, 215) is the backup.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Cougars' defensive line should make for a cool new toy box for position coach Jim Jeffcoat.
Senior Phillip Hunt (6-2, 260) was All-Conference USA last season and begins this season on the Nagurski Watch List. The rush end had 10.5 sacks among his 18 tackles for loss last year. Hunt batted down eleven passes, intercepted another and forced two fumbles while also tallying 55 tackles.
"We don't need him to be Superman, but we need him to be the player he is," Sumlin said. "If he continues to improve and do what he's been doing, he will help our team tremendously. He just needs to be the player that he is capable of being and live up to his status as one of the best players in the league, and possibly even the country."
Senior Tate Stewart (6-3, 250) is a returning starter at defensive tackle. Stewart was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA, and celebrated by spending enough time with strength coach Larry Smith to lose 30 pounds. The heavier Stewart made 39 tackles last year, including 4.5 behind the line of scrimmage.
Another quality interior linemen is senior Ell Ash (6-5, 275). The Tennessee transfer has been contributing in Houston since midway through the 2006 season, and, says defensive coordinator John Skladany, still has a high ceiling. He was honorable mention all-conference last season after making 42 tackles.
Senior Cody Pree (6-2, 310) is the most accomplished nose tackle. Pree made 32 tackles last season, including four for loss, and deflected two passes. On one of those deflections, when he bull-rushed a Colorado State guard 10 yards, Pree actually hit the quarterback's arm instead of the ball, which forced an interception.
Sophomore Isaiah Thompson (6-4, 295) is also a capable nose tackle.
Senior Billy Hartford (6-2, 260) could start at the other defensive end slot. He played in all 13 games last year, and started the final two regular-season games against Marshall and Texas Southern.
Others in the mix up front include sophomore tackle Raymond Alaka (6-3, 260) and redshirt freshmen Demarcus Lattier (6-2, 285) and Michael Ray (6-3, 250), an end.
LINEBACKERS
Revamping the linebacking corps is Skladany's primary concern. Gone are Brendan Pahulu (10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions) and Trent Allen, who was fourth on the team with 60 tackles last year. Rodney Rideau's 55 tackles are also gone. Senior middle linebacker Cody Lubojasky (6-3, 230) has started at inside linebacker. He had 59 tackles last season and has 223 during his career.
The unit could get a huge lift from junior Arkansas transfer Tyrell Graham (6-3, 225). He should start at the Will linebacker, where his speed will quickly become apparent. Graham was also recruited out of high school by LSU.
Skladany was pleased with the spring camp of junior Matt Nicholson (6-3, 225), who's scheduled to start at the Sam linebacker. Nicholson, who made 36 tackles last year, is backed up by junior C.J. Cavness (6-1, 210). Also a special teams regular, he had 28 stops last year.
Other linebackers include juniors Shomari Williams (6-2, 245) and Chris Mitchell (6-0, 200) and sophomore Britton Maxwell (6-0, 220). Incoming freshmen Anthony Lewis (6-2, 210) and Jarvis Smith (6-2, 205) could make an impact.
"If they can compete at that position, then the best players are going to play," Sumlin said. "Some of the guys we signed have the athletic skills and the size to play, but it's all about picking up the scheme. If they can do that they will have every opportunity to get on the field."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Houston's secondary returns all four starters.
Senior free safety Kenneth Fontenette (6-0, 185) is an excellent athlete, as evidenced by his 38-yard fumble return for a touchdown last year against Colorado State. It tied the score at 24 late in the third quarter and the Cougars went on to win.
Fontenette began the season as a returning starter at cornerback, but he moved to safety after the opener. The second-team All-Conference USA pick led the Cougars with four interceptions and also recorded 69 tackles, six breakups and two fumble recoveries. Senior safety Ernest Miller (6-0, 195) led the Cougars last season with 11 breakups. His 63 tackles were third on the team.
"We've got a couple of good safeties who have played a lot of football," Skladany said. Senior Stephen James (5-9, 215) should provide quality depth at safety. The Oklahoma State transfer and Houston native played in 17 games as an underclassman in Stillwater. He sat in 2006 as a transfer and missed last season with a knee injury.
Juniors Carson Blackmon (5-11, 180) and Tim Mercer (5-10, 180) and redshirt freshman Ricardo Bates (5-11, 165) are other safeties looking for snaps. Blackmon made 21 tackles last year and Mercer tallied nine while playing sparingly in 13 games.
Senior Quinte Williams (5-11, 165) and junior Brandon Brinkley (5-11, 175) are returning starters at cornerback. Brinkley defended nine passes and made an interception against Alabama. "[The defensive backs] have played a lot of ball and they know this league," Sumlin said. "They have to be aggressive and be a crew that we don't need to worry about."
Sophomore Loyce Means (5-10, 170) should see action at corner, as could redshirt freshmen B.K. Johnson (5-10, 170), A.J. Edwards (6-1, 178) and Roisean Haynes (5-11, 185).
PUNTERS
Junior Chase Turner (6-4, 250) is back after averaging 42.7 yards on 45 punts in his first season out of junior college last season. Turner, rather large for his trade, booted a 65-yarder against TCU in the Texas Bowl.
"I've been pleasantly surprised by our punter," Sumlin said. "He's been trimming down and he's really been able to do some things for us."
Sophomore Tommy Skinner (6-4, 215) appeared in three games last year, punting six times for a troubling 29.2-yard average.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cougars return a multi-year starter in senior long-snapper Norby Juist (6-4, 240). Junior Carl Barnett (6-2, 285) is the backup and punter Chase Turner will be the holder.
Explosive Donnie Avery (28.3-yard average, one touchdown) must be replaced at kick returner. Receivers Chris Gilbert, Chaz Rodriguez and Patrick Edwards will all get looks.
The same three will also audition for punt returner. Covering kicks concerns Sumlin as much as returning them. "We've had a couple of guys show up back there, but they have put it down on the ground a couple of times," Sumlin said. "We have to develop some kick return guys and some cover guys, too. When we look at our depth at linebacker, we don't have that depth right now.
"We are going to have some young guys out there [on special teams], and that can be a little scary. But because of sheer numbers, that's where we are, and we're going to have to develop them this fall."
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Along with everything else, Sumlin and his staff seem to have going for them, the schedule appears favorable, too. Houston won eight games last season, and trips to Alabama and Oregon have essentially been exchanged for a home game with Air Force and a road game with Oklahoma State.
You make that trade every time.
Houston also gets UTEP and Tulsa at home and doesn't have to play Southern Miss.
Things set up nicely for an immediate splash from Sumlin and company. It's part of why Holgorsen left a good thing at Texas Tech. He knows quality, confident players when he sees them.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Houston Cougars</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->"One of the biggest things is knowing that these players are used to winning," Holgorsen said. "They know what it takes."
Skladany, who spent 10 years as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Iowa State before joining O'Leary in Orlando, was excited about the prospects of working with guys like Burtnett and Jeffcoat.
"There is a lot of experience here from a coaching standpoint," Skladany said. "This is just a great football environment."
Briles will be difficult to replace and impossible to forget, but the folks around Houston seem confident about accomplishing even bigger feats.
Houston Cougars
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Houston, Texas</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Conference USA (West)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>8-5 (.615)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (T-1st) </TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Cougars</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Scarlet, White & Navy </TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Robertson Stadium (32,000)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Kevin Sumlin (Purdue '86)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>First year</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>First year</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Dana Holgorsen (Iowa Wesleyan '93), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Jason Phillips (Houston '01), Co-Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers
• Clarence McKinney (University of Mary '94), Running Backs
• Tony Levine (Minnesota '96), Special Teams/Tight Ends
• Joe Gilbert (Hamilton College '87), Offensive Line
• John Skladany (Central Connecticut State '72), Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
• Leon Burtnett (Southwestern College '65), Linebackers
• Jim Jeffcoat (Arizona State '90), Defensive Line
• Zac Spavital (Murray State '04), Cornerbacks
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>7-3-6-10-8</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>75-94-88-37-63</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to TCU in Texas Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Southern University </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>at Oklahoma State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Air Force </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Colorado State </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>at East Carolina </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 9</TD><TD>UAB </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at Southern Methodist </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 28</TD><TD>at Marshall </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Tulsa </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>UTEP </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>at Rice </TD><TD>3:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
Art Briles left the Houston program in much better shape than he found it. Don't be surprised if his successor, Kevin Sumlin, does the same.
Under Briles, the Cougars went to four bowls in five years, won a Conference USA title and had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1990.
All the hard work paid off for a lot of people. Briles got a seven-year deal from Baylor that will average anywhere from $1.2 to $1.8 million depending on incentives, and Sumlin got the opportunity to become the Cougars' first African-American head coach. In fact, Sumlin became the first black head coach for a Football Bowl Subdivision team in the state of Texas.
<OFFER>Sumlin spent the last two seasons of a five-year stay at Oklahoma as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for Bob Stoops. Before that he was R.C. Slocum's associate head coach at Texas A&M (2001-02).
Sumlin also built strong bonds during extensive stints working with Glen Mason at Minnesota and Joe Tiller at Wyoming and Purdue. He played linebacker at Purdue for Leon Burtnett, whom he has hired on his impressive inaugural staff as linebackers coach.
Sumlin was all about achievement from the get-go. He made 91 tackles as a freshman walk-on, which earned him recognition from Sports Illustrated. Considering what those who've worked with him are saying and the staff Houston has enabled him to assemble, Sports Illustrated might be doing a feature on Sumlin's success again before long.
Briles' whetted Houston's appetite for victories, then enhanced its hunger by leaving for nearby Baylor.
"The vision here for us is to reclaim our position in the national picture," Houston athletic director Dave Maggard said at a press conference when Sumlin was hired. "In my conversations with Kevin, he feels that's more than possible. His goals will be consistent with those of ours in terms of moving this program up beyond where it is at this current time."
Sumlin became familiar with Houston while recruiting for Oklahoma and Texas A&M. "This is a great university and a great city," Sumlin said. "This is a place that has won a conference championship in recent years, and we want to continue down that path and play for a conference championship every season. This is Dave Maggard's vision, and I share the same vision."
The local recruiting ties Sumlin cultivated the last seven years while working tirelessly for the Sooners and Aggies should pay off handsomely. Sumlin hired Clarence McKinney as his running backs coach. McKinney was a high school coach who spent the previous three years as head coach at Yates High School, right across the street from Robertson Stadium.
McKinney's hire shows Sumlin isn't tethered to conventional thinking, especially when it comes to recruiting. But McKinney's arrival is an afterthought compared to some of Sumlin's other staff additions, which have convinced pundits Houston is serious about building on what Briles started.
Sumlin sold Texas Tech offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen on leaving Lubbock. Think about that -- an offensive coordinator leaving Lubbock with the run the Red Raiders are on under Mike Leach. Texas Tech enjoyed four straight national passing titles and three total offense crowns during Holgorsen's eight-year stint (the last three as offensive coordinator).
"I feel good about it," Holgorsen said. "I made sure a lot of things were in place before I took the job. I feel really good about Kevin as a head coach and as an offensive coach." Holgorsen and Briles were together at Texas Tech. "I've got a lot of respect for Art and the job he did here," Holgorsen said. "It's exciting to take over an offense that he's had his hands on. But our schemes are extremely different."
Another impressive hire was getting defensive coordinator John Skladany away from the good thing George O'Leary seems to have going at UCF. Among Skladany's new assistants are former Dallas Cowboy defensive lineman Jim Jeffcoat and Burtnett. "I left a great situation," Skladany said. "Coaching is a funny business. Sometimes you just feel like a certain move is the right thing to do. I thought this was a good move. Time will tell."
The coaching staff hit the ground running. It has visited with the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints, bouncing around ideas. "You're always looking for something new," Skladany said. "Sometimes you'll pick up a new blitz or drill or maybe some different technique."
Skladany goes back a ways with Holgorsen. While at Iowa State, he matched wits with Holgorsen four times.
"I believe we won once and he got us three times," Skladany said. "That offense is something else when it's firing on all cylinders. You can see that [Holgorsen] is very professional and very thorough."
Sumlin was pleased with the job his staff did installing new schemes during the spring. The response from a veteran group of players that went from rags to riches with Briles was encouraging, too. "I was very pleased with the effort guys have given over the course of the 15 practices," Sumlin said. "When you put in three new schemes, we accomplished what we wanted to by getting the basics down and letting guys compete for positions."
QUARTERBACKS
Making do without Kevin Kolb proved to be easier than it might have first appeared, and sophomore Case Keenum (6-1, 210) and junior Blake Joseph (6-2, 215) figure to improve by leaps and bounds during their second go-round.
Keenum blossomed into a dual threat with an uncanny knack for turning plays that had broken down into gold. He calmly slid up past an all-out blitz to convert a fouth-and-10 with a touchdown pass on the move to Perry McDaniel, which got Houston within 24-17 late in the third quarter at Colorado State, and also threw accurately while scrambling to his left for a touchdown pass to L.J. Castile in the 38-27 victory against the Rams.
In his collegiate debut as a redshirt freshman last season, on a bright stage at Oregon, Keenum finished 14-of-27 for 179 yards and a touchdown. He also escaped all sorts of pressure for an 18-yard run to convert a third-and-9 against the Ducks. "He can work the pocket and keep plays alive," Holgorsen said. "He reminds me a lot of Cody Hodges at Texas Tech. He didn't have the strongest of arms, but he always made plays.
"Case can use our system to his advantage. He is smart; he's a coach's kid."
Keenum rushed for 412 yards. He showed an excellent burst on a designed rush around the left end on an 8-yard touchdown run at Colorado State, one of nine touchdowns on the ground last year for Keenum.
He passed for 2,259 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While a better touchdown-to-interception ratio would be welcome, Keenum did complete 68.5 percent of his passes (187-of-273).
Joseph, who started five games, has a strong arm and seems to possess the accuracy for a precision attack like Holgorsen's spread. He made a seamless transition to the new scheme. Joseph was 37-of-41 for 421 yards and five touchdowns during the spring game.
He was 100-of-155 passing (64.5 percent) for 1,324 yards last year. He passed for nine touchdowns and was intercepted four times. Joseph came off the bench to complete 24-of-29 for 250 yards and two touchdowns against East Carolina. In another relief role, he was 10-of-12 for 113 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane.
Joseph and Keenum each held their ground during a spring camp designed to give both ample opportunity to state their case. "We've split the reps fifty-fifty," Holgorsen said. "I don't care what they accomplished last year. We'll split the reps through camp and one of them will win the job. I couldn't begin to guess who it will be. Both are capable of doing it."
RUNNING BACKS
The Cougars need a quick fix in the backfield. Gone is Anthony "Quick" Alridge, a converted receiver who piled up 2,556 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground after switching positions his final two seasons. He also had 42 catches for 428 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.
Red-shirt sophomore Andre Kohn (5-10, 195) came out of spring showing the most explosion, if not the best work habits. Kohn had 28 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns last season, and his 67-yard reception was the Cougars' lone touchdown in its Texas Bowl loss to TCU. "Andre Kohn probably had more of a spark than anyone during the spring," Holgorsen said. "But he needs to make it happen every day, not every three days."
Sophomore Terrance Ganaway (6-0, 220) is the leading returning rusher. As a freshman he played in all 13 games last season. Ganaway, a nephew of Jeremiah Trotter, scored the Cougars' first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run at Oregon. He finished the year with 109 carries for 550 yards for a respectable five yards per carry. He also ran for six touchdowns. Of course 122 of those yards and two of the touchdowns came during a 59-6 rout of Texas Southern -- via a scant 10 carries.
Red-shirt freshman Justin Johnson (6-1, 230) enters August third on the depth chart. Johnson rushed for 1,548 yards and passed for 425 while combining for 27 touchdowns running and passing as a high senior in Richardson, Texas.
Fullbacks aren't prominent characters for Holgorsen, certainly not 270-pound ones.
Therefore, senior Jake Ebner (6-2, 270) has been moved to defensive line and sophomore Jordan Shoemaker (6-3, 270) is moving to center. "Running back is probably more wide open than any position on the entire team," Holgorsen said.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Houston's coaching staff should get an endorsement deal with Allstate. The receivers should be in good hands thanks to a quartet of coaches that includes Sumlin. Holgorsen was a receivers coach. He coached New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker in Lubbock. Wide receivers coach Jason Phillips was on the receiving end of many of Andre Ware's passes when he won the Heisman Trophy, and in 1988 he became the first player since 1965 to lead the nation in receiving in back-to-back seasons. And tight ends coach Tony Levine has coached tight ends at Auburn and receivers at Southwest Texas State.
Of course, there's plenty of coaching to be done. The Cougars must replace five of their top six wideouts, including second-round NFL draft choice Donnie Avery. He had 91 catches for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Jeron Harvey is also gone. He made 55 catches for 673 yards and three touchdowns. In all, Houston must replace 227 of last season's 291 receptions and 18-of-24 touchdown catches.
"I would say the University of Houston lost some pretty good wide receivers last year," Holgorsen said. "I think we have one guy with more than about six career catches. That's new for me."
The leading returning receiver is senior Mark Hafner (6-3, 230), who is making the transition from tight end to slot receiver. Hafner had 40 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns last season. He had 19 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore.
Holgorsen wasn't sold quickly on Hafner, who he said missed perhaps the first third of spring camp with an injury. By the end of the spring, Holgorsen says, he was finally beginning to get some idea where Hafner fans were coming from. There will basically be open auditions among 11 receivers for the other three receiver positions. Sophomore L.J. Castile (6-3, 210) would at least seem to control his own destiny in the free for all. He had seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown last season as a freshman, and also rushed nine times for 72 yards.
"Castile looks the part," Holgorsen said. "He's got unbelievable hands." Junior Chris Gilbert (5-8, 170) and sophomore Chaz Rodriguez (6-2, 185) entered August atop the depth charts at the other receiver positions. Gilbert had seven receptions for 38 yards last year, and Rodriguez caught two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Patrick Edwards (5-9, 165) is arguably the most dynamic of the four redshirt freshmen who will be vying for time. The others are JoJo Florence (6-4, 190), E.J. Smith (6-1, 185) and Tyron Carrier (5-7, 150). Junior Tim Monroe (6-2, 185) will return from defense this season. Sophomores Wesley Scourten (6-6, 225) and Anthony Reasno (5-11, 185) will also get a look, as will freshman Demetrius Woods (6-0, 195). Scourten was slowed after breaking a bone in his foot during spring camp.
"Patrick Edwards is probably the fastest and quickest," Holgorsen said. "Chaz Rodriguez is probably the hardest-working guy. Right now we've got a bunch of guys still learning to do what they need to do. "But with all of the guys on this staff, we've coached a bunch of good ones. We'll line up four at each position during camp and see who progressed during the summer and who sat around eating ice cream."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Houston must replace starters Jeff Akeroyd and Dustin Dickinson but also anticipates the return of talented redshirt senior SirVincent Rogers (6-1, 315). Rogers, a tackle who can run-block in punishing fashion, was a three-year starter when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of his junior season in 2006.
Rogers made the Conference USA All-Freshman team, then was a third-team all-conference selection as a sophomore. He was on the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy watch lists when he was injured early in his junior season. If he's close to 100 percent, Rogers could have an all-conference season, perhaps even a fruitful 2009 NFL draft.
Rogers was getting close to 100 percent by early summer. Holgorsen anticipates him being completely back to where he was before the end of August. "By then, I expect him to be in pretty good shape," Holgorsen said. "He's a good player. We recruited him when I was at Tech. The best thing about him is his leadership. When he talks, people listen."
The Cougars' other tackle, senior Sebastian Vollmer (6-8, 290), is as imposing in stature, though his is because of his height. The Duesseldorf, Germany native started all 13 games at left tackle last season after missing all of 2006 with a back injury. Vollmer, who'll give way to Rogers and return to right tackle, received all-conference honorable mention last year.
Still, experience will be slightly more scarce. Akeroyd started the last 27 games of his career. Dickinson, a right tackle, started all 39 games his final three seasons after playing in 10 games as a redshirt freshman. Junior center Carl Barnett (6-2, 285) started all 13 games last season after making the All-Conference USA freshman team in 2006. Senior Michael Bloesch (6-2, 295) started all 13 games at right guard last season, and was honorable mention All-Conference USA.
"Carl, Bloesch and Sebastian are all solid guys," Holgorsen said.
Senior Isaiah Agson (6-3, 335) is set to start at left guard. He played in 11 games last year. Holgorsen is high on redshirt freshman Chris Thompson (6-2, 295), who could get work at left guard or center, and junior backup left tackle Josh Bell (6-5, 315).
"Chris Thompson is a real solid guy," Holgorsen said. "He'll give us a ton of snaps. Josh Bell is good athletically. I like his body. He'll be the swing guy at tackle."
Junior Matt Hart (6-6, 310), who played in all 13 games last season, is the backup at right tackle. Sophomore converted fullback Jordan Shoemaker (6-3, 270) will begin August as the backup center.
KICKERS
Sophomore Jonathan Gibson (5-8, 175) and junior Ben Bell (6-0, 175) will compete for place-kicking duties. Bell redshirted last season after starting his first two years. He was second-team All-Conference USA as a sophomore. The left-footed Gibson could also replace the outgoing T.J. Lawrence, who missed 9-of-22 attempts last season.
Incoming freshman Jordan Mannisto (6-0, 170) of Westlake Village, Calif., could even end up with the job. He had numerous offers and was the kicker on the Los Angeles Times prep all-star team. "That job is still wide open," Sumlin said. "Obviously, we signed a kicker because of that. We had real inconsistency during the spring."
Bell figures to handle the kickoff duties. Sophomore Tommy Skinner (6-4, 215) is the backup.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Cougars' defensive line should make for a cool new toy box for position coach Jim Jeffcoat.
Senior Phillip Hunt (6-2, 260) was All-Conference USA last season and begins this season on the Nagurski Watch List. The rush end had 10.5 sacks among his 18 tackles for loss last year. Hunt batted down eleven passes, intercepted another and forced two fumbles while also tallying 55 tackles.
"We don't need him to be Superman, but we need him to be the player he is," Sumlin said. "If he continues to improve and do what he's been doing, he will help our team tremendously. He just needs to be the player that he is capable of being and live up to his status as one of the best players in the league, and possibly even the country."
Senior Tate Stewart (6-3, 250) is a returning starter at defensive tackle. Stewart was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA, and celebrated by spending enough time with strength coach Larry Smith to lose 30 pounds. The heavier Stewart made 39 tackles last year, including 4.5 behind the line of scrimmage.
Another quality interior linemen is senior Ell Ash (6-5, 275). The Tennessee transfer has been contributing in Houston since midway through the 2006 season, and, says defensive coordinator John Skladany, still has a high ceiling. He was honorable mention all-conference last season after making 42 tackles.
Senior Cody Pree (6-2, 310) is the most accomplished nose tackle. Pree made 32 tackles last season, including four for loss, and deflected two passes. On one of those deflections, when he bull-rushed a Colorado State guard 10 yards, Pree actually hit the quarterback's arm instead of the ball, which forced an interception.
Sophomore Isaiah Thompson (6-4, 295) is also a capable nose tackle.
Senior Billy Hartford (6-2, 260) could start at the other defensive end slot. He played in all 13 games last year, and started the final two regular-season games against Marshall and Texas Southern.
Others in the mix up front include sophomore tackle Raymond Alaka (6-3, 260) and redshirt freshmen Demarcus Lattier (6-2, 285) and Michael Ray (6-3, 250), an end.
LINEBACKERS
Revamping the linebacking corps is Skladany's primary concern. Gone are Brendan Pahulu (10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions) and Trent Allen, who was fourth on the team with 60 tackles last year. Rodney Rideau's 55 tackles are also gone. Senior middle linebacker Cody Lubojasky (6-3, 230) has started at inside linebacker. He had 59 tackles last season and has 223 during his career.
The unit could get a huge lift from junior Arkansas transfer Tyrell Graham (6-3, 225). He should start at the Will linebacker, where his speed will quickly become apparent. Graham was also recruited out of high school by LSU.
Skladany was pleased with the spring camp of junior Matt Nicholson (6-3, 225), who's scheduled to start at the Sam linebacker. Nicholson, who made 36 tackles last year, is backed up by junior C.J. Cavness (6-1, 210). Also a special teams regular, he had 28 stops last year.
Other linebackers include juniors Shomari Williams (6-2, 245) and Chris Mitchell (6-0, 200) and sophomore Britton Maxwell (6-0, 220). Incoming freshmen Anthony Lewis (6-2, 210) and Jarvis Smith (6-2, 205) could make an impact.
"If they can compete at that position, then the best players are going to play," Sumlin said. "Some of the guys we signed have the athletic skills and the size to play, but it's all about picking up the scheme. If they can do that they will have every opportunity to get on the field."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Houston's secondary returns all four starters.
Senior free safety Kenneth Fontenette (6-0, 185) is an excellent athlete, as evidenced by his 38-yard fumble return for a touchdown last year against Colorado State. It tied the score at 24 late in the third quarter and the Cougars went on to win.
Fontenette began the season as a returning starter at cornerback, but he moved to safety after the opener. The second-team All-Conference USA pick led the Cougars with four interceptions and also recorded 69 tackles, six breakups and two fumble recoveries. Senior safety Ernest Miller (6-0, 195) led the Cougars last season with 11 breakups. His 63 tackles were third on the team.
"We've got a couple of good safeties who have played a lot of football," Skladany said. Senior Stephen James (5-9, 215) should provide quality depth at safety. The Oklahoma State transfer and Houston native played in 17 games as an underclassman in Stillwater. He sat in 2006 as a transfer and missed last season with a knee injury.
Juniors Carson Blackmon (5-11, 180) and Tim Mercer (5-10, 180) and redshirt freshman Ricardo Bates (5-11, 165) are other safeties looking for snaps. Blackmon made 21 tackles last year and Mercer tallied nine while playing sparingly in 13 games.
Senior Quinte Williams (5-11, 165) and junior Brandon Brinkley (5-11, 175) are returning starters at cornerback. Brinkley defended nine passes and made an interception against Alabama. "[The defensive backs] have played a lot of ball and they know this league," Sumlin said. "They have to be aggressive and be a crew that we don't need to worry about."
Sophomore Loyce Means (5-10, 170) should see action at corner, as could redshirt freshmen B.K. Johnson (5-10, 170), A.J. Edwards (6-1, 178) and Roisean Haynes (5-11, 185).
PUNTERS
Junior Chase Turner (6-4, 250) is back after averaging 42.7 yards on 45 punts in his first season out of junior college last season. Turner, rather large for his trade, booted a 65-yarder against TCU in the Texas Bowl.
"I've been pleasantly surprised by our punter," Sumlin said. "He's been trimming down and he's really been able to do some things for us."
Sophomore Tommy Skinner (6-4, 215) appeared in three games last year, punting six times for a troubling 29.2-yard average.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cougars return a multi-year starter in senior long-snapper Norby Juist (6-4, 240). Junior Carl Barnett (6-2, 285) is the backup and punter Chase Turner will be the holder.
Explosive Donnie Avery (28.3-yard average, one touchdown) must be replaced at kick returner. Receivers Chris Gilbert, Chaz Rodriguez and Patrick Edwards will all get looks.
The same three will also audition for punt returner. Covering kicks concerns Sumlin as much as returning them. "We've had a couple of guys show up back there, but they have put it down on the ground a couple of times," Sumlin said. "We have to develop some kick return guys and some cover guys, too. When we look at our depth at linebacker, we don't have that depth right now.
"We are going to have some young guys out there [on special teams], and that can be a little scary. But because of sheer numbers, that's where we are, and we're going to have to develop them this fall."
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Along with everything else, Sumlin and his staff seem to have going for them, the schedule appears favorable, too. Houston won eight games last season, and trips to Alabama and Oregon have essentially been exchanged for a home game with Air Force and a road game with Oklahoma State.
You make that trade every time.
Houston also gets UTEP and Tulsa at home and doesn't have to play Southern Miss.
Things set up nicely for an immediate splash from Sumlin and company. It's part of why Holgorsen left a good thing at Texas Tech. He knows quality, confident players when he sees them.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Houston Cougars</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->"One of the biggest things is knowing that these players are used to winning," Holgorsen said. "They know what it takes."
Skladany, who spent 10 years as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Iowa State before joining O'Leary in Orlando, was excited about the prospects of working with guys like Burtnett and Jeffcoat.
"There is a lot of experience here from a coaching standpoint," Skladany said. "This is just a great football environment."
Briles will be difficult to replace and impossible to forget, but the folks around Houston seem confident about accomplishing even bigger feats.
Houston Cougars
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Houston, Texas</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Conference USA (West)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>8-5 (.615)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (T-1st) </TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Cougars</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Scarlet, White & Navy </TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Robertson Stadium (32,000)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Kevin Sumlin (Purdue '86)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>First year</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>First year</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Dana Holgorsen (Iowa Wesleyan '93), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Jason Phillips (Houston '01), Co-Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers
• Clarence McKinney (University of Mary '94), Running Backs
• Tony Levine (Minnesota '96), Special Teams/Tight Ends
• Joe Gilbert (Hamilton College '87), Offensive Line
• John Skladany (Central Connecticut State '72), Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
• Leon Burtnett (Southwestern College '65), Linebackers
• Jim Jeffcoat (Arizona State '90), Defensive Line
• Zac Spavital (Murray State '04), Cornerbacks
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>7-3-6-10-8</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>75-94-88-37-63</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to TCU in Texas Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Southern University </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>at Oklahoma State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Air Force </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Colorado State </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>at East Carolina </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 9</TD><TD>UAB </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at Southern Methodist </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 28</TD><TD>at Marshall </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Tulsa </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>UTEP </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>at Rice </TD><TD>3:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
South Carolina
COACH AND PROGRAM
Steve Spurrier has won 163 games and a national championship in 18 years as a head coach, proof aplenty that there's a method to his particular brand of madness. Now Spurrier -- Head Ball Coach also is acceptable on first reference -- intends to give up his play-calling duties and become the Total Ball Coach.
Spurrier announced this spring that his son, 11-year assistant Steve Spurrier, Jr., would assume control of the offensive maneuvering. Sort of.
"I haven't given up completely," said Spurrier, who revolutionized college football in the 1990s as a de facto sideline extension of his quarterbacks. "Steve Jr. has been with me 11 years and all this that and the other. He's able to do it. But it does free you up during the week." A pair of events -- one a staff meeting, the other a Gamecock season opener -- began to convince Spurrier he could better realize his quest to end South Carolina's 40-year conference title drought, which has lasted since the 1969 team won the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 6-0 record.
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"Last year I'm sitting there writing down third-and-1s, third-and-8s. Writing [plays on] wristbands," Spurrier recalled. "I said, 'I'm doing everything around here, right?' They [assistant coaches] said, 'That's how you do it coach.' And I said, 'It's time I let you guys get a little bit more involved.' I'm going to still be the offensive coordinator, and I'm going to still have my input into the play-calling. Hopefully it will not be much different, and maybe a person that does the play calling and looks at them all week will be better prepared to do it. Rapid fire and so forth.
"It's changed a lot in the last 20 years. When I first was a play-caller at Duke and Florida and the Tampa Bay Bandits, sometimes I didn't even need a sheet. I'd probably already thrown it down after an interception and just called them off the top of my head.
"Nowadays with so many plays and formations and shifts, you almost always have to have a sheet with you at all times and know exactly where all the plays are on the sheet."
Spurrier had located plenty of plays he anticipated using two years ago at Mississippi State. Right up until his offense struggled with that basic football fundamental: blocking. "I did learn a couple years ago when we opened up at Mississippi State, a Thursday night game, and I think I watched about all their games from the year before," the former Florida Heisman Trophy winner and 1996 national champion coach said. "We had all these passing plays ready. This one and that one. This one and that one. We worked on them all preseason. Then the ballgame rolled around, and we could not block their defensive line. Our quarterbacks couldn't get a dang pass off, hardly.
"And I'm saying I just wasted all summer putting these plays in because we couldn't block their guys. You can waste a lot of time scheming up if you can't block. So I'm going to try to help the entire offense and the entire team a little bit more maybe by creating a little bit more time away from the exact play calling. But that's not to say I'm not going to have a strong influence in play calling."
The Gamecocks last season enjoyed their strongest start under Spurrier, storming to a 6-1 mark and No. 6 national ranking. The success was as fleeting as YouTube fame. South Carolina stumbled to losses in its final five games, was left out of the Southeastern Conference's bowl plans at 6-6 and reshuffled its coaching staff. Spurrier hired Ellis Johnson as his new defensive coordinator and Ray Rychleski to head up special teams. A widely respected coordinator who chaired Mississippi State's defense the previous four seasons, Johnson briefly joined Bobby Petrino's Arkansas staff in the offseason before he seized the opportunity to both join Spurrier's Gamecocks staff and return to his native state.
"First of all, we were really happy at State," said Johnson, who in 2007 helped Sylvester Croom lead the Bulldogs to their first bowl game since 2000. "Everything just sort of started popping up at one time. There was a weird circle of defensive coordinators just spinning there for a month or so. But this was not just football. All things were involved. "I thought the Arkansas situation was a great opportunity. There's so much potential over there as a program and with great tradition. But I have about 13-14 years over here in [South Carolina's] state retirement system. This is basically my hometown and my wife's hometown. I always wanted the opportunity to work with or work for coach Spurrier. It's something I always felt like I'd want to do. I'm just tickled to death to have this opportunity. I believe with coach Spurrier here, the potential of South Carolina will be a really fun thing to be a part of."
With Spurrier as ultra-competitive as ever, a buffet steak-tough defense that returns virtually intact and four returning offensive linemen to ease a quarterback transition, this could be the season Gamecocks fans see that potential translated into on-the-field results.
That is, if South Carolina can conquer what remains a brutal stretch run that still features Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, Florida and Clemson during the season's final six weeks.
QUARTERBACKS
Spurrier never has been afraid to test the mental fortitude of his quarterbacks. So after declaring by the conclusion of spring drills that none of the Gamecocks' entrants in their quarterback derby -- sophomore Chris Smelley (6-2, 218), junior Tommy Beecher (6-2, 227) and redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia (6-2, 221) -- had claimed the job, Spurrier promptly executed an end-around.
Speaking at a Gamecocks Club meeting in late April, he told his audience that Beecher would be the starter, if the Gamecocks were opening the season then rather than Aug. 28 against NC State.
Spurrier cautioned that much could change in the four-month interim, and the meticulous Spurrier can only hope as much. In the Gamecocks' spring game, Beecher and Smelley, who won four-of-six starts last year in splitting time with Blake Mitchell, combined to toss eight interceptions. There was a time such a performance would have generated visor-induced craters in the Earth.
"The quarterbacks need a lot of work this summer, and I hope they'll do it, but it's against the rules for the coaches to be with them," said Spurrier, who in customary fashion barbed his quarterbacks about setting the spring game record for first-half interceptions.
"They have to do it on their own. We can't be there and watch them. We can give them a piece of paper and say, 'Here is what I would like you to do,' but I don't know how much they all do.
"At some point, one of the quarterbacks has to really show a strong commitment level to really want to be good. Right now, I don't think that any quarterback that we have here knows what really playing well is all about."
What the trio might lack in experience and consistency, it makes up for with potential. Smelley joined previous Gamecocks signal-callers Steve Tanneyhill and Ron Bass as players who won their first four games under center. Included in Smelley's handiwork was an upset of then-No. 8 Kentucky and a three-touchdown effort in a narrow win against border rival North Carolina.
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Smelley completed 59 percent of his passes (92-of-162) for 1,176 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. He didn't lose until the Gamecocks' back-to-back defeats to Vanderbilt and Tennessee; after that, Mitchell closed the season under center in Carolina's final three games. In his final effort of the spring, Smelley tossed five of the offense's eight interceptions against three touchdown passes.
The apparent starter leaving spring, Beecher played in all 12 games last season but attempted just 23 passes for 175 yards, one score and one pick. He had three interceptions and a touchdown in the spring game but also showed an ability to move the chains. "I thought we moved the ball well the whole day," Beecher said after the exhibition. "There were definitely some mistakes. I thought the offense played hard. "The three interceptions we had are something coach [Spurrier] doesn't like to see. We will just keep working hard during fall camp."
Though it's small sample data, Beecher has proved an accurate passer in his limited action with 16 completions on 25 attempts (64 percent).
Garcia, somewhat literally, is the wildcard in the bunch. Among Spurrier's most high-profile recruits to South Carolina, the Tampa, Fla., native etched his name among the top 10 quarterbacks in Florida high school annals for both passing yards and touchdown tosses. But three times the gifted gunslinger has fun afoul of the law in Columbia, and his last arrest for underage possession of alcohol earlier this spring prompted the University of South Carolina athletics department to suspend Garcia through August 15. The talented but troubled dual-threat quarterback has been suspended for both of the Gamecocks' spring camps since he enrolled in January 2007.
It would seem highly unlikely that Garcia, if reinstated at that time, could win the starting job in less than two weeks.
RUNNING BACKS
Few Gamecocks were as consistent last season as Cory Boyd, who led the team in rushing nine-of-12 games and finished with 1,308 all-purpose yards. While dynamo senior Mike Davis (5-9, 214) was the team's leading rusher with 666 yards during his 2005 debut season, he must show he can consistently carry the ground baggage.
Appearing in 36 games through his first three seasons, Davis has 1,658 career rushing yards with 16 touchdowns and a 4.6 yards-per-carry average. But he has never carried more than 146 times in a season, and he averaged 120 tries in each of his first three seasons. Boyd carried the ball an average of 172 times in each of his final two seasons.
Battling to back up Davis or perhaps wrestle carries away from him is compact sophomore Brian Maddox (5-10, 220). Mostly a special teams player as a freshman, Maddox closed spring on a disappointing note with minus-3 yards on four carries in the Garnet & Black Game.
"I'm going to keep working hard," Maddox said. "I know the offense very well this year. It is right there in front of me, and I can do it. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season. This is what I have dreamed about to play college football, and I'm getting my opportunity to do that this year."
Other tailbacks who could factor into the rotation are freshmen Eric Baker (5-11, 197), junior Taylor Rank (6-0, 214) and diminutive senior Bobby Wallace (5-7, 202), who like Rank is a two-time letter-winner.
Two seniors are on the depth chart at fullback, but it's sophomore Patrick DiMarco (6-1, 242) who sits atop it. DiMarco had a touchdown catch last season against Kentucky but did not carry the ball.
Bryan Kingrey (6-1, 230) and converted linebacker/safety Yvan Banag (5-10, 235) are the veterans competing with DiMarco for backfield work.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
While the pecking order for the Gamecocks isn't clearly defined at quarterback or tailback, there is no such debate at wide receiver. South Carolina returns a pair of starting pass catchers, including All-SEC selection Kenny McKinley (6-0, 182).
The Mableton, Ga., native enters his senior campaign after a record-setting 2007 season that garnered first-team all-conference honors from both league coaches and media. McKinley, who missed spring camp after offseason toe surgery, corralled a single-season record 77 passes for 968 yards and nine touchdowns. For his career, the steady McKinley has registered 153 catches for 2,139 yards and 15 scores.
Another of the Sunshine Gamecocks, Ocala, Fla., native Dion Lecorn (5-11, 220) is considered a returning starter after logging six starts and appearing in 10 games last season as a freshman. The fleet-footed Freshman All-SEC pick pulled down 27 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns, taxing Arkansas with eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
"I can't wait for the season to start," Lecorn said. "I think it will be pretty good for us. Kenny [McKinley] is the No. 1 receiver, but all of us are pretty good and can step in there and be No. 2."
Junior Moe Brown (6-0, 186) tops the final spot on the receivers' depth chart. The two-year letter winner has 22 career receptions, 24 appearances and five starts.
Outside those three is a deep, talented but inexperienced stable of receivers. Of the 13 players listed on the Gamecocks' depth chart at the three receiver slots, nine are first or second-year players.
Though a senior, Larry Freeman (6-1, 223) is a second-year player from junior college who made a minimal impact a year ago. Junior Freddie Brown (6-3, 209) presents the type of big frame and match-up problems that previous Gamecocks receivers Sidney Rice and Troy Williamson parlayed into NFL opportunities. Brown simply must become more consistent.
Like Brown, redshirt freshman Joe Hills (6-4, 202) offers a big frame and promising potential. Others scuffling to crack the rotation are redshirt freshman Jason Barnes (6-4, 201) and Matt Clements (6-0, 190).
At tight end, the Gamecocks expect to have a pair of difference-makers in junior Jared Cook (6-5, 242) and sophomore Weslye Saunders (6-5, 273).
"I would like to think [we did well]," in spring camp, Saunders said. "We've been working hard in the offseason. We complement each other well. We're going to make it tough [for coaches to pick a starter]. Neither one of us is going to let up. We're going to make it hard on them."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Breaking in a new quarterback is never ideal, but returning four starters along the offensive front helps ease the sting. Needing only to replace center William Brown, the Gamecocks welcome back both starting guards and tackles from an offensive line that helped ball carriers gain 1,700 yards and average 3.6 yards per try.
Anchoring the perimeter of the most experienced offensive line since Spurrier arrived in Columbia are towering tackles Jamon Meredith (6-5, 301) and Justin Sorensen (6-7, 327). Both players are potential NFL prospects with a combined 46 consecutive starts entering the opener.
The interior linemen are a pair of two super-sized sophomores, 6-7, 307-pound Seaver Brown and 6-7, 308-pound Heath Batchelor. The two started a combined nine games last season in their first college action, and Brown has the versatility to step in at center if junior Garrett Anderson (6-4, 307), with eight career starts at guard, doesn't cement his hold on the spot.
Lemuel Jeanpierre, a 6-3, 293-pound junior, started last season and possesses valuable experience should he regain a starting slot or simply be asked to provide quality depth. Sophomores Hutch Eckerson (6-6, 291) and Kevin Young (6-5, 311) could work into the rotation at left tackle and guard, respectively. Redshirt freshman Kyle Nunn (6-6, 300) appears as a solid backup to Sorensen on the right flank.
KICKERS
The most versatile kicker in the SEC happens to get his kicks for South Carolina. An honorable-mention all-conference performer last year and All-America candidate entering his senior campaign, Ryan Succop (6-3, 224) possesses a powerful leg and penchant for clutch conversions that could be critical for a young South Carolina squad that might lean heavily on its defense.
Entering the season 10th on the Gamecocks' career scoring list with 161 points, the Hickory, N.C., native is 29-of-39 on career field goal attempts, including an upright-halving 16-for-17 on kicks inside 40 yards.
Last season, Succop made 13-of-17 field goals and also averaged 64.0 yards on his 60 kickoffs. His projected backup is untested sophomore Spencer Lanning (5-11, 178).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Only talented playmaker Casper Brinkley is missing from a Gamecocks defensive front that could become more dynamic in Johnson's 4-3 alignment.
Jordin Lindsey (6-3, 261), a determined senior who returns after a redshirt season in 2007, projects to get his 16th career start when USC opens the season. Though Lindsey opted to sit out last season, his last defensive performance was a memorable one -- he was chosen the Gamecocks' outstanding defensive player in the 2006 Liberty Bowl for intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble.
Opposite Lindsey will be sophomore Cliff Matthews (6-4, 250), who slides his large frame to an edge spot from linebacker. Matthews started nine games in 2007 and notched 26 tackles.
Johnson's amoeba-like scheme allows him to avoid locking ends into just the left or right sides. "We flip-flop them a little bit on certain situations, so it doesn't matter who is on the left and right as to how we put them in there," Johnson said. "It depends on some of the schemes we run. We run lot of field defenses and sometimes try to get to the boundary. On zone pressures and blitzes, we can drop [Lindsey] a little bit. Lindsey is more drop and rush. We want to try to keep Matthews involved as much as we can in our pass-rush scheme." The top backup, for now, is sophomore defensive end Clifton Geathers (6-7, 290). His brother, Robert Geathers, Jr., played at Georgia and now is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, while his uncle, Jumpy Geathers, was an All-Pro defensive lineman in the NFL. Johnson's rhythmic drawl picks up a jazz tempo when he discusses Geathers.
"He's a tremendously talented kid to just be a sophomore this year," Johnson said. "He's just a little bit rusty fundamentally is the only reason he's not a starter."
Sophomore Travian Robertson (6-4, 270) completes the Gamecocks' four-deep rotation at end. Along the interior, senior Marque Hall (6-3, 314) and sophomore Ladi Ajiboye (6-1, 300) return after starting last season. Ajiboye flashed superstar potential as a rookie in '07 and landed on a bevy of Freshman All-America and All-SEC teams for his 39-tackle, three-sack season. Remarkably agile, Ajiboye possesses both the quickness and strength to get off blockers and make plays. His status up front is the most concrete of all the linemen.
Junior Nathan Pepper (6-1, 292) was a solid starter in the past but missed last season with a knee injury. Expect him to work into the starting rotation if healthy, and Jonathan Williams (6-2, 290-pound senior) lends depth. "Ladi is a really good football player, and Pepper is too," Johnson said. "We're just praying he can come back off that knee injury full speed."
The group did receive a modest blow to its depth after the close of spring camp when Kenrick Ellis, a mammoth 6-5, 353-pound sophomore, was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons.
LINEBACKERS
Junior Eric Norwood (6-1, 270) spent more time last season in opponents' backfields than paparazzi chasing Paris Hilton. His 19.5 tackles for loss last season established a new South Carolina standard, and he tallied 13 sacks in his first two seasons. Johnson thought Norwood could develop into an even more dynamic player at outside linebacker, shifting him before spring camp.
With Norwood at the weak-side linebacker spot, middle-monster Jasper Brinkley (6-2, 275), back for his senior season, returns after injury last season robbed him of his final eight games. Brinkley was a consensus preseason All-SEC pick a year ago after his breakout 2006 campaign that featured 107 tackles, 14.5 for losses.
After that, Johnson said it's "almost a mad scramble" to identify the players who will give the Gamecocks much-needed depth. Junior Rodney Paulk (6-0, 226), a two-year starter, will back up Brinkley in the middle, and senior Marvin Sapp (5-11, 228) projects to work behind Norwood. Johnson said it's impossible not to mention gritty senior Dustin Lindsey (6-4, 242), brother of defensive end Jordin Lindsey.
At the strong-side linebacker spot, Gerrod Sinclair (6-0, 234), an athletic junior, has the inside track to a starting nod. Early freshman enrollee Antonio Allen (6-2, 190) also could work into the rotation.
But it's Brinkley's return -- on the field and in the locker room -- that excites Johnson. "Physically, he's got all the tools," Johnson said. "He's a very athletic, tough and physical player. He's really bright and picks things up quickly. He's got a side of leadership that gives him the natural ability to be a great leader. On the field, he's a quarterback for our defense and off the field, he's a tremendous example to players."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Two of the most experienced secondary units in the country reside in the SEC East: South Carolina and Tennessee. Both return multiple starters and feature star wattage within those returning players.
For the Gamecocks, Captain Munnerlyn (5-9, 185) enters his junior campaign after garnering first-team All-SEC honors last season and carries with him the reputation as one of the league's top cover cornerbacks. Think electric blanket on a cold night. At the opposite corner is senior Carlos Thomas (5-11, 197), a three-year letter-winner with 20 career starts and ideal versatility. He began his career in Columbia as a wide receiver/kick returner.
Second-team All-SEC strong-safety Emanuel Cook (5-10, 214) returns from a 92-tackle, four-sack and three-interception breakout campaign. Roaming alongside Cook at free safety is another seasoned veteran, junior Darian Stewart (5-11, 218).
Red-shirt freshman Mark Barnes (6-2, 200) opens fall camp as Cook's backup, and converted wideout Chris Culliver (6-0, 191) backs up Stewart.
Enrolling in January and climbing the depth chart quickly was freshman cornerback Akeem Auguste (5-9, 179) of Hollywood, Fla. Sophomore Addison Williams (5-8, 181) completes the second level of the Gamecocks' secondary.
While experience is abundant on the Gamecocks' defense, so too were injuries. That created a delicate balance for Johnson, who has seen enough film and been around SEC football long enough to know what the injured players could bring to the USC defense if they return to form.
Still, it made the installation of his defensive sets slightly more problematic.
"It's been difficult. It was a good problem and a bad problem," Johnson said of trying to gain a consistent 11 on defense in spring camp. "It gave us a chance to look at some new faces. A couple of these guys are proven football players, and I'm not concerned about them missing spring practice other than the scheme. On the negative side, I don't know if we found the best 11 and who fits in there together. We're hoping to get them all healthy, eligible and on the field at the time."
PUNTERS
Ryan Succop's value hardly stops with his place-kicking abilities. The battle-tested senior was the No. 4 punter in the SEC last season with his 41.6-yard average, among the top 40 in the nation, and hammered a long of 58 yards.
Succop averaged a career-best 43.7 yards in 2006. He again is backed up by Spencer Lanning.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Joining Johnson as a new member of the staff is special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski.
Succop handles kickoff duties in addition to place-kicking and punting. Munnerlyn, McKinley and potentially senior tailback Bobby Wallace could all work as punt returners. Munnerlyn averaged 9.2 yards per return on 18 tries and had a career-best 46-yarder against Vanderbilt.
Culliver is back deep on kickoffs after generating a Freshman All-SEC selection for returning 34 kicks for 809 yards last season.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
With 54 returning letter winners, South Carolina is among the most experienced teams anywhere, and Steve Spurrier is hungry to win a championship in Columbia.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Gamecocks</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>C+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
While Georgia, Florida and even Tennessee get most of the attention, the Gamecocks' defense could be the best of the bunch for handling the versatile offenses of the SEC and setting the table for a run toward a divisional title.
The quarterback uncertainty is troubling, but who better to manage that than Spurrier? Even if one quarterback doesn't hold the starting job all season, Spurrier will help the progression of all the quarterbacks. That could be enough with that defense.
Georgia, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee all visit South Carolina this year, and if the Gamecocks win three of those four, they can at least expect a New Year's Day bowl appearance.
COACH AND PROGRAM
Steve Spurrier has won 163 games and a national championship in 18 years as a head coach, proof aplenty that there's a method to his particular brand of madness. Now Spurrier -- Head Ball Coach also is acceptable on first reference -- intends to give up his play-calling duties and become the Total Ball Coach.
Spurrier announced this spring that his son, 11-year assistant Steve Spurrier, Jr., would assume control of the offensive maneuvering. Sort of.
"I haven't given up completely," said Spurrier, who revolutionized college football in the 1990s as a de facto sideline extension of his quarterbacks. "Steve Jr. has been with me 11 years and all this that and the other. He's able to do it. But it does free you up during the week." A pair of events -- one a staff meeting, the other a Gamecock season opener -- began to convince Spurrier he could better realize his quest to end South Carolina's 40-year conference title drought, which has lasted since the 1969 team won the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 6-0 record.
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"Last year I'm sitting there writing down third-and-1s, third-and-8s. Writing [plays on] wristbands," Spurrier recalled. "I said, 'I'm doing everything around here, right?' They [assistant coaches] said, 'That's how you do it coach.' And I said, 'It's time I let you guys get a little bit more involved.' I'm going to still be the offensive coordinator, and I'm going to still have my input into the play-calling. Hopefully it will not be much different, and maybe a person that does the play calling and looks at them all week will be better prepared to do it. Rapid fire and so forth.
"It's changed a lot in the last 20 years. When I first was a play-caller at Duke and Florida and the Tampa Bay Bandits, sometimes I didn't even need a sheet. I'd probably already thrown it down after an interception and just called them off the top of my head.
"Nowadays with so many plays and formations and shifts, you almost always have to have a sheet with you at all times and know exactly where all the plays are on the sheet."
Spurrier had located plenty of plays he anticipated using two years ago at Mississippi State. Right up until his offense struggled with that basic football fundamental: blocking. "I did learn a couple years ago when we opened up at Mississippi State, a Thursday night game, and I think I watched about all their games from the year before," the former Florida Heisman Trophy winner and 1996 national champion coach said. "We had all these passing plays ready. This one and that one. This one and that one. We worked on them all preseason. Then the ballgame rolled around, and we could not block their defensive line. Our quarterbacks couldn't get a dang pass off, hardly.
"And I'm saying I just wasted all summer putting these plays in because we couldn't block their guys. You can waste a lot of time scheming up if you can't block. So I'm going to try to help the entire offense and the entire team a little bit more maybe by creating a little bit more time away from the exact play calling. But that's not to say I'm not going to have a strong influence in play calling."
The Gamecocks last season enjoyed their strongest start under Spurrier, storming to a 6-1 mark and No. 6 national ranking. The success was as fleeting as YouTube fame. South Carolina stumbled to losses in its final five games, was left out of the Southeastern Conference's bowl plans at 6-6 and reshuffled its coaching staff. Spurrier hired Ellis Johnson as his new defensive coordinator and Ray Rychleski to head up special teams. A widely respected coordinator who chaired Mississippi State's defense the previous four seasons, Johnson briefly joined Bobby Petrino's Arkansas staff in the offseason before he seized the opportunity to both join Spurrier's Gamecocks staff and return to his native state.
"First of all, we were really happy at State," said Johnson, who in 2007 helped Sylvester Croom lead the Bulldogs to their first bowl game since 2000. "Everything just sort of started popping up at one time. There was a weird circle of defensive coordinators just spinning there for a month or so. But this was not just football. All things were involved. "I thought the Arkansas situation was a great opportunity. There's so much potential over there as a program and with great tradition. But I have about 13-14 years over here in [South Carolina's] state retirement system. This is basically my hometown and my wife's hometown. I always wanted the opportunity to work with or work for coach Spurrier. It's something I always felt like I'd want to do. I'm just tickled to death to have this opportunity. I believe with coach Spurrier here, the potential of South Carolina will be a really fun thing to be a part of."
With Spurrier as ultra-competitive as ever, a buffet steak-tough defense that returns virtually intact and four returning offensive linemen to ease a quarterback transition, this could be the season Gamecocks fans see that potential translated into on-the-field results.
That is, if South Carolina can conquer what remains a brutal stretch run that still features Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, Florida and Clemson during the season's final six weeks.
QUARTERBACKS
Spurrier never has been afraid to test the mental fortitude of his quarterbacks. So after declaring by the conclusion of spring drills that none of the Gamecocks' entrants in their quarterback derby -- sophomore Chris Smelley (6-2, 218), junior Tommy Beecher (6-2, 227) and redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia (6-2, 221) -- had claimed the job, Spurrier promptly executed an end-around.
Speaking at a Gamecocks Club meeting in late April, he told his audience that Beecher would be the starter, if the Gamecocks were opening the season then rather than Aug. 28 against NC State.
Spurrier cautioned that much could change in the four-month interim, and the meticulous Spurrier can only hope as much. In the Gamecocks' spring game, Beecher and Smelley, who won four-of-six starts last year in splitting time with Blake Mitchell, combined to toss eight interceptions. There was a time such a performance would have generated visor-induced craters in the Earth.
"The quarterbacks need a lot of work this summer, and I hope they'll do it, but it's against the rules for the coaches to be with them," said Spurrier, who in customary fashion barbed his quarterbacks about setting the spring game record for first-half interceptions.
"They have to do it on their own. We can't be there and watch them. We can give them a piece of paper and say, 'Here is what I would like you to do,' but I don't know how much they all do.
"At some point, one of the quarterbacks has to really show a strong commitment level to really want to be good. Right now, I don't think that any quarterback that we have here knows what really playing well is all about."
What the trio might lack in experience and consistency, it makes up for with potential. Smelley joined previous Gamecocks signal-callers Steve Tanneyhill and Ron Bass as players who won their first four games under center. Included in Smelley's handiwork was an upset of then-No. 8 Kentucky and a three-touchdown effort in a narrow win against border rival North Carolina.
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Smelley completed 59 percent of his passes (92-of-162) for 1,176 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. He didn't lose until the Gamecocks' back-to-back defeats to Vanderbilt and Tennessee; after that, Mitchell closed the season under center in Carolina's final three games. In his final effort of the spring, Smelley tossed five of the offense's eight interceptions against three touchdown passes.
The apparent starter leaving spring, Beecher played in all 12 games last season but attempted just 23 passes for 175 yards, one score and one pick. He had three interceptions and a touchdown in the spring game but also showed an ability to move the chains. "I thought we moved the ball well the whole day," Beecher said after the exhibition. "There were definitely some mistakes. I thought the offense played hard. "The three interceptions we had are something coach [Spurrier] doesn't like to see. We will just keep working hard during fall camp."
Though it's small sample data, Beecher has proved an accurate passer in his limited action with 16 completions on 25 attempts (64 percent).
Garcia, somewhat literally, is the wildcard in the bunch. Among Spurrier's most high-profile recruits to South Carolina, the Tampa, Fla., native etched his name among the top 10 quarterbacks in Florida high school annals for both passing yards and touchdown tosses. But three times the gifted gunslinger has fun afoul of the law in Columbia, and his last arrest for underage possession of alcohol earlier this spring prompted the University of South Carolina athletics department to suspend Garcia through August 15. The talented but troubled dual-threat quarterback has been suspended for both of the Gamecocks' spring camps since he enrolled in January 2007.
It would seem highly unlikely that Garcia, if reinstated at that time, could win the starting job in less than two weeks.
RUNNING BACKS
Few Gamecocks were as consistent last season as Cory Boyd, who led the team in rushing nine-of-12 games and finished with 1,308 all-purpose yards. While dynamo senior Mike Davis (5-9, 214) was the team's leading rusher with 666 yards during his 2005 debut season, he must show he can consistently carry the ground baggage.
Appearing in 36 games through his first three seasons, Davis has 1,658 career rushing yards with 16 touchdowns and a 4.6 yards-per-carry average. But he has never carried more than 146 times in a season, and he averaged 120 tries in each of his first three seasons. Boyd carried the ball an average of 172 times in each of his final two seasons.
Battling to back up Davis or perhaps wrestle carries away from him is compact sophomore Brian Maddox (5-10, 220). Mostly a special teams player as a freshman, Maddox closed spring on a disappointing note with minus-3 yards on four carries in the Garnet & Black Game.
"I'm going to keep working hard," Maddox said. "I know the offense very well this year. It is right there in front of me, and I can do it. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season. This is what I have dreamed about to play college football, and I'm getting my opportunity to do that this year."
Other tailbacks who could factor into the rotation are freshmen Eric Baker (5-11, 197), junior Taylor Rank (6-0, 214) and diminutive senior Bobby Wallace (5-7, 202), who like Rank is a two-time letter-winner.
Two seniors are on the depth chart at fullback, but it's sophomore Patrick DiMarco (6-1, 242) who sits atop it. DiMarco had a touchdown catch last season against Kentucky but did not carry the ball.
Bryan Kingrey (6-1, 230) and converted linebacker/safety Yvan Banag (5-10, 235) are the veterans competing with DiMarco for backfield work.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
While the pecking order for the Gamecocks isn't clearly defined at quarterback or tailback, there is no such debate at wide receiver. South Carolina returns a pair of starting pass catchers, including All-SEC selection Kenny McKinley (6-0, 182).
The Mableton, Ga., native enters his senior campaign after a record-setting 2007 season that garnered first-team all-conference honors from both league coaches and media. McKinley, who missed spring camp after offseason toe surgery, corralled a single-season record 77 passes for 968 yards and nine touchdowns. For his career, the steady McKinley has registered 153 catches for 2,139 yards and 15 scores.
Another of the Sunshine Gamecocks, Ocala, Fla., native Dion Lecorn (5-11, 220) is considered a returning starter after logging six starts and appearing in 10 games last season as a freshman. The fleet-footed Freshman All-SEC pick pulled down 27 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns, taxing Arkansas with eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
"I can't wait for the season to start," Lecorn said. "I think it will be pretty good for us. Kenny [McKinley] is the No. 1 receiver, but all of us are pretty good and can step in there and be No. 2."
Junior Moe Brown (6-0, 186) tops the final spot on the receivers' depth chart. The two-year letter winner has 22 career receptions, 24 appearances and five starts.
Outside those three is a deep, talented but inexperienced stable of receivers. Of the 13 players listed on the Gamecocks' depth chart at the three receiver slots, nine are first or second-year players.
Though a senior, Larry Freeman (6-1, 223) is a second-year player from junior college who made a minimal impact a year ago. Junior Freddie Brown (6-3, 209) presents the type of big frame and match-up problems that previous Gamecocks receivers Sidney Rice and Troy Williamson parlayed into NFL opportunities. Brown simply must become more consistent.
Like Brown, redshirt freshman Joe Hills (6-4, 202) offers a big frame and promising potential. Others scuffling to crack the rotation are redshirt freshman Jason Barnes (6-4, 201) and Matt Clements (6-0, 190).
At tight end, the Gamecocks expect to have a pair of difference-makers in junior Jared Cook (6-5, 242) and sophomore Weslye Saunders (6-5, 273).
"I would like to think [we did well]," in spring camp, Saunders said. "We've been working hard in the offseason. We complement each other well. We're going to make it tough [for coaches to pick a starter]. Neither one of us is going to let up. We're going to make it hard on them."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Breaking in a new quarterback is never ideal, but returning four starters along the offensive front helps ease the sting. Needing only to replace center William Brown, the Gamecocks welcome back both starting guards and tackles from an offensive line that helped ball carriers gain 1,700 yards and average 3.6 yards per try.
Anchoring the perimeter of the most experienced offensive line since Spurrier arrived in Columbia are towering tackles Jamon Meredith (6-5, 301) and Justin Sorensen (6-7, 327). Both players are potential NFL prospects with a combined 46 consecutive starts entering the opener.
The interior linemen are a pair of two super-sized sophomores, 6-7, 307-pound Seaver Brown and 6-7, 308-pound Heath Batchelor. The two started a combined nine games last season in their first college action, and Brown has the versatility to step in at center if junior Garrett Anderson (6-4, 307), with eight career starts at guard, doesn't cement his hold on the spot.
Lemuel Jeanpierre, a 6-3, 293-pound junior, started last season and possesses valuable experience should he regain a starting slot or simply be asked to provide quality depth. Sophomores Hutch Eckerson (6-6, 291) and Kevin Young (6-5, 311) could work into the rotation at left tackle and guard, respectively. Redshirt freshman Kyle Nunn (6-6, 300) appears as a solid backup to Sorensen on the right flank.
KICKERS
The most versatile kicker in the SEC happens to get his kicks for South Carolina. An honorable-mention all-conference performer last year and All-America candidate entering his senior campaign, Ryan Succop (6-3, 224) possesses a powerful leg and penchant for clutch conversions that could be critical for a young South Carolina squad that might lean heavily on its defense.
Entering the season 10th on the Gamecocks' career scoring list with 161 points, the Hickory, N.C., native is 29-of-39 on career field goal attempts, including an upright-halving 16-for-17 on kicks inside 40 yards.
Last season, Succop made 13-of-17 field goals and also averaged 64.0 yards on his 60 kickoffs. His projected backup is untested sophomore Spencer Lanning (5-11, 178).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Only talented playmaker Casper Brinkley is missing from a Gamecocks defensive front that could become more dynamic in Johnson's 4-3 alignment.
Jordin Lindsey (6-3, 261), a determined senior who returns after a redshirt season in 2007, projects to get his 16th career start when USC opens the season. Though Lindsey opted to sit out last season, his last defensive performance was a memorable one -- he was chosen the Gamecocks' outstanding defensive player in the 2006 Liberty Bowl for intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble.
Opposite Lindsey will be sophomore Cliff Matthews (6-4, 250), who slides his large frame to an edge spot from linebacker. Matthews started nine games in 2007 and notched 26 tackles.
Johnson's amoeba-like scheme allows him to avoid locking ends into just the left or right sides. "We flip-flop them a little bit on certain situations, so it doesn't matter who is on the left and right as to how we put them in there," Johnson said. "It depends on some of the schemes we run. We run lot of field defenses and sometimes try to get to the boundary. On zone pressures and blitzes, we can drop [Lindsey] a little bit. Lindsey is more drop and rush. We want to try to keep Matthews involved as much as we can in our pass-rush scheme." The top backup, for now, is sophomore defensive end Clifton Geathers (6-7, 290). His brother, Robert Geathers, Jr., played at Georgia and now is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, while his uncle, Jumpy Geathers, was an All-Pro defensive lineman in the NFL. Johnson's rhythmic drawl picks up a jazz tempo when he discusses Geathers.
"He's a tremendously talented kid to just be a sophomore this year," Johnson said. "He's just a little bit rusty fundamentally is the only reason he's not a starter."
Sophomore Travian Robertson (6-4, 270) completes the Gamecocks' four-deep rotation at end. Along the interior, senior Marque Hall (6-3, 314) and sophomore Ladi Ajiboye (6-1, 300) return after starting last season. Ajiboye flashed superstar potential as a rookie in '07 and landed on a bevy of Freshman All-America and All-SEC teams for his 39-tackle, three-sack season. Remarkably agile, Ajiboye possesses both the quickness and strength to get off blockers and make plays. His status up front is the most concrete of all the linemen.
Junior Nathan Pepper (6-1, 292) was a solid starter in the past but missed last season with a knee injury. Expect him to work into the starting rotation if healthy, and Jonathan Williams (6-2, 290-pound senior) lends depth. "Ladi is a really good football player, and Pepper is too," Johnson said. "We're just praying he can come back off that knee injury full speed."
The group did receive a modest blow to its depth after the close of spring camp when Kenrick Ellis, a mammoth 6-5, 353-pound sophomore, was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons.
LINEBACKERS
Junior Eric Norwood (6-1, 270) spent more time last season in opponents' backfields than paparazzi chasing Paris Hilton. His 19.5 tackles for loss last season established a new South Carolina standard, and he tallied 13 sacks in his first two seasons. Johnson thought Norwood could develop into an even more dynamic player at outside linebacker, shifting him before spring camp.
With Norwood at the weak-side linebacker spot, middle-monster Jasper Brinkley (6-2, 275), back for his senior season, returns after injury last season robbed him of his final eight games. Brinkley was a consensus preseason All-SEC pick a year ago after his breakout 2006 campaign that featured 107 tackles, 14.5 for losses.
After that, Johnson said it's "almost a mad scramble" to identify the players who will give the Gamecocks much-needed depth. Junior Rodney Paulk (6-0, 226), a two-year starter, will back up Brinkley in the middle, and senior Marvin Sapp (5-11, 228) projects to work behind Norwood. Johnson said it's impossible not to mention gritty senior Dustin Lindsey (6-4, 242), brother of defensive end Jordin Lindsey.
At the strong-side linebacker spot, Gerrod Sinclair (6-0, 234), an athletic junior, has the inside track to a starting nod. Early freshman enrollee Antonio Allen (6-2, 190) also could work into the rotation.
But it's Brinkley's return -- on the field and in the locker room -- that excites Johnson. "Physically, he's got all the tools," Johnson said. "He's a very athletic, tough and physical player. He's really bright and picks things up quickly. He's got a side of leadership that gives him the natural ability to be a great leader. On the field, he's a quarterback for our defense and off the field, he's a tremendous example to players."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Two of the most experienced secondary units in the country reside in the SEC East: South Carolina and Tennessee. Both return multiple starters and feature star wattage within those returning players.
For the Gamecocks, Captain Munnerlyn (5-9, 185) enters his junior campaign after garnering first-team All-SEC honors last season and carries with him the reputation as one of the league's top cover cornerbacks. Think electric blanket on a cold night. At the opposite corner is senior Carlos Thomas (5-11, 197), a three-year letter-winner with 20 career starts and ideal versatility. He began his career in Columbia as a wide receiver/kick returner.
Second-team All-SEC strong-safety Emanuel Cook (5-10, 214) returns from a 92-tackle, four-sack and three-interception breakout campaign. Roaming alongside Cook at free safety is another seasoned veteran, junior Darian Stewart (5-11, 218).
Red-shirt freshman Mark Barnes (6-2, 200) opens fall camp as Cook's backup, and converted wideout Chris Culliver (6-0, 191) backs up Stewart.
Enrolling in January and climbing the depth chart quickly was freshman cornerback Akeem Auguste (5-9, 179) of Hollywood, Fla. Sophomore Addison Williams (5-8, 181) completes the second level of the Gamecocks' secondary.
While experience is abundant on the Gamecocks' defense, so too were injuries. That created a delicate balance for Johnson, who has seen enough film and been around SEC football long enough to know what the injured players could bring to the USC defense if they return to form.
Still, it made the installation of his defensive sets slightly more problematic.
"It's been difficult. It was a good problem and a bad problem," Johnson said of trying to gain a consistent 11 on defense in spring camp. "It gave us a chance to look at some new faces. A couple of these guys are proven football players, and I'm not concerned about them missing spring practice other than the scheme. On the negative side, I don't know if we found the best 11 and who fits in there together. We're hoping to get them all healthy, eligible and on the field at the time."
PUNTERS
Ryan Succop's value hardly stops with his place-kicking abilities. The battle-tested senior was the No. 4 punter in the SEC last season with his 41.6-yard average, among the top 40 in the nation, and hammered a long of 58 yards.
Succop averaged a career-best 43.7 yards in 2006. He again is backed up by Spencer Lanning.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Joining Johnson as a new member of the staff is special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski.
Succop handles kickoff duties in addition to place-kicking and punting. Munnerlyn, McKinley and potentially senior tailback Bobby Wallace could all work as punt returners. Munnerlyn averaged 9.2 yards per return on 18 tries and had a career-best 46-yarder against Vanderbilt.
Culliver is back deep on kickoffs after generating a Freshman All-SEC selection for returning 34 kicks for 809 yards last season.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
With 54 returning letter winners, South Carolina is among the most experienced teams anywhere, and Steve Spurrier is hungry to win a championship in Columbia.
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<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Gamecocks</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>C+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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While Georgia, Florida and even Tennessee get most of the attention, the Gamecocks' defense could be the best of the bunch for handling the versatile offenses of the SEC and setting the table for a run toward a divisional title.
The quarterback uncertainty is troubling, but who better to manage that than Spurrier? Even if one quarterback doesn't hold the starting job all season, Spurrier will help the progression of all the quarterbacks. That could be enough with that defense.
Georgia, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee all visit South Carolina this year, and if the Gamecocks win three of those four, they can at least expect a New Year's Day bowl appearance.
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Tulsa
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Todd Graham came to Tulsa after the 2002 season as coach Steve Kragthorpe's defensive coordinator, the program had just endured its 11th consecutive losing season, including a 2-21 record in 2001-02. At that point, university leaders actually contemplated dropping to a lower level of football, or worse, eliminating the program altogether. Since then the Golden Hurricane has gone 39-26, with four winning seasons, four bowls, two bowl wins, two Conference USA West Division titles, one conference championship and a 10-4 finish in 2007, Graham's first as head coach after Kragthorpe left for Louisville.
Last June, the football program moved into a $10 million facility at H.A. Chapman Stadium, which is currently undergoing a $27 million renovation that includes a $1.3 million FieldTurf surface and a $3 million high-definition video scoreboard. That's an impressive commitment for a private school with an enrollment of 4,200 -- particularly for one that almost dropped football just five years ago.
"I'm really proud of the way this program has grown," said Graham, who left Tulsa for one year to be the head coach at Rice in 2006. "Five years ago, when we first came here the year before, they had torn the goal post down because they had won one game. They had the longest losing streak in college football at the time. "Now the expectation is that we need to be a Top 25 team. We're expected to win the Conference USA championship. That's how we want to be known. We want to be all about winning championships.
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"It's been an incredible run so far, but I think we're going to have our best team this year." Putting a better team on the field is hard to imagine for a program that lost record-setting quarterback Paul Smith and six defensive starters, including all three linebackers. Yet, Graham makes a solid case for giving the Golden Hurricane serious consideration as a conference title contender.
"The thing that gives me great confidence is that we're going to have the best offensive line we've had here, with four starters coming back and two or three newcomers," Graham said. "We're going to be bigger and more physical and more explosive up front, which means we're going to be able to run the ball better.
"Our defensive line is going to be the best it's ever been, and we've got great skill players. We've got more talent on the field than we've ever had since we've been here. We've got three good quarterbacks, so we want just one of them to step up because the play at that position is going to be critical for us.
"We're going to be better in all three phases, and our team speed is really improving, so I think we've got an opportunity to have the best team we've had here." Offensively, the Golden Hurricane returns nine starters from a no-huddle, hurry-up attack that led the nation in total offense with 543.9 yards per game and finished sixth in scoring with 41.14 points per game.
"We established a foundation," second-year offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. "We had very few returners coming back, which was probably a good thing learning a new system, and in the spring we felt like we were light years ahead with the learning and the base concepts with our base running and passing.
"We've got almost everyone coming back, so that should be a positive. That being said, we've got three quarterbacks that we feel like can come in and keep this thing going. It's a good thing for our quarterbacks that they'll be surrounded by experience."
Even though Tulsa finished third in the nation in passing last year, throwing for 371 yards per game, and Smith passed for 47 touchdowns, it's a common misperception that the Golden Hurricane is all pass, no run. Tulsa also ran for 171 yards per game in 2007 and proved to be a multi-dimensional offense that made good use of its versatile skill players. "We've got a lot of talent at receiver and running back, a lot of guys who can make plays around the quarterbacks," Malzahn said. "We're a run, play-action team, and even though a lot of people don't realize this, we ran it two more times than we threw it last year.
"We've really worked hard on the running game, especially in the spring, and [co-offensive coordinator] coach [Herb] Hand has done a great job with our offensive line, so we feel like we're even stronger in that area than we were last year. That should help us take some of the pressure off our quarterback, at least early."
While the offense thrived in its new scheme, the defense often struggled as a result and finished 100th in the nation in scoring defense and 108th in total defense, allowing 33.3 points and 451.8 yards per game.
"At times I thought we handled the no-huddle pretty good, and as the season went along, we handled it a little bit better, but it is different and it is a big adjustment," said co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, who as been part of the Tulsa staff since 2003. "Our offense scores a lot, and they score fast so you're back out on defense pretty quick. It's like playing fast-break basketball. You have to be in great condition defensively because we're going to play a lot of snaps.
"We did some of that toward the end of the year when we held Houston to seven points and they had the No. 4 offense in the country, and then we held Bowling Green to seven points and they had a top-40 offensive team."
Unfortunately for the Golden Hurricane defense, it lost some of the players who led that late-season progress, including three linebackers with considerable playing experience. Chris Chamberlain was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft and Nelson Coleman completed his career as Tulsa's all-time leading tackler.
"That's especially true at linebacker with guys like Nelson Coleman, Chris Chamberlain and Alain Karatepeyan," Patterson said. "Coleman played four years. Chamberlain played four years. Karatepeyan played three years.
"At the same time, I still think we have a chance to be good defensively. We've had a year to adjust to the offensive system, and we're used to the fast tempo and our kids are doing a better job conditioning themselves -- not just physically but mentally -- to play a few more snaps than what they'd been used to in the past. We also had a very physical spring practice, so I think our kids will be up to the challenge."
Even without the departed players, Patterson thinks the defense will be improved. "We're going to be better up front," he said. "We have some depth and some newcomers who are going to help us there. In the back end, we have some experience and depth. We're talented at linebacker; we're just not experienced. There won't be a talent drop-off, but the only way we're going to get experience is by throwing those guys into the fire. It's their turn."
QUARTERBACKS
For all his respect and admiration for Paul Smith, Graham is ready for the reality of moving on without him. "We need to build a statue of him and quit talking about him," Graham said after Tulsa's spring game. "It's killing us."
Tulsa is not without capable replacements, starting with senior David Johnson (6-3, 217). "David Johnson's been watching Paul Smith for the last four years and he got some quality reps at times last year," Malzahn said. "He has a great understanding of the offense and he's just a great character kid -- and he's got some physical tools, too."
Johnson enters the preseason as the No. 1 quarterback, but redshirt freshman Clark Harrell (6-4, 193) and junior college transfer Jacob Bower (6-3, 233) remain very much in the race. Bower originally signed with BYU out of high school, spent two years on an LDS mission and played at Bakersfield (Calif.) Junior College in 2007.
"Clark's got a year in the offense under his belt and he's an athletic guy with a lot of intangibles," Malzahn said. "Jacob Bower is the most talented of the three as far as athleticism -- just a big, strong guy with a big arm. He's just a little behind the other two in the learning curve because he hasn't been here as long."
Ultimately, the decision will come down to more than arms, legs and athleticism. "All of us, all nine assistants and myself, we put our jobs in the hands of whoever takes that snap," Graham said. "So we'll spend a lot of time on 'Who will this team follow?' Who's the guy that's the leader? That's what Paul Smith did. With Paul Smith, it was the intangibles that separated him, and he was phenomenal."
RUNNING BACKS
Tulsa entered the 2007 season with two capable, experienced backs but lost senior Courtney Tennial (5-10, 235) early in preseason camp to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
From there, senior Tarrion Adams (6-1, 210) took over and rushed for 1,225 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 30 passes and three touchdown receptions. "Tarrion was our bell cow last season," Malzahn said. "He's a warrior. He's one of the tougher football players on the field. He likes to do all the dirty work. He likes to block and he's really good in protection. He's got good hands -- he made a couple of really great catches last year. And then of course he's a really tough north-south runner."
Adam will split time at running back with sophomore Jamad Williams (5-9, 193) and redshirt freshman Charles Opeseyitan (5-10, 193).
"Jamad came up big for us at times when TA was banged up last year," Malzahn said, "and he had the best spring of any running back we have. He has a lot of explosiveness and speed and he catches the ball well, too. "Charles is our fastest running back and he'll be able to help us this year."
Tulsa doesn't play a traditional fullback. Instead, its fullbacks are a hybrid of running back, fullback, H-back and slot-back with plenty of motion and opportunities to run and catch the ball. Tennial will be one of Tulsa's two primary fullbacks. "He was really the guy we were counting on to lead our offense last year," Malzahn said. "It's so exciting to have him back. He's a big-time player. He blocks, runs, catches the ball well."
The other fullback is sophomore Charles Clay (6-3, 222), who made an immediate and impressive impact as a freshman by catching 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns. "He's capable of being as good as he wants to be," Malzahn said. "I don't think we've seen his best yet, so that's a good thing."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Tulsa's receivers offer a mix of talent, depth, experience and skills. "We've got a couple of speed guys, a couple of hard-nosed blockers, some guys with good hands," Malzahn said.
The most dynamic receiver is senior Brennan Marion (6-1, 185), who came to Tulsa as a junior college transfer last year and caught 39 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns. That's an amazing 31.9 yards per catch and a touchdown every 3.54 receptions.
"Last year he was more or less a deep, vertical threat," Malzahn said. "We feel like he's a more complete receiver now. He's worked hard on intermediate routes and coming out of his cuts."
Marion wasn't Tulsa's only impressive newcomer last year. Sophomore Trae Johnson (5-11, 170) led the Golden Hurricane with 70 receptions and 13 touchdowns to go with 1,088 receiving yards as a freshman.
"He's got some big-time ability and some of the strongest hands I've seen," Malzahn said. "He's still learning and getting better at the little things."
Experience comes from steady junior Jesse Meyer (6-4, 201). "He doesn't get talked about a lot, but he had a lot of yards and made some big catches last year," Malzahn said. "He also does a lot of the dirty work inside."
Like Meyer, junior Dion Tolliver (5-11, 170) "is another player who didn't get a lot of pub last year, but he did a lot of things right. He's a real physical blocker and made some big catches for us."
The most versatile receiver is sophomore A.J. Whitmore (5-9, 170), who will also play the role of quarterback in the Wildcat package Malzahn popularized at Arkansas in 2006.
"A.J. is one of our best all-around football players, so we'll definitely ask him to do more than he did last year," Malzahn said. "He's still figuring out how to play the receiver position after playing quarterback in high school, but he can still throw it, so we're going to find a way to play him at quarterback and use him in different ways this year."
Malzahn also expects help from his newcomers, including redshirt freshman Chris Ford (6-2, 186), who Malzahn says "is probably our best all-around athlete among the receivers." Junior Slick Shelley (6-4, 195), a Tennessee transfer who was considered one of the nation's top receiving prospects out of high school, brings big play potential. Incoming freshman Damaris Johnson (5-8, 170) was the Louisiana State player of the year and MVP of the state championship game.
At tight end, junior Jake Collums (6-4, 242) and sophomore Logan Cawyer (6-4, 248) will spend most of their time blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE
An experienced offensive line is led by junior right guard Justin Morsey (6-2, 282). "He's our anchor on the line," Malzahn said. "He has that attitude that sets the tone for everybody, and we can really count on him."
At right tackle, junior Rodrick Thomas (6-5, 344) "is a big, strong, talented guy," Malzahn said. Junior center Jody Whaley (6-4, 302) and junior left guard Curt Puckett (6-4, 297) made considerable progress in the spring.
The one opening is at left tackle. The leading candidate coming out of the spring is redshirt freshman Tyler Holmes (6-3, 299), but he'll compete for the starting job in the preseason with junior-college transfer Tevita Halaholo (6-5, 330).
Malzahn is looking for depth at both tackles from redshirt freshman Brandon Thomas (6-5, 250), at both guard spots from junior Travis Wike (6-4, 292) and at center from sophomore Nick Gates (6-2, 270).
KICKERS
After making 11-of-12 field-goal attempts in 2006, senior Jarod Tracy made only 7-of-12 last season. Graham attributes some of it to a heavy engineering class schedule and practice conflicts and expects Tracy to get back on track this season.
"Our field goal kicker was inconsistent last year," Graham said, "but he was good the year before, and I think last year was just one of those things, and he can be as good as he was in 2006. I've told him I believe in him and we didn't recruit a replacement."
DEFENSIVE LINE
When the front line of Tulsa's 3-3-5 defense struggled last year, the entire defense usually followed suit. That was particularly apparent in a 44-23 loss at UCF midway through the season and a 44-25 loss to UCF in the C-USA championship game. "The difference between us and Central Florida last year was up front," co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson said. "They were able to handle us up front, but we've got a lot of experience coming back up there, and I think we'll be a lot better."
Tulsa's hopes for better play up front will depend first and foremost on the play of senior left end Moton Hopkins (6-3, 270) and senior nose-guard Terrel Nemons (6-4, 330). "It starts with Moton Hopkins," Patterson said. "He started in 2005 when we won the Conference USA championship and won the Liberty Bowl, and he's played a lot of football here the last four years. That's a good place to start.
"We have the same situation with Terrel Nemons. He's been playing for four years here. He's huge, so he's hard to move inside, and he gives us an anchor who can hold his space in the middle of the defense, which is critical in the three-man odd front. This is his senior year, so this is it for him."
Junior Wilson Garrison (6-4, 284) also brings experience to the line, having started three games and split time with junior George Clinkscale (6-0, 241) and sophomore Odrick Ray (6-3, 240) at right defensive end last year. Now he's at nose guard behind Nemons. Garrison's move allows Ray to move up to the first team, where Patterson expects him to grow into a key role for the Golden Hurricane.
"Odrick was a part-time player for us last year," Patterson said, "but he's shown us a lot last season and in the spring. He's extremely athletic, and we think he's going to be able to pressure the quarterback."
Patterson is also looking for possible help from three newcomers, junior college transfer defensive end Un'tavious Scott (6-3, 235) and freshmen Derrick Jackson (6-2, 285) and Cory Dorris (6-4, 241). "Physically they're ready," Patterson said. "We'll see if they can handle everything else."
LINEBACKERS
Because Tulsa played the trio of Chamberlain, Coleman and Karatepeyan the majority of the time last year, the lack of experience at linebacker is even more pronounced.
"We might face a little inconsistency at times," Patterson said, "but I think we have enough players where we can rotate them in and out of the game and teach and correct as we go."
The most experienced linebacker is Clinkscale, who enters the preseason as the No. 1 Sam linebacker. "George has played off and on at linebacker for two years, but with all the experience we had at linebacker last year, we moved him to defensive end because we needed more help there," Patterson said. "Now he's back at linebacker, but he's still a guy we can move back down and use him in different ways."
In the middle, junior Mike Bryan (6-3, 216) is finally on the verge of starting after waiting patiently for his turn. "Mike has spent the last two years playing behind really good players, and he's been a big contributor on special teams," Patterson said. "We've been looking forward to seeing what he can do, and now is his time to step up and see if he can do it down-in, down-out."
The No. 1 Will linebacker out of spring practice was sophomore Tanner Antle (6-4, 210). "He's a tall, rangy linebacker and a big-time contributor on special teams for us last year," Patterson said. "Tanner is extremely talented. We're really looking for a big year from him."
The depth at linebacker is young. But Patterson is especially excited about the prospects for players such as redshirt freshman Will linebacker Curnelius Arnick (6-1, 223), who Patterson said, "has great size for a linebacker but moves like a 180-pound defensive back. He'll provide solid depth at the beginning of the season, but by the end of the season he'll be on the field quite a bit."
Patterson said sophomore middle linebacker Kenny R. Sims (6-0, 221) "probably has as much linebacker ability as anyone we have. He's very instinctive, very quick, powerful, explosive."
Patterson is also hoping for immediate help from junior college transfer Kaipo Sarkissian (6-1, 230) at Sam linebacker, incoming freshman Brian Moore at either outside linebacker spot and incoming freshmen Alan Dock (5-10, 210) and Zack Wallace (6-1, 223) in the middle.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
With cornerbacks coach Jason Jones leaving for Oklahoma State and safeties coach Jess Loepp "pursuing other opportunities," Patterson is now coaching the defensive backs, the area he has coached through his career and most of his time at Tulsa. Patterson has some options, depending on which combinations work best together, but the one person most certain to be in the mix is senior Roy Roberts (5-11, 205), who can play either cornerback or bandit safety.
"It starts with Roy Roberts because he's a guy who can totally eliminate people," Patterson said. "He's a very physical, strong corner. He's an unbelievable competitor. He's like Moton. He's a four-year starter, and he's played in two [C-USA] championship games and two bowl wins and brings a lot of poise and confidence to the other players in the back end."
Where Roberts ends up has a lot to do with the progress of the other corners. Patterson said senior Jon Destin (6-0, 185) "is a guy we're expecting great things in from the corner" and junior Kenny D. Sims (5-11, 192) "is a versatile guy who has played corner and safety for us. He gives us three solid corners with Roy Roberts and Jon Destin." At free safety, junior Charles Davis (5-9, 180) continues to be Tulsa's best option after moving there from cornerback midway through the 2007 season. Graham has admitted more than once that he wasn't ready to move Davis to free safety because of his size, but his assistant coaches and Davis finally changed his mind.
"We had a missing component in our secondary. We were a safety short to be the kind of defense we need to be," Patterson said. "We're sitting in the meetings going back and forth and finally we just threw him in there. As soon as we did, things started to solidify, because he knows what's going on and he's going to be in position.
"Here's a guy with free safety skills in a cornerback's body. He's one of the biggest hitters on our team and he weighs about 180 pounds. We list him at 5-9 but he's probably 5-7, 5-8, and there were times last season when he was probably about 160 pounds, yet he hit BYU's 240-pound running back and completely knocked him out of his shoes and on his back. He's the most mild-mannered, soft-spoken guy, but he packs a punch."
Patterson is also counting on help from two junior college transfers -- junior Ade' Manga (6-2, 210), who enrolled in January, participated in spring practice and is competing with senior Ty Page (6-2, 210) at spur safety; and junior Kollin Hancock (6-0, 180), who will arrive this summer and compete at one of the safety spots. Even the incoming freshmen, especially safety Trent Wilkins (5-11, 191) and corners John Flanders (5-10, 163) and Cody Lambert (6-0, 168), will have a chance to compete for immediate playing time.
"We don't mind playing a freshman if we need to," Patterson said. "Look at the impact those freshmen made on the offense last year. Those guys didn't play like freshmen. We're not afraid to throw them out there and say, 'time to grow up.' "
PUNTERS
In addition to his value at quarterback, Paul Smith also punted 16 times last season, often in pooch situations, and averaged 39.3 yards per punt and with 10 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Even without Smith, Graham is convinced sophomore Michael Such (6-2, 205) will be much better in second full season at Tulsa after transferring from Nebraska. He averaged 39 yards per punt last season.
"We think he's got the potential to be one of the best punters in the conference," Graham said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Improving Tulsa's poor kickoff coverage unit is so important that Graham signed kicker Kevin Fitzpatrick (6-2, 175) to a scholarship so he could help the Golden Hurricane with kickoffs and long field goals.
"We averaged kicking the ball to about the 15 last year, so a lot of the time our opponents were starting out at the 40- to 45-yard line," Graham said. "This year we recruited a kickoff specialist, so we've gone from three special teams scholarships to four. We think our kickoff is going to get a lot better."
Fitzpatrick, from Jensen Beach (Fla.) High School, made a 49-yard field goal last season, so he's got the leg strength Tulsa seeks. The other big addition to the kicking game was the decision to make assistant coach Bill Blankenship the special teams coordinator.
"Coach Blankenship approached me about it," Graham said. "He saw that was an area where we could get a whole lot better. We talked about it, and I visited with some people I trust in the business, and I decided to have a true special teams coordinator. "It's a no-brainer to me. That is the area that we can make the most improvement."
Between Blankenship and increased speed among the young defensive backs, linebackers and receivers, Graham said the difference in the coverage and return units is "night and day." Graham is convinced one byproduct will be more room for Roberts and Trae Johnson on kickoffs and Damarius Johnson on punt returns. "I think the return game is really going to be special for us," Graham said.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
After playing BYU and Oklahoma in September last year, the Golden Hurricane will play nonconference games at North Texas and at home against New Mexico and Central Arkansas. Its final nonconference game it will come at Arkansas on Nov. 1. After changing the schedule to move a road game at UAB to Aug. 30, Tulsa now has an open date between the Arkansas game and a key game at division rival Houston on Nov. 15.
"I think it's a very manageable schedule," Graham said. It's also a schedule that should allow Tulsa to grow into the season and experiment with using Whitmore as the Wildcat quarterback, as well as Clay, Adams and Trey Johnson on defense and Roberts on reverses.
The Tulsa coaches have not been shy about trying new things and taking chances. They're committed to doing whatever it takes to reach their lofty goals.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Tulsa Golden Hurricane</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
"We want to be the next Louisville. We want to do the same thing Boise State and Hawaii have done. We want to be a Top 25 program," Graham said. "It's a process, but we feel like we've worked hard to put ourselves in a position to achieve those goals. It's something our team talks about wanting to do.
"The first thing we've got to do is bring the conference championship back to Tulsa. We won it in 2005 in our first year in the conference, and then won the division last year but came up short in the championship game.
"We want to win the conference championship first and foremost, and then we want to go to a BCS bowl, and we know to do that we need to be undefeated. At the same time, we haven't really done anything to brag or boast about. We'll have to do our talking on the field."
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Tulsa, Okla.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Conference USA (West)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>10-4 (.714)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (1st)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Golden Hurricane</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Old Gold, Royal Blue & Crimson </TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Skelly Stadium (35,452)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Todd Graham (East Central '88)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>10-4 (1 year)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>17-10 (2 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Gus Malzahn (Henderson State '90), Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Herb Hand (Hamilton College '90), Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
• Paul Randolph (Tennessee-Martin '90), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
• Keith Patterson (East Central '86), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Bill Blankenship (Tulsa '79), Special Teams
• Bo Graham (Tulsa '06) , Running Backs
• Dean Jackson (Wichita State '81), Tight Ends
• Galen Scott (Illinois State '01) , Linebackers
• Brent Graham (Tarleton State '01), Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>8-4-9-8-10</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>64-88-54-74-53</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Bowling Green in GMAC Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>at UAB </TD><TD>4:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>at North Texas </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>New Mexico </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Central Arkansas </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Rice </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at Southern Methodist </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>UTEP </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 26</TD><TD>UCF </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Arkansas </TD><TD>2:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at Houston </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>3:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>at Marshall </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Todd Graham came to Tulsa after the 2002 season as coach Steve Kragthorpe's defensive coordinator, the program had just endured its 11th consecutive losing season, including a 2-21 record in 2001-02. At that point, university leaders actually contemplated dropping to a lower level of football, or worse, eliminating the program altogether. Since then the Golden Hurricane has gone 39-26, with four winning seasons, four bowls, two bowl wins, two Conference USA West Division titles, one conference championship and a 10-4 finish in 2007, Graham's first as head coach after Kragthorpe left for Louisville.
Last June, the football program moved into a $10 million facility at H.A. Chapman Stadium, which is currently undergoing a $27 million renovation that includes a $1.3 million FieldTurf surface and a $3 million high-definition video scoreboard. That's an impressive commitment for a private school with an enrollment of 4,200 -- particularly for one that almost dropped football just five years ago.
"I'm really proud of the way this program has grown," said Graham, who left Tulsa for one year to be the head coach at Rice in 2006. "Five years ago, when we first came here the year before, they had torn the goal post down because they had won one game. They had the longest losing streak in college football at the time. "Now the expectation is that we need to be a Top 25 team. We're expected to win the Conference USA championship. That's how we want to be known. We want to be all about winning championships.
<OFFER>
"It's been an incredible run so far, but I think we're going to have our best team this year." Putting a better team on the field is hard to imagine for a program that lost record-setting quarterback Paul Smith and six defensive starters, including all three linebackers. Yet, Graham makes a solid case for giving the Golden Hurricane serious consideration as a conference title contender.
"The thing that gives me great confidence is that we're going to have the best offensive line we've had here, with four starters coming back and two or three newcomers," Graham said. "We're going to be bigger and more physical and more explosive up front, which means we're going to be able to run the ball better.
"Our defensive line is going to be the best it's ever been, and we've got great skill players. We've got more talent on the field than we've ever had since we've been here. We've got three good quarterbacks, so we want just one of them to step up because the play at that position is going to be critical for us.
"We're going to be better in all three phases, and our team speed is really improving, so I think we've got an opportunity to have the best team we've had here." Offensively, the Golden Hurricane returns nine starters from a no-huddle, hurry-up attack that led the nation in total offense with 543.9 yards per game and finished sixth in scoring with 41.14 points per game.
"We established a foundation," second-year offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. "We had very few returners coming back, which was probably a good thing learning a new system, and in the spring we felt like we were light years ahead with the learning and the base concepts with our base running and passing.
"We've got almost everyone coming back, so that should be a positive. That being said, we've got three quarterbacks that we feel like can come in and keep this thing going. It's a good thing for our quarterbacks that they'll be surrounded by experience."
Even though Tulsa finished third in the nation in passing last year, throwing for 371 yards per game, and Smith passed for 47 touchdowns, it's a common misperception that the Golden Hurricane is all pass, no run. Tulsa also ran for 171 yards per game in 2007 and proved to be a multi-dimensional offense that made good use of its versatile skill players. "We've got a lot of talent at receiver and running back, a lot of guys who can make plays around the quarterbacks," Malzahn said. "We're a run, play-action team, and even though a lot of people don't realize this, we ran it two more times than we threw it last year.
"We've really worked hard on the running game, especially in the spring, and [co-offensive coordinator] coach [Herb] Hand has done a great job with our offensive line, so we feel like we're even stronger in that area than we were last year. That should help us take some of the pressure off our quarterback, at least early."
While the offense thrived in its new scheme, the defense often struggled as a result and finished 100th in the nation in scoring defense and 108th in total defense, allowing 33.3 points and 451.8 yards per game.
"At times I thought we handled the no-huddle pretty good, and as the season went along, we handled it a little bit better, but it is different and it is a big adjustment," said co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, who as been part of the Tulsa staff since 2003. "Our offense scores a lot, and they score fast so you're back out on defense pretty quick. It's like playing fast-break basketball. You have to be in great condition defensively because we're going to play a lot of snaps.
"We did some of that toward the end of the year when we held Houston to seven points and they had the No. 4 offense in the country, and then we held Bowling Green to seven points and they had a top-40 offensive team."
Unfortunately for the Golden Hurricane defense, it lost some of the players who led that late-season progress, including three linebackers with considerable playing experience. Chris Chamberlain was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft and Nelson Coleman completed his career as Tulsa's all-time leading tackler.
"That's especially true at linebacker with guys like Nelson Coleman, Chris Chamberlain and Alain Karatepeyan," Patterson said. "Coleman played four years. Chamberlain played four years. Karatepeyan played three years.
"At the same time, I still think we have a chance to be good defensively. We've had a year to adjust to the offensive system, and we're used to the fast tempo and our kids are doing a better job conditioning themselves -- not just physically but mentally -- to play a few more snaps than what they'd been used to in the past. We also had a very physical spring practice, so I think our kids will be up to the challenge."
Even without the departed players, Patterson thinks the defense will be improved. "We're going to be better up front," he said. "We have some depth and some newcomers who are going to help us there. In the back end, we have some experience and depth. We're talented at linebacker; we're just not experienced. There won't be a talent drop-off, but the only way we're going to get experience is by throwing those guys into the fire. It's their turn."
QUARTERBACKS
For all his respect and admiration for Paul Smith, Graham is ready for the reality of moving on without him. "We need to build a statue of him and quit talking about him," Graham said after Tulsa's spring game. "It's killing us."
Tulsa is not without capable replacements, starting with senior David Johnson (6-3, 217). "David Johnson's been watching Paul Smith for the last four years and he got some quality reps at times last year," Malzahn said. "He has a great understanding of the offense and he's just a great character kid -- and he's got some physical tools, too."
Johnson enters the preseason as the No. 1 quarterback, but redshirt freshman Clark Harrell (6-4, 193) and junior college transfer Jacob Bower (6-3, 233) remain very much in the race. Bower originally signed with BYU out of high school, spent two years on an LDS mission and played at Bakersfield (Calif.) Junior College in 2007.
"Clark's got a year in the offense under his belt and he's an athletic guy with a lot of intangibles," Malzahn said. "Jacob Bower is the most talented of the three as far as athleticism -- just a big, strong guy with a big arm. He's just a little behind the other two in the learning curve because he hasn't been here as long."
Ultimately, the decision will come down to more than arms, legs and athleticism. "All of us, all nine assistants and myself, we put our jobs in the hands of whoever takes that snap," Graham said. "So we'll spend a lot of time on 'Who will this team follow?' Who's the guy that's the leader? That's what Paul Smith did. With Paul Smith, it was the intangibles that separated him, and he was phenomenal."
RUNNING BACKS
Tulsa entered the 2007 season with two capable, experienced backs but lost senior Courtney Tennial (5-10, 235) early in preseason camp to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
From there, senior Tarrion Adams (6-1, 210) took over and rushed for 1,225 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 30 passes and three touchdown receptions. "Tarrion was our bell cow last season," Malzahn said. "He's a warrior. He's one of the tougher football players on the field. He likes to do all the dirty work. He likes to block and he's really good in protection. He's got good hands -- he made a couple of really great catches last year. And then of course he's a really tough north-south runner."
Adam will split time at running back with sophomore Jamad Williams (5-9, 193) and redshirt freshman Charles Opeseyitan (5-10, 193).
"Jamad came up big for us at times when TA was banged up last year," Malzahn said, "and he had the best spring of any running back we have. He has a lot of explosiveness and speed and he catches the ball well, too. "Charles is our fastest running back and he'll be able to help us this year."
Tulsa doesn't play a traditional fullback. Instead, its fullbacks are a hybrid of running back, fullback, H-back and slot-back with plenty of motion and opportunities to run and catch the ball. Tennial will be one of Tulsa's two primary fullbacks. "He was really the guy we were counting on to lead our offense last year," Malzahn said. "It's so exciting to have him back. He's a big-time player. He blocks, runs, catches the ball well."
The other fullback is sophomore Charles Clay (6-3, 222), who made an immediate and impressive impact as a freshman by catching 69 passes for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns. "He's capable of being as good as he wants to be," Malzahn said. "I don't think we've seen his best yet, so that's a good thing."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Tulsa's receivers offer a mix of talent, depth, experience and skills. "We've got a couple of speed guys, a couple of hard-nosed blockers, some guys with good hands," Malzahn said.
The most dynamic receiver is senior Brennan Marion (6-1, 185), who came to Tulsa as a junior college transfer last year and caught 39 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns. That's an amazing 31.9 yards per catch and a touchdown every 3.54 receptions.
"Last year he was more or less a deep, vertical threat," Malzahn said. "We feel like he's a more complete receiver now. He's worked hard on intermediate routes and coming out of his cuts."
Marion wasn't Tulsa's only impressive newcomer last year. Sophomore Trae Johnson (5-11, 170) led the Golden Hurricane with 70 receptions and 13 touchdowns to go with 1,088 receiving yards as a freshman.
"He's got some big-time ability and some of the strongest hands I've seen," Malzahn said. "He's still learning and getting better at the little things."
Experience comes from steady junior Jesse Meyer (6-4, 201). "He doesn't get talked about a lot, but he had a lot of yards and made some big catches last year," Malzahn said. "He also does a lot of the dirty work inside."
Like Meyer, junior Dion Tolliver (5-11, 170) "is another player who didn't get a lot of pub last year, but he did a lot of things right. He's a real physical blocker and made some big catches for us."
The most versatile receiver is sophomore A.J. Whitmore (5-9, 170), who will also play the role of quarterback in the Wildcat package Malzahn popularized at Arkansas in 2006.
"A.J. is one of our best all-around football players, so we'll definitely ask him to do more than he did last year," Malzahn said. "He's still figuring out how to play the receiver position after playing quarterback in high school, but he can still throw it, so we're going to find a way to play him at quarterback and use him in different ways this year."
Malzahn also expects help from his newcomers, including redshirt freshman Chris Ford (6-2, 186), who Malzahn says "is probably our best all-around athlete among the receivers." Junior Slick Shelley (6-4, 195), a Tennessee transfer who was considered one of the nation's top receiving prospects out of high school, brings big play potential. Incoming freshman Damaris Johnson (5-8, 170) was the Louisiana State player of the year and MVP of the state championship game.
At tight end, junior Jake Collums (6-4, 242) and sophomore Logan Cawyer (6-4, 248) will spend most of their time blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE
An experienced offensive line is led by junior right guard Justin Morsey (6-2, 282). "He's our anchor on the line," Malzahn said. "He has that attitude that sets the tone for everybody, and we can really count on him."
At right tackle, junior Rodrick Thomas (6-5, 344) "is a big, strong, talented guy," Malzahn said. Junior center Jody Whaley (6-4, 302) and junior left guard Curt Puckett (6-4, 297) made considerable progress in the spring.
The one opening is at left tackle. The leading candidate coming out of the spring is redshirt freshman Tyler Holmes (6-3, 299), but he'll compete for the starting job in the preseason with junior-college transfer Tevita Halaholo (6-5, 330).
Malzahn is looking for depth at both tackles from redshirt freshman Brandon Thomas (6-5, 250), at both guard spots from junior Travis Wike (6-4, 292) and at center from sophomore Nick Gates (6-2, 270).
KICKERS
After making 11-of-12 field-goal attempts in 2006, senior Jarod Tracy made only 7-of-12 last season. Graham attributes some of it to a heavy engineering class schedule and practice conflicts and expects Tracy to get back on track this season.
"Our field goal kicker was inconsistent last year," Graham said, "but he was good the year before, and I think last year was just one of those things, and he can be as good as he was in 2006. I've told him I believe in him and we didn't recruit a replacement."
DEFENSIVE LINE
When the front line of Tulsa's 3-3-5 defense struggled last year, the entire defense usually followed suit. That was particularly apparent in a 44-23 loss at UCF midway through the season and a 44-25 loss to UCF in the C-USA championship game. "The difference between us and Central Florida last year was up front," co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson said. "They were able to handle us up front, but we've got a lot of experience coming back up there, and I think we'll be a lot better."
Tulsa's hopes for better play up front will depend first and foremost on the play of senior left end Moton Hopkins (6-3, 270) and senior nose-guard Terrel Nemons (6-4, 330). "It starts with Moton Hopkins," Patterson said. "He started in 2005 when we won the Conference USA championship and won the Liberty Bowl, and he's played a lot of football here the last four years. That's a good place to start.
"We have the same situation with Terrel Nemons. He's been playing for four years here. He's huge, so he's hard to move inside, and he gives us an anchor who can hold his space in the middle of the defense, which is critical in the three-man odd front. This is his senior year, so this is it for him."
Junior Wilson Garrison (6-4, 284) also brings experience to the line, having started three games and split time with junior George Clinkscale (6-0, 241) and sophomore Odrick Ray (6-3, 240) at right defensive end last year. Now he's at nose guard behind Nemons. Garrison's move allows Ray to move up to the first team, where Patterson expects him to grow into a key role for the Golden Hurricane.
"Odrick was a part-time player for us last year," Patterson said, "but he's shown us a lot last season and in the spring. He's extremely athletic, and we think he's going to be able to pressure the quarterback."
Patterson is also looking for possible help from three newcomers, junior college transfer defensive end Un'tavious Scott (6-3, 235) and freshmen Derrick Jackson (6-2, 285) and Cory Dorris (6-4, 241). "Physically they're ready," Patterson said. "We'll see if they can handle everything else."
LINEBACKERS
Because Tulsa played the trio of Chamberlain, Coleman and Karatepeyan the majority of the time last year, the lack of experience at linebacker is even more pronounced.
"We might face a little inconsistency at times," Patterson said, "but I think we have enough players where we can rotate them in and out of the game and teach and correct as we go."
The most experienced linebacker is Clinkscale, who enters the preseason as the No. 1 Sam linebacker. "George has played off and on at linebacker for two years, but with all the experience we had at linebacker last year, we moved him to defensive end because we needed more help there," Patterson said. "Now he's back at linebacker, but he's still a guy we can move back down and use him in different ways."
In the middle, junior Mike Bryan (6-3, 216) is finally on the verge of starting after waiting patiently for his turn. "Mike has spent the last two years playing behind really good players, and he's been a big contributor on special teams," Patterson said. "We've been looking forward to seeing what he can do, and now is his time to step up and see if he can do it down-in, down-out."
The No. 1 Will linebacker out of spring practice was sophomore Tanner Antle (6-4, 210). "He's a tall, rangy linebacker and a big-time contributor on special teams for us last year," Patterson said. "Tanner is extremely talented. We're really looking for a big year from him."
The depth at linebacker is young. But Patterson is especially excited about the prospects for players such as redshirt freshman Will linebacker Curnelius Arnick (6-1, 223), who Patterson said, "has great size for a linebacker but moves like a 180-pound defensive back. He'll provide solid depth at the beginning of the season, but by the end of the season he'll be on the field quite a bit."
Patterson said sophomore middle linebacker Kenny R. Sims (6-0, 221) "probably has as much linebacker ability as anyone we have. He's very instinctive, very quick, powerful, explosive."
Patterson is also hoping for immediate help from junior college transfer Kaipo Sarkissian (6-1, 230) at Sam linebacker, incoming freshman Brian Moore at either outside linebacker spot and incoming freshmen Alan Dock (5-10, 210) and Zack Wallace (6-1, 223) in the middle.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
With cornerbacks coach Jason Jones leaving for Oklahoma State and safeties coach Jess Loepp "pursuing other opportunities," Patterson is now coaching the defensive backs, the area he has coached through his career and most of his time at Tulsa. Patterson has some options, depending on which combinations work best together, but the one person most certain to be in the mix is senior Roy Roberts (5-11, 205), who can play either cornerback or bandit safety.
"It starts with Roy Roberts because he's a guy who can totally eliminate people," Patterson said. "He's a very physical, strong corner. He's an unbelievable competitor. He's like Moton. He's a four-year starter, and he's played in two [C-USA] championship games and two bowl wins and brings a lot of poise and confidence to the other players in the back end."
Where Roberts ends up has a lot to do with the progress of the other corners. Patterson said senior Jon Destin (6-0, 185) "is a guy we're expecting great things in from the corner" and junior Kenny D. Sims (5-11, 192) "is a versatile guy who has played corner and safety for us. He gives us three solid corners with Roy Roberts and Jon Destin." At free safety, junior Charles Davis (5-9, 180) continues to be Tulsa's best option after moving there from cornerback midway through the 2007 season. Graham has admitted more than once that he wasn't ready to move Davis to free safety because of his size, but his assistant coaches and Davis finally changed his mind.
"We had a missing component in our secondary. We were a safety short to be the kind of defense we need to be," Patterson said. "We're sitting in the meetings going back and forth and finally we just threw him in there. As soon as we did, things started to solidify, because he knows what's going on and he's going to be in position.
"Here's a guy with free safety skills in a cornerback's body. He's one of the biggest hitters on our team and he weighs about 180 pounds. We list him at 5-9 but he's probably 5-7, 5-8, and there were times last season when he was probably about 160 pounds, yet he hit BYU's 240-pound running back and completely knocked him out of his shoes and on his back. He's the most mild-mannered, soft-spoken guy, but he packs a punch."
Patterson is also counting on help from two junior college transfers -- junior Ade' Manga (6-2, 210), who enrolled in January, participated in spring practice and is competing with senior Ty Page (6-2, 210) at spur safety; and junior Kollin Hancock (6-0, 180), who will arrive this summer and compete at one of the safety spots. Even the incoming freshmen, especially safety Trent Wilkins (5-11, 191) and corners John Flanders (5-10, 163) and Cody Lambert (6-0, 168), will have a chance to compete for immediate playing time.
"We don't mind playing a freshman if we need to," Patterson said. "Look at the impact those freshmen made on the offense last year. Those guys didn't play like freshmen. We're not afraid to throw them out there and say, 'time to grow up.' "
PUNTERS
In addition to his value at quarterback, Paul Smith also punted 16 times last season, often in pooch situations, and averaged 39.3 yards per punt and with 10 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Even without Smith, Graham is convinced sophomore Michael Such (6-2, 205) will be much better in second full season at Tulsa after transferring from Nebraska. He averaged 39 yards per punt last season.
"We think he's got the potential to be one of the best punters in the conference," Graham said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Improving Tulsa's poor kickoff coverage unit is so important that Graham signed kicker Kevin Fitzpatrick (6-2, 175) to a scholarship so he could help the Golden Hurricane with kickoffs and long field goals.
"We averaged kicking the ball to about the 15 last year, so a lot of the time our opponents were starting out at the 40- to 45-yard line," Graham said. "This year we recruited a kickoff specialist, so we've gone from three special teams scholarships to four. We think our kickoff is going to get a lot better."
Fitzpatrick, from Jensen Beach (Fla.) High School, made a 49-yard field goal last season, so he's got the leg strength Tulsa seeks. The other big addition to the kicking game was the decision to make assistant coach Bill Blankenship the special teams coordinator.
"Coach Blankenship approached me about it," Graham said. "He saw that was an area where we could get a whole lot better. We talked about it, and I visited with some people I trust in the business, and I decided to have a true special teams coordinator. "It's a no-brainer to me. That is the area that we can make the most improvement."
Between Blankenship and increased speed among the young defensive backs, linebackers and receivers, Graham said the difference in the coverage and return units is "night and day." Graham is convinced one byproduct will be more room for Roberts and Trae Johnson on kickoffs and Damarius Johnson on punt returns. "I think the return game is really going to be special for us," Graham said.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
After playing BYU and Oklahoma in September last year, the Golden Hurricane will play nonconference games at North Texas and at home against New Mexico and Central Arkansas. Its final nonconference game it will come at Arkansas on Nov. 1. After changing the schedule to move a road game at UAB to Aug. 30, Tulsa now has an open date between the Arkansas game and a key game at division rival Houston on Nov. 15.
"I think it's a very manageable schedule," Graham said. It's also a schedule that should allow Tulsa to grow into the season and experiment with using Whitmore as the Wildcat quarterback, as well as Clay, Adams and Trey Johnson on defense and Roberts on reverses.
The Tulsa coaches have not been shy about trying new things and taking chances. They're committed to doing whatever it takes to reach their lofty goals.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Tulsa Golden Hurricane</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
"We want to be the next Louisville. We want to do the same thing Boise State and Hawaii have done. We want to be a Top 25 program," Graham said. "It's a process, but we feel like we've worked hard to put ourselves in a position to achieve those goals. It's something our team talks about wanting to do.
"The first thing we've got to do is bring the conference championship back to Tulsa. We won it in 2005 in our first year in the conference, and then won the division last year but came up short in the championship game.
"We want to win the conference championship first and foremost, and then we want to go to a BCS bowl, and we know to do that we need to be undefeated. At the same time, we haven't really done anything to brag or boast about. We'll have to do our talking on the field."
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Tulsa, Okla.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Conference USA (West)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>10-4 (.714)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (1st)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Golden Hurricane</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Old Gold, Royal Blue & Crimson </TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Skelly Stadium (35,452)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Todd Graham (East Central '88)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>10-4 (1 year)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>17-10 (2 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Gus Malzahn (Henderson State '90), Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Herb Hand (Hamilton College '90), Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
• Paul Randolph (Tennessee-Martin '90), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
• Keith Patterson (East Central '86), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Bill Blankenship (Tulsa '79), Special Teams
• Bo Graham (Tulsa '06) , Running Backs
• Dean Jackson (Wichita State '81), Tight Ends
• Galen Scott (Illinois State '01) , Linebackers
• Brent Graham (Tarleton State '01), Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>8-4-9-8-10</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>64-88-54-74-53</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Bowling Green in GMAC Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>at UAB </TD><TD>4:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>at North Texas </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>New Mexico </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Central Arkansas </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Rice </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at Southern Methodist </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>UTEP </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 26</TD><TD>UCF </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Arkansas </TD><TD>2:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at Houston </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>3:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>at Marshall </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
cubsker
Used to be "Fun Cub"
FYP
Notre Dame
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis said at a press conference in early January that he had no intention of making any coaching staff changes until after National Signing Day in early February, the reporters present apparently didn't believe him. So they asked him again. Once again, Weis stonewalled them.
"There's not even going to be a thought in my mind until we're done recruiting," Weis said. "It's a rhetorical question because I'm not even going to think about it until we're done with recruiting."
Not only, however, was there a thought, there was an entire thought process, which Weis described in detail on Feb. 8, nine days after hiring Jon Tenuta as an assistant head coach in charge of the defense, a move that demoted former assistant head coach Bill Smith to the athletics community relations staff.
To summarize, Weis said he knew something had to be done to his defense, and once he decided it had to come at the expense of Smith, he wanted to hire another veteran coach to replace Smith and work with defensive coordinator Corwin Brown. Once he settled on Tenuta, it was a matter of making sure Brown was comfortable with his decision.
"The No. 1 thing I wanted to do was make sure that we had an idea guy," Weis said of his conversations with Brown. "I told Corwin, 'As long as you're the defensive coordinator, you're always running the defense, you're always calling the defense.' "
<OFFER>Although it didn't go down in the smoothest way possible for Weis, which has been a theme of his tenure with the Fighting Irish, he appears to have landed a good coach in Tenuta, whose last job was as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator. Tenuta's defenses have the reputation of being blitz-crazy, which Notre Dame found out first-hand in last year's season-opener. The Yellow Jackets sacked the Fighting Irish nine times on their way to a 33-3 win. Tenuta's defenses have consistently ranked in the top 25 and have been among the best in tackles for loss. Last year they led the Bowl Subdivision in sacks and finished fourth in tackles for loss.
Tenuta's reputation as a defensive coach is beyond reproach, but it will bear watching how he and Brown work together. During the spring, Tenuta appeared to approach their relationship as one of mentor and protégée, with him dispensing knowledge of how to fine-tune schemes. Brown happily accepted the advice, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be so accepting if the Fighting Irish's defense is as porous as last year, or Tenuta attempts to exert more control.
The other coach-related move that will add spice to the preseason is Weis' bequeathing of play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Mike Haywood. Weis appeared to relish call-ing the plays, but at the same press conference in which he described Tenuta's hiring, he admitted he needed to let Haywood have some of the fun.
"I'm going to try to cut the proverbial -- figurative -- umbilical cord and try to move myself a little bit away from being the sole primary guy on the offensive staff,'' Weis said. "So in the springtime, we'll start with the offensive staff running the offense. That means that all the offensive coaches now won't have to worry about the ever presence of the head coach breathing down their neck all the time.
"I'm trying to do this; this is a tough one for me to do. But I'm trying to give them an opportunity to run the offense with me interjecting rather than me demanding and telling them everything that we're going to do."
If Weis is able to remain true to his promise, he said he'll spend more time with the rest of the team, getting to know each of his players, not just the offensive ones. Senior cornerback Terrail Lambert noticed the change in Weis during the spring.
"I'd call it a subtle change," Lambert said. "He's always been there for us as a coach on and off the field. I just think this one thing he's kind of experimenting with to see how it works and how we respond."
QUARTERBACKS
There was no dog-and-pony press release at the conclusion of this season's spring practice, as there was last year, touting the merits of all of Notre Dame's quarterbacks. In fact, there was no subterfuge at all by Weis and his coaching staff. The 2008 quarterback depth chart is very simple: sophomore Jimmy Clausen (6-3, 207) began spring practice as the starter, ended spring practice as the starter, and will be the starter come Sept. 6, when the Fighting Irish play host to San Diego State. The rest of the quarterbacks on the roster should make sure they have a comfortable baseball hat and clip board.
Weis' master plan to have Clausen in the starting lineup during his freshman year didn't work out perfectly, but it worked out. Demetrius Jones started the first game of the season, but was replaced by Clausen in the second. (Jones subsequently transferred to Cincinnati, making him the second quarterback to transfer after Zach Frazier left for Connecticut.)
Clausen started the next six games to mixed reviews, the result of his own collegiate inexperience and a porous offensive line. He missed three games in a row because of a recurring elbow injury but came back looking like the all-star quarterback success-starved Notre Dame fans had been hoping for. Of his seven touchdown passes, Clausen threw six of them in his final three games -- a loss to Air Force and wins over Duke and Stanford. He also threw one interception, compared with five before the three-game layoff.
Clausen continued to evolve during spring practice. He arrived with 18 more pounds of muscle than he had at the end of last year, and apparently more poise. Weis continually praised him for better acquainting himself with the intricacies of his complicated passing offense, and building a report with the receivers and offensive line, which will be key to his success.
"Jimmy's getting all the reps," Weis said at the conclusion of spring practice. "That's allowed him to start forming a chemistry and bonding with the receivers and allowed him to get more of a leadership role with the offensive linemen.
"I've been very, very pleased with his progress, as well as his throwing."
Although Weis was pleased with Clausen's throwing, Clausen continued to spray the ball all over the field. He completed 10-of-27 passes for 183 yards in the spring game. His accuracy may improve as the season goes on, or it may be something he fights for the rest of his college career.
Whatever happens, the Irish are going to ride it either way. That's because senior Evan Sharpley (6-2, 216) might as well be wearing a sign that says "Break Glass for Emergencies." Sharpley, who some considered the frontrunner for the starting job last year, spent more time on the baseball field than the football field this spring, leading Notre Dame in home runs and slugging percentage.
Adding to the notion that Sharpley will be used sparingly is the fact that Weis said that one of his priorities during the spring was making sure that Clausen remained healthy.
If Clausen and Sharpley are both injured, Weis may turn to freshman Dayne Crist (6-4, 225), the No. 3-rated signal caller in this year's recruiting class.
RUNNING BACKS
Junior James Aldridge (6-0, 222) and sophomores Armando Allen (5-10, 190) and Robert Hughes (5-11, 238) are neck-and-neck-and-neck in the race to be the Fighting Irish's starting tailback, not because they all shined during the spring, but rather none emerged from the pack.
The spring was an extension of last year, when each one showed glimpses of the immense talent that carried them to Notre Dame, yet not enough to relegate the other two to second string.
"They all had their spurts," said Weis, whose rushing offense ranked 115th out of 119 teams last season. "But I don't think any of them established themselves over the course of the year as being the guy."
Hughes won spring game offensive MVP honors by rushing for 100 yards on 22 carries. That might be impressive if not for the fact that last year's spring game offensive MVP was Junior Jabbie, who followed that performance by rushing for 35 yards on 10 carries in 12 games.
Hughes, however, might be more than an overnight sensation. After waiting patiently behind Aldridge and Allen for most of last year, he finally received his opportunity in the final two games, and made the most of it. He rushed for 110 yards against Duke, and then went for 136 against Stanford, becoming the first Notre Dame freshman since 1982 to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games. He finished with 294 yards and four touchdowns, making him the only Fighting Irish running back besides Travis Thomas to score a rushing touchdown.
Allen was impressive as an all-purpose player, gaining a combined 1,176 yards between running back, receiver and kick returner. But he was only average at running back, gaining 348 yards on 86 carries. Allen's speed has been well documented, and he is one of Notre Dame's only playmakers. But his inability to fight through tackles may cost him snaps, and could even lead to a position change if Weis can't find a go-to receiver for Clausen.
Weis stopped short of calling this a critical year for Aldridge, but it is. Aldridge arrived in South Bend as one of the heralded recruits in the country and the gem of Weis' first recruiting class. Compared to those expectations, he's been a disappointment. Last year he rushed for a team-high 463 yards on 121 carries, but like Allen, he failed to find the end zone. Part of Aldridge's problem may be the fact that he's never recovered from a knee injury he suffered his senior year in high school. He says he's OK, but some observers say he can't cut the way he used to and he's less explosive.
At fullback, senior Asaph Schwapp (6-0, 261) will start for the third season in a row. Junior Luke Schmidt (6-3, 238), a former Indiana Gatorade player of the pear, is listed as his backup but will spend more time at tight end.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Classmates have connections. Perhaps it's because they can relate to each other, having gone to high school at the same time and in many cases the same all-star games. Or maybe it's because they see each other the most, either in classes or around the dorms. Notre Dame is hoping that sophomores Duval Kamara (6-5, 222) and Clausen can continue to connect on at least a couple levels.
A highly touted recruit out of New Jersey, Kamara lived up to those expectations last year, setting school freshman records for receptions (32) and touchdowns (four). His 357 yards receiving were third on the team, but he led the Fighting Irish in yards per game (32.5) and was second in receptions.
Kamara possesses all the vogue attributes of a wide receiver, circa 2008. He's tall, ruggedly built and goes after the ball in the air. One attribute Weis hopes he'll grow into is commitment in the classroom. Kamara missed part of spring practice to iron out some academic issues.
While Kamara will be the big-play receiver, senior David Grimes (5-10, 177) will assume the grinder role. Grimes started eight games last year, finishing with a career-high 27 catches for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Sharing duties with Grimes will be junior Robby Parris (6-4, 209), who led receivers in yardage with 361. Parris has improved tremendously since his freshman year, when he was the understudy to Jeff Samardjiza. If he can continue to make progress, Clausen will have three legitimate receiving options.
Junior George West (5-10, 197) will also be part of the rotation at least in the preseason, but he's seen his playing time curtailed since his freshman year, when he was one of two freshmen to play in all 13 games.
The wildcard could be sophomore Golden Tate (6-0, 190). Although he missed time during the spring because of his duties with Notre Dame's baseball team, he returned for the spring game, catching a 57-yard pass from Clausen.
The Fighting Irish weren't going to replace the tight end production of Jon Carlson, who was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks. But they would have been in position to come close had junior Will Yeatman (6-6, 263) not been charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and criminal recklessness and indefinitely suspended from the team.
Although Yeatman was reinstated and will be back in the preseason, Notre Dame's hopes for now appear to ride on sophomore Mike Ragone (6-5, 230), the only scholarship player at his position. Ragone has game experience, having played in 11 of them last year. But all of those minutes came on special teams.
Schmidt worked out at tight end during the spring, but the position is Ragone's to lose.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Notre Dame's offensive line was an unmitigated disaster last year. It played a major role in the Fighting Irish possessing the 115th-worst rushing offense in the Bowl Subdivision, and allowed a NCAA-record 58 sacks. From the rubble of that disaster, however, emerges a line that has the potential to be up to the Fighting Irish's lofty standards.
The line spent a majority of spring practice not only talking about commitment and cohesiveness, but also locking down positions.
Whereas last spring and preseason offensive line practices resembled a game of musical chairs, with lineman practicing at two and three positions to make up for Notre Dame's lack of depth, this spring's featured more stability.
Take, for example, junior center Dan Wenger (6-4, 287). Wenger arrived in South Bend as a center, but he began last year as the starting right guard. He started the first three games there but missed the next four with an injury. When he returned, he did so back at center, and started the final two games for an injured John Sullivan.
Junior Sam Young (6-8, 310), who put on more than 40 pounds in the offseason, returned to right tackle during the spring, and Weis hopes he'll be able to remain their to help with the run game. Young is the only Notre Dame offensive lineman to start every game in his first two years. But that will depend on senior left tackle Paul Duncan (6-7, 308). Duncan started the first two games last year at left tackle but was switched to the right side after Penn State sacked Notre Dame quarterbacks six times.
Weis is hoping the experience of last year will help his linemen maintain their positions.
"Everyone else now is a year more experienced than where they were last year," Weis said. "And more than any other position on offense, the position where experience counts the most for quarterback [is the offensive line]."
Although the tackle and center positions appear solidified, guard should provide the most heated competition during the preseason. Junior Eric Olsen (6-4, 303) and senior Michael Turkovich (6-6, 301) are penciled in as the starters after starting last year. Turkovich started all 12 games last year at left guard after serving as a backup as a junior. He may have ascended the depth chart faster, but he suffered a neck injury as a sophomore.
Olson entered last preseason squarely on the second team. But because of injuries and poor play by his teammates, he found himself in the starting lineup at right guard by the sixth game at UCLA, and started the final six. During spring practice, Weis made note of Olson's improved physical condition, which could help him hold onto his job.
Despite their breakout performances, Wenger and Olson will receive the most competition during the preseason, especially Olson. He'll compete against junior Chris Stewart (6-5, 339), who began his career as a guard but switched to nose tackle last year, and freshman Trevor Robinson (6-5, 304), who arrived early from Elkhorn, Neb., and last year was considered one of the top five guards in the country.
"There's a lot more competition than we have ever had there before," Weis said. "We have never been able to line up two deep with guys that are actually contenders for the start-ers. I think any time you can have competition at a position that bodes well."
KICKERS
For the second year in a row last year, Notre Dame's kicking game was abysmal.
Sophomore Brandon Walker (6-3, 197) connected on four of his first five field goals, but then went 2-of-7 the rest of the year. Over the last two years, Fighting Irish kickers are 14-of-30.
To be fair to Walker, he arrived at Notre Dame from Findlay, Ohio, as a heralded punter, not kicker. In fact, he attempted only six field goals as a senior. And once he arrived in South Bend, he didn't receive much in-game experience, because of the fact the Fighting Irish had the worst-ranked offense in the Bowl Subdivision and scored only 26 touchdowns.
Despite his struggles, Notre Dame appears ready to give Walker a second chance, as he is listed atop the depth chart at both place-kicker and kick-off specialist. He will have competition, but juniors Ryan Burkhart (5-11, 196) and Nate Whitaker (5-9, 170) are long shots after last year.
Burkhart exited last year's spring practice as the favorite to win the place-kicker job, but instead didn't play at all. Whitaker began last year as the kick-off specialist but lost that job to Walker the last two games. Burkhart could unburden Walker of kickoff specialist duties, because he filled that role as a freshman.
DEFENSIVE LINE
It's hard to say what was decided regarding the defensive line during spring practice because of a pair of notable absences: senior nose tackle Pat Kuntz (6-2, 272) and junior defensive end John Ryan (6-5, 244).
Ryan, who sat out the spring after undergoing surgeries to repair right shoulder and sports hernia injuries, continued his quixotic journey through Notre Dame's defense before this spring, when he once again switched positions, this time from outside linebacker to defensive end. Ryan played defensive end as a freshman but switched to linebacker last spring to take advantage of his speed in the 3-4 defense. He saw time at both positions last year, starting eight games at linebacker and two at defensive end. He finished the year with 39 tackles, including five for loss.
Kuntz, who withdrew from school for the spring semester because of personal reasons but was back with the team by the summer, started the first 10 games last year, registering 42 tackles, before succumbing to torn ligaments suffered against Air Force and a cracked bone in his back against Navy.
He was replaced in the starting lineup by sophomore Ian Williams (6-2, 300), who is listed as the No. 1 nose tackle heading into the preseason. If Kuntz returns healthy, he's perhaps the Fighting Irish's best defensive linemen. But because of Williams' production last year, Kuntz could split time between nose tackle and defensive end.
"The way we are looking at it is we have a whole bunch of defensive linemen coming in the summertime," Weis said about the defensive line's personnel situation. "So this is the opportunity for them to make a statement and to put themselves in a position to say whether or not we can count on them."
As for the players who did practice during the spring, senior Justin Brown (6-3, 261), junior Morrice Richardson (6-2, 244), or both will start at defensive end. Like Ryan, Richardson switched from outside linebacker to defensive end prior to this spring. Richardson was used primarily as a pass rusher last year, registering seven tackles, including a sack. Brown has plenty of experience, having played each of the last two years. He made five starts last year, including four in the final five games, finishing with 30 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. But he's been unable to instill enough confidence in the coaching staff to insert him in the starting lineup on a full-time basis. One could argue that Brown is still developing, considering he played just one season in high school.
It's a credit to Williams' talent that he's pushed Kuntz to the periphery, if only temporarily. Williams played in all 12 games last year and started the final two. He finished sixth on the team with 45 tackles, the third most by a freshman defensive lineman in Notre Dame history.
"Ian, production wise for the volume of plays that he played, was one of the best players on our entire defense last year," Weis said. "Now, let's see if we can't do that for the whole season as a full-time player, because this is his opportunity to become a full-time player."
The Fighting Irish have a number of talented backups on the defensive line, the most intriguing of whom is freshman Sean Cwynar (6-4, 283), one of two freshmen to enroll early. Cwynar, who was chosen Mr. Football in Illinois, received valuable repetitions during spring practice, which Weis believes will give him an advantage come the preseason.
"Because these guys get so many reps in the springtime, we are going to kind of know what our strengths and weaknesses are by the time we're done," Weis said. "We won't have to wait until August to figure out, hey, we have a problem, or, hey, we are starting to resolve this problem."
LINEBACKERS
One of the main beneficiaries of Tenuta's blitzing style will be sophomore outside linebacker Brian Smith (6-3, 233).
Smith impressed the coaching staff so much last year that he started the final three games, and he's listed atop the depth chart this season.
Although classmate Kerry Neal (6-2, 245), who is No. 1 on the depth chart opposite Smith, made more of an impact, starting five games, it could be argued that Smith was more productive. Smith made 25 tackles, including four for loss, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass against Boston College that he returned for a touchdown.
But what gives Smith the potential to rise higher than Neal is his pass-rushing ability, which will be exploited by Tenuta. Weis even said that Smith could see time at defensive end.
Interchangeability between linebackers and defensive linemen will be the other theme this season, along with blitzing. Already Ryan and Richardson have been moved to the line, but seemingly could wind up back at linebacker. The same goes for junior linebacker Kallen Wade (6-5, 257), who played defensive end last year.
One player who won't move is senior inside linebacker Maurice Crum, Jr. (6-0, 230). Even when the Fighting Irish's defense has been bad, Crum has been good. Entering his third year as a starter, Crum needs 54 tackles to become one of Notre Dame's top-10 all-time tacklers. Crum's tackling numbers fell last year, from 100 to 84. But he was still productive, finishing with 4.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups.
Although Crum is safe, junior inside linebacker Toryan Smith (6-1, 245) is not so lucky. Smith is penciled in as the starter opposite Crum after serving as a backup the last two years. But Weis made it clear during spring practice that he'd be quick to use the eraser.
"This is Toryan's time right now," Weis said. "He's had opportunities to get on the field before, and we have not gotten a lot of production out of him, so this is his time. This is his time to step up.
"You know, he's got some guys behind him that we're encouraged with, and we've got reinforcements coming here in the summertime, so this is his time to make a name for himself."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Weis and his coaching staff have a phrase they like to use when a player makes significant progress from one year to the next, or even one game to the next: The switch turned on.
Weis says the switch turned on last year for senior cornerback David Bruton (6-2, 207), a Nagurski National Defensive Player-of-the-Year Award candidate.
"He was a skinny kid when he first got here, so you can write off the first year as physically developing from 185 pounds to a 200-plus pound person," Weis said. "But the difference is now, everything he does -- you know how I talked about one of the team goals is confidence and swagger? Well, he already plays with it."
Bruton earned defensive MVP honors in last year's spring game, and never looked back. The former special-teams ace, who still serves the role of gunner on kickoffs and punts, finished third on the team in tackles with 85 and picked off three passes.
In order to avoid looking like a one-hit wonder, Bruton entered this season's spring practice with lower body fat and a higher vertical leap. His work ethic impressed teammates enough that he was voted one of the captains. He's also apparently impressing NFL scouts, who consider him one of the top prospects on the team.
"If you went into the season with any favorites to be the type of guy that would pull the position with him, he would be the favorite at the defensive back position," Weis said of Bruton's leadership skills.
Although Bruton's the unquestioned leader of the secondary, he's not its most experienced member. That honor belongs to fifth-year senior cornerback Terrail Lambert (5-11, 196).
Lambert has made 22 consecutive starts at cornerback, and played in more games than any other current player over the last three years. His tackle (34) and interception (one) numbers dropped between his sophomore and junior years, but Lambert was an integral part of a pass defense that ranked second in the country behind Ohio State.
Opposite Lambert for the second year in a row will be junior Darrin Walls (6-0, 180). Walls filled up the stats sheet last year, making 32 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, picking off a pass, and breaking up a team-leading nine passes.
With two of the cornerbacks and free safety settled, the only position competition will occur at strong safety, where Notre Dame must replace Tom Zbikowski. The leading candidate to do so is senior Kyle McCarthy (6-1, 207), who played the best in the spring. McCarthy has been solid during his career, appearing in 25 games, but never spectacular enough to warrant anything but a back-up role. He appeared in 12 games last year, making one start against Navy. His forte is defending the run.
McCarthy's main competition will come from senior Ray Herring (5-10, 197), who sat out all but four games last year with an injury, junior Sergio Brown (6-1, 196), who played primarily special teams, and sophomore Harrison Smith (6-2, 205), who didn't play at all.
The only other wildcard in the defensive backfield could be sophomore cornerback Gary Gray (5-11, 180). Gray was one of the top-rated cornerbacks out of high school and enrolled early at Notre Dame, but he was limited because of an arm injury he incurred in the spring and appeared in seven games on special teams.
PUNTERS
The loss of Geoff Price, Notre Dame's second-best punter of all time in terms of yards per punt, hurts. But it's not Weis' chief concern.
Price suffered a significant drop-off in production last year, so much he was replaced at times by junior Eric Maust (6-2, 177). When Price was injured against Navy, Maust filled in the final three games and performed well enough that he has the job heading into the preseason.
Maust averaged a team-best 42.1 yards on 21 kicks last year, and landed nine of those inside the 20-yard line. That was compared to 11 on 54 kicks inside the 20 for Price. Maust is also a standout pitcher on the Fighting Irish's baseball team, compiling a 6-3 record with a 4.52 ERA in the spring.
Maust's competition will be Brandon Walker, who was a top-10 rated punter in high school. Walker, however, is already handling place-kicking and kickoff duties, and asking him to do all three might be too much.
SPECIAL TEAMS
When it comes to special teams, Weis is like an amateur golfer searching for that one tip that will transform him from a 20-handicap into the club champion. Last year he instructed his coaches to find players who could make an impact on special teams. But that didn't work, as the Fighting Irish once again struggled in both the kicking and return games. So this spring, Weis and special teams coordinator Brian Polian visited with Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, a special-teams guru whose teams have turned blocking kicks and punts into a cottage industry.
"The first thing I want to find out is how do you block so many kicks?" Weis said before his visit. "[When] they have been involved in a close football game over the years, almost always they end up winning because of special-teams play. So he must be a heck of a lot smarter than me, so I'm going to tap into that brain of his and find out if I can get a couple of answers."
Weis came back with some schematic changes that were installed during the spring, and he'll add a few more in the summer. Weis will also employ an old Beamer trick and start attending special teams meetings with Polian and his players in an effort to hammer home their accountability and the importance of the unit.
Poor kick returning has a trickle-down affect on offense in the form of field position. The Fighting Irish didn't have great field position last year, considering they averaged 19.7 yards per kick return, which ranked 94th out of 119 teams.
To help improve his team's return numbers, Weis elevated Walls to first-string kick-returner, ahead of last year's No. 1, Allen. Walls returned five kicks for 84 yards as a freshman, but took last year off, focusing on cornerback duties. Despite Walls' promotion, Weis will no doubt explore all his options until something clicks. That includes Allen, who averaged 21.3 yard per return on 33 returns last year, and Tate, who averaged 21.7 yards on 15 returns.
The job of punt returner is up for grabs, as none of the three players on the depth chart returned one last year. Senior David Grimes was the team's best kickoff returner his freshman and sophomore years, but he took last year off to focus on wide receiver. Allen will also receive a shot, along with junior George West, who returned one kickoff last year for 22 yards.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Fighting Irish</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Last season Notre Dame suffered through its worst campaign since 1963, when the Fighting Irish went 2-7. It was so disheartening for Notre Dame fans that it's hard to pick the lowlight. Perhaps it was the back-to-back losses to Air Force and Navy, or the fact that the Fighting Irish's offense ranked near the bottom of the Bowl Subdivision, despite being loaded with blue-chip prospects and All-America candidates.
The blood letting was so thorough head coach Charlie Weis hired a defensive guru John Tenuta for defensive coordinator Corwin Brown, and demoted himself from offensive czar with full play-calling privileges to just another member of the offensive democracy.
The questions, however, are whether the Fighting Irish learned from their public humiliation, and if Weis' coaching changes will make an impact.
Clausen should be better, as will his offensive line. But his wide receivers don't strike fear into the hearts of opponents, unless Kamara can accelerate his progression. And none of the running backs appear willing to seize the starting job. Aldridge will probably receive one more chance before Weis hands it over to Hughes and Allen.
The defense will be better with the return of eight starters and the addition of Tenuta. The only potential problem area will be finding a regular rotation between defensive lineman and linebacker, because so many of them can play both.
Special teams could be a problem area, but will be an afterthought if Notre Dame doesn't get going on offense.
The schedule is unusually tame, with only a home game against Michigan and road encounter at USC to end the season standing out as nearly impossible wins.
Throw it all together, and Notre Dame will be better than last year, of that there's no doubt. This season, however, is simply a precursor to next year's, when the Fighting Irish should excel.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>South Bend, Ind.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Independent</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>3-9 (.250)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>N/A</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Fighting Irish</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Gold & Blue</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Notre Dame Stadium (80,795)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Charlie Weis (Notre Dame '78)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>22-15 (3 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>22-15 (3 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• John Latina (Virginia Tech '81), Assistant Head Coach Offense/Offensive Line
• Jon Tenuta (Virginia '82), Assistant Head Coach Defense/Linebackers
• Mike Haywood (Notre Dame '86), Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
• Corwin Brown (Michigan '94), Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
• Rob Ianello (Catholic '87), Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
• Jappy Oliver (Purdue '78), Defensive Line
• Bernie Parmalee (Ball State '91), Tight Ends
• Brian Polian (John Carroll '97), Special Teams Coordinator
• Ron Powlus (Notre Dame '94), Quarterbacks
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>5-6-9-10-3</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>55-41-18-10-65</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Stanford in regular-season finale.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>San Diego State </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Michigan </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Michigan State </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Purdue </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Stanford </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at North Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Washington </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>Pittsburgh </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at Navy </TD><TD>12:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>at USC </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis said at a press conference in early January that he had no intention of making any coaching staff changes until after National Signing Day in early February, the reporters present apparently didn't believe him. So they asked him again. Once again, Weis stonewalled them.
"There's not even going to be a thought in my mind until we're done recruiting," Weis said. "It's a rhetorical question because I'm not even going to think about it until we're done with recruiting."
Not only, however, was there a thought, there was an entire thought process, which Weis described in detail on Feb. 8, nine days after hiring Jon Tenuta as an assistant head coach in charge of the defense, a move that demoted former assistant head coach Bill Smith to the athletics community relations staff.
To summarize, Weis said he knew something had to be done to his defense, and once he decided it had to come at the expense of Smith, he wanted to hire another veteran coach to replace Smith and work with defensive coordinator Corwin Brown. Once he settled on Tenuta, it was a matter of making sure Brown was comfortable with his decision.
"The No. 1 thing I wanted to do was make sure that we had an idea guy," Weis said of his conversations with Brown. "I told Corwin, 'As long as you're the defensive coordinator, you're always running the defense, you're always calling the defense.' "
<OFFER>Although it didn't go down in the smoothest way possible for Weis, which has been a theme of his tenure with the Fighting Irish, he appears to have landed a good coach in Tenuta, whose last job was as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator. Tenuta's defenses have the reputation of being blitz-crazy, which Notre Dame found out first-hand in last year's season-opener. The Yellow Jackets sacked the Fighting Irish nine times on their way to a 33-3 win. Tenuta's defenses have consistently ranked in the top 25 and have been among the best in tackles for loss. Last year they led the Bowl Subdivision in sacks and finished fourth in tackles for loss.
Tenuta's reputation as a defensive coach is beyond reproach, but it will bear watching how he and Brown work together. During the spring, Tenuta appeared to approach their relationship as one of mentor and protégée, with him dispensing knowledge of how to fine-tune schemes. Brown happily accepted the advice, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be so accepting if the Fighting Irish's defense is as porous as last year, or Tenuta attempts to exert more control.
The other coach-related move that will add spice to the preseason is Weis' bequeathing of play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Mike Haywood. Weis appeared to relish call-ing the plays, but at the same press conference in which he described Tenuta's hiring, he admitted he needed to let Haywood have some of the fun.
"I'm going to try to cut the proverbial -- figurative -- umbilical cord and try to move myself a little bit away from being the sole primary guy on the offensive staff,'' Weis said. "So in the springtime, we'll start with the offensive staff running the offense. That means that all the offensive coaches now won't have to worry about the ever presence of the head coach breathing down their neck all the time.
"I'm trying to do this; this is a tough one for me to do. But I'm trying to give them an opportunity to run the offense with me interjecting rather than me demanding and telling them everything that we're going to do."
If Weis is able to remain true to his promise, he said he'll spend more time with the rest of the team, getting to know each of his players, not just the offensive ones. Senior cornerback Terrail Lambert noticed the change in Weis during the spring.
"I'd call it a subtle change," Lambert said. "He's always been there for us as a coach on and off the field. I just think this one thing he's kind of experimenting with to see how it works and how we respond."
QUARTERBACKS
There was no dog-and-pony press release at the conclusion of this season's spring practice, as there was last year, touting the merits of all of Notre Dame's quarterbacks. In fact, there was no subterfuge at all by Weis and his coaching staff. The 2008 quarterback depth chart is very simple: sophomore Jimmy Clausen (6-3, 207) began spring practice as the starter, ended spring practice as the starter, and will be the starter come Sept. 6, when the Fighting Irish play host to San Diego State. The rest of the quarterbacks on the roster should make sure they have a comfortable baseball hat and clip board.
Weis' master plan to have Clausen in the starting lineup during his freshman year didn't work out perfectly, but it worked out. Demetrius Jones started the first game of the season, but was replaced by Clausen in the second. (Jones subsequently transferred to Cincinnati, making him the second quarterback to transfer after Zach Frazier left for Connecticut.)
Clausen started the next six games to mixed reviews, the result of his own collegiate inexperience and a porous offensive line. He missed three games in a row because of a recurring elbow injury but came back looking like the all-star quarterback success-starved Notre Dame fans had been hoping for. Of his seven touchdown passes, Clausen threw six of them in his final three games -- a loss to Air Force and wins over Duke and Stanford. He also threw one interception, compared with five before the three-game layoff.
Clausen continued to evolve during spring practice. He arrived with 18 more pounds of muscle than he had at the end of last year, and apparently more poise. Weis continually praised him for better acquainting himself with the intricacies of his complicated passing offense, and building a report with the receivers and offensive line, which will be key to his success.
"Jimmy's getting all the reps," Weis said at the conclusion of spring practice. "That's allowed him to start forming a chemistry and bonding with the receivers and allowed him to get more of a leadership role with the offensive linemen.
"I've been very, very pleased with his progress, as well as his throwing."
Although Weis was pleased with Clausen's throwing, Clausen continued to spray the ball all over the field. He completed 10-of-27 passes for 183 yards in the spring game. His accuracy may improve as the season goes on, or it may be something he fights for the rest of his college career.
Whatever happens, the Irish are going to ride it either way. That's because senior Evan Sharpley (6-2, 216) might as well be wearing a sign that says "Break Glass for Emergencies." Sharpley, who some considered the frontrunner for the starting job last year, spent more time on the baseball field than the football field this spring, leading Notre Dame in home runs and slugging percentage.
Adding to the notion that Sharpley will be used sparingly is the fact that Weis said that one of his priorities during the spring was making sure that Clausen remained healthy.
If Clausen and Sharpley are both injured, Weis may turn to freshman Dayne Crist (6-4, 225), the No. 3-rated signal caller in this year's recruiting class.
RUNNING BACKS
Junior James Aldridge (6-0, 222) and sophomores Armando Allen (5-10, 190) and Robert Hughes (5-11, 238) are neck-and-neck-and-neck in the race to be the Fighting Irish's starting tailback, not because they all shined during the spring, but rather none emerged from the pack.
The spring was an extension of last year, when each one showed glimpses of the immense talent that carried them to Notre Dame, yet not enough to relegate the other two to second string.
"They all had their spurts," said Weis, whose rushing offense ranked 115th out of 119 teams last season. "But I don't think any of them established themselves over the course of the year as being the guy."
Hughes won spring game offensive MVP honors by rushing for 100 yards on 22 carries. That might be impressive if not for the fact that last year's spring game offensive MVP was Junior Jabbie, who followed that performance by rushing for 35 yards on 10 carries in 12 games.
Hughes, however, might be more than an overnight sensation. After waiting patiently behind Aldridge and Allen for most of last year, he finally received his opportunity in the final two games, and made the most of it. He rushed for 110 yards against Duke, and then went for 136 against Stanford, becoming the first Notre Dame freshman since 1982 to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games. He finished with 294 yards and four touchdowns, making him the only Fighting Irish running back besides Travis Thomas to score a rushing touchdown.
Allen was impressive as an all-purpose player, gaining a combined 1,176 yards between running back, receiver and kick returner. But he was only average at running back, gaining 348 yards on 86 carries. Allen's speed has been well documented, and he is one of Notre Dame's only playmakers. But his inability to fight through tackles may cost him snaps, and could even lead to a position change if Weis can't find a go-to receiver for Clausen.
Weis stopped short of calling this a critical year for Aldridge, but it is. Aldridge arrived in South Bend as one of the heralded recruits in the country and the gem of Weis' first recruiting class. Compared to those expectations, he's been a disappointment. Last year he rushed for a team-high 463 yards on 121 carries, but like Allen, he failed to find the end zone. Part of Aldridge's problem may be the fact that he's never recovered from a knee injury he suffered his senior year in high school. He says he's OK, but some observers say he can't cut the way he used to and he's less explosive.
At fullback, senior Asaph Schwapp (6-0, 261) will start for the third season in a row. Junior Luke Schmidt (6-3, 238), a former Indiana Gatorade player of the pear, is listed as his backup but will spend more time at tight end.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Classmates have connections. Perhaps it's because they can relate to each other, having gone to high school at the same time and in many cases the same all-star games. Or maybe it's because they see each other the most, either in classes or around the dorms. Notre Dame is hoping that sophomores Duval Kamara (6-5, 222) and Clausen can continue to connect on at least a couple levels.
A highly touted recruit out of New Jersey, Kamara lived up to those expectations last year, setting school freshman records for receptions (32) and touchdowns (four). His 357 yards receiving were third on the team, but he led the Fighting Irish in yards per game (32.5) and was second in receptions.
Kamara possesses all the vogue attributes of a wide receiver, circa 2008. He's tall, ruggedly built and goes after the ball in the air. One attribute Weis hopes he'll grow into is commitment in the classroom. Kamara missed part of spring practice to iron out some academic issues.
While Kamara will be the big-play receiver, senior David Grimes (5-10, 177) will assume the grinder role. Grimes started eight games last year, finishing with a career-high 27 catches for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Sharing duties with Grimes will be junior Robby Parris (6-4, 209), who led receivers in yardage with 361. Parris has improved tremendously since his freshman year, when he was the understudy to Jeff Samardjiza. If he can continue to make progress, Clausen will have three legitimate receiving options.
Junior George West (5-10, 197) will also be part of the rotation at least in the preseason, but he's seen his playing time curtailed since his freshman year, when he was one of two freshmen to play in all 13 games.
The wildcard could be sophomore Golden Tate (6-0, 190). Although he missed time during the spring because of his duties with Notre Dame's baseball team, he returned for the spring game, catching a 57-yard pass from Clausen.
The Fighting Irish weren't going to replace the tight end production of Jon Carlson, who was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks. But they would have been in position to come close had junior Will Yeatman (6-6, 263) not been charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and criminal recklessness and indefinitely suspended from the team.
Although Yeatman was reinstated and will be back in the preseason, Notre Dame's hopes for now appear to ride on sophomore Mike Ragone (6-5, 230), the only scholarship player at his position. Ragone has game experience, having played in 11 of them last year. But all of those minutes came on special teams.
Schmidt worked out at tight end during the spring, but the position is Ragone's to lose.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Notre Dame's offensive line was an unmitigated disaster last year. It played a major role in the Fighting Irish possessing the 115th-worst rushing offense in the Bowl Subdivision, and allowed a NCAA-record 58 sacks. From the rubble of that disaster, however, emerges a line that has the potential to be up to the Fighting Irish's lofty standards.
The line spent a majority of spring practice not only talking about commitment and cohesiveness, but also locking down positions.
Whereas last spring and preseason offensive line practices resembled a game of musical chairs, with lineman practicing at two and three positions to make up for Notre Dame's lack of depth, this spring's featured more stability.
Take, for example, junior center Dan Wenger (6-4, 287). Wenger arrived in South Bend as a center, but he began last year as the starting right guard. He started the first three games there but missed the next four with an injury. When he returned, he did so back at center, and started the final two games for an injured John Sullivan.
Junior Sam Young (6-8, 310), who put on more than 40 pounds in the offseason, returned to right tackle during the spring, and Weis hopes he'll be able to remain their to help with the run game. Young is the only Notre Dame offensive lineman to start every game in his first two years. But that will depend on senior left tackle Paul Duncan (6-7, 308). Duncan started the first two games last year at left tackle but was switched to the right side after Penn State sacked Notre Dame quarterbacks six times.
Weis is hoping the experience of last year will help his linemen maintain their positions.
"Everyone else now is a year more experienced than where they were last year," Weis said. "And more than any other position on offense, the position where experience counts the most for quarterback [is the offensive line]."
Although the tackle and center positions appear solidified, guard should provide the most heated competition during the preseason. Junior Eric Olsen (6-4, 303) and senior Michael Turkovich (6-6, 301) are penciled in as the starters after starting last year. Turkovich started all 12 games last year at left guard after serving as a backup as a junior. He may have ascended the depth chart faster, but he suffered a neck injury as a sophomore.
Olson entered last preseason squarely on the second team. But because of injuries and poor play by his teammates, he found himself in the starting lineup at right guard by the sixth game at UCLA, and started the final six. During spring practice, Weis made note of Olson's improved physical condition, which could help him hold onto his job.
Despite their breakout performances, Wenger and Olson will receive the most competition during the preseason, especially Olson. He'll compete against junior Chris Stewart (6-5, 339), who began his career as a guard but switched to nose tackle last year, and freshman Trevor Robinson (6-5, 304), who arrived early from Elkhorn, Neb., and last year was considered one of the top five guards in the country.
"There's a lot more competition than we have ever had there before," Weis said. "We have never been able to line up two deep with guys that are actually contenders for the start-ers. I think any time you can have competition at a position that bodes well."
KICKERS
For the second year in a row last year, Notre Dame's kicking game was abysmal.
Sophomore Brandon Walker (6-3, 197) connected on four of his first five field goals, but then went 2-of-7 the rest of the year. Over the last two years, Fighting Irish kickers are 14-of-30.
To be fair to Walker, he arrived at Notre Dame from Findlay, Ohio, as a heralded punter, not kicker. In fact, he attempted only six field goals as a senior. And once he arrived in South Bend, he didn't receive much in-game experience, because of the fact the Fighting Irish had the worst-ranked offense in the Bowl Subdivision and scored only 26 touchdowns.
Despite his struggles, Notre Dame appears ready to give Walker a second chance, as he is listed atop the depth chart at both place-kicker and kick-off specialist. He will have competition, but juniors Ryan Burkhart (5-11, 196) and Nate Whitaker (5-9, 170) are long shots after last year.
Burkhart exited last year's spring practice as the favorite to win the place-kicker job, but instead didn't play at all. Whitaker began last year as the kick-off specialist but lost that job to Walker the last two games. Burkhart could unburden Walker of kickoff specialist duties, because he filled that role as a freshman.
DEFENSIVE LINE
It's hard to say what was decided regarding the defensive line during spring practice because of a pair of notable absences: senior nose tackle Pat Kuntz (6-2, 272) and junior defensive end John Ryan (6-5, 244).
Ryan, who sat out the spring after undergoing surgeries to repair right shoulder and sports hernia injuries, continued his quixotic journey through Notre Dame's defense before this spring, when he once again switched positions, this time from outside linebacker to defensive end. Ryan played defensive end as a freshman but switched to linebacker last spring to take advantage of his speed in the 3-4 defense. He saw time at both positions last year, starting eight games at linebacker and two at defensive end. He finished the year with 39 tackles, including five for loss.
Kuntz, who withdrew from school for the spring semester because of personal reasons but was back with the team by the summer, started the first 10 games last year, registering 42 tackles, before succumbing to torn ligaments suffered against Air Force and a cracked bone in his back against Navy.
He was replaced in the starting lineup by sophomore Ian Williams (6-2, 300), who is listed as the No. 1 nose tackle heading into the preseason. If Kuntz returns healthy, he's perhaps the Fighting Irish's best defensive linemen. But because of Williams' production last year, Kuntz could split time between nose tackle and defensive end.
"The way we are looking at it is we have a whole bunch of defensive linemen coming in the summertime," Weis said about the defensive line's personnel situation. "So this is the opportunity for them to make a statement and to put themselves in a position to say whether or not we can count on them."
As for the players who did practice during the spring, senior Justin Brown (6-3, 261), junior Morrice Richardson (6-2, 244), or both will start at defensive end. Like Ryan, Richardson switched from outside linebacker to defensive end prior to this spring. Richardson was used primarily as a pass rusher last year, registering seven tackles, including a sack. Brown has plenty of experience, having played each of the last two years. He made five starts last year, including four in the final five games, finishing with 30 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. But he's been unable to instill enough confidence in the coaching staff to insert him in the starting lineup on a full-time basis. One could argue that Brown is still developing, considering he played just one season in high school.
It's a credit to Williams' talent that he's pushed Kuntz to the periphery, if only temporarily. Williams played in all 12 games last year and started the final two. He finished sixth on the team with 45 tackles, the third most by a freshman defensive lineman in Notre Dame history.
"Ian, production wise for the volume of plays that he played, was one of the best players on our entire defense last year," Weis said. "Now, let's see if we can't do that for the whole season as a full-time player, because this is his opportunity to become a full-time player."
The Fighting Irish have a number of talented backups on the defensive line, the most intriguing of whom is freshman Sean Cwynar (6-4, 283), one of two freshmen to enroll early. Cwynar, who was chosen Mr. Football in Illinois, received valuable repetitions during spring practice, which Weis believes will give him an advantage come the preseason.
"Because these guys get so many reps in the springtime, we are going to kind of know what our strengths and weaknesses are by the time we're done," Weis said. "We won't have to wait until August to figure out, hey, we have a problem, or, hey, we are starting to resolve this problem."
LINEBACKERS
One of the main beneficiaries of Tenuta's blitzing style will be sophomore outside linebacker Brian Smith (6-3, 233).
Smith impressed the coaching staff so much last year that he started the final three games, and he's listed atop the depth chart this season.
Although classmate Kerry Neal (6-2, 245), who is No. 1 on the depth chart opposite Smith, made more of an impact, starting five games, it could be argued that Smith was more productive. Smith made 25 tackles, including four for loss, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass against Boston College that he returned for a touchdown.
But what gives Smith the potential to rise higher than Neal is his pass-rushing ability, which will be exploited by Tenuta. Weis even said that Smith could see time at defensive end.
Interchangeability between linebackers and defensive linemen will be the other theme this season, along with blitzing. Already Ryan and Richardson have been moved to the line, but seemingly could wind up back at linebacker. The same goes for junior linebacker Kallen Wade (6-5, 257), who played defensive end last year.
One player who won't move is senior inside linebacker Maurice Crum, Jr. (6-0, 230). Even when the Fighting Irish's defense has been bad, Crum has been good. Entering his third year as a starter, Crum needs 54 tackles to become one of Notre Dame's top-10 all-time tacklers. Crum's tackling numbers fell last year, from 100 to 84. But he was still productive, finishing with 4.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups.
Although Crum is safe, junior inside linebacker Toryan Smith (6-1, 245) is not so lucky. Smith is penciled in as the starter opposite Crum after serving as a backup the last two years. But Weis made it clear during spring practice that he'd be quick to use the eraser.
"This is Toryan's time right now," Weis said. "He's had opportunities to get on the field before, and we have not gotten a lot of production out of him, so this is his time. This is his time to step up.
"You know, he's got some guys behind him that we're encouraged with, and we've got reinforcements coming here in the summertime, so this is his time to make a name for himself."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Weis and his coaching staff have a phrase they like to use when a player makes significant progress from one year to the next, or even one game to the next: The switch turned on.
Weis says the switch turned on last year for senior cornerback David Bruton (6-2, 207), a Nagurski National Defensive Player-of-the-Year Award candidate.
"He was a skinny kid when he first got here, so you can write off the first year as physically developing from 185 pounds to a 200-plus pound person," Weis said. "But the difference is now, everything he does -- you know how I talked about one of the team goals is confidence and swagger? Well, he already plays with it."
Bruton earned defensive MVP honors in last year's spring game, and never looked back. The former special-teams ace, who still serves the role of gunner on kickoffs and punts, finished third on the team in tackles with 85 and picked off three passes.
In order to avoid looking like a one-hit wonder, Bruton entered this season's spring practice with lower body fat and a higher vertical leap. His work ethic impressed teammates enough that he was voted one of the captains. He's also apparently impressing NFL scouts, who consider him one of the top prospects on the team.
"If you went into the season with any favorites to be the type of guy that would pull the position with him, he would be the favorite at the defensive back position," Weis said of Bruton's leadership skills.
Although Bruton's the unquestioned leader of the secondary, he's not its most experienced member. That honor belongs to fifth-year senior cornerback Terrail Lambert (5-11, 196).
Lambert has made 22 consecutive starts at cornerback, and played in more games than any other current player over the last three years. His tackle (34) and interception (one) numbers dropped between his sophomore and junior years, but Lambert was an integral part of a pass defense that ranked second in the country behind Ohio State.
Opposite Lambert for the second year in a row will be junior Darrin Walls (6-0, 180). Walls filled up the stats sheet last year, making 32 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, picking off a pass, and breaking up a team-leading nine passes.
With two of the cornerbacks and free safety settled, the only position competition will occur at strong safety, where Notre Dame must replace Tom Zbikowski. The leading candidate to do so is senior Kyle McCarthy (6-1, 207), who played the best in the spring. McCarthy has been solid during his career, appearing in 25 games, but never spectacular enough to warrant anything but a back-up role. He appeared in 12 games last year, making one start against Navy. His forte is defending the run.
McCarthy's main competition will come from senior Ray Herring (5-10, 197), who sat out all but four games last year with an injury, junior Sergio Brown (6-1, 196), who played primarily special teams, and sophomore Harrison Smith (6-2, 205), who didn't play at all.
The only other wildcard in the defensive backfield could be sophomore cornerback Gary Gray (5-11, 180). Gray was one of the top-rated cornerbacks out of high school and enrolled early at Notre Dame, but he was limited because of an arm injury he incurred in the spring and appeared in seven games on special teams.
PUNTERS
The loss of Geoff Price, Notre Dame's second-best punter of all time in terms of yards per punt, hurts. But it's not Weis' chief concern.
Price suffered a significant drop-off in production last year, so much he was replaced at times by junior Eric Maust (6-2, 177). When Price was injured against Navy, Maust filled in the final three games and performed well enough that he has the job heading into the preseason.
Maust averaged a team-best 42.1 yards on 21 kicks last year, and landed nine of those inside the 20-yard line. That was compared to 11 on 54 kicks inside the 20 for Price. Maust is also a standout pitcher on the Fighting Irish's baseball team, compiling a 6-3 record with a 4.52 ERA in the spring.
Maust's competition will be Brandon Walker, who was a top-10 rated punter in high school. Walker, however, is already handling place-kicking and kickoff duties, and asking him to do all three might be too much.
SPECIAL TEAMS
When it comes to special teams, Weis is like an amateur golfer searching for that one tip that will transform him from a 20-handicap into the club champion. Last year he instructed his coaches to find players who could make an impact on special teams. But that didn't work, as the Fighting Irish once again struggled in both the kicking and return games. So this spring, Weis and special teams coordinator Brian Polian visited with Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, a special-teams guru whose teams have turned blocking kicks and punts into a cottage industry.
"The first thing I want to find out is how do you block so many kicks?" Weis said before his visit. "[When] they have been involved in a close football game over the years, almost always they end up winning because of special-teams play. So he must be a heck of a lot smarter than me, so I'm going to tap into that brain of his and find out if I can get a couple of answers."
Weis came back with some schematic changes that were installed during the spring, and he'll add a few more in the summer. Weis will also employ an old Beamer trick and start attending special teams meetings with Polian and his players in an effort to hammer home their accountability and the importance of the unit.
Poor kick returning has a trickle-down affect on offense in the form of field position. The Fighting Irish didn't have great field position last year, considering they averaged 19.7 yards per kick return, which ranked 94th out of 119 teams.
To help improve his team's return numbers, Weis elevated Walls to first-string kick-returner, ahead of last year's No. 1, Allen. Walls returned five kicks for 84 yards as a freshman, but took last year off, focusing on cornerback duties. Despite Walls' promotion, Weis will no doubt explore all his options until something clicks. That includes Allen, who averaged 21.3 yard per return on 33 returns last year, and Tate, who averaged 21.7 yards on 15 returns.
The job of punt returner is up for grabs, as none of the three players on the depth chart returned one last year. Senior David Grimes was the team's best kickoff returner his freshman and sophomore years, but he took last year off to focus on wide receiver. Allen will also receive a shot, along with junior George West, who returned one kickoff last year for 22 yards.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Fighting Irish</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Last season Notre Dame suffered through its worst campaign since 1963, when the Fighting Irish went 2-7. It was so disheartening for Notre Dame fans that it's hard to pick the lowlight. Perhaps it was the back-to-back losses to Air Force and Navy, or the fact that the Fighting Irish's offense ranked near the bottom of the Bowl Subdivision, despite being loaded with blue-chip prospects and All-America candidates.
The blood letting was so thorough head coach Charlie Weis hired a defensive guru John Tenuta for defensive coordinator Corwin Brown, and demoted himself from offensive czar with full play-calling privileges to just another member of the offensive democracy.
The questions, however, are whether the Fighting Irish learned from their public humiliation, and if Weis' coaching changes will make an impact.
Clausen should be better, as will his offensive line. But his wide receivers don't strike fear into the hearts of opponents, unless Kamara can accelerate his progression. And none of the running backs appear willing to seize the starting job. Aldridge will probably receive one more chance before Weis hands it over to Hughes and Allen.
The defense will be better with the return of eight starters and the addition of Tenuta. The only potential problem area will be finding a regular rotation between defensive lineman and linebacker, because so many of them can play both.
Special teams could be a problem area, but will be an afterthought if Notre Dame doesn't get going on offense.
The schedule is unusually tame, with only a home game against Michigan and road encounter at USC to end the season standing out as nearly impossible wins.
Throw it all together, and Notre Dame will be better than last year, of that there's no doubt. This season, however, is simply a precursor to next year's, when the Fighting Irish should excel.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>South Bend, Ind.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Independent</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>3-9 (.250)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>N/A</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Fighting Irish</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Gold & Blue</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Notre Dame Stadium (80,795)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Charlie Weis (Notre Dame '78)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>22-15 (3 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>22-15 (3 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• John Latina (Virginia Tech '81), Assistant Head Coach Offense/Offensive Line
• Jon Tenuta (Virginia '82), Assistant Head Coach Defense/Linebackers
• Mike Haywood (Notre Dame '86), Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
• Corwin Brown (Michigan '94), Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
• Rob Ianello (Catholic '87), Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
• Jappy Oliver (Purdue '78), Defensive Line
• Bernie Parmalee (Ball State '91), Tight Ends
• Brian Polian (John Carroll '97), Special Teams Coordinator
• Ron Powlus (Notre Dame '94), Quarterbacks
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>5-6-9-10-3</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>55-41-18-10-65</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Stanford in regular-season finale.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>San Diego State </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Michigan </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Michigan State </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Purdue </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Stanford </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at North Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Washington </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>Pittsburgh </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at Navy </TD><TD>12:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>at USC </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Georgia
COACH AND PROGRAM
Mark Richt participated in back-to-back goodwill missions to the Middle East and Honduras in mid-May once his Georgia team capped spring drills. It is doubtful, even in those distant locations, that Richt could escape the hype engulfing his program since its 41-10 dismantling of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.
The Bulldogs boast 45 returning letter winners, 16 starters and have been consistent SEC championship contenders under Richt, entering his eighth season and second in a row after a philanthropic mission to Honduras. Perhaps now more so than at any time since Vince Dooley and Herschel Walker were the faces of the program, Georgia is deemed among the handful of perennial national championship challengers.
Richt, who took nearly two dozen Bulldogs players on the mission trip and joined a handful of other coaches touring the Middle East, has vowed not to let the media attention cause his team to deviate from its path.
<OFFER>
"Well, what we have decided to do is focus on the moment," Richt said at the onset of spring camp when asked about potentially debuting this season at No. 1. "We can't control where we are voted preseason. We can't control a whole lot of things. & I think every player knows with the schedule we have year in and year out, and this season's schedule seems a little more daunting than most seasons, that it's going to take an awful lot of work and preparation just to get to the point where we feel like we're even in a position to be able to compete at that level.
"So we're really trying to break it down to one day, one play, one drill, one moment that we can control. I think that it's just much more healthy to think that way in terms of handling it in little pieces instead of chewing an entire season up."
But it is the manner in which the Bulldogs devoured the final pieces of last season that has buoyed the national championship chatter between the hedges throughout this offseason.
In guiding the Bulldogs to a No. 2 final ranking -- their highest in 25 years -- in the final 2007 Associated Press poll, Richt further established himself as a consummate players' coach. Against Florida, Richt "ordered" one of the most celebrated celebration penalties in recent memory when his bench emptied after Georgia's opening touchdown. It was a sea of silver britches at the goal line.
The Bulldogs promptly gnawed the Gators with relative ease and thus dispatched an erstwhile nemesis in the process. Two weeks later against Auburn, Richt had Georgia warm up for the contest in its traditional red jerseys and emerged before kickoff in radical, black jerseys that sent both the players and crowd into a frenzy. Result? The Tigers were trampled, 45-20.
"That was a positive thing for us last year at the end of the season," defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. "It kept us fresh. Morale was very good. I think that showed at the end of the year."
With his fifth campaign of double-digit wins in seven seasons, Richt joined Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops and Barry Switzer as the only five coaches in the modern era of the Football Bowl Subdivision to win 70 games in their first seven seasons. Further, Richt continued to evolve as head coach last season, his first since he fully relinquished play-calling duties to offensive coordinator and former Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo.
"You see the program from a different perspective," Richt said of the freedom he gained when Bobo assumed his play-calling chores. "Before, I was in the middle of the forest chopping wood like everybody else. And there's nothing wrong with that; I think there's a certain value to the leader being right in the middle of it. But once I moved away from that, I was able to kind of back away and see everything from a different perspective. "My goal was to find any area across the board in the program I felt like I could improve on. Now I have the perspective to see it, and the time to do something about it." One of the last coaches to yield his offensive autonomy, Richt now simply offers advice to Bobo and usually does so in private during game-week preparations or between series of a game.
"I've called plays for 15 years or more, and I know what it's like to have somebody in your ear," said Richt, Florida State's offensive coordinator from 1994-2000. "Guys try to make suggestions, that kind of thing. Any suggestions I made, I made in between series. I still studied film throughout the week, and would jot down suggestions.
"Most of the time I would hand it to Mike privately. If he wanted to implement, do it. If not, don't. I know one thing as a game-planner, sometimes you just come up dry of ideas. To have somebody share their thoughts, it helps. My goal was just to try to help Mike do the best he could do. And Mike did a great job."
Like Richt, Bobo knows Georgia's players will be inundated with their preseason stature long before their season opener Aug. 30 at home against Georgia Southern.
"The kids, they know what's going on. They're going to be watching ESPN, reading the Internet and seeing where we're ranked," Bobo said. "Hopefully, we can use that to our advantage about getting them excited about working. We're trying to compete for an SEC championship, and if we win that, we'll go from there."
If the Bulldogs are truly to embrace those lofty expectations, they must settle questions along the offensive front; see quarterback Matthew Stafford make typical plays in addition to spectacular ones; further establish redshirt sophomore Knowshon Moreno as one of the great backs of "Tailback U;" capitalize on a veteran defense that boasts three returning starters at every level; and survive a masochistic schedule that includes Alabama, Tennessee, LSU and Florida during a six-game, mid-season stretch.
QUARTERBACKS
If it's a clutch situation or a rival opponent, Bobo knows that junior Matthew Stafford (6-3, 237) will elevate to the occasion.
What Georgia's veteran assistant and second-year offensive coordinator now hopes is that Stafford, with 26 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and 4,272 career passing yards, masters the mundane.
"The bigger games, or games on the line late, he plays at a really high level," Bobo said of Stafford, who started 21 of his first 26 collegiate games. "We need him to be more consistent for four quarters. We've got to be a more efficient passing football team, complete a higher percentage and complete more balls on first down.
"We break it down, look at every throw and want to see [Stafford] making the routine play. We know you can make a great play, shoot it in the hole on cover two. But let's make the routine play on first or second down."
When Stafford plays within the offensive framework and limits his turnovers, the Bulldogs are nearly unbeatable. Georgia is 14-2 when Stafford starts and tosses one interception or less; it is undefeated when Stafford starts and does not throw an interception. Such patience and recognition hasn't come without its frustrations for Stafford, Bobo says.
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"I think it's a process; it hasn't come as fast as [Stafford] would like it, but I think he has gradually gotten better week in and week out," Bobo said. "Sometimes kids with overly strong arms can get away with a lot of stuff fundamentally and make throws off their back foot. We're constantly trying to get him to be as good as he can be fundamentally with his feet. He knows he's got work to do. But you could just see him get more comfortable as the year went on and play at higher level."
The next step for Stafford comes away from the field this summer. Georgia has little senior leadership on the offensive side of the ball, and quarterback is a natural habitat for a team leader.
"Somebody has to step up and be the glue that holds that together," Bobo said. "Stafford, a third-year starter who's really unselfish, has got to take a vested interest to make sure the offensive line is working on the things we need and people are doing what they need to be doing."
Backing up Stafford will be Joe Cox (6-1, 208), a junior who proved his mettle to coaches and teammates two years ago in buffaloing Colorado, 14-13, when both Stafford and former Bulldog signal-caller Joe Tereshinski were ineffective.
"Cox is a fourth-year player and very reliable backup," Bobo said. "We have a lot of confidence in that young man."
Redshirt freshman Logan Gray (6-2, 180) adds elements of speed and athleticism to the position; he ran four times for 30 yards and added a touchdown pass in Georgia's spring game.
RUNNING BACKS
As plenty of defensive coordinators can now attest, Knowshon Moreno (5-11, 207) is no joke. A sublimely talented third-year sophomore tailback from Belford, N.J., Moreno generated one brutally effective stretch last season that made it appear as though he was running against air. Only easier. Quick to accelerate and deceptively difficult to bring down, Moreno gashed foes for 766 yards and nine touchdowns during his ascension to first-team All-SEC and Freshman All-America accolades. Moreno closed his rookie outing with 1,334 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Both numbers were second only to the breakthrough performance of Herschel Walker in 1980, when Georgia last won the national title.
"Knowshon just loves football," Bobo said. "He loves to practice it and loves to play it. He practices with just as much energy as he plays the game. He loves to compete. He's a leader in that sense. Not really vocal, but he's going to go out there and loves to compete.
"He loves to try to win, if we're playing our defense in a drill or lined up on Saturday. I think that's his No. 1 attribute. Then he's got the toughness, can break tackles and has good vision."
What Moreno does not yet have is a proven backup. Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin exhausted their eligibility a year ago, leaving heralded but untested redshirt freshman Caleb King (5-11, 212) as Moreno's likely understudy. Georgia also nabbed a trio of four-star tailbacks in its 2008 signing class. Richard Samuel (6-2, 215), Dontavius Jackson (5-10, 190) and Carlton Thomas (5-7, 165) could vie immediately for playing time.
Banged up through much of spring camp, King elicited praise from Richt for his performance in the G-Day game. "Caleb looked pretty darn good," Richt said after the scrimmage on April 5. "He was banged up in the spring and we sat him out until he was healthy. He looked great today. He picked up a couple blitzes and had some nice runs."
Bobo also raved about King's spring. "Caleb King was a highly recruited kid out of Atlanta who we are real pleased with," he said. "He progressed nicely and should provide depth and play a lot. In this league, you really need two backs."
Moreno and King should benefit from having arguably the league's preeminent fullback in senior Brannan Southerland (6-0, 240), a versatile veteran. After a 10-touchdown explosion in 2006, Georgia's version of a wrecking ball with legs mostly deferred to Moreno in '07. Nonetheless, coaches praise the Dacula, Ga., native for his value and resourcefulness.
"He's another unselfish player. I keep mentioning unselfishness because really that's why we've been successful over the years under coach Richt," Bobo said. "Coach Richt stresses that. [Southerland] probably could line up some at the 1 back. Last year, he was primarily used for blocking, but he's an extension of really our offensive line. Especially in the I that we run, he's a very smart football player and able to see things. He's truly an asset in our running game, and he's athletic enough to slip out and catch the ball in the flat."
Unfortunately, Southerland will be shelved through the early part of the season after undergoing surgery in June on the navicular bone in his left foot for the second time since the end of last season. Recovery time was expected to be 16 weeks. Georgia coaches are working to find more ways to get the ball in the hands of Moreno, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 12.6 yards on 20 receptions.
"Knowshon Moreno brings a lot of energy to our football team," Bobo said. "Our whole team, not just the offense. We're expecting big things from him. We didn't ask him to do a lot in spring. He still practiced some, and when he practiced, he made a difference offensively. We've got to find him ways to get him the football aside from just handing it to him. He's a proven playmaker."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Because passes weren't always plentiful last season, senior wideout Mohamed Massaquoi (6-2, 198) made sure he delivered when Stafford looked his way. At least a part-time starter in each of his first three seasons in Athens, Massaquoi averaged 15.3 yards per catch in 2007 and produced two of Georgia's most memorable touchdowns -- a 58-yarder against Auburn and team-best and career-long 84-yard strike against Florida. Building on those performances, Massaquoi logged a team-best five catches for 54 yards in the Sugar Bowl and carried that momentum into the spring.
"I think Mohamed really has been a productive player since he's been here, but toward the end of last year, he came on and then really had an outstanding spring," Bobo said. "He was one of our hardest workers in the spring. When he plays well, they [receivers] play well. He gives them confidence."
A former prep All-America selection, Massaquoi also sets an example that Bobo appreciates. "He's got some of the best hands on our team and is just an extremely hard worker," said Bobo, who returned to Georgia when Richt arrived in 2001. "I expect him to have a pretty good year, and he's such an unselfish player. We wanted to try to be balanced last year because of our situation up front [with several first-time starters on the offensive line], and he bought in to the blocking and getting after that."
Bobo sees another of Massaquoi's classmates -- senior Kenneth Harris (6-3, 215) -- poised for a memorable finish to his career. Though Harris has only three career starts, he taxed Mississippi State for 106 receiving yards as a sophomore and could present match-up problems for smaller defensive backs with his broad frame. "I'm really pleased with what Kenneth Harris did this spring," Bobo said. "He's really progressing and coming out of his shell."
Another fourth-year player, Demiko Goodman (6-2, 190), lends experience to the receiving corps while juniors Kris Durham (6-5, 200) and Michael Moore (6-2, 188) excelled in more prominent roles this spring.
Sophomore speedster Tony Wilson (5-11, 198) should factor heavily into the rotation as well once he recovers from the broken ankle that curtailed his spring work. "Michael Moore came on midway through spring," Bobo said. "Tony Wilson had a good spring until he broke his ankle, and he should be running by mid-July, or earlier. He was one of our top receivers midway through spring. All those guys have played and been productive for us."
The group also has embraced a more blue-collar approach for a Georgia offense that at times simply paves over the opposition. "I think they made the commitment to play a little more physical and with more confidence," Bobo said of the group. "The big play threat is to be determined, but I did like the emergence of [freshman] Tavarres King (6-1, 172). [Signee] A.J. Green (6-4, 190) is a good prospect out of South Carolina, and he'll be given a chance. The good thing about our receiving corps is that a lot of guys can help us."
If Georgia's most tenured position of acclaim is tailback, it can boast a pretty strong tight end heritage. The Bulldogs had four tight ends on NFL rosters to start the 2007 season, and though not as heralded as his predecessors, senior Tripp Chandler (6-6, 263) remains an important cog in the Georgia offense. Sophomore Bruce Figgins (6-4, 254) flashed impressive athleticism in his rookie season and could perpetuate the Bulldogs' burgeoning "Tight End U" moniker.
"Tripp struggled a little bit early for us last year, but he came on and made some nice catches," Bobo said. "Bruce Figgins started his first game last year as a freshman, and I think he's really going to be a good player."
With roles changing and positions morphing, coaches also would like to find a way to get redshirt freshman Aron White (6-4, 228) on the field. White could lend help at either fullback or tight end depending on how much weight he packs into his body.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Coaches extol the virtues of spring practice as a time to identify players who can help the team. Richt saw plenty of offensive linemen who could assist Georgia's championship quest this fall. Just not five who were ready to be tattooed as starters.
"There's no top five yet," Richt said at the close of spring camp. "It's going to take a little time until we're certain about our top five players. But we're looking for eight or nine guys to be able to come in and do the job."
A grizzly in a Bulldogs uniform, Georgia Military College product Vince Vance (6-8, 320) lends an imposing, physical frame to the frontline. Vance, a junior, could also play either tackle position if a situation dictated.
After garnering Freshman All-America honors last season, Trinton Sturdivant (6-5, 293) should again protect Stafford's blind side and anchor the Georgia line. Though Sturdivant performed admirably once thrust into a starter's role, Bobo thinks his body has developed to better handle the rigors of SEC football.
"He's getting better because he's getting stronger," Bobo said of Sturdivant, a Wadesboro, N.C., native. "He's proven he can play at this level. [Sophomore] Josh Davis (6-6, 293) right now is his backup. He's trying to work himself into the tackle rotation."
A starter last season at left guard, sophomore Chris Davis (6-4, 292) slides over to center to fill the void left by Fernando Velasco's graduation. Red-shirt freshman Ben Harden (6-3, 310) and early enrollee Ben Jones (6-3, 300) are battling for the backup post. Converted defensive lineman Kiante Tripp (6-6, 270), another of the Bulldogs' 13 underclassmen in the three-deep rotation, was the starting right guard in spring camp.
After starting against Western Carolina last season at right tackle, sophomore Clint Boling (6-5, 290) concluded the season with 10 straight starts at guard. He's backed up by towering redshirt freshman Justin Anderson (6-5, 328), who Bobo said "will have to play for us this year."
Josh Davis (6-6, 293) a sophomore, and redshirt freshman Chris Little (6-6, 330) should factor into the rotations up front. With so much shuffling in the unit, Bobo emphasizes the importance of summer drills for offensive linemen to develop a rapport similar to a quarterback and his wide receivers. "We only have one guy playing the same position, and that's Sturdivant," Bobo said. "Chris Davis moved to center, and he's making calls. It's still a learning process there. We've got to get five guys that play together on a consistent basis, but one thing that will help is that they played last year and gained confidence. I don't think they're ready to go out there and know all of our offense."
While the mildly murky picture up front clears, Bobo expects competition for a spot in the rotation to be the benefit of the unsettled situation. "You want competition, but you want to get the ones you think are going to be the five established to help with chemistry," he said. "We're going to find the five best that can play and move them around."
KICKERS
Where have you gone, Brandon Coutu? A four-year starter and record-setting place-kicker, Coutu was a permanent team captain in '07 and ended his career with 273 points. Even departed backup Andy Bailey was a former Freshman All-SEC selection with 19 career field goals.
One of the leading candidates to replace the formidable duo is a familiar name in Bulldogs annals: Butler. Red-shirt freshman Drew Butler (6-2, 205), son of College Football Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Butler, a former Bulldog star. Brian Mimbs, a senior who found success last year in his first season as punter, could handle kicking duties as needed.
Freshman Blair Walsh (5-10, 163), rated among the nation's top prep kickers, will also be given a chance to compete immediately for the starting job.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Players move on, often to the NFL, but a constant remains along Georgia's defensive front: Bulldogs are going to be at or near the top of the SEC in sacking the quarterback. Marcus Howard produced an SEC-best 10.5 sacks last year and tallied three more drops behind the line against Hawaii in his final game. Attacking from the edge like angry drivers on an exit ramp, the Bulldogs have amassed 109 sacks -- including a league-leading 42 last year -- in three seasons of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez's smartly aggressive system.
Who's on deck in 2008? Senior Jeremy Lomax (6-4, 247) and returning starter Roderick Battle (6-4, 261), a powerful junior who showed flashes of brilliance last season, combined for seven sacks a year ago. Jarius Wynn (6-5, 273), a senior who tallied nine quarterback pressures last season in limited duty, adds another experienced edge rusher.
Behind those three upperclassmen rest a largely untested quartet: third-year sophomores Demarcus Dobbs (6-2, 266) and Michael Lemon (6-4, 274) and redshirt freshmen Neland Ball (6-6, 232) and Justin Houston (6-3, 240). "We've got to play, we've got to have a solid two-deep," said Martinez, whose defenses have ranked among the top 20 nationally in both scoring average and yards allowed in his three seasons. "It's a long season, and philosophically I like playing a lot of guys to keep them fresh for the fourth quarter. I like the competition and like to open it up. We've definitely got some guys that are big-play type players, and we've got role players."
Along the interior, All-SEC pick Geno Atkins (6-1, 290), a junior who last season notched 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hurries, is the centerpiece of a deep and talented crop of tackles. Senior Jeff Owens (6-3, 298) has 24 career starts, and junior Kade Weston (6-5, 316) started the first five games last season.
"Obviously up front it starts with Jeff and Geno," said Martinez, tabbed the No. 12 defensive coordinator in Rivals.com's latest power rankings. "It's very important to have a good player in the middle of defense and your defensive line. Geno Atkins had a great year last year, and I think Geno and Jeff had a good spring.
"Kade Weston and [senior] Corey Irvin (6-4, 286) are two guys I'm really excited about. Both had good springs. [Sophomore] Ricardo Crawford (6-1, 297) really came on this spring. But I think we're anchored by Jeff and Geno."
LINEBACKERS
Cross training typically applies to a method of exercise that stresses varied workouts. Martinez has found a similar application on the gridiron, readying his players at multiple positions by teaching outside linebackers to play inside and safeties to line up at either the free or strong spots.
"I think our scheme allows us to do that," Martinez said. "It's not so complicated that a guy, our Mike [middle linebacker] and our Will [weak side] are very similar. If we've got somebody athletic enough to go inside, we teach him to play outside. The big reason is injuries, so we're not sitting there locked in. We're trying to get our best players ready to play and don't want to be handcuffed. We don't want a situation where a guy is one of our best players, but there's only position he can play. We do it really across the board at all positions. It's just really good for your depth."
The Bulldogs are blessed with enormous talent and experience at linebacker. Senior middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (6-1, 232) returns after a 93-tackle, all-conference campaign a year ago. He's flanked on the strong side by Akeem Dent (6-2, 218), a sophomore who started four games last season and logged 36 tackles. Weak-side force Rennie Curran (5-11, 220) was a Freshman All-America pick for a debut campaign that featured 53 tackles, including nine for loss and three sacks.
"Dannell's the leader of our defense from both his playmaking ability and the leadership from him," Martinez said. "He's a talented, smart player. Rennie Curran had a good spring, and he's someone we wanted to play early on. He can run to the ball and really is an unselfish player. At the end of the year he was one of our top playmakers. Our defense really changed when he was implemented into the starting lineup."
Martinez's cross training was put to the test in spring camp when a nasty shoulder injury shelved Marcus Washington, (6-0, 250), a senior who has indicated he will redshirt this season.
Junior Darius Dewberry (6-3, 236), Akeem Hebron (6-1, 225), a sophomore who rejoined the team after a year away from the program, sophomore Justin Fields (6-1, 244) and sophomore Darryl Gamble (6-2, 237) have been conditioned to fill in as needed in the middle of the Bulldogs defense.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
There's a certain symmetry to the Georgia defense, which boasts three returning starters at each level. Junior cornerback Asher Allen (5-10, 198) was the team's second-leading tackler with 64 stops and established himself as a defensive leader last season "We move him around a lot, and he's a talented kid," Martinez said. "He prepares really well. Not only does he understand expectations from the coaching staff, but his expectations are so high for himself. He had a good year last year and we're expecting for him to have another one. He's really kind of our leader in the secondary."
Returning alongside Allen as starters in the defensive backfield are senior strong safety CJ Byrd (6-2, 193) and Prince Miller, (5-8, 190) a junior whose lone interception last season helped punctuate the Bulldogs' bowl win.
Backup corners Bryan Evans (5-11, 188), a junior who registered 17 tackles and a pick last season, and senior Ramarcus Brown (5-11, 170) have starting experience. Junior Donavon Baldwin (6-2, 204) and sophomore Quintin Banks (6-2, 210) are the frontrunners to back up Byrd and sophomore Reshad Jones (6-2, 203) at safety. Jones must try to fill the considerable void of Kelin Johnson, who started 24 games over the 2006-07 seasons.
"Kelin was a great leader and very productive a year ago," Martinez said. "But we did play Reshad Jones, and we played three safeties in every game. Our fourth guy was [sophomore] Quintin Banks (6-2, 210)."
What Martinez will stress to all of his defensive starters is the importance of turnovers, which are emphasized in practice daily. Georgia bounced back with a plus-9 turnover margin last season after a dismal minus-1 effort in 2006. Three years ago Georgia led the SEC with a plus-11 turnover margin when it captured the SEC title.
"We talk about it every day in practice, about it changing the momentum of a football game," Martinez said of his drive for turnovers. "It doesn't happen any better than a turnover. We stress that every day and practice it every day. One on one, scale, team drills, we're constantly trying to rip it out. We challenge our kids to take that mentality into the ballgame."
PUNTERS
Senior Brian Mimbs (5-11, 205) quickly solidified the Bulldogs' punting game in his first season as starter. Lobbing 16 of his 57 punts inside the 20-yard line, Mimbs caromed a long of 66 yards and closed with a 42.4-yard average that tied for the second-best mark in the SEC.
Sophomore Drew Butler serves as backup to Mimbs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Opposing punters doubtlessly have exhaled. Gone from Georgia's special teams arsenal are punt return dynamos Thomas Flowers and Mikey Henderson, both of whom exhausted their eligibility a year ago.
If his prowess returning kickoffs is an accurate barometer, Asher Allen could again leave opponents breathless. The electric Allen -- a water bug on grass -- piled up a school-record 690 return yards last season -- and more than one bewildered defender. His ability to accelerate quickly and elusiveness in the open field led coaches to pencil him in as the team's punt returner.
Georgia was the only school to rank in the top 40 of all five major special teams categories in '07 -- net punting (14), punt returns (26), kickoff returns (18), punt return defense (7) and kickoff return defense (38).
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Georgia coaches and players aren't engrossed with their preseason buzz, but they have accepted and acknowledged their status as national title contender. That could be key in handling pressure that could be considerable by the time Alabama comes to Athens on Sept. 27.
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<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Bulldogs</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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The return of 45 letter winners would seem to indicate a plethora of depth at most positions, but the Bulldogs need quickly to bolster their offensive line rotation and establish a place-kicker.
Stafford has proven to be a strong closer, leading Georgia to dominant finishes in both the 2006-07 seasons. He needs to be strong throughout the season this year. Richt has acknowledged last season showed the Bulldogs are close to their "ultimate goal."
LSU showed Georgia that can be done even with two losses in the SEC.
COACH AND PROGRAM
Mark Richt participated in back-to-back goodwill missions to the Middle East and Honduras in mid-May once his Georgia team capped spring drills. It is doubtful, even in those distant locations, that Richt could escape the hype engulfing his program since its 41-10 dismantling of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.
The Bulldogs boast 45 returning letter winners, 16 starters and have been consistent SEC championship contenders under Richt, entering his eighth season and second in a row after a philanthropic mission to Honduras. Perhaps now more so than at any time since Vince Dooley and Herschel Walker were the faces of the program, Georgia is deemed among the handful of perennial national championship challengers.
Richt, who took nearly two dozen Bulldogs players on the mission trip and joined a handful of other coaches touring the Middle East, has vowed not to let the media attention cause his team to deviate from its path.
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"Well, what we have decided to do is focus on the moment," Richt said at the onset of spring camp when asked about potentially debuting this season at No. 1. "We can't control where we are voted preseason. We can't control a whole lot of things. & I think every player knows with the schedule we have year in and year out, and this season's schedule seems a little more daunting than most seasons, that it's going to take an awful lot of work and preparation just to get to the point where we feel like we're even in a position to be able to compete at that level.
"So we're really trying to break it down to one day, one play, one drill, one moment that we can control. I think that it's just much more healthy to think that way in terms of handling it in little pieces instead of chewing an entire season up."
But it is the manner in which the Bulldogs devoured the final pieces of last season that has buoyed the national championship chatter between the hedges throughout this offseason.
In guiding the Bulldogs to a No. 2 final ranking -- their highest in 25 years -- in the final 2007 Associated Press poll, Richt further established himself as a consummate players' coach. Against Florida, Richt "ordered" one of the most celebrated celebration penalties in recent memory when his bench emptied after Georgia's opening touchdown. It was a sea of silver britches at the goal line.
The Bulldogs promptly gnawed the Gators with relative ease and thus dispatched an erstwhile nemesis in the process. Two weeks later against Auburn, Richt had Georgia warm up for the contest in its traditional red jerseys and emerged before kickoff in radical, black jerseys that sent both the players and crowd into a frenzy. Result? The Tigers were trampled, 45-20.
"That was a positive thing for us last year at the end of the season," defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. "It kept us fresh. Morale was very good. I think that showed at the end of the year."
With his fifth campaign of double-digit wins in seven seasons, Richt joined Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops and Barry Switzer as the only five coaches in the modern era of the Football Bowl Subdivision to win 70 games in their first seven seasons. Further, Richt continued to evolve as head coach last season, his first since he fully relinquished play-calling duties to offensive coordinator and former Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo.
"You see the program from a different perspective," Richt said of the freedom he gained when Bobo assumed his play-calling chores. "Before, I was in the middle of the forest chopping wood like everybody else. And there's nothing wrong with that; I think there's a certain value to the leader being right in the middle of it. But once I moved away from that, I was able to kind of back away and see everything from a different perspective. "My goal was to find any area across the board in the program I felt like I could improve on. Now I have the perspective to see it, and the time to do something about it." One of the last coaches to yield his offensive autonomy, Richt now simply offers advice to Bobo and usually does so in private during game-week preparations or between series of a game.
"I've called plays for 15 years or more, and I know what it's like to have somebody in your ear," said Richt, Florida State's offensive coordinator from 1994-2000. "Guys try to make suggestions, that kind of thing. Any suggestions I made, I made in between series. I still studied film throughout the week, and would jot down suggestions.
"Most of the time I would hand it to Mike privately. If he wanted to implement, do it. If not, don't. I know one thing as a game-planner, sometimes you just come up dry of ideas. To have somebody share their thoughts, it helps. My goal was just to try to help Mike do the best he could do. And Mike did a great job."
Like Richt, Bobo knows Georgia's players will be inundated with their preseason stature long before their season opener Aug. 30 at home against Georgia Southern.
"The kids, they know what's going on. They're going to be watching ESPN, reading the Internet and seeing where we're ranked," Bobo said. "Hopefully, we can use that to our advantage about getting them excited about working. We're trying to compete for an SEC championship, and if we win that, we'll go from there."
If the Bulldogs are truly to embrace those lofty expectations, they must settle questions along the offensive front; see quarterback Matthew Stafford make typical plays in addition to spectacular ones; further establish redshirt sophomore Knowshon Moreno as one of the great backs of "Tailback U;" capitalize on a veteran defense that boasts three returning starters at every level; and survive a masochistic schedule that includes Alabama, Tennessee, LSU and Florida during a six-game, mid-season stretch.
QUARTERBACKS
If it's a clutch situation or a rival opponent, Bobo knows that junior Matthew Stafford (6-3, 237) will elevate to the occasion.
What Georgia's veteran assistant and second-year offensive coordinator now hopes is that Stafford, with 26 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and 4,272 career passing yards, masters the mundane.
"The bigger games, or games on the line late, he plays at a really high level," Bobo said of Stafford, who started 21 of his first 26 collegiate games. "We need him to be more consistent for four quarters. We've got to be a more efficient passing football team, complete a higher percentage and complete more balls on first down.
"We break it down, look at every throw and want to see [Stafford] making the routine play. We know you can make a great play, shoot it in the hole on cover two. But let's make the routine play on first or second down."
When Stafford plays within the offensive framework and limits his turnovers, the Bulldogs are nearly unbeatable. Georgia is 14-2 when Stafford starts and tosses one interception or less; it is undefeated when Stafford starts and does not throw an interception. Such patience and recognition hasn't come without its frustrations for Stafford, Bobo says.
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"I think it's a process; it hasn't come as fast as [Stafford] would like it, but I think he has gradually gotten better week in and week out," Bobo said. "Sometimes kids with overly strong arms can get away with a lot of stuff fundamentally and make throws off their back foot. We're constantly trying to get him to be as good as he can be fundamentally with his feet. He knows he's got work to do. But you could just see him get more comfortable as the year went on and play at higher level."
The next step for Stafford comes away from the field this summer. Georgia has little senior leadership on the offensive side of the ball, and quarterback is a natural habitat for a team leader.
"Somebody has to step up and be the glue that holds that together," Bobo said. "Stafford, a third-year starter who's really unselfish, has got to take a vested interest to make sure the offensive line is working on the things we need and people are doing what they need to be doing."
Backing up Stafford will be Joe Cox (6-1, 208), a junior who proved his mettle to coaches and teammates two years ago in buffaloing Colorado, 14-13, when both Stafford and former Bulldog signal-caller Joe Tereshinski were ineffective.
"Cox is a fourth-year player and very reliable backup," Bobo said. "We have a lot of confidence in that young man."
Redshirt freshman Logan Gray (6-2, 180) adds elements of speed and athleticism to the position; he ran four times for 30 yards and added a touchdown pass in Georgia's spring game.
RUNNING BACKS
As plenty of defensive coordinators can now attest, Knowshon Moreno (5-11, 207) is no joke. A sublimely talented third-year sophomore tailback from Belford, N.J., Moreno generated one brutally effective stretch last season that made it appear as though he was running against air. Only easier. Quick to accelerate and deceptively difficult to bring down, Moreno gashed foes for 766 yards and nine touchdowns during his ascension to first-team All-SEC and Freshman All-America accolades. Moreno closed his rookie outing with 1,334 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Both numbers were second only to the breakthrough performance of Herschel Walker in 1980, when Georgia last won the national title.
"Knowshon just loves football," Bobo said. "He loves to practice it and loves to play it. He practices with just as much energy as he plays the game. He loves to compete. He's a leader in that sense. Not really vocal, but he's going to go out there and loves to compete.
"He loves to try to win, if we're playing our defense in a drill or lined up on Saturday. I think that's his No. 1 attribute. Then he's got the toughness, can break tackles and has good vision."
What Moreno does not yet have is a proven backup. Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin exhausted their eligibility a year ago, leaving heralded but untested redshirt freshman Caleb King (5-11, 212) as Moreno's likely understudy. Georgia also nabbed a trio of four-star tailbacks in its 2008 signing class. Richard Samuel (6-2, 215), Dontavius Jackson (5-10, 190) and Carlton Thomas (5-7, 165) could vie immediately for playing time.
Banged up through much of spring camp, King elicited praise from Richt for his performance in the G-Day game. "Caleb looked pretty darn good," Richt said after the scrimmage on April 5. "He was banged up in the spring and we sat him out until he was healthy. He looked great today. He picked up a couple blitzes and had some nice runs."
Bobo also raved about King's spring. "Caleb King was a highly recruited kid out of Atlanta who we are real pleased with," he said. "He progressed nicely and should provide depth and play a lot. In this league, you really need two backs."
Moreno and King should benefit from having arguably the league's preeminent fullback in senior Brannan Southerland (6-0, 240), a versatile veteran. After a 10-touchdown explosion in 2006, Georgia's version of a wrecking ball with legs mostly deferred to Moreno in '07. Nonetheless, coaches praise the Dacula, Ga., native for his value and resourcefulness.
"He's another unselfish player. I keep mentioning unselfishness because really that's why we've been successful over the years under coach Richt," Bobo said. "Coach Richt stresses that. [Southerland] probably could line up some at the 1 back. Last year, he was primarily used for blocking, but he's an extension of really our offensive line. Especially in the I that we run, he's a very smart football player and able to see things. He's truly an asset in our running game, and he's athletic enough to slip out and catch the ball in the flat."
Unfortunately, Southerland will be shelved through the early part of the season after undergoing surgery in June on the navicular bone in his left foot for the second time since the end of last season. Recovery time was expected to be 16 weeks. Georgia coaches are working to find more ways to get the ball in the hands of Moreno, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 12.6 yards on 20 receptions.
"Knowshon Moreno brings a lot of energy to our football team," Bobo said. "Our whole team, not just the offense. We're expecting big things from him. We didn't ask him to do a lot in spring. He still practiced some, and when he practiced, he made a difference offensively. We've got to find him ways to get him the football aside from just handing it to him. He's a proven playmaker."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Because passes weren't always plentiful last season, senior wideout Mohamed Massaquoi (6-2, 198) made sure he delivered when Stafford looked his way. At least a part-time starter in each of his first three seasons in Athens, Massaquoi averaged 15.3 yards per catch in 2007 and produced two of Georgia's most memorable touchdowns -- a 58-yarder against Auburn and team-best and career-long 84-yard strike against Florida. Building on those performances, Massaquoi logged a team-best five catches for 54 yards in the Sugar Bowl and carried that momentum into the spring.
"I think Mohamed really has been a productive player since he's been here, but toward the end of last year, he came on and then really had an outstanding spring," Bobo said. "He was one of our hardest workers in the spring. When he plays well, they [receivers] play well. He gives them confidence."
A former prep All-America selection, Massaquoi also sets an example that Bobo appreciates. "He's got some of the best hands on our team and is just an extremely hard worker," said Bobo, who returned to Georgia when Richt arrived in 2001. "I expect him to have a pretty good year, and he's such an unselfish player. We wanted to try to be balanced last year because of our situation up front [with several first-time starters on the offensive line], and he bought in to the blocking and getting after that."
Bobo sees another of Massaquoi's classmates -- senior Kenneth Harris (6-3, 215) -- poised for a memorable finish to his career. Though Harris has only three career starts, he taxed Mississippi State for 106 receiving yards as a sophomore and could present match-up problems for smaller defensive backs with his broad frame. "I'm really pleased with what Kenneth Harris did this spring," Bobo said. "He's really progressing and coming out of his shell."
Another fourth-year player, Demiko Goodman (6-2, 190), lends experience to the receiving corps while juniors Kris Durham (6-5, 200) and Michael Moore (6-2, 188) excelled in more prominent roles this spring.
Sophomore speedster Tony Wilson (5-11, 198) should factor heavily into the rotation as well once he recovers from the broken ankle that curtailed his spring work. "Michael Moore came on midway through spring," Bobo said. "Tony Wilson had a good spring until he broke his ankle, and he should be running by mid-July, or earlier. He was one of our top receivers midway through spring. All those guys have played and been productive for us."
The group also has embraced a more blue-collar approach for a Georgia offense that at times simply paves over the opposition. "I think they made the commitment to play a little more physical and with more confidence," Bobo said of the group. "The big play threat is to be determined, but I did like the emergence of [freshman] Tavarres King (6-1, 172). [Signee] A.J. Green (6-4, 190) is a good prospect out of South Carolina, and he'll be given a chance. The good thing about our receiving corps is that a lot of guys can help us."
If Georgia's most tenured position of acclaim is tailback, it can boast a pretty strong tight end heritage. The Bulldogs had four tight ends on NFL rosters to start the 2007 season, and though not as heralded as his predecessors, senior Tripp Chandler (6-6, 263) remains an important cog in the Georgia offense. Sophomore Bruce Figgins (6-4, 254) flashed impressive athleticism in his rookie season and could perpetuate the Bulldogs' burgeoning "Tight End U" moniker.
"Tripp struggled a little bit early for us last year, but he came on and made some nice catches," Bobo said. "Bruce Figgins started his first game last year as a freshman, and I think he's really going to be a good player."
With roles changing and positions morphing, coaches also would like to find a way to get redshirt freshman Aron White (6-4, 228) on the field. White could lend help at either fullback or tight end depending on how much weight he packs into his body.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Coaches extol the virtues of spring practice as a time to identify players who can help the team. Richt saw plenty of offensive linemen who could assist Georgia's championship quest this fall. Just not five who were ready to be tattooed as starters.
"There's no top five yet," Richt said at the close of spring camp. "It's going to take a little time until we're certain about our top five players. But we're looking for eight or nine guys to be able to come in and do the job."
A grizzly in a Bulldogs uniform, Georgia Military College product Vince Vance (6-8, 320) lends an imposing, physical frame to the frontline. Vance, a junior, could also play either tackle position if a situation dictated.
After garnering Freshman All-America honors last season, Trinton Sturdivant (6-5, 293) should again protect Stafford's blind side and anchor the Georgia line. Though Sturdivant performed admirably once thrust into a starter's role, Bobo thinks his body has developed to better handle the rigors of SEC football.
"He's getting better because he's getting stronger," Bobo said of Sturdivant, a Wadesboro, N.C., native. "He's proven he can play at this level. [Sophomore] Josh Davis (6-6, 293) right now is his backup. He's trying to work himself into the tackle rotation."
A starter last season at left guard, sophomore Chris Davis (6-4, 292) slides over to center to fill the void left by Fernando Velasco's graduation. Red-shirt freshman Ben Harden (6-3, 310) and early enrollee Ben Jones (6-3, 300) are battling for the backup post. Converted defensive lineman Kiante Tripp (6-6, 270), another of the Bulldogs' 13 underclassmen in the three-deep rotation, was the starting right guard in spring camp.
After starting against Western Carolina last season at right tackle, sophomore Clint Boling (6-5, 290) concluded the season with 10 straight starts at guard. He's backed up by towering redshirt freshman Justin Anderson (6-5, 328), who Bobo said "will have to play for us this year."
Josh Davis (6-6, 293) a sophomore, and redshirt freshman Chris Little (6-6, 330) should factor into the rotations up front. With so much shuffling in the unit, Bobo emphasizes the importance of summer drills for offensive linemen to develop a rapport similar to a quarterback and his wide receivers. "We only have one guy playing the same position, and that's Sturdivant," Bobo said. "Chris Davis moved to center, and he's making calls. It's still a learning process there. We've got to get five guys that play together on a consistent basis, but one thing that will help is that they played last year and gained confidence. I don't think they're ready to go out there and know all of our offense."
While the mildly murky picture up front clears, Bobo expects competition for a spot in the rotation to be the benefit of the unsettled situation. "You want competition, but you want to get the ones you think are going to be the five established to help with chemistry," he said. "We're going to find the five best that can play and move them around."
KICKERS
Where have you gone, Brandon Coutu? A four-year starter and record-setting place-kicker, Coutu was a permanent team captain in '07 and ended his career with 273 points. Even departed backup Andy Bailey was a former Freshman All-SEC selection with 19 career field goals.
One of the leading candidates to replace the formidable duo is a familiar name in Bulldogs annals: Butler. Red-shirt freshman Drew Butler (6-2, 205), son of College Football Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Butler, a former Bulldog star. Brian Mimbs, a senior who found success last year in his first season as punter, could handle kicking duties as needed.
Freshman Blair Walsh (5-10, 163), rated among the nation's top prep kickers, will also be given a chance to compete immediately for the starting job.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Players move on, often to the NFL, but a constant remains along Georgia's defensive front: Bulldogs are going to be at or near the top of the SEC in sacking the quarterback. Marcus Howard produced an SEC-best 10.5 sacks last year and tallied three more drops behind the line against Hawaii in his final game. Attacking from the edge like angry drivers on an exit ramp, the Bulldogs have amassed 109 sacks -- including a league-leading 42 last year -- in three seasons of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez's smartly aggressive system.
Who's on deck in 2008? Senior Jeremy Lomax (6-4, 247) and returning starter Roderick Battle (6-4, 261), a powerful junior who showed flashes of brilliance last season, combined for seven sacks a year ago. Jarius Wynn (6-5, 273), a senior who tallied nine quarterback pressures last season in limited duty, adds another experienced edge rusher.
Behind those three upperclassmen rest a largely untested quartet: third-year sophomores Demarcus Dobbs (6-2, 266) and Michael Lemon (6-4, 274) and redshirt freshmen Neland Ball (6-6, 232) and Justin Houston (6-3, 240). "We've got to play, we've got to have a solid two-deep," said Martinez, whose defenses have ranked among the top 20 nationally in both scoring average and yards allowed in his three seasons. "It's a long season, and philosophically I like playing a lot of guys to keep them fresh for the fourth quarter. I like the competition and like to open it up. We've definitely got some guys that are big-play type players, and we've got role players."
Along the interior, All-SEC pick Geno Atkins (6-1, 290), a junior who last season notched 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hurries, is the centerpiece of a deep and talented crop of tackles. Senior Jeff Owens (6-3, 298) has 24 career starts, and junior Kade Weston (6-5, 316) started the first five games last season.
"Obviously up front it starts with Jeff and Geno," said Martinez, tabbed the No. 12 defensive coordinator in Rivals.com's latest power rankings. "It's very important to have a good player in the middle of defense and your defensive line. Geno Atkins had a great year last year, and I think Geno and Jeff had a good spring.
"Kade Weston and [senior] Corey Irvin (6-4, 286) are two guys I'm really excited about. Both had good springs. [Sophomore] Ricardo Crawford (6-1, 297) really came on this spring. But I think we're anchored by Jeff and Geno."
LINEBACKERS
Cross training typically applies to a method of exercise that stresses varied workouts. Martinez has found a similar application on the gridiron, readying his players at multiple positions by teaching outside linebackers to play inside and safeties to line up at either the free or strong spots.
"I think our scheme allows us to do that," Martinez said. "It's not so complicated that a guy, our Mike [middle linebacker] and our Will [weak side] are very similar. If we've got somebody athletic enough to go inside, we teach him to play outside. The big reason is injuries, so we're not sitting there locked in. We're trying to get our best players ready to play and don't want to be handcuffed. We don't want a situation where a guy is one of our best players, but there's only position he can play. We do it really across the board at all positions. It's just really good for your depth."
The Bulldogs are blessed with enormous talent and experience at linebacker. Senior middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (6-1, 232) returns after a 93-tackle, all-conference campaign a year ago. He's flanked on the strong side by Akeem Dent (6-2, 218), a sophomore who started four games last season and logged 36 tackles. Weak-side force Rennie Curran (5-11, 220) was a Freshman All-America pick for a debut campaign that featured 53 tackles, including nine for loss and three sacks.
"Dannell's the leader of our defense from both his playmaking ability and the leadership from him," Martinez said. "He's a talented, smart player. Rennie Curran had a good spring, and he's someone we wanted to play early on. He can run to the ball and really is an unselfish player. At the end of the year he was one of our top playmakers. Our defense really changed when he was implemented into the starting lineup."
Martinez's cross training was put to the test in spring camp when a nasty shoulder injury shelved Marcus Washington, (6-0, 250), a senior who has indicated he will redshirt this season.
Junior Darius Dewberry (6-3, 236), Akeem Hebron (6-1, 225), a sophomore who rejoined the team after a year away from the program, sophomore Justin Fields (6-1, 244) and sophomore Darryl Gamble (6-2, 237) have been conditioned to fill in as needed in the middle of the Bulldogs defense.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
There's a certain symmetry to the Georgia defense, which boasts three returning starters at each level. Junior cornerback Asher Allen (5-10, 198) was the team's second-leading tackler with 64 stops and established himself as a defensive leader last season "We move him around a lot, and he's a talented kid," Martinez said. "He prepares really well. Not only does he understand expectations from the coaching staff, but his expectations are so high for himself. He had a good year last year and we're expecting for him to have another one. He's really kind of our leader in the secondary."
Returning alongside Allen as starters in the defensive backfield are senior strong safety CJ Byrd (6-2, 193) and Prince Miller, (5-8, 190) a junior whose lone interception last season helped punctuate the Bulldogs' bowl win.
Backup corners Bryan Evans (5-11, 188), a junior who registered 17 tackles and a pick last season, and senior Ramarcus Brown (5-11, 170) have starting experience. Junior Donavon Baldwin (6-2, 204) and sophomore Quintin Banks (6-2, 210) are the frontrunners to back up Byrd and sophomore Reshad Jones (6-2, 203) at safety. Jones must try to fill the considerable void of Kelin Johnson, who started 24 games over the 2006-07 seasons.
"Kelin was a great leader and very productive a year ago," Martinez said. "But we did play Reshad Jones, and we played three safeties in every game. Our fourth guy was [sophomore] Quintin Banks (6-2, 210)."
What Martinez will stress to all of his defensive starters is the importance of turnovers, which are emphasized in practice daily. Georgia bounced back with a plus-9 turnover margin last season after a dismal minus-1 effort in 2006. Three years ago Georgia led the SEC with a plus-11 turnover margin when it captured the SEC title.
"We talk about it every day in practice, about it changing the momentum of a football game," Martinez said of his drive for turnovers. "It doesn't happen any better than a turnover. We stress that every day and practice it every day. One on one, scale, team drills, we're constantly trying to rip it out. We challenge our kids to take that mentality into the ballgame."
PUNTERS
Senior Brian Mimbs (5-11, 205) quickly solidified the Bulldogs' punting game in his first season as starter. Lobbing 16 of his 57 punts inside the 20-yard line, Mimbs caromed a long of 66 yards and closed with a 42.4-yard average that tied for the second-best mark in the SEC.
Sophomore Drew Butler serves as backup to Mimbs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Opposing punters doubtlessly have exhaled. Gone from Georgia's special teams arsenal are punt return dynamos Thomas Flowers and Mikey Henderson, both of whom exhausted their eligibility a year ago.
If his prowess returning kickoffs is an accurate barometer, Asher Allen could again leave opponents breathless. The electric Allen -- a water bug on grass -- piled up a school-record 690 return yards last season -- and more than one bewildered defender. His ability to accelerate quickly and elusiveness in the open field led coaches to pencil him in as the team's punt returner.
Georgia was the only school to rank in the top 40 of all five major special teams categories in '07 -- net punting (14), punt returns (26), kickoff returns (18), punt return defense (7) and kickoff return defense (38).
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Georgia coaches and players aren't engrossed with their preseason buzz, but they have accepted and acknowledged their status as national title contender. That could be key in handling pressure that could be considerable by the time Alabama comes to Athens on Sept. 27.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Bulldogs</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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The return of 45 letter winners would seem to indicate a plethora of depth at most positions, but the Bulldogs need quickly to bolster their offensive line rotation and establish a place-kicker.
Stafford has proven to be a strong closer, leading Georgia to dominant finishes in both the 2006-07 seasons. He needs to be strong throughout the season this year. Richt has acknowledged last season showed the Bulldogs are close to their "ultimate goal."
LSU showed Georgia that can be done even with two losses in the SEC.
USC
COACH AND PROGRAM
It has become a rite of passage. As the calendar dives into the New Year and NFL franchises dispose of their head coaches, the rumor mill starts, and sure enough USC head coach Pete Carroll's name is thrown into the mix of every high-profile job. The courting process never lasts long, though. Carroll always saying he's willing to listen, only to withdraw his name from consideration after a phone call or two.
Word is that he wouldn't even consider returning to the NFL without full control of an organization, but he's never verified that, so rumors being rumors, who knows? The spectrum is two-fold, as it's easy to consider each mindset:
• As competitive as they come, Carroll -- who turns 57 years old in September -- wants to prove he wasn't given a fair shake in head-coaching stops with the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. His career NFL head coaching record stands at 33-31, and of course, the allure of joining Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer as coaches that have won Super Bowls and NCAA championships has to be enticing. And then there's always the money, not that Carroll is hurting at USC.
• The other theory is no less compelling. Why leave the best college coaching job in the land? He more or less has a lifetime contract at USC. And no one can debate that Carroll -- whose .844 career winning percentage is tops among active coaches with only Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops having also won 80 percent of their games -- is better suited for the college game with his rah-rah attitude and his laid-back, ideal-for-the-West Coast personality. He never gelled with the Northeast media of Boston and New York City.
<OFFER>For the time being, though -- that being this season -- Carroll remains as the coach of the Trojans. And that means USC should compete for the BCS Championship.
Over the last six seasons (2002-07), Carroll has guided USC to six top-4 Associated Press poll finishes, including back-to-back national crowns in 2003 and 2004, an NCAA-best six BCS bowl appearances, a conference record six straight Pac-10 crowns and an NCAA-record six straight seasons with at least 11 victories.
The final tally has the Trojans at 70-8 over that stretch. And look no further than this April's NFL draft for why the nation's top recruits flock to USC. The Trojans had 10 players selected, including a mind-boggling seven in the first two rounds. Yes, seven Trojans were taken among the first 63 picks.
Now, for just about any other program in the nation, that would spell doom, perhaps not in terms of a rebuilding project, but you don't lose that kind of talent and compete for a national crown the following year. And especially not with one of the toughest schedules in the land -- the season-opener at Virginia, followed by a visit from what some consider the nation's top team, Ohio State, on Sept. 13. Also, what should be a much-improved Notre Dame squad also visits on Nov. 29.
"I think we owe it to our kids to play as many big-time games as possible, isn't that why they come to USC?" said USC assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. "We're never going to back away from any game; we played Idaho last season to open as a favor to a former assistant, and we hated it. The players hated it, the coaches hated it.
"Our goal every season is to win the Pac-10. That should be the goal of every program, to win their conference. We don't care about playing in the BCS title game, if it happens, great, but you can't let the system control your schedule. If we lose a nonconference game early, so be it, our players and our fans deserve seeing us play Ohio State and Virginia and Auburn and whoever else wants to play us. We will never back off that thought process."
The return of Sarkisian, who turned down the Oakland Raiders' head-coaching job last year, is a huge plus for USC. It's seems implausible that his "internship" under Carroll will last much longer, as the former BYU quarterback is more than ready to either run his own program or perhaps join former USC assistant Lane Kiffin as an NFL head coach. Actually, it's worth mentioning that the entire staff is back from last season, each in their same position.
"I've noticed the difference in having the staff back," Carroll said after spring practice. "There was a difference in our preparation and not having to train a new coach in a position. It was really nice in our continuity and our ability to move ahead. The continuity and teaching with the players was solid and it was a good boost. You could tell we were very competitive with what we tried to get done."
QUARTERBACKS
What was expected to be the most-anticipated spring-time quarterback competition in the country never really materialized. Before the spring game Carroll officially chose his starter, although by that point, it was more or less the worst-kept secret in Los Angeles.
And so it begins, the era of the next chosen one -- junior Mark Sanchez (6-3, 225).
While USC fans, and the coaching staff, were hardly doing back flips when John David Booty broke a finger last season, it did allow Sanchez the chance to start three games. That experience gave him a huge head start over the likes of Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Booty, who had barely seen the field before taking over the USC offense.
Not that Sanchez was Joe Montana in those starts, winning two-of-three with a road loss at Oregon. His numbers for the season were decent, 69-of-114 (60.5 percent), 695 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. For his collegiate career, all of 14 games, Sanchez has thrown for 758 yards, seven TD passes and six picks.
Of course, like any quarterback walking around the USC campus, Sanchez has the pedigree that would suggest future greatness. He was the 2004 Parade All-American Player of the Year, and he has the physical and athletic tools that project as an NFL starting signal caller. However, that talent hasn't really translated as of yet on game days outside of a stellar effort against Notre Dame last year in which he tossed four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Then again, Notre Dame struggled last year, so Sanchez still has to prove he's capable of that kind of performance against elite teams.
Sarkisian thinks Sanchez is ready to make the next step.
"I love the kid, he's going to be a fantastic player," Sarkisian said. "The experience he got last year, going into Notre Dame and Oregon, is invaluable. He has great command of the offense, and I love his leadership.
"I'm not sure how differently the offense will look from last year to the casual observer, but Mark's very athletic, more than any quarterback we've had here, he can really run and he can create with his feet. But schematically, there won't be much difference."
Carroll purposely chose Sanchez as the official starter the week of the spring game to see how he responded.
"That put him in that setting to see how he operated and how guys responded to him and how he picked up," Carroll said. "We saw that. He came out more energetic, more demonstrative and took more of a leadership position in the huddle."
Carroll agrees with Sarkisian that Sanchez is more of an athlete than USC quarterbacks of the past.
"He's a little more resourceful of an athlete than John David was," Carroll said. "JD was more of a pocket guy. Mark is quicker to take off and move. His subtle movements are quicker to slide and bob and weave in the pocket. He's also quicker to take off and run.
"Matt Leinart was a guy who was resourceful and moved around well and avoided the rush and would run at times -- and wished he could run better. Mark and Matt are very similar in that manner. I think what that provides for us, there will be some times when Mark will make movements that create space and get a second look down the field that could possibly give us some shots at big plays."
Another quarterback who can create plays is No. 2 on the depth chart, sophomore Mitch Mustain (6-3, 205). After sitting out last season as a transfer from Arkansas, Mustain was expected to seriously challenge Sanchez, but for whatever reason, it didn't happen this spring. While Sarkisian and Carroll say the competition will continue into the fall, there's no way barring injury that Sanchez doesn't start the opener at Virginia. And multiple reports out of Los Angeles had Mustain being a distant second to Sanchez.
Mustain was 8-0 as a freshman starter at Arkansas in 2006 and dating back to 8th grade, his record as a starting quarterback is a ridiculous 61-2. His transfer to USC surprised some observers of college football, especially given the fact Sanchez has two years of eligibility remaining. He's obviously the presumptive starter for 2010, but one can't imagine he left a starting role in the SEC to sit on the bench for three years and start one season in the Pac-10. At Arkansas in 2006, Mustain completed 69-of-132 passes (52.3 percent) for 894 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was the national prep player of the year the season after Sanchez in 2005.
Behind Sanchez and Mustain is mobile redshirt freshman Aaron Corp (6-3, 185).
RUNNING BACKS
The story last season was why the heck nine All-American high school running backs in a span of two years would each choose USC as their collegiate destination. This isn't exactly the 1950s, when perhaps that could have come as a surprise the first day of practice.
The story this season, though, is which of those prep sensations will emerge as the 1-2 combination that Sarkisian envisions. At least one player took himself out of the equation, though; Emmanuel Moody transferred to Florida last August. He's expected to start there this season.
As for the situation at Troy, last season's leading rusher -- with 969 yards and 10 TDs -- Chauncey Washington exhausted his eligibility and was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft, leaving a bevy of underclassmen battling for carries.
While he's not the leading returner rusher, look for sophomore Joe McKnight (6-0, 180) to become the team's primary ball carrier. Actually, not primary in the sense of 20 carries a game, more like the Reggie Bush's lighting to LenDale White's thunder. And while we're not huge fans of comparing a current player to those of the past, the comparison in this instance is impossible to ignore.
As a freshman McKnight rushed for 540 yards and three scores at 5.7 yards per carry. He also caught 23 balls for 203 yards and a score. However, much like Bush, he came on strong in the latter half of his rookie campaign, highlighted by his 206 all-purpose yards in USC's Rose Bowl win. The Trojans are committed to getting McKnight 15-18 touches a game this season, if not more.
"Ideally, we'd have three guys share the carries this year, but the best players will get enough carries," Sarkisian said. "Joe has never been the full-time tailback, not even in high school, it's new to him, but we're going to run him as much as anyone on the team.
"We have a lot of confidence in Joe, he's a dynamic runner and this spring, he was playing with a lot of confidence."
The post-spring game depth chart has four players listed in bold as the No. 1 tailback, and while that makes for the kind of competition Carroll loves, USC will not share carries between that many players.
The two heavy favorites along with McKnight are junior Stafon Johnson (6-0, 210), who rushed for 673 yards and five TDs at 6.9 yards per carry last season, and sophomore C.J. Gable (6-1, 195), who rushed for 143 yards on just 13 carries before abdomen surgery ended his season after two games.
"This is a very good position for us," Carroll said. "We have lots of versatility here. We have guys with great speed, guys who run very aggressively and guys who have a bit of both. We'll find the special qualities of each player and we'll use what they're skilled at. Stafon has a breakout year last season, Joe is one of the most exciting players in college football and C.J. looked to be all the way back this spring. He can run tough, can make you miss, is a very good pass blocker, probably our best, and can catch the ball well."
Others in the mix include junior Allen Bradford (6-0, 225) and redshirt freshmen Broderick Green (6-1, 230) and Marc Tyler (6-0, 215).
At fullback is sophomore Stanley Havill (6-1, 225). He rushed for 134 yards and two scores and caught 34 balls for 248 yards in 2007. Behind Havill is junior walk on Adam Goodman (6-2, 235).
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The wide receiving corps was without question the most disappointing position for USC last season. Outside of a reserve, the entire group is back, which may or may not be good news. But Sarkisian saw dramatic improvement this spring.
"Without question the most improved position on the team this spring in terms of consistency, it was an inexperienced group last year, hadn't had a lot of reps, we had drop balls, guys running wrong routes," he said. "They had the talent, they just couldn't capture the consistency we needed."
Both starters are back in senior split end Patrick Turner (6-5, 220) -- who made 48 catches for 569 yards and three TDs in 2007 -- and junior flanker Vidal Hazelton (6-3, 210), who caught 50 balls for 540 yards and four scores.
However, neither is a lock to start, especially Turner. Sophomore David Ausberry (6-4, 225) appears to be the next great USC wideout; last season he caught 26 passes for 240 yards and two TDs.
Sophomore Ronald Johnson (6-1, 190) is also pushing for more playing time after catching seven balls for 110 yards in 2007.
"We've grown up some here," Carroll said. "You can really see the maturity that has taken place. Hazelton is really in command; he had a great spring despite being a little nicked up. He's finish up on top of the chart. Johnson has grown and has become familiar with a lot of the things he can do. He's always been a great deep threat, but we like what he's doing. David will be a big factor for us."
And then there's another Arkansas transfer, sophomore Damian Williams (6-1, 190). He started five times as a freshman with the Razorbacks and caught 19 balls. He should see plenty of reps, if not start.
"Probably the guy that was the biggest surprise of the spring is Damian," Carroll said. "He's got downfield ability, his catch and run is good. He's got good feel for getting open inside, and we expect him to continue to grow."
After losing 2007 John Mackey Award winner Fred Davis to the NFL, the Trojans are inexperienced at tight end. The candidates to start are junior Anthony McCoy (6-5, 255), who caught two passes last year, and redshirt freshman Rhett Ellison (6-5, 235).
"McCoy had a great spring; the target that we saw a couple of years back is definitely alive and well," Carroll said. "He's blocked well. Rhett has done a beautiful job. Both will play with the first group. There is not a lot of depth there."
OFFENSIVE LINE
This unit more or less started from scratch this spring, with even the eternal optimist Carroll saying, "The biggest question mark in our program is who will be the starters on the offensive line. It's certainly the most competitive position on the team. It might take a while to sort out, and we might start by rotating guys. We want to identify the top five players and see where they fit."
Four of last season's five starters have departed, including three-time All-American tackle Sam Baker -- a first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft -- and first team All-Pac-10 guard Chilo Rachal, who departed for the NFL a season early and was drafted by San Francisco in the second round.
Worse, the lone returning starter has been as injury plagued as any player since Carroll's arrival. Still, senior guard Jeff Byers (6-4, 285) is among the coach's favorite players.
"Jeff's downfield blocking sets the tone for the style of play that we like," Carroll said. "He will be the steadying influence, and we'll count on his senior leadership. He flies better than anyone we've ever had, making use of his legs and his guts to finish plays. He creates an attitude about the way we play, and I'm grateful for that."
Byers started 12 games last season after missing the majority of 2005 and 2006 with hip and back injuries. He also had hernia surgery before spring practice but was 100 percent for camp. After Byers, honestly, it's anyone's guess, including Carroll. The depth chart starters after the spring game included junior Charles Brown (6-6, 290) at left tackle, sophomore Kristofer O'Dowd (6-5, 300) at center, junior Alex Parsons (6-4, 285) at right tackle and the combination of sophomore Zach Heberer (6-5, 300) and junior Thomas Herring (6-6, 300) at right guard.
"Charles Brown had a very good spring; he really is capable of being a big-time left tackle," Carroll said. "We like the way he took over the role.
"O'Dowd might have been my favorite surprise of spring in that he really came back and took over the communication aspect of the line, which is really helpful developing a young group. He's really solid and physical."
In starting the first three games at center last season O'Dowd became the first freshman in program history to start in the middle. Brown also started a game in 2007.
Also vying for playing time is sophomore tackle Butch Lewis (6-5, 280) and junior tackle Nick Howell (6-5. 275). A couple of freshmen could also be in the mix.
KICKERS
A year removed from the tragic death of kicker Mario Danelo, the Trojans' kicking game is in solid shape after the stellar efforts of David Buehler (6-2, 225).
Pressed into duty a year earlier than expected, Buehler converted 16-of-19 field goals and 52-of-54 extra points. And his kickoffs ranked among the conference's best, with 35-of-84 leaving teams inside their own 20-yard line. He also had 18 touchbacks, including five in the Rose Bowl. His long was 47 yards, but he drilled his lone attempt in 2006 from 49 yards, so length isn't a problem.
"David is one of the top place-kickers in the nation and has a monster leg," Carroll said. "He really pounded the ball this spring."
Behind Buehler are junior walk on Jordan Congdon (5-9, 180), who was Nebraska's kicker in 2004 and 2005, and sophomore walk on Joe Houston (5-8, 160).
DEFENSIVE LINE
While seven starters return on the defense, it's worth mentioning that the four departed starters were among the first 63 players selected in the 2008 NFL draft. And defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and linebacker Keith Rivers were each top-10 picks with end Lawrence Jackson also being a first-rounder.
But don't feel bad for USC, as this defense could easily outperform last year's and that's saying something. Some of the final numbers from a season ago include:
• Allowed 16.0 points and 273.2 yards per game, both of which ranked second nationally among FBS programs.
• Ranked fourth in rushing defense (84.2) and sixth in pass efficiency defense (102.1).
• Placed third in sacks at 3.5 per and 15th in pass defense at 189.0. USC allowed just nine passing touchdowns, the lowest total in the country.
Those numbers are all the more impressive considering the Trojans were decimated by injuries on defense, especially over the first half of the season.
"Defensively, I think we can pick up where we left off last year," Carroll said. "This is a very athletic, aggressive defense. It should be the strength of our team, as there are just a few personnel changes from last year. But to be successful on defense in 2008, we need to get more turnovers than last year.
"Other than the nose tackle spot, I feel we're coming into the season with a good savvy group that knows what we are doing and gives us some flexibility."
The first order of business is obviously replacing Ellis -- a two-time All-American and 2007 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year -- and Jackson up front. Any great defense starts with a pass rush, and those two combined for 29.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in 2007. Carroll thinks this should be the most versatile defense he's had at Troy, and a major reason for that, if not the No. 1 reason, is senior Clay Matthews (6-4, 240). The son of the former USC All-American and legendary Cleveland Browns linebacker of the same name, Matthews was a backup linebacker and special teams maven last season. He finished with just 17 tackles, including three for loss, two forced fumbles and two blocked field goals. The former walk on that earned a scholarship in 2006 was also chosen USC's co-Special Teams Player of the Year. This spring, Matthews became much more than a part-time contributor. This fall, look for Matthews to start at one of the end spots.
"Clay was one of the most productive guys of spring," Carroll said. "He had a great spring playing the Leo spot. He gives us great speed. He's a 4.5 guy and has great savvy and instincts when we drop him. He's given us a real boost and added to the speed of the front four.
"He can play the Sam backer; he has the ability to play both spots (end/linebacker). A lot of the physical things are similar. Right now we want to keep him at end. He's had a very highlighted spring. ... It's the right thing to do. We want him on the field as much as we can."
Look for USC to rotate three ends, with Matthews also playing some linebacker. Perhaps the most talented lineman on the roster is sophomore end Everson Griffen (6-3, 265). As a freshman last season he finished with 21 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. And in starting the season-opener at Idaho, he became the first USC freshman to start an opener on the defensive line since Tim Ryan in 1986.
The other end in the mix is senior Kyle Moore (6-6, 275). He started 11-of-13 games in 2007 and finished with 35 tackles and two sacks. He also had two interceptions and five deflections. Few are better in the Pac-10 batting down passes.
At tackle is senior Fili Moala (6-5, 295), a three-year starter. An All-Pac-10 candidate, Moala started all 13 games last season and finished with 32 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.
"He really gives us good experience and he knows the job well," Carroll said. "He's difficult to block, and his experience and leadership is really valuable to an otherwise pretty young group."
As for the nose tackle, look for the duties to be shared between junior Averell Spicer (6-2, 290) and sophomore Christian Tupou (6-2, 275). Neither has a ton of experience. Spicer -- who sat out spring practice with a knee injury -- made nine tackles and a sack last season, while Tupou barely saw the field. This is the No. 1 question mark of the defense.
"Averell had a great chance for the No. 1 position, but because he was out [this spring], it opened it up for Christian Tupou and he really had a great spring," Carroll said. "He had the best day a defensive lineman had all spring on a day when we only had five linemen practicing. He sucked it up and had a fantastic day. He's learning well and has such a great motor, we think he'll be a factor."
Spicer is expected back at 100 percent come fall practice.
Others in the mix up front include senior end Gerald Washington (6-6, 260) and redshirt freshman end/tackle Trey Henderson (6-3, 265).
LINEBACKERS
How stacked is USC at linebacker? Well consider Thomas Williams wasn't able to crack the starting lineup last season and he was a fifth-round pick in the NFL draft, and that's more or less all one needs to know.
So gone are Rivers and Williams; and yet this unit could -- should -- be stronger than a season ago. And the main reason for that is a pair of Rose Bowl Defensive MVPs in seniors Rey Maualuga (6-3, 250) and Brian Cushing (6-4, 240).
It's hard to fathom that Maualuga -- who plays middle linebacker -- is still in college, first off because it seems like he's been around longer than Ty Detmer was at BYU, and secondly, he would've been among the top linebackers selected in the draft if he declared.
In being chosen first-team All-Pac-10 for the second straight year -- despite being slowed by multiple nagging injuries including a hip -- Maualuga tallied a team-high 79 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss, six sacks and an interception. He was voted 2008 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP after coming up with three sacks and an interception that he returned 19 yards, and is on the short list of Butkus Award favorites. And some of his crushing tackles have already become the stuff of YouTube legend; the kind of hits that hurt more Monday morning than Saturday afternoon.
Cushing, who plays the strong side, was the 2007 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP that was expected to vie for All-Pac-10 honors a season ago but injuries -- including a sprained ankle in the opener against Idaho -- limited him to eight starts. His numbers included 25 tackles and a sack.
"The linebacker spot is really a special spot of us," Carroll said. "With Rey coming back at full speed and Brian coming back from injury, those two guys jacked it up in the second half of spring with spectacular play."
The third starting position is still up for grabs entering fall camp. However, no matter who wins the competition, both senior Kaluka Maiava (6-0, 225) and junior Luther Brown (6-3, 230) should see plenty of reps. Maiava has two career starts and finished last season with 44 tackles and two sacks, while Brown contributed 25 stops in 2007.
"Luther is zeroing in on trying to win that Will spot, but he can also play the other two spots which gives us versatility, much like Thomas Williams did," Carroll said.
Sophomores Michael Morgan (6-3, 220) and Malcolm Smith (6-2, 215) -- the brother of former USC All-American and current New York Giants wideout Steve Smith -- should also see action. Redshirt freshman Chris Galippo (6-2, 235) impressed coaches this spring and is expected to replace Maualuga in the middle in 2009.
"Chris had a real solid spring, he's learned a tremendous amount and will be able to play at the Mike position for us in games early in the season," Carroll said.
Both Maiava and Smith were injured this spring but were expected at 100 percent come the start of practice in August.
"Mike Morgan had a very good spring, he's a good coverage guy and a good blitz guy and has done fine against the run and has tackled very well," Carroll said.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The secondary is loaded, as in arguably the best in the country loaded. As in, well, let's allow Carroll -- who spent 14 college and NFL seasons as a secondary coach -- to expand.
"The secondary really has a chance to be the best we've had," he said. "There's speed, playmaking and leadership in this group. There are three top flight corners and three top flight safeties at least."
The anchor of this unit is junior strong safety Kevin Ellison (6-1, 225). A first-team All-Pac-10 selection in 2007, Ellison finished with 57 tackles including eight for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
"He's probably not flashy and maybe doesn't have all the numbers, but people don't take into account all the stuff Kevin does for us as far as getting other guys lined up, how smart he is and how good a leader he is by example and his work ethic," Holt said. "I think his productivity [in 2008] as far as numbers might even get better. There are guys on these All-American lists that possibly wouldn't play for us quite honestly."
Then again it's not even a guarantee that Ellison ranks as the best safety on his own team, with junior Taylor Mays (6-4, 225) having earned numerous All-American honors last season. His vitals included 65 tackles and an interception.
Providing depth at safety are junior Will Harris (6-1, 205) and sophomore Marshall Jones (6-0, 185). Neither has much experience, but barring an injury to Ellison or Mays, they aren't expected to see much action.
One starting job at corner is locked via senior Cary Harris (6-0, 180), while the other one is somewhat up for grabs with junior Shareece Wright (6-0, 180) being the heavy favorite and projected No. 1 coming out of spring camp. Harris tallied 48 tackles and seven pass breakups last season, while Wright had 29 tackles including 3.5 for loss and four passes breakups. Holt has said multiple times that Wright has a chance to be "special." And Holt's not exactly Carroll is terms of throwing around accolades. There were glimpses last season, especially toward the latter stages, but, say Carroll and Holt, there was a different player flying around the practice field this spring.
If Wright indeed corrals the starting job, look for senior Josh Pinkard (6-1, 215) to be the nickel back. He started in 2005 at corner and broke fall camp as the starting free safety two years ago before knee injuries sidelined him. Also in the mix is junior Kevin Thomas (6-1, 185), who missed last season with foot, ankle and shoulder injuries.
PUNTERS
Former walk on Greg Woidneck (6-0, 200) is back for his senior campaign as a three-year starter. And while he's firmly entrenched as the No. 1 on the depth chart, 2007 wasn't exactly a year to remember with USC placing among the bottom 20 teams nationally in net punting.
First and foremost, he had three punts blocked, although one wasn't his fault. That's four in two years, which is unacceptable at any program, never mind USC.
His strength is angling balls inside opponents' 20-yard line, as he did with 40 percent of his 60 punts last season. Overall, he averaged 37.9 yards with a long of 56 yards. A year previous, as a sophomore, he averaged 38.3 yards with a long of 59.
"Greg is an effective punter," Carroll said. "He really kicked beautifully this spring."
Behind Woidneck on the depth chart is sophomore walk on Billy O'Malley (6-1, 190).
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the most part, it wasn't the typical USC year on special teams last season. At best, the unit as a whole was average, and even that may be a stretch.
However, make no mistake, there is talent in the return game, especially with Sarkisian guaranteeing Blue Ribbon that even with an expanded role in the offense that -- much like Reggie Bush -- McKnight would remain the team's primary punt returner.
As a freshman, McKnight was solid, averaging 8.4 yards on 19 returns with a long of 45. He shared duties, depending on where the ball was expected to come down, with sure-handed Desmond Reed. If the punt was likely to come down inside or around USC's 30 yard line or so, Reed handle the chore. This year, McKnight is expected to return all punts, with Johnson No. 2 on the depth chart.
"Joe McKnight is a guy that is a very good punt returner; we are excited that he'll have the full duties coming fall," Carroll said. "He's an exciting, breakaway type."
The kick returns will be shared by Johnson and Gable. The latter averaged 24.8 yards on 25 returns last season and already ranks 13th in program history in kick return yardage, while Gable returned just two at 17 yards per.
"We'll have Ronald Johnson and Gable back there at the same time, so you can't kick away from them," Carroll said. "Both guys as freshmen had very good productive years as returners, and we expect a lot from those guys."
Troy graduated its holder and long snapper, and Carroll said replacing four-year starter Will Collins is the team's No. 1 challenge on special teams. Coming out of spring, sophomore walk on Cooper Stephenson (6-3, 215) was listed No. 1 on the depth chart with juniors Alex Parsons and Christian Putnam (5-11, 200) behind him.
"Cooper Stephenson is going to be our long snapper as of right now," Carroll said at the conclusion of spring practice. "We'd like to have a more competitive situation going into the fall." As for holder, look for junior wide receiver Garrett Green (6-2, 205) to win the job, with Woidneck also an option.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Trojans</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->If the last two seasons are becoming the norm more than the exception in terms of not being able to lose a game and win the national championship, USC has to rank with the favorites to hoist the BCS trophy come season's end.
On paper at least, this team doesn't rank with the back-to-back national champions of yesteryear, but defensively, it's as strong as any since Carroll's arrival.
The wild card is obviously the aerial attack, inclusive of Sanchez, the wide receivers and the tight ends. There's no doubting this team's ability to run, but this isn't the Southwest Conference of the 1970s with Barry Switzer running the ball 60 times a game; this is the Pac-10, and the Trojans are going to need at the least a passing game on par with a season ago.
Sanchez certainly has the pedigree and the makeup to become the next great one and lead USC on another mini-dynasty the next two seasons, but he simply didn't show enough in three starts last year to guarantee that.
The schedule, as alluded to before, is brutal -- although USC's three toughest opponents (Ohio State, Arizona State and Oregon) visit the Coliseum -- and it's hard to envision USC entering January undefeated. But as the case has been each of the last six seasons, the Trojans will have a say about the national championship picture come late November.
At the least, a seventh straight Pac-10 crown seems all but a lock, as Arizona State is a distant second in terms of talent pool. And if USC defeats Ohio State on Sept. 13, watch out -- it could be a wire-to-wire run at No. 1.
In the interest of full disclosure, we picked USC to finish 13-0 and win the national title last season. Maybe we were just a year off.
Southern California Trojans
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Los Angeles</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Pac-10</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>11-2 (.846)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>7-2 (t-1st)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Trojans</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Cardinal & Gold</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>L.A. Memorial Coliseum (92,000)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Pete Carroll (Pacific '73)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>76-14 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>76-14 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Steve Sarkisian (BYU '97), Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Nick Holt (Pacific '86), Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
• John Morton (Western Michigan '97), Passing Coordinator/Wide Receivers
• Brendan Carroll (Pittsburgh '01), Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
• Todd McNair (Temple '88), Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
• Ken Norton, Jr. (UCLA '98), Linebackers
• Pat Ruel (Miami '72), Offensive Line
• Rocky Seto (USC '99), Secondary
• David Watson (Western Illinois '01), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>12-13-12-11-11</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>2-1-2-6-3</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Illinois in Rose Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>at Virginia </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Ohio State </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 25</TD><TD>at Oregon State </TD><TD>9:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Oregon </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>Arizona State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at Washington State </TD><TD>3:15 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Arizona </TD><TD>10:15 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>Washington </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>California </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at Stanford </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Notre Dame </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>December 6</TD><TD>at UCLA </TD><TD>4:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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COACH AND PROGRAM
It has become a rite of passage. As the calendar dives into the New Year and NFL franchises dispose of their head coaches, the rumor mill starts, and sure enough USC head coach Pete Carroll's name is thrown into the mix of every high-profile job. The courting process never lasts long, though. Carroll always saying he's willing to listen, only to withdraw his name from consideration after a phone call or two.
Word is that he wouldn't even consider returning to the NFL without full control of an organization, but he's never verified that, so rumors being rumors, who knows? The spectrum is two-fold, as it's easy to consider each mindset:
• As competitive as they come, Carroll -- who turns 57 years old in September -- wants to prove he wasn't given a fair shake in head-coaching stops with the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. His career NFL head coaching record stands at 33-31, and of course, the allure of joining Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer as coaches that have won Super Bowls and NCAA championships has to be enticing. And then there's always the money, not that Carroll is hurting at USC.
• The other theory is no less compelling. Why leave the best college coaching job in the land? He more or less has a lifetime contract at USC. And no one can debate that Carroll -- whose .844 career winning percentage is tops among active coaches with only Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops having also won 80 percent of their games -- is better suited for the college game with his rah-rah attitude and his laid-back, ideal-for-the-West Coast personality. He never gelled with the Northeast media of Boston and New York City.
<OFFER>For the time being, though -- that being this season -- Carroll remains as the coach of the Trojans. And that means USC should compete for the BCS Championship.
Over the last six seasons (2002-07), Carroll has guided USC to six top-4 Associated Press poll finishes, including back-to-back national crowns in 2003 and 2004, an NCAA-best six BCS bowl appearances, a conference record six straight Pac-10 crowns and an NCAA-record six straight seasons with at least 11 victories.
The final tally has the Trojans at 70-8 over that stretch. And look no further than this April's NFL draft for why the nation's top recruits flock to USC. The Trojans had 10 players selected, including a mind-boggling seven in the first two rounds. Yes, seven Trojans were taken among the first 63 picks.
Now, for just about any other program in the nation, that would spell doom, perhaps not in terms of a rebuilding project, but you don't lose that kind of talent and compete for a national crown the following year. And especially not with one of the toughest schedules in the land -- the season-opener at Virginia, followed by a visit from what some consider the nation's top team, Ohio State, on Sept. 13. Also, what should be a much-improved Notre Dame squad also visits on Nov. 29.
"I think we owe it to our kids to play as many big-time games as possible, isn't that why they come to USC?" said USC assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. "We're never going to back away from any game; we played Idaho last season to open as a favor to a former assistant, and we hated it. The players hated it, the coaches hated it.
"Our goal every season is to win the Pac-10. That should be the goal of every program, to win their conference. We don't care about playing in the BCS title game, if it happens, great, but you can't let the system control your schedule. If we lose a nonconference game early, so be it, our players and our fans deserve seeing us play Ohio State and Virginia and Auburn and whoever else wants to play us. We will never back off that thought process."
The return of Sarkisian, who turned down the Oakland Raiders' head-coaching job last year, is a huge plus for USC. It's seems implausible that his "internship" under Carroll will last much longer, as the former BYU quarterback is more than ready to either run his own program or perhaps join former USC assistant Lane Kiffin as an NFL head coach. Actually, it's worth mentioning that the entire staff is back from last season, each in their same position.
"I've noticed the difference in having the staff back," Carroll said after spring practice. "There was a difference in our preparation and not having to train a new coach in a position. It was really nice in our continuity and our ability to move ahead. The continuity and teaching with the players was solid and it was a good boost. You could tell we were very competitive with what we tried to get done."
QUARTERBACKS
What was expected to be the most-anticipated spring-time quarterback competition in the country never really materialized. Before the spring game Carroll officially chose his starter, although by that point, it was more or less the worst-kept secret in Los Angeles.
And so it begins, the era of the next chosen one -- junior Mark Sanchez (6-3, 225).
While USC fans, and the coaching staff, were hardly doing back flips when John David Booty broke a finger last season, it did allow Sanchez the chance to start three games. That experience gave him a huge head start over the likes of Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Booty, who had barely seen the field before taking over the USC offense.
Not that Sanchez was Joe Montana in those starts, winning two-of-three with a road loss at Oregon. His numbers for the season were decent, 69-of-114 (60.5 percent), 695 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. For his collegiate career, all of 14 games, Sanchez has thrown for 758 yards, seven TD passes and six picks.
Of course, like any quarterback walking around the USC campus, Sanchez has the pedigree that would suggest future greatness. He was the 2004 Parade All-American Player of the Year, and he has the physical and athletic tools that project as an NFL starting signal caller. However, that talent hasn't really translated as of yet on game days outside of a stellar effort against Notre Dame last year in which he tossed four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Then again, Notre Dame struggled last year, so Sanchez still has to prove he's capable of that kind of performance against elite teams.
Sarkisian thinks Sanchez is ready to make the next step.
"I love the kid, he's going to be a fantastic player," Sarkisian said. "The experience he got last year, going into Notre Dame and Oregon, is invaluable. He has great command of the offense, and I love his leadership.
"I'm not sure how differently the offense will look from last year to the casual observer, but Mark's very athletic, more than any quarterback we've had here, he can really run and he can create with his feet. But schematically, there won't be much difference."
Carroll purposely chose Sanchez as the official starter the week of the spring game to see how he responded.
"That put him in that setting to see how he operated and how guys responded to him and how he picked up," Carroll said. "We saw that. He came out more energetic, more demonstrative and took more of a leadership position in the huddle."
Carroll agrees with Sarkisian that Sanchez is more of an athlete than USC quarterbacks of the past.
"He's a little more resourceful of an athlete than John David was," Carroll said. "JD was more of a pocket guy. Mark is quicker to take off and move. His subtle movements are quicker to slide and bob and weave in the pocket. He's also quicker to take off and run.
"Matt Leinart was a guy who was resourceful and moved around well and avoided the rush and would run at times -- and wished he could run better. Mark and Matt are very similar in that manner. I think what that provides for us, there will be some times when Mark will make movements that create space and get a second look down the field that could possibly give us some shots at big plays."
Another quarterback who can create plays is No. 2 on the depth chart, sophomore Mitch Mustain (6-3, 205). After sitting out last season as a transfer from Arkansas, Mustain was expected to seriously challenge Sanchez, but for whatever reason, it didn't happen this spring. While Sarkisian and Carroll say the competition will continue into the fall, there's no way barring injury that Sanchez doesn't start the opener at Virginia. And multiple reports out of Los Angeles had Mustain being a distant second to Sanchez.
Mustain was 8-0 as a freshman starter at Arkansas in 2006 and dating back to 8th grade, his record as a starting quarterback is a ridiculous 61-2. His transfer to USC surprised some observers of college football, especially given the fact Sanchez has two years of eligibility remaining. He's obviously the presumptive starter for 2010, but one can't imagine he left a starting role in the SEC to sit on the bench for three years and start one season in the Pac-10. At Arkansas in 2006, Mustain completed 69-of-132 passes (52.3 percent) for 894 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was the national prep player of the year the season after Sanchez in 2005.
Behind Sanchez and Mustain is mobile redshirt freshman Aaron Corp (6-3, 185).
RUNNING BACKS
The story last season was why the heck nine All-American high school running backs in a span of two years would each choose USC as their collegiate destination. This isn't exactly the 1950s, when perhaps that could have come as a surprise the first day of practice.
The story this season, though, is which of those prep sensations will emerge as the 1-2 combination that Sarkisian envisions. At least one player took himself out of the equation, though; Emmanuel Moody transferred to Florida last August. He's expected to start there this season.
As for the situation at Troy, last season's leading rusher -- with 969 yards and 10 TDs -- Chauncey Washington exhausted his eligibility and was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft, leaving a bevy of underclassmen battling for carries.
While he's not the leading returner rusher, look for sophomore Joe McKnight (6-0, 180) to become the team's primary ball carrier. Actually, not primary in the sense of 20 carries a game, more like the Reggie Bush's lighting to LenDale White's thunder. And while we're not huge fans of comparing a current player to those of the past, the comparison in this instance is impossible to ignore.
As a freshman McKnight rushed for 540 yards and three scores at 5.7 yards per carry. He also caught 23 balls for 203 yards and a score. However, much like Bush, he came on strong in the latter half of his rookie campaign, highlighted by his 206 all-purpose yards in USC's Rose Bowl win. The Trojans are committed to getting McKnight 15-18 touches a game this season, if not more.
"Ideally, we'd have three guys share the carries this year, but the best players will get enough carries," Sarkisian said. "Joe has never been the full-time tailback, not even in high school, it's new to him, but we're going to run him as much as anyone on the team.
"We have a lot of confidence in Joe, he's a dynamic runner and this spring, he was playing with a lot of confidence."
The post-spring game depth chart has four players listed in bold as the No. 1 tailback, and while that makes for the kind of competition Carroll loves, USC will not share carries between that many players.
The two heavy favorites along with McKnight are junior Stafon Johnson (6-0, 210), who rushed for 673 yards and five TDs at 6.9 yards per carry last season, and sophomore C.J. Gable (6-1, 195), who rushed for 143 yards on just 13 carries before abdomen surgery ended his season after two games.
"This is a very good position for us," Carroll said. "We have lots of versatility here. We have guys with great speed, guys who run very aggressively and guys who have a bit of both. We'll find the special qualities of each player and we'll use what they're skilled at. Stafon has a breakout year last season, Joe is one of the most exciting players in college football and C.J. looked to be all the way back this spring. He can run tough, can make you miss, is a very good pass blocker, probably our best, and can catch the ball well."
Others in the mix include junior Allen Bradford (6-0, 225) and redshirt freshmen Broderick Green (6-1, 230) and Marc Tyler (6-0, 215).
At fullback is sophomore Stanley Havill (6-1, 225). He rushed for 134 yards and two scores and caught 34 balls for 248 yards in 2007. Behind Havill is junior walk on Adam Goodman (6-2, 235).
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The wide receiving corps was without question the most disappointing position for USC last season. Outside of a reserve, the entire group is back, which may or may not be good news. But Sarkisian saw dramatic improvement this spring.
"Without question the most improved position on the team this spring in terms of consistency, it was an inexperienced group last year, hadn't had a lot of reps, we had drop balls, guys running wrong routes," he said. "They had the talent, they just couldn't capture the consistency we needed."
Both starters are back in senior split end Patrick Turner (6-5, 220) -- who made 48 catches for 569 yards and three TDs in 2007 -- and junior flanker Vidal Hazelton (6-3, 210), who caught 50 balls for 540 yards and four scores.
However, neither is a lock to start, especially Turner. Sophomore David Ausberry (6-4, 225) appears to be the next great USC wideout; last season he caught 26 passes for 240 yards and two TDs.
Sophomore Ronald Johnson (6-1, 190) is also pushing for more playing time after catching seven balls for 110 yards in 2007.
"We've grown up some here," Carroll said. "You can really see the maturity that has taken place. Hazelton is really in command; he had a great spring despite being a little nicked up. He's finish up on top of the chart. Johnson has grown and has become familiar with a lot of the things he can do. He's always been a great deep threat, but we like what he's doing. David will be a big factor for us."
And then there's another Arkansas transfer, sophomore Damian Williams (6-1, 190). He started five times as a freshman with the Razorbacks and caught 19 balls. He should see plenty of reps, if not start.
"Probably the guy that was the biggest surprise of the spring is Damian," Carroll said. "He's got downfield ability, his catch and run is good. He's got good feel for getting open inside, and we expect him to continue to grow."
After losing 2007 John Mackey Award winner Fred Davis to the NFL, the Trojans are inexperienced at tight end. The candidates to start are junior Anthony McCoy (6-5, 255), who caught two passes last year, and redshirt freshman Rhett Ellison (6-5, 235).
"McCoy had a great spring; the target that we saw a couple of years back is definitely alive and well," Carroll said. "He's blocked well. Rhett has done a beautiful job. Both will play with the first group. There is not a lot of depth there."
OFFENSIVE LINE
This unit more or less started from scratch this spring, with even the eternal optimist Carroll saying, "The biggest question mark in our program is who will be the starters on the offensive line. It's certainly the most competitive position on the team. It might take a while to sort out, and we might start by rotating guys. We want to identify the top five players and see where they fit."
Four of last season's five starters have departed, including three-time All-American tackle Sam Baker -- a first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft -- and first team All-Pac-10 guard Chilo Rachal, who departed for the NFL a season early and was drafted by San Francisco in the second round.
Worse, the lone returning starter has been as injury plagued as any player since Carroll's arrival. Still, senior guard Jeff Byers (6-4, 285) is among the coach's favorite players.
"Jeff's downfield blocking sets the tone for the style of play that we like," Carroll said. "He will be the steadying influence, and we'll count on his senior leadership. He flies better than anyone we've ever had, making use of his legs and his guts to finish plays. He creates an attitude about the way we play, and I'm grateful for that."
Byers started 12 games last season after missing the majority of 2005 and 2006 with hip and back injuries. He also had hernia surgery before spring practice but was 100 percent for camp. After Byers, honestly, it's anyone's guess, including Carroll. The depth chart starters after the spring game included junior Charles Brown (6-6, 290) at left tackle, sophomore Kristofer O'Dowd (6-5, 300) at center, junior Alex Parsons (6-4, 285) at right tackle and the combination of sophomore Zach Heberer (6-5, 300) and junior Thomas Herring (6-6, 300) at right guard.
"Charles Brown had a very good spring; he really is capable of being a big-time left tackle," Carroll said. "We like the way he took over the role.
"O'Dowd might have been my favorite surprise of spring in that he really came back and took over the communication aspect of the line, which is really helpful developing a young group. He's really solid and physical."
In starting the first three games at center last season O'Dowd became the first freshman in program history to start in the middle. Brown also started a game in 2007.
Also vying for playing time is sophomore tackle Butch Lewis (6-5, 280) and junior tackle Nick Howell (6-5. 275). A couple of freshmen could also be in the mix.
KICKERS
A year removed from the tragic death of kicker Mario Danelo, the Trojans' kicking game is in solid shape after the stellar efforts of David Buehler (6-2, 225).
Pressed into duty a year earlier than expected, Buehler converted 16-of-19 field goals and 52-of-54 extra points. And his kickoffs ranked among the conference's best, with 35-of-84 leaving teams inside their own 20-yard line. He also had 18 touchbacks, including five in the Rose Bowl. His long was 47 yards, but he drilled his lone attempt in 2006 from 49 yards, so length isn't a problem.
"David is one of the top place-kickers in the nation and has a monster leg," Carroll said. "He really pounded the ball this spring."
Behind Buehler are junior walk on Jordan Congdon (5-9, 180), who was Nebraska's kicker in 2004 and 2005, and sophomore walk on Joe Houston (5-8, 160).
DEFENSIVE LINE
While seven starters return on the defense, it's worth mentioning that the four departed starters were among the first 63 players selected in the 2008 NFL draft. And defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and linebacker Keith Rivers were each top-10 picks with end Lawrence Jackson also being a first-rounder.
But don't feel bad for USC, as this defense could easily outperform last year's and that's saying something. Some of the final numbers from a season ago include:
• Allowed 16.0 points and 273.2 yards per game, both of which ranked second nationally among FBS programs.
• Ranked fourth in rushing defense (84.2) and sixth in pass efficiency defense (102.1).
• Placed third in sacks at 3.5 per and 15th in pass defense at 189.0. USC allowed just nine passing touchdowns, the lowest total in the country.
Those numbers are all the more impressive considering the Trojans were decimated by injuries on defense, especially over the first half of the season.
"Defensively, I think we can pick up where we left off last year," Carroll said. "This is a very athletic, aggressive defense. It should be the strength of our team, as there are just a few personnel changes from last year. But to be successful on defense in 2008, we need to get more turnovers than last year.
"Other than the nose tackle spot, I feel we're coming into the season with a good savvy group that knows what we are doing and gives us some flexibility."
The first order of business is obviously replacing Ellis -- a two-time All-American and 2007 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year -- and Jackson up front. Any great defense starts with a pass rush, and those two combined for 29.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in 2007. Carroll thinks this should be the most versatile defense he's had at Troy, and a major reason for that, if not the No. 1 reason, is senior Clay Matthews (6-4, 240). The son of the former USC All-American and legendary Cleveland Browns linebacker of the same name, Matthews was a backup linebacker and special teams maven last season. He finished with just 17 tackles, including three for loss, two forced fumbles and two blocked field goals. The former walk on that earned a scholarship in 2006 was also chosen USC's co-Special Teams Player of the Year. This spring, Matthews became much more than a part-time contributor. This fall, look for Matthews to start at one of the end spots.
"Clay was one of the most productive guys of spring," Carroll said. "He had a great spring playing the Leo spot. He gives us great speed. He's a 4.5 guy and has great savvy and instincts when we drop him. He's given us a real boost and added to the speed of the front four.
"He can play the Sam backer; he has the ability to play both spots (end/linebacker). A lot of the physical things are similar. Right now we want to keep him at end. He's had a very highlighted spring. ... It's the right thing to do. We want him on the field as much as we can."
Look for USC to rotate three ends, with Matthews also playing some linebacker. Perhaps the most talented lineman on the roster is sophomore end Everson Griffen (6-3, 265). As a freshman last season he finished with 21 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. And in starting the season-opener at Idaho, he became the first USC freshman to start an opener on the defensive line since Tim Ryan in 1986.
The other end in the mix is senior Kyle Moore (6-6, 275). He started 11-of-13 games in 2007 and finished with 35 tackles and two sacks. He also had two interceptions and five deflections. Few are better in the Pac-10 batting down passes.
At tackle is senior Fili Moala (6-5, 295), a three-year starter. An All-Pac-10 candidate, Moala started all 13 games last season and finished with 32 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.
"He really gives us good experience and he knows the job well," Carroll said. "He's difficult to block, and his experience and leadership is really valuable to an otherwise pretty young group."
As for the nose tackle, look for the duties to be shared between junior Averell Spicer (6-2, 290) and sophomore Christian Tupou (6-2, 275). Neither has a ton of experience. Spicer -- who sat out spring practice with a knee injury -- made nine tackles and a sack last season, while Tupou barely saw the field. This is the No. 1 question mark of the defense.
"Averell had a great chance for the No. 1 position, but because he was out [this spring], it opened it up for Christian Tupou and he really had a great spring," Carroll said. "He had the best day a defensive lineman had all spring on a day when we only had five linemen practicing. He sucked it up and had a fantastic day. He's learning well and has such a great motor, we think he'll be a factor."
Spicer is expected back at 100 percent come fall practice.
Others in the mix up front include senior end Gerald Washington (6-6, 260) and redshirt freshman end/tackle Trey Henderson (6-3, 265).
LINEBACKERS
How stacked is USC at linebacker? Well consider Thomas Williams wasn't able to crack the starting lineup last season and he was a fifth-round pick in the NFL draft, and that's more or less all one needs to know.
So gone are Rivers and Williams; and yet this unit could -- should -- be stronger than a season ago. And the main reason for that is a pair of Rose Bowl Defensive MVPs in seniors Rey Maualuga (6-3, 250) and Brian Cushing (6-4, 240).
It's hard to fathom that Maualuga -- who plays middle linebacker -- is still in college, first off because it seems like he's been around longer than Ty Detmer was at BYU, and secondly, he would've been among the top linebackers selected in the draft if he declared.
In being chosen first-team All-Pac-10 for the second straight year -- despite being slowed by multiple nagging injuries including a hip -- Maualuga tallied a team-high 79 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss, six sacks and an interception. He was voted 2008 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP after coming up with three sacks and an interception that he returned 19 yards, and is on the short list of Butkus Award favorites. And some of his crushing tackles have already become the stuff of YouTube legend; the kind of hits that hurt more Monday morning than Saturday afternoon.
Cushing, who plays the strong side, was the 2007 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP that was expected to vie for All-Pac-10 honors a season ago but injuries -- including a sprained ankle in the opener against Idaho -- limited him to eight starts. His numbers included 25 tackles and a sack.
"The linebacker spot is really a special spot of us," Carroll said. "With Rey coming back at full speed and Brian coming back from injury, those two guys jacked it up in the second half of spring with spectacular play."
The third starting position is still up for grabs entering fall camp. However, no matter who wins the competition, both senior Kaluka Maiava (6-0, 225) and junior Luther Brown (6-3, 230) should see plenty of reps. Maiava has two career starts and finished last season with 44 tackles and two sacks, while Brown contributed 25 stops in 2007.
"Luther is zeroing in on trying to win that Will spot, but he can also play the other two spots which gives us versatility, much like Thomas Williams did," Carroll said.
Sophomores Michael Morgan (6-3, 220) and Malcolm Smith (6-2, 215) -- the brother of former USC All-American and current New York Giants wideout Steve Smith -- should also see action. Redshirt freshman Chris Galippo (6-2, 235) impressed coaches this spring and is expected to replace Maualuga in the middle in 2009.
"Chris had a real solid spring, he's learned a tremendous amount and will be able to play at the Mike position for us in games early in the season," Carroll said.
Both Maiava and Smith were injured this spring but were expected at 100 percent come the start of practice in August.
"Mike Morgan had a very good spring, he's a good coverage guy and a good blitz guy and has done fine against the run and has tackled very well," Carroll said.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The secondary is loaded, as in arguably the best in the country loaded. As in, well, let's allow Carroll -- who spent 14 college and NFL seasons as a secondary coach -- to expand.
"The secondary really has a chance to be the best we've had," he said. "There's speed, playmaking and leadership in this group. There are three top flight corners and three top flight safeties at least."
The anchor of this unit is junior strong safety Kevin Ellison (6-1, 225). A first-team All-Pac-10 selection in 2007, Ellison finished with 57 tackles including eight for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
"He's probably not flashy and maybe doesn't have all the numbers, but people don't take into account all the stuff Kevin does for us as far as getting other guys lined up, how smart he is and how good a leader he is by example and his work ethic," Holt said. "I think his productivity [in 2008] as far as numbers might even get better. There are guys on these All-American lists that possibly wouldn't play for us quite honestly."
Then again it's not even a guarantee that Ellison ranks as the best safety on his own team, with junior Taylor Mays (6-4, 225) having earned numerous All-American honors last season. His vitals included 65 tackles and an interception.
Providing depth at safety are junior Will Harris (6-1, 205) and sophomore Marshall Jones (6-0, 185). Neither has much experience, but barring an injury to Ellison or Mays, they aren't expected to see much action.
One starting job at corner is locked via senior Cary Harris (6-0, 180), while the other one is somewhat up for grabs with junior Shareece Wright (6-0, 180) being the heavy favorite and projected No. 1 coming out of spring camp. Harris tallied 48 tackles and seven pass breakups last season, while Wright had 29 tackles including 3.5 for loss and four passes breakups. Holt has said multiple times that Wright has a chance to be "special." And Holt's not exactly Carroll is terms of throwing around accolades. There were glimpses last season, especially toward the latter stages, but, say Carroll and Holt, there was a different player flying around the practice field this spring.
If Wright indeed corrals the starting job, look for senior Josh Pinkard (6-1, 215) to be the nickel back. He started in 2005 at corner and broke fall camp as the starting free safety two years ago before knee injuries sidelined him. Also in the mix is junior Kevin Thomas (6-1, 185), who missed last season with foot, ankle and shoulder injuries.
PUNTERS
Former walk on Greg Woidneck (6-0, 200) is back for his senior campaign as a three-year starter. And while he's firmly entrenched as the No. 1 on the depth chart, 2007 wasn't exactly a year to remember with USC placing among the bottom 20 teams nationally in net punting.
First and foremost, he had three punts blocked, although one wasn't his fault. That's four in two years, which is unacceptable at any program, never mind USC.
His strength is angling balls inside opponents' 20-yard line, as he did with 40 percent of his 60 punts last season. Overall, he averaged 37.9 yards with a long of 56 yards. A year previous, as a sophomore, he averaged 38.3 yards with a long of 59.
"Greg is an effective punter," Carroll said. "He really kicked beautifully this spring."
Behind Woidneck on the depth chart is sophomore walk on Billy O'Malley (6-1, 190).
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the most part, it wasn't the typical USC year on special teams last season. At best, the unit as a whole was average, and even that may be a stretch.
However, make no mistake, there is talent in the return game, especially with Sarkisian guaranteeing Blue Ribbon that even with an expanded role in the offense that -- much like Reggie Bush -- McKnight would remain the team's primary punt returner.
As a freshman, McKnight was solid, averaging 8.4 yards on 19 returns with a long of 45. He shared duties, depending on where the ball was expected to come down, with sure-handed Desmond Reed. If the punt was likely to come down inside or around USC's 30 yard line or so, Reed handle the chore. This year, McKnight is expected to return all punts, with Johnson No. 2 on the depth chart.
"Joe McKnight is a guy that is a very good punt returner; we are excited that he'll have the full duties coming fall," Carroll said. "He's an exciting, breakaway type."
The kick returns will be shared by Johnson and Gable. The latter averaged 24.8 yards on 25 returns last season and already ranks 13th in program history in kick return yardage, while Gable returned just two at 17 yards per.
"We'll have Ronald Johnson and Gable back there at the same time, so you can't kick away from them," Carroll said. "Both guys as freshmen had very good productive years as returners, and we expect a lot from those guys."
Troy graduated its holder and long snapper, and Carroll said replacing four-year starter Will Collins is the team's No. 1 challenge on special teams. Coming out of spring, sophomore walk on Cooper Stephenson (6-3, 215) was listed No. 1 on the depth chart with juniors Alex Parsons and Christian Putnam (5-11, 200) behind him.
"Cooper Stephenson is going to be our long snapper as of right now," Carroll said at the conclusion of spring practice. "We'd like to have a more competitive situation going into the fall." As for holder, look for junior wide receiver Garrett Green (6-2, 205) to win the job, with Woidneck also an option.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Trojans</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->If the last two seasons are becoming the norm more than the exception in terms of not being able to lose a game and win the national championship, USC has to rank with the favorites to hoist the BCS trophy come season's end.
On paper at least, this team doesn't rank with the back-to-back national champions of yesteryear, but defensively, it's as strong as any since Carroll's arrival.
The wild card is obviously the aerial attack, inclusive of Sanchez, the wide receivers and the tight ends. There's no doubting this team's ability to run, but this isn't the Southwest Conference of the 1970s with Barry Switzer running the ball 60 times a game; this is the Pac-10, and the Trojans are going to need at the least a passing game on par with a season ago.
Sanchez certainly has the pedigree and the makeup to become the next great one and lead USC on another mini-dynasty the next two seasons, but he simply didn't show enough in three starts last year to guarantee that.
The schedule, as alluded to before, is brutal -- although USC's three toughest opponents (Ohio State, Arizona State and Oregon) visit the Coliseum -- and it's hard to envision USC entering January undefeated. But as the case has been each of the last six seasons, the Trojans will have a say about the national championship picture come late November.
At the least, a seventh straight Pac-10 crown seems all but a lock, as Arizona State is a distant second in terms of talent pool. And if USC defeats Ohio State on Sept. 13, watch out -- it could be a wire-to-wire run at No. 1.
In the interest of full disclosure, we picked USC to finish 13-0 and win the national title last season. Maybe we were just a year off.
Southern California Trojans
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Los Angeles</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Pac-10</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>11-2 (.846)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>7-2 (t-1st)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Trojans</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Cardinal & Gold</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>L.A. Memorial Coliseum (92,000)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Pete Carroll (Pacific '73)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>76-14 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>76-14 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Steve Sarkisian (BYU '97), Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Nick Holt (Pacific '86), Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
• John Morton (Western Michigan '97), Passing Coordinator/Wide Receivers
• Brendan Carroll (Pittsburgh '01), Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
• Todd McNair (Temple '88), Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
• Ken Norton, Jr. (UCLA '98), Linebackers
• Pat Ruel (Miami '72), Offensive Line
• Rocky Seto (USC '99), Secondary
• David Watson (Western Illinois '01), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>12-13-12-11-11</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>2-1-2-6-3</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Illinois in Rose Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>at Virginia </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>Ohio State </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 25</TD><TD>at Oregon State </TD><TD>9:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Oregon </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>Arizona State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at Washington State </TD><TD>3:15 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Arizona </TD><TD>10:15 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>Washington </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>California </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at Stanford </TD><TD>7:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Notre Dame </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>December 6</TD><TD>at UCLA </TD><TD>4:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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Tennessee
COACH AND PROGRAM
Half a dozen players ran into trouble with John Law. The hometown columnist called for the head coach to be fired. Nearly the entire offensive staff bolted town & for Duke. All this after winning 10 games, claiming the Southeastern Conference East Division title and giving LSU all it could handle in the SEC Championship.
It seems that even in good times, turmoil continues to swirl around the Tennessee football program.
Even before the final whistle blew in Tennessee's victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, Phillip Fulmer knew that tough work lay ahead. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe had accepted the head-coaching job at Duke, and took two UT assistants with him. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor also was on the way out, having accepted a job as co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
On top of that, the Vols faced personnel challenges with the departure of long-time starting quarterback Erik Ainge and linebacker Jerod Mayo, leading tackler and soon-to-be NFL millionaire.
Slowly but surely, Fulmer hired a new offensive staff -- and did so by going in a different direction. Enter Dave Clawson, formerly the Richmond head coach, as the first offensive coordinator hired from outside the Tennessee program during Fulmer's tenure.
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A former head coach at Richmond, Fordham and Villanova whose former pupils include Brian Westbrook and Brian Finneran, Clawson became the first outsider to call plays for the Vols since 1989 -- when Fulmer himself was promoted to coordinator.
"He's a football junkie, like I am," Fulmer said of Clawson. "We had a scrimmage the other day, and we had four pages of notes. There wasn't one thing as we went through the whole thing that he took any exception to. I love that, that we can sit there and discuss and argue, and there are a lot of good things that are going to come out of that as we go along and continue to put this thing together."
Clawson wasn't the only new hire from outside the "Tennessee family." New wide receivers coach Latrell Scott followed Clawson from Richmond. New running backs coach Stan Drayton bolted to Knoxville from Florida -- and previously worked with Clawson at Villanova. Of the four new hires, only tight ends coach Jason Michael had ties to Tennessee; the former quarterback on Western Kentucky's 2002 FCS national champion team previously served as a graduate assistant for the Vols.
The recent additions gave Tennessee's coaching staff an infusion of youth -- of the four newcomers, Clawson is the oldest at 40.
While there was some new blood in staff meetings, some old problems reared their heads during and immediately after the coaching search.
Beginning January 11, six Tennessee players were arrested or cited by Knoxville or campus police over a span of six weeks. The list of offenders included returning All-American guard Anthony Parker and freshman wide receiver Gerald Jones. Fulmer kicked two backup defensive players off the team for violations of team rules. The most serious incident was the last -- punter Britton Colquitt's arrest for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.
Fulmer suspended Colquitt for five games and stripped him of his scholarship. With the arrest marking the fifth alcohol-related incident for the rising senior, members of both the local and national media castigated Fulmer for a punishment viewed as "soft." A columnist for the Knoxville News-Sentinel took it one step further, writing that Fulmer deserved to be fired for failing to gain control of his program. This led Fulmer to write a rebuttal column to the Knoxville paper.
"Everybody thought it would take care of itself, but it didn't," Fulmer said at the beginning of spring practice regarding the spate of incidents.
Fulmer met with his seniors ready to lay down the law -- only to find the veterans already had taken action. After Colquitt's arrest, Tennessee seniors met at linebacker Ellix Wilson's house and established an 11 p.m. curfew for the entire squad.
"It's not Coach Fulmer's fault. The man can only do so much," defensive tackle Walter Fisher said. "When we get to college, you leave your mom and parents at home and you become a man. It's on us. Only thing he can do is set standards. It's up to us to abide by them."
Since the meeting, there have been no incidents. But even after a quiet spring from a disciplinary standpoint, Fulmer issued a fiery directive to his players to stay on the straight and narrow path.
While news of arrest reports and punishments cast a pall over the offseason, spring practice was all about Xs and Os -- and grasping Clawson's offensive system. Fulmer made it clear it would be Clawson's offense to run, and the Vols adopted the entire terminology of the former Richmond coach. Having Drayton -- who worked with Clawson at Villanova -- and Scott on the staff eased the transition considerably.
Clawson brought an extremely versatile offensive philosophy with him from Richmond, which he led to an 11-3 record last year. His offense stresses multitude; during scrimmages and the spring game, it was commonplace to see the Vols in six different formations in as many plays.
Attention to detail was emphasized during spring practice. The Vols hardly threw the ball in their first two spring practices in full pads. In the first scrimmage, UT used only two running plays and two pass protection schemes -- albeit from a variety of formations. Clawson also implemented his offense in parts, rather than throw the entirety at his players at once. Still, the Vols talked as though the new offense was even more complex than the voluminous scheme used by Cutcliffe.
"We almost threw more at them in the spring than we'll probably throw at them in the fall," Clawson said. "As you evaluate your personnel, you figure out what your personality's going to be from a personnel standpoint and also who your players are up front and what they do well. It's hard to evaluate what they can do and can't do unless you expose them to everything."
In the course of the evaluation process, Clawson was in store for some surprises -- good and bad.
"Watching them on film from last year I had certain expectations of things they would do well and things they wouldn't do well," Clawson said. "I don't want to elaborate on this, but there's certain players you expected more from -- that, based on the film, you thought would be ahead of where they were. [But] I think there were more players that it was more a pleasant surprise, and especially a lot of the young guys.
"Some guys exceed your expectations and sometimes guys come in with all this hype and all these ratings and they never get it done. My experience is the guys it's important to, that have a certain ability level that really apply themselves, end up being the guys that play for you."
Expect the offensive package to be downsized from what it was this spring before fall camp begins. "The things we struggled with, either we don't put them in at all or we reduce how often we run it or how many ways we run it," Clawson said.
While the Vols adjust to so many new faces on the offensive staff, things remain as regular as the mail on the defensive side of the ball, where John Chavis and his assistants return. The defense got off to a horrible start in 2007 and finished the season having allowed more points than any other Tennessee team in the program's lengthy history. Still, the Vol defense arguably played its best football in the second half of the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin, while the offense stagnated.
Time will be of the essence for the Vols this August. For the third straight season, Tennessee opens its season against a tough Pac-10 opponent. A trip to UCLA -- originally second on Tennessee's 2008 docket -- was moved up to a Labor Day kickoff.
"I'd like to have about 30 more days of spring if I could. It's the best time," Fulmer said after the spring game. "Some of the guys are just now starting to understand how to play the game, and now it's over. "We get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team. We really can."
QUARTERBACKS
After two years playing second fiddle to Ainge, Jonathan Crompton gets his long-awaited chance to run the team.
A fourth-year junior, Crompton's biggest claim to fame to this point was coming off the bench for Ainge in 2006 and nearly quarterbacking the Vols to an upset of LSU. As the only quarterback on the 2008 roster with experience in a college game, Crompton (6-4, 220) entered the spring as the prohibitive favorite for the starting job. He struggled in the first two scrimmages, throwing four combined interceptions with three in the latter workout.
Fulmer scuttled any potential quarterback controversy by identifying Crompton as the undisputed "QB1" before the spring game. Crompton responded -- and made a statement -- by throwing a 74-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of the spring game.
Crompton finished the game with 266 yards and three scores on 13-of-20 passing. While it's worth noting all those numbers came against Tennessee's backup defense, Crompton's passes had zip, his reads seemed solid and he threw downfield more than in any of the preceding three major scrimmages of the spring.
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"Jonathan can't worry about trying to be Erik or trying to be someone else. I think Jonathan's strengths are different," Clawson said. "We need to do things that he can be good at, and he needs to make good decisions. He's going to make plays. He's got outstanding arm strength, he's a good athlete, he can create space for himself. I think his challenge is he doesn't have to win every game on every play."
Crompton's biggest challenge might be avoiding foolish throws. At least once in each of the spring scrimmages, including the spring game, Crompton threw a pick on a pass that shouldn't have been attempted in the first place. "You can't afford to have that one play," Clawson said after the spring game. "If it's a three-point game, maybe that one play costs you the football game. That's just part of being able to play 85 [plays] and not make the big mistake, which is a challenge of every quarterback."
Crompton had minor elbow surgery after spring practice concluded and already was throwing again by mid May.
Sophomore Nick Stephens (6-4, 215) went without an interception in spring scrimmages but threw two picks and had the worst spring game of the three QBs. Red-shirt freshman B.J. Coleman (6-3, 210) looks to have all the tools to be a starting quarterback at Tennessee -- but he's not ready yet. Coleman battled inconsistency all spring, and both backups struggled getting in and out of the huddle with the new NCAA clock rule that goes into effect this fall.
RUNNING BACKS
Arian Foster (6-1, 215) comes back for another run on Rocky Top with the school's career rushing record well within his sights. The senior tailback trails Travis Henry, the all-time leading rusher at Tennessee, by a mere 684 yards.
But here might be a more vital Foster-related statistic for the Vols. On nine occasions last season, the San Diego native carried the ball 16 or more times. Tennessee went 8-1 in those games. Foster ran for 1,193 yards -- nearly doubling his previous career total. Behind him, it's a mixed bag. Junior Montario Hardesty (6-0, 210) has shown explosive ability when healthy, but staying healthy has been the tricky part. In 2005, it was a torn ACL that necessitated a medical redshirt. Last year, an ankle problem sidelined him for the final three games. Then, a stress fracture in his lower leg abruptly ended spring practice.
Sophomore Lennon Creer (6-1, 210) was one of the pleasant surprises of the 2007 recruiting class. He contributed 214 yards on 36 carries as a freshman, also seeing time on kickoff returns. Freshman Tauren Poole (5-10, 200), one of two early enrollees from the 2008 class, impressed coaches this spring with his work ethic and determined running style.
The fullback position essentially disappeared during Cutcliffe's second tenure as coordinator; the man who developed the Mannings included the fullbacks with the tight ends in an interchangeable group that encompassed the tight end, fullback and H-back positions. Clawson's offense does use a fullback -- though whether the Vols will employ one in their base scheme remains uncertain.
"We're going to be playing with a tight end and at least two receivers," the new coordinator said. "I don't know if we're going to be a two-tight end team, I don't know if we're going to be a fullback team, I don't know if we're going to be a three-receiver team. The players will decide that in fall camp. That's where the competition is."
Sophomore Kevin Cooper (6-0, 240) is penciled in as the first-team fullback. Depth there took a significant blow when senior David Holbert (6-1, 250) suffered a ghastly dislocated knee during the first major scrimmage of the spring. Holbert required multiple surgeries, and it's unknown whether he will petition for a sixth year of eligibility.
After Holbert's injury, the Vols moved Austin Johnson -- the other early enrollee -- to fullback. Johnson (6-2, 242) did double duty as a linebacker and fullback in high school.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Percy Harvin (Florida) and Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt) might have garnered more publicity among SEC receivers, but in 2007, Lucas Taylor (6-0, 185) racked up more yards than either of them. The soft-spoken senior from Carencro, La., headlines a deep receiving corps for his new position coach. "I feel like I've got anywhere between seven and nine guys that can contribute," said Scott, a two-time All-American tight end for Hampton in his playing days. "We like to play as many as we can play."
Clawson, though, thinks a rotation of five or six wideouts is more feasible. "I think an ideal world you play five and then your top two or three, you make sure if it's the fourth quarter and it's a three-point game that they've got fresh legs," Clawson said. "You don't want your playmakers worn down in the fourth quarter because you don't have depth."
There should be quite a battle to establish those five or six receivers. Taylor, who was one of several key players ruled academically ineligible for the bowl game, missed all of spring practice recovering from shoulder surgery. Junior Austin Rogers (6-2, 185) and senior Josh Briscoe (6-3, 183) faced questions heading into the 2007 campaign, but proved their toughness and made 56 catches apiece over the course of the season.
Sophomore Gerald Jones (6-0, 185) might be the biggest potential playmaker of the bunch. Jones tallied 11 catches for 111 yards and a score as a freshman, but it was his versatility that enabled him to make a real impact for Tennessee. A high school quarterback, Jones went under center at times in the latter half of the season in the package dubbed the "G-Gun." The result? Eight carries for 58 yards and two scores -- one in the SEC Championship and one in the Outback Bowl. Jones spent most of the spring focusing on improving his skills as a receiver, though he did throw a touchdown pass in the spring game.
"I think me throwing it is getting out there to show everybody that you've got to respect the pass," Jones said. "Usually you respect the run when I'm at quarterback. We didn't do everything we're going to do when I'm in there, I guarantee you that."
An offense that stresses multiplicity plays right into the hands of a versatile athlete like Jones. He played all over the field during spring practice, even getting a few reps at fullback.
Junior Quintin Hancock (6-3, 200) enjoyed a big spring and has long been praised for his work in practices and scrimmages, But he's yet to carry that into consistent production in games. Sophomore Denarius Moore (6-1, 185) overshadowed more ballyhooed wideouts in the 2007 recruiting class like Jones, Kenny O'Neal and Brent Vinson, finishing his freshman year with 14 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown. Moore also was the recipient of Crompton's long scoring strike to open the spring game. Redshirt freshman speedster Ahmad Paige (6-1, 180) earned a share of most improved honors this spring on the offensive side of the ball.
"It's one thing to run in track and run straight ahead, it's another thing to take that speed and use it on the football field. I think he learned to do that a little bit," Clawson said of Paige. "He is not there by any means, but it's a lot closer than he was at practice one." O'Neal came to Tennessee as a highly touted addition from the junior college ranks, and though he had played at the highest level before -- Florida State his freshman season -- he never lived up to his billing and left the team in early May.
An injury prevented Chris Brown and Brad Cottam from becoming the devastating tight end tandem that most anticipated last season. As it turns out, the Vols may have a pretty good tight end tag team this year in junior Jeff Cottam (6-8, 260) and sophomore Luke Stocker (6-6, 245).
Cottam, who started six games last year while his older brother recovered from a preseason wrist injury, broke his leg early in spring practice. In his absence, Stocker stepped to the forefront, taking every rep with the first-team offense and splitting most improved offensive honors with Paige.
Rounding out the depth chart is freshman Cody Pope (6-6, 285), who made the position shift from offensive line after Cottam's mishap.
The depth chart at tight end could receive a serious boost if Brandon Warren (6-2, 230) receives clearance from the NCAA. An all-world prep prospect from nearby Alcoa, Warren earned freshman All-America honors at Florida State as a tight end, only to leave the team, expressing a desire to be closer to his ailing mother. Warren spent the last year in limbo, taking classes at a community college, and enrolled in June at Tennessee, where he awaited a ruling from the NCAA on his eligibility.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line is the only area of the offense with consistency from 2007 to 2008. Not only do five Vols with starting experience return up front, position coach Greg Adkins is the lone returnee from last season's offensive staff.
Clawson has flipped the configuration of the offensive line. Left and right are out; instead, it's all about the strong and the quick, with the big boys flipping around depending on their alignment to the field and the boundary.
"If a team runs a certain blitz from the field, if you flip your line and your one side is always to the field, you only have to rep that blitz once in practice," Clawson said. "You always talk about mismatches with offensive skill players. I like to apply that to the guys up front. If we're going to run a critical play at a critical time, I want to make sure I have the flexibility to move the offensive linemen where I want them."
Discussion of the personnel on the line begins with Anthony Parker (6-3, 300), a senior who earned third-team All-America notice from The Associated Press last season. A guard by trade, Parker spent the spring working at center while incumbent starter Josh McNeil (6-4, 280) sat out recuperating from knee surgery. But Parker also battled with knee ailments. After undergoing surgery on his left knee last December, he was forced again to have the same knee surgically repaired on April 22. And if that wasn't enough, the Jonesboro, Ga. native had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee May 13. Parker is expected to make a full recovery and be available during fall practice. Senior Ramon Foster (6-6, 325) returns at tackle after starting all 14 games there last season.
Chris Scott (6-5, 310) also started every contest for the Vols in 2007 -- first at right guard, then at left tackle once Eric Young went down with a season-ending injury. However, the spring ended with sophomore Ramone Johnson (6-5, 315) pushing Scott for the starting job at tackle.
Juniors Jacques McClendon (6-3, 320) and Vladimir Richard (6-4, 300) began the season as a tenacious guard tandem off the bench that actually provided better push against the run at times than the starters. Once Young was injured, McClendon became a full-time starter. This year, they're vying for the starting job at guard. Perhaps McClendon could suggest a weightlifting exhibition to determine the starter; he currently holds the football team's bench press record.
It was a rough spring for Johnson and the rest of the reserve offensive linemen. Fulmer ripped the entire group for being "soft." They improved later in the spring session, but the man who played in the trenches during his days in Knoxville still expects more out of his backups.
The most likely to contribute among the reserves might be walk-on Cody Sullins (6-1, 285), a junior who played in three games a year ago.
KICKERS
Heading into preseason camp last year, the outlook at kicker seemed so bleak that punter Britton Colquitt was projected to handle extra points, field goals and kickoffs in addition to his regular punting duties.
Instead, sophomore Daniel Lincoln (6-0, 204) stepped to the forefront and enjoyed the greatest season by any freshman kicker in Tennessee history. He went 21-of-29 on field goals -- including game winners in home wins over South Carolina and Vanderbilt -- and was selected as the kicker on the Football Writers' All-America team. Making the winning kick against South Carolina catapulted Lincoln overnight from anonymity to celebrity -- with classmates congratulating him and waiters talking football with the Ocala, Fla., native when he went out to eat.
Lincoln already stands 11th on Tennessee's career field goal chart. His 115 points last season set a record for a UT kicker, and his 8-for-8 run on field goals to start the season is the best-ever beginning to a career for a Vol kicker.
Freshman walk-on Devin Mathis (5-11, 150) currently is second on the depth chart, though one would think Colquitt or sophomore Chad Cunningham (6-3, 205) also would get a look if something happens to Lincoln. Cunningham saw kickoff duty last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Historically, Chavis' defenses have been known for their ability to stop the run. Tennessee has fallen off in that area as of late. In fact, in the past two seasons, the Vols have put up their worst numbers against the run in Chavis' tenure as defensive coordinator, which dates back to 1995.
The Vols allowed 164.6 yards on the ground per game last season -- after surrendering an average of 146.7 in the prior campaign.
That inflated average from 2007 is particularly curious, considering that Tennessee limited SEC heavyweights Georgia and Arkansas to 69 and 127 rushing yards, respectively.
"We need to be consistent, and the big thing is giving up big plays," Chavis said near the end of spring practice. "You give up a 65-yarder and a 75-yarder against Arkansas State and you give up plays like that throughout the season, those plays not only get you beat, but when you look at the end of the year and you look at stats, you say, 'Those guys are not very good there.' "
Stopping the run starts with the front four, and Tennessee's first-unit defensive front looks to be capable -- though there's little to no established help behind the starters.
Depth is especially thin at tackle. Senior Demonte Bolden (6-6, 290) returns as a starter. Bolden has the physique to be a dominant D-tackle but does he have the mentality to match? Bolden was suspended for the Louisiana-Lafayette game for a violation of team rules, and was academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl.
Fourth-year junior Dan Williams (6-3, 310) alternated with J.T. Mapu as starter at the other tackle spot. Williams is the top returning tackler among defensive linemen, and had a breakout sophomore campaign after tipping the scales at a whopping 355 pounds when he arrived on campus out of high school.
Walter Fisher (6-3, 275), a former defensive end, is capable of spelling either starter. He's also the only other returning letterman at the tackle position. That's the dilemma, given the grind interior linemen face.
Junior Chase Nelson (6-4, 270) showed signs of cracking the rotation in 2007 before suffering a season-ending wrist injury. Sophomore Victor Thomas (6-4, 270) and redshirt freshmen Donald Langley (6-2, 290) also are fighting for reps.
"You start a season in the SEC, you don't like to rely on freshmen -- particularly at that position," Chavis said. "Those three guys have to be ready to play well for us in the fall."
Both starting ends must be replaced, but the new first-teamers might be a significant upgrade. Senior Robert Ayers (6-3, 270) led the team in sacks last season with four, but he's yet to put together a full, consistent campaign. Junior Wes Brown (6-4, 256) brackets Ayers.
Depth is an issue at end as well. Sophomore Ben Martin (6-3, 240) was an All-American coming out of high school, but a preseason knee injury got him off to a slow start. Fellow sophomore Chris Walker (6-3, 230) made the shift from linebacker to end, but missed all of spring practice because of injury.
The X factor up front may be junior Gerald Williams, a familiar name to diehard Tennessee fans. Williams (6-4, 240) originally committed to the Vols as part of the heralded 2005 class, and has been fighting to gain entry from the NCAA Clearinghouse ever since.
Though technically listed as a linebacker, Williams is bigger than either of the second-string ends and could give UT the fierce pass-rush presence off the edge that has been lacking since Parys Haralson and Jason Hall exhausted their eligibility.
Last season at City College of San Francisco, Williams dominated with 146 tackles and six forced fumbles.
LINEBACKERS
With all apologies to Penn State, Tennessee can lay a claim to the Nittany Lions' "Linebacker U" moniker. When the New England Patriots surprisingly chose Jerod Mayo with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft, he became the 11th Tennessee linebacker drafted since 1999.
The Vols always seem to have an abundance of quality linebackers, and this season looks to be no different.
Fourth-year junior Rico McCoy (6-1, 215) returns as the starter on the weak side. McCoy (6-1, 215) is the top returning tackler from the 2007 team with 106 total stops, though he also was one of the players ruled academically ineligible for the bowl game.
"I think Rico McCoy has made a tremendous amount of progress, and you're talking about a guy who was second team All-SEC last year and you wonder where he could get better," Chavis said. "Well, he got better from a pass coverage standpoint and understanding the disciplines of the technique."
Senior Ellix Wilson (5-10, 225) is the heir apparent to replace Mayo in the middle. At strong-side linebacker, seniors Adam Myers-White (6-2, 215) and Nevin McKenzie (6-2, 215) ended spring practice in a dead heat for the starting job, even though a sprained MCL curtailed McKenzie's spring.
Up until this point, Myers-White has been better known for his work in the classroom -- making three straight SEC academic honor rolls -- than his contributions on the field. McKenzie, a converted safety from the junior college ranks, might be the best pure athlete in the linebacking corps.
Sophomore Savion Frazier (6-2, 210) played primarily on special teams duty a year ago. Fellow sophomore LaMarcus Thompson (6-1, 220) had a strong spring and possesses the ability to play inside or outside linebacker. Walk-on Nick Reveiz (5-10, 225), another sophomore, factors into the mix as well. His father, Fuad, owns Tennessee's single-season field goal record (27 in 1982). Last season the younger Reveiz led the Vols with 15 special teams tackles, including 10 solo.
Chris Donald appears to be stagnant on the depth chart. A Parade All-American out of Huntingdon, Tenn. Donald (6-1, 225) signed with the Vols as the top prospect in Tennessee, and one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation.
Yet, after redshirting as a freshman, Donald sits third on the depth chart at middle linebacker and has yet to take that significant "next step" coaches usually seek.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The significant and public growing pains Tennessee's secondary experienced in 2007 have the defensive backfield looking like the biggest strength of that side of the ball in 2008.
"It's been two years running that we've not been able to put our fifth and sixth defensive back on the field," Chavis said. "Coming out of spring practice, we feel very confident we can do that. That keeps you out of bad match-ups."
Eric Berry (5-11, 195) and Brent Vinson (6-0, 190) were thrown into the fire as true freshmen, with Vinson actually making the position shift from wide receiver to defensive back during the 2007 season -- and starting not long after that. Yet they weren't the only Vol defensive backs that endured some rigorous on-the-job training. Junior Marsalous Johnson (5-9, 180) played sparingly in 2006, but began the 2007 campaign as a starting cornerback. DeAngelo Willingham came in as a junior college transfer and made eight starts.
The return of Demetrice Morley adds to Chavis' wealth in the secondary. Morley (6-3, 195) served a year-long exile from Tennessee because of poor academics after starting at safety in 2006. He returned to campus with a new outlook, a newborn son -- and a new, even more aggressive attitude on the field.
"He's had an opportunity to grow a little bit, and actually, from a football standpoint, he knows a little bit more," Chavis said. "He's playing well. You don't lose the talent." Morley has established himself as one of the leaders of the 2008 defense, even giving the secondary a collective nickname.
"We call ourselves the Goon Squad. We're goonie goonies out there, man," Morley said. "We're out there like piranhas -- everybody run to the ball, break on the ball. On defense, we've got to get takeaways. Defense wins championships and offense sells tickets."
Berry, Morley's bookend at safety, has plenty of box-office appeal -- especially if he becomes a two-way player. A quarterback in high school, Berry took some reps on offense during spring practice. The all-everything recruit lived up to the hype as a freshman, starting every game at either corner or safety. He has also become one of the key team leaders despite his relative lack of experience.
"I don't think any young guy, not just the big-play ability or the ability to be a good player, has had the impact that Eric Berry has had, particularly in our secondary," Chavis said. "He is truly a leader, and we're excited about what he's getting done."
There's a logjam at cornerback, where five different Vols started in 2007 and all return. Three of them missed the spring recuperating from injuries -- Johnson, Vinson and Antonio Gaines (5-9, 185), who successfully petitioned for a sixth year of eligibility after tearing his ACL in the second game of the 2007 campaign. In their absence, Willingham (6-0, 200) impressed, splitting most improved honors on the defense with Ayers.
Sophomore Dennis Rogan (5-10, 185) made a serious push for most-improved billing, and joins Vinson, Johnson and Willingham as potential starters at cornerback this fall. Rogan and Willingham also have the versatility to play at corner or safety.
A pair of redshirt freshmen are trying to crack the rotation. Art Evans (6-1, 185) was an early enrollee at Tennessee in 2007, and Anthony Anderson (6-1, 180) made several standout plays this spring.
Walk-on Vince Faison (6-0, 195) earned some notoriety when he signed on with Tennessee as a 27-year-old after several years playing minor league baseball, but he's been suspended for the first two games of 2008 after a DUI arrest during that tumultuous six weeks this winter.
PUNTERS
Britton Colquitt has an All-American type leg, but he'll miss the first five games of 2008. That could be bad news, given that Tennessee perennially plays a front-loaded schedule. The Vols will be without Colquitt for contests against heavyweights UCLA, Florida and Auburn -- with two of those three games on the road.
Meanwhile, the door of opportunity is open for sophomore Chad Cunningham (6-3, 210), who got some work against Southern Miss last season while Colquitt nursed a nagging quad ailment.
"He's not Britton Colquitt right now, but he's making some strides as we go," Fulmer said of Cunningham after a scrimmage this spring. "That's the reason that, when you have something that's not where it needs to be, you work on it and then you try to improve around it as much as you can with coverage and placement of the ball, those kinds of things."
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the last few years, a dormant return game and porous kick coverage have been perennial flaws for the Vols. In 2007, Tennessee made strides in both areas.
The Vols have allowed five punt returns for touchdowns since the beginning of the 2005 season. After Brandon James broke off an 83-yarder in Florida's blowout victory, Tennessee went to a spread formation on punts -- containing the problem for the most part.
Meanwhile, Dennis Rogan made an immediate splash in the return game. The biggest highlight? A 45-yard tote against Vanderbilt to set up the winning field goal. Rogan is expected to return kickoffs and punts this fall, with Lennon Creer joining him on kickoffs.
Junior Morgan Cox (6-4, 225) returns as the deep snapper. Junior walk-on Bram Cannon (6-2, 185) is the favorite to become the new holder. Blocked kicks and punts should be a concern. Cunningham has a relatively slow release, and the Vols got their hands on several field goal tries this spring.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Tennessee returns most of its starters, with a new quarterback the greatest question mark on the tentative starting lineup.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? On the surface, the prospective lineup is comparable to what the Vols had entering the 1998 season -- which ended with a national championship.
Two big differences, though. This team lacks the game-changing presence the '98 Vols possessed on the defensive line. The Vols also have a frightening absence of depth at defensive tackle behind the top three at that position. There's also no fiery leader -- yet -- like Al Wilson, the linebacker who galvanized the Vols to their surprising fate that year.
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<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Volunteers</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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Usually, a team with 15 returning starters that won its division in the SEC would be considered a favorite to repeat. Instead, the Vols probably can expect third-place billing once the predictions come out -- and that seems about right.
Yes, Tennessee won the East and led eventual national champion LSU in the fourth quarter of the SEC championship, but even with a veteran offensive front and some real playmakers on defense, the Vols have less talent than Florida, Georgia and LSU. Even at positions of strength, such as running back with Arian Foster present, can it honestly be said that Foster gives Tennessee a bigger edge at that spot than, say, Knowshon Moreno at Georgia? The reality is that matchups with Florida and Georgia will continue to determine Tennessee's fortunes. The Vols could be underdogs for both those games this fall, despite their billing as defending divisional champs.
Still, UT cannot be counted out. In both the 2004 and 2007 divisional title runs, Fulmer parlayed an "us against the world" mentality to great success. Who's to say that tactic won't work again?
COACH AND PROGRAM
Half a dozen players ran into trouble with John Law. The hometown columnist called for the head coach to be fired. Nearly the entire offensive staff bolted town & for Duke. All this after winning 10 games, claiming the Southeastern Conference East Division title and giving LSU all it could handle in the SEC Championship.
It seems that even in good times, turmoil continues to swirl around the Tennessee football program.
Even before the final whistle blew in Tennessee's victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, Phillip Fulmer knew that tough work lay ahead. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe had accepted the head-coaching job at Duke, and took two UT assistants with him. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor also was on the way out, having accepted a job as co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
On top of that, the Vols faced personnel challenges with the departure of long-time starting quarterback Erik Ainge and linebacker Jerod Mayo, leading tackler and soon-to-be NFL millionaire.
Slowly but surely, Fulmer hired a new offensive staff -- and did so by going in a different direction. Enter Dave Clawson, formerly the Richmond head coach, as the first offensive coordinator hired from outside the Tennessee program during Fulmer's tenure.
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A former head coach at Richmond, Fordham and Villanova whose former pupils include Brian Westbrook and Brian Finneran, Clawson became the first outsider to call plays for the Vols since 1989 -- when Fulmer himself was promoted to coordinator.
"He's a football junkie, like I am," Fulmer said of Clawson. "We had a scrimmage the other day, and we had four pages of notes. There wasn't one thing as we went through the whole thing that he took any exception to. I love that, that we can sit there and discuss and argue, and there are a lot of good things that are going to come out of that as we go along and continue to put this thing together."
Clawson wasn't the only new hire from outside the "Tennessee family." New wide receivers coach Latrell Scott followed Clawson from Richmond. New running backs coach Stan Drayton bolted to Knoxville from Florida -- and previously worked with Clawson at Villanova. Of the four new hires, only tight ends coach Jason Michael had ties to Tennessee; the former quarterback on Western Kentucky's 2002 FCS national champion team previously served as a graduate assistant for the Vols.
The recent additions gave Tennessee's coaching staff an infusion of youth -- of the four newcomers, Clawson is the oldest at 40.
While there was some new blood in staff meetings, some old problems reared their heads during and immediately after the coaching search.
Beginning January 11, six Tennessee players were arrested or cited by Knoxville or campus police over a span of six weeks. The list of offenders included returning All-American guard Anthony Parker and freshman wide receiver Gerald Jones. Fulmer kicked two backup defensive players off the team for violations of team rules. The most serious incident was the last -- punter Britton Colquitt's arrest for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.
Fulmer suspended Colquitt for five games and stripped him of his scholarship. With the arrest marking the fifth alcohol-related incident for the rising senior, members of both the local and national media castigated Fulmer for a punishment viewed as "soft." A columnist for the Knoxville News-Sentinel took it one step further, writing that Fulmer deserved to be fired for failing to gain control of his program. This led Fulmer to write a rebuttal column to the Knoxville paper.
"Everybody thought it would take care of itself, but it didn't," Fulmer said at the beginning of spring practice regarding the spate of incidents.
Fulmer met with his seniors ready to lay down the law -- only to find the veterans already had taken action. After Colquitt's arrest, Tennessee seniors met at linebacker Ellix Wilson's house and established an 11 p.m. curfew for the entire squad.
"It's not Coach Fulmer's fault. The man can only do so much," defensive tackle Walter Fisher said. "When we get to college, you leave your mom and parents at home and you become a man. It's on us. Only thing he can do is set standards. It's up to us to abide by them."
Since the meeting, there have been no incidents. But even after a quiet spring from a disciplinary standpoint, Fulmer issued a fiery directive to his players to stay on the straight and narrow path.
While news of arrest reports and punishments cast a pall over the offseason, spring practice was all about Xs and Os -- and grasping Clawson's offensive system. Fulmer made it clear it would be Clawson's offense to run, and the Vols adopted the entire terminology of the former Richmond coach. Having Drayton -- who worked with Clawson at Villanova -- and Scott on the staff eased the transition considerably.
Clawson brought an extremely versatile offensive philosophy with him from Richmond, which he led to an 11-3 record last year. His offense stresses multitude; during scrimmages and the spring game, it was commonplace to see the Vols in six different formations in as many plays.
Attention to detail was emphasized during spring practice. The Vols hardly threw the ball in their first two spring practices in full pads. In the first scrimmage, UT used only two running plays and two pass protection schemes -- albeit from a variety of formations. Clawson also implemented his offense in parts, rather than throw the entirety at his players at once. Still, the Vols talked as though the new offense was even more complex than the voluminous scheme used by Cutcliffe.
"We almost threw more at them in the spring than we'll probably throw at them in the fall," Clawson said. "As you evaluate your personnel, you figure out what your personality's going to be from a personnel standpoint and also who your players are up front and what they do well. It's hard to evaluate what they can do and can't do unless you expose them to everything."
In the course of the evaluation process, Clawson was in store for some surprises -- good and bad.
"Watching them on film from last year I had certain expectations of things they would do well and things they wouldn't do well," Clawson said. "I don't want to elaborate on this, but there's certain players you expected more from -- that, based on the film, you thought would be ahead of where they were. [But] I think there were more players that it was more a pleasant surprise, and especially a lot of the young guys.
"Some guys exceed your expectations and sometimes guys come in with all this hype and all these ratings and they never get it done. My experience is the guys it's important to, that have a certain ability level that really apply themselves, end up being the guys that play for you."
Expect the offensive package to be downsized from what it was this spring before fall camp begins. "The things we struggled with, either we don't put them in at all or we reduce how often we run it or how many ways we run it," Clawson said.
While the Vols adjust to so many new faces on the offensive staff, things remain as regular as the mail on the defensive side of the ball, where John Chavis and his assistants return. The defense got off to a horrible start in 2007 and finished the season having allowed more points than any other Tennessee team in the program's lengthy history. Still, the Vol defense arguably played its best football in the second half of the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin, while the offense stagnated.
Time will be of the essence for the Vols this August. For the third straight season, Tennessee opens its season against a tough Pac-10 opponent. A trip to UCLA -- originally second on Tennessee's 2008 docket -- was moved up to a Labor Day kickoff.
"I'd like to have about 30 more days of spring if I could. It's the best time," Fulmer said after the spring game. "Some of the guys are just now starting to understand how to play the game, and now it's over. "We get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team. We really can."
QUARTERBACKS
After two years playing second fiddle to Ainge, Jonathan Crompton gets his long-awaited chance to run the team.
A fourth-year junior, Crompton's biggest claim to fame to this point was coming off the bench for Ainge in 2006 and nearly quarterbacking the Vols to an upset of LSU. As the only quarterback on the 2008 roster with experience in a college game, Crompton (6-4, 220) entered the spring as the prohibitive favorite for the starting job. He struggled in the first two scrimmages, throwing four combined interceptions with three in the latter workout.
Fulmer scuttled any potential quarterback controversy by identifying Crompton as the undisputed "QB1" before the spring game. Crompton responded -- and made a statement -- by throwing a 74-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of the spring game.
Crompton finished the game with 266 yards and three scores on 13-of-20 passing. While it's worth noting all those numbers came against Tennessee's backup defense, Crompton's passes had zip, his reads seemed solid and he threw downfield more than in any of the preceding three major scrimmages of the spring.
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"Jonathan can't worry about trying to be Erik or trying to be someone else. I think Jonathan's strengths are different," Clawson said. "We need to do things that he can be good at, and he needs to make good decisions. He's going to make plays. He's got outstanding arm strength, he's a good athlete, he can create space for himself. I think his challenge is he doesn't have to win every game on every play."
Crompton's biggest challenge might be avoiding foolish throws. At least once in each of the spring scrimmages, including the spring game, Crompton threw a pick on a pass that shouldn't have been attempted in the first place. "You can't afford to have that one play," Clawson said after the spring game. "If it's a three-point game, maybe that one play costs you the football game. That's just part of being able to play 85 [plays] and not make the big mistake, which is a challenge of every quarterback."
Crompton had minor elbow surgery after spring practice concluded and already was throwing again by mid May.
Sophomore Nick Stephens (6-4, 215) went without an interception in spring scrimmages but threw two picks and had the worst spring game of the three QBs. Red-shirt freshman B.J. Coleman (6-3, 210) looks to have all the tools to be a starting quarterback at Tennessee -- but he's not ready yet. Coleman battled inconsistency all spring, and both backups struggled getting in and out of the huddle with the new NCAA clock rule that goes into effect this fall.
RUNNING BACKS
Arian Foster (6-1, 215) comes back for another run on Rocky Top with the school's career rushing record well within his sights. The senior tailback trails Travis Henry, the all-time leading rusher at Tennessee, by a mere 684 yards.
But here might be a more vital Foster-related statistic for the Vols. On nine occasions last season, the San Diego native carried the ball 16 or more times. Tennessee went 8-1 in those games. Foster ran for 1,193 yards -- nearly doubling his previous career total. Behind him, it's a mixed bag. Junior Montario Hardesty (6-0, 210) has shown explosive ability when healthy, but staying healthy has been the tricky part. In 2005, it was a torn ACL that necessitated a medical redshirt. Last year, an ankle problem sidelined him for the final three games. Then, a stress fracture in his lower leg abruptly ended spring practice.
Sophomore Lennon Creer (6-1, 210) was one of the pleasant surprises of the 2007 recruiting class. He contributed 214 yards on 36 carries as a freshman, also seeing time on kickoff returns. Freshman Tauren Poole (5-10, 200), one of two early enrollees from the 2008 class, impressed coaches this spring with his work ethic and determined running style.
The fullback position essentially disappeared during Cutcliffe's second tenure as coordinator; the man who developed the Mannings included the fullbacks with the tight ends in an interchangeable group that encompassed the tight end, fullback and H-back positions. Clawson's offense does use a fullback -- though whether the Vols will employ one in their base scheme remains uncertain.
"We're going to be playing with a tight end and at least two receivers," the new coordinator said. "I don't know if we're going to be a two-tight end team, I don't know if we're going to be a fullback team, I don't know if we're going to be a three-receiver team. The players will decide that in fall camp. That's where the competition is."
Sophomore Kevin Cooper (6-0, 240) is penciled in as the first-team fullback. Depth there took a significant blow when senior David Holbert (6-1, 250) suffered a ghastly dislocated knee during the first major scrimmage of the spring. Holbert required multiple surgeries, and it's unknown whether he will petition for a sixth year of eligibility.
After Holbert's injury, the Vols moved Austin Johnson -- the other early enrollee -- to fullback. Johnson (6-2, 242) did double duty as a linebacker and fullback in high school.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Percy Harvin (Florida) and Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt) might have garnered more publicity among SEC receivers, but in 2007, Lucas Taylor (6-0, 185) racked up more yards than either of them. The soft-spoken senior from Carencro, La., headlines a deep receiving corps for his new position coach. "I feel like I've got anywhere between seven and nine guys that can contribute," said Scott, a two-time All-American tight end for Hampton in his playing days. "We like to play as many as we can play."
Clawson, though, thinks a rotation of five or six wideouts is more feasible. "I think an ideal world you play five and then your top two or three, you make sure if it's the fourth quarter and it's a three-point game that they've got fresh legs," Clawson said. "You don't want your playmakers worn down in the fourth quarter because you don't have depth."
There should be quite a battle to establish those five or six receivers. Taylor, who was one of several key players ruled academically ineligible for the bowl game, missed all of spring practice recovering from shoulder surgery. Junior Austin Rogers (6-2, 185) and senior Josh Briscoe (6-3, 183) faced questions heading into the 2007 campaign, but proved their toughness and made 56 catches apiece over the course of the season.
Sophomore Gerald Jones (6-0, 185) might be the biggest potential playmaker of the bunch. Jones tallied 11 catches for 111 yards and a score as a freshman, but it was his versatility that enabled him to make a real impact for Tennessee. A high school quarterback, Jones went under center at times in the latter half of the season in the package dubbed the "G-Gun." The result? Eight carries for 58 yards and two scores -- one in the SEC Championship and one in the Outback Bowl. Jones spent most of the spring focusing on improving his skills as a receiver, though he did throw a touchdown pass in the spring game.
"I think me throwing it is getting out there to show everybody that you've got to respect the pass," Jones said. "Usually you respect the run when I'm at quarterback. We didn't do everything we're going to do when I'm in there, I guarantee you that."
An offense that stresses multiplicity plays right into the hands of a versatile athlete like Jones. He played all over the field during spring practice, even getting a few reps at fullback.
Junior Quintin Hancock (6-3, 200) enjoyed a big spring and has long been praised for his work in practices and scrimmages, But he's yet to carry that into consistent production in games. Sophomore Denarius Moore (6-1, 185) overshadowed more ballyhooed wideouts in the 2007 recruiting class like Jones, Kenny O'Neal and Brent Vinson, finishing his freshman year with 14 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown. Moore also was the recipient of Crompton's long scoring strike to open the spring game. Redshirt freshman speedster Ahmad Paige (6-1, 180) earned a share of most improved honors this spring on the offensive side of the ball.
"It's one thing to run in track and run straight ahead, it's another thing to take that speed and use it on the football field. I think he learned to do that a little bit," Clawson said of Paige. "He is not there by any means, but it's a lot closer than he was at practice one." O'Neal came to Tennessee as a highly touted addition from the junior college ranks, and though he had played at the highest level before -- Florida State his freshman season -- he never lived up to his billing and left the team in early May.
An injury prevented Chris Brown and Brad Cottam from becoming the devastating tight end tandem that most anticipated last season. As it turns out, the Vols may have a pretty good tight end tag team this year in junior Jeff Cottam (6-8, 260) and sophomore Luke Stocker (6-6, 245).
Cottam, who started six games last year while his older brother recovered from a preseason wrist injury, broke his leg early in spring practice. In his absence, Stocker stepped to the forefront, taking every rep with the first-team offense and splitting most improved offensive honors with Paige.
Rounding out the depth chart is freshman Cody Pope (6-6, 285), who made the position shift from offensive line after Cottam's mishap.
The depth chart at tight end could receive a serious boost if Brandon Warren (6-2, 230) receives clearance from the NCAA. An all-world prep prospect from nearby Alcoa, Warren earned freshman All-America honors at Florida State as a tight end, only to leave the team, expressing a desire to be closer to his ailing mother. Warren spent the last year in limbo, taking classes at a community college, and enrolled in June at Tennessee, where he awaited a ruling from the NCAA on his eligibility.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line is the only area of the offense with consistency from 2007 to 2008. Not only do five Vols with starting experience return up front, position coach Greg Adkins is the lone returnee from last season's offensive staff.
Clawson has flipped the configuration of the offensive line. Left and right are out; instead, it's all about the strong and the quick, with the big boys flipping around depending on their alignment to the field and the boundary.
"If a team runs a certain blitz from the field, if you flip your line and your one side is always to the field, you only have to rep that blitz once in practice," Clawson said. "You always talk about mismatches with offensive skill players. I like to apply that to the guys up front. If we're going to run a critical play at a critical time, I want to make sure I have the flexibility to move the offensive linemen where I want them."
Discussion of the personnel on the line begins with Anthony Parker (6-3, 300), a senior who earned third-team All-America notice from The Associated Press last season. A guard by trade, Parker spent the spring working at center while incumbent starter Josh McNeil (6-4, 280) sat out recuperating from knee surgery. But Parker also battled with knee ailments. After undergoing surgery on his left knee last December, he was forced again to have the same knee surgically repaired on April 22. And if that wasn't enough, the Jonesboro, Ga. native had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee May 13. Parker is expected to make a full recovery and be available during fall practice. Senior Ramon Foster (6-6, 325) returns at tackle after starting all 14 games there last season.
Chris Scott (6-5, 310) also started every contest for the Vols in 2007 -- first at right guard, then at left tackle once Eric Young went down with a season-ending injury. However, the spring ended with sophomore Ramone Johnson (6-5, 315) pushing Scott for the starting job at tackle.
Juniors Jacques McClendon (6-3, 320) and Vladimir Richard (6-4, 300) began the season as a tenacious guard tandem off the bench that actually provided better push against the run at times than the starters. Once Young was injured, McClendon became a full-time starter. This year, they're vying for the starting job at guard. Perhaps McClendon could suggest a weightlifting exhibition to determine the starter; he currently holds the football team's bench press record.
It was a rough spring for Johnson and the rest of the reserve offensive linemen. Fulmer ripped the entire group for being "soft." They improved later in the spring session, but the man who played in the trenches during his days in Knoxville still expects more out of his backups.
The most likely to contribute among the reserves might be walk-on Cody Sullins (6-1, 285), a junior who played in three games a year ago.
KICKERS
Heading into preseason camp last year, the outlook at kicker seemed so bleak that punter Britton Colquitt was projected to handle extra points, field goals and kickoffs in addition to his regular punting duties.
Instead, sophomore Daniel Lincoln (6-0, 204) stepped to the forefront and enjoyed the greatest season by any freshman kicker in Tennessee history. He went 21-of-29 on field goals -- including game winners in home wins over South Carolina and Vanderbilt -- and was selected as the kicker on the Football Writers' All-America team. Making the winning kick against South Carolina catapulted Lincoln overnight from anonymity to celebrity -- with classmates congratulating him and waiters talking football with the Ocala, Fla., native when he went out to eat.
Lincoln already stands 11th on Tennessee's career field goal chart. His 115 points last season set a record for a UT kicker, and his 8-for-8 run on field goals to start the season is the best-ever beginning to a career for a Vol kicker.
Freshman walk-on Devin Mathis (5-11, 150) currently is second on the depth chart, though one would think Colquitt or sophomore Chad Cunningham (6-3, 205) also would get a look if something happens to Lincoln. Cunningham saw kickoff duty last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Historically, Chavis' defenses have been known for their ability to stop the run. Tennessee has fallen off in that area as of late. In fact, in the past two seasons, the Vols have put up their worst numbers against the run in Chavis' tenure as defensive coordinator, which dates back to 1995.
The Vols allowed 164.6 yards on the ground per game last season -- after surrendering an average of 146.7 in the prior campaign.
That inflated average from 2007 is particularly curious, considering that Tennessee limited SEC heavyweights Georgia and Arkansas to 69 and 127 rushing yards, respectively.
"We need to be consistent, and the big thing is giving up big plays," Chavis said near the end of spring practice. "You give up a 65-yarder and a 75-yarder against Arkansas State and you give up plays like that throughout the season, those plays not only get you beat, but when you look at the end of the year and you look at stats, you say, 'Those guys are not very good there.' "
Stopping the run starts with the front four, and Tennessee's first-unit defensive front looks to be capable -- though there's little to no established help behind the starters.
Depth is especially thin at tackle. Senior Demonte Bolden (6-6, 290) returns as a starter. Bolden has the physique to be a dominant D-tackle but does he have the mentality to match? Bolden was suspended for the Louisiana-Lafayette game for a violation of team rules, and was academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl.
Fourth-year junior Dan Williams (6-3, 310) alternated with J.T. Mapu as starter at the other tackle spot. Williams is the top returning tackler among defensive linemen, and had a breakout sophomore campaign after tipping the scales at a whopping 355 pounds when he arrived on campus out of high school.
Walter Fisher (6-3, 275), a former defensive end, is capable of spelling either starter. He's also the only other returning letterman at the tackle position. That's the dilemma, given the grind interior linemen face.
Junior Chase Nelson (6-4, 270) showed signs of cracking the rotation in 2007 before suffering a season-ending wrist injury. Sophomore Victor Thomas (6-4, 270) and redshirt freshmen Donald Langley (6-2, 290) also are fighting for reps.
"You start a season in the SEC, you don't like to rely on freshmen -- particularly at that position," Chavis said. "Those three guys have to be ready to play well for us in the fall."
Both starting ends must be replaced, but the new first-teamers might be a significant upgrade. Senior Robert Ayers (6-3, 270) led the team in sacks last season with four, but he's yet to put together a full, consistent campaign. Junior Wes Brown (6-4, 256) brackets Ayers.
Depth is an issue at end as well. Sophomore Ben Martin (6-3, 240) was an All-American coming out of high school, but a preseason knee injury got him off to a slow start. Fellow sophomore Chris Walker (6-3, 230) made the shift from linebacker to end, but missed all of spring practice because of injury.
The X factor up front may be junior Gerald Williams, a familiar name to diehard Tennessee fans. Williams (6-4, 240) originally committed to the Vols as part of the heralded 2005 class, and has been fighting to gain entry from the NCAA Clearinghouse ever since.
Though technically listed as a linebacker, Williams is bigger than either of the second-string ends and could give UT the fierce pass-rush presence off the edge that has been lacking since Parys Haralson and Jason Hall exhausted their eligibility.
Last season at City College of San Francisco, Williams dominated with 146 tackles and six forced fumbles.
LINEBACKERS
With all apologies to Penn State, Tennessee can lay a claim to the Nittany Lions' "Linebacker U" moniker. When the New England Patriots surprisingly chose Jerod Mayo with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft, he became the 11th Tennessee linebacker drafted since 1999.
The Vols always seem to have an abundance of quality linebackers, and this season looks to be no different.
Fourth-year junior Rico McCoy (6-1, 215) returns as the starter on the weak side. McCoy (6-1, 215) is the top returning tackler from the 2007 team with 106 total stops, though he also was one of the players ruled academically ineligible for the bowl game.
"I think Rico McCoy has made a tremendous amount of progress, and you're talking about a guy who was second team All-SEC last year and you wonder where he could get better," Chavis said. "Well, he got better from a pass coverage standpoint and understanding the disciplines of the technique."
Senior Ellix Wilson (5-10, 225) is the heir apparent to replace Mayo in the middle. At strong-side linebacker, seniors Adam Myers-White (6-2, 215) and Nevin McKenzie (6-2, 215) ended spring practice in a dead heat for the starting job, even though a sprained MCL curtailed McKenzie's spring.
Up until this point, Myers-White has been better known for his work in the classroom -- making three straight SEC academic honor rolls -- than his contributions on the field. McKenzie, a converted safety from the junior college ranks, might be the best pure athlete in the linebacking corps.
Sophomore Savion Frazier (6-2, 210) played primarily on special teams duty a year ago. Fellow sophomore LaMarcus Thompson (6-1, 220) had a strong spring and possesses the ability to play inside or outside linebacker. Walk-on Nick Reveiz (5-10, 225), another sophomore, factors into the mix as well. His father, Fuad, owns Tennessee's single-season field goal record (27 in 1982). Last season the younger Reveiz led the Vols with 15 special teams tackles, including 10 solo.
Chris Donald appears to be stagnant on the depth chart. A Parade All-American out of Huntingdon, Tenn. Donald (6-1, 225) signed with the Vols as the top prospect in Tennessee, and one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation.
Yet, after redshirting as a freshman, Donald sits third on the depth chart at middle linebacker and has yet to take that significant "next step" coaches usually seek.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The significant and public growing pains Tennessee's secondary experienced in 2007 have the defensive backfield looking like the biggest strength of that side of the ball in 2008.
"It's been two years running that we've not been able to put our fifth and sixth defensive back on the field," Chavis said. "Coming out of spring practice, we feel very confident we can do that. That keeps you out of bad match-ups."
Eric Berry (5-11, 195) and Brent Vinson (6-0, 190) were thrown into the fire as true freshmen, with Vinson actually making the position shift from wide receiver to defensive back during the 2007 season -- and starting not long after that. Yet they weren't the only Vol defensive backs that endured some rigorous on-the-job training. Junior Marsalous Johnson (5-9, 180) played sparingly in 2006, but began the 2007 campaign as a starting cornerback. DeAngelo Willingham came in as a junior college transfer and made eight starts.
The return of Demetrice Morley adds to Chavis' wealth in the secondary. Morley (6-3, 195) served a year-long exile from Tennessee because of poor academics after starting at safety in 2006. He returned to campus with a new outlook, a newborn son -- and a new, even more aggressive attitude on the field.
"He's had an opportunity to grow a little bit, and actually, from a football standpoint, he knows a little bit more," Chavis said. "He's playing well. You don't lose the talent." Morley has established himself as one of the leaders of the 2008 defense, even giving the secondary a collective nickname.
"We call ourselves the Goon Squad. We're goonie goonies out there, man," Morley said. "We're out there like piranhas -- everybody run to the ball, break on the ball. On defense, we've got to get takeaways. Defense wins championships and offense sells tickets."
Berry, Morley's bookend at safety, has plenty of box-office appeal -- especially if he becomes a two-way player. A quarterback in high school, Berry took some reps on offense during spring practice. The all-everything recruit lived up to the hype as a freshman, starting every game at either corner or safety. He has also become one of the key team leaders despite his relative lack of experience.
"I don't think any young guy, not just the big-play ability or the ability to be a good player, has had the impact that Eric Berry has had, particularly in our secondary," Chavis said. "He is truly a leader, and we're excited about what he's getting done."
There's a logjam at cornerback, where five different Vols started in 2007 and all return. Three of them missed the spring recuperating from injuries -- Johnson, Vinson and Antonio Gaines (5-9, 185), who successfully petitioned for a sixth year of eligibility after tearing his ACL in the second game of the 2007 campaign. In their absence, Willingham (6-0, 200) impressed, splitting most improved honors on the defense with Ayers.
Sophomore Dennis Rogan (5-10, 185) made a serious push for most-improved billing, and joins Vinson, Johnson and Willingham as potential starters at cornerback this fall. Rogan and Willingham also have the versatility to play at corner or safety.
A pair of redshirt freshmen are trying to crack the rotation. Art Evans (6-1, 185) was an early enrollee at Tennessee in 2007, and Anthony Anderson (6-1, 180) made several standout plays this spring.
Walk-on Vince Faison (6-0, 195) earned some notoriety when he signed on with Tennessee as a 27-year-old after several years playing minor league baseball, but he's been suspended for the first two games of 2008 after a DUI arrest during that tumultuous six weeks this winter.
PUNTERS
Britton Colquitt has an All-American type leg, but he'll miss the first five games of 2008. That could be bad news, given that Tennessee perennially plays a front-loaded schedule. The Vols will be without Colquitt for contests against heavyweights UCLA, Florida and Auburn -- with two of those three games on the road.
Meanwhile, the door of opportunity is open for sophomore Chad Cunningham (6-3, 210), who got some work against Southern Miss last season while Colquitt nursed a nagging quad ailment.
"He's not Britton Colquitt right now, but he's making some strides as we go," Fulmer said of Cunningham after a scrimmage this spring. "That's the reason that, when you have something that's not where it needs to be, you work on it and then you try to improve around it as much as you can with coverage and placement of the ball, those kinds of things."
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the last few years, a dormant return game and porous kick coverage have been perennial flaws for the Vols. In 2007, Tennessee made strides in both areas.
The Vols have allowed five punt returns for touchdowns since the beginning of the 2005 season. After Brandon James broke off an 83-yarder in Florida's blowout victory, Tennessee went to a spread formation on punts -- containing the problem for the most part.
Meanwhile, Dennis Rogan made an immediate splash in the return game. The biggest highlight? A 45-yard tote against Vanderbilt to set up the winning field goal. Rogan is expected to return kickoffs and punts this fall, with Lennon Creer joining him on kickoffs.
Junior Morgan Cox (6-4, 225) returns as the deep snapper. Junior walk-on Bram Cannon (6-2, 185) is the favorite to become the new holder. Blocked kicks and punts should be a concern. Cunningham has a relatively slow release, and the Vols got their hands on several field goal tries this spring.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Tennessee returns most of its starters, with a new quarterback the greatest question mark on the tentative starting lineup.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? On the surface, the prospective lineup is comparable to what the Vols had entering the 1998 season -- which ended with a national championship.
Two big differences, though. This team lacks the game-changing presence the '98 Vols possessed on the defensive line. The Vols also have a frightening absence of depth at defensive tackle behind the top three at that position. There's also no fiery leader -- yet -- like Al Wilson, the linebacker who galvanized the Vols to their surprising fate that year.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Volunteers</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Usually, a team with 15 returning starters that won its division in the SEC would be considered a favorite to repeat. Instead, the Vols probably can expect third-place billing once the predictions come out -- and that seems about right.
Yes, Tennessee won the East and led eventual national champion LSU in the fourth quarter of the SEC championship, but even with a veteran offensive front and some real playmakers on defense, the Vols have less talent than Florida, Georgia and LSU. Even at positions of strength, such as running back with Arian Foster present, can it honestly be said that Foster gives Tennessee a bigger edge at that spot than, say, Knowshon Moreno at Georgia? The reality is that matchups with Florida and Georgia will continue to determine Tennessee's fortunes. The Vols could be underdogs for both those games this fall, despite their billing as defending divisional champs.
Still, UT cannot be counted out. In both the 2004 and 2007 divisional title runs, Fulmer parlayed an "us against the world" mentality to great success. Who's to say that tactic won't work again?
:36_11_6:Senior Charles Roediger (6-0, 225) will return as the long snapper on punts, extra points and field goals, with junior Michael Palmer (6-5, 245) as his backup.
Joebren would be jealous....long snapper analyses!!!:tiphat:
N.C. State
had south carolina already...and since it is an early thursday game thought I would put NC State up there...start the discussion perhaps....
(couldnt resist)
COACH AND PROGRAM
Tom O'Brien fully expects the second time around to be much different. Sure, there were things that he learned in his first season as the head coach at NC State and things his players learned about playing for him. Don't be late. Don't mess up. Hold on to the ball.
That last one took a while to sink in for a Wolfpack team that committed 22 turnovers (15 interceptions and seven fumbles) in the first six games alone. No team can survive nearly four giveaways a game, but after a few changes in personnel and a few changes in attitude, the Wolfpack stopped turning the ball over -- for a while -- and turned its season around.
In fact, the Pack won four consecutive games -- over rivals East Carolina and North Carolina, over O'Brien's former employer Virginia and at Miami -- to even its record at 5-5. Amazingly, considering how the season started, the Wolfpack would have qualified for postseason play if it had won either of its last two games. But the turnover bug returned, State lost at Wake Forest and at home to Maryland in the regular-season finale to finish the season 5-7.
O'Brien charged into his second spring practice refreshed and ready to coach. He reshuffled his offensive line, switched a handful of positions on his defense and opened up the competition for the starting quarterback while two-year starter Daniel Evans recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.
And he saw a completely different program.
<OFFER>
"I think the difference is night and day from last year," O'Brien said at the end of spring practice. "I think everything in our program is way ahead of where we were a year ago. Last year, it took us until the 13th or 14th practice before we got a whole script in. That started the first day of practice in the spring. Our players have a much better understanding of our coaching staff and what we are asking them to do."
There were some reasons last year's team was slow to grasp O'Brien's concepts. The regimented head coach, a former Marine Reserve officer, couldn't have been more different than his predecessor, free-spirited Chuck Amato, who was let go by his alma mater after seven consecutive losses to end the 2006 season.
And, even before the season began, O'Brien had to deal with more injuries than he ever had to during his 10 years at Boston College. All-ACC tight end and Mackey Award candidate Anthony Hill, the team's leading receiver in 2006, was lost before drills began with a knee injury. Toney Baker, the team's leading rusher in 2006, was lost in the first game of the season to a knee injury. Andre Brown, NC State's leading rusher as a freshman in 2005, went down with a broken foot in the season's sixth game.
Quarterback Harrison Beck, who replaced Daniel Evans as the starter in the second game of the season, suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth game and didn't return until the season finale.
And those were just the big names.
"I've never been around anything like it in all of my years as a college football coach," O'Brien said.
The coach and his staff, down to fewer than 60 healthy scholarship players midway through the season, picked up the pieces and moved forward. That it almost managed to qualify for a bowl game is fairly remarkable, though not necessarily surprising given O'Brien's success during his 10 years at Boston College, when he compiled a 75-45 record and won eight straight bowl games.
In the spring, O'Brien demanded that his team be more physical on both the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage and more protective of the ball. He let everyone know that every position was up for grabs and that the players most willing to be coached would be the ones most likely in the starting lineup when the Wolfpack opens the college football season with a nationally television Aug. 28 game at South Carolina.
O'Brien wasn't alone in thinking that his team improved dramatically during the spring.
"I feel so much better now than I did at this time last year, when there were so many questions and uncertainties," defensive coordinator Mike Archer, the former head coach at LSU, said. "I can't sit here and tell you we are going to win this many games. But I do know this -- we are a lot better. We played a lot faster in the spring. We were more aggressive and played with more downhill intensity in the spring. Those are things that are important in stopping big plays, which killed us last year."
Heading into the fall, the Wolfpack still has some major questions to answer. Will Evans, a two-year starter at quarterback, be replaced by one of the four talented underclassmen in the program? Can O'Brien, a former offensive line coach, and his assistant in charge of the offensive line, Don Horton, cobble together a collection of five players to protect the quarterback and perhaps open holes for the team's three talented tailbacks? Can the defense fill its holes at linebacker and in the secondary to slow down opponents? And can anyone here hold on to the ball?
Transitions, of course, are always tough. And, no matter how good a coaching staff is, there are no quick fixes, especially when it comes to finding players who have to buy into how a new coach runs his program. O'Brien hopes this year's team, which is sprinkled with young talent, will find its identity a little quicker than last year's team and buy into his program a lot sooner. But it's hard to predict with a team that is fairly young and lacking senior leadership.
"If you look at our roster, there aren't a lot [of seniors] on it," O'Brien said. "I think we only have 14 seniors, and that includes the four former walk-ons that we gave scholarships to and the two transfers we brought in last year. That means almost half of the senior class are walk-ons or transfers we brought in."
The coach also brought in a highly regarded recruiting class, peppered with local talent and a major catch at quarterback, Virginia's Mike Glennon.
Now, he's ready for his second go-round with the Wolfpack, a program that is eager to get back to the postseason after back-to-back losing records.
"We understand what our concepts are," O'Brien said. "We did not have as many missed tackles and assignments as we did last spring and last season. We are not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination, and we are in no position, at the end of spring, to win a football game right now.
"As long as our players recognize that, and are prepared to come into the fall ready to work hard, then I think we can get better."
QUARTERBACKS
It's not like offensive coordinator Dana Bible doesn't have options at quarterback. He just has to find the right person to help the Wolfpack be more successful.
Fifth-year senior Daniel Evans (5-10, 180), the son of former Wolfpack quarterback and current radio analyst Johnny Evans, has started 17 games over the last two seasons, including a handful of big wins over the likes of Boston College, Florida State and Miami. That alone will earn him a shot at being the starting quarterback in his final season.
But Bible will have to explore his other options, primarily because Evans -- for all of his love of the program and his willingness to take a pounding behind a lackluster offensive line -- is a limited quarterback prone to making costly mistakes. He had 12 interceptions last year to go along with his 11 touchdown passes.
He also missed spring practice after having surgery to repair a problem with his right (throwing) shoulder. He should be fit and fine when fall drills begin.
But the three underclass quarterbacks in the program got plenty of repetitions in the spring to make their claim for the starting job.
Junior Harrison Beck (6-2, 200), who replaced Evans as the starter in last year's second game, guided the offense for four games until he suffered a bruised knee that kept him out until the season finale against Maryland. Beck has a strong arm, and is capable of putting up big numbers, as he did against Boston College, when he completed 26-of-50 passes for 321 yards, the most by an NC State quarterback since Philip Rivers' final game. But he also threw five interceptions against the Eagles, which prevented the Pack from coming away from Chestnut Hill with an upset victory.
Sophomore Justin Burke (6-3, 210) came to NC State from Lexington, Ky. with exceptional credentials, as the state's Gatorade Player of the Year and the No. 12 quarterback recruit in the nation. Yet he saw only spot duty last year as a redshirt freshman, completing two of his three passes for 15 yards and throwing one interception.
Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson (5-11, 191) was impressive in his first real action with the offense. The two-sport standout saw more action with the starting unit than the other two quarterbacks during spring practice, even though he spent much of the spring bouncing back and forth between the football practice field and the Wolfpack's baseball stadium. The all-star infielder helped Elliott Avent's team get within one game of the College World Series but still made all 15 spring football workouts, putting himself in position to win the starting job.
The biggest question mark, however, is whether incoming freshman Mike Glennon (6-6, 195), the top member of the Wolfpack's highly regarded recruiting class, is ready to compete for the job as well. The Centreville, Va., native is the brother of Virginia Tech's Sean Glennon and was ranked as the nation's No. 3 quarterback prospect by ESPN.com.
Not only did Glennon pick up a few things by watching a handful of spring practices and the annual Red & White Spring Game, he's already familiar with Bible's offense, because it is exactly what his Westfield High School team ran.
Each of the five candidates has an upside and downside. Evans has the most experience and has been under the most pressure in his career. Beck has a strong arm and some game experience. Burke was the most impressive signal-caller in the spring game. Wilson, though small, is a versatile player who runs almost as well as he throws. And Glennon, a Parade All-America, has all the tools and size needed to be a successful college quarterback.
The job appears to be wide open, as O'Brien looks to find out who can best take care of the ball. He has let everyone know that last year's total of 23 interceptions and 14 touchdown passes needs to be, at a minimum, reversed. So they will spend all of August practice fighting for the job.
"We are working towards better productivity at quarterback," O'Brien said. "We gave Russell a little more of a look during the spring because Beck and Burke had been in the sys-tem for a year and we wanted to see what Wilson could do. He has a pretty good grasp of the offense and what is expected.
"But I don't think that position will be solved until the week of the South Carolina game."
Last year, O'Brien steadfastly refused to choose a starting quarterback until just before the season opener against UCF. It's likely that he will play it close to the vest again this time around.
RUNNING BACKS
Heading into last season, the Wolfpack backfield was one of the deepest in the ACC, with a pair of returning starters looking to compete for enough carries to reach 1,000 yards. That battle never even started.
In the opener against UCF, junior Toney Baker (5-10, 225), the Wolfpack's leading rusher in 2006, suffered a season-ending knee injury. Five games later, senior Andre Brown (6-0, 228), the team's leading rusher in 2005, broke his foot against Florida State and missed the Pack's next four games.
That left junior Jamelle Eugene (5-10, 195), the team's only healthy scholarship tailback for most of the year, to carry the ball most of the time. He performed admirably, even though the Wolfpack was last in the ACC in rushing yards per game. He had three 100-yard rushing games, finished the season with a team-high 667 yards on 172 carries with five rushing touchdowns and caught 42 passes for 263 yards and one receiving touchdown.
For that, he won the Governor's Award as the team's most valuable player.
"Jamelle is the Energizer Bunny," O'Brien said. "He just keeps on ticking. He goes and goes and goes. We are very fortunate to have him in the program, especially last season."
So the good news is that the Wolfpack, like division-favorite Clemson, has its top rusher for the last three seasons returning this year. Brown heads into his senior season with 1,772 career rushing yards, while Baker has 1,272 and Eugene has 726. They have a combined 827 carries during their careers, which gives the Wolfpack one of the most experienced backfields in the league.
Brown re-injured his foot in the spring and Baker did not participate as he continued to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee, but both are expected to be at full strength when fall practice begins.
Curtis Underwood (5-11, 215) saw action last year as a freshman when Brown and Baker were out, gaining 84 yards on 19 carries. He missed spring practice because of injury but will return to provide depth, along with Ulysses Tuft, Jr. (5-11, 185), who saw lots of action in the spring.
The Wolfpack also brought in two highly regarded running back prospects, Brandon Barnes (6-0, 180) of Bunn, N.C., and Tobias Palmer (5-10, 165) of Pittsboro, N.C. However, they aren't likely to see action in the backfield unless the injury bug hits for the second year in a row.
Traditionally, Bible's offense uses the fullback as a blocking position. There are three walk-ons competing for the job -- junior Derrick White (6-1, 225) and sophomores Corey Darrington (5-11, 211) and Harrison Ritcher (5-11, 215).
Of the three, Darrington saw the most action in the spring, but that was because he filled in at tailback. Ritcher is the son of former Wolfpack and Buffalo Bills center Jim Ritcher, who won the 1979 Outland Trophy as the nation's most outstanding lineman, and the brother of former Wolfpack tight end John Ritcher.
Incoming freshman Colby Jackson (6-2, 225) could help as well, if he's recovered from the serious knee injury that limited his high school senior season.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Wolfpack lost three players who caught at least 36 passes last year -- wide receiver John Dunlap (team-high 45 catches for 375 yards), H-back Darrell Blackman (41-593) and tight end Marcus Stone (36-452). The good news is that none of them is irreplaceable.
Junior Donald Bowens (6-3, 206), who caught 41 passes for a team-high 598 yards, is a big-play receiver, as he proved in the win over Virginia, when he caught 11 passes for 202 yards, the fifth-best single-game reception and receiving yards totals in school history.
A trio of sophomores -- Jarvis Williams (6-4, 205), Darrell Davis (6-4, 200) and Owen Spencer (6-3, 180) -- showed they are ready to contribute, combining to catch 25 passes last season.
Junior Geron James (6-3, 200) was not enrolled in school last fall, but he has seen action in important games and has what O'Brien calls "big-play ability." He proved that two years ago when he caught four passes, one of them going for a touchdown, in the Wolfpack's home win over Florida State. But he had to reach several academic benchmarks to be reinstated to the team and will have to work his way back into the rotation.
The Wolfpack is also looking for big things from a pair of redshirt freshmen, Steven Howard (6-2, 185) and Jay Smith (6-2, 197), both of whom were highly regarded members of O'Brien's first recruiting class.
The Wolfpack will have perhaps the ACC's best tight end, fifth-year senior Anthony Hill (6-6, 265), who missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee just before the start of fall practice. Hill was shaping up to be a first-day NFL draft pick before he suffered the disappointing injury, the first of many that decimated the Wolfpack's roster.
In 2006, he was the Wolfpack's team leader with 45 catches -- 15 more than any player on the team. That earned him second-team All-ACC honors. Despite the injury, Hill be-lieves he can improve on those numbers.
Watching his teammates go 5-7 last season was almost as difficult as going through rehab, Hill said, but he's eager to put both things behind him.
"I think I will be better than ever," Hill said. "I am working on improving my speed, and I feel like I have matured a whole lot since the injury. I am a much more vocal leader now."
Hill went through limited drills in the spring, but is expected to be at 100 percent when fall drills begin.
He will be joined in the lineup by junior Matt Kushner (6-4, 259), who saw more action than expected last season because of Hill's injury. Kushner twice started games opposite Marcus Stone when the Wolfpack opened games in a two-tight end set. He caught 10 passes, including his first career touchdown reception, for a total of 67 yards.
Redshirt freshman George Bryan (6-5, 250) was the hero of the spring football game, pulling down a desperation 30-yard pass from Justin Burke in a crowded end zone to score the game-winning touchdown as time expired. He also performed well throughout the spring, giving the Wolfpack three capable blockers and pass catchers to call on.
OFFENSIVE LINE
O'Brien doesn't look much like a riverboat gambler, but he's not afraid to shuffle. That's what he and offensive line coach Don Horton did throughout the spring as they tried to find a group of five starters that could protect whoever the quarterback might be a little better and open up a few holes for the Pack's veteran running backs.
Last year, a patchwork group of linemen allowed 28 sacks and never really controlled the line of scrimmage, a contributing factor for State finishing next to last in the ACC and 110th in the nation in rushing offense at 89.2 yards per game.
To infuse the offensive line with some experience and a little more aggressive spirit, the coaches moved two veteran defensive linemen, junior Ted Larsen (6-2, 285) and senior John Bedics (6-4, 295), to the offensive side of the ball. Bedics had never played offense before, but Larsen had some experience there and excelled, primarily at guard and center, throughout the spring.
They saw action with tackles Julian Williams (6-5, 305) and Meares Green (6-4, 306) and guards Curtis Crouch (6-5, 324) and Jake Vermiglio (6-5, 315), with Larsen joining that group at center on the first team in the spring game.
Williams, a junior, seems to be set at the left tackle after starting nine games there last year. He missed three games with a knee injury midway through the season, but returned to his starting role when he recovered.
Vermiglio, a sophomore, was the only freshman to start a game for the Wolfpack last year, making four starts at left tackle while Williams was out of commission. But he is now the favorite to start at right guard.
Green, a senior, is the Pack's most versatile lineman, having seen action at center, guard and tackle during his career. His adaptability gives him an edge over junior Jerrail McCuller (6-7, 330), who made four starts at right tackle last season.
Crouch, entering his senior season, has long been expected to be a dominant blocker. That's only happened a few times, but he had a good spring after trimming down to a "svelte" 324 pounds.
"We are still looking to find the best rotation, the best starting five we have," O'Brien said. "Hopefully, we will get that settled in the fall. We did a lot of mixing and matching in the spring, which is not good for your continuity, because the more you are together as a unit, the better confidence you have. So doing it this way is not good for the short run, but it is what we have to do to become efficient and effective up front."
At center, Larsen could be spelled by Green, junior Andy Barbee (6-3, 310), sophomore Matt McKeon (6-3, 260) or redshirt freshman Henry Lawson (6-3, 285).
Other guards in the program include junior Zachary Williams (6-0, 285), sophomores Adam Beasley (6-4, 290) and Gary Gregory (6-4, 305) and redshirt freshman Mike Golder, Jr. (6-4, 286).
Other tackles include redshirt freshman Desmond Roberts (6-4, 295), senior walk-on Matthew White (6-6, 360) and junior walk-on Keonta Wallace (6-4, 280).
KICKERS
O'Brien has been extremely fortunate the last two seasons in digging up productive place-kickers out of nowhere. In 2006 at Boston College, he made Steve Aponivicious college football's best feel-good story a star after finding him in an open tryout. Weeks earlier, Aponivicious was just another face-painted kid in the stands until he won the tryout and helped the Eagles to another bowl victory.
Last year, O'Brien turned to Steven Hauschka as a one-year fix at place-kicker. Hauschka never played football in youth leagues, middle school or high school. Instead, he was recruited to play soccer and lacrosse at Middlebury College in Vermont. When that didn't work out, he joined the football team and was the starting place-kicker for four years.
He took advantage of a now-repealed NCAA rule that allowed student-athletes who graduated in four years to transfer to any NCAA school that does not offer graduate studies in his or her chosen field.
Hauschka won the starting kicker job in August and became the ACC's most accurate kicker. He made 16-of-18 field goals, including four in the Wolfpack's overtime victory over Miami, and all 25 of his extra points. He scored twice as many points (73) as any other player on the team and caught the attention of NFL scouts. He signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings in May.
But Hauschka was a one-year fix, and now the Wolfpack will turn to sophomore Josh Czajkowski (5-9, 178) to become the team's regular kicker. Czajkowski won the job last spring, but took a backseat to Hauschka.
The former all-state punter in Virginia also redshirted the 2006 season, so he has yet to kick in a college game, other than two Red & White spring contests. But he was ranked as the nation's No. 18 place-kicker after making 11-of-13 field goal attempts and 62-of-64 in his final two years of high school.
Czajkowski won't have much competition this year. The Wolfpack did not sign another kicker and redshirt senior Bradley Pierson (5-9, 163) is the only other player on the current roster with place-kicking experience.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive coordinator Mike Archer wasn't around for what might have been the best defensive line in school history with Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, John McCargo and Tank Tyler, the first three of whom were first-round NFL picks. That was three years before O'Brien became the head coach and hired Archer as part of his staff.
But Archer believes his current front-line starters -- junior end Willie Young (6-4, 230), sophomore end Markus Kuhn (6-4, 280), senior tackle Antoine Holmes (6-2, 281) and junior tackle Alan-Michael Cash (6-1, 286) -- just might be good enough to rival that group that helped the Wolfpack lead the nation in total defense in 2004.
"I think we will have tackles as good as any in the league," Archer said. "They haven't played a lot of football together, but they have potential. They are as athletic as anybody here since Lawson, Williams, McCargo and Tyler."
Young had a breakout season last year as a pass rusher. Lithe and agile, he has speed similar to Lawson, who was the first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers a few years back. Young ranked third in the ACC with 16 tackles for loss and had a team-high six sacks. He could easily double that number this season if he can get strong coverage in the secondary.
Kuhn is one of the more interesting stories in college football. A native of Germany, he never played high school football, but he learned the game from playing with some Army brats on a club team near his home in Weinheim, Germany. A frequent visitor to the United States, he fell in love with football and put together a recruiting tape. He and his father flew to Washington in the summer of 2006 and shopped the tape around to some smaller schools, then visited NC State, Virginia and North Carolina, all of whom offered him a scholarship. He chose the Wolfpack.
Kuhn might have benefited from a redshirt season to learn more about the game, but injuries forced him into the lineup at tackle in the second game. Midway through the year, he switched positions with Holmes and the two were regular contributors behind the departed combo of DeMario Pressley and Martrel Brown.
The coaching staff expects Kuhn and Holmes, who came to Raleigh as junior college transfers before last season, to be key components in an improved rush defense that ranked last in the ACC last season, allowing 186.4 yards per game.
Cash was perhaps the defense's most consistent performer last year, registering the most tackles (50) among all defensive linemen in just his first year as a starter. He had 6.5 tack-les for loss, 3.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures on the year.
Archer felt good enough about his depth on the line to allow O'Brien to move two defensive tackles, Larsen and Bedics, to the offensive line. Sophomore Audi Augustin (6-2, 250) and redshirt freshman Jeff Reiskamp (6-3, 235) are the likely backups on the ends, with senior Keith Willis, Jr. (6-1, 278), senior Jamaine Clemmons (5-11, 255), redshirt freshman Wayne Crawford (6-3, 290) and freshman Kyle Linney (6-3, 300) providing support at the tackles.
Willis, the son of Wolfpack defensive line coach Keith Willis, Sr., is eligible this season after transferring from Boston College. Clemmons, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship in the offseason, filled in capably last season when injuries plagued the line in the first three games. Linney was an early enrollee who went through spring practice with his new team.
When training camp opens in July, the defensive will add two veterans into the mix in junior college tackles Leroy Burgess (6-1, 300) and Thomas Locust (6-3, 325) and defensive end Shea McKeen (6-5, 250), who previously played at South Carolina prior to attending Nassau County (N.J.) Community College.
"We have to determine who all our backups will be," Archer said. "But we are going to play a lot of people."
LINEBACKERS
The Wolfpack lost four linebackers, including a trio of fifth-year seniors that made a combined 32 starts last season and a total of 55 in their careers. So it will be difficult to replace the experience of the departed LaRue Rumph, Ernest Jones and James Martin II.
And there isn't a lot of depth at the position, either, which is why the coaching staff converted one-time safety Robbie Leonard (6-0, 194) to weak-side linebacker. Though undersized, the fifth-year senior was a pleasant surprise to the coaching staff in the spring and is tentatively slated to join sophomore Nate Irving (6-1, 227) as the starting outside linebackers. Junior Ray Michel (6-0, 224) is the projected starter at middle linebacker.
Irving, who played in only 101 snaps in the team's first six contests, came on strong at the end of last year, making 27 of his 52 tackles in the Pack's final four games. He also had five tackles for loss in the final five games.
Michel has waited patiently for his chance to step into the starting lineup but has participated in every game of his career. He finally earned his first start in the season finale against Maryland and hopes to keep that spot this season.
Archer feels good about that trio as his starting lineup, which has speed missing from last year's starters, but he's going to have to scratch around for reserves come August.
"We have to find some depth," Archer said. "We need some backups and that is what we are going to have to find in training camp."
Vying for those jobs are several young players. Redshirt freshman Audi Cole (6-5, 215) will back up Leonard on the weak side, with sophomore Thomas Barnes (5-11, 200) playing behind Irving.
Redshirt freshman J.R. Sweezy (6-5, 245) and freshman Dwayne Maddox (6-2, 220), who enrolled in school in January, back up Michel.
The coaching staff tried to infuse some numbers into the linebacking corps through recruiting, bringing in four newcomers, headlined by in-state all-star Terrell Manning. But Manning won't be able to participate this season as he recovers from a serious knee injury he suffered near the end of his high school season.
Maddox arrived early and went through spring drills, and William Beasley (6-2, 225) and Sterling Lucas (6-2, 220) will have the opportunity to make an impact as soon as they arrive on campus. Beasley and Lucas as were both rated among the top 20 inside linebacker recruits in the nation last year.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Wolfpack has two senior starters returning to the secondary, but overall the secondary is in need of experience and maturity. Jeremy Gray (6-2, 186) returns at the right cornerback, while J.C. Neal (5-11, 195) will start at strong safety. O'Brien expects both to provide leadership in the secondary, which was decimated by injury last year.
The early departure of All-ACC safety DaJuan Morgan, who was taken in the second round of the NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, didn't help.
His younger brother, sophomore De'Andre Morgan (5-10, 166), started several games last season at left corner and played more snaps (517) than any other freshman. He will contend for a starting job again against converted junior wide receiver Koyal George (5-11, 169).
Gray, who tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season, will be backed up by freshman Dominique Ellis (5-11, 190), an early enrollee who participated in spring drills with his new team.
Neal began the season at cornerback but was converted to safety when teammate Javon Walker (6-0, 188), a sophomore, suffered a season-ending knee injury against Miami, just days after he moved into the starting lineup. Neal will help break in converted linebacker John Ware (5-11, 205), a sophomore, at the position. They could also receive help from Walker, who hopes to be back at 100 percent.
At free safety, a pair of redshirt freshmen, Jimmaul Simmons (6-2, 190) and Justin Byers (6-0, 170), competed for the starting job in the spring. However, they might be pushed in the fall by junior college transfer Clem Johnson (6-0, 190), a native of Carlisle, Pa., who spent the last two years at Valley Forge Military College playing quarterback. But he expects to be in the secondary with the Wolfpack.
PUNTERS
Bradley Pierson (5-9, 163), a senior, began last season as a career walk-on reserve. He ended it as the Wolfpack's starting punter who earned a scholarship for his patience and hard work. He took over the starting job from Nathan Franklin in the season's third game and maintained it the rest of the year.
Pierson's 37.2-yard average was near the bottom of the league's regular punters, but the Wolfpack had the ACC's best punt coverage team, allowing just 3.1 yards per return. The Pack netted 35.6 yards per punt, which was in the top half of the ACC.
Pierson landed 21 of his 62 punts inside the 20-yard-line and 20 of his kicks were fair caught.
After the season ended, Pierson was awarded a scholarship and he enters this season as the starting punter who could help out with some place-kicking duties.
There are two other punters in the program, sophomore Jeff Ruiz (6-2, 185) and redshirt freshman Carl Ojala (6-3, 190), both redshirted last season. Ruiz was an All-American two years ago at Southwestern Junior College in Chula Vista, Calif., after averaging 43.3 yards per punt, which ranked second among JUCO punters.
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the last four years, Wolfpack fans could count on one thing -- anytime Darrell Blackman fielded a kickoff or a punt, he would either end up in the end zone or put the offense in good field position. The wide receiver, twice selected the first-team All-ACC specialist, finished his career ranked in the top 10 in both kickoff-return yardage and punt-return yardage.
Blackman fielded all but one punt return for the Pack last year and most of the kickoff returns. He was second in the ACC and 17th in the nation with a 13.2-yard punt return average and fifth in the ACC with a 23.2-yard kickoff return average.
Special teams coach Jerry Petercuskie did not spend much time working on the return game in the spring, figuring that was one of the things that could be prioritized in the fall. But in the spring game, he turned to junior receiver Donald Bowens and cornerback De'Andre Morgan to handle punt returns.
Bowens proved to be a capable kickoff returner last year, taking over for Jamelle Eugene when he became the team's lone healthy tailback. Bowens averaged 21.5 yards on his 20 kickoff returns. Eugene could also return to that role in the fall.
At long-snapper, junior walk-ons Michael Maurer (5-11, 225) and Corey Tedder (6-1, 212) shared the duties last season. Tedder started the season in that role, but he suffered a broken hand against Louisville. Maurer took over and snapped in the final eight games. The two will share duties again this year.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Wolfpack</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>C</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
There is no doubt O'Brien and his staff believe their team is much better the second time around, if only because the have a better idea of how things operate in a more regimented, disciplined program. Last year's team had trouble accepting that until midway through the season, when O'Brien made significant changes in the lineup.
This year's version of the Wolfpack likely won't contend for the loaded Atlantic Division title, but it would probably be in the top two of the weaker Coastal Division. That means the Pack should be good enough to return to a bowl game for the first time in three years and continue building for the kind of success O'Brien had while at Boston College.
NC State Wolfpack
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Raleigh, NC</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>ACC (Atlantic)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>5-7 (.584)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>3-5 (t-5th)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Wolfpack</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Red & White</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Carter-Finley Stadium (57,500)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Tom O'Brien (Navy '71)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>5-7 (1 year)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>80-52 (11 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Dana Bible (Cincinnati '76), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers
• Mike Archer (Miami '76), Defensive Coordinator
• Jim Bridge (Wittenberg '92), Tight Ends
• Don Horton (Wittenberg '82), Offensive Line
• Andy McCollum (Austin Peay '81), Linebackers
• Jerry Petercuskie (Boston College '75), Recruiting Coordinator/Special Teams
• Mike Reed (Boston College '94), Defensive Backs
• Jason Swepson (Boston College '92), Running Backs
• Keith Willis (Northeastern '88), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>8-5-7-3-5</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>43-64-36-82-79</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to Maryland in regular-season finale.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 28</TD><TD>at South Carolina </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>William & Mary </TD><TD>6:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>at Clemson </TD><TD>12:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>East Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>South Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 16</TD><TD>Florida State </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Maryland </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Duke </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Wake Forest </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at North Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Miami (FL) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
To make up for the first
had south carolina already...and since it is an early thursday game thought I would put NC State up there...start the discussion perhaps....
COACH AND PROGRAM
Tom O'Brien fully expects the second time around to be much different. Sure, there were things that he learned in his first season as the head coach at NC State and things his players learned about playing for him. Don't be late. Don't mess up. Hold on to the ball.
That last one took a while to sink in for a Wolfpack team that committed 22 turnovers (15 interceptions and seven fumbles) in the first six games alone. No team can survive nearly four giveaways a game, but after a few changes in personnel and a few changes in attitude, the Wolfpack stopped turning the ball over -- for a while -- and turned its season around.
In fact, the Pack won four consecutive games -- over rivals East Carolina and North Carolina, over O'Brien's former employer Virginia and at Miami -- to even its record at 5-5. Amazingly, considering how the season started, the Wolfpack would have qualified for postseason play if it had won either of its last two games. But the turnover bug returned, State lost at Wake Forest and at home to Maryland in the regular-season finale to finish the season 5-7.
O'Brien charged into his second spring practice refreshed and ready to coach. He reshuffled his offensive line, switched a handful of positions on his defense and opened up the competition for the starting quarterback while two-year starter Daniel Evans recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.
And he saw a completely different program.
<OFFER>
"I think the difference is night and day from last year," O'Brien said at the end of spring practice. "I think everything in our program is way ahead of where we were a year ago. Last year, it took us until the 13th or 14th practice before we got a whole script in. That started the first day of practice in the spring. Our players have a much better understanding of our coaching staff and what we are asking them to do."
There were some reasons last year's team was slow to grasp O'Brien's concepts. The regimented head coach, a former Marine Reserve officer, couldn't have been more different than his predecessor, free-spirited Chuck Amato, who was let go by his alma mater after seven consecutive losses to end the 2006 season.
And, even before the season began, O'Brien had to deal with more injuries than he ever had to during his 10 years at Boston College. All-ACC tight end and Mackey Award candidate Anthony Hill, the team's leading receiver in 2006, was lost before drills began with a knee injury. Toney Baker, the team's leading rusher in 2006, was lost in the first game of the season to a knee injury. Andre Brown, NC State's leading rusher as a freshman in 2005, went down with a broken foot in the season's sixth game.
Quarterback Harrison Beck, who replaced Daniel Evans as the starter in the second game of the season, suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth game and didn't return until the season finale.
And those were just the big names.
"I've never been around anything like it in all of my years as a college football coach," O'Brien said.
The coach and his staff, down to fewer than 60 healthy scholarship players midway through the season, picked up the pieces and moved forward. That it almost managed to qualify for a bowl game is fairly remarkable, though not necessarily surprising given O'Brien's success during his 10 years at Boston College, when he compiled a 75-45 record and won eight straight bowl games.
In the spring, O'Brien demanded that his team be more physical on both the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage and more protective of the ball. He let everyone know that every position was up for grabs and that the players most willing to be coached would be the ones most likely in the starting lineup when the Wolfpack opens the college football season with a nationally television Aug. 28 game at South Carolina.
O'Brien wasn't alone in thinking that his team improved dramatically during the spring.
"I feel so much better now than I did at this time last year, when there were so many questions and uncertainties," defensive coordinator Mike Archer, the former head coach at LSU, said. "I can't sit here and tell you we are going to win this many games. But I do know this -- we are a lot better. We played a lot faster in the spring. We were more aggressive and played with more downhill intensity in the spring. Those are things that are important in stopping big plays, which killed us last year."
Heading into the fall, the Wolfpack still has some major questions to answer. Will Evans, a two-year starter at quarterback, be replaced by one of the four talented underclassmen in the program? Can O'Brien, a former offensive line coach, and his assistant in charge of the offensive line, Don Horton, cobble together a collection of five players to protect the quarterback and perhaps open holes for the team's three talented tailbacks? Can the defense fill its holes at linebacker and in the secondary to slow down opponents? And can anyone here hold on to the ball?
Transitions, of course, are always tough. And, no matter how good a coaching staff is, there are no quick fixes, especially when it comes to finding players who have to buy into how a new coach runs his program. O'Brien hopes this year's team, which is sprinkled with young talent, will find its identity a little quicker than last year's team and buy into his program a lot sooner. But it's hard to predict with a team that is fairly young and lacking senior leadership.
"If you look at our roster, there aren't a lot [of seniors] on it," O'Brien said. "I think we only have 14 seniors, and that includes the four former walk-ons that we gave scholarships to and the two transfers we brought in last year. That means almost half of the senior class are walk-ons or transfers we brought in."
The coach also brought in a highly regarded recruiting class, peppered with local talent and a major catch at quarterback, Virginia's Mike Glennon.
Now, he's ready for his second go-round with the Wolfpack, a program that is eager to get back to the postseason after back-to-back losing records.
"We understand what our concepts are," O'Brien said. "We did not have as many missed tackles and assignments as we did last spring and last season. We are not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination, and we are in no position, at the end of spring, to win a football game right now.
"As long as our players recognize that, and are prepared to come into the fall ready to work hard, then I think we can get better."
QUARTERBACKS
It's not like offensive coordinator Dana Bible doesn't have options at quarterback. He just has to find the right person to help the Wolfpack be more successful.
Fifth-year senior Daniel Evans (5-10, 180), the son of former Wolfpack quarterback and current radio analyst Johnny Evans, has started 17 games over the last two seasons, including a handful of big wins over the likes of Boston College, Florida State and Miami. That alone will earn him a shot at being the starting quarterback in his final season.
But Bible will have to explore his other options, primarily because Evans -- for all of his love of the program and his willingness to take a pounding behind a lackluster offensive line -- is a limited quarterback prone to making costly mistakes. He had 12 interceptions last year to go along with his 11 touchdown passes.
He also missed spring practice after having surgery to repair a problem with his right (throwing) shoulder. He should be fit and fine when fall drills begin.
But the three underclass quarterbacks in the program got plenty of repetitions in the spring to make their claim for the starting job.
Junior Harrison Beck (6-2, 200), who replaced Evans as the starter in last year's second game, guided the offense for four games until he suffered a bruised knee that kept him out until the season finale against Maryland. Beck has a strong arm, and is capable of putting up big numbers, as he did against Boston College, when he completed 26-of-50 passes for 321 yards, the most by an NC State quarterback since Philip Rivers' final game. But he also threw five interceptions against the Eagles, which prevented the Pack from coming away from Chestnut Hill with an upset victory.
Sophomore Justin Burke (6-3, 210) came to NC State from Lexington, Ky. with exceptional credentials, as the state's Gatorade Player of the Year and the No. 12 quarterback recruit in the nation. Yet he saw only spot duty last year as a redshirt freshman, completing two of his three passes for 15 yards and throwing one interception.
Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson (5-11, 191) was impressive in his first real action with the offense. The two-sport standout saw more action with the starting unit than the other two quarterbacks during spring practice, even though he spent much of the spring bouncing back and forth between the football practice field and the Wolfpack's baseball stadium. The all-star infielder helped Elliott Avent's team get within one game of the College World Series but still made all 15 spring football workouts, putting himself in position to win the starting job.
The biggest question mark, however, is whether incoming freshman Mike Glennon (6-6, 195), the top member of the Wolfpack's highly regarded recruiting class, is ready to compete for the job as well. The Centreville, Va., native is the brother of Virginia Tech's Sean Glennon and was ranked as the nation's No. 3 quarterback prospect by ESPN.com.
Not only did Glennon pick up a few things by watching a handful of spring practices and the annual Red & White Spring Game, he's already familiar with Bible's offense, because it is exactly what his Westfield High School team ran.
Each of the five candidates has an upside and downside. Evans has the most experience and has been under the most pressure in his career. Beck has a strong arm and some game experience. Burke was the most impressive signal-caller in the spring game. Wilson, though small, is a versatile player who runs almost as well as he throws. And Glennon, a Parade All-America, has all the tools and size needed to be a successful college quarterback.
The job appears to be wide open, as O'Brien looks to find out who can best take care of the ball. He has let everyone know that last year's total of 23 interceptions and 14 touchdown passes needs to be, at a minimum, reversed. So they will spend all of August practice fighting for the job.
"We are working towards better productivity at quarterback," O'Brien said. "We gave Russell a little more of a look during the spring because Beck and Burke had been in the sys-tem for a year and we wanted to see what Wilson could do. He has a pretty good grasp of the offense and what is expected.
"But I don't think that position will be solved until the week of the South Carolina game."
Last year, O'Brien steadfastly refused to choose a starting quarterback until just before the season opener against UCF. It's likely that he will play it close to the vest again this time around.
RUNNING BACKS
Heading into last season, the Wolfpack backfield was one of the deepest in the ACC, with a pair of returning starters looking to compete for enough carries to reach 1,000 yards. That battle never even started.
In the opener against UCF, junior Toney Baker (5-10, 225), the Wolfpack's leading rusher in 2006, suffered a season-ending knee injury. Five games later, senior Andre Brown (6-0, 228), the team's leading rusher in 2005, broke his foot against Florida State and missed the Pack's next four games.
That left junior Jamelle Eugene (5-10, 195), the team's only healthy scholarship tailback for most of the year, to carry the ball most of the time. He performed admirably, even though the Wolfpack was last in the ACC in rushing yards per game. He had three 100-yard rushing games, finished the season with a team-high 667 yards on 172 carries with five rushing touchdowns and caught 42 passes for 263 yards and one receiving touchdown.
For that, he won the Governor's Award as the team's most valuable player.
"Jamelle is the Energizer Bunny," O'Brien said. "He just keeps on ticking. He goes and goes and goes. We are very fortunate to have him in the program, especially last season."
So the good news is that the Wolfpack, like division-favorite Clemson, has its top rusher for the last three seasons returning this year. Brown heads into his senior season with 1,772 career rushing yards, while Baker has 1,272 and Eugene has 726. They have a combined 827 carries during their careers, which gives the Wolfpack one of the most experienced backfields in the league.
Brown re-injured his foot in the spring and Baker did not participate as he continued to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee, but both are expected to be at full strength when fall practice begins.
Curtis Underwood (5-11, 215) saw action last year as a freshman when Brown and Baker were out, gaining 84 yards on 19 carries. He missed spring practice because of injury but will return to provide depth, along with Ulysses Tuft, Jr. (5-11, 185), who saw lots of action in the spring.
The Wolfpack also brought in two highly regarded running back prospects, Brandon Barnes (6-0, 180) of Bunn, N.C., and Tobias Palmer (5-10, 165) of Pittsboro, N.C. However, they aren't likely to see action in the backfield unless the injury bug hits for the second year in a row.
Traditionally, Bible's offense uses the fullback as a blocking position. There are three walk-ons competing for the job -- junior Derrick White (6-1, 225) and sophomores Corey Darrington (5-11, 211) and Harrison Ritcher (5-11, 215).
Of the three, Darrington saw the most action in the spring, but that was because he filled in at tailback. Ritcher is the son of former Wolfpack and Buffalo Bills center Jim Ritcher, who won the 1979 Outland Trophy as the nation's most outstanding lineman, and the brother of former Wolfpack tight end John Ritcher.
Incoming freshman Colby Jackson (6-2, 225) could help as well, if he's recovered from the serious knee injury that limited his high school senior season.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Wolfpack lost three players who caught at least 36 passes last year -- wide receiver John Dunlap (team-high 45 catches for 375 yards), H-back Darrell Blackman (41-593) and tight end Marcus Stone (36-452). The good news is that none of them is irreplaceable.
Junior Donald Bowens (6-3, 206), who caught 41 passes for a team-high 598 yards, is a big-play receiver, as he proved in the win over Virginia, when he caught 11 passes for 202 yards, the fifth-best single-game reception and receiving yards totals in school history.
A trio of sophomores -- Jarvis Williams (6-4, 205), Darrell Davis (6-4, 200) and Owen Spencer (6-3, 180) -- showed they are ready to contribute, combining to catch 25 passes last season.
Junior Geron James (6-3, 200) was not enrolled in school last fall, but he has seen action in important games and has what O'Brien calls "big-play ability." He proved that two years ago when he caught four passes, one of them going for a touchdown, in the Wolfpack's home win over Florida State. But he had to reach several academic benchmarks to be reinstated to the team and will have to work his way back into the rotation.
The Wolfpack is also looking for big things from a pair of redshirt freshmen, Steven Howard (6-2, 185) and Jay Smith (6-2, 197), both of whom were highly regarded members of O'Brien's first recruiting class.
The Wolfpack will have perhaps the ACC's best tight end, fifth-year senior Anthony Hill (6-6, 265), who missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee just before the start of fall practice. Hill was shaping up to be a first-day NFL draft pick before he suffered the disappointing injury, the first of many that decimated the Wolfpack's roster.
In 2006, he was the Wolfpack's team leader with 45 catches -- 15 more than any player on the team. That earned him second-team All-ACC honors. Despite the injury, Hill be-lieves he can improve on those numbers.
Watching his teammates go 5-7 last season was almost as difficult as going through rehab, Hill said, but he's eager to put both things behind him.
"I think I will be better than ever," Hill said. "I am working on improving my speed, and I feel like I have matured a whole lot since the injury. I am a much more vocal leader now."
Hill went through limited drills in the spring, but is expected to be at 100 percent when fall drills begin.
He will be joined in the lineup by junior Matt Kushner (6-4, 259), who saw more action than expected last season because of Hill's injury. Kushner twice started games opposite Marcus Stone when the Wolfpack opened games in a two-tight end set. He caught 10 passes, including his first career touchdown reception, for a total of 67 yards.
Redshirt freshman George Bryan (6-5, 250) was the hero of the spring football game, pulling down a desperation 30-yard pass from Justin Burke in a crowded end zone to score the game-winning touchdown as time expired. He also performed well throughout the spring, giving the Wolfpack three capable blockers and pass catchers to call on.
OFFENSIVE LINE
O'Brien doesn't look much like a riverboat gambler, but he's not afraid to shuffle. That's what he and offensive line coach Don Horton did throughout the spring as they tried to find a group of five starters that could protect whoever the quarterback might be a little better and open up a few holes for the Pack's veteran running backs.
Last year, a patchwork group of linemen allowed 28 sacks and never really controlled the line of scrimmage, a contributing factor for State finishing next to last in the ACC and 110th in the nation in rushing offense at 89.2 yards per game.
To infuse the offensive line with some experience and a little more aggressive spirit, the coaches moved two veteran defensive linemen, junior Ted Larsen (6-2, 285) and senior John Bedics (6-4, 295), to the offensive side of the ball. Bedics had never played offense before, but Larsen had some experience there and excelled, primarily at guard and center, throughout the spring.
They saw action with tackles Julian Williams (6-5, 305) and Meares Green (6-4, 306) and guards Curtis Crouch (6-5, 324) and Jake Vermiglio (6-5, 315), with Larsen joining that group at center on the first team in the spring game.
Williams, a junior, seems to be set at the left tackle after starting nine games there last year. He missed three games with a knee injury midway through the season, but returned to his starting role when he recovered.
Vermiglio, a sophomore, was the only freshman to start a game for the Wolfpack last year, making four starts at left tackle while Williams was out of commission. But he is now the favorite to start at right guard.
Green, a senior, is the Pack's most versatile lineman, having seen action at center, guard and tackle during his career. His adaptability gives him an edge over junior Jerrail McCuller (6-7, 330), who made four starts at right tackle last season.
Crouch, entering his senior season, has long been expected to be a dominant blocker. That's only happened a few times, but he had a good spring after trimming down to a "svelte" 324 pounds.
"We are still looking to find the best rotation, the best starting five we have," O'Brien said. "Hopefully, we will get that settled in the fall. We did a lot of mixing and matching in the spring, which is not good for your continuity, because the more you are together as a unit, the better confidence you have. So doing it this way is not good for the short run, but it is what we have to do to become efficient and effective up front."
At center, Larsen could be spelled by Green, junior Andy Barbee (6-3, 310), sophomore Matt McKeon (6-3, 260) or redshirt freshman Henry Lawson (6-3, 285).
Other guards in the program include junior Zachary Williams (6-0, 285), sophomores Adam Beasley (6-4, 290) and Gary Gregory (6-4, 305) and redshirt freshman Mike Golder, Jr. (6-4, 286).
Other tackles include redshirt freshman Desmond Roberts (6-4, 295), senior walk-on Matthew White (6-6, 360) and junior walk-on Keonta Wallace (6-4, 280).
KICKERS
O'Brien has been extremely fortunate the last two seasons in digging up productive place-kickers out of nowhere. In 2006 at Boston College, he made Steve Aponivicious college football's best feel-good story a star after finding him in an open tryout. Weeks earlier, Aponivicious was just another face-painted kid in the stands until he won the tryout and helped the Eagles to another bowl victory.
Last year, O'Brien turned to Steven Hauschka as a one-year fix at place-kicker. Hauschka never played football in youth leagues, middle school or high school. Instead, he was recruited to play soccer and lacrosse at Middlebury College in Vermont. When that didn't work out, he joined the football team and was the starting place-kicker for four years.
He took advantage of a now-repealed NCAA rule that allowed student-athletes who graduated in four years to transfer to any NCAA school that does not offer graduate studies in his or her chosen field.
Hauschka won the starting kicker job in August and became the ACC's most accurate kicker. He made 16-of-18 field goals, including four in the Wolfpack's overtime victory over Miami, and all 25 of his extra points. He scored twice as many points (73) as any other player on the team and caught the attention of NFL scouts. He signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings in May.
But Hauschka was a one-year fix, and now the Wolfpack will turn to sophomore Josh Czajkowski (5-9, 178) to become the team's regular kicker. Czajkowski won the job last spring, but took a backseat to Hauschka.
The former all-state punter in Virginia also redshirted the 2006 season, so he has yet to kick in a college game, other than two Red & White spring contests. But he was ranked as the nation's No. 18 place-kicker after making 11-of-13 field goal attempts and 62-of-64 in his final two years of high school.
Czajkowski won't have much competition this year. The Wolfpack did not sign another kicker and redshirt senior Bradley Pierson (5-9, 163) is the only other player on the current roster with place-kicking experience.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive coordinator Mike Archer wasn't around for what might have been the best defensive line in school history with Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, John McCargo and Tank Tyler, the first three of whom were first-round NFL picks. That was three years before O'Brien became the head coach and hired Archer as part of his staff.
But Archer believes his current front-line starters -- junior end Willie Young (6-4, 230), sophomore end Markus Kuhn (6-4, 280), senior tackle Antoine Holmes (6-2, 281) and junior tackle Alan-Michael Cash (6-1, 286) -- just might be good enough to rival that group that helped the Wolfpack lead the nation in total defense in 2004.
"I think we will have tackles as good as any in the league," Archer said. "They haven't played a lot of football together, but they have potential. They are as athletic as anybody here since Lawson, Williams, McCargo and Tyler."
Young had a breakout season last year as a pass rusher. Lithe and agile, he has speed similar to Lawson, who was the first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers a few years back. Young ranked third in the ACC with 16 tackles for loss and had a team-high six sacks. He could easily double that number this season if he can get strong coverage in the secondary.
Kuhn is one of the more interesting stories in college football. A native of Germany, he never played high school football, but he learned the game from playing with some Army brats on a club team near his home in Weinheim, Germany. A frequent visitor to the United States, he fell in love with football and put together a recruiting tape. He and his father flew to Washington in the summer of 2006 and shopped the tape around to some smaller schools, then visited NC State, Virginia and North Carolina, all of whom offered him a scholarship. He chose the Wolfpack.
Kuhn might have benefited from a redshirt season to learn more about the game, but injuries forced him into the lineup at tackle in the second game. Midway through the year, he switched positions with Holmes and the two were regular contributors behind the departed combo of DeMario Pressley and Martrel Brown.
The coaching staff expects Kuhn and Holmes, who came to Raleigh as junior college transfers before last season, to be key components in an improved rush defense that ranked last in the ACC last season, allowing 186.4 yards per game.
Cash was perhaps the defense's most consistent performer last year, registering the most tackles (50) among all defensive linemen in just his first year as a starter. He had 6.5 tack-les for loss, 3.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures on the year.
Archer felt good enough about his depth on the line to allow O'Brien to move two defensive tackles, Larsen and Bedics, to the offensive line. Sophomore Audi Augustin (6-2, 250) and redshirt freshman Jeff Reiskamp (6-3, 235) are the likely backups on the ends, with senior Keith Willis, Jr. (6-1, 278), senior Jamaine Clemmons (5-11, 255), redshirt freshman Wayne Crawford (6-3, 290) and freshman Kyle Linney (6-3, 300) providing support at the tackles.
Willis, the son of Wolfpack defensive line coach Keith Willis, Sr., is eligible this season after transferring from Boston College. Clemmons, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship in the offseason, filled in capably last season when injuries plagued the line in the first three games. Linney was an early enrollee who went through spring practice with his new team.
When training camp opens in July, the defensive will add two veterans into the mix in junior college tackles Leroy Burgess (6-1, 300) and Thomas Locust (6-3, 325) and defensive end Shea McKeen (6-5, 250), who previously played at South Carolina prior to attending Nassau County (N.J.) Community College.
"We have to determine who all our backups will be," Archer said. "But we are going to play a lot of people."
LINEBACKERS
The Wolfpack lost four linebackers, including a trio of fifth-year seniors that made a combined 32 starts last season and a total of 55 in their careers. So it will be difficult to replace the experience of the departed LaRue Rumph, Ernest Jones and James Martin II.
And there isn't a lot of depth at the position, either, which is why the coaching staff converted one-time safety Robbie Leonard (6-0, 194) to weak-side linebacker. Though undersized, the fifth-year senior was a pleasant surprise to the coaching staff in the spring and is tentatively slated to join sophomore Nate Irving (6-1, 227) as the starting outside linebackers. Junior Ray Michel (6-0, 224) is the projected starter at middle linebacker.
Irving, who played in only 101 snaps in the team's first six contests, came on strong at the end of last year, making 27 of his 52 tackles in the Pack's final four games. He also had five tackles for loss in the final five games.
Michel has waited patiently for his chance to step into the starting lineup but has participated in every game of his career. He finally earned his first start in the season finale against Maryland and hopes to keep that spot this season.
Archer feels good about that trio as his starting lineup, which has speed missing from last year's starters, but he's going to have to scratch around for reserves come August.
"We have to find some depth," Archer said. "We need some backups and that is what we are going to have to find in training camp."
Vying for those jobs are several young players. Redshirt freshman Audi Cole (6-5, 215) will back up Leonard on the weak side, with sophomore Thomas Barnes (5-11, 200) playing behind Irving.
Redshirt freshman J.R. Sweezy (6-5, 245) and freshman Dwayne Maddox (6-2, 220), who enrolled in school in January, back up Michel.
The coaching staff tried to infuse some numbers into the linebacking corps through recruiting, bringing in four newcomers, headlined by in-state all-star Terrell Manning. But Manning won't be able to participate this season as he recovers from a serious knee injury he suffered near the end of his high school season.
Maddox arrived early and went through spring drills, and William Beasley (6-2, 225) and Sterling Lucas (6-2, 220) will have the opportunity to make an impact as soon as they arrive on campus. Beasley and Lucas as were both rated among the top 20 inside linebacker recruits in the nation last year.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Wolfpack has two senior starters returning to the secondary, but overall the secondary is in need of experience and maturity. Jeremy Gray (6-2, 186) returns at the right cornerback, while J.C. Neal (5-11, 195) will start at strong safety. O'Brien expects both to provide leadership in the secondary, which was decimated by injury last year.
The early departure of All-ACC safety DaJuan Morgan, who was taken in the second round of the NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, didn't help.
His younger brother, sophomore De'Andre Morgan (5-10, 166), started several games last season at left corner and played more snaps (517) than any other freshman. He will contend for a starting job again against converted junior wide receiver Koyal George (5-11, 169).
Gray, who tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season, will be backed up by freshman Dominique Ellis (5-11, 190), an early enrollee who participated in spring drills with his new team.
Neal began the season at cornerback but was converted to safety when teammate Javon Walker (6-0, 188), a sophomore, suffered a season-ending knee injury against Miami, just days after he moved into the starting lineup. Neal will help break in converted linebacker John Ware (5-11, 205), a sophomore, at the position. They could also receive help from Walker, who hopes to be back at 100 percent.
At free safety, a pair of redshirt freshmen, Jimmaul Simmons (6-2, 190) and Justin Byers (6-0, 170), competed for the starting job in the spring. However, they might be pushed in the fall by junior college transfer Clem Johnson (6-0, 190), a native of Carlisle, Pa., who spent the last two years at Valley Forge Military College playing quarterback. But he expects to be in the secondary with the Wolfpack.
PUNTERS
Bradley Pierson (5-9, 163), a senior, began last season as a career walk-on reserve. He ended it as the Wolfpack's starting punter who earned a scholarship for his patience and hard work. He took over the starting job from Nathan Franklin in the season's third game and maintained it the rest of the year.
Pierson's 37.2-yard average was near the bottom of the league's regular punters, but the Wolfpack had the ACC's best punt coverage team, allowing just 3.1 yards per return. The Pack netted 35.6 yards per punt, which was in the top half of the ACC.
Pierson landed 21 of his 62 punts inside the 20-yard-line and 20 of his kicks were fair caught.
After the season ended, Pierson was awarded a scholarship and he enters this season as the starting punter who could help out with some place-kicking duties.
There are two other punters in the program, sophomore Jeff Ruiz (6-2, 185) and redshirt freshman Carl Ojala (6-3, 190), both redshirted last season. Ruiz was an All-American two years ago at Southwestern Junior College in Chula Vista, Calif., after averaging 43.3 yards per punt, which ranked second among JUCO punters.
SPECIAL TEAMS
For the last four years, Wolfpack fans could count on one thing -- anytime Darrell Blackman fielded a kickoff or a punt, he would either end up in the end zone or put the offense in good field position. The wide receiver, twice selected the first-team All-ACC specialist, finished his career ranked in the top 10 in both kickoff-return yardage and punt-return yardage.
Blackman fielded all but one punt return for the Pack last year and most of the kickoff returns. He was second in the ACC and 17th in the nation with a 13.2-yard punt return average and fifth in the ACC with a 23.2-yard kickoff return average.
Special teams coach Jerry Petercuskie did not spend much time working on the return game in the spring, figuring that was one of the things that could be prioritized in the fall. But in the spring game, he turned to junior receiver Donald Bowens and cornerback De'Andre Morgan to handle punt returns.
Bowens proved to be a capable kickoff returner last year, taking over for Jamelle Eugene when he became the team's lone healthy tailback. Bowens averaged 21.5 yards on his 20 kickoff returns. Eugene could also return to that role in the fall.
At long-snapper, junior walk-ons Michael Maurer (5-11, 225) and Corey Tedder (6-1, 212) shared the duties last season. Tedder started the season in that role, but he suffered a broken hand against Louisville. Maurer took over and snapped in the final eight games. The two will share duties again this year.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Wolfpack</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>C</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
There is no doubt O'Brien and his staff believe their team is much better the second time around, if only because the have a better idea of how things operate in a more regimented, disciplined program. Last year's team had trouble accepting that until midway through the season, when O'Brien made significant changes in the lineup.
This year's version of the Wolfpack likely won't contend for the loaded Atlantic Division title, but it would probably be in the top two of the weaker Coastal Division. That means the Pack should be good enough to return to a bowl game for the first time in three years and continue building for the kind of success O'Brien had while at Boston College.
NC State Wolfpack
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Raleigh, NC</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>ACC (Atlantic)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>5-7 (.584)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>3-5 (t-5th)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Wolfpack</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Red & White</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Carter-Finley Stadium (57,500)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Tom O'Brien (Navy '71)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>5-7 (1 year)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>80-52 (11 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Dana Bible (Cincinnati '76), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers
• Mike Archer (Miami '76), Defensive Coordinator
• Jim Bridge (Wittenberg '92), Tight Ends
• Don Horton (Wittenberg '82), Offensive Line
• Andy McCollum (Austin Peay '81), Linebackers
• Jerry Petercuskie (Boston College '75), Recruiting Coordinator/Special Teams
• Mike Reed (Boston College '94), Defensive Backs
• Jason Swepson (Boston College '92), Running Backs
• Keith Willis (Northeastern '88), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>8-5-7-3-5</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>43-64-36-82-79</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Lost to Maryland in regular-season finale.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 28</TD><TD>at South Carolina </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>William & Mary </TD><TD>6:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>at Clemson </TD><TD>12:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>East Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>South Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Boston College </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 16</TD><TD>Florida State </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Maryland </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Duke </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Wake Forest </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at North Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Miami (FL) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Michigan
COACH AND PROGRAM
Move over, Lloyd Carr. Come on in, Rich Rodriguez. Welcome to the toasty seat reserved for the head football coach at Michigan. For Carr -- who retired after 13 seasons, 122 wins, five Big Ten championships and a share of the 1997 national title as head coach of college football's winningest program -- the scrutiny built over some late-tenure disappointments, especially last season's loss to Appalachian State and Carr's 1-6 record against Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
Rodriguez -- who shot to the top of his profession with a 32-5 record in his final three seasons at West Virginia -- brought the angst with him to Ann Arbor. His decision to leave his alma mater and home state for one of college football's premier destinations left folks awfully angry in the mountains.
The mayor of Rodriguez's hometown ordered signs that honored its most famous native removed. Venom was delivered via the airwaves, hate mail and newspaper articles. School officials accused Rodriguez of getting rid of detailed files on his players and program before he left.
Oh yeah, and they sued him for the $4 million buyout clause in his contract. In the start of a very public battle, Rodriguez said he didn't owe the money because West Virginia didn't live up to verbal promises it made to him. He ended up giving a seven-hour-plus deposition. Every word in this unresolved drama has been splashed about publicly, all while Rodriguez and the folks at his new home try to get to know each other.
"Well, it's been tough," Rodriguez said of the constant controversy. "But you know, I've compartmentalized that thing to where I don't even deal with it. That's why you hire lawyers, and my wife is handling a lot of it, too."
But West Virginians aren't the only ones who have been mad at Rodriguez lately. There were some misgivings from the Michigan football family over the hire, mainly from those who were pushing athletic director Bill Martin to bring in Les Miles -- a former Michigan player and assistant -- from LSU.
Rodriguez was able to maintain and build on another terrific Michigan recruiting class. But when Trotwood, Ohio receiver Roy Roundtree changed his mind late, shunning Purdue to sign with Michigan, Purdue coach Joe Tiller raged, referring to Rodriguez as "a guy in a wizard hat selling snake oil."
Starting offensive lineman Justin Boren left the team during spring ball, publicly lamenting "a decline of family values" under Rodriguez and prompting Rodriguez to contest that assertion adamantly. Then Boren ended up at, of all places, Ohio State.
And when Rodriguez unwittingly promised the No. 1 jersey to an incoming defensive back recruit, he was chastised publicly by former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards. Edwards started a scholarship fund revolving around the No. 1 jersey, with the idea that it would continue to be worn by receivers who earn it.
Rodriguez quickly apologized and took No. 1 off the market.
By the time Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis proclaimed, "To hell with Michigan!" for no apparent reason in a speech to fans, Rodriguez was able to have a chuckle about all the potshots coming from various directions.
"If you want to take another one, you're going to have to stand in line," he said.
After all, when it comes down to it, Rodriguez is in Ann Arbor to win football games, to perpetuate the consistent excellence that has defined this program since Bo Schembechler took it over in 1969. Rodriguez's track record suggests he can keep it going, albeit in a different way. Disciples Gary Moeller and Carr followed Schembechler, making this the first departure from that coaching family in nearly 40 years. And there will be changes. Rodriguez is one of the innovators of the popular spread option offense, and he'll be bringing that with him to a place known for straight-ahead power football.
The stuffy, secretive air of the Carr regime is gone, replaced by Rodriguez and his aw-shucks, come-on-in approach. He is a different kind of "Michigan man." But then, it's a different Michigan. The school, notorious for tight salaries, is paying Rodriguez $2.5 million a year over six years, and he'll debut as construction picks up on a $226 million renovation to add suites and club seats to Michigan Stadium.
Rodriguez has not been afraid to do things his way, including ending the century-long Michigan tradition of the coach naming captains before the season. From now on, captains will rotate on a game-by-game basis. When it comes to personnel, Rodriguez is all about speed, and he's quick to say that Michigan needs an upgrade across the board.
"We have a few guys that can run, but we have to get a lot faster and guys know that," he said. "I think we can get faster and we're going to try to develop that."
The Wolverines inherited by Rodriguez got an early understanding of how they'd be getting faster -- and stronger, more flexible, more explosive, better-conditioned. Strength coach Mike Barwis was a legend at West Virginia and he's already well on his way to attaining that status in Ann Arbor, thanks to his ultra-passionate approach and relentless workouts.
"We train hard," Rodriguez said. "But there's probably a little bit too much made of all that. It's not like they didn't train before. They did. And we're not exclusive, we don't have the only way, so to speak. But we do train hard."
The system helped Rodriguez build West Virginia into a power, going 60-26 in eight years with four Big East titles and two BCS bids. And that includes his 3-8 debut season of 2001. It's possible Rodriguez could be in for some struggles in his first year at Michigan as well. The Wolverines will have a very different look this season after saying good-bye to senior offensive stars Chad Henne, Mike Hart and Jake Long. Henne leaves as Michigan's all-time leading passer, Hart as its all-time leading rusher, and Long was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Junior receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington left early for the NFL. Freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett, the celebrated heir to Henne, decided he didn't fit into the spread option and transferred to Arkansas.
Senior offensive guards Adam Kraus and Alex Mitchell are gone, too, meaning Rodriguez must install a new offense with mostly unproven players. Defensively, Michigan loses starting linebackers Shawn Crable and Chris Graham, and starting safeties Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon. Those were the team's top four tacklers. But the Wolverines return plenty of talent on that side of the ball, and the defense may have to hold things together while the offense finds its way.
"I hate to say one side or the other will have to carry us, because this is a team game," Rodriguez said. "But there's no question the defense will have to get stuff done early."
The transfers and early defections mean Michigan will be "way under" the 85-man scholarship limit this season, Rodriguez said. From the moment he accepted this job on Dec. 16, Rodriguez has encountered a steady stream of challenges, insults and roadblocks. But Rodriguez is a proven driver. And that hot seat is on the driver's side of a Ferrari.
"This is a great program," he said. "And overall, things are going well. Obviously it's the first year of a transition, getting your systems implemented. But everybody's working hard. This is very similar to the transition we had when we went to West Virginia.
"The biggest thing here, though, is that there's so much cooperation from the school."
QUARTERBACKS
Four-year starter Chad Henne is gone, taking 828 completions on 1,387 attempts for 9,715 yards -- all school records -- with him. Henne, of course, would not have fit well into the system Rodriguez employed at West Virginia with fleet-footed Pat White. But this offense has been run by pass-first guys before, and that will be the case in 2008. Unproven contenders Stephen Threet (6-6, 230) and Nick Sheridan (6-1, 212) both have some mobility but not enough to make the read option portion of this attack as lethal as Rodriguez likes. But that's OK.
"The reason we like the spread is because you can tailor it to fit guys," Rodriguez said. "Shaun King [at Tulane] was a great passer for us, a good runner, but a better passer. We'll figure out what you can do well and adjust the offense to fit you."
Threet, a freshman transfer from Georgia Tech, had the edge exiting spring ball, although Rodriguez would not declare him the No. 1 guy. Threet enrolled early at Georgia Tech but quickly decided to transfer back home after Yellow Jackets offensive coordinator Patrick Nix left for Miami (Fla.) A native of nearby Adrian, Mich., Threet is a drop-back guy, but he is a long strider with some speed when he gets moving. And he ran a spread offense as a high school senior. He outperformed Sheridan -- a sophomore and former walk on -- in the spring game. Threet made some big plays through the air, while Sheridan threw three interceptions. Sheridan, however, has more mobility and shiftiness.
Rodriguez won't rule out using more than one guy. And he has a run-first burner coming to join the competition in fall camp. Justin Feagin (6-0, 190) rushed for 1,313 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 1,420 yards and 19 scores as a senior last season at American Heritage High in Deerfield, Fla. Feagin may be a freshman, but his competitors have no experience, either. And Rodriguez had no problem using White as a first-year player.
"The biggest concern is that nobody's played," Rodriguez said. "One thing I can tell you is, we're not gonna put it all on them like we did with a Pat White."
RUNNING BACKS
Chad Henne is a big loss, but Mike Hart is a legend lost. A human bowling ball, Hart left as Michigan's all-time rusher (5,040 yards) and will be remembered as one of the best backs in school history. He was also a leader whose emphatic displays of emotion inspired teammates. But running back is in much better shape than quarterback this season in Ann Arbor.
"I do think we have a little more depth there than at a lot of positions," Rodriguez said. "We have some guys who can give us good production."
The group is led by junior Brandon Minor (6-1, 214), who ran for 385 yards last season in relief of the oft-injured Hart. Minor played through a wrist injury in spring ball and was a standout performer. He is the No. 1 back and could end up being a rarity at Michigan -- one of the Big Ten's most underrated backs.
Junior Carlos Brown (6-0, 213) had three starts and 382 yards last season. But he could not go in the spring after breaking a finger while lifting weights. Brown is a big-play guy who will get the ball as long as he can stay healthy. Michigan has considered giving him a look at quarterback, and he may also get a try at slot receiver. But he's still a running back first.
Junior Kevin Grady (5-9, 228) is an interesting story. An all-world recruit, Grady showed promise while toiling behind Hart as a freshman and sophomore. Then he suffered a serious knee injury, tearing his ACL, in the spring of 2007 and had to sit all of last season. Grady is back, overcoming a tender Achilles to impress during spring drills. His style as a runner would seem to fit the former system much better than this one, but Rodriguez is not opposed to some power running. He mixes in some two-back formations, and Grady should be able to find his way onto the field.
"We've been impressed by Kevin," Rodriguez said. "We think he can help us."
Speaking of backfield brawn, sophomore fullback Mark Moundros (6-1, 232) will retain that title even though the offense doesn't technically have a fullback position on its depth chart. Moundros had a great spring and will get involved in short-yardage situations. Usually, though, you'll see one speedy back behind the quarterback. And you shouldn't rule out redshirt freshman Avery Horn (5-10, 185) as a contributor. Horn is a blazer and more like the backs Rodriguez liked to turn loose at West Virginia.
Of the incoming freshmen, Sam McGuffie (5-11, 185) is one of the most celebrated. If you haven't seen highlights of him hurdling and flipping over would-be tacklers, check it out on YouTube. If the USA Today second-team All-American doesn't see the field early as a running back, he might as a slot receiver.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Here's another pillaged cupboard. Stars Manningham and Arrington bolted early, and Rodriguez didn't find exactly what he was looking for in the remaining players.
"We don't have a true slot receiver on our roster right now," he said. "That's an important position in this offense."
Michigan formerly recruited big receivers to fit into its pro-style offense. The spread makes use of smaller, shiftier slot guys who pressure defenses with their ability to run after the catch. Of course, big, fast guys are needed, too, and junior Greg Mathews (6-3, 207) is a proven one who will start on the outside at the X position. Mathews started five games last season when Michigan opened with three-wide sets. He had 39 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
"Mathews is one of the few veterans we've got, and we feel good about him," Rodriguez said.
Mathews is backed up by another coveted recruit from Texas, Darryl Stonum (6-3, 185). Stonum enrolled early and took part in spring drills, giving himself a better chance to see the field early in 2008.
"He's a fast guy, he has a great attitude," Rodriguez said of Stonum. "He's a guy that'll have a chance to show what he can do as well."
At the other outside spot, the Z, sophomore Junior Hemingway (6-1, 214) has emerged as the top candidate to start. Hemingway saw limited action as a freshman, catching four balls for 37 yards. Behind Hemingway is junior LaTerryal Savoy (6-3, 210), who has yet to live up to his advance hype coming out of Mamou (La.) High in 2005.
Sophomore Toney Clemons (6-3, 210) moved to the slot, or Y, in the spring and did some good things. He is the starter for now, but he will receive some competition from the incoming youngsters, including perhaps McGuffie and Martavious Odoms (5-9, 171) of Pahokee, Fla. Michael Shaw (6-0, 185) of Trotwood, Ohio, is another player who has been identified as a potential slot receiver.
At tight end, junior Carson Butler (6-5, 250) returns after starting six games in 2007. He caught 20 passes for 246 yards and two scores. Senior Mike Massey (6-5, 225) is back as well. He started four games last season, then injured his left knee and missed the final eight contests.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Like their rivals up the road at Michigan State, the Wolverines' primary concern is their ability to put together a winning unit in the offensive trenches. Four starters on the offensive line -- Long, Boren, Kraus and Mitchell -- are gone. Senior Jeremy Ciulla is gone as well after starting five games last season at right guard. That's a lot of talent and experience to replace.
"We have a few guys waiting in the wings, so to speak, ready to compete at a full-time level," Rodriguez said. "But the biggest concern, obviously, is depth. We're gonna have freshmen on the second team, at least, and that's a very scary thought at this level."
The spread requires different footwork on protections and more mobility overall. But Michigan did switch to a zone running game a couple of years ago, which will help make this transition easier.
"They've zone blocked before and they understand some of the steps already," Rodriguez said. "They understand some of the concepts we're bringing in. Whether we can get them to do it well in game conditions is the unknown."
Michigan has an anchor in sophomore Steve Schilling (6-5, 295), who returns as the starter at right tackle. He looks like Michigan's next great offensive lineman, a physical blocker with exceptional foot speed for his size. He might have played as a freshman in 2006, but he had to miss the season because of mononucleosis and shoulder surgery. He recovered to play forceful football in 2007.
Replacing Long will be junior Mark Ortmann (6-7, 294). Ortmann started two games at right tackle last season when Schilling had to switch to right guard because of injuries. He saw action in four other contests, including some time at left tackle. He played the left side primarily as a redshirt freshman in 2006, seeing snaps in seven games.
Whether Ortmann can handle this all-important position, in a new scheme, will be one of the big questions of 2008. Sophomore Perry Dorrestein (6-7, 308) is a third tackle the coaching staff thinks is ready to help. He's backing up Schilling but could play either side in a three-man rotation.
At the guard spots, juniors Tim McAvoy (6-6, 288) and Cory Zirbel (6-5, 292) are the starters, McAvoy on the right side and Zirbel on the left. McAvoy got a start at right guard last season and played in five games. Zirbel played in all 13 games, mostly on special teams. The top candidate to get into a three-man rotation at guard is redshirt freshman Mark Huyge (6-6, 292). If there's a starting position battle, it's at center, where Kraus and Boren shared duties last season. Junior David Moosman (6-5, 292) has a narrow edge, having seen limited time as a reserve last season. Redshirt freshman David Molk (6-2, 282), who as a senior was ranked the No. 1 prep center in the nation by Max Emfinger, will be a serious contender. A bout with the flu set Molk back slightly in the spring.
KICKERS
A major question entering 2007 has become a reliable strength entering 2008. Fifth-year senior K.C. Lopata (6-2, 233) became the No. 1 place-kicker in the sixth game last season and went on to make 11-of-12 field goals. Lopata followed that with a terrific spring, and he should be one of the Big Ten's best this season.
Kickoff specialist Bryan Wright (6-1, 219), a sophomore, held that role in all 13 games last season. He had 10 touchbacks in 60 kickoffs.
DEFENSIVE LINE
While the Michigan offensive line is riddled with question marks, the big boys on the other side are full of answers. This is the strength of the Wolverines and arguably the best defensive front in the Big Ten. It is loaded with experienced talent.
Also, it doesn't have much of an overwhelming transition to make from former coordinator Ron English to current coordinator Scott Shafer. The new defense operates much like the old defense up front.
"There's a lot of carryover from what we did in the past," Rodriguez said. "A lot of the things we like to do up front and a lot of the coverage packages as well."
Michigan has a fearsome combination on the edges. Returning starters Tim Jamison (6-3, 263) and Brandon Graham (6-2, 265) had 14 sacks between them a season ago. And they're both faster. Jamison, a fifth-year senior, has dropped 10 pounds and was dropping jaws during spring ball. Graham, a junior, had 8.5 sacks last season -- and was 20 pounds heavier than he is now.
Right behind them is redshirt freshman Ryan Van Bergen (6-6, 265), who was a force in the spring and will demand snaps in the fall. Junior Adam Patterson (6-3, 259) and sophomore Greg Banks (6-4, 258) are ready for larger roles after contributing mostly on special teams in 2007.
The interior is loaded as well, with senior starters Terrance Taylor (6-0, 319) and Will Johnson (6-5, 285) back to overpower opponents at the point of attack. Taylor is a second team All-Big Ten nose tackle who is unstoppable at times. He had 55 tackles last season, a high number for his position, making him the first Michigan nose tackle to exceed 50 since Josh Williams in 1997. With more consistent effort, Taylor can be one of the nation's best in 2008 and earn himself a big payday. Johnson, meanwhile, is known for giving relentless effort at all times and maximizing his ability.
Sophomores John Ferrara (6-4, 274) and Jason Kates (6-2, 339) back up Taylor and are ready for significant snaps. Behind Johnson, sophomore Renaldo Sagesse (6-4, 308) is the most promising reserve. Overall, the defensive line is stocked with material. That's not to say Rodriguez is fully satisfied with its current state.
"There's more experience on the line and we have depth, good players," he said. "But we're still trying to get them to play faster. They can certainly get faster."
LINEBACKERS
An upgrade in speed is definitely the goal at linebacker. This unit will miss departed seniors Shawn Crable and Chris Graham (90 tackles apiece), but Michigan still has five guys who are good enough to compete for a starting spot.
"We like the depth we have at linebacker," Rodriguez said. "It's good competition there."
The returning starter is sophomore Obi Ezeh (6-2, 247) in the middle. He is the team's top returning tackler, having made 68 stops last season, and it's safe to say he will be on the field. Ezeh has the speed Rodriguez craves, even at nearly 250 pounds.
Behind Ezeh is fifth-year senior John Thompson (6-1, 239). Thompson had three starts inside last season and picked up 39 tackles. He is not a speed guy, but his instincts and physicality make him valuable. It's possible Michigan could go with Thompson inside and move Ezeh to the strong side.
Senior Austin Panter (6-3, 231) is the No. 1 so far at strong-side linebacker. He was mostly a special teams performer a year ago. On the weak side, sophomore Marell Evans (6-3, 231) is making a strong bid. He has worked on the strong side as well. Evans is a speed guy all the way, as is weak-side contender Jonas Mouton (6-2, 230). Both were productive in spring drills and, like Panter, appear ready for substantial snaps after helping mostly on special teams in 2007.
All five guys will play, and it will be interesting to see how the rotation comes together. If speed is the top priority, Ezeh, Evans and Mouton could end up forming an effective unit.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
If spring ball had an MVP, it might have been Stevie Brown (6-0, 209). The junior safety was all over the field making plays, cementing himself as the starter at free safety and giving the new staff reason to feel good about its last line of defense.
"It was really his first big opportunity and he did some great things," Rodriguez said. "If he can keep progressing like that, he can have a great fall for us."
Brown lettered his first two seasons, primarily on special teams, although he did get one start at safety last season. He and senior Brandon Harrison (5-9, 206) are taking over the safety positions vacated by Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon.
Harrison is no newbie, though. He was Michigan's nickel back last season and got 10 starts, picking up 42 tackles. He runs well for a strong safety and hits just like a strong safety should.
"We really liked the play of our safeties in the spring," Rodriguez said.
That includes the reserves. Michigan has quality depth here, with senior Charles Stewart (6-2, 206) back for a fifth year. Stewart backs up Harrison and is the top candidate to be Michigan's nickel back this season.
Meanwhile, sophomore Artis Chambers (6-0, 202) brings a ton of potential at free safety. He and redshirt freshman Michael Williams (5-11, 185) are capable backups for Brown. In Donovan Warren and Morgan Trent, Michigan may have the best cornerback duo in the Big Ten. Warren (6-0, 180) was on everyone's All-Freshman team last season, playing extensively and quite well just a few months out of high school. He had 11 starts and 52 tackles.
Trent (6-1, 188) is a fifth-year senior who arrived in Ann Arbor with much hype and may end up justifying it before he leaves. He became a lockdown cover corner as a junior, defending the opponent's top receiver, grabbing a couple picks, breaking up 10 passes and prompting teams to avoid him as the season progressed.
"Trent has been around and he can play. We're looking for him to have his best year," Rodriguez said. "If all the seniors have their best years, we feel like we can have a pretty good defense."
PUNTERS
Zoltan Mesko (6-5, 235), a junior who looks like he should be playing linebacker, returns after turning in a solid 2007 season. He was fifth in the Big Ten with an average of 41.1 yards per punt. He had 22 punts that ended up inside the opponent's 20, and 22 that were fair caught.
Sophomore Chris Berry (6-3, 205) is Mesko's backup.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are the top returning candidates to return kicks. Minor averaged 19.8 yards on 13 returns last season, while Brown averaged 19.1 on 16 returns. Avery Horn, Brandon Harrison, Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren also are possibilities. If Minor is the No. 1 back as expected, he may be pulled from kick return duty.
Greg Mathews was the primary punt returner a year ago and was nothing special, averaging 8.0 yards on 28 returns. Warren could get a look here, but his prominence at cornerback may cause the coaching staff to look elsewhere.
The freshman class includes some speedy skill players. It won't be a surprise if the return teams get a boost from incoming youngsters. Michigan was 10th in the Big Ten in kickoff returns last season and sixth in punt returns. Michigan was ninth in kick coverage and fifth in net punting.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Michigan Wolverines</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>C+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->Rodriguez is realistic about his first season. He's trying to teach a new system to untested quarterbacks, he's short on players at other positions, and none of that will draw sympathy from opponents who get up for Michigan regardless of who's wearing the winged helmets.
"We have some challenges," he said.
That's not to say he's conceding mediocrity in his first year, even though that's a popular outside expectation.
"You want to compete for a league championship every year, and certainly you want to go to a bowl game every year," Rodriguez said. "Those will always be our goals. We're certainly not gonna go into this season and say, 'Geez, we hope to break even.' "
The defense should keep Michigan in every game. The question is whether the offense can make enough plays to pull out close contests in the fourth quarter. The schedule starts with two potentially challenging home games that Michigan must win. Utah visits first, followed by Miami (Ohio). Then it's off to Notre Dame. A nonleague home game with Toledo comes later, in the middle of the Big Ten schedule.
Michigan opens its Big Ten grind with a huge home game against Wisconsin. Illinois visits Ann Arbor the following week. Those are early chances for the Wolverines to make a case for themselves as legitimate conference contenders. But Michigan also must visit Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State at the end of the season. Michigan State and Northwestern come to Ann Arbor, with another road trip to Minnesota on the schedule. It's not outrageous to think Michigan might struggle to a 6-6 or 7-5 record. Nine wins is a reasonable goal. A Big Ten championship might be asking too much from this season.
Michigan Wolverines
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Ann Arbor, Mich.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Big Ten</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>9-4 (.692)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (t-2nd)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Wolverines</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Maize & Blue</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Michigan Stadium (107,501)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia '86)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>First Year</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>105-62-2 (15 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Calvin Magee (Southern '84), Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
• Tony Gibson (Glenville State '94), Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
• Scott Shafer (Indiana '93), Defensive Coordinator
• Tony Dews (Liberty '96) , Receivers
• Greg Frey (Florida State '96), Offensive Line
• Jay Hopson (Ole Miss '92), Linebackers
• Fred Jackson (Jackson State '72) , Running Backs
• Rod Smith (Glenville State '76) , Quarterbacks
• Bruce Tall (Ohio Wesleyan '82), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>10-9-7-11-9</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>7-11-29-7-17</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Florida in Capital One Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Utah </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Miami (OH) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>at Notre Dame </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Wisconsin </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Illinois </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>Toledo </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at Penn State </TD><TD>4:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>Michigan State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Purdue </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Minnesota </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Northwestern </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at Ohio State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
Move over, Lloyd Carr. Come on in, Rich Rodriguez. Welcome to the toasty seat reserved for the head football coach at Michigan. For Carr -- who retired after 13 seasons, 122 wins, five Big Ten championships and a share of the 1997 national title as head coach of college football's winningest program -- the scrutiny built over some late-tenure disappointments, especially last season's loss to Appalachian State and Carr's 1-6 record against Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
Rodriguez -- who shot to the top of his profession with a 32-5 record in his final three seasons at West Virginia -- brought the angst with him to Ann Arbor. His decision to leave his alma mater and home state for one of college football's premier destinations left folks awfully angry in the mountains.
The mayor of Rodriguez's hometown ordered signs that honored its most famous native removed. Venom was delivered via the airwaves, hate mail and newspaper articles. School officials accused Rodriguez of getting rid of detailed files on his players and program before he left.
Oh yeah, and they sued him for the $4 million buyout clause in his contract. In the start of a very public battle, Rodriguez said he didn't owe the money because West Virginia didn't live up to verbal promises it made to him. He ended up giving a seven-hour-plus deposition. Every word in this unresolved drama has been splashed about publicly, all while Rodriguez and the folks at his new home try to get to know each other.
"Well, it's been tough," Rodriguez said of the constant controversy. "But you know, I've compartmentalized that thing to where I don't even deal with it. That's why you hire lawyers, and my wife is handling a lot of it, too."
But West Virginians aren't the only ones who have been mad at Rodriguez lately. There were some misgivings from the Michigan football family over the hire, mainly from those who were pushing athletic director Bill Martin to bring in Les Miles -- a former Michigan player and assistant -- from LSU.
Rodriguez was able to maintain and build on another terrific Michigan recruiting class. But when Trotwood, Ohio receiver Roy Roundtree changed his mind late, shunning Purdue to sign with Michigan, Purdue coach Joe Tiller raged, referring to Rodriguez as "a guy in a wizard hat selling snake oil."
Starting offensive lineman Justin Boren left the team during spring ball, publicly lamenting "a decline of family values" under Rodriguez and prompting Rodriguez to contest that assertion adamantly. Then Boren ended up at, of all places, Ohio State.
And when Rodriguez unwittingly promised the No. 1 jersey to an incoming defensive back recruit, he was chastised publicly by former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards. Edwards started a scholarship fund revolving around the No. 1 jersey, with the idea that it would continue to be worn by receivers who earn it.
Rodriguez quickly apologized and took No. 1 off the market.
By the time Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis proclaimed, "To hell with Michigan!" for no apparent reason in a speech to fans, Rodriguez was able to have a chuckle about all the potshots coming from various directions.
"If you want to take another one, you're going to have to stand in line," he said.
After all, when it comes down to it, Rodriguez is in Ann Arbor to win football games, to perpetuate the consistent excellence that has defined this program since Bo Schembechler took it over in 1969. Rodriguez's track record suggests he can keep it going, albeit in a different way. Disciples Gary Moeller and Carr followed Schembechler, making this the first departure from that coaching family in nearly 40 years. And there will be changes. Rodriguez is one of the innovators of the popular spread option offense, and he'll be bringing that with him to a place known for straight-ahead power football.
The stuffy, secretive air of the Carr regime is gone, replaced by Rodriguez and his aw-shucks, come-on-in approach. He is a different kind of "Michigan man." But then, it's a different Michigan. The school, notorious for tight salaries, is paying Rodriguez $2.5 million a year over six years, and he'll debut as construction picks up on a $226 million renovation to add suites and club seats to Michigan Stadium.
Rodriguez has not been afraid to do things his way, including ending the century-long Michigan tradition of the coach naming captains before the season. From now on, captains will rotate on a game-by-game basis. When it comes to personnel, Rodriguez is all about speed, and he's quick to say that Michigan needs an upgrade across the board.
"We have a few guys that can run, but we have to get a lot faster and guys know that," he said. "I think we can get faster and we're going to try to develop that."
The Wolverines inherited by Rodriguez got an early understanding of how they'd be getting faster -- and stronger, more flexible, more explosive, better-conditioned. Strength coach Mike Barwis was a legend at West Virginia and he's already well on his way to attaining that status in Ann Arbor, thanks to his ultra-passionate approach and relentless workouts.
"We train hard," Rodriguez said. "But there's probably a little bit too much made of all that. It's not like they didn't train before. They did. And we're not exclusive, we don't have the only way, so to speak. But we do train hard."
The system helped Rodriguez build West Virginia into a power, going 60-26 in eight years with four Big East titles and two BCS bids. And that includes his 3-8 debut season of 2001. It's possible Rodriguez could be in for some struggles in his first year at Michigan as well. The Wolverines will have a very different look this season after saying good-bye to senior offensive stars Chad Henne, Mike Hart and Jake Long. Henne leaves as Michigan's all-time leading passer, Hart as its all-time leading rusher, and Long was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Junior receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington left early for the NFL. Freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett, the celebrated heir to Henne, decided he didn't fit into the spread option and transferred to Arkansas.
Senior offensive guards Adam Kraus and Alex Mitchell are gone, too, meaning Rodriguez must install a new offense with mostly unproven players. Defensively, Michigan loses starting linebackers Shawn Crable and Chris Graham, and starting safeties Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon. Those were the team's top four tacklers. But the Wolverines return plenty of talent on that side of the ball, and the defense may have to hold things together while the offense finds its way.
"I hate to say one side or the other will have to carry us, because this is a team game," Rodriguez said. "But there's no question the defense will have to get stuff done early."
The transfers and early defections mean Michigan will be "way under" the 85-man scholarship limit this season, Rodriguez said. From the moment he accepted this job on Dec. 16, Rodriguez has encountered a steady stream of challenges, insults and roadblocks. But Rodriguez is a proven driver. And that hot seat is on the driver's side of a Ferrari.
"This is a great program," he said. "And overall, things are going well. Obviously it's the first year of a transition, getting your systems implemented. But everybody's working hard. This is very similar to the transition we had when we went to West Virginia.
"The biggest thing here, though, is that there's so much cooperation from the school."
QUARTERBACKS
Four-year starter Chad Henne is gone, taking 828 completions on 1,387 attempts for 9,715 yards -- all school records -- with him. Henne, of course, would not have fit well into the system Rodriguez employed at West Virginia with fleet-footed Pat White. But this offense has been run by pass-first guys before, and that will be the case in 2008. Unproven contenders Stephen Threet (6-6, 230) and Nick Sheridan (6-1, 212) both have some mobility but not enough to make the read option portion of this attack as lethal as Rodriguez likes. But that's OK.
"The reason we like the spread is because you can tailor it to fit guys," Rodriguez said. "Shaun King [at Tulane] was a great passer for us, a good runner, but a better passer. We'll figure out what you can do well and adjust the offense to fit you."
Threet, a freshman transfer from Georgia Tech, had the edge exiting spring ball, although Rodriguez would not declare him the No. 1 guy. Threet enrolled early at Georgia Tech but quickly decided to transfer back home after Yellow Jackets offensive coordinator Patrick Nix left for Miami (Fla.) A native of nearby Adrian, Mich., Threet is a drop-back guy, but he is a long strider with some speed when he gets moving. And he ran a spread offense as a high school senior. He outperformed Sheridan -- a sophomore and former walk on -- in the spring game. Threet made some big plays through the air, while Sheridan threw three interceptions. Sheridan, however, has more mobility and shiftiness.
Rodriguez won't rule out using more than one guy. And he has a run-first burner coming to join the competition in fall camp. Justin Feagin (6-0, 190) rushed for 1,313 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 1,420 yards and 19 scores as a senior last season at American Heritage High in Deerfield, Fla. Feagin may be a freshman, but his competitors have no experience, either. And Rodriguez had no problem using White as a first-year player.
"The biggest concern is that nobody's played," Rodriguez said. "One thing I can tell you is, we're not gonna put it all on them like we did with a Pat White."
RUNNING BACKS
Chad Henne is a big loss, but Mike Hart is a legend lost. A human bowling ball, Hart left as Michigan's all-time rusher (5,040 yards) and will be remembered as one of the best backs in school history. He was also a leader whose emphatic displays of emotion inspired teammates. But running back is in much better shape than quarterback this season in Ann Arbor.
"I do think we have a little more depth there than at a lot of positions," Rodriguez said. "We have some guys who can give us good production."
The group is led by junior Brandon Minor (6-1, 214), who ran for 385 yards last season in relief of the oft-injured Hart. Minor played through a wrist injury in spring ball and was a standout performer. He is the No. 1 back and could end up being a rarity at Michigan -- one of the Big Ten's most underrated backs.
Junior Carlos Brown (6-0, 213) had three starts and 382 yards last season. But he could not go in the spring after breaking a finger while lifting weights. Brown is a big-play guy who will get the ball as long as he can stay healthy. Michigan has considered giving him a look at quarterback, and he may also get a try at slot receiver. But he's still a running back first.
Junior Kevin Grady (5-9, 228) is an interesting story. An all-world recruit, Grady showed promise while toiling behind Hart as a freshman and sophomore. Then he suffered a serious knee injury, tearing his ACL, in the spring of 2007 and had to sit all of last season. Grady is back, overcoming a tender Achilles to impress during spring drills. His style as a runner would seem to fit the former system much better than this one, but Rodriguez is not opposed to some power running. He mixes in some two-back formations, and Grady should be able to find his way onto the field.
"We've been impressed by Kevin," Rodriguez said. "We think he can help us."
Speaking of backfield brawn, sophomore fullback Mark Moundros (6-1, 232) will retain that title even though the offense doesn't technically have a fullback position on its depth chart. Moundros had a great spring and will get involved in short-yardage situations. Usually, though, you'll see one speedy back behind the quarterback. And you shouldn't rule out redshirt freshman Avery Horn (5-10, 185) as a contributor. Horn is a blazer and more like the backs Rodriguez liked to turn loose at West Virginia.
Of the incoming freshmen, Sam McGuffie (5-11, 185) is one of the most celebrated. If you haven't seen highlights of him hurdling and flipping over would-be tacklers, check it out on YouTube. If the USA Today second-team All-American doesn't see the field early as a running back, he might as a slot receiver.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Here's another pillaged cupboard. Stars Manningham and Arrington bolted early, and Rodriguez didn't find exactly what he was looking for in the remaining players.
"We don't have a true slot receiver on our roster right now," he said. "That's an important position in this offense."
Michigan formerly recruited big receivers to fit into its pro-style offense. The spread makes use of smaller, shiftier slot guys who pressure defenses with their ability to run after the catch. Of course, big, fast guys are needed, too, and junior Greg Mathews (6-3, 207) is a proven one who will start on the outside at the X position. Mathews started five games last season when Michigan opened with three-wide sets. He had 39 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
"Mathews is one of the few veterans we've got, and we feel good about him," Rodriguez said.
Mathews is backed up by another coveted recruit from Texas, Darryl Stonum (6-3, 185). Stonum enrolled early and took part in spring drills, giving himself a better chance to see the field early in 2008.
"He's a fast guy, he has a great attitude," Rodriguez said of Stonum. "He's a guy that'll have a chance to show what he can do as well."
At the other outside spot, the Z, sophomore Junior Hemingway (6-1, 214) has emerged as the top candidate to start. Hemingway saw limited action as a freshman, catching four balls for 37 yards. Behind Hemingway is junior LaTerryal Savoy (6-3, 210), who has yet to live up to his advance hype coming out of Mamou (La.) High in 2005.
Sophomore Toney Clemons (6-3, 210) moved to the slot, or Y, in the spring and did some good things. He is the starter for now, but he will receive some competition from the incoming youngsters, including perhaps McGuffie and Martavious Odoms (5-9, 171) of Pahokee, Fla. Michael Shaw (6-0, 185) of Trotwood, Ohio, is another player who has been identified as a potential slot receiver.
At tight end, junior Carson Butler (6-5, 250) returns after starting six games in 2007. He caught 20 passes for 246 yards and two scores. Senior Mike Massey (6-5, 225) is back as well. He started four games last season, then injured his left knee and missed the final eight contests.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Like their rivals up the road at Michigan State, the Wolverines' primary concern is their ability to put together a winning unit in the offensive trenches. Four starters on the offensive line -- Long, Boren, Kraus and Mitchell -- are gone. Senior Jeremy Ciulla is gone as well after starting five games last season at right guard. That's a lot of talent and experience to replace.
"We have a few guys waiting in the wings, so to speak, ready to compete at a full-time level," Rodriguez said. "But the biggest concern, obviously, is depth. We're gonna have freshmen on the second team, at least, and that's a very scary thought at this level."
The spread requires different footwork on protections and more mobility overall. But Michigan did switch to a zone running game a couple of years ago, which will help make this transition easier.
"They've zone blocked before and they understand some of the steps already," Rodriguez said. "They understand some of the concepts we're bringing in. Whether we can get them to do it well in game conditions is the unknown."
Michigan has an anchor in sophomore Steve Schilling (6-5, 295), who returns as the starter at right tackle. He looks like Michigan's next great offensive lineman, a physical blocker with exceptional foot speed for his size. He might have played as a freshman in 2006, but he had to miss the season because of mononucleosis and shoulder surgery. He recovered to play forceful football in 2007.
Replacing Long will be junior Mark Ortmann (6-7, 294). Ortmann started two games at right tackle last season when Schilling had to switch to right guard because of injuries. He saw action in four other contests, including some time at left tackle. He played the left side primarily as a redshirt freshman in 2006, seeing snaps in seven games.
Whether Ortmann can handle this all-important position, in a new scheme, will be one of the big questions of 2008. Sophomore Perry Dorrestein (6-7, 308) is a third tackle the coaching staff thinks is ready to help. He's backing up Schilling but could play either side in a three-man rotation.
At the guard spots, juniors Tim McAvoy (6-6, 288) and Cory Zirbel (6-5, 292) are the starters, McAvoy on the right side and Zirbel on the left. McAvoy got a start at right guard last season and played in five games. Zirbel played in all 13 games, mostly on special teams. The top candidate to get into a three-man rotation at guard is redshirt freshman Mark Huyge (6-6, 292). If there's a starting position battle, it's at center, where Kraus and Boren shared duties last season. Junior David Moosman (6-5, 292) has a narrow edge, having seen limited time as a reserve last season. Redshirt freshman David Molk (6-2, 282), who as a senior was ranked the No. 1 prep center in the nation by Max Emfinger, will be a serious contender. A bout with the flu set Molk back slightly in the spring.
KICKERS
A major question entering 2007 has become a reliable strength entering 2008. Fifth-year senior K.C. Lopata (6-2, 233) became the No. 1 place-kicker in the sixth game last season and went on to make 11-of-12 field goals. Lopata followed that with a terrific spring, and he should be one of the Big Ten's best this season.
Kickoff specialist Bryan Wright (6-1, 219), a sophomore, held that role in all 13 games last season. He had 10 touchbacks in 60 kickoffs.
DEFENSIVE LINE
While the Michigan offensive line is riddled with question marks, the big boys on the other side are full of answers. This is the strength of the Wolverines and arguably the best defensive front in the Big Ten. It is loaded with experienced talent.
Also, it doesn't have much of an overwhelming transition to make from former coordinator Ron English to current coordinator Scott Shafer. The new defense operates much like the old defense up front.
"There's a lot of carryover from what we did in the past," Rodriguez said. "A lot of the things we like to do up front and a lot of the coverage packages as well."
Michigan has a fearsome combination on the edges. Returning starters Tim Jamison (6-3, 263) and Brandon Graham (6-2, 265) had 14 sacks between them a season ago. And they're both faster. Jamison, a fifth-year senior, has dropped 10 pounds and was dropping jaws during spring ball. Graham, a junior, had 8.5 sacks last season -- and was 20 pounds heavier than he is now.
Right behind them is redshirt freshman Ryan Van Bergen (6-6, 265), who was a force in the spring and will demand snaps in the fall. Junior Adam Patterson (6-3, 259) and sophomore Greg Banks (6-4, 258) are ready for larger roles after contributing mostly on special teams in 2007.
The interior is loaded as well, with senior starters Terrance Taylor (6-0, 319) and Will Johnson (6-5, 285) back to overpower opponents at the point of attack. Taylor is a second team All-Big Ten nose tackle who is unstoppable at times. He had 55 tackles last season, a high number for his position, making him the first Michigan nose tackle to exceed 50 since Josh Williams in 1997. With more consistent effort, Taylor can be one of the nation's best in 2008 and earn himself a big payday. Johnson, meanwhile, is known for giving relentless effort at all times and maximizing his ability.
Sophomores John Ferrara (6-4, 274) and Jason Kates (6-2, 339) back up Taylor and are ready for significant snaps. Behind Johnson, sophomore Renaldo Sagesse (6-4, 308) is the most promising reserve. Overall, the defensive line is stocked with material. That's not to say Rodriguez is fully satisfied with its current state.
"There's more experience on the line and we have depth, good players," he said. "But we're still trying to get them to play faster. They can certainly get faster."
LINEBACKERS
An upgrade in speed is definitely the goal at linebacker. This unit will miss departed seniors Shawn Crable and Chris Graham (90 tackles apiece), but Michigan still has five guys who are good enough to compete for a starting spot.
"We like the depth we have at linebacker," Rodriguez said. "It's good competition there."
The returning starter is sophomore Obi Ezeh (6-2, 247) in the middle. He is the team's top returning tackler, having made 68 stops last season, and it's safe to say he will be on the field. Ezeh has the speed Rodriguez craves, even at nearly 250 pounds.
Behind Ezeh is fifth-year senior John Thompson (6-1, 239). Thompson had three starts inside last season and picked up 39 tackles. He is not a speed guy, but his instincts and physicality make him valuable. It's possible Michigan could go with Thompson inside and move Ezeh to the strong side.
Senior Austin Panter (6-3, 231) is the No. 1 so far at strong-side linebacker. He was mostly a special teams performer a year ago. On the weak side, sophomore Marell Evans (6-3, 231) is making a strong bid. He has worked on the strong side as well. Evans is a speed guy all the way, as is weak-side contender Jonas Mouton (6-2, 230). Both were productive in spring drills and, like Panter, appear ready for substantial snaps after helping mostly on special teams in 2007.
All five guys will play, and it will be interesting to see how the rotation comes together. If speed is the top priority, Ezeh, Evans and Mouton could end up forming an effective unit.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
If spring ball had an MVP, it might have been Stevie Brown (6-0, 209). The junior safety was all over the field making plays, cementing himself as the starter at free safety and giving the new staff reason to feel good about its last line of defense.
"It was really his first big opportunity and he did some great things," Rodriguez said. "If he can keep progressing like that, he can have a great fall for us."
Brown lettered his first two seasons, primarily on special teams, although he did get one start at safety last season. He and senior Brandon Harrison (5-9, 206) are taking over the safety positions vacated by Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon.
Harrison is no newbie, though. He was Michigan's nickel back last season and got 10 starts, picking up 42 tackles. He runs well for a strong safety and hits just like a strong safety should.
"We really liked the play of our safeties in the spring," Rodriguez said.
That includes the reserves. Michigan has quality depth here, with senior Charles Stewart (6-2, 206) back for a fifth year. Stewart backs up Harrison and is the top candidate to be Michigan's nickel back this season.
Meanwhile, sophomore Artis Chambers (6-0, 202) brings a ton of potential at free safety. He and redshirt freshman Michael Williams (5-11, 185) are capable backups for Brown. In Donovan Warren and Morgan Trent, Michigan may have the best cornerback duo in the Big Ten. Warren (6-0, 180) was on everyone's All-Freshman team last season, playing extensively and quite well just a few months out of high school. He had 11 starts and 52 tackles.
Trent (6-1, 188) is a fifth-year senior who arrived in Ann Arbor with much hype and may end up justifying it before he leaves. He became a lockdown cover corner as a junior, defending the opponent's top receiver, grabbing a couple picks, breaking up 10 passes and prompting teams to avoid him as the season progressed.
"Trent has been around and he can play. We're looking for him to have his best year," Rodriguez said. "If all the seniors have their best years, we feel like we can have a pretty good defense."
PUNTERS
Zoltan Mesko (6-5, 235), a junior who looks like he should be playing linebacker, returns after turning in a solid 2007 season. He was fifth in the Big Ten with an average of 41.1 yards per punt. He had 22 punts that ended up inside the opponent's 20, and 22 that were fair caught.
Sophomore Chris Berry (6-3, 205) is Mesko's backup.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are the top returning candidates to return kicks. Minor averaged 19.8 yards on 13 returns last season, while Brown averaged 19.1 on 16 returns. Avery Horn, Brandon Harrison, Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren also are possibilities. If Minor is the No. 1 back as expected, he may be pulled from kick return duty.
Greg Mathews was the primary punt returner a year ago and was nothing special, averaging 8.0 yards on 28 returns. Warren could get a look here, but his prominence at cornerback may cause the coaching staff to look elsewhere.
The freshman class includes some speedy skill players. It won't be a surprise if the return teams get a boost from incoming youngsters. Michigan was 10th in the Big Ten in kickoff returns last season and sixth in punt returns. Michigan was ninth in kick coverage and fifth in net punting.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Michigan Wolverines</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>C+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B-</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->Rodriguez is realistic about his first season. He's trying to teach a new system to untested quarterbacks, he's short on players at other positions, and none of that will draw sympathy from opponents who get up for Michigan regardless of who's wearing the winged helmets.
"We have some challenges," he said.
That's not to say he's conceding mediocrity in his first year, even though that's a popular outside expectation.
"You want to compete for a league championship every year, and certainly you want to go to a bowl game every year," Rodriguez said. "Those will always be our goals. We're certainly not gonna go into this season and say, 'Geez, we hope to break even.' "
The defense should keep Michigan in every game. The question is whether the offense can make enough plays to pull out close contests in the fourth quarter. The schedule starts with two potentially challenging home games that Michigan must win. Utah visits first, followed by Miami (Ohio). Then it's off to Notre Dame. A nonleague home game with Toledo comes later, in the middle of the Big Ten schedule.
Michigan opens its Big Ten grind with a huge home game against Wisconsin. Illinois visits Ann Arbor the following week. Those are early chances for the Wolverines to make a case for themselves as legitimate conference contenders. But Michigan also must visit Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State at the end of the season. Michigan State and Northwestern come to Ann Arbor, with another road trip to Minnesota on the schedule. It's not outrageous to think Michigan might struggle to a 6-6 or 7-5 record. Nine wins is a reasonable goal. A Big Ten championship might be asking too much from this season.
Michigan Wolverines
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Ann Arbor, Mich.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Big Ten</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>9-4 (.692)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (t-2nd)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Wolverines</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Maize & Blue</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Michigan Stadium (107,501)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia '86)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>First Year</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>105-62-2 (15 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Calvin Magee (Southern '84), Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
• Tony Gibson (Glenville State '94), Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
• Scott Shafer (Indiana '93), Defensive Coordinator
• Tony Dews (Liberty '96) , Receivers
• Greg Frey (Florida State '96), Offensive Line
• Jay Hopson (Ole Miss '92), Linebackers
• Fred Jackson (Jackson State '72) , Running Backs
• Rod Smith (Glenville State '76) , Quarterbacks
• Bruce Tall (Ohio Wesleyan '82), Defensive Line
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>10-9-7-11-9</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>7-11-29-7-17</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Florida in Capital One Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Utah </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Miami (OH) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>at Notre Dame </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Wisconsin </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>Illinois </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>Toledo </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at Penn State </TD><TD>4:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>Michigan State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>at Purdue </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at Minnesota </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>Northwestern </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>at Ohio State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Ohio State
COACH AND PROGRAM
At first glance, Ohio State seems like the rich relative you have a hard time shopping for: What do you get the program that has everything?
The Buckeyes have played in the last two national championship games. They were going to return a healthy chunk of starters, even before every NFL draft-eligible junior except for one (defensive end Vernon Gholston) decided to come back for their senior year. No way did OSU coaches count on two-time All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis returning, or All-Big Ten cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Both of them were probable first-round picks.
But here they are.
Add to that a Heisman Trophy front-runner at tailback (Beanie Wells), and the Buckeyes have 18 starters back from an 11-2 team. Their biggest worries in spring practice were who would take over at right tackle and fullback. Rough life. And then, in the coup de grace, came the perfect gift: The top high school player in the nation.
Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the first player in Pennsylvania high school history to both run and pass for 4,000 career yards, committed to Ohio State in March. The excitement surrounding Pryor's arrival -- coupled with the return of so much talent -- has overshadowed any lingering memories of the 38-24 loss to LSU in January.
There is not nearly the same feel hovering over Ohio State as there was in the spring of 2007. Then, the 41-14 blowout loss to Florida in the BCS championship game provided an offseason's worth of motivation. Coach Jim Tressel had the door codes to the facility changed to "4-1-1-4" at one point. The ghosts were everywhere, and revenge was the theme.
This year feels different.
"I haven't really heard anybody say anything about this year's [title] game," left tackle Alex Boone said. "There's no need to say anything. We know why we're here, we know what we have to do. We know we need to get better, and that's what we're going to do."
The 2008 team is experienced and senior-laden. The Buckeyes realize they will enter the season with high expectations, and that's fine with them -- most of the players lived through being ranked No. 1 wire-to-wire in 2006 before the Florida loss. Still, there is a "title game or bust" feel around this club, which could be setting the Buckeyes and their fans up for disappointment.
Tressel has built a powerhouse program, one that has won three straight Big Ten titles (shared in 2005, outright the last two years). He is revered in Ohio for beating archrival Michigan six out of his seven years. But after winning a national championship in 2002, Tressel's talent-packed teams of 2005, 2006, and 2007 have all fallen short.
Is Ohio State a regional, rather than national, power? The label, "Best of the Midwest" rings hollow. After two lopsided losses to Southeastern Conference teams, the perception is OSU won't be worthy of returning to the title game, even if the system puts it there.
The Buckeyes realize that much of the nation does not want them back in the championship picture. They will use that to cast themselves as underdogs -- mentally, at least, if not on paper.
"We know what we have, and we know what people are going to think," defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. "But we're going to keep everything within our family, and do what we have to do to be a great team."
QUARTERBACKS
Those are the answers to the two most popular questions this spring about the Buckeyes' quarterback position: When is Terrelle Pryor coming to Columbus, and will he play this year?
What's missing from that discussion is any mention of incumbent Todd Boeckman (6-4, 244), and that's unfair. All Boeckman did last season, his first as a starter at age 23, was unexpectedly lead Ohio State to the national title game while putting up numbers good enough to be chosen first team All-Big Ten.
Boeckman, a fifth-year senior, put together one of the better seasons in school history: 25 touchdown passes and a 64 percent completion rate. But he has two problems. One is that he tailed off at the end of the season, throwing six of his 14 interceptions in the final three games (two of which were losses). That left some with a bad final impression. And then, all the hoopla surrounding Pryor (6-6, 235) adds a twist of unnecessary intrigue to 2008. Boeckman hopes to answer both issues with improved play. He worked hard on his mechanics and decision-making in the offseason.
"There were times in a close game I was trying to force the ball and make a play happen," he said. "I should always know where the safety is, and sometimes that slipped my mind. I was letting my ability take over and wasn't thinking as much as I should have."
The coaches worked with Boeckman in the spring to look more for outlet receivers, rather than force throws downfield. To that end, expect Ohio State to use a variety of formations and have a tight end and/or running back available underneath more often this season. Tressel has made it clear that Boeckman is "THE MAN" this fall, heading off any talk of Pryor competing for the starting job.
What the coaching staff would like to do is use Pryor as a change-of-pace guy who gives defenses fits. The template is the way Florida used Tim Tebow in relief of Chris Leak two years ago. On using a two-quarterback system, Tressel said, "You'd love to have that luxury, but it has to be demonstrated that it's warranted."
So Pryor has opportunity, but he first must prove he's worthy.
Given his track record and physical gifts, that wouldn't seem to be a problem. Pryor's combination of size and speed (4.4 40) is rare. In piling up 4,238 career rushing yards and 4,340 career passing yards, he became the first player in talent-rich Pennsylvania history to break the 4,000-yard barrier in both statistics. Last year, he threw for 1,889 and ran for 1,899. Talk about balance. He accounted for 58 touchdowns.
No wonder he was chosen the national prep player of the year by USA Today, Parade, EA Sports, Scout, Rivals, PrepStar, SuperPrep and PrepNation. It's also worth mentioning that Pryor could have signed anywhere he wanted as a basketball player. He scored 2,000 career points at Jeannette.
Meanwhile, two other players are fighting to show they deserve to be Boeckman's top backup: third-year sophomore Antonio Henton (6-1, 236) and redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman (6-2, 220). Henton was compared to former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith when he came to Columbus. He showed flashes of run/pass ability early last season before an arrest for solicitation of a prostitute (he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge) led to a suspension that sidelined him for seven weeks.
Now his future is in question, thanks to Pryor's arrival and the ascension of Bauserman, a 22-year-old who committed to Ohio State in 2004 but then played three seasons of minor league baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system before joining the Buckeyes last fall. In the team's spring game, Bauserman was impressive, showing off a strong arm.
At least one name was subtracted from the mix. Rob Schoenhoft, who would have been a fourth-year junior this fall, transferred to Delaware in January.
RUNNING BACKS
Beanie Wells (6-1, 237) treats talk of a possible Heisman Trophy the same way he treats opposing defenders -- head on.
The bruising junior tailback spent 2006 as an understudy to Antonio Pittman, gaining 567 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Last season, as expected, he exploded, rushing for 1,609 yards -- a school record for a sophomore, better than some guy named Archie Griffin. So that sets up a 2008 season in which Wells enters as a Heisman front-runner.
"I honestly [think about it] all the time," he said. "I thought about the Heisman in my 10th-grade year. Me and my father were sitting in the living room and I told him I wanted to be the first freshma
n to win the Heisman.
"That didn't happen, so I just want to get it, honestly."
The remarkable aspect of Wells' 2007 campaign was that he fought several painful and nagging injuries all season. He broke a bone in his wrist in preseason camp but played through it, and dealt with a mysterious twinge in his ankle that caused him to limp off the field at times. He had surgery on the wrist in January and sat out spring ball as a precaution, but he should be healthy this fall.
Wells carried the Buckeyes late in the season. In his final six games, he rushed for 967 yards (161 per game), including a 221-yard effort against Michigan State and 222 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries in a 14-3 win at Michigan to clinch the Big Ten title. His workload is not likely to increase this year, however, mainly because the Buckeyes are trying to diversify their offense a bit. As part of that effort, OSU spent much of the spring working on a formation that features two tailbacks on the field at once, a so-called "pony formation." The reason behind that effort is to get more out of sophomore Brandon Saine (6-1, 217), Ohio's Mr. Football in 2006 and a high school track star. Saine showed promise as a receiver out of the backfield in 2007, catching passes of 44 and 35 yards in limited action. He had 75 "touches" last year (60 carries, 12 catches and three kick returns), and the coaches want to expand his role.
"He's got a gear and he's powerful," Tressel said. ''And what I like about him is he can do so many things. I think he's a fine, fine receiver. We really have high expectations for what he can contribute."
Ohio State has more depth at tailback than it has enjoyed in years. Steady senior Maurice Wells (5-10, 196) logged 103 carries last season as Beanie Wells' top backup, although Saine's emergence may limit his action a bit. Another young back, Daniel Herron (5-10, 193) redshirted last season but looked good in spring ball.
The only concern is at fullback, where the Buckeyes graduated all three players who saw action there last season. Two converted linebackers may fill the spot -- senior Ryan Lukens (6-0, 238) and fifth-year senior Curtis Terry (6-1, 229). Lukens moves over full time, while Terry still will play some defense, as well. Incoming freshman Jermil Martin (6-0, 227) is the only natural fullback on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Ohio State is confident it has a Big Two. What it would like is to develop a reliable 3, 4, and 5. But at least the Buckeyes have plenty of candidates.
First, though, at the top of the depth chart are "The Brians" -- Brian Robiskie (6-3, 199), a senior, and Brian Hartline (6-2, 186), a junior. They form one of the most dynamic and interesting tandems in the Big Ten. Last season, they each caught more than 50 passes, combining for 107 receptions for 1,629 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Each has their strength. Robiskie (11 touchdowns) thrived early last season on deep passes, showcasing deceptive speed and using remarkable body control to twist and grab contested passes away from defenders. The son of longtime NFL assistant coach Terry Robiskie, Brian had minor knee surgery in the offseason but is expected to be 100 percent in 2008.
Hartline increasingly became Boeckman's security blanket on third down, catching many of his passes on slants and underneath routes in traffic.
"There's a trust there now," Hartline said of his relationship with Boeckman. "I can find myself in the slot a lot during the game, and you don't find gaping holes in the middle of the field. So to have faith in me in a two-, three-foot hole says a lot."
Much has been expected of junior Ray Small (5-11, 180), who came to Ohio State from the same high school (Cleveland Glenville) as former star Ted Ginn, Jr. He had a few highlight moments last season, but 20 catches and two touchdowns was underwhelming. Small is being pushed hard by several younger players, most notably sophomores Dane Sanzenbacher (5-11, 175) and Taurian Washington (6-2, 179). Sanzenbacher played a fair amount last season and proved steady and reliable, with 12 catches. Washington did not see much action, but in the spring, he emerged as a deep threat with a smooth stride.
A pair of converted defensive backs, sophomores Devon Torrence (6-1, 193) and Grant Schwartz (6-0, 194) also are competing. The Buckeyes probably don't need immediate help from a pair of incoming freshman -- DeVier Posey (6-3, 205) and Jake Stoneburner (6-5, 225), but Posey is highly touted and Stoneburner's height adds a dimension to the mix.
Two experienced tight ends return -- fifth-year senior Rory Nicol (6-5, 252) had 16 catches last season, and junior Jake Ballard (6-6, 256), who is emerging as a solid red zone target.
OFFENSIVE LINE
After 22 starts at left tackle the past three years, Alex Boone thought about moving on. He probably would have been at least a second-round NFL draft pick. But Boone wants to take that next step and earn All-America status this season, so he's back. He has all the tools -- he's 6-8, 312 and athletic. This is a guy who leapfrogged over the 6-2 Hartline after a touchdown at Penn State last season, and landed on both feet.
"He has been a really good run blocker -- outstanding, actually," offensive line coach Jim Bollman said. "He's had some huge, huge, huge assets for us run blocking -- allowing us to do some things there that normally you can't do.
"And he's a good pass blocker, but I think that's an area he can continue to work on and improve."
Boone's return means Ohio State loses only one of its top seven linemen from last season -- four-year starting right tackle Kirk Barton.
The other key returning player after Boone is junior center Jim Cordle (6-4, 297) who did an outstanding job last season in his first year at a key spot. He played several games with a cast on his right hand, forcing him to snap with his left hand, which he did seamlessly. He also handled the line calls and signals well in hostile environments, as Ohio State won three night games on the road in a five-week span.
"I feel a lot more comfortable," Cordle said. "I've experienced a lot of things, and I can kind of see what's going on and pick things up pretty easily."
Both guards are back -- fifth-year seniors Steve Rehring (6-7, 335) on the left and Ben Person (6-3, 323) on the right. The leading contender to take Barton's old spot is sophomore Bryant Browning (6-4, 312).
"The best thing I see is a little steady improvement every day," Bollman said of Browning. "Every single day, he's getting a little bit better at one thing, which has been very pleasing to me to see."
Connor Smith (6-4, 321) and Kyle Mitchum (6-3, 291) are the top backups, along with a trio of highly ranked incoming freshmen. That trio is led by Mike Adams (6-8, 310), rated the top tackle recruit in the nation. He was expected to push Browning for immediate playing time before suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery in the spring. He may be back in time to play this season, but probably lost a shot to start.
The other freshmen are J.B. Shugarts (6-8, 300) and Michael Brewster (6-5, 300). Brewster may be the center of the future. For now, though, junior Andrew Moses (6-3, 280) will back up Cordle.
KICKERS
Ohio State's depth and wealth of talent even extends to this spot. Senior Ryan Pretorius (5-9, 169) returns, but junior Aaron Pettrey (6-2, 199) also has proved capable of handling the job. Pettrey was the Buckeyes' place-kicker in 2006 and made 8-of-11 field-goal attempts before a hip flexor injury limited him last preseason and gave Pretorius the opening to take the job. Pretorius, a 29-year-old former rugby player from South Africa, responded by making 18-of-23 tries. Four of the misses were blocks, some of which could be blamed on blocking breakdowns and some on low kicks. Pettrey recovered in time to take over the kickoff duties late in the season, and he performed well, with six touchbacks in 14 tries. He will start the season in that role.
As if that wasn't enough, incoming freshman Ben Buchanan (5-10, 191) arrives after a record-setting prep career. He could challenge for the job in 2009. Buchanan, from Westerville (Ohio) Central High School, set state records for field goals (five) and kick scoring (16 points) in a game and also longest field goal (54 yards). He was a three-time first-team All-Ohio pick.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Buckeyes lose one starter and gain one starter, so the net result might be improved play overall.
Gone is Gholston, whose 14 sacks last season broke Mike Vrabel's school record and who was picked sixth overall in the NFL draft. But junior end Lawrence Wilson (6-4, 274), who broke his leg in the season opener and missed the rest of the year, returns healthy after being forced to take a redshirt season. Much was being expected last season of Wilson, an athletic, emotional rush end.
"I thought he was going to be a real cornerstone of the defense," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "I am anxious to see what he can do."
Wilson needs to help pick up the slack left by Gholston's departure, because the rest of the line did not get sufficient pressure on quarterbacks last season. The four players who rotated at the two tackle spots managed only five sacks between them.
"I wasn't happy at all with the inside pressure," Heacock said. "We've got to be much better inside."
Hoping for improvement is the quartet of junior Doug Worthington (6-6, 276), junior Todd Denlinger (6-2, 292), senior Nader Abdallah (6-4, 300) and sophomore Dexter Larimore (6-2, 300). Worthington is a converted end and does not have the prototype body for a tackle. He's more long and lean. He's working on putting on another 10 to 15 pounds and hopes to play at 285 or 290. Denlinger is steady. Abdallah got pushed around at times. Larimore shows promise as a former wrestler who uses his leverage well.
The Buckeyes got a big lift from the unexpected emergence of Cameron Heyward (6-6, 287) at end. As a freshman last season, he helped make up for the loss of Wilson and provide a complement to Gholston, with 10 tackles for loss. Heyward, the son of former NFL running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, also is athletic enough to drop into coverage, and had three passes defensed.
Former linebacker Thaddeus Gibson (6-2, 240) moved to end in the offseason and OSU hopes he provides another rush threat off the edge. Gibson, a sophomore, is speedy, so he's likely to play mostly on passing downs. The top backups at end include sophomore Rob Rose (6-5, 285), who platooned with Heyward for some last season before his playing time slipped, and sophomore Solomon Thomas (6-5, 240).
OSU has five incoming freshmen linemen, but none will be counted on immediately.
LINEBACKERS
Now here's a problem most teams would love to have: Too many good linebackers.
Ohio State would have had a glut no matter what, but the return of two-time All-American senior James Laurinaitis (6-3, 240) and All-Big Ten senior Marcus Freeman (6-1, 239) further clogs the position with talent. Laurinaitis recorded his second straight 100-tackle season, but it was a struggle at times. Teams focused on him more than in his breakout season of 2006, and the Buckeyes' young defensive line allowed more blockers through to the second level.
Still, he can run sideline-to-sideline, fill a hole with force, or drop into coverage (seven career interceptions). He is the heart of a defensive unit that led the nation in scoring (12.8 points a game), total yards (233) and passing yards (150.2), and was third against the run (82.8). Not bad, but Laurinaitis is a driven player, always looking for more.
"There's a lot of things I can do [better]," he said. "Ask [linebackers coach Luke] Fickell -- he'll tell you plenty about what I need to do to get better. You have to compare yourself to the best ever."
Freeman is a different style of player, but he also had a 100-tackle season as he came into his own. Playing the weak side, his strength is speed, and he grew more instinctive as the year went on last season. With the predominance of multiple-receiver offenses, OSU most often deploys only two linebackers at a time, so that's one reason there is a stockpile of talent at the position. The coaching staff has tried to alleviate it by moving players, such as shifting Gibson to end and Terry to part-time fullback.
When there are three linebackers on the field, the leading candidate for the strong-side spot is Curtis Terry (6-1, 229) a fifth-year senior who was forced to redshirt last season with foot and ankle injuries. He is a powerful tackler and may also play at defensive end at times. Junior Austin Spitler (6-3, 234) could easily have taken over for Laurinaitis in the middle had the latter left for the pros. Instead, he could be one of the best reserves in the nation.
Ross Homan (6-0, 229) also comes off an injury redshirt season. He had shown promise early last year -- so much so that he was alternating series with Freeman until getting hurt. There are others who will fight for the remaining scraps of playing time -- Tyler Moeller (6-0, 216), a hybrid safety/linebacker whose specialty is blitzing; Jermale Hines (6-2, 210); special-teams standout Brian Rolle (5-11, 221) and incoming freshman Etienne Sabino (6-2, 232), who enrolled early and made some plays in spring practice.
That's all.
"We'd like to believe that we can try and find ways to get them all on the field and keep them all happy and see the light at the end of the tunnel," Fickell said.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The top six defensive backs all return ... maybe, and maybe minus a few games.
As spring drew to a close, starting cornerback Donald Washington (6-0, 194) and reserve safeties Jamario O'Neal (6-0, 205) and Eugene Clifford (6-2, 191) were held out of practice and limited in the spring game for reasons Tressel refused to specify. The threat of suspensions hang over the trio, particularly for Clifford, a redshirt freshman who already was suspended from the national title game for violating a team rule.
It's unlikely that Washington and O'Neal would sit out more than a game or two, which is good for the Buckeyes, because Washington, a junior, and senior Malcolm Jenkins (6-1, 201) both are two-year starting corners. Jenkins is a potential All-American, with size, speed and hitting ability to go with eight career interceptions. He snagged four of those picks last season, when he slid into a safety spot in the Buckeyes' nickel defense and roamed the middle of the field. His ball skills were all too rare in the secondary, which picked off only 11 passes while dropping 15 potential interceptions. In the spring, the unit continued to struggle, to the point that coaches made the players do calisthenics for each drop.
The starting safeties, juniors Anderson Russell (6-0, 205) and Kurt Coleman (5-11, 188) did not have an interception. They aren't bad players by any means -- both are solid against the run, and Coleman is better than most safeties in man coverage -- but they didn't make a lot of highlight-reel plays.
"Anderson and I have talked about that," Coleman said. "I think we did enough to keep the offense from getting big plays, but we didn't make the big plays for our offense, and that's what we're going to try and key on this year."
Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa (6-0, 188) emerged as the third corner last season. He's not a hitter, but he is dependable in coverage. Junior Andre Amos (6-1, 183) is likely the No. 4 corner, and fifth-year senior Shaun Lane (5-10, 175) has seen some playing time, also.
There is depth at safety, although the Buckeyes could use Clifford, a highly touted prep player. O'Neal has been a disappointment overall, but he's serviceable as a backup. Junior Aaron Gant (6-0, 194) looks promising, and senior Nick Patterson (6-1, 209) and redshirt freshman Nate Oliver (6-0, 215) are in the mix, as well.
The pipeline is stocked for the future, with sophomore James Scott (5-10, 170), redshirt freshmen Donnie Evege (5-11, 189) and Rocco Pentello (6-0, 194), and three incoming freshmen.
PUNTERS
A.J. Trapasso (6-0, 229) returns for his fourth season on the job. He has always been steady, sometimes spectacular, and rarely prone to a botched kick.
Last year, though, several of his numbers slipped a bit. He had the lowest net average (36.7) of his three seasons, and he had the most touchbacks (seven) of his career. On the plus side, he has placed nearly 40 percent of his career kicks (57-of-147) inside the 20-yard line.
Junior Jon Thoma is the backup. The freshman Buchanan handled punts as well as kicks in high school.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Buckeyes missed Ted Ginn, Jr. last season. They were spoiled by Ginn, who in his three seasons in Columbus returned six punts for touchdowns (a school record) and also brought two kickoffs back for scores. Normally outstanding on special teams, OSU suffered through a down season -- not terrible, just not up to its standard. The Buckeyes allowed two kickoff-return touchdowns and were only 58th nationally in punt returns. Both of those pale in comparison, though, to problems on kick returns, where OSU ranked 117th.
"We had some issues last year, and we're trying to address those, obviously," said receivers coach Darrell Hazell, who handles the return units. "We've done some pretty good things I think that will help us out."
Three running backs will handle the bulk of the kick-return duties -- Maurice Wells, Brandon Saine and Dan Herron. Small was disappointing last season (17.8 yards per return). Small and Hartline will once again handle punt returns, where each did a reasonably solid job last season -- Hartline averaged 11.3 yards per return and had a 90-yard touchdown.
Other concerns include the blocked field goals mentioned earlier, and finding a new long snapper. The top candidate is sophomore Jake McQuaide (6-2, 219). Pretorius raves about the work of Jon Thoma, his holder.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Ohio State Buckeyes</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>C+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->The talent and depth is amazing. Traditionally, quarterbacks make big improvements in their second full year of starting, which bodes well for Boeckman. With a horse like Wells at his disposal, experienced receivers, and a veteran line in front, he doesn't need to try and do too much.
The addition of Pryor and emphasis on using backs such as Saine in the passing game will be interesting to watch. Will the Buckeyes stick to this plan?
Defensively, the front needs to step up. But with all four tackles and three experienced ends returning, that should happen. Laurinaitis, Freeman and Jenkins are All-America caliber, and again, the defense has incredible depth. No question, this is the favorite to win the Big Ten, which would be the first time a team has won three straight outright league championships.
But the Buckeyes face a tough road schedule -- USC in September, Wisconsin in October, and Illinois in November, one week before the annual showdown with Michigan. OSU also must watch for stumbles against teams that usually play the Buckeyes tough, like Penn State and Michigan State.
This team has the same vibe as the 2005 Buckeyes had -- led by veterans, with the absolute highest expectations. That team lost two of its first five games, then rallied to win its final seven and destroy Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. If the 2008 Buckeyes lose early, how will they respond?
They are likely to pick up one loss along the way. Whether that will prevent them from reaching the title game remains to be seen. And even if they get there, in order to reach their ultimate goal, they likely will have to conquer their most elusive demon -- beating the best the Southeastern Conference has to offer.
COACH AND PROGRAM
At first glance, Ohio State seems like the rich relative you have a hard time shopping for: What do you get the program that has everything?
The Buckeyes have played in the last two national championship games. They were going to return a healthy chunk of starters, even before every NFL draft-eligible junior except for one (defensive end Vernon Gholston) decided to come back for their senior year. No way did OSU coaches count on two-time All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis returning, or All-Big Ten cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Both of them were probable first-round picks.
But here they are.
Add to that a Heisman Trophy front-runner at tailback (Beanie Wells), and the Buckeyes have 18 starters back from an 11-2 team. Their biggest worries in spring practice were who would take over at right tackle and fullback. Rough life. And then, in the coup de grace, came the perfect gift: The top high school player in the nation.
Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the first player in Pennsylvania high school history to both run and pass for 4,000 career yards, committed to Ohio State in March. The excitement surrounding Pryor's arrival -- coupled with the return of so much talent -- has overshadowed any lingering memories of the 38-24 loss to LSU in January.
There is not nearly the same feel hovering over Ohio State as there was in the spring of 2007. Then, the 41-14 blowout loss to Florida in the BCS championship game provided an offseason's worth of motivation. Coach Jim Tressel had the door codes to the facility changed to "4-1-1-4" at one point. The ghosts were everywhere, and revenge was the theme.
This year feels different.
"I haven't really heard anybody say anything about this year's [title] game," left tackle Alex Boone said. "There's no need to say anything. We know why we're here, we know what we have to do. We know we need to get better, and that's what we're going to do."
The 2008 team is experienced and senior-laden. The Buckeyes realize they will enter the season with high expectations, and that's fine with them -- most of the players lived through being ranked No. 1 wire-to-wire in 2006 before the Florida loss. Still, there is a "title game or bust" feel around this club, which could be setting the Buckeyes and their fans up for disappointment.
Tressel has built a powerhouse program, one that has won three straight Big Ten titles (shared in 2005, outright the last two years). He is revered in Ohio for beating archrival Michigan six out of his seven years. But after winning a national championship in 2002, Tressel's talent-packed teams of 2005, 2006, and 2007 have all fallen short.
Is Ohio State a regional, rather than national, power? The label, "Best of the Midwest" rings hollow. After two lopsided losses to Southeastern Conference teams, the perception is OSU won't be worthy of returning to the title game, even if the system puts it there.
The Buckeyes realize that much of the nation does not want them back in the championship picture. They will use that to cast themselves as underdogs -- mentally, at least, if not on paper.
"We know what we have, and we know what people are going to think," defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. "But we're going to keep everything within our family, and do what we have to do to be a great team."
QUARTERBACKS
Those are the answers to the two most popular questions this spring about the Buckeyes' quarterback position: When is Terrelle Pryor coming to Columbus, and will he play this year?
What's missing from that discussion is any mention of incumbent Todd Boeckman (6-4, 244), and that's unfair. All Boeckman did last season, his first as a starter at age 23, was unexpectedly lead Ohio State to the national title game while putting up numbers good enough to be chosen first team All-Big Ten.
Boeckman, a fifth-year senior, put together one of the better seasons in school history: 25 touchdown passes and a 64 percent completion rate. But he has two problems. One is that he tailed off at the end of the season, throwing six of his 14 interceptions in the final three games (two of which were losses). That left some with a bad final impression. And then, all the hoopla surrounding Pryor (6-6, 235) adds a twist of unnecessary intrigue to 2008. Boeckman hopes to answer both issues with improved play. He worked hard on his mechanics and decision-making in the offseason.
"There were times in a close game I was trying to force the ball and make a play happen," he said. "I should always know where the safety is, and sometimes that slipped my mind. I was letting my ability take over and wasn't thinking as much as I should have."
The coaches worked with Boeckman in the spring to look more for outlet receivers, rather than force throws downfield. To that end, expect Ohio State to use a variety of formations and have a tight end and/or running back available underneath more often this season. Tressel has made it clear that Boeckman is "THE MAN" this fall, heading off any talk of Pryor competing for the starting job.
What the coaching staff would like to do is use Pryor as a change-of-pace guy who gives defenses fits. The template is the way Florida used Tim Tebow in relief of Chris Leak two years ago. On using a two-quarterback system, Tressel said, "You'd love to have that luxury, but it has to be demonstrated that it's warranted."
So Pryor has opportunity, but he first must prove he's worthy.
Given his track record and physical gifts, that wouldn't seem to be a problem. Pryor's combination of size and speed (4.4 40) is rare. In piling up 4,238 career rushing yards and 4,340 career passing yards, he became the first player in talent-rich Pennsylvania history to break the 4,000-yard barrier in both statistics. Last year, he threw for 1,889 and ran for 1,899. Talk about balance. He accounted for 58 touchdowns.
No wonder he was chosen the national prep player of the year by USA Today, Parade, EA Sports, Scout, Rivals, PrepStar, SuperPrep and PrepNation. It's also worth mentioning that Pryor could have signed anywhere he wanted as a basketball player. He scored 2,000 career points at Jeannette.
Meanwhile, two other players are fighting to show they deserve to be Boeckman's top backup: third-year sophomore Antonio Henton (6-1, 236) and redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman (6-2, 220). Henton was compared to former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith when he came to Columbus. He showed flashes of run/pass ability early last season before an arrest for solicitation of a prostitute (he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge) led to a suspension that sidelined him for seven weeks.
Now his future is in question, thanks to Pryor's arrival and the ascension of Bauserman, a 22-year-old who committed to Ohio State in 2004 but then played three seasons of minor league baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system before joining the Buckeyes last fall. In the team's spring game, Bauserman was impressive, showing off a strong arm.
At least one name was subtracted from the mix. Rob Schoenhoft, who would have been a fourth-year junior this fall, transferred to Delaware in January.
RUNNING BACKS
Beanie Wells (6-1, 237) treats talk of a possible Heisman Trophy the same way he treats opposing defenders -- head on.
The bruising junior tailback spent 2006 as an understudy to Antonio Pittman, gaining 567 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Last season, as expected, he exploded, rushing for 1,609 yards -- a school record for a sophomore, better than some guy named Archie Griffin. So that sets up a 2008 season in which Wells enters as a Heisman front-runner.
"I honestly [think about it] all the time," he said. "I thought about the Heisman in my 10th-grade year. Me and my father were sitting in the living room and I told him I wanted to be the first freshma
n to win the Heisman.
"That didn't happen, so I just want to get it, honestly."
The remarkable aspect of Wells' 2007 campaign was that he fought several painful and nagging injuries all season. He broke a bone in his wrist in preseason camp but played through it, and dealt with a mysterious twinge in his ankle that caused him to limp off the field at times. He had surgery on the wrist in January and sat out spring ball as a precaution, but he should be healthy this fall.
Wells carried the Buckeyes late in the season. In his final six games, he rushed for 967 yards (161 per game), including a 221-yard effort against Michigan State and 222 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries in a 14-3 win at Michigan to clinch the Big Ten title. His workload is not likely to increase this year, however, mainly because the Buckeyes are trying to diversify their offense a bit. As part of that effort, OSU spent much of the spring working on a formation that features two tailbacks on the field at once, a so-called "pony formation." The reason behind that effort is to get more out of sophomore Brandon Saine (6-1, 217), Ohio's Mr. Football in 2006 and a high school track star. Saine showed promise as a receiver out of the backfield in 2007, catching passes of 44 and 35 yards in limited action. He had 75 "touches" last year (60 carries, 12 catches and three kick returns), and the coaches want to expand his role.
"He's got a gear and he's powerful," Tressel said. ''And what I like about him is he can do so many things. I think he's a fine, fine receiver. We really have high expectations for what he can contribute."
Ohio State has more depth at tailback than it has enjoyed in years. Steady senior Maurice Wells (5-10, 196) logged 103 carries last season as Beanie Wells' top backup, although Saine's emergence may limit his action a bit. Another young back, Daniel Herron (5-10, 193) redshirted last season but looked good in spring ball.
The only concern is at fullback, where the Buckeyes graduated all three players who saw action there last season. Two converted linebackers may fill the spot -- senior Ryan Lukens (6-0, 238) and fifth-year senior Curtis Terry (6-1, 229). Lukens moves over full time, while Terry still will play some defense, as well. Incoming freshman Jermil Martin (6-0, 227) is the only natural fullback on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Ohio State is confident it has a Big Two. What it would like is to develop a reliable 3, 4, and 5. But at least the Buckeyes have plenty of candidates.
First, though, at the top of the depth chart are "The Brians" -- Brian Robiskie (6-3, 199), a senior, and Brian Hartline (6-2, 186), a junior. They form one of the most dynamic and interesting tandems in the Big Ten. Last season, they each caught more than 50 passes, combining for 107 receptions for 1,629 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Each has their strength. Robiskie (11 touchdowns) thrived early last season on deep passes, showcasing deceptive speed and using remarkable body control to twist and grab contested passes away from defenders. The son of longtime NFL assistant coach Terry Robiskie, Brian had minor knee surgery in the offseason but is expected to be 100 percent in 2008.
Hartline increasingly became Boeckman's security blanket on third down, catching many of his passes on slants and underneath routes in traffic.
"There's a trust there now," Hartline said of his relationship with Boeckman. "I can find myself in the slot a lot during the game, and you don't find gaping holes in the middle of the field. So to have faith in me in a two-, three-foot hole says a lot."
Much has been expected of junior Ray Small (5-11, 180), who came to Ohio State from the same high school (Cleveland Glenville) as former star Ted Ginn, Jr. He had a few highlight moments last season, but 20 catches and two touchdowns was underwhelming. Small is being pushed hard by several younger players, most notably sophomores Dane Sanzenbacher (5-11, 175) and Taurian Washington (6-2, 179). Sanzenbacher played a fair amount last season and proved steady and reliable, with 12 catches. Washington did not see much action, but in the spring, he emerged as a deep threat with a smooth stride.
A pair of converted defensive backs, sophomores Devon Torrence (6-1, 193) and Grant Schwartz (6-0, 194) also are competing. The Buckeyes probably don't need immediate help from a pair of incoming freshman -- DeVier Posey (6-3, 205) and Jake Stoneburner (6-5, 225), but Posey is highly touted and Stoneburner's height adds a dimension to the mix.
Two experienced tight ends return -- fifth-year senior Rory Nicol (6-5, 252) had 16 catches last season, and junior Jake Ballard (6-6, 256), who is emerging as a solid red zone target.
OFFENSIVE LINE
After 22 starts at left tackle the past three years, Alex Boone thought about moving on. He probably would have been at least a second-round NFL draft pick. But Boone wants to take that next step and earn All-America status this season, so he's back. He has all the tools -- he's 6-8, 312 and athletic. This is a guy who leapfrogged over the 6-2 Hartline after a touchdown at Penn State last season, and landed on both feet.
"He has been a really good run blocker -- outstanding, actually," offensive line coach Jim Bollman said. "He's had some huge, huge, huge assets for us run blocking -- allowing us to do some things there that normally you can't do.
"And he's a good pass blocker, but I think that's an area he can continue to work on and improve."
Boone's return means Ohio State loses only one of its top seven linemen from last season -- four-year starting right tackle Kirk Barton.
The other key returning player after Boone is junior center Jim Cordle (6-4, 297) who did an outstanding job last season in his first year at a key spot. He played several games with a cast on his right hand, forcing him to snap with his left hand, which he did seamlessly. He also handled the line calls and signals well in hostile environments, as Ohio State won three night games on the road in a five-week span.
"I feel a lot more comfortable," Cordle said. "I've experienced a lot of things, and I can kind of see what's going on and pick things up pretty easily."
Both guards are back -- fifth-year seniors Steve Rehring (6-7, 335) on the left and Ben Person (6-3, 323) on the right. The leading contender to take Barton's old spot is sophomore Bryant Browning (6-4, 312).
"The best thing I see is a little steady improvement every day," Bollman said of Browning. "Every single day, he's getting a little bit better at one thing, which has been very pleasing to me to see."
Connor Smith (6-4, 321) and Kyle Mitchum (6-3, 291) are the top backups, along with a trio of highly ranked incoming freshmen. That trio is led by Mike Adams (6-8, 310), rated the top tackle recruit in the nation. He was expected to push Browning for immediate playing time before suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery in the spring. He may be back in time to play this season, but probably lost a shot to start.
The other freshmen are J.B. Shugarts (6-8, 300) and Michael Brewster (6-5, 300). Brewster may be the center of the future. For now, though, junior Andrew Moses (6-3, 280) will back up Cordle.
KICKERS
Ohio State's depth and wealth of talent even extends to this spot. Senior Ryan Pretorius (5-9, 169) returns, but junior Aaron Pettrey (6-2, 199) also has proved capable of handling the job. Pettrey was the Buckeyes' place-kicker in 2006 and made 8-of-11 field-goal attempts before a hip flexor injury limited him last preseason and gave Pretorius the opening to take the job. Pretorius, a 29-year-old former rugby player from South Africa, responded by making 18-of-23 tries. Four of the misses were blocks, some of which could be blamed on blocking breakdowns and some on low kicks. Pettrey recovered in time to take over the kickoff duties late in the season, and he performed well, with six touchbacks in 14 tries. He will start the season in that role.
As if that wasn't enough, incoming freshman Ben Buchanan (5-10, 191) arrives after a record-setting prep career. He could challenge for the job in 2009. Buchanan, from Westerville (Ohio) Central High School, set state records for field goals (five) and kick scoring (16 points) in a game and also longest field goal (54 yards). He was a three-time first-team All-Ohio pick.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Buckeyes lose one starter and gain one starter, so the net result might be improved play overall.
Gone is Gholston, whose 14 sacks last season broke Mike Vrabel's school record and who was picked sixth overall in the NFL draft. But junior end Lawrence Wilson (6-4, 274), who broke his leg in the season opener and missed the rest of the year, returns healthy after being forced to take a redshirt season. Much was being expected last season of Wilson, an athletic, emotional rush end.
"I thought he was going to be a real cornerstone of the defense," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "I am anxious to see what he can do."
Wilson needs to help pick up the slack left by Gholston's departure, because the rest of the line did not get sufficient pressure on quarterbacks last season. The four players who rotated at the two tackle spots managed only five sacks between them.
"I wasn't happy at all with the inside pressure," Heacock said. "We've got to be much better inside."
Hoping for improvement is the quartet of junior Doug Worthington (6-6, 276), junior Todd Denlinger (6-2, 292), senior Nader Abdallah (6-4, 300) and sophomore Dexter Larimore (6-2, 300). Worthington is a converted end and does not have the prototype body for a tackle. He's more long and lean. He's working on putting on another 10 to 15 pounds and hopes to play at 285 or 290. Denlinger is steady. Abdallah got pushed around at times. Larimore shows promise as a former wrestler who uses his leverage well.
The Buckeyes got a big lift from the unexpected emergence of Cameron Heyward (6-6, 287) at end. As a freshman last season, he helped make up for the loss of Wilson and provide a complement to Gholston, with 10 tackles for loss. Heyward, the son of former NFL running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, also is athletic enough to drop into coverage, and had three passes defensed.
Former linebacker Thaddeus Gibson (6-2, 240) moved to end in the offseason and OSU hopes he provides another rush threat off the edge. Gibson, a sophomore, is speedy, so he's likely to play mostly on passing downs. The top backups at end include sophomore Rob Rose (6-5, 285), who platooned with Heyward for some last season before his playing time slipped, and sophomore Solomon Thomas (6-5, 240).
OSU has five incoming freshmen linemen, but none will be counted on immediately.
LINEBACKERS
Now here's a problem most teams would love to have: Too many good linebackers.
Ohio State would have had a glut no matter what, but the return of two-time All-American senior James Laurinaitis (6-3, 240) and All-Big Ten senior Marcus Freeman (6-1, 239) further clogs the position with talent. Laurinaitis recorded his second straight 100-tackle season, but it was a struggle at times. Teams focused on him more than in his breakout season of 2006, and the Buckeyes' young defensive line allowed more blockers through to the second level.
Still, he can run sideline-to-sideline, fill a hole with force, or drop into coverage (seven career interceptions). He is the heart of a defensive unit that led the nation in scoring (12.8 points a game), total yards (233) and passing yards (150.2), and was third against the run (82.8). Not bad, but Laurinaitis is a driven player, always looking for more.
"There's a lot of things I can do [better]," he said. "Ask [linebackers coach Luke] Fickell -- he'll tell you plenty about what I need to do to get better. You have to compare yourself to the best ever."
Freeman is a different style of player, but he also had a 100-tackle season as he came into his own. Playing the weak side, his strength is speed, and he grew more instinctive as the year went on last season. With the predominance of multiple-receiver offenses, OSU most often deploys only two linebackers at a time, so that's one reason there is a stockpile of talent at the position. The coaching staff has tried to alleviate it by moving players, such as shifting Gibson to end and Terry to part-time fullback.
When there are three linebackers on the field, the leading candidate for the strong-side spot is Curtis Terry (6-1, 229) a fifth-year senior who was forced to redshirt last season with foot and ankle injuries. He is a powerful tackler and may also play at defensive end at times. Junior Austin Spitler (6-3, 234) could easily have taken over for Laurinaitis in the middle had the latter left for the pros. Instead, he could be one of the best reserves in the nation.
Ross Homan (6-0, 229) also comes off an injury redshirt season. He had shown promise early last year -- so much so that he was alternating series with Freeman until getting hurt. There are others who will fight for the remaining scraps of playing time -- Tyler Moeller (6-0, 216), a hybrid safety/linebacker whose specialty is blitzing; Jermale Hines (6-2, 210); special-teams standout Brian Rolle (5-11, 221) and incoming freshman Etienne Sabino (6-2, 232), who enrolled early and made some plays in spring practice.
That's all.
"We'd like to believe that we can try and find ways to get them all on the field and keep them all happy and see the light at the end of the tunnel," Fickell said.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The top six defensive backs all return ... maybe, and maybe minus a few games.
As spring drew to a close, starting cornerback Donald Washington (6-0, 194) and reserve safeties Jamario O'Neal (6-0, 205) and Eugene Clifford (6-2, 191) were held out of practice and limited in the spring game for reasons Tressel refused to specify. The threat of suspensions hang over the trio, particularly for Clifford, a redshirt freshman who already was suspended from the national title game for violating a team rule.
It's unlikely that Washington and O'Neal would sit out more than a game or two, which is good for the Buckeyes, because Washington, a junior, and senior Malcolm Jenkins (6-1, 201) both are two-year starting corners. Jenkins is a potential All-American, with size, speed and hitting ability to go with eight career interceptions. He snagged four of those picks last season, when he slid into a safety spot in the Buckeyes' nickel defense and roamed the middle of the field. His ball skills were all too rare in the secondary, which picked off only 11 passes while dropping 15 potential interceptions. In the spring, the unit continued to struggle, to the point that coaches made the players do calisthenics for each drop.
The starting safeties, juniors Anderson Russell (6-0, 205) and Kurt Coleman (5-11, 188) did not have an interception. They aren't bad players by any means -- both are solid against the run, and Coleman is better than most safeties in man coverage -- but they didn't make a lot of highlight-reel plays.
"Anderson and I have talked about that," Coleman said. "I think we did enough to keep the offense from getting big plays, but we didn't make the big plays for our offense, and that's what we're going to try and key on this year."
Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa (6-0, 188) emerged as the third corner last season. He's not a hitter, but he is dependable in coverage. Junior Andre Amos (6-1, 183) is likely the No. 4 corner, and fifth-year senior Shaun Lane (5-10, 175) has seen some playing time, also.
There is depth at safety, although the Buckeyes could use Clifford, a highly touted prep player. O'Neal has been a disappointment overall, but he's serviceable as a backup. Junior Aaron Gant (6-0, 194) looks promising, and senior Nick Patterson (6-1, 209) and redshirt freshman Nate Oliver (6-0, 215) are in the mix, as well.
The pipeline is stocked for the future, with sophomore James Scott (5-10, 170), redshirt freshmen Donnie Evege (5-11, 189) and Rocco Pentello (6-0, 194), and three incoming freshmen.
PUNTERS
A.J. Trapasso (6-0, 229) returns for his fourth season on the job. He has always been steady, sometimes spectacular, and rarely prone to a botched kick.
Last year, though, several of his numbers slipped a bit. He had the lowest net average (36.7) of his three seasons, and he had the most touchbacks (seven) of his career. On the plus side, he has placed nearly 40 percent of his career kicks (57-of-147) inside the 20-yard line.
Junior Jon Thoma is the backup. The freshman Buchanan handled punts as well as kicks in high school.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Buckeyes missed Ted Ginn, Jr. last season. They were spoiled by Ginn, who in his three seasons in Columbus returned six punts for touchdowns (a school record) and also brought two kickoffs back for scores. Normally outstanding on special teams, OSU suffered through a down season -- not terrible, just not up to its standard. The Buckeyes allowed two kickoff-return touchdowns and were only 58th nationally in punt returns. Both of those pale in comparison, though, to problems on kick returns, where OSU ranked 117th.
"We had some issues last year, and we're trying to address those, obviously," said receivers coach Darrell Hazell, who handles the return units. "We've done some pretty good things I think that will help us out."
Three running backs will handle the bulk of the kick-return duties -- Maurice Wells, Brandon Saine and Dan Herron. Small was disappointing last season (17.8 yards per return). Small and Hartline will once again handle punt returns, where each did a reasonably solid job last season -- Hartline averaged 11.3 yards per return and had a 90-yard touchdown.
Other concerns include the blocked field goals mentioned earlier, and finding a new long snapper. The top candidate is sophomore Jake McQuaide (6-2, 219). Pretorius raves about the work of Jon Thoma, his holder.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Ohio State Buckeyes</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>C+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A-</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->The talent and depth is amazing. Traditionally, quarterbacks make big improvements in their second full year of starting, which bodes well for Boeckman. With a horse like Wells at his disposal, experienced receivers, and a veteran line in front, he doesn't need to try and do too much.
The addition of Pryor and emphasis on using backs such as Saine in the passing game will be interesting to watch. Will the Buckeyes stick to this plan?
Defensively, the front needs to step up. But with all four tackles and three experienced ends returning, that should happen. Laurinaitis, Freeman and Jenkins are All-America caliber, and again, the defense has incredible depth. No question, this is the favorite to win the Big Ten, which would be the first time a team has won three straight outright league championships.
But the Buckeyes face a tough road schedule -- USC in September, Wisconsin in October, and Illinois in November, one week before the annual showdown with Michigan. OSU also must watch for stumbles against teams that usually play the Buckeyes tough, like Penn State and Michigan State.
This team has the same vibe as the 2005 Buckeyes had -- led by veterans, with the absolute highest expectations. That team lost two of its first five games, then rallied to win its final seven and destroy Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. If the 2008 Buckeyes lose early, how will they respond?
They are likely to pick up one loss along the way. Whether that will prevent them from reaching the title game remains to be seen. And even if they get there, in order to reach their ultimate goal, they likely will have to conquer their most elusive demon -- beating the best the Southeastern Conference has to offer.
LSU
COACH AND PROGRAM
The 2007 national championship celebration was fun and it hasn't really stopped for LSU fans, but it didn't last long for coach Les Miles -- both at home and in the office.
"One thing about me, I'm pretty grounded with four kids," Miles said. "I get no respect at home anyway. I fought for my breakfast, lunch and dinner every time. Certainly it's been a great run. For me personally as a coach, you go on to the '08 year right away.
"It's a brand new team. That's really been our coaching staff's focus. The idea that we're defending, we're not. This is a brand new team and we haven't won a game yet."
Miles and his coaches know that winning the national title in 2007 doesn't guarantee anything in 2008 and this team can't afford to spend any more time thinking about the past. After winning two national championships in five years under two different coaches, the expectations are higher than ever at LSU, and anything less than national-title contention will be seen as a disappointment in some circles.
<OFFER>
"The reality is we just did it, and now it's about doing it again," Miles said. "That's kind of how I'm looking at it."
If the Tigers do look back, it should be to learn some valuable lessons from the seniors who led the way in 2007. The Tigers not only lost a lot of talented players but they lost some tough, solid, dependable leaders in defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, tailback Jacob Hester, wide receiver Early Doucet, strong safety Craig Steltz, quarterback Matt Flynn, outside linebacker Ali Highsmith and cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon, tight end Keith Zinger, outside linebacker Luke Sanders, right tackle Carnell Stewart and punter Patrick Fisher.
"This is a new team," Miles said. "The key is to redefine ourselves with the process staying the same."
The process of building a national championship contender is the key. The Tigers have enough talent to win it all again, but last year's team proved that talent is never enough in and of itself. It takes a level of leadership, chemistry and commitment that separates the champions from the contenders. LSU's 2007 seniors possessed those qualities. Only time will tell if this year's veterans will be equal to the task, especially if the Tigers lose a painful game or two, as they did with last year's triple-overtime losses to Kentucky and Arkansas.
"There's an understanding here that our football team, year-in and year-out, can be pretty strong," Miles said. "The bar for next year is set very high. The key is maintaining a level of success across the board. We've been fortunate to win no less than 11 games the last three years. We think our program is in a position to where, with the loss of graduates and other losses, we will still be able to compete for championships. "We are a brand new team. The 2007 team, they were the national champions. This is a team that has its own outcomes, possibilities and potentials. The great news about this team is that they've been through an experience like last year to help them understand what it takes to be there.
"It's kind of every guy's responsible role to improve and make their position the best it can be. If we can do that again, we'll be very competitive."
Miles faces a personal challenge of his own this season. The shadow of former LSU coach Nick Saban still hovered over Miles and the program last year, especially with 19 of the 22 starters being signed by Saban and his staff. Miles took a big step toward outrunning that shadow by winning a national championship, but now he must prove he can win with a roster built almost entirely during his own tenure.
"The last time I looked, coach Miles was the one who coached us to the national championship," sophomore cornerback Jai Eugene told the Baton Rouge Advocate. "He's the one who got us to where we wanted to go.
"We lost a lot of good players, but we have a chip on our shoulder and have a lot to prove to everyone. This is when, if you're really a player, that you step up. We want to show we can do everything they did here the last few years and maybe even more." The number of quality returning players is especially evident on offense, where the Tigers return seven starters and a number of experienced players who have seen significant playing time.
"Just looking at what we lost and where we need to replace guys, we face some challenges," second-year offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said. "At the same time, we like what we've got coming back. We lose an Early Doucet at receiver, but when he got hurt early last year a lot of guys stepped up.
"On the offensive line we lose only one starter in Carnell Stewart and the backups both saw playing time. At running back we lose Jacob Hester, but we played a lot of guys over the last couple of years and we feel like that position is a real strong spot for us. "We're going to miss David Zinger and Mit Cole for their blocking at tight end, but we feel like we've got some guys who can develop and do what they did and some freshmen may play there, too. All those areas are pretty solid for us."
Even though the Tigers are starting over at quarterback with the loss of Flynn and the dismissal of talented-but-enigmatic Ryan Perrilloux, the Tigers won't be asking those new quarterbacks to carry an offense loaded with talent, depth and experience.
"We're a very balanced offense, and we're not always throwing the ball deep down the field, either," Crowton said, "so we have the ability to hand the ball off to different backs with different skills and use different receivers in different ways. So the quarterback doesn't have to come in and take charge and tell all the young guys what to do, because he's basically the younger guy and just has to worry about himself, which is a real nice position for a young quarterback to step into.
"I've been around some situations where your quarterback's young, your receivers are young and your line's young, and it's kind of a nightmare. We're not in that position right now. We've got a veteran line, veteran receivers, veteran backs. All our quarterbacks need to do is come in and execute their jobs and they'll grow really fast."
On the surface the numbers aren't nearly as impressive for a defense with only five returning starters and new defensive coordinators. In addition to losing Dorsey, Steltz, Jackson, Zenon, Highsmith and Sanders, the Tigers also lost defensive coordinator Bo Pelini when he took over as the head coach at Nebraska.
Miles chose continuity over a new approach by promoting Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto to co-defensive coordinators. Pelini didn't coach a position and spent most of his time devising the game plan and calling the game, and the other assistants handled their own individual units. Mallory will continue to coach the secondary and Peveto will still coach the linebackers, and not much will change in terms of philosophy. "We've been fortunate. Even before we got here, LSU was playing good defense. Coach Saban and his staff had done a tremendous job here at LSU, and I think we kind of picked up where they left off," Mallory said. "When Bo was here, he did a tremendous job coordinating the defense.
"We're fortunate here at LSU that when Bo was coordinator, he didn't coach a position, so we really didn't lose a position coach when he left. I think the transition has been a little bit smoother because the same coaches are still coaching the same positions. From that standpoint, our kids didn't have to go through a major transition.
"We'll do some things differently, add a few of our own wrinkles. Coming out of the spring we were pretty similar to what we were doing the past three years. We introduced a couple of new fronts, a couple of new pressures, but I think you'll see a lot of the same things we've seen around here for the past three years."
A lot of what the Tigers eventually do defensively depends on how well they replace their departed players, especially at the corners.
"What you do defensively has got to be in direct correlation to the kind of personnel you have out there on the field," Mallory said, "and when you lose a guy like Glenn Dorsey, who was kind of the heart and soul of our defense, you know you're never going to replace him. But I do think the strength of our defense is still going to be the defensive line, because of all the people coming back up there.
"At linebacker we lose Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders, two good quality players, but we've got some good linebackers coming back and some young guys stepping in there who showed a lot of progress in the spring.
"The biggest hits we took came at the corner position, because Chevis Jackson was a three-year starter for us and Jonathan Zenon was a two-year starter for us, and those kids played a lot of quality football. But we've got some young kids coming up, and we feel good about their progress, and this is their time."
Talent won't be an issue for the Tigers, so the real key will be the emergence of leaders who can show the way through tough times in big games.
"I don't know if I've ever been around a program with better character kids than what we had last year," Mallory said. "They were just the epitome of team. Craig Steltz and Jacob Hester played almost every snap on special teams and never wanted to come off the field. The leadership and chemistry those seniors provided last year was special, and now we've got to learn from that and build on it. We've still got a lot of those kids in our program but a lot of them are just young and need time."
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Flynn started only one season, but he passed for 2,407 yards and 21 touchdowns and ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns and led LSU to a national title. Perrilloux started only one big game, but he led LSU to a victory over Tennessee in the SEC Championship and won the game's MVP award.
That leaves the Tigers with only one returning quarterback who even threw a pass in a game, and junior Andrew Hatch (6-3, 214) completed as many passes as wideout Early Doucet last year (one).
Both Miles and Crowton are convinced the situation isn't nearly as dire as it has been made to be outside the program. Between Hatch, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee (6-2, 190) and incoming freshman Jordan Jefferson (6-4, 210), Crowton believes the Tigers will find an effective, productive
"We lost JaMarcus Russell two years ago, and now we lose Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux, so we're sort of starting over with three young guys," Crowton said. "Two of them have been in the program a little while, and the other is new to the program. I think we're in pretty good shape there. I'd feel a lot different if Perrilloux had taken all the reps in the spring.
"Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee split most of the reps in the spring, and I thought they both did a pretty good job. They both completed about 63 percent of their passes and didn't turn the ball over much. They actually had a higher percentage of completion than Matt did last spring. Both of them had about eight interceptions each in all the scrimmages and drills we did, and that's pretty close to where Matt was."
The well-traveled Hatch's story is interesting. He was MVP of Crowton's quarterback camp at BYU and signed with BYU out of high school. When Crowton was forced to resign, Hatch transferred to Harvard but never got on the field after suffering a knee injury during a two-year LDS mission in Chile. When Hatch found out Crowton was at LSU, he decided to follow him to Baton Rouge.
Lee traveled a more direct route as one of the nation's top 15 quarterbacks out of Brenham (Texas) High School, so it's no surprise to find him competing for a starting job -- even as a redshirt freshman.
"Andrew was in our [BYU] camp for two years, and I liked his competitiveness, his athletic ability, his size and strength," Crowton said. "And then Jarrett Lee was one of the top quarterbacks in the nation coming out of his senior year. "Hatch is more mobile and Lee is probably a more polished passer. Even though Hatch is a good passer, I think Lee's just got a great touch and good anticipation, so he's probably a little ahead in that battle.
"They're both very competitive, they have great work ethics and they have good skills. I feel like we're grooming up another good quarterback. I just don't know which one it will be."
Miles and Crowton have both gone out of their way to include Jefferson in any discussions regarding the future of the quarterback position. From Destrehan High School in St. Rose, La., Jefferson was first-team Class 5A All-State and the 5A Offensive Player of the Year in Louisiana in 2007, when he threw for 2,846 yards, 24 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
"Jordan Jefferson is very talented, big and fast, a cannon for an arm," Crowton said. "He'll come in and we'll try to get him going as fast as we can so we can see what he can do."
RUNNING BACKS
The Tigers aren't short on candidate to replace Hester's 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Just don't expect all of that to come from one back. Instead, look for the Tigers to mix and match junior Charles Scott (5-11, 226), junior Keiland Williams (6-0, 226) and sophomore Richard Murphy (6-1, 197), depending on the situation and who has the hot hand. "I feel like in the backfield we've got some leaders in Charles Scott and Keiland Williams," Crowton said. "Those guys know what they're doing and [junior] Quinn Johnson (6-2, 238) at fullback is a really solid player, so I think we have guys who have played a lot of football who understand what it takes to win in the SEC."
Williams, the best overall athlete of the bunch, ran for 478 yards and six touchdowns in 2007 but was hampered by an ankle injury in the spring. Scott and Murphy played well toward the end of last season and combined for 554 yards and seven touchdowns. Scott brings the best mix of both power and speed but missed the final week of spring practice with an ankle injury. Murphy has the best speed and burst to break big plays, as he showed by rushing for 145 yards on 11 carries and accounting for three touchdowns in the spring game.
"Because they're all good, the committee thing works well for us," Crowton said. "We'll probably have a lead back, but I don't know who it's going to be. The other guys will play a lot, and that keeps everybody fresh and healthy through the end of the year and allows us to use everybody's different skills and strengths. We're not asking one back to carry the entire load, and that's why different guys shine on different days and why we're able to keep defenses off-balance at times."
While Hester often filled a hybrid fullback/tailback role for LSU, Johnson is more of a traditional blocking fullback but should not be ignored as a receiver or runner. "Quinn is an outstanding blocker," Crowton said. "He can lead the way as a blocker, he can catch the ball and he's actually got some running skills. He doesn't have Hester's ability to read the holes from the tailback spot, but he can run up inside and move the pile." Redshirt freshman Stevan Ridley (5-11, 210) showed potential at both tailback and fullback in the spring and could turn out to be a versatile role player for the Tigers.
The one question mark in all this is junior Trindon Holliday (5-5, 160), who would gladly miss the first few games of the season if he earns a spot as a sprinter on the U.S. Summer Olympics team. Holliday plays a situational role at both tailback and receiver and has the speed to turn short screens into big plays.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Tigers have lost three receivers in the first three rounds of the last two NFL drafts, but they return a healthy combination of talent, depth and experience with senior Demetrius Byrd (6-2, 195); juniors Brandon LaFell (6-3, 205), Chris Mitchell (6-0, 176), Jared Mitchell (5-11, 192) and R.J. Jackson (6-0, 209) and sophomores Terrance Toliver (6-5, 190) and Ricky Dixon (6-2, 216).
"Last year we lost Early Doucet early in the season, and it gave Demetrius Byrd a chance to really grow, and he finished the season really strong," Crowton said. "Terrance Toliver played a lot more, too, because of Early's injury, and he got some good reps, so even though we're losing Early, we still feel like we're real strong there because of Brandon LaFell, Demetrius Byrd and Terrance Toliver, Chris Mitchell, Jared Mitchell, R.J. Jackson and Ricky Dixon -- all of those guys contributed last year, and we've got some young guys coming in to compete for that last spot."
Byrd stepped up in Doucet's absence and emerged as a go-to receiver, catching 35 passes for 621 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns, including the game-winner against Auburn on the final play of the game.
"Demetrius Byrd runs a 10.3 100 meters, he's big, strong and about 15 pounds heavier and stronger than he was last year," Crowton said. "He's a deep threat, and he can score at any time. Auburn tried to press him and he scored the game-winning touchdown, and after that game no one pressed him anymore."
LaFell stepped into the starting lineup for the first time last year and finished as LSU's second-leading receiver, with 50 receptions for 656 yards and four touchdowns.
"Brandon LaFell went through a spell where he dropped a few balls, but he overcame that and he really is a good receiver," Crowton said. "We can move him around and he's probably our best one-on-one route runner. He has a feel for reading the defenses and finding the holes and understanding what we want him to do. I'm really counting on him to have a good year.
"Brandon has been around the program for awhile. He's very intelligent and he's a good leader. The next thing we need from him is to be able to lead in all situations, and only time will tell if guys will lead when the chips are down. That's what so many people did on our team last year and what we need guys like Brandon and Demetrius to do this year." The best of the bunch may be Toliver, who made significant progress in the spring after catching 10 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.
"Terrance Toliver will eventually be a superstar," Crowton said. "He's tall, he's easy to find, he runs well, he's got excellent hands and he's got good range. As he learns the offense, he's getting more comfortable with what we're doing. That will give us three really solid, talented guys."
Crowton won't be afraid to keep his receivers fresh or call someone's number in a clutch situation. "Jared Mitchell caught a lot of big balls last year, especially in the Florida game," Crowton said. "Chris Mitchell played well and started for awhile until he injured his ankle. R.J. Jackson and Ricky Dixon are both really solid receivers. And then we've got Trindon Holliday, who's small but has great speed, and we'll keep trying to use him like we did last year to create some big plays as a receiver and a runner."
Crowton isn't afraid to go to junior tight end Richard Dickson (6-3, 235) either after Dickson caught 32 passes for 375 yards and five touchdowns in 2007, including two touchdown receptions in the national-championship game.
While Crowton said Dickson continues to grow as a receiver, he needs to improve on his blocking and the Tigers must look to two redshirt freshmen, Mitch Joseph (6-5, 243) and Alex Russian (6-4, 230), for help with blocking. Incoming freshmen Tyler Edwards (6-3, 240) and Matt Branch (6-5, 240) will also get a shot at earning playing time this fall. Both were highly regarded high school players.
ESPN rated Edwards, from Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe, La., as its No. 6 tight end nationally. Branch, from Sterlington (La.) High School, was also rated the No. 6 tight end in the nation, but by Rivals.com, after catching 32 passes his senior season. "We're hoping out of those four guys we can develop two more real good blocking tight ends," Crowton said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
If there's any one area of the program that's really improved in Miles' tenure, it's the offensive line. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that Miles is a former Michigan offensive lineman and coached the offensive line at Michigan and Colorado. Whatever the reason, an offensive line with four returning starters will provide a strong foundation for the rest of the offense.
The cornerstone of that foundation is senior center Brett Helms (6-2, 270), and the strength of the line runs from center to the end of the left side with the return of junior left tackle Ciron Black (6-5, 320) and senior left guard Herman Johnson (6-7, 356). "We lost some great leaders on offense, but we feel like Helms is a really good leader and really the entire left side of our line, with Ciron and Herman, two really good, solid people," Crowton said. "All three of those guys have played a lot the past two years and they know their jobs well, so the communication on that left side of the line is very good." At right guard, junior Lyle Hitt (6-2, 299) returns for his second year as a starter. "Lyle Hitt will be a little more experienced than he was the year before, and he's solid there with Helms in the middle," Crowton said. "Now all we have to do is bring the right tackles along."
The Tigers lost starting right tackle Carnell Stewart, but Crowton has high hopes for the two players competing for his job -- sophomores Joseph Barksdale (6-4, 310) and Jarvis Jones (6-7, 294).
"Everybody's back on the line but Stewart, and we played Barksdale and Jones a lot whenever we could, so we feel like those guys will be able to fill up that spot," Crowton said. "Their potential and their opportunity to be good is really nice. I think they have a little more potential than Carnell Stewart, so eventually those guys are going to be as good or better than what we had last year."
Senior Ryan Miller (6-6, 302) brings depth and versatility inside because of his ability to play center and guard, but the coaches are particularly excited about the future of two redshirt freshmen, center T-Bob Hebert (6-3, 260) and guard Josh Dworacyzk (6-6, 280).
KICKERS
When he wasn't running for a 15-yard touchdown on a fake field goal against South Carolina, senior Colt David (5-9, 175) was busy emerging as one of the nation's best kickers in 2007. David earned All-SEC honors after kicking a school-record 26 field goals on 33 attempts, with four of those misses coming from 42 yards and beyond, and scoring an SEC single-season record 147 points.
"We know what Colt can do, and we know we can count on Colt to do his job," Miles said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Dorsey may be gone after sweeping all of the national awards a defensive lineman can win, but it's possible the Tigers will be even better on the defensive line in 2008. "Even though we lost a great player in Glenn Dorsey, I think as a whole we may have more depth on the defensive line this year," co-defensive coordinator Doug Mallory said. "I think we feel really good about what we're capable of doing on the defensive line. With the group we've got coming back, that should be the strength of our defense going into the season."
The strength of the line will be its tackles -- seniors Charles Alexander (6-3, 293), Ricky Jean-Francois (6-3, 281) and Marlon Favorite (6-1, 302), junior Al Woods (6-4, 316) and sophomore Drake Nevis (6-1, 288).
Alexander is back after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the third game of the season and is expected to be ready to go in August. Jean-Francois served an 11-game suspension but still started in the SEC and BCS championship games and won the defensive MVP award in the national title game.
With Alexander out, Favorite started six games and proved to be a solid player inside, while Woods and Nevis were valuable reserves.
"A lot of people don't seem to remember this, but Charles was starting for us early last year before he got hurt," Mallory said. "When he and Glenn were both healthy, we had as good a pair of defensive tackles as any team in college football. We lost Charles after the third game, Glenn got nicked up and was never 100 percent the rest of the season, and we didn't have Ricky Jean throughout the season, so we ended up playing Drake Nevis as a true freshman and he stepped in, played his role and did a really nice job for us."
LSU's senior ends, Tyson Jackson (6-5, 291) and Kirston Pittman (6-4, 252), faced the possibility of not returning to the program this season. Pittman received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA and Jackson contemplated entering the NFL draft before realizing he needed to return and prove himself as a pass rusher after a somewhat disappointing junior season. While they combined for 29 quarterback hurries last season, they often missed on opportunities to close the deal for a sack. Jackson and Pittman must fight off the challenges of senior Tremaine Johnson (6-2, 282), junior Rahim Alem (6-3, 254) and sophomore Lazarius Levingston (6-3, 277).
LINEBACKERS
Like the quarterbacks and cornerbacks, the linebacker spot is one of uncertainty as fall camp begins. At the same time, senior middle linebacker Darry Beckwith (6-1, 230) is one of LSU's most dependable players. It's just that he has often gone unnoticed, despite playing as a freshman and starting the last two seasons.
"Darry's played a lot of football around here, and we felt like he was playing as well as he's ever played coming out of spring," Mallory said. "There have been a lot of guys around him who have gotten more publicity, but here within the program I think we all recognize what Darry brings to this program and the type of leadership and the type of play he's given us the past three years."
Beckwith gives the Tigers a good place to start at linebacker. The same is true of junior Jacob Cutrera (6-4, 235), even though he isn't likely to start this season. "Jacob's versatile and he's really a bright young man, so he can play all three spots," Mallory said. "He gives us a lot of flexibility because he can get the job done wherever we play him."
The Tigers have some questions to answer at the two outside linebacker spots. Junior Perry Riley (6-1, 232) has long been considered the heir apparent at the buck linebacker position, but he missed the entire spring because of an injury. His main competition, redshirt freshman Shomari Clemons (6-2, 220), missed the second half of spring practice after a suspension for an off-the-field incident.
On the other hand, sophomore Kelvin Sheppard (6-3, 223) hasn't seen a lot of playing time, but he had an outstanding spring. "Kelvin has really developed himself both physically and mentally," Mallory said. "I've seen a lot of growth in him from a maturity standpoint. He's doing things the way they're supposed to be done, so we've been pleased with his progress."
The best surprise of the spring was the immediate impact of freshman weak-side linebacker Kellen Theriot (6-1, 225), who enrolled at LSU in January.
Theriot, from Houston's Episcopal High School, made Rivals.com's Texas Top 100 list -- as a quarterback. "Kellen Theriot has improved the most during spring," Beckwith told the Baton Rouge Advocate.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The ability of Jackson and Zenon to hold their own in man-to-man coverage allowed Pellini to take chances with his front seven and his safeties. At this point, Mallory is still trying to find two cornerbacks who will give him similar options this season.
Junior Chris Hawkins (6-1, 175) and sophomore Jai Eugene (5-11, 184) entered the spring as the most likely candidates to win the starting jobs, but they often struggled against LSU's best receivers. Of course, that might have something to do with the quality of LSU's receivers, but it also means LSU's corners have something to prove in their new roles.
They'll also have to fight off continued competition from redshirt freshmen Ron Brooks (5-11, 180) and Phelon Jones (5-11, 195).
"Chris has played some football here -- he's played special teams and he's played in a backup role," Mallory said. "Chris is talented; he just hasn't been a starter for us. He's got the ability the other kids had before him, so I think it's just a matter of the more reps he gets and the more confidence he gains. He'll be a quality corner for us. "Jai Eugene came out of the spring No. 1, but he's being pushed pretty hard. We really liked the progress of Ron Brooks and Phelon Jones, but yet they're still freshmen, so they haven't played a snap in Tiger Stadium yet."
Miles and Mallory have both dropped enough hints that it wouldn't be a big surprise if incoming freshmen Patrick Johnson (6-1, 175) and Brandon Taylor (6-0, 178) find themselves in the mix before too long. "We've got some freshmen coming in who are going to get a look at those corner spots," Mallory said.
Of the two, Johnson, a consensus five-star recruit, comes with the most accolades. The product of Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fla. was a Parade and USA Today All-American and was chosen by USA Today as its Defensive Player of the Year. ESPN listed him as its No. 1 cornerback. For all the uncertainty at the corners, the safeties are another team strength -- even with the loss of Steltz. The Tigers still return starting free safety Curtis Taylor (6-3, 204) as well as junior strong safety Harry Coleman (6-2, 205), junior free safety Danny McCray (6-1, 206) and talented sophomore Chad Jones (6-2, 222), who may be the team's best overall athlete and will probably play a regular role even if he doesn't start.
LSU uses so many nickel and dime packages and makes so many substitutions that the coaches think of Coleman, McCray and Jones as full-time players. It was Jones who came through on a blitz against Alabama and forced a fumble that led to LSU's game-winning touchdown. "That's how Craig Steltz was, too," Mallory said. "Even after we lost LaRon Landry and Jessie Daniels the year before, we felt good about Craig coming back because he had played so much football for us. He was a full-time player, and we looked at him as a starter.
"Because of all the sub packages we play in our nickel and dime schemes, we were able to get a lot of kids out on the field, and they've all been very good special teams players for us. We lost Craig, but we've got good depth at the safeties. Look at what happened in the bowl game when Craig went down. Harry Coleman stepped in and really played well in that game. It really helped his confidence, and he came out of the spring as one of our better safeties.
"We're counting on Curtis to have a better year this year and Danny and Chad had good years for us last year and continued to get better in the spring, so we've got good depth at the safeties."
PUNTERS
With Patrick Fisher graduating, LSU has a big hole to fill at punter, and none of the current candidates really stepped forward as an obvious solution in the spring.
Two walk-ons, senior Brady Dalfrey (6-0, 207) and freshman Drew Alleman (6-0, 172) and scholarship sophomore Josh Jasper (5-10, 155) are competing for the punting job with Dalfrey leading the way entering preseason practice.
SPECIAL TEAMS
While Alleman didn't win the punting job, he did prove to be the best kickoff specialist in the spring. Almost anything would be an improvement at this point. Jasper kicked off 39 times last year but averaged only 59 yards with one touchback.
Sophomore Andrew Crutchfield (6-1, 190) kicked off 33 times last year, averaging 63 yards per kick with one touchback.
David spent the spring adapting to a new holder (Lee) and snapper (Russian), with mixed results. He missed 3-of-4 field goals in the spring game, so the Tigers have work to do to pull everything together in that department.
LSU has its share of potential game-breakers in the return game, but outside of one touchdown return by Holliday, the Tigers weren't very productive on either kickoff or punt returns.
Holliday will continue to return kickoffs, but the coaches don't trust his hands on punt returns. If he ends up running in the Olympics, Chris and Jared Mitchell will probably return kicks. Jones has shown an ability to return punts but also struggled with his hands and judgment in the spring game.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
At a booster club meeting in May, Miles pointed to his BCS national championship ring and said it will only be worn for speaking engagements and recruiting visits. The fans don't have to move on, but the coaches and the players must. "I can't be a stick in the mud and say we'll never talk about it again," Miles told his audience "But coach Mallory and coach Crowton, they're on to 2008 fully. And our players are on to 2008. The team is preparing for next season, because it's always about the next game."
The season opens with three opportunities to prepare for the real meat of the schedule. The Tigers open against Championship Subdivision Appalachian State, which has won three straight national titles, and they aren't likely to make the same mistake Michigan made in its 2007 season-opening loss to the Mountaineers.
They follow with home games against Troy and North Texas before playing at Auburn on Sept. 20.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the LSU Tigers</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Aside from road games at Auburn and Florida, and possibly South Carolina and Arkansas under the right circumstances, this is a schedule with eight home games and suitably built for another run at the SEC championship. The Tigers trade Kentucky for East favorite Georgia, but at least they'll play the Bulldogs at home. Saban also returns to LSU for the first time since he left, which ought to be a lot of fun for LSU fans but possibly just another big SEC game for the Tigers.
The foundation is strong, especially on both lines, and the talent at the skill positions is impressive. If the Tigers find and develop the right quarterbacks and cornerbacks, they'll be hard to beat once again this season.
"The challenge for this football team is to keep the bar where it's been," Miles said. "Every year that we've been here, that's been the goal. I think that our football team will understand that's where we're at, and that's the level that we're going to play. "We've been in a position in this program to do some special things, and we don't believe this team will be any different."
LSU Tigers
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Baton Rouge, La.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>SEC (West)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>12-2 (.846)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (1st)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Tigers</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Purple & Gold</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Tiger Stadium (92,400)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Les Miles (Michigan '76)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>34-6 (3 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>62-27 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Gary Crowton (BYU '83), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Doug Mallory (Michigan '88), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Bradley Dale Peveto (SMU '87), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
• Josh Henson (Oklahoma State '98), Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
• Earl Lane (Northwood '78), Defensive Line
• D.J. McCarthy (Washington '94), Wide Receivers
• Larry Porter (Memphis '96), Running Backs
• Greg Studrawa (Bowling Green '87), Offensive Line
• Joe Robinson (LSU '84), Special Teams /Defensive Line </TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>13-9-11-11-12</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>1-12-5-8-1</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Ohio State in BCS national title game.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Appalachian State </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Troy </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>North Texas </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Auburn </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Mississippi State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at South Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>Georgia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Alabama </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Mississippi </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 28</TD><TD>at Arkansas </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
The 2007 national championship celebration was fun and it hasn't really stopped for LSU fans, but it didn't last long for coach Les Miles -- both at home and in the office.
"One thing about me, I'm pretty grounded with four kids," Miles said. "I get no respect at home anyway. I fought for my breakfast, lunch and dinner every time. Certainly it's been a great run. For me personally as a coach, you go on to the '08 year right away.
"It's a brand new team. That's really been our coaching staff's focus. The idea that we're defending, we're not. This is a brand new team and we haven't won a game yet."
Miles and his coaches know that winning the national title in 2007 doesn't guarantee anything in 2008 and this team can't afford to spend any more time thinking about the past. After winning two national championships in five years under two different coaches, the expectations are higher than ever at LSU, and anything less than national-title contention will be seen as a disappointment in some circles.
<OFFER>
"The reality is we just did it, and now it's about doing it again," Miles said. "That's kind of how I'm looking at it."
If the Tigers do look back, it should be to learn some valuable lessons from the seniors who led the way in 2007. The Tigers not only lost a lot of talented players but they lost some tough, solid, dependable leaders in defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, tailback Jacob Hester, wide receiver Early Doucet, strong safety Craig Steltz, quarterback Matt Flynn, outside linebacker Ali Highsmith and cornerbacks Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon, tight end Keith Zinger, outside linebacker Luke Sanders, right tackle Carnell Stewart and punter Patrick Fisher.
"This is a new team," Miles said. "The key is to redefine ourselves with the process staying the same."
The process of building a national championship contender is the key. The Tigers have enough talent to win it all again, but last year's team proved that talent is never enough in and of itself. It takes a level of leadership, chemistry and commitment that separates the champions from the contenders. LSU's 2007 seniors possessed those qualities. Only time will tell if this year's veterans will be equal to the task, especially if the Tigers lose a painful game or two, as they did with last year's triple-overtime losses to Kentucky and Arkansas.
"There's an understanding here that our football team, year-in and year-out, can be pretty strong," Miles said. "The bar for next year is set very high. The key is maintaining a level of success across the board. We've been fortunate to win no less than 11 games the last three years. We think our program is in a position to where, with the loss of graduates and other losses, we will still be able to compete for championships. "We are a brand new team. The 2007 team, they were the national champions. This is a team that has its own outcomes, possibilities and potentials. The great news about this team is that they've been through an experience like last year to help them understand what it takes to be there.
"It's kind of every guy's responsible role to improve and make their position the best it can be. If we can do that again, we'll be very competitive."
Miles faces a personal challenge of his own this season. The shadow of former LSU coach Nick Saban still hovered over Miles and the program last year, especially with 19 of the 22 starters being signed by Saban and his staff. Miles took a big step toward outrunning that shadow by winning a national championship, but now he must prove he can win with a roster built almost entirely during his own tenure.
"The last time I looked, coach Miles was the one who coached us to the national championship," sophomore cornerback Jai Eugene told the Baton Rouge Advocate. "He's the one who got us to where we wanted to go.
"We lost a lot of good players, but we have a chip on our shoulder and have a lot to prove to everyone. This is when, if you're really a player, that you step up. We want to show we can do everything they did here the last few years and maybe even more." The number of quality returning players is especially evident on offense, where the Tigers return seven starters and a number of experienced players who have seen significant playing time.
"Just looking at what we lost and where we need to replace guys, we face some challenges," second-year offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said. "At the same time, we like what we've got coming back. We lose an Early Doucet at receiver, but when he got hurt early last year a lot of guys stepped up.
"On the offensive line we lose only one starter in Carnell Stewart and the backups both saw playing time. At running back we lose Jacob Hester, but we played a lot of guys over the last couple of years and we feel like that position is a real strong spot for us. "We're going to miss David Zinger and Mit Cole for their blocking at tight end, but we feel like we've got some guys who can develop and do what they did and some freshmen may play there, too. All those areas are pretty solid for us."
Even though the Tigers are starting over at quarterback with the loss of Flynn and the dismissal of talented-but-enigmatic Ryan Perrilloux, the Tigers won't be asking those new quarterbacks to carry an offense loaded with talent, depth and experience.
"We're a very balanced offense, and we're not always throwing the ball deep down the field, either," Crowton said, "so we have the ability to hand the ball off to different backs with different skills and use different receivers in different ways. So the quarterback doesn't have to come in and take charge and tell all the young guys what to do, because he's basically the younger guy and just has to worry about himself, which is a real nice position for a young quarterback to step into.
"I've been around some situations where your quarterback's young, your receivers are young and your line's young, and it's kind of a nightmare. We're not in that position right now. We've got a veteran line, veteran receivers, veteran backs. All our quarterbacks need to do is come in and execute their jobs and they'll grow really fast."
On the surface the numbers aren't nearly as impressive for a defense with only five returning starters and new defensive coordinators. In addition to losing Dorsey, Steltz, Jackson, Zenon, Highsmith and Sanders, the Tigers also lost defensive coordinator Bo Pelini when he took over as the head coach at Nebraska.
Miles chose continuity over a new approach by promoting Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto to co-defensive coordinators. Pelini didn't coach a position and spent most of his time devising the game plan and calling the game, and the other assistants handled their own individual units. Mallory will continue to coach the secondary and Peveto will still coach the linebackers, and not much will change in terms of philosophy. "We've been fortunate. Even before we got here, LSU was playing good defense. Coach Saban and his staff had done a tremendous job here at LSU, and I think we kind of picked up where they left off," Mallory said. "When Bo was here, he did a tremendous job coordinating the defense.
"We're fortunate here at LSU that when Bo was coordinator, he didn't coach a position, so we really didn't lose a position coach when he left. I think the transition has been a little bit smoother because the same coaches are still coaching the same positions. From that standpoint, our kids didn't have to go through a major transition.
"We'll do some things differently, add a few of our own wrinkles. Coming out of the spring we were pretty similar to what we were doing the past three years. We introduced a couple of new fronts, a couple of new pressures, but I think you'll see a lot of the same things we've seen around here for the past three years."
A lot of what the Tigers eventually do defensively depends on how well they replace their departed players, especially at the corners.
"What you do defensively has got to be in direct correlation to the kind of personnel you have out there on the field," Mallory said, "and when you lose a guy like Glenn Dorsey, who was kind of the heart and soul of our defense, you know you're never going to replace him. But I do think the strength of our defense is still going to be the defensive line, because of all the people coming back up there.
"At linebacker we lose Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders, two good quality players, but we've got some good linebackers coming back and some young guys stepping in there who showed a lot of progress in the spring.
"The biggest hits we took came at the corner position, because Chevis Jackson was a three-year starter for us and Jonathan Zenon was a two-year starter for us, and those kids played a lot of quality football. But we've got some young kids coming up, and we feel good about their progress, and this is their time."
Talent won't be an issue for the Tigers, so the real key will be the emergence of leaders who can show the way through tough times in big games.
"I don't know if I've ever been around a program with better character kids than what we had last year," Mallory said. "They were just the epitome of team. Craig Steltz and Jacob Hester played almost every snap on special teams and never wanted to come off the field. The leadership and chemistry those seniors provided last year was special, and now we've got to learn from that and build on it. We've still got a lot of those kids in our program but a lot of them are just young and need time."
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Flynn started only one season, but he passed for 2,407 yards and 21 touchdowns and ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns and led LSU to a national title. Perrilloux started only one big game, but he led LSU to a victory over Tennessee in the SEC Championship and won the game's MVP award.
That leaves the Tigers with only one returning quarterback who even threw a pass in a game, and junior Andrew Hatch (6-3, 214) completed as many passes as wideout Early Doucet last year (one).
Both Miles and Crowton are convinced the situation isn't nearly as dire as it has been made to be outside the program. Between Hatch, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee (6-2, 190) and incoming freshman Jordan Jefferson (6-4, 210), Crowton believes the Tigers will find an effective, productive
"We lost JaMarcus Russell two years ago, and now we lose Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux, so we're sort of starting over with three young guys," Crowton said. "Two of them have been in the program a little while, and the other is new to the program. I think we're in pretty good shape there. I'd feel a lot different if Perrilloux had taken all the reps in the spring.
"Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee split most of the reps in the spring, and I thought they both did a pretty good job. They both completed about 63 percent of their passes and didn't turn the ball over much. They actually had a higher percentage of completion than Matt did last spring. Both of them had about eight interceptions each in all the scrimmages and drills we did, and that's pretty close to where Matt was."
The well-traveled Hatch's story is interesting. He was MVP of Crowton's quarterback camp at BYU and signed with BYU out of high school. When Crowton was forced to resign, Hatch transferred to Harvard but never got on the field after suffering a knee injury during a two-year LDS mission in Chile. When Hatch found out Crowton was at LSU, he decided to follow him to Baton Rouge.
Lee traveled a more direct route as one of the nation's top 15 quarterbacks out of Brenham (Texas) High School, so it's no surprise to find him competing for a starting job -- even as a redshirt freshman.
"Andrew was in our [BYU] camp for two years, and I liked his competitiveness, his athletic ability, his size and strength," Crowton said. "And then Jarrett Lee was one of the top quarterbacks in the nation coming out of his senior year. "Hatch is more mobile and Lee is probably a more polished passer. Even though Hatch is a good passer, I think Lee's just got a great touch and good anticipation, so he's probably a little ahead in that battle.
"They're both very competitive, they have great work ethics and they have good skills. I feel like we're grooming up another good quarterback. I just don't know which one it will be."
Miles and Crowton have both gone out of their way to include Jefferson in any discussions regarding the future of the quarterback position. From Destrehan High School in St. Rose, La., Jefferson was first-team Class 5A All-State and the 5A Offensive Player of the Year in Louisiana in 2007, when he threw for 2,846 yards, 24 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
"Jordan Jefferson is very talented, big and fast, a cannon for an arm," Crowton said. "He'll come in and we'll try to get him going as fast as we can so we can see what he can do."
RUNNING BACKS
The Tigers aren't short on candidate to replace Hester's 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Just don't expect all of that to come from one back. Instead, look for the Tigers to mix and match junior Charles Scott (5-11, 226), junior Keiland Williams (6-0, 226) and sophomore Richard Murphy (6-1, 197), depending on the situation and who has the hot hand. "I feel like in the backfield we've got some leaders in Charles Scott and Keiland Williams," Crowton said. "Those guys know what they're doing and [junior] Quinn Johnson (6-2, 238) at fullback is a really solid player, so I think we have guys who have played a lot of football who understand what it takes to win in the SEC."
Williams, the best overall athlete of the bunch, ran for 478 yards and six touchdowns in 2007 but was hampered by an ankle injury in the spring. Scott and Murphy played well toward the end of last season and combined for 554 yards and seven touchdowns. Scott brings the best mix of both power and speed but missed the final week of spring practice with an ankle injury. Murphy has the best speed and burst to break big plays, as he showed by rushing for 145 yards on 11 carries and accounting for three touchdowns in the spring game.
"Because they're all good, the committee thing works well for us," Crowton said. "We'll probably have a lead back, but I don't know who it's going to be. The other guys will play a lot, and that keeps everybody fresh and healthy through the end of the year and allows us to use everybody's different skills and strengths. We're not asking one back to carry the entire load, and that's why different guys shine on different days and why we're able to keep defenses off-balance at times."
While Hester often filled a hybrid fullback/tailback role for LSU, Johnson is more of a traditional blocking fullback but should not be ignored as a receiver or runner. "Quinn is an outstanding blocker," Crowton said. "He can lead the way as a blocker, he can catch the ball and he's actually got some running skills. He doesn't have Hester's ability to read the holes from the tailback spot, but he can run up inside and move the pile." Redshirt freshman Stevan Ridley (5-11, 210) showed potential at both tailback and fullback in the spring and could turn out to be a versatile role player for the Tigers.
The one question mark in all this is junior Trindon Holliday (5-5, 160), who would gladly miss the first few games of the season if he earns a spot as a sprinter on the U.S. Summer Olympics team. Holliday plays a situational role at both tailback and receiver and has the speed to turn short screens into big plays.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Tigers have lost three receivers in the first three rounds of the last two NFL drafts, but they return a healthy combination of talent, depth and experience with senior Demetrius Byrd (6-2, 195); juniors Brandon LaFell (6-3, 205), Chris Mitchell (6-0, 176), Jared Mitchell (5-11, 192) and R.J. Jackson (6-0, 209) and sophomores Terrance Toliver (6-5, 190) and Ricky Dixon (6-2, 216).
"Last year we lost Early Doucet early in the season, and it gave Demetrius Byrd a chance to really grow, and he finished the season really strong," Crowton said. "Terrance Toliver played a lot more, too, because of Early's injury, and he got some good reps, so even though we're losing Early, we still feel like we're real strong there because of Brandon LaFell, Demetrius Byrd and Terrance Toliver, Chris Mitchell, Jared Mitchell, R.J. Jackson and Ricky Dixon -- all of those guys contributed last year, and we've got some young guys coming in to compete for that last spot."
Byrd stepped up in Doucet's absence and emerged as a go-to receiver, catching 35 passes for 621 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns, including the game-winner against Auburn on the final play of the game.
"Demetrius Byrd runs a 10.3 100 meters, he's big, strong and about 15 pounds heavier and stronger than he was last year," Crowton said. "He's a deep threat, and he can score at any time. Auburn tried to press him and he scored the game-winning touchdown, and after that game no one pressed him anymore."
LaFell stepped into the starting lineup for the first time last year and finished as LSU's second-leading receiver, with 50 receptions for 656 yards and four touchdowns.
"Brandon LaFell went through a spell where he dropped a few balls, but he overcame that and he really is a good receiver," Crowton said. "We can move him around and he's probably our best one-on-one route runner. He has a feel for reading the defenses and finding the holes and understanding what we want him to do. I'm really counting on him to have a good year.
"Brandon has been around the program for awhile. He's very intelligent and he's a good leader. The next thing we need from him is to be able to lead in all situations, and only time will tell if guys will lead when the chips are down. That's what so many people did on our team last year and what we need guys like Brandon and Demetrius to do this year." The best of the bunch may be Toliver, who made significant progress in the spring after catching 10 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.
"Terrance Toliver will eventually be a superstar," Crowton said. "He's tall, he's easy to find, he runs well, he's got excellent hands and he's got good range. As he learns the offense, he's getting more comfortable with what we're doing. That will give us three really solid, talented guys."
Crowton won't be afraid to keep his receivers fresh or call someone's number in a clutch situation. "Jared Mitchell caught a lot of big balls last year, especially in the Florida game," Crowton said. "Chris Mitchell played well and started for awhile until he injured his ankle. R.J. Jackson and Ricky Dixon are both really solid receivers. And then we've got Trindon Holliday, who's small but has great speed, and we'll keep trying to use him like we did last year to create some big plays as a receiver and a runner."
Crowton isn't afraid to go to junior tight end Richard Dickson (6-3, 235) either after Dickson caught 32 passes for 375 yards and five touchdowns in 2007, including two touchdown receptions in the national-championship game.
While Crowton said Dickson continues to grow as a receiver, he needs to improve on his blocking and the Tigers must look to two redshirt freshmen, Mitch Joseph (6-5, 243) and Alex Russian (6-4, 230), for help with blocking. Incoming freshmen Tyler Edwards (6-3, 240) and Matt Branch (6-5, 240) will also get a shot at earning playing time this fall. Both were highly regarded high school players.
ESPN rated Edwards, from Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe, La., as its No. 6 tight end nationally. Branch, from Sterlington (La.) High School, was also rated the No. 6 tight end in the nation, but by Rivals.com, after catching 32 passes his senior season. "We're hoping out of those four guys we can develop two more real good blocking tight ends," Crowton said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
If there's any one area of the program that's really improved in Miles' tenure, it's the offensive line. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that Miles is a former Michigan offensive lineman and coached the offensive line at Michigan and Colorado. Whatever the reason, an offensive line with four returning starters will provide a strong foundation for the rest of the offense.
The cornerstone of that foundation is senior center Brett Helms (6-2, 270), and the strength of the line runs from center to the end of the left side with the return of junior left tackle Ciron Black (6-5, 320) and senior left guard Herman Johnson (6-7, 356). "We lost some great leaders on offense, but we feel like Helms is a really good leader and really the entire left side of our line, with Ciron and Herman, two really good, solid people," Crowton said. "All three of those guys have played a lot the past two years and they know their jobs well, so the communication on that left side of the line is very good." At right guard, junior Lyle Hitt (6-2, 299) returns for his second year as a starter. "Lyle Hitt will be a little more experienced than he was the year before, and he's solid there with Helms in the middle," Crowton said. "Now all we have to do is bring the right tackles along."
The Tigers lost starting right tackle Carnell Stewart, but Crowton has high hopes for the two players competing for his job -- sophomores Joseph Barksdale (6-4, 310) and Jarvis Jones (6-7, 294).
"Everybody's back on the line but Stewart, and we played Barksdale and Jones a lot whenever we could, so we feel like those guys will be able to fill up that spot," Crowton said. "Their potential and their opportunity to be good is really nice. I think they have a little more potential than Carnell Stewart, so eventually those guys are going to be as good or better than what we had last year."
Senior Ryan Miller (6-6, 302) brings depth and versatility inside because of his ability to play center and guard, but the coaches are particularly excited about the future of two redshirt freshmen, center T-Bob Hebert (6-3, 260) and guard Josh Dworacyzk (6-6, 280).
KICKERS
When he wasn't running for a 15-yard touchdown on a fake field goal against South Carolina, senior Colt David (5-9, 175) was busy emerging as one of the nation's best kickers in 2007. David earned All-SEC honors after kicking a school-record 26 field goals on 33 attempts, with four of those misses coming from 42 yards and beyond, and scoring an SEC single-season record 147 points.
"We know what Colt can do, and we know we can count on Colt to do his job," Miles said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Dorsey may be gone after sweeping all of the national awards a defensive lineman can win, but it's possible the Tigers will be even better on the defensive line in 2008. "Even though we lost a great player in Glenn Dorsey, I think as a whole we may have more depth on the defensive line this year," co-defensive coordinator Doug Mallory said. "I think we feel really good about what we're capable of doing on the defensive line. With the group we've got coming back, that should be the strength of our defense going into the season."
The strength of the line will be its tackles -- seniors Charles Alexander (6-3, 293), Ricky Jean-Francois (6-3, 281) and Marlon Favorite (6-1, 302), junior Al Woods (6-4, 316) and sophomore Drake Nevis (6-1, 288).
Alexander is back after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the third game of the season and is expected to be ready to go in August. Jean-Francois served an 11-game suspension but still started in the SEC and BCS championship games and won the defensive MVP award in the national title game.
With Alexander out, Favorite started six games and proved to be a solid player inside, while Woods and Nevis were valuable reserves.
"A lot of people don't seem to remember this, but Charles was starting for us early last year before he got hurt," Mallory said. "When he and Glenn were both healthy, we had as good a pair of defensive tackles as any team in college football. We lost Charles after the third game, Glenn got nicked up and was never 100 percent the rest of the season, and we didn't have Ricky Jean throughout the season, so we ended up playing Drake Nevis as a true freshman and he stepped in, played his role and did a really nice job for us."
LSU's senior ends, Tyson Jackson (6-5, 291) and Kirston Pittman (6-4, 252), faced the possibility of not returning to the program this season. Pittman received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA and Jackson contemplated entering the NFL draft before realizing he needed to return and prove himself as a pass rusher after a somewhat disappointing junior season. While they combined for 29 quarterback hurries last season, they often missed on opportunities to close the deal for a sack. Jackson and Pittman must fight off the challenges of senior Tremaine Johnson (6-2, 282), junior Rahim Alem (6-3, 254) and sophomore Lazarius Levingston (6-3, 277).
LINEBACKERS
Like the quarterbacks and cornerbacks, the linebacker spot is one of uncertainty as fall camp begins. At the same time, senior middle linebacker Darry Beckwith (6-1, 230) is one of LSU's most dependable players. It's just that he has often gone unnoticed, despite playing as a freshman and starting the last two seasons.
"Darry's played a lot of football around here, and we felt like he was playing as well as he's ever played coming out of spring," Mallory said. "There have been a lot of guys around him who have gotten more publicity, but here within the program I think we all recognize what Darry brings to this program and the type of leadership and the type of play he's given us the past three years."
Beckwith gives the Tigers a good place to start at linebacker. The same is true of junior Jacob Cutrera (6-4, 235), even though he isn't likely to start this season. "Jacob's versatile and he's really a bright young man, so he can play all three spots," Mallory said. "He gives us a lot of flexibility because he can get the job done wherever we play him."
The Tigers have some questions to answer at the two outside linebacker spots. Junior Perry Riley (6-1, 232) has long been considered the heir apparent at the buck linebacker position, but he missed the entire spring because of an injury. His main competition, redshirt freshman Shomari Clemons (6-2, 220), missed the second half of spring practice after a suspension for an off-the-field incident.
On the other hand, sophomore Kelvin Sheppard (6-3, 223) hasn't seen a lot of playing time, but he had an outstanding spring. "Kelvin has really developed himself both physically and mentally," Mallory said. "I've seen a lot of growth in him from a maturity standpoint. He's doing things the way they're supposed to be done, so we've been pleased with his progress."
The best surprise of the spring was the immediate impact of freshman weak-side linebacker Kellen Theriot (6-1, 225), who enrolled at LSU in January.
Theriot, from Houston's Episcopal High School, made Rivals.com's Texas Top 100 list -- as a quarterback. "Kellen Theriot has improved the most during spring," Beckwith told the Baton Rouge Advocate.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The ability of Jackson and Zenon to hold their own in man-to-man coverage allowed Pellini to take chances with his front seven and his safeties. At this point, Mallory is still trying to find two cornerbacks who will give him similar options this season.
Junior Chris Hawkins (6-1, 175) and sophomore Jai Eugene (5-11, 184) entered the spring as the most likely candidates to win the starting jobs, but they often struggled against LSU's best receivers. Of course, that might have something to do with the quality of LSU's receivers, but it also means LSU's corners have something to prove in their new roles.
They'll also have to fight off continued competition from redshirt freshmen Ron Brooks (5-11, 180) and Phelon Jones (5-11, 195).
"Chris has played some football here -- he's played special teams and he's played in a backup role," Mallory said. "Chris is talented; he just hasn't been a starter for us. He's got the ability the other kids had before him, so I think it's just a matter of the more reps he gets and the more confidence he gains. He'll be a quality corner for us. "Jai Eugene came out of the spring No. 1, but he's being pushed pretty hard. We really liked the progress of Ron Brooks and Phelon Jones, but yet they're still freshmen, so they haven't played a snap in Tiger Stadium yet."
Miles and Mallory have both dropped enough hints that it wouldn't be a big surprise if incoming freshmen Patrick Johnson (6-1, 175) and Brandon Taylor (6-0, 178) find themselves in the mix before too long. "We've got some freshmen coming in who are going to get a look at those corner spots," Mallory said.
Of the two, Johnson, a consensus five-star recruit, comes with the most accolades. The product of Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fla. was a Parade and USA Today All-American and was chosen by USA Today as its Defensive Player of the Year. ESPN listed him as its No. 1 cornerback. For all the uncertainty at the corners, the safeties are another team strength -- even with the loss of Steltz. The Tigers still return starting free safety Curtis Taylor (6-3, 204) as well as junior strong safety Harry Coleman (6-2, 205), junior free safety Danny McCray (6-1, 206) and talented sophomore Chad Jones (6-2, 222), who may be the team's best overall athlete and will probably play a regular role even if he doesn't start.
LSU uses so many nickel and dime packages and makes so many substitutions that the coaches think of Coleman, McCray and Jones as full-time players. It was Jones who came through on a blitz against Alabama and forced a fumble that led to LSU's game-winning touchdown. "That's how Craig Steltz was, too," Mallory said. "Even after we lost LaRon Landry and Jessie Daniels the year before, we felt good about Craig coming back because he had played so much football for us. He was a full-time player, and we looked at him as a starter.
"Because of all the sub packages we play in our nickel and dime schemes, we were able to get a lot of kids out on the field, and they've all been very good special teams players for us. We lost Craig, but we've got good depth at the safeties. Look at what happened in the bowl game when Craig went down. Harry Coleman stepped in and really played well in that game. It really helped his confidence, and he came out of the spring as one of our better safeties.
"We're counting on Curtis to have a better year this year and Danny and Chad had good years for us last year and continued to get better in the spring, so we've got good depth at the safeties."
PUNTERS
With Patrick Fisher graduating, LSU has a big hole to fill at punter, and none of the current candidates really stepped forward as an obvious solution in the spring.
Two walk-ons, senior Brady Dalfrey (6-0, 207) and freshman Drew Alleman (6-0, 172) and scholarship sophomore Josh Jasper (5-10, 155) are competing for the punting job with Dalfrey leading the way entering preseason practice.
SPECIAL TEAMS
While Alleman didn't win the punting job, he did prove to be the best kickoff specialist in the spring. Almost anything would be an improvement at this point. Jasper kicked off 39 times last year but averaged only 59 yards with one touchback.
Sophomore Andrew Crutchfield (6-1, 190) kicked off 33 times last year, averaging 63 yards per kick with one touchback.
David spent the spring adapting to a new holder (Lee) and snapper (Russian), with mixed results. He missed 3-of-4 field goals in the spring game, so the Tigers have work to do to pull everything together in that department.
LSU has its share of potential game-breakers in the return game, but outside of one touchdown return by Holliday, the Tigers weren't very productive on either kickoff or punt returns.
Holliday will continue to return kickoffs, but the coaches don't trust his hands on punt returns. If he ends up running in the Olympics, Chris and Jared Mitchell will probably return kicks. Jones has shown an ability to return punts but also struggled with his hands and judgment in the spring game.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
At a booster club meeting in May, Miles pointed to his BCS national championship ring and said it will only be worn for speaking engagements and recruiting visits. The fans don't have to move on, but the coaches and the players must. "I can't be a stick in the mud and say we'll never talk about it again," Miles told his audience "But coach Mallory and coach Crowton, they're on to 2008 fully. And our players are on to 2008. The team is preparing for next season, because it's always about the next game."
The season opens with three opportunities to prepare for the real meat of the schedule. The Tigers open against Championship Subdivision Appalachian State, which has won three straight national titles, and they aren't likely to make the same mistake Michigan made in its 2007 season-opening loss to the Mountaineers.
They follow with home games against Troy and North Texas before playing at Auburn on Sept. 20.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) -->
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the LSU Tigers</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B+</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>A-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Aside from road games at Auburn and Florida, and possibly South Carolina and Arkansas under the right circumstances, this is a schedule with eight home games and suitably built for another run at the SEC championship. The Tigers trade Kentucky for East favorite Georgia, but at least they'll play the Bulldogs at home. Saban also returns to LSU for the first time since he left, which ought to be a lot of fun for LSU fans but possibly just another big SEC game for the Tigers.
The foundation is strong, especially on both lines, and the talent at the skill positions is impressive. If the Tigers find and develop the right quarterbacks and cornerbacks, they'll be hard to beat once again this season.
"The challenge for this football team is to keep the bar where it's been," Miles said. "Every year that we've been here, that's been the goal. I think that our football team will understand that's where we're at, and that's the level that we're going to play. "We've been in a position in this program to do some special things, and we don't believe this team will be any different."
LSU Tigers
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Baton Rouge, La.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>SEC (West)</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>12-2 (.846)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>6-2 (1st)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Tigers</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Purple & Gold</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Tiger Stadium (92,400)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Les Miles (Michigan '76)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>34-6 (3 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>62-27 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Gary Crowton (BYU '83), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Doug Mallory (Michigan '88), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Bradley Dale Peveto (SMU '87), Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
• Josh Henson (Oklahoma State '98), Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
• Earl Lane (Northwood '78), Defensive Line
• D.J. McCarthy (Washington '94), Wide Receivers
• Larry Porter (Memphis '96), Running Backs
• Greg Studrawa (Bowling Green '87), Offensive Line
• Joe Robinson (LSU '84), Special Teams /Defensive Line </TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>13-9-11-11-12</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>1-12-5-8-1</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Ohio State in BCS national title game.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 30</TD><TD>Appalachian State </TD><TD>5:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>Troy </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 13</TD><TD>North Texas </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Auburn </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Mississippi State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>at South Carolina </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>Georgia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 1</TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Alabama </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Mississippi </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 28</TD><TD>at Arkansas </TD><TD>2:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
That is unreal....not sure where they are going with that one....:seeya:
COACH AND PROGRAM
He didn't like it, but in the back of his mind he knew it might be coming. Houston Nutt was mostly prepared for the end of his 10 years as Arkansas' head football coach. What he didn't expect was a job offer within a few hours after his tenure in Fayetteville was over. Before he could even get used to the idea of not being the Razorbacks' coach, Ole Miss called to offer him the chance to coach the Rebels and stay in the SEC West. For Nutt, it was more than just finding another job to replace the one he wanted. It was the right job at the right place at the right time.
"Tradition -- I've always had an awesome respect for the players and coaches who came through there," Nutt said. "I remember my dad talking about coach [Johnny] Vaught and Archie Manning, especially when they played Arkansas in the [1970] Sugar Bowl. And at Arkansas we played against Eli Manning and Deuce McAllister. So I've always admired a lot of those people.
"Once I was available, I got real excited about their interest. It was the chance to stay in the SEC and in the same basic geographic area as far as recruiting. The recruiting area may be even better because we're closer to Memphis, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida than we were in Arkansas. It just seemed like a really good fit. "They've won there before. They've won national titles and SEC titles. The facilities are excellent. We have a beautiful indoor facility with offices and locker rooms -- as good as I've been in.''
<OFFER>
Still, it has been 33 years since Vaught retired after winning six SEC titles and a share of three national championships. Since then Billy Brewer, Tommy Tuberville and David Cutcliffe have all experienced a measure of success, but none won an outright conference or division title. Ole Miss is the only SEC West team that has not played in the SEC championship game.
Nutt led the Razorbacks to two conference championship games, so his opinion on what it takes to win in the SEC is informed and qualified. In Nutt's opinion, the Rebels are ready to win after four consecutive losing seasons, the last three under former coach Ed Orgeron. "This first spring I was really anxious to see how we do," Nutt said, "and to be able to step in and have the kind of spring we had gave me even more confidence that, boy, we can get it now."
Spring brought considerable change to the program, starting with a new staff that includes five coaches who followed Nutt from Arkansas. "Change is usually hard, but it went better than I thought it would," Nutt said. "The guys were very willing and very open and good listeners. I was excited about their attitude toward what we were teaching. They're hungry for some success." The changes involved more than new offensive and defensive schemes, philosophies and terminology.
"We had to change their attitude, and to me that is changing the little things," Nutt said. "It is about winning in everything you do. Some of the guys are used to losing on the field and in life, and I want to change that. Going to class, sitting up in your seat, being on time -- those are the little things we will work on. We are getting there."
After the Rebels finished 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the SEC in 2007, Nutt sees a hunger and urgency in a team that at least had a chance to beat Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State but failed to finish each time. "That's the feeling I had," Nutt said. "I told the players, 'You're working hard, we've got good athletes on this team, but the bottom line is you guys didn't win a game in the SEC last year. That truth hurts.'
"With as difficult as this league is, we've got to be realistic, too. It's easy to say 'Hey, we've got enough talent here and there,' but the bottom line is they've had very little success over the past three years. We've got to change the mindset. We've got to change the attitude."
The talent level Nutt inherits is better than last season's record would suggest, especially in three areas. "It starts with our defensive line and our receivers," Nutt said. "Ed and his staff did a really good job recruiting defensive linemen and receivers. We've got some real playmakers at those spots. Plus I'm real excited about having a quarterback like [sophomore and Texas transfer] Jevan Snead. He got better every day this spring, and he has a real live arm and the ability to escape trouble." At the same time, the Rebels don't have much depth, and there are real concerns to address before the season opener against Memphis at home on Aug. 30. "We've got to get better at the corners," Nutt said. "Right now we've got three guys we've got to be able to count on and we really have to improve. We've got to develop some depth at linebacker. We were spoiled at Arkansas with our tailbacks [first-round draft choices Darren McFadden and Felix Jones] and we've got to find some backs. [Junior] Cordera Eason is our guy right now. But there's a huge drop-off. We signed three tailbacks, and we'll give them a shot to see how they handle jumping from the Friday night lights to SEC Saturdays."
Anyone who has followed Nutt's coaching career knows he loves the running game. When it worked, no one ran the ball better or more consistently than the Razorbacks over the past decade. Having players like McFadden and Jones helped, but Nutt doesn't have a McFadden or a Jones on his current roster. What he does have is a potential star at quarterback, talent and depth among the receivers and an offensive coordinator with the experience to make it all work.
Former Ole Miss quarterback Kent Austin (1981-85) spent the last 20 years coaching and playing in the Canadian Football League and won the Grey Cup as both a quarterback and head coach. After leading the Saskatchewan Roughriders to the CFL championship in 2007, Austin left the CFL for all the right reasons.
"It was an opportunity to come back and coach at my alma mater, a school I love very much," Austin said. "It was an opportunity to get my family back to the South and get my kids in U.S. schools. Those things were appealing, but at the end of the day, if there hadn't been a head coach like Houston I don't think I would have come back.
"It was really important for me to coach for someone who's not only a quality coach but also understands the value of edifying and building into the lives of people around them. He understands that football is not about the coaches. It's about the players." Austin laughs at the possibility of being able to sneak a 12th offensive player on the field or use vertical motion before the snap, but in reality he simply has to translate his Canadian football dialect to American South.
"Obviously it has to be modified, but conceptually what we do in the passing game and why we do what we do against the coverages and the defenses we faced, those things transfer because those things are universal whether you're playing with 12 men or 11. "I believe in multiple personnel groupings, multiple formations and the use of motion. We're going to run a variety of things to try to dictate to the defense as opposed to reacting all the time. The more personnel groupings and formations and motions we can use, the more we can keep the defense off balance and put ourselves in better match-up situations."
So far it seems possible that Nutt will allow Austin to open up the offense and make good use of Ole Miss' strengths in the passing game, something he was criticized for rarely doing at Arkansas. One thing that will carry over from Arkansas is Nutt's use of a multi-skilled player such as McFadden as a shotgun quarterback. At Arkansas McFadden passed and ran out of the Wild Hog formation. At Ole Miss, the Wild Rebel formation will allow junior receiver Dexter McCluster to make use of his versatile skills and quickness.
"Dexter has some good ball-handling skills and he played quarterback before at a younger age," Nutt said. "The thing that the 'Wild Rebel' does is enable you to put your best player with the ball in his hands. That's all you want to do. You want to put your playmakers in a position to make plays, and that's what that formation does. Dexter is a guy that we feel like will really create some problems with defenses, and I am really excited about his role."
While Austin is new to coaching in the SEC, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix spent the last three seasons as South Carolina's defensive coordinator. From 1995-2004 he coached at Southern Miss, his alma mater, and served as defensive coordinator over the last four years there. In both jobs, he worked with John Thompson, Ole Miss' defensive coordinator in 2007.
Thompson inherited a defense relatively young and inexperienced, while Nix inherits one that returns its top 13 tacklers, including eight starters and several players who saw significant playing time.
"I don't know what's gone on here in the past, but I know they haven't played as well as they wanted to," Nix said. "We're going to try to change that. From my experience here the kids are excited and they're looking forward to an opportunity to prove to people they can play winning football in this conference. Now we've to get them to where they can play up to those expectations." Nix's defense will be a mix of Thompson's aggressive style and his own adherence to the fundamentals and principles that made Southern Miss so tough defensively.
"We're going to play aggressive, but we've got to make sure we're sound, fundamental and smart," Nix said. "We want to be a strong man coverage team. Our front will allow us to do a lot of things. Really, our biggest challenge will be getting all 11 to play on the same page and getting everyone to play with relentless effort. It's the toughest conference in America, and we better be ready."
QUARTERBACKS
Ole Miss grew increasingly dependent on the running game the last two seasons, due mostly to a lack of consistency and production at quarterback. The former staff had every intention of opening up the offense this season because of sophomore Jevan Snead (6-3, 215), who sat out the 2007 season after transferring from Texas.
"I'm really glad we've got Jevan," Austin said. "He's got a chance to be really good. He's got all the physical tools you want. He's very accurate both in the pocket and on the run, and he can throw running to both his left and his right. He's not a blazer, but he moves really well and he can buy time in the pocket and get us out of trouble. Plus he has good feel for the pocket.
"He's got a strong arm and a quick arm, and in my experience that's an unusual combination to have both. So he can throw when he's crowded. When the pocket's collapsing on him, he can get it away quickly and still have velocity on the ball. That bodes well in the SEC because the pass rushes are so good."
It's going to take more than talent and instincts to produce in the SEC, and Austin believes Snead has the necessary intangibles. Those qualities weren't as evident early in the spring simply because it had been so long since Snead received the majority of the snaps. By the end of the spring, those qualities were obvious.
"He's also a great decision-maker, which I think is the No. 1 quality in a quarterback," Austin said. "And he's tough, mentally and physically. He's got an opportunity to be real good, but how quickly he develops will be the key. In this conference we're going to need him to turn the corner pretty quickly."
Behind Snead, junior Billy Tapp (6-4, 230) is bright and learns quickly, two good qualities for a backup quarterback who might have to come in cold off the bench. His mere presence on the sideline should be good for Snead.
"He's really good from the standpoint of his impact on Jevan," Austin said. "Jevan is such an effort guy and wants to be good so much that sometimes his effort gets in the way of his performance. Billy's a very mature, calm, easy going, laid-back guy, and he's got a very calming influence on Jevan and they're very close."
RUNNING BACKS
For all the talk about the three freshman running backs expected to arrive this summer, the fact remains that Enrique Davis (6-1, 215), Devin Thomas (5-11, 195) and Brandon Bolden (5-11, 215) have never played a down of college football.
In fact, the graduation of BenJarvus Green-Ellis leaves junior Cordera Eason (5-10, 224) as the only current back who has actually played for Ole Miss, and he carried only three times for six yards in 2007.
"We have a solid running back in Cordera Eason," Austin said. "From the start of spring to the spring game he was our most improved offensive player. He's a big, strong back, he runs hard and he's got decent speed. I think he'll be a very productive back in our offense."
With sophomore Jeremy McGee (5-11, 178) moving to cornerback and sophomore Reggie Hicks (6-1, 234) moving to tight end, the only other running back by the end of the spring was sophomore Derrick Davis (5-10, 224). Despite the inexperience of the newcomers, the Rebels really need one or two to step up sooner than later. "We'll see how quickly they grasp the offense and see how capable they are of performing physically against a much tougher level of competition," Austin said.
At fullback, senior Jason Cook (5-11, 248) is a solid blocker and role player who provides some interesting perspective via his blog on Ole Miss' official web site.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
In senior Mike Wallace (6-0, 180), junior Shay Hodge (6-1, 207), junior Michael Hicks (6-2, 222), junior Marshay Green (5-9, 170) and junior Dexter McCluster (5-8, 165), Ole Miss opened the spring with a group that combined to catch 152 passes last season.
The Rebels' depth and talent at receiver eventually allowed the coaches to move Green to corner, and continued to improve when sophomores Lionel Breaux (6-0, 191) and Markeith Summers (6-2, 197) played their way into the rotation. "The receiving corps is the strength of our offense right now," Austin said. "It not only has talent, it has depth. We've got some guys who have speed, but they also love to play football.
"But the No. 1 thing we have among our receivers is the ability to make plays. You can talk about running routes and catching it with your hands and all that, but I don't care about that as much as whether a guy can make plays. Can he make plays with the ball in the air and the ball in his hands? If he can do that, he's got a spot on our football team, and we've got guys who can do that."
The other things count as well, because they put a player in position to make plays. "They have a lot more to learn now," Austin said. "We're going to require a lot more from them in the passing game; a deeper understanding of defenses and coverages and knowing how to adjust their routes accordingly. They'll have to do a lot more of that than they did in the past."
McCluster and Breaux bring speed to the position, while Summers brings athleticism with a broad jump of 10-10 and vertical leap of 38 inches. Still, it's Wallace's speed that led to six touchdown receptions, seven receptions of 40 or more yards, three of 50 or more and an SEC-best 18.8 yards per reception. And it's Hodge who used his strength and physical style of play to lead Ole Miss with 43 receptions and tie Wallace for the team lead with six touchdown catches.
"We have great speed with Mike Wallace and a pure playmaker in Shay Hodge," Austin said, "and we're going to try and get them chances to do even more by moving them around some and not always using them on the outside."
Despite his size, McCluster has shown both the toughness and the versatility to suggest he will be a dangerous weapon, whether he's playing quarterback in the Wild Rebel package or a multiple-role receiver.
"He's a guy we can move around and see if we can create some confusion and some mismatches and get him in space," Austin said. "We can do more than just the Wild Rebel. We can put him in the slot, stack him with other receivers and do some of the things I learned in Canada to get him the ball. We've got to get the football in his hands."
Solid senior David Traxler (6-6, 255) returns at tight end, but it was junior-college transfer Gerald Harris (6-5, 245) who made the biggest impact in his first spring at Ole Miss.
"We'll use one a time, we'll use two tight ends at a time," Austin said. "Our tight end won't always have his hand down. He'll move. He'll flex out. We'll use him in space as well."
OFFENSIVE LINE
It wasn't that long ago that Ole Miss' offensive line struggled because of youth and inexperience. Now new offensive line coach Mark Markuson inherits a group that has seen some playing time, starting with All-American senior left tackle Michael Oher (6-5, 318).
"I think we're pretty good up front, but we have to develop some depth there, especially on the edge," Austin said. "Our starting group is strong, athletic and a couple of them have played a lot of football here."
For all Ole Miss' recruiting successes, the most important news of the recruiting season came when Oher re-considered his initial decision to enter the NFL draft and chose to return to Ole Miss for his senior season. With a strong year, Oher has a chance to move into the top third of the first round of the 2009 draft.
"If Mike has a big year this year -- which we expect him to have -- he's going to be one of the top picks in the draft," Austin said. "He's got such a great combination of size and athleticism. He's a big tackle with great length and great feet. He's very quick off the ball and he's got a great center of balance. He's got the tools he needs to handle the great edge rushers in our conference."
Junior John Jerry (6-5, 350) has also developed into an important lineman for the Rebels, and his move from right guard to right tackle could give Ole Miss the best bookend tackles in the SEC.
"John Jerry's got a chance to be an outstanding football player," Austin said. "I think his size and athleticism will be better served out on the edge."
Ole Miss received some much-needed positive news in late May when senior Darryl Harris (6-3, 300) received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA.
"Besides Michael, he's our best player up front in terms of technique and fundamentals," Austin said. "He's played all three positions [center, guard and tackle] for us, and that will help us so much. With our [lack of] depth, a guy who can play all three positions becomes even more valuable."
In addition to Oher, Jerry and Harris, junior Reid Neely (6-3, 310) returns as the starting left guard and senior Maurice Miller (6-4, 343) moves to right guard after starting 11 games at right tackle in 2007.
Beyond those five, the Rebels face considerable uncertainty. The center spot is still up for grabs between junior Daverin Geralds (6-2, 312) and junior college transfer Brandon Green (6-2, 310) and depth is unproven. The coaches are hoping two redshirt freshmen, guard Rishaw Johnson (6-4, 295) and tackle Bradley Sowell (6-7, 310) will step up in August.
KICKERS
Junior Joshua Shene (5-8, 170) enters his third season as Ole Miss' kicker. He converted 11-of-17 field goal attempts and 24-of-25 extra-point attempts last year, but he has a lot to prove after missing three field goals from the 30-39-yard line range and sending two kickoffs out of bounds without recording a touchback.
Invited walk-on Bryson Rose (6-0, 180) has a good chance to contribute this season. He's got a big leg that can be valuable on kick-offs. Last season at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, N.C., he kicked field goals of 51 and 54 yards.
DEFENSIVE LINE
No area of the Ole Miss defense is stronger than the defensive line, and for Nix, that's an excellent place to start. "The D-line is by far a talented group of guys," Nix said. "I think we've got some guys who can potentially play at an all-conference level. That's where it starts on defense. If you have some quality guys up front, you've got a chance to build a winning defense, and we've got that."
It starts with senior tackle Peria Jerry (6-2, 290), who has improved step-by-step and earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2007. Nix believes Jerry is ready for the next logical step in his progression.
"I think he's one of the best out there," Nix said. "He's big, he's explosive and a potential all-conference player." While Jerry is the three-technique tackle, sophomore Ted Laurent (6-0, 303) will be asked to control the middle at nose tackle.
"He's more of a squatty body, but he's one of the strongest guys on our team," Nix said. "He really plays with his pad level low, and he's a force in the run game." Behind them sophomore Lawson Scott (6-1, 322) and redshirt freshman Justin Sanders (6-4, 300) came through with good springs.
"There's good competition there, and it gives us a chance to go two-deep, roll some guys in there and stay fresh," Nix said.
At end, junior Greg Hardy (6-4, 265) led the SEC with 10 sacks and finished second with 18.5 tackles for loss and earned first-team All-SEC honors despite playing only 10 games and making only four starts. Hardy also caught two passes -- both for touchdowns -- as a goal-line receiver. Hardy is the best natural talent on the line, perhaps on the team, but he spent the 2007 season in and out of Orgeron's doghouse. He may have turned one corner in the spring, but he still has a long way to go to make the most of his talent.
"He has the ability to go and play beyond college, but he's got to get all of his stuff together," Nix said. "Greg's responded well [to the coaching change], but we're still trying to get him to become a more consistent player and be a factor day-in, day-out." Because of that inconsistency and the progress of sophomore Kentrell Lockett (6-5, 240), he came out as the starter ahead of Hardy at the end of spring practice. Lockett played well the previous spring but injuries limited his playing time and production in 2007.
While Nix waits for Hardy and Lockett to grow, he has no such concerns at the other end with junior Marcus Tillman (6-4, 260). "He's played a lot of football here, and he's big, strong and smart and has a lot of intangibles, so we might be able to move him inside in certain situations to help us." Behind Tillman, junior college transfer Emmanuel Stephens (6-3, 220) played his way into the rotation in his first spring at Ole Miss.
"The kid had a great spring, and he's pushing for the starting job in the opener," Nix said. "His motor runs wide open."
Ole Miss has been waiting on three-time signee and prep All-American Jerrell Powe to get eligible, but his status remained uncertain in the offseason.
LINEBACKERS
While there's talent at linebacker, there's also a lot of uncertainty about who's going to do the job consistently on SEC Saturdays.
For example, sophomore strong-side linebacker Allen Walker (6-1, 225) had an outstanding spring, but he made a total of 13 tackles last fall. "He hasn't touched the field a whole lot here, but I was really impressed with him," Nix said. "I hope he can put it together and do the little things right, because he can be a factor for us in the fall."
Ole Miss coaches had big plans for senior weak-side linebacker Ashlee Palmer (6-2, 222) when he arrived as a JUCO transfer last year. Even though he led the Rebels with 89 tackles, he also proved to be inconsistent throughout the season. "Ashlee has a lot of ability, but he has to raise the level of his effort and consistency," Nix said.
Sophomore middle linebacker Jonathan Cornell (6-1, 225) was off to a strong start last season when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the second game. "He's been banged up some," Nix said, "but he has the ability to be a big-time backer for us."
Senior middle linebacker Tony Fein (6-2, 245) finished second on the team with 84 tackles last year but hasn't been as steady as one might expect from a 26-year-old who served three and a half years in the Army and served a year in Iraq.
"Tony brings the most emotion and plays with a lot of intensity," Nix said, "but he had a so-so spring."
Junior strong-side linebacker Lamar Brumfield (6-0, 224) and sophomore Scottie Williams (6-2, 215) showed signs of being capable backups in the spring.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
No Ole Miss defensive back had a better spring than senior strong safety Jamarca Sanford (5-10, 200), who made 83 tackles in 10 games in 2007. "He's a leader, he's a tackler, he's a ballplayer," Nix said, "and we expect a lot of big things from him because of those three things."
At free safety, sophomore Johnny Brown (5-11, 207) "brings a lot of size to the position and he's a hitter," Nix said. "He has a lot to learn, but he has big-time potential." Behind them, junior Kendrick Lewis (5-11, 192) can play both spots effectively. "He might be one of the headiest football players I've known," Nix said. "He doesn't have outstanding strength in any particular area, but he's a ballplayer. He can play the deep ball, he can come down and cover, he does a lot of things well, and he has a knack for understanding the game and where he's supposed to be."
The cornerback spot remains a concern, despite the emergence of Green as a potential answer. "Marshay had an outstanding spring," Nix said. "He's a competitor. He competes every snap and goes 100 percent, so he has a chance to help us play press man, off man zone, do a little bit of everything we want to do, just because he's a ballplayer."
At the other corner, senior Dustin Mouzon (5-11, 175) and junior Cassius Vaughn (5-10, 185) have a lot to prove.
"We're still up in the air," Nix said. "Dustin Mouzon was a little bit of a disappointment in the spring, but I like Mouzon, and I expect him to be on the field. He has the ability to be the starter, but a lot depends on what kind of summer and fall camp he has.
"Vaughn could play on either side, and we're trying to get the best two on the field together, so he's got to be in the mix. Cassius is very talented and I really like him. I'd just like him to be a more consistent player. He's got the tools. We're just waiting on that switch to hit every play."
When McGee moved from running back to cornerback in the spring, it was just the latest in a series of moves. McGee made three positions changes when he played in 10 games for UCLA in 2006.
PUNTERS
Like Shene, junior Justin Sparks (6-2, 187) returns as the starting punter, but he has a lot of work to do after averaging 39.7 yards on 51 punts.
Sparks now finds himself in a serious competition after senior Rob Park (5-11, 194) made a push to reclaim the starting job he held in 2006.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ole Miss returns Park as the holder and junior Preston Powers (6-0, 217) as the deep snapper but has a lot of work to do to improve the rest of the kicking game.
That's especially true on kickoffs. Even though Sparks improved the situation a bit when he replaced Shene on kickoffs late in the season, the Rebels still finished last in the SEC in kickoff coverage. "That's another area we've got to improve on, starting with the kickoff team," Nutt said. "There was a lot of real estate lost right there on kickoffs last year. We've got to start by finding a kicker, and we've got to put some starters on there and do everything we have to do."
The answer could be freshman walk-on Bryson Rose, who has a history of booming deep kickoffs and could also compete for the place-kicking job. If there's any area in the special teams where Ole Miss could excel, Nutt expects it to be the return game.
"Dexter McCluster, Marshay Green, Michael Wallace, Shay Hodge -- all those looked good as returners," Nutt said. "I'm excited about those guys, because they're our best playmakers and they can make something big happen with the ball in their arms."
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Ole Miss could use a strong start in its first season under Nutt, but playing Memphis at home and at Wake Forest won't offer any guarantees. Along the way, the Rebels must play a murderer's row of SEC road games at Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU. At this point, only the nonconference games against Samford and Louisiana-Monroe look like sure things, and even ULM won at Alabama last year.
"We've had such tough schedules in my years at Arkansas playing Texas and USC that I just kind of grow numb to the SEC," Nutt said. "We've got some pretty tough ones on this [schedule]. We start out against Memphis at home and that's a game that really means a lot to Memphis, so we better be ready. Then we go to Wake Forest, and they've been having a lot of success lately. Then we've got some pretty tough SEC road games, so we've got to start well and learn how to become a good road team."
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<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0>
<TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Ole Miss Rebels</CENTER></TH>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD>
<TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Offense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Special teams
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>C</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Defense
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top>
<TD width=110>
Intangibles
</TD>
<TD width=50>
<CENTER>B-</CENTER>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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No game looms larger than the road game at Arkansas. The reaction of Arkansas fans will be interesting. Some will cheer Nutt. Some will jeer him. Many won't know quite how to feel about seeing their old coach on the opposing sideline.
"That's going to be something different -- very different," Nutt said. "I've been trying hard not to think about that, but it's locked in to the schedule. You can't help it. On Oct. 25 we're going to be on the visitor's sideline, and that's going to be unusual when you've been on the other sideline for so long."
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Cincinatti
COACH AND PROGRAM
Brian Kelly had barely settled into his chair during his inaugural Big East football media day in July 2007 in Rhode Island when he unleashed a no-holds-barred attack on the Cincinnati media, which hadn't sent anyone to the annual unofficial kickoff of the college football season.
Kelly was the new guy at the party, and his impassioned views about his team and its neglect by the media in a major league sports market raised eyebrows among those in attendance. Until that point, the collected scribes and broadcasters had been nearly put to sleep by the usual preseason blather of head coaches and players painting cheery pictures of optimism and days of glory soon to come.
Thank you, Brian Kelly.
"Well, part of being leader of anything is having some courage to step out and say what needs to be said," Kelly recalled recently. "Sometimes you have to be courageous, and I just felt the time was right to challenge Cincinnati and in part the media there that we have a BCS program, that this is not Conference USA anymore, its not what you're used to. It was a challenge that needed to come from me."
Still, many who heard Kelly that day shook their heads and wondered just who the heck this guy out of tiny Division II Assumption College in central Massachusetts was. Sure, Kelly had won a couple of D-II national titles at Grand Valley State and had then turned struggling Central Michigan into a MAC champion and bowl team in three short years. He had even stepped in with little notice at Cincinnati in December 2006 and led the Bearcats to a 27-24 International Bowl victory over Western Michigan when Mark Dantonio left to become head coach at Michigan State.
But to stride into the crowded banquet room that served as media day headquarters seven months later and rip the hometown media for yawning at the event, which features hundreds of reporters and TV cameras that cover the other seven teams? Wow.
"Hey, I came here to win the Big East Conference," Kelly said. "I knew what I was getting into. The team didn't have a national reputation. Yeah, there was some moderate success in recent years, but nobody looked at Cincinnati as playing real good football. I had to change those expectations. I don't listen to other people's expectations. I set high expectations. And I felt that the city needed to know if you want to play college football in a BCS conference, you better support it."
Kelly knew that with a career record at UC of 1-0, he was going out on a limb.
"They don't give you credit for complaining," he said. "You better win."
So, he did. He transformed an offense designed to grind it out on the ground with big tailbacks running off-tackle behind gap-blocking offensive linemen into a wide-open, no-huddle spread attack seemingly overnight. He took a very good defensive core left by Dantonio and turned it loose on opposing offenses, and it led the nation with 42 takeaways.
The result was a 10-3 record, the team's first 10-victory season since 1951. A 6-0 start had the team in the Top 25 polls for the first time in three decades. It finished No. 17, the first time in team history it was ranked at the end of the season. Nippert Stadium, at 35,000 the smallest in the conference, was sold out three times.
Kelly said one breakthrough came during a 34-3 rout of Oregon State on national television in the second game of the season. Another occurred during a come-from-behind, 28-23 conference victory at No. 21 Rutgers.
"The key was getting the early win over Oregon State," Kelly said. "Here you have the head coach calling out the media, and then to get a win like that, suddenly everybody is drinking the Kool-Aid. The timing of that win on national TV gave us momentum. Then there was the first road win against a top-25 team in school history at Rutgers. Oregon State gave us a buy-in with the fans, and the Rutgers game solidified it."
Suddenly, Kelly's expectations are being shared by the community.
"Two years ago they didn't even open the bathrooms for our spring game," he said. "This year we had close to 11,000. Two years ago the people who came were sunbathing. This year they were here to see people compete. All that told me was we're in a good area, a great state for high school football, and the fans, like fans anywhere, will support a winner."
In Kelly, the Bearcats have one. And there is every indication they will be around to stay. First is the $119 million the state poured into the athletic program recently, creating an enviable Olympic style athletetic complex surrounding cozy Nippert. There is no question that parking and stadium expansion issues will need to be addressed eventually, but the facilities are top-notch.
Then there is the team. The Bearcats will probably start 10 seniors on defense and maybe 11, the core of the unit that produced all those turnovers. The leading receivers are back. The heart of the offensive line returns, and Kelly says it has now been transformed physically into the lighter, more agile unit needed to handle the zone blocking schemes required in the spread.
There will be new faces in the backfield, most notably at the critical position of quarterback, but overall the team is in good position to build on one of the greatest seasons in school history. That, Kelly said, is the goal.
"What we have to show in year two is we have to back it up," he said. "We want a stadium expansion and better parking. Well, we better win some more games. That's the challenge. Are we a one-year wonder or a consistent winner?"
Don't bet against Kelly.
QUARTERBACKS
Kelly's offensive philosophy was perfect for Ben Mauk, who had directed a spread offense in high school and ran it at Wake Forest before a catastrophic shoulder injury nearly ended his career. When Ohio native Mauk decided to transfer to Cincinnati for his final season of eligibility, Kelly welcomed him with open arms.
It was a beautiful marriage, as Mauk stepped onto the field and helped the Bearcats set school records for points (472), touchdowns (63) and touchdown passes (36). Mauk completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 3,121 yards and a school-record 31 touchdown passes.
Talk about a Cinderella story. Now, with Mauk's appeal for yet another year of eligibility rejected by the NCAA, he must be replaced.
Senior Dustin Grutza (6-2, 203) was a two-year starter in Dantonio's power I scheme and had completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 3,431 yards -- albeit with a poor 20/24 touchdown to interception ratio -- when Mauk arrived and took away the starting job. Grutza started two games last season because of the excruciating pain Mauk experienced in his surgically rebuilt passing arm and completed 70.9 percent of his passes for four touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Dustin has improved since I've been here," Kelly said. "He has gotten better. If we had to open up tomorrow he's our starter."
Another intriguing possibility is sophomore Demetrius Jones (6-4, 204), a Notre Dame transfer who is also coming off shoulder surgery but will be ready to push Grutza in earnest when preseason camp opens.
"He was on a rehab stint, to borrow a baseball analogy," Kelly said, "but by the time spring ball got going he really started to throw the football with some authority. One thing we do know is he is an outstanding athlete. We know he's on the right track. He's not at the level yet to where he can help us win a championship, but he is on the right track."
Then there is redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson (6-0, 205), the surprise of spring practice. Anderson ran the scout team last season, which normally would have retarded his growth in the Bearcats' own offense. However, through diligent film study and extra work on his own, he has forced himself into the picture.
"Both of those kids have the skill set to play the spread," Kelly said of Jones and Anderson. "They're just not ready yet. My job is to get them ready. It's just a matter of time. Chazz is the hardest worker in our program. He has made the most progress of any of the quarterbacks in a short period of time. He has a very, very strong arm, and that separates him from the others."
It appears, then, that the situation is promising.
RUNNING BACKS
In with the new and out with the old, and in this case it could be a good thing for the Bearcats. Kelly inherited three experienced backs in Butler Benton, Greg Moore and Bradley Glatthaar. Each was built from the same mold, standing roughly 6-0 and weighing about 225 pounds. Each was a bruising back capable of lowering his shoulder and gaining the extra yard.
"They were perfect for what they were trying to do," Kelly said, referring to Dantonio's philosophy of pound it out on offense and win it on defense.
However, none was a perfect fit for the spread, which demands backs who can catch the ball as well as they can lug it and who possess the acceleration needed to get to the second level in a hurry against defenses spread out to stop, well, the spread.
"They weren't as multidimensional as you would like to see in this offense," Kelly said.
All three departed after the season, and Kelly believes he now has two backs designed to fit his scheme ready to step in and perform. Junior Jacob Ramsey (5-11, 218) is one, and sophomore John Goebel (6-0, 208) the other.
"Both these kids fit our offense much better," Kelly said. "I'm very, very happy with their progress so far."
There is a rub, though. Neither has much experience. Ramsey nudged his way onto the field last season and got 96 carries in a crowded rotation, averaging 3.8 yards a pop and scoring three touchdowns. He also caught eight passes for 35 yards. Goebel arrived as a running back two years ago and was switched to defense and played on special teams as a freshman. Kelly moved him back to running back last season, and he redshirted.
"They give us much more flexibility than we've had at the position," Kelly said.
The tradeoff is experience. The Bearcats go with a one-back attack, which means the running back is valued as much as a pass protector and receiver as he is running the ball.
"If you're getting signed as a BCS running back, there's no question you can run the ball," Kelly said. "It's the other things. Don't blow protections, know where to line up ... the mental part of the game. It's just overall knowledge of the game."
The bottom line, though, will be running the ball. And the spread's reputation as a pass-only offense aside, Kelly knows that facet of the game will be critical to his team's chances this season.
"To me, it's closing out football games," he said. "To borrow again a baseball analogy, you have to have a closer. The closers today are teams that can run the football with less than four minutes left in a game, and do it when the box is stacked."
Kelly believes he has two players who have the ability to do that. He will also give a long look in preseason camp to freshman Isaiah Pead (5-11, 185), who eclipsed all of legendary two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin's high school rushing records in Columbus.
"There is not a lot of experience there," Kelly said, "but there is more flexibility."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Mauk's great season was assisted by three wide receivers who were not especially fast but were outstanding at going up and getting everything within reach. They combined for 166 receptions for 2,287 yards and 24 touchdowns. All three are back, which is great news for a team that will live and die with the spread.
Sophomore Marcus Barnett (6-2, 164) is pencil thin, but that didn't stop him from lining up in the slot and catching 62 passes for 862 yards (13.9 yard per catch) and a team-leading 13 touchdowns -- No. 2 in the nation among freshman receivers -- although he did suffer a fractured ankle in the team's season-ending bowl victory over Southern Miss.
Senior Dominick Goodman (6-0, 218) is a more physical receiver who used his strength to outmuscle foes and grab 68 passes for 869 yards (12.8 per catch) and eight touchdowns. Junior Marshwan Gilyard (6-1, 180) averaged 14.9 yards on his 36 receptions.
"They are all very productive," Kelly said. "One thing about all of them is they are not afraid to go and get it. They are tough kids. Maybe not the flashiest receivers, but Goodman in particular will challenge you for the ball every time it's in the air. Barnett has got the vertical dimension, and Gilyard is one of those players who is dangerous on screens."
Junior Charley Howard (6-3, 208) split time with Gilyard last season and will be in the rotation, and Kelly heaped praise on sophomore Armon Binns (6-3, 201) after spring ball.
"He had a great spring," Kelly said. "Of all the receivers, he was the one who really stood out and appears ready to factor in."
Junior Jared Martin (6-0, 195) and redshirt freshmen Tahree McQueen (5-10, 194) and Adrien Robinson (6-4, 250) are in the mix, and Kelly promised he would give a long look to freshman D.J. Woods (6-0, 170), a prospect the Bearcats lured away from Michigan.
It appeared that UC would enter the season in solid shape at tight end, as senior Connor Barwin was coming off a junior season in which he caught 31 passes for 399 yards (12.9 per catch) and two touchdowns. Kelly had other ideas, though, and moved Barwin to defensive end, a gutsy call for coach and player alike. That left the tight end spot up for grabs, with junior Kazeem Alli (6-2, 245), sophomore Ben Guidugli (6-0, 239) and junior Marcus Waugh (6-0, 240) vying for playing time. The trio caught four passes combined last season, which makes the position a question mark.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Here's a scary thought: The 2007 Bearcats offense produced a healthy 434 yards and 36 points per game last season with a line that was built for Dantonio's power offense and not Kelly's spread.
"It requires a huge transition from gap and power blocking to spreading the field and doing outside zone blocking," Kelly said. "Our offensive line was exposed more last season than any other group. We really struggled there."
The statistics tell another story, but in any case Kelly has high praise for the look of his 2008 group.
"Probably the most progress we've made as a team is on the offensive line," he said. "Where we were this spring compared to last is night and day. It is a long process. We had to reshape a number of offensive linemen, getting them to lose weight while working on quickness and agility. It is not as easy as rolling out a wide receiver in a new offense."
Seniors Trevor Canfield (6-5, 295) and Khalil El-Amin (6-4, 312) and juniors Jeff Linkenbach (6-6, 297) and Chris Jurek (6-2, 260) stepped in and performed admirably while undergoing that transformation last season. They will provide the foundation this season. It starts with Canfield, a left guard who earned second-team all-conference honors last season.
"He has really come a long way," Kelly said. "A guy who used to be a big brute but now can play in space."
Kelly said the same is true of Linkenbach, who will start at right tackle.
"He used to be a big, slow-footed offensive lineman," Kelly said. "Now he has really come on as an athletic type of player."
El-Amin, who started 11 games at right tackle last season, will move over to protect the quarterback's blind side at left tackle, and Jurek will be back at center. That leaves only right guard up for grabs, and sophomores Jason Kelce (6-4, 269) and C.J. Cobb (6-3, 326) will probably share time there. Providing depth at tackle will be redshirt freshman Alex Hoffman (6-5, 268).
"Those are the seven," Kelly said. "We were OK last season, but we struggled running the ball out of the spread formation. First and foremost we must do a better job of that this season. I think we've got the line to the point that now it can be a real strength."
KICKERS
Kelly borrowed a golfing analogy to describe the 2007 season of sophomore kicker Jake Rogers (6-3, 200).
"He could drive the ball a long way but couldn't make putts," Kelly said. "He would nail a 55-yard field goal, then miss two PAT kicks. The consistency we had in our punting game was absent in our kicking game."
Rogers was 11-of-19 for the season, and while he did boom that 55-yarder, he also went only 1-for-6 from 40-49 yards and missed three PAT kicks.
Kelly says the physical ability is there, but until Rogers provides the mental toughness and consistency the coach is looking for, he will be pressed by senior Brandon Yingling (6-1, 194), who lacks Rogers' range but may give Kelly the stability he seeks.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Never mind those nation-leading 42 turnovers forced last season. Kelly thinks his defense was too predictable, and he spent the offseason addressing it.
"One of the things we were able to do was get you into second- and third-and-long situations and then ball hawk you," Kelly said. "What we saw in looking back at the season, particularly in games against Pittsburgh and Syracuse, was we were too predictable. I think people knew what we were trying to do there. We're trying to be more flexible and to build a sense of uncertainty in our defense."
Kelly made a couple of unusual moves up front in an attempt to accomplish that characteristic. Senior Connor Barwin (6-4, 240), who made 31 receptions as a tight end last season, moved over to defensive end in the offseason. Junior Craig Carey (6-4, 233), believe it or not a quarterback last season, is also now a defensive end. He finished spring ball as the front four's leading tackler.
"Both those guys bring us speed and athleticism," Kelly said. "And they give us that sense of uncertainty. Are they down and rushing the passer, or are they up and back in coverage? Carey needs to put on a little more weight, but both give us that element we're looking for."
Barwin and Car will help replace two solid contributors who departed after the season in leading sacker Anthony Hoke (13) and Angelo Craig (team-leading 11 QB hurries). Barwin will start at one end, with senior Lamonte Nelms (6-3, 245), who played in all 13 games last season and recorded 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, on the other side. Sophomore Rob Trigg (6-3, 254) should join Carey in the rotation.
While the Bearcats are breaking in a couple of new starters on the edge, the situation is great inside, where seniors Terrill Byrd (6-0, 271) and Adam Hoppel (6-2, 270) line up. Byrd, who will be suspended for the season opener after getting caught with marijuana in his possession, is an all-conference and All-America performer who made 17 tackles for loss last season, among them eight sacks.
"It all starts with him," Kelly said. "At times he is unblockable. He's listed at 6-foot, but he's 5-11 on a good day with lifts in his shoes. If he's 6-foot he's a No. 1 draft pick. He is so good at bouncing plays outside. He is as advertised."
Hoppel (6.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks) isn't bad, either, and junior Ricardo Mathews (6-3, 290) and redshirt freshman John Hughes (6-2, 295) will likely see time in the rotation.
LINEBACKERS
The Bearcats finished No. 13 in the nation in scoring defense last season, and there is a possibility that Kelly will start 12 seniors on that side of the ball this season. Yikes.
"It is an extremely veteran defensive unit," he said. "It certainly gives you a level of confidence going in."
The only possible opening for an underclassman is at one of the outside linebacker spots, where junior Andre Revels (6-0, 226) was penciled in as the starter heading into preseason camp. However, Revels is being pushed hard by senior Delbert Ferguson (6-1, 235), and Kelly said the issue is far from decided.
In the long run, it may not matter who wins the starting job.
"We can go six deep at the linebacker positions, and all of them can play," Kelly said. "Because we're doing more things defensively this season, all will have a chance to help us. We have a lot of seniors and a lot of different roles to fill."
It all starts with seniors Corey Smith (6-1, 213) and Ryan Manalac (6-0, 232). Smith started on the outside and is the team's leading returning tackler (80). Manalac was right behind him with 76 tackles from his spot in the middle.
"He's a lot like that kid from South Florida," Kelly said, referring to former USF star Ben Moffitt. "He's just in the right place all the time and plays fast. He fits the profile of what a middle linebacker should look like."
Revels shared time with Manalac in the middle last season and made 66 stops, leading Kelly to believe the unit would be strengthened by having both players on the field at the same time, thus the move outside.
Sophomore Robby Armstrong (6-2, 221), senior Tony Cornett (6-3, 228) and redshirt freshman Alex Delisi (6-1, 224) will get an opportunity to earn time, too.
"There is a lot of talent there," Kelly said. "It's a great luxury knowing how deep we are there this season."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
How good was the Bearcats secondary last season, which helped the team produce a nation-best 26 interceptions? So good that Kelly believes cornerbacks Mike Mickens (6-0, 170) -- a preseason Playboy All-American -- and Deangelo Smith (6-0, 191) would be in NFL camps right now had they decided to enter the draft a year early.
"They would have gone in the third- to fourth round as juniors," Kelly said. "We have two really good corners."
Now, for the shocking news: Kelly thinks Ohio State transfer Brandon Underwood (6-1, 177), another senior, has as much ability as his two stars and will move Smith to safety this season.
"The goal is to get our best 11 players on the field, and Brandon Underwood is one of our best 11," Kelly said. "I believe both of those kids [Mickens and Smith] can be put up against all the top BCS programs in the country. Now, add Brandon Underwood, who is arguably as good, has shown in workouts that he is every bit as good."
Why, then did Underwood transfer from the Buckeyes to the Bearcats?
"He is here for a reason," Kelly said. "If he had his ducks in a row in regards to academics he'd still be there. He is much more mature now. He's grown up. There's no debating his athleticism and what he can do on the field. I want him to prove he values his education."
That is why Underwood's scholarship is on a semester-by-semester basis. If he proves he is serious about the classroom now -- and the indications are he is -- UC's secondary will be loaded again.
That noted, it will be missing safety Haruki Nakamura, who led the team with 95 tackles and parlayed an all-conference performance into a sixth-round draft selection by the Baltimore Ravens.
"He brought a toughness to our defense that we're not going to be able to replace with one player," Kelly said. "We're going to need three or four guys to make up for it." The likely candidates are seniors Brad Jones (6-1, 206) and Cedric Tolbert (6-0, 199) and redshirt freshmen Drew Frey (6-4, 212) and Scott Johnson (5-10, 201).
"We have a lot of guys who traveled with us and played in a lot of games last year," Kelly said. "We should be fine."
Then there is Smith, a proven lock-down corner who will move to center field for his senior season.
"It just enhances his value at the next level," Kelly said. "He's already proven he can cover. They want guys who can hit at the next level, too. He wants to win this year, and he also wants to see how it can help him in the NFL. It's a win-win for him and for us."
PUNTERS
As noted above, Kelly believes the nonconference victory over Oregon State on national television followed by the win at Rutgers gave his team credibility last season. He said one player put the Bearcats into position to earn each victory.
"The guy who really put us in position to get those buy-in wins was the punter," Kelly said. "He forced teams to operate on the long field the entire season. He could boom it deep or put it down inside the 20. He was a huge factor."
"He" is senior Kevin Huber (6-2, 224), a consensus All-America selection who led the nation in gross punting, averaging 46.9 yards per punt and placing 20-of-57 inside the 20-yard line, a performance that made him the conference's special teams player of the year.
"And he comes back with the same long snapper [sophomore Mike Windt, 6-2, 236], which can never be underestimated," Kelly said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With all the things that went right for the Bearcats last season, this area was not among them.
"I don't think we had a return guy who brought any kind of fear to our opponents," Kelly said. "We spent an inordinate amount of time over the spring on special teams situations, which is not normally what you do in the spring. We spent so much time because it wasn't dynamic."
The Bearcats do have experience in the return game, as senior DeAngelo Smith, junior Marshwan Gilyard, senior Dominick Goodman and junior Jacob Ramsey each returned at least seven kickoffs last season and Gilyard returned some punts. Still, Kelly was unhappy enough with their production to hold open tryouts during spring ball.
"Any guy who thought he could do it was given a shot," Kelly said.
One of them, redshirt freshman wide receiver Tahree McQueen, caught Kelly's eye.
"We think he can add a dynamic element," he said. "We'll even look at the true freshmen when they get here."
The Bearcats have a gem in sophomore long-snapper Mike Windt, who did not botch a try on punts, field goals or PAT kicks last season. They also have an experienced holder, as punter Kevin Huber is back to handle that chore again this season.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Bearcats</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->Had Mauk received another year of eligibility the Bearcats would be considered a team capable of dethroning West Virginia. He was that good at running Kelly's spread offense. Now, with a new starter running the show, a significant issue arises.
"The real question is how the quarterback position comes along," Kelly said. "We'll be less experienced but better athletically there. It really comes down to the quarterback."
It does, because the team is loaded with talent and depth at most other positions, especially on the defensive side of the ball. "We're going to play good defense," Kelly said. "We should be able to compete with anybody from that standpoint."
If things continue in the direction they are now on in Cincinnati, the Bearcats will soon be able to compete with anybody regularly. The program now enjoys great facilities, an innovative coach running an exciting offense and an energized fan base. The basketball school located in the heart of a pro football city is finally discovering the fun of winning college football games, too. There is every indication to believe the trend will continue this season, regardless of who lines up under center when the season opens. Look for the Bearcats to contend for the conference title.
Cincinnati Bearcats
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Cincinnati, Ohio</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Big East</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>10-3 (.769)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>4-3 (t-3rd)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Bearcats</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Red and black</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Nippert Stadium (35,000)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Brian Kelly (Assumption '83)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>11-3 (2nd year)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>148-54-2 (18 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Keith Gilmore (Wayne State '85) Assistant head coach/Defensive line
• Jeff Quinn (Elmhurst '84) Offensive coordinator/Offensive Line
• Joe Tresey (Ohio State '82) Defensive coordinator
• Kerry Coombs (Dayton '83) Defensive backs
• Mike Elston (Michigan '98) Tight ends/Recruiting coordinator/Special Teams
• Greg Forest (Ohio Northern '92) Quarterbacks
• Tim Hinton (Wilmington '82) Running Backs
• Tim Hinton (Wilmington '82) Linebackers
• Charley Molnar (Lock Haven '84) Wide receivers/Passing game coordinator
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>5-7-4-8-10</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>72-61-59-43-21</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Southern Miss in Papajohns.com Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 28</TD><TD>Eastern Kentucky </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>at Oklahoma </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>Miami (OH) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>at Akron </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 3</TD><TD>at Marshall </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>Rutgers </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Connecticut </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 30</TD><TD>South Florida </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at West Virginia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 14</TD><TD>at Louisville </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Pittsburgh </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>December 6</TD><TD>at Hawaii </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
Brian Kelly had barely settled into his chair during his inaugural Big East football media day in July 2007 in Rhode Island when he unleashed a no-holds-barred attack on the Cincinnati media, which hadn't sent anyone to the annual unofficial kickoff of the college football season.
Kelly was the new guy at the party, and his impassioned views about his team and its neglect by the media in a major league sports market raised eyebrows among those in attendance. Until that point, the collected scribes and broadcasters had been nearly put to sleep by the usual preseason blather of head coaches and players painting cheery pictures of optimism and days of glory soon to come.
Thank you, Brian Kelly.
"Well, part of being leader of anything is having some courage to step out and say what needs to be said," Kelly recalled recently. "Sometimes you have to be courageous, and I just felt the time was right to challenge Cincinnati and in part the media there that we have a BCS program, that this is not Conference USA anymore, its not what you're used to. It was a challenge that needed to come from me."
Still, many who heard Kelly that day shook their heads and wondered just who the heck this guy out of tiny Division II Assumption College in central Massachusetts was. Sure, Kelly had won a couple of D-II national titles at Grand Valley State and had then turned struggling Central Michigan into a MAC champion and bowl team in three short years. He had even stepped in with little notice at Cincinnati in December 2006 and led the Bearcats to a 27-24 International Bowl victory over Western Michigan when Mark Dantonio left to become head coach at Michigan State.
But to stride into the crowded banquet room that served as media day headquarters seven months later and rip the hometown media for yawning at the event, which features hundreds of reporters and TV cameras that cover the other seven teams? Wow.
"Hey, I came here to win the Big East Conference," Kelly said. "I knew what I was getting into. The team didn't have a national reputation. Yeah, there was some moderate success in recent years, but nobody looked at Cincinnati as playing real good football. I had to change those expectations. I don't listen to other people's expectations. I set high expectations. And I felt that the city needed to know if you want to play college football in a BCS conference, you better support it."
Kelly knew that with a career record at UC of 1-0, he was going out on a limb.
"They don't give you credit for complaining," he said. "You better win."
So, he did. He transformed an offense designed to grind it out on the ground with big tailbacks running off-tackle behind gap-blocking offensive linemen into a wide-open, no-huddle spread attack seemingly overnight. He took a very good defensive core left by Dantonio and turned it loose on opposing offenses, and it led the nation with 42 takeaways.
The result was a 10-3 record, the team's first 10-victory season since 1951. A 6-0 start had the team in the Top 25 polls for the first time in three decades. It finished No. 17, the first time in team history it was ranked at the end of the season. Nippert Stadium, at 35,000 the smallest in the conference, was sold out three times.
Kelly said one breakthrough came during a 34-3 rout of Oregon State on national television in the second game of the season. Another occurred during a come-from-behind, 28-23 conference victory at No. 21 Rutgers.
"The key was getting the early win over Oregon State," Kelly said. "Here you have the head coach calling out the media, and then to get a win like that, suddenly everybody is drinking the Kool-Aid. The timing of that win on national TV gave us momentum. Then there was the first road win against a top-25 team in school history at Rutgers. Oregon State gave us a buy-in with the fans, and the Rutgers game solidified it."
Suddenly, Kelly's expectations are being shared by the community.
"Two years ago they didn't even open the bathrooms for our spring game," he said. "This year we had close to 11,000. Two years ago the people who came were sunbathing. This year they were here to see people compete. All that told me was we're in a good area, a great state for high school football, and the fans, like fans anywhere, will support a winner."
In Kelly, the Bearcats have one. And there is every indication they will be around to stay. First is the $119 million the state poured into the athletic program recently, creating an enviable Olympic style athletetic complex surrounding cozy Nippert. There is no question that parking and stadium expansion issues will need to be addressed eventually, but the facilities are top-notch.
Then there is the team. The Bearcats will probably start 10 seniors on defense and maybe 11, the core of the unit that produced all those turnovers. The leading receivers are back. The heart of the offensive line returns, and Kelly says it has now been transformed physically into the lighter, more agile unit needed to handle the zone blocking schemes required in the spread.
There will be new faces in the backfield, most notably at the critical position of quarterback, but overall the team is in good position to build on one of the greatest seasons in school history. That, Kelly said, is the goal.
"What we have to show in year two is we have to back it up," he said. "We want a stadium expansion and better parking. Well, we better win some more games. That's the challenge. Are we a one-year wonder or a consistent winner?"
Don't bet against Kelly.
QUARTERBACKS
Kelly's offensive philosophy was perfect for Ben Mauk, who had directed a spread offense in high school and ran it at Wake Forest before a catastrophic shoulder injury nearly ended his career. When Ohio native Mauk decided to transfer to Cincinnati for his final season of eligibility, Kelly welcomed him with open arms.
It was a beautiful marriage, as Mauk stepped onto the field and helped the Bearcats set school records for points (472), touchdowns (63) and touchdown passes (36). Mauk completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 3,121 yards and a school-record 31 touchdown passes.
Talk about a Cinderella story. Now, with Mauk's appeal for yet another year of eligibility rejected by the NCAA, he must be replaced.
Senior Dustin Grutza (6-2, 203) was a two-year starter in Dantonio's power I scheme and had completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 3,431 yards -- albeit with a poor 20/24 touchdown to interception ratio -- when Mauk arrived and took away the starting job. Grutza started two games last season because of the excruciating pain Mauk experienced in his surgically rebuilt passing arm and completed 70.9 percent of his passes for four touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Dustin has improved since I've been here," Kelly said. "He has gotten better. If we had to open up tomorrow he's our starter."
Another intriguing possibility is sophomore Demetrius Jones (6-4, 204), a Notre Dame transfer who is also coming off shoulder surgery but will be ready to push Grutza in earnest when preseason camp opens.
"He was on a rehab stint, to borrow a baseball analogy," Kelly said, "but by the time spring ball got going he really started to throw the football with some authority. One thing we do know is he is an outstanding athlete. We know he's on the right track. He's not at the level yet to where he can help us win a championship, but he is on the right track."
Then there is redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson (6-0, 205), the surprise of spring practice. Anderson ran the scout team last season, which normally would have retarded his growth in the Bearcats' own offense. However, through diligent film study and extra work on his own, he has forced himself into the picture.
"Both of those kids have the skill set to play the spread," Kelly said of Jones and Anderson. "They're just not ready yet. My job is to get them ready. It's just a matter of time. Chazz is the hardest worker in our program. He has made the most progress of any of the quarterbacks in a short period of time. He has a very, very strong arm, and that separates him from the others."
It appears, then, that the situation is promising.
RUNNING BACKS
In with the new and out with the old, and in this case it could be a good thing for the Bearcats. Kelly inherited three experienced backs in Butler Benton, Greg Moore and Bradley Glatthaar. Each was built from the same mold, standing roughly 6-0 and weighing about 225 pounds. Each was a bruising back capable of lowering his shoulder and gaining the extra yard.
"They were perfect for what they were trying to do," Kelly said, referring to Dantonio's philosophy of pound it out on offense and win it on defense.
However, none was a perfect fit for the spread, which demands backs who can catch the ball as well as they can lug it and who possess the acceleration needed to get to the second level in a hurry against defenses spread out to stop, well, the spread.
"They weren't as multidimensional as you would like to see in this offense," Kelly said.
All three departed after the season, and Kelly believes he now has two backs designed to fit his scheme ready to step in and perform. Junior Jacob Ramsey (5-11, 218) is one, and sophomore John Goebel (6-0, 208) the other.
"Both these kids fit our offense much better," Kelly said. "I'm very, very happy with their progress so far."
There is a rub, though. Neither has much experience. Ramsey nudged his way onto the field last season and got 96 carries in a crowded rotation, averaging 3.8 yards a pop and scoring three touchdowns. He also caught eight passes for 35 yards. Goebel arrived as a running back two years ago and was switched to defense and played on special teams as a freshman. Kelly moved him back to running back last season, and he redshirted.
"They give us much more flexibility than we've had at the position," Kelly said.
The tradeoff is experience. The Bearcats go with a one-back attack, which means the running back is valued as much as a pass protector and receiver as he is running the ball.
"If you're getting signed as a BCS running back, there's no question you can run the ball," Kelly said. "It's the other things. Don't blow protections, know where to line up ... the mental part of the game. It's just overall knowledge of the game."
The bottom line, though, will be running the ball. And the spread's reputation as a pass-only offense aside, Kelly knows that facet of the game will be critical to his team's chances this season.
"To me, it's closing out football games," he said. "To borrow again a baseball analogy, you have to have a closer. The closers today are teams that can run the football with less than four minutes left in a game, and do it when the box is stacked."
Kelly believes he has two players who have the ability to do that. He will also give a long look in preseason camp to freshman Isaiah Pead (5-11, 185), who eclipsed all of legendary two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin's high school rushing records in Columbus.
"There is not a lot of experience there," Kelly said, "but there is more flexibility."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Mauk's great season was assisted by three wide receivers who were not especially fast but were outstanding at going up and getting everything within reach. They combined for 166 receptions for 2,287 yards and 24 touchdowns. All three are back, which is great news for a team that will live and die with the spread.
Sophomore Marcus Barnett (6-2, 164) is pencil thin, but that didn't stop him from lining up in the slot and catching 62 passes for 862 yards (13.9 yard per catch) and a team-leading 13 touchdowns -- No. 2 in the nation among freshman receivers -- although he did suffer a fractured ankle in the team's season-ending bowl victory over Southern Miss.
Senior Dominick Goodman (6-0, 218) is a more physical receiver who used his strength to outmuscle foes and grab 68 passes for 869 yards (12.8 per catch) and eight touchdowns. Junior Marshwan Gilyard (6-1, 180) averaged 14.9 yards on his 36 receptions.
"They are all very productive," Kelly said. "One thing about all of them is they are not afraid to go and get it. They are tough kids. Maybe not the flashiest receivers, but Goodman in particular will challenge you for the ball every time it's in the air. Barnett has got the vertical dimension, and Gilyard is one of those players who is dangerous on screens."
Junior Charley Howard (6-3, 208) split time with Gilyard last season and will be in the rotation, and Kelly heaped praise on sophomore Armon Binns (6-3, 201) after spring ball.
"He had a great spring," Kelly said. "Of all the receivers, he was the one who really stood out and appears ready to factor in."
Junior Jared Martin (6-0, 195) and redshirt freshmen Tahree McQueen (5-10, 194) and Adrien Robinson (6-4, 250) are in the mix, and Kelly promised he would give a long look to freshman D.J. Woods (6-0, 170), a prospect the Bearcats lured away from Michigan.
It appeared that UC would enter the season in solid shape at tight end, as senior Connor Barwin was coming off a junior season in which he caught 31 passes for 399 yards (12.9 per catch) and two touchdowns. Kelly had other ideas, though, and moved Barwin to defensive end, a gutsy call for coach and player alike. That left the tight end spot up for grabs, with junior Kazeem Alli (6-2, 245), sophomore Ben Guidugli (6-0, 239) and junior Marcus Waugh (6-0, 240) vying for playing time. The trio caught four passes combined last season, which makes the position a question mark.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Here's a scary thought: The 2007 Bearcats offense produced a healthy 434 yards and 36 points per game last season with a line that was built for Dantonio's power offense and not Kelly's spread.
"It requires a huge transition from gap and power blocking to spreading the field and doing outside zone blocking," Kelly said. "Our offensive line was exposed more last season than any other group. We really struggled there."
The statistics tell another story, but in any case Kelly has high praise for the look of his 2008 group.
"Probably the most progress we've made as a team is on the offensive line," he said. "Where we were this spring compared to last is night and day. It is a long process. We had to reshape a number of offensive linemen, getting them to lose weight while working on quickness and agility. It is not as easy as rolling out a wide receiver in a new offense."
Seniors Trevor Canfield (6-5, 295) and Khalil El-Amin (6-4, 312) and juniors Jeff Linkenbach (6-6, 297) and Chris Jurek (6-2, 260) stepped in and performed admirably while undergoing that transformation last season. They will provide the foundation this season. It starts with Canfield, a left guard who earned second-team all-conference honors last season.
"He has really come a long way," Kelly said. "A guy who used to be a big brute but now can play in space."
Kelly said the same is true of Linkenbach, who will start at right tackle.
"He used to be a big, slow-footed offensive lineman," Kelly said. "Now he has really come on as an athletic type of player."
El-Amin, who started 11 games at right tackle last season, will move over to protect the quarterback's blind side at left tackle, and Jurek will be back at center. That leaves only right guard up for grabs, and sophomores Jason Kelce (6-4, 269) and C.J. Cobb (6-3, 326) will probably share time there. Providing depth at tackle will be redshirt freshman Alex Hoffman (6-5, 268).
"Those are the seven," Kelly said. "We were OK last season, but we struggled running the ball out of the spread formation. First and foremost we must do a better job of that this season. I think we've got the line to the point that now it can be a real strength."
KICKERS
Kelly borrowed a golfing analogy to describe the 2007 season of sophomore kicker Jake Rogers (6-3, 200).
"He could drive the ball a long way but couldn't make putts," Kelly said. "He would nail a 55-yard field goal, then miss two PAT kicks. The consistency we had in our punting game was absent in our kicking game."
Rogers was 11-of-19 for the season, and while he did boom that 55-yarder, he also went only 1-for-6 from 40-49 yards and missed three PAT kicks.
Kelly says the physical ability is there, but until Rogers provides the mental toughness and consistency the coach is looking for, he will be pressed by senior Brandon Yingling (6-1, 194), who lacks Rogers' range but may give Kelly the stability he seeks.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Never mind those nation-leading 42 turnovers forced last season. Kelly thinks his defense was too predictable, and he spent the offseason addressing it.
"One of the things we were able to do was get you into second- and third-and-long situations and then ball hawk you," Kelly said. "What we saw in looking back at the season, particularly in games against Pittsburgh and Syracuse, was we were too predictable. I think people knew what we were trying to do there. We're trying to be more flexible and to build a sense of uncertainty in our defense."
Kelly made a couple of unusual moves up front in an attempt to accomplish that characteristic. Senior Connor Barwin (6-4, 240), who made 31 receptions as a tight end last season, moved over to defensive end in the offseason. Junior Craig Carey (6-4, 233), believe it or not a quarterback last season, is also now a defensive end. He finished spring ball as the front four's leading tackler.
"Both those guys bring us speed and athleticism," Kelly said. "And they give us that sense of uncertainty. Are they down and rushing the passer, or are they up and back in coverage? Carey needs to put on a little more weight, but both give us that element we're looking for."
Barwin and Car will help replace two solid contributors who departed after the season in leading sacker Anthony Hoke (13) and Angelo Craig (team-leading 11 QB hurries). Barwin will start at one end, with senior Lamonte Nelms (6-3, 245), who played in all 13 games last season and recorded 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, on the other side. Sophomore Rob Trigg (6-3, 254) should join Carey in the rotation.
While the Bearcats are breaking in a couple of new starters on the edge, the situation is great inside, where seniors Terrill Byrd (6-0, 271) and Adam Hoppel (6-2, 270) line up. Byrd, who will be suspended for the season opener after getting caught with marijuana in his possession, is an all-conference and All-America performer who made 17 tackles for loss last season, among them eight sacks.
"It all starts with him," Kelly said. "At times he is unblockable. He's listed at 6-foot, but he's 5-11 on a good day with lifts in his shoes. If he's 6-foot he's a No. 1 draft pick. He is so good at bouncing plays outside. He is as advertised."
Hoppel (6.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks) isn't bad, either, and junior Ricardo Mathews (6-3, 290) and redshirt freshman John Hughes (6-2, 295) will likely see time in the rotation.
LINEBACKERS
The Bearcats finished No. 13 in the nation in scoring defense last season, and there is a possibility that Kelly will start 12 seniors on that side of the ball this season. Yikes.
"It is an extremely veteran defensive unit," he said. "It certainly gives you a level of confidence going in."
The only possible opening for an underclassman is at one of the outside linebacker spots, where junior Andre Revels (6-0, 226) was penciled in as the starter heading into preseason camp. However, Revels is being pushed hard by senior Delbert Ferguson (6-1, 235), and Kelly said the issue is far from decided.
In the long run, it may not matter who wins the starting job.
"We can go six deep at the linebacker positions, and all of them can play," Kelly said. "Because we're doing more things defensively this season, all will have a chance to help us. We have a lot of seniors and a lot of different roles to fill."
It all starts with seniors Corey Smith (6-1, 213) and Ryan Manalac (6-0, 232). Smith started on the outside and is the team's leading returning tackler (80). Manalac was right behind him with 76 tackles from his spot in the middle.
"He's a lot like that kid from South Florida," Kelly said, referring to former USF star Ben Moffitt. "He's just in the right place all the time and plays fast. He fits the profile of what a middle linebacker should look like."
Revels shared time with Manalac in the middle last season and made 66 stops, leading Kelly to believe the unit would be strengthened by having both players on the field at the same time, thus the move outside.
Sophomore Robby Armstrong (6-2, 221), senior Tony Cornett (6-3, 228) and redshirt freshman Alex Delisi (6-1, 224) will get an opportunity to earn time, too.
"There is a lot of talent there," Kelly said. "It's a great luxury knowing how deep we are there this season."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
How good was the Bearcats secondary last season, which helped the team produce a nation-best 26 interceptions? So good that Kelly believes cornerbacks Mike Mickens (6-0, 170) -- a preseason Playboy All-American -- and Deangelo Smith (6-0, 191) would be in NFL camps right now had they decided to enter the draft a year early.
"They would have gone in the third- to fourth round as juniors," Kelly said. "We have two really good corners."
Now, for the shocking news: Kelly thinks Ohio State transfer Brandon Underwood (6-1, 177), another senior, has as much ability as his two stars and will move Smith to safety this season.
"The goal is to get our best 11 players on the field, and Brandon Underwood is one of our best 11," Kelly said. "I believe both of those kids [Mickens and Smith] can be put up against all the top BCS programs in the country. Now, add Brandon Underwood, who is arguably as good, has shown in workouts that he is every bit as good."
Why, then did Underwood transfer from the Buckeyes to the Bearcats?
"He is here for a reason," Kelly said. "If he had his ducks in a row in regards to academics he'd still be there. He is much more mature now. He's grown up. There's no debating his athleticism and what he can do on the field. I want him to prove he values his education."
That is why Underwood's scholarship is on a semester-by-semester basis. If he proves he is serious about the classroom now -- and the indications are he is -- UC's secondary will be loaded again.
That noted, it will be missing safety Haruki Nakamura, who led the team with 95 tackles and parlayed an all-conference performance into a sixth-round draft selection by the Baltimore Ravens.
"He brought a toughness to our defense that we're not going to be able to replace with one player," Kelly said. "We're going to need three or four guys to make up for it." The likely candidates are seniors Brad Jones (6-1, 206) and Cedric Tolbert (6-0, 199) and redshirt freshmen Drew Frey (6-4, 212) and Scott Johnson (5-10, 201).
"We have a lot of guys who traveled with us and played in a lot of games last year," Kelly said. "We should be fine."
Then there is Smith, a proven lock-down corner who will move to center field for his senior season.
"It just enhances his value at the next level," Kelly said. "He's already proven he can cover. They want guys who can hit at the next level, too. He wants to win this year, and he also wants to see how it can help him in the NFL. It's a win-win for him and for us."
PUNTERS
As noted above, Kelly believes the nonconference victory over Oregon State on national television followed by the win at Rutgers gave his team credibility last season. He said one player put the Bearcats into position to earn each victory.
"The guy who really put us in position to get those buy-in wins was the punter," Kelly said. "He forced teams to operate on the long field the entire season. He could boom it deep or put it down inside the 20. He was a huge factor."
"He" is senior Kevin Huber (6-2, 224), a consensus All-America selection who led the nation in gross punting, averaging 46.9 yards per punt and placing 20-of-57 inside the 20-yard line, a performance that made him the conference's special teams player of the year.
"And he comes back with the same long snapper [sophomore Mike Windt, 6-2, 236], which can never be underestimated," Kelly said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With all the things that went right for the Bearcats last season, this area was not among them.
"I don't think we had a return guy who brought any kind of fear to our opponents," Kelly said. "We spent an inordinate amount of time over the spring on special teams situations, which is not normally what you do in the spring. We spent so much time because it wasn't dynamic."
The Bearcats do have experience in the return game, as senior DeAngelo Smith, junior Marshwan Gilyard, senior Dominick Goodman and junior Jacob Ramsey each returned at least seven kickoffs last season and Gilyard returned some punts. Still, Kelly was unhappy enough with their production to hold open tryouts during spring ball.
"Any guy who thought he could do it was given a shot," Kelly said.
One of them, redshirt freshman wide receiver Tahree McQueen, caught Kelly's eye.
"We think he can add a dynamic element," he said. "We'll even look at the true freshmen when they get here."
The Bearcats have a gem in sophomore long-snapper Mike Windt, who did not botch a try on punts, field goals or PAT kicks last season. They also have an experienced holder, as punter Kevin Huber is back to handle that chore again this season.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Bearcats</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>A</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->Had Mauk received another year of eligibility the Bearcats would be considered a team capable of dethroning West Virginia. He was that good at running Kelly's spread offense. Now, with a new starter running the show, a significant issue arises.
"The real question is how the quarterback position comes along," Kelly said. "We'll be less experienced but better athletically there. It really comes down to the quarterback."
It does, because the team is loaded with talent and depth at most other positions, especially on the defensive side of the ball. "We're going to play good defense," Kelly said. "We should be able to compete with anybody from that standpoint."
If things continue in the direction they are now on in Cincinnati, the Bearcats will soon be able to compete with anybody regularly. The program now enjoys great facilities, an innovative coach running an exciting offense and an energized fan base. The basketball school located in the heart of a pro football city is finally discovering the fun of winning college football games, too. There is every indication to believe the trend will continue this season, regardless of who lines up under center when the season opens. Look for the Bearcats to contend for the conference title.
Cincinnati Bearcats
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>Cincinnati, Ohio</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Big East</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>10-3 (.769)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>4-3 (t-3rd)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Bearcats</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Red and black</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Nippert Stadium (35,000)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Brian Kelly (Assumption '83)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>11-3 (2nd year)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>148-54-2 (18 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Keith Gilmore (Wayne State '85) Assistant head coach/Defensive line
• Jeff Quinn (Elmhurst '84) Offensive coordinator/Offensive Line
• Joe Tresey (Ohio State '82) Defensive coordinator
• Kerry Coombs (Dayton '83) Defensive backs
• Mike Elston (Michigan '98) Tight ends/Recruiting coordinator/Special Teams
• Greg Forest (Ohio Northern '92) Quarterbacks
• Tim Hinton (Wilmington '82) Running Backs
• Tim Hinton (Wilmington '82) Linebackers
• Charley Molnar (Lock Haven '84) Wide receivers/Passing game coordinator
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>5-7-4-8-10</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>72-61-59-43-21</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Southern Miss in Papajohns.com Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>August 28</TD><TD>Eastern Kentucky </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 6</TD><TD>at Oklahoma </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>Miami (OH) </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>at Akron </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 3</TD><TD>at Marshall </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>Rutgers </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Connecticut </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 30</TD><TD>South Florida </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>at West Virginia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 14</TD><TD>at Louisville </TD><TD>8:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Pittsburgh </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 29</TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>December 6</TD><TD>at Hawaii </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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RUTGERS
COACH AND PROGRAM
Standing a Hail Mary pass from a mountain of dirt and pebble where a grass-laden hill once sat, Greg Schiano assessed the $102 million Rutgers Stadium expansion project last spring.
"When it's done, it'll be great," Schiano said. "But right now it's pretty messy."
Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in time for the Sept. 3 home opener against Fresno State, which means Schiano's dream of a modern Rutgers Stadium will be closer to fruition.
It was Schiano who had blueprints resting in his office for a full two years before last January's stadium-expansion announcement, Schiano who helped architect those plans from scratch, and Schiano who had to endure an 11th-hour decision to halt the project, only to see the plan take life in a drastically altered form.
But while New Jersey Goverrnor Jon Corzine hedged on using state money for the project -- the original plan called for the state to fund $30 million -- Schiano was busy meeting with University of Michigan officials over the Big Ten program's vacant coaching position.
Coincidence? Perhaps, considering it was Michigan athletics director Bill Martin who reportedly approached the Rutgers coach -- and not Schiano who sought out the high-profile suitor. But most telling was Schiano's statement in the aftermath of his decision to reject overtures from Michigan last December.
"I look forward to ... bringing a national championship to Rutgers and the state of New Jersey," Schiano said in a carefully scripted statement that reaffirmed his commitment to the program he's resurrected from the dregs of college football.
While it was the second straight winter Schiano turned down a college football giant (he also said no to a reported offer from Miami in Dec. '06), this wasn't so much about individual leverage as it was about getting the tools he needed to build Rutgers into a full-fledged national power.
A little more than a month after his Michigan dalliance, members of Rutgers' Board of Governors voted to move forward on the two-phase expansion project even before securing the final $30 million necessary to complete it. Though Gov. Corzine vowed to lead an effort to secure $30 million from private donors, as of late May the fundraising campaign had yet to begin.
Nevertheless, groundbreaking for the two-phase expansion, which will eventually swell Rutgers Stadium capacity to 56,000, began last February. The project calls for the addition of 14,000 seats, including 900 premium club seats, an upscale dining club, new locker rooms and a recruiting suite once it's completed for the '09 season.
"We show [recruits] the artists' renderings of it," Schiano said. "It really looks nice, but until it's done it's hard for them to visualize it.
"But the neat thing is, the juniors that we're recruiting, this will all be done for their first game. So they'll get to play all four years in [an expanded] Rutgers Stadium. That's neat to be able to tell them that."
No doubt a refurbished Rutgers Stadium will help in recruiting, and that's what Schiano is banking on more than anything as he tries to take his program to the next step. Now entering his eighth season, the 42-year old Schiano already has turned the Knights into a perennial winner -- something not many thought possible when he took over as the nation's youngest coach in December 2000.
Though his win-loss record is nowhere to be found in his media-guide bio, forget what his 38-46 career mark implies. Know that before Schiano arrived, the "Birthplace of College Football" had been to one bowl game in 131 seasons.
Not only has Schiano led his team to bowl games the last three years, the Knights have won the last two in convincing fashion, including a 52-30 win over Ball State in the International Bowl last January.
Another reason Schiano, now the longest-tenured coach in the Big East, remains one of the nation's hottest young coaches is the work he's put in behind the scenes, seeing that the football program's academic standing befits the state university's national reputation. In the most recent Academic Progress Report released in May, Rutgers ranked third nationally among Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Not only was Rutgers lauded by the NCAA for its above 90-pecent ranking, it marked the second straight year Schiano's program registered the best APR mark among state universities.
"It's tough stuff," Schiano said, "everything we ask the players to do academically."
But for as much as Schiano has accomplished on and off the field, last year's 8-5 mark was considered by many a step back. A year removed from an 11-2 mark, Rutgers began the season ranked No. 16 and moved up to 10 before its season spiraled with consecutive losses to Maryland and Cincinnati. Even the highlight of the season, a 30-27 upset over then-No. 2 USF, failed to be validated the following week, when West Virginia came to Piscataway and routed the Knights, 31-3.
Pointing to key injuries to quarterback Mike Teel (thumb) and safety Ron Girault (knee), Schiano called the season "disjointing," adding, "I don't think we really got into the flow." A year before Rutgers won its first nine games to enter the national championship discussion. By last November, the Knights had virtually sealed their destination to a third-tier Big East bowl.
"I think there were a lot of positives to come from the year," Schiano said. "I think our kids, the way they ended the season, their preparation for the bowl game, they grew up a lot."
While an 8-5 season culminating in a resounding bowl victory would have resulted in a parade at Rutgers before its recent resurgence, Schiano understands expectations have only become more heightened. After all, it's hard to order up a $102 million stadium expansion if championships aren't the meal of the day.
QUARTERBACKS
In the midst of Rutgers' 11-2 campaign in 2006, Mike Teel (6-4, 220) was widely panned by Rutgers fans and in media circles alike for his quarterback rating that hovered in the mid-80s nationally. But once Teel injured his thumb in the third game last season, it became evident just how important he is to Rutgers' offense.
Though the thumb injury lingered for nearly two months -- and became most problematic during consecutive losses to West Virginia and Connecticut in early November -- Teel still managed to throw for 3,147 yards and 20 touchdowns. Better yet, he managed to cut down on his interception percentage, throwing the same amount (13) as he did in 2006 despite attempting 53 more passes.
Now entering his third full season as a starter and his fifth year in the program, Teel appears ready to emerge as one of the Big East's best passers. Teel, who showed he was past his injury woes by completing 16-of-25 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns in the Scarlet-White spring game, is 21-8 as Rutgers' starter in his career.
"I think Mike really emerged both as a passer and as a leader this spring," Schiano said.
Jabu Lovelace (6-2, 205) entered spring camp as Rutgers' No. 2 quarterback, and Schiano said the junior "didn't do anything to lose" his position. The fleet-footed Lovelace appeared in 10 games last season, mostly as a change of pace in shotgun-option sets, and finished as Rutgers' second-leading rusher with 332 yards and four touchdowns.
"There is competition [at the No. 2 quarterback position], but I thought Jabu had a good spring," Schiano said, adding that junior Domenic Natale (6-2, 210) and sophomore Chris Paul-Etienne (6-3, 200) will get more looks early in summer camp. "The other quarterbacks played like guys who haven't had a lot of experience with college football. It's just a matter of learning the position."
The same may be said for D.C. Jefferson (6-6, 240), the prized incoming recruit from Winter Haven, Fla., who reneged on a commitment to national champion LSU to sign with Rutgers last February.
"He's going to be a good one," Schiano said.
As a senior at Winter Haven High School, Jefferson threw for 1,627 yards and 17 touchdowns.
RUNNING BACKS
Gone is Ray Rice and his school-record 2,012 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns from last season. Rutgers' all-time rusher, who finished with 4,926 yards in his three seasons, declared early for the NFL draft and was picked by Baltimore in the second round last April.
"It's not easy," Schiano said, "anytime you have to replace a guy of Ray's caliber."
The task of filling Rice's shoes won't go to one back individually. Instead, Schiano foresees a backfield-by-committee approach as he tries to make up for Rice's production this season.
Still, there is a pecking order and sophomore Kordell Young (5-9, 185) and Mason Robinson (5-10, 180) are expected to get the first crack at starting honors. Young, who showed flashes as a freshman in averaging 4.8 yards per carry and rushing for three scores, took a medical redshirt last season after tearing his ACL in the third game. Though he didn't participate in spring drills, Young is expected to be cleared in time to compete for the job in August.
Robinson flashed the skills that made him New Jersey's fastest sprinter as a high school senior, rushing for 202 yards on 36 carries (5.6 yards per carry) while also fielding kickoffs and punts. Schiano said Robinson "established himself as our most consistent performer" in spring practice, and etched the fleet-footed tailback's name atop his depth chart heading into preseason camp.
Complementing Robinson and Young will be redshirt freshmen Jourdan Brooks (6-1, 235) and Joe Martinek (6-0, 210). Unlike the more elusive Young and Robinson, Brooks and Martinek make their living running between the tackles, and both had their moments in spring practice.
"Jourdan Brooks has done some spectacular things," Schiano said. "I mean, it's frightening for a defense to see a guy coming at you with that combination of size and speed, but there are young back things that he has to overcome. Joe is the same way."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Not only is this Rutgers' deepest position, it's also its most talented. Senior Tiquan Underwood (6-2, 180) and junior Kenny Britt (6-4, 205) each surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark last fall, marking just the 26th time in NCAA history and the first time in Big East history that two teammates reached the 1,000-yard plateau in the same season. Britt's 1,232-yard total led the Big East, while Underwood's 1,100 ranked third.
"Having one receiver to throw to that's capable of 1,000 yards is great," Teel said. "Having two is a quarterback's dream."
Better still, Underwood and Britt are not the only pass catchers capable of complementing Teel this season. In 2006, junior Timmy Brown (5-8, 160) emerged as one of the Big East's top weapons, averaging 25.2 yards per reception for the season and hauling in two touchdowns in the Texas Bowl triumph.
Though his sophomore campaign (25 catches 340 yards, 2 TDs) was considered a step back, Brown had a 36-yard touchdown in the International Bowl. Either Brown or junior Dennis Campbell (5-9, 180) is expected to emerge as Rutgers' slot receiver inside Underwood and Britt. Campbell, who registered just one catch in a disappointing sophomore campaign, had a solid spring by all accounts.
Senior Kevin Brock (6-5, 250) emerged as Rutgers' starting tight end by season's end, recording 23 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns. A walk on, Brock has the inside track on the position over junior Shamar Graves (6-3, 230) and senior Craig McGovern (6-3, 250).
"He's really starting to play like a good tight end," Schiano said of Brock. "He's blocking better, he's catching the ball, all those things. Although it may be a little late in his career, I really believe he has the chance to be one of the better ones if he can just keep going at this pace."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Considering last year's line yielded only 10 sacks while paving the way for Rice's 2,000-yard campaign, Schiano was asked several times this spring which was a bigger concern -- replacing Rice or filling the shoes of the three graduated starters on the offensive line? Each time Schiano said it was the latter.
"We probably have a little bit more experience at running back," Schiano said. "The offensive line is very young."
Left tackle Pedro Sosa, left guard Mike Fladell and right tackle Jeremy Zuttah totaled 105 combined starts over their careers, and only junior center Ryan Blaszczyk (6-4, 285) remains at the same spot on Rutgers' line from last season.
That doesn't mean Schiano and offensive line coach Kyle Flood aren't optimistic about the guys stepping in, namely sophomore Anthony Davis (6-6, 330), who moves from starting right guard to left tackle this season. While other spots on the O-line give Schiano reasons for concern, he is confident in Davis' ability to protect Teel's blindside.
"I think what Anthony did this spring," Schiano said, "is he showed more and more the type of dominating lineman he can be. Certainly he showed some of that last season, but he's doing it more on a consistent basis, which is pretty scary."
Replacing Zuttah at right tackle will be Mike Gilmartin (6-5, 290), a senior who's appeared in 28 games the last three seasons but with only one start (vs. Buffalo in '05) to his credit. The guard spots figure to be manned by redshirt freshman Caleb Ruch (6-4, 290) and junior Kevin Haslam (6-7, 280).
If any of the newcomers falter, Rutgers has no shortage of depth, including sophomore Mo Lange (6-7, 315), sophomore Howard Barbieri (6-5, 290) and redshirt freshman Desmond Stapleton (6-5, 320). Also keep an eye on Art Forst (6-8, 305), a freshman who enrolled in January and enters preseason camp with a full spring practice behind him.
Said Flood at the end of spring camp, "I don't think we're at the stage where we're ready to name starters right now, but I think we've narrowed it down to a core group of about eight guys who we're comfortable with heading into training camp. Right now we're trying a lot of different stuff, and ultimately your goal is to put the best five guys on the field."
KICKERS
The task of replacing Rutgers' all-time leading kicker won't be easy, but redshirt freshman San San Te (5-9, 165) benefited from a year of apprenticeship under Jeremy Ito.
Ito, Rutgers' place-kicker the last four years, converted 23-of-31 field goals last fall en route to becoming one of six players in NCAA history with at least 80 career field goals. Not only did Te pick Ito's brain on a daily basis last fall, the North Carolina native was recruited from the same kicking academy that honed Ito's skills.
"We both learned from Chris Sailer, so a lot of the things we do are similar," said Te, a product of the renowned Chris Sailer Kicking School. "I did pick up some things from [Ito]. The way he drew his [kicking] lines and the way he tried to keep everything simple. So I try to keep everything simple when I'm out there."
DEFENSIVE LINE
In 2007, for the third straight season, Rutgers ranked in the top 20 nationally in both sacks (12th) and tackles for loss (20th), and the defensive line deserves plenty of credit.
A staple of Schiano's zone-blitzing scheme is the defensive line's ability to pressure the quarterback, and last season was no different. The result saw Rutgers tally 41 sacks and 83 quarterback hurries. Gone is three-year starter Eric Foster, who while taking a step back from his '06 All-America campaign still wreaked havoc in the trenches.
Returning are senior nose tackle Pete Tverdov (6-4, 265) and ends George Johnson (6-4, 250), a junior, and sophomore Jamaal Westerman (6-3, 260), who combined for 118 tackles and 13 sacks.
But unlike 2006, when Rutgers' run defense ranked in the top 10 nationally, last year's unit dipped down to 60th allowing 156.9 rushing yards per game. More than anyone, it's Westerman who figures to draw the attention from most opposing game plans. Westerman, who recorded 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season, boasts plenty of experience at end, starting 23 of his 38 games the last three years, but he moved inside to Foster's hybrid tackle position during the spring.
Gary Watts (6-3, 245), a senior who played in all 13 games, starting four last season, is expected to man the starting end spot if Westerman remains inside. If not, sophomore Alex Silvestro (6-4, 230), who played in 11 games as a freshman, is expected to vie for a starting tackle position.
LINEBACKERS
No position was more hotly criticized last season than linebackers, with Schiano bemoaning the lack of production for most of the season. Certainly he was satisfied with the play of strong-side linebacker Brandon Renkart, who recorded 67 tackles while captaining the unit.
Mostly, Schiano was displeased at the lack of consistent playmaking in the form of turnovers-forced. Considering last year's starting trio of Renkart, senior Kevin Malast and jun-ior Damaso Munoz combined for three of Rutgers' 15 forced fumbles last fall, Schiano certainly hopes for improvement at this position.
Don't be surprised if he gets it, as Malast (6-2, 230) and Munoz (6-0, 210) each return while junior Ryan D'Imperio (6-3, 235) is projected to start in the middle. While Malast isn't flashy, Rutgers' second-leading tackler certainly produces. Munoz, who started 10 of his 13 games in the middle, is expected to compete with freshman Manny Abreu (6-3, 220) for the starting strong-side spot vacated by Renkart.
D'Imperio is most intriguing, because the junior is now recovered from a broken leg suffered in April 2006. After missing Rutgers' first two games, D'Imperio returned in late September and struggled to regain his lateral movement. The result was only 14 tackles in 11 games.
But D'Imperio appeared to regain his form last spring, after having the screws that set his broken leg removed.
"It was great to have Ryan healthy," said Schiano, who gave a ringing endorsement to the linebacker unit after spring camp.
"I think the linebackers have improved this spring, no doubt about it," Schiano said. "What we have now is a bunch of guys who have played and feel comfortable in the scheme. Last year we didn't have a bunch of guys who felt comfortable in the system, so we feel good about that now."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Despite the graduation of Ronny Girault, who started all but four games at strong safety during his career, Rutgers has no shortage of depth and talent in the secondary. Leading the way will be Courtney Greene (6-2, 210), who flirted with leaving early for the NFL and now enters his fourth season as starting free safety.
A two-time All-Big East performer, Greene led Rutgers in tackles for the second time in three seasons, finishing with 101 as a junior. Others in the mix at safety include sophomore Joe Lefeged (6-1, 195), who earned Freshman All-America recognition last fall, junior Zaire Kitchen (6-2, 215), senior Glen Lee (6-2, 195) and junior Davon Smart (5-10, 190).
Kitchen has recovered after suffering his second ACL tear last fall, while Smart was chosen the team's most improved defensive player in spring camp. Lee, who started four games last fall in place of an injured Girault, has played in 35 games over the past three seasons.
Twins Jason McCourty (5-11, 185) and Devin McCourty (5-11, 180) are among the best corners in the Big East, each making up disparities in size with ball-hawking quickness. Jason, a senior in his second season starting at corner, recorded a team-best 12 pass breakups while Devin, a junior, finished with 63 tackles and a team-high two interceptions while starting all 13 games.
"When you have experience and experience that plays well, as I told them, we need to get better," said Schiano, whose unit ranked fifth nationally and first in the Big East in pass defense, limiting foes to 170.6 yards per game through the air. "The challenge has been laid there. Quite frankly, they lost their leader. Ronny Girault was their leader back there, so I'm anxious to see who takes control of the secondary."
PUNTERS
Teddy Dellaganna (6-2, 190) arrived at Rutgers last summer with big expectations after starring for one season on the junior college level. But the windy Northeast conditions affected the California native, so much that Dellaganna failed to earn the starting job and was forced to redshirt last season.
Dellaganna, a sophomore, appeared much improved in the spring, exhibiting better consistency and drawing raves from Schiano, who called the sophomore a "gym rat."
"The kid's worked incredibly hard," Schiano said. "I come in with my kids in the offseason and he's in here in punting."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rutgers failed to make much noise in the kick and punt return games last season, ranking in the 70s nationally in both categories. Worse, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who was widely respected in coaching circles, left to take the head-coaching job at his alma mater, Rhode Island.
Replacing Rizzi will be Chris Rippon, formerly the special teams whiz at Ole Miss and Syracuse.
"Special teams is all about putting guys in the right positions to succeed," Rippon said last spring.
Though Rippon spent spring camp shuffling his return teams, Tiquan Underwood, Dennis Campbell, Timmy Brown and Mason Robinson drew the most repetitions on the return units.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Scarlet Knights</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->While Rutgers last year became the first team in college football history with a 3,000-yard passer, a 2,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season, the Scarlet Knights too often relied on Ray Rice to bail them out.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially considering Rice's propensity to elevate his game in the biggest moments. But offensive coordinator John McNulty's pro-style offense works best when there's balance.
Sure, it won't be easy replacing Rice and his 2,012 yards, but don't be surprised if the offense morphs from a run-oriented attack into a pass-friendly assault featuring quarterback Mike Teel and receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt.
With 380 carries and 25 receptions, Rice accounted for 44.2 percent of Rutgers' offense last season. Until a true No. 1 tailback emerges, Rutgers will have no choice than to put the ball in the hands of its best playmakers.
After playing the Big East's worst nonconference schedule last fall, Rutgers beefed up its competition this fall, with Fresno State, North Carolina and Navy kicking off the September workload.
Still, October figures to tell the tale of this season, as Rutgers travels to West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati with a home game against 2007 Big East co-champion Connecticut sprinkled in. While contending for the Big East championship might be a tall order, it would be surprising if Rutgers didn't earn its fourth straight bowl game
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>New Brunswick, N.J.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Big East</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>8-5 (.615)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>3-4 (t-5th)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Scarlet Knights</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Scarlet and white</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Rutgers Stadium (43,500)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Greg Schiano (Bucknell '88)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>38-46 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>38-46 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Kyle Flood (Iona '93), Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
• John McNulty (Penn State '90), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Gary Brown (Lock Haven '05), Running Backs
• Kirk Ciarrocca (Temple '90), Wide Receivers
• Gary Emanuel (Plymouth State '82), Offensive Line
• Bob Fraser (Allegheny '85), Linebackers
• Chris Hewitt (Cincinnati '97), Cornerbacks/Nickels
• Mike O'Connor (Lafayette '04), Assistant Linebackers
• Ed Pinkham (Allegheny '74), Secondary
• Chris Rippon (Southern Connecticut State '92), Special Teams
• Joe Susan (Delaware '76), Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>5-4-7-11-8</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>96-80-53-13-40</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Ball State in International Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 1</TD><TD>Fresno State </TD><TD>4:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 11</TD><TD>North Carolina </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Navy </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Morgan State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>at West Virginia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at Cincinnati </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>Connecticut </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Pittsburgh </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at South Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Army </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>December 4</TD><TD>Louisville </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
COACH AND PROGRAM
Standing a Hail Mary pass from a mountain of dirt and pebble where a grass-laden hill once sat, Greg Schiano assessed the $102 million Rutgers Stadium expansion project last spring.
"When it's done, it'll be great," Schiano said. "But right now it's pretty messy."
Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in time for the Sept. 3 home opener against Fresno State, which means Schiano's dream of a modern Rutgers Stadium will be closer to fruition.
It was Schiano who had blueprints resting in his office for a full two years before last January's stadium-expansion announcement, Schiano who helped architect those plans from scratch, and Schiano who had to endure an 11th-hour decision to halt the project, only to see the plan take life in a drastically altered form.
But while New Jersey Goverrnor Jon Corzine hedged on using state money for the project -- the original plan called for the state to fund $30 million -- Schiano was busy meeting with University of Michigan officials over the Big Ten program's vacant coaching position.
Coincidence? Perhaps, considering it was Michigan athletics director Bill Martin who reportedly approached the Rutgers coach -- and not Schiano who sought out the high-profile suitor. But most telling was Schiano's statement in the aftermath of his decision to reject overtures from Michigan last December.
"I look forward to ... bringing a national championship to Rutgers and the state of New Jersey," Schiano said in a carefully scripted statement that reaffirmed his commitment to the program he's resurrected from the dregs of college football.
While it was the second straight winter Schiano turned down a college football giant (he also said no to a reported offer from Miami in Dec. '06), this wasn't so much about individual leverage as it was about getting the tools he needed to build Rutgers into a full-fledged national power.
A little more than a month after his Michigan dalliance, members of Rutgers' Board of Governors voted to move forward on the two-phase expansion project even before securing the final $30 million necessary to complete it. Though Gov. Corzine vowed to lead an effort to secure $30 million from private donors, as of late May the fundraising campaign had yet to begin.
Nevertheless, groundbreaking for the two-phase expansion, which will eventually swell Rutgers Stadium capacity to 56,000, began last February. The project calls for the addition of 14,000 seats, including 900 premium club seats, an upscale dining club, new locker rooms and a recruiting suite once it's completed for the '09 season.
"We show [recruits] the artists' renderings of it," Schiano said. "It really looks nice, but until it's done it's hard for them to visualize it.
"But the neat thing is, the juniors that we're recruiting, this will all be done for their first game. So they'll get to play all four years in [an expanded] Rutgers Stadium. That's neat to be able to tell them that."
No doubt a refurbished Rutgers Stadium will help in recruiting, and that's what Schiano is banking on more than anything as he tries to take his program to the next step. Now entering his eighth season, the 42-year old Schiano already has turned the Knights into a perennial winner -- something not many thought possible when he took over as the nation's youngest coach in December 2000.
Though his win-loss record is nowhere to be found in his media-guide bio, forget what his 38-46 career mark implies. Know that before Schiano arrived, the "Birthplace of College Football" had been to one bowl game in 131 seasons.
Not only has Schiano led his team to bowl games the last three years, the Knights have won the last two in convincing fashion, including a 52-30 win over Ball State in the International Bowl last January.
Another reason Schiano, now the longest-tenured coach in the Big East, remains one of the nation's hottest young coaches is the work he's put in behind the scenes, seeing that the football program's academic standing befits the state university's national reputation. In the most recent Academic Progress Report released in May, Rutgers ranked third nationally among Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Not only was Rutgers lauded by the NCAA for its above 90-pecent ranking, it marked the second straight year Schiano's program registered the best APR mark among state universities.
"It's tough stuff," Schiano said, "everything we ask the players to do academically."
But for as much as Schiano has accomplished on and off the field, last year's 8-5 mark was considered by many a step back. A year removed from an 11-2 mark, Rutgers began the season ranked No. 16 and moved up to 10 before its season spiraled with consecutive losses to Maryland and Cincinnati. Even the highlight of the season, a 30-27 upset over then-No. 2 USF, failed to be validated the following week, when West Virginia came to Piscataway and routed the Knights, 31-3.
Pointing to key injuries to quarterback Mike Teel (thumb) and safety Ron Girault (knee), Schiano called the season "disjointing," adding, "I don't think we really got into the flow." A year before Rutgers won its first nine games to enter the national championship discussion. By last November, the Knights had virtually sealed their destination to a third-tier Big East bowl.
"I think there were a lot of positives to come from the year," Schiano said. "I think our kids, the way they ended the season, their preparation for the bowl game, they grew up a lot."
While an 8-5 season culminating in a resounding bowl victory would have resulted in a parade at Rutgers before its recent resurgence, Schiano understands expectations have only become more heightened. After all, it's hard to order up a $102 million stadium expansion if championships aren't the meal of the day.
QUARTERBACKS
In the midst of Rutgers' 11-2 campaign in 2006, Mike Teel (6-4, 220) was widely panned by Rutgers fans and in media circles alike for his quarterback rating that hovered in the mid-80s nationally. But once Teel injured his thumb in the third game last season, it became evident just how important he is to Rutgers' offense.
Though the thumb injury lingered for nearly two months -- and became most problematic during consecutive losses to West Virginia and Connecticut in early November -- Teel still managed to throw for 3,147 yards and 20 touchdowns. Better yet, he managed to cut down on his interception percentage, throwing the same amount (13) as he did in 2006 despite attempting 53 more passes.
Now entering his third full season as a starter and his fifth year in the program, Teel appears ready to emerge as one of the Big East's best passers. Teel, who showed he was past his injury woes by completing 16-of-25 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns in the Scarlet-White spring game, is 21-8 as Rutgers' starter in his career.
"I think Mike really emerged both as a passer and as a leader this spring," Schiano said.
Jabu Lovelace (6-2, 205) entered spring camp as Rutgers' No. 2 quarterback, and Schiano said the junior "didn't do anything to lose" his position. The fleet-footed Lovelace appeared in 10 games last season, mostly as a change of pace in shotgun-option sets, and finished as Rutgers' second-leading rusher with 332 yards and four touchdowns.
"There is competition [at the No. 2 quarterback position], but I thought Jabu had a good spring," Schiano said, adding that junior Domenic Natale (6-2, 210) and sophomore Chris Paul-Etienne (6-3, 200) will get more looks early in summer camp. "The other quarterbacks played like guys who haven't had a lot of experience with college football. It's just a matter of learning the position."
The same may be said for D.C. Jefferson (6-6, 240), the prized incoming recruit from Winter Haven, Fla., who reneged on a commitment to national champion LSU to sign with Rutgers last February.
"He's going to be a good one," Schiano said.
As a senior at Winter Haven High School, Jefferson threw for 1,627 yards and 17 touchdowns.
RUNNING BACKS
Gone is Ray Rice and his school-record 2,012 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns from last season. Rutgers' all-time rusher, who finished with 4,926 yards in his three seasons, declared early for the NFL draft and was picked by Baltimore in the second round last April.
"It's not easy," Schiano said, "anytime you have to replace a guy of Ray's caliber."
The task of filling Rice's shoes won't go to one back individually. Instead, Schiano foresees a backfield-by-committee approach as he tries to make up for Rice's production this season.
Still, there is a pecking order and sophomore Kordell Young (5-9, 185) and Mason Robinson (5-10, 180) are expected to get the first crack at starting honors. Young, who showed flashes as a freshman in averaging 4.8 yards per carry and rushing for three scores, took a medical redshirt last season after tearing his ACL in the third game. Though he didn't participate in spring drills, Young is expected to be cleared in time to compete for the job in August.
Robinson flashed the skills that made him New Jersey's fastest sprinter as a high school senior, rushing for 202 yards on 36 carries (5.6 yards per carry) while also fielding kickoffs and punts. Schiano said Robinson "established himself as our most consistent performer" in spring practice, and etched the fleet-footed tailback's name atop his depth chart heading into preseason camp.
Complementing Robinson and Young will be redshirt freshmen Jourdan Brooks (6-1, 235) and Joe Martinek (6-0, 210). Unlike the more elusive Young and Robinson, Brooks and Martinek make their living running between the tackles, and both had their moments in spring practice.
"Jourdan Brooks has done some spectacular things," Schiano said. "I mean, it's frightening for a defense to see a guy coming at you with that combination of size and speed, but there are young back things that he has to overcome. Joe is the same way."
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Not only is this Rutgers' deepest position, it's also its most talented. Senior Tiquan Underwood (6-2, 180) and junior Kenny Britt (6-4, 205) each surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark last fall, marking just the 26th time in NCAA history and the first time in Big East history that two teammates reached the 1,000-yard plateau in the same season. Britt's 1,232-yard total led the Big East, while Underwood's 1,100 ranked third.
"Having one receiver to throw to that's capable of 1,000 yards is great," Teel said. "Having two is a quarterback's dream."
Better still, Underwood and Britt are not the only pass catchers capable of complementing Teel this season. In 2006, junior Timmy Brown (5-8, 160) emerged as one of the Big East's top weapons, averaging 25.2 yards per reception for the season and hauling in two touchdowns in the Texas Bowl triumph.
Though his sophomore campaign (25 catches 340 yards, 2 TDs) was considered a step back, Brown had a 36-yard touchdown in the International Bowl. Either Brown or junior Dennis Campbell (5-9, 180) is expected to emerge as Rutgers' slot receiver inside Underwood and Britt. Campbell, who registered just one catch in a disappointing sophomore campaign, had a solid spring by all accounts.
Senior Kevin Brock (6-5, 250) emerged as Rutgers' starting tight end by season's end, recording 23 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns. A walk on, Brock has the inside track on the position over junior Shamar Graves (6-3, 230) and senior Craig McGovern (6-3, 250).
"He's really starting to play like a good tight end," Schiano said of Brock. "He's blocking better, he's catching the ball, all those things. Although it may be a little late in his career, I really believe he has the chance to be one of the better ones if he can just keep going at this pace."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Considering last year's line yielded only 10 sacks while paving the way for Rice's 2,000-yard campaign, Schiano was asked several times this spring which was a bigger concern -- replacing Rice or filling the shoes of the three graduated starters on the offensive line? Each time Schiano said it was the latter.
"We probably have a little bit more experience at running back," Schiano said. "The offensive line is very young."
Left tackle Pedro Sosa, left guard Mike Fladell and right tackle Jeremy Zuttah totaled 105 combined starts over their careers, and only junior center Ryan Blaszczyk (6-4, 285) remains at the same spot on Rutgers' line from last season.
That doesn't mean Schiano and offensive line coach Kyle Flood aren't optimistic about the guys stepping in, namely sophomore Anthony Davis (6-6, 330), who moves from starting right guard to left tackle this season. While other spots on the O-line give Schiano reasons for concern, he is confident in Davis' ability to protect Teel's blindside.
"I think what Anthony did this spring," Schiano said, "is he showed more and more the type of dominating lineman he can be. Certainly he showed some of that last season, but he's doing it more on a consistent basis, which is pretty scary."
Replacing Zuttah at right tackle will be Mike Gilmartin (6-5, 290), a senior who's appeared in 28 games the last three seasons but with only one start (vs. Buffalo in '05) to his credit. The guard spots figure to be manned by redshirt freshman Caleb Ruch (6-4, 290) and junior Kevin Haslam (6-7, 280).
If any of the newcomers falter, Rutgers has no shortage of depth, including sophomore Mo Lange (6-7, 315), sophomore Howard Barbieri (6-5, 290) and redshirt freshman Desmond Stapleton (6-5, 320). Also keep an eye on Art Forst (6-8, 305), a freshman who enrolled in January and enters preseason camp with a full spring practice behind him.
Said Flood at the end of spring camp, "I don't think we're at the stage where we're ready to name starters right now, but I think we've narrowed it down to a core group of about eight guys who we're comfortable with heading into training camp. Right now we're trying a lot of different stuff, and ultimately your goal is to put the best five guys on the field."
KICKERS
The task of replacing Rutgers' all-time leading kicker won't be easy, but redshirt freshman San San Te (5-9, 165) benefited from a year of apprenticeship under Jeremy Ito.
Ito, Rutgers' place-kicker the last four years, converted 23-of-31 field goals last fall en route to becoming one of six players in NCAA history with at least 80 career field goals. Not only did Te pick Ito's brain on a daily basis last fall, the North Carolina native was recruited from the same kicking academy that honed Ito's skills.
"We both learned from Chris Sailer, so a lot of the things we do are similar," said Te, a product of the renowned Chris Sailer Kicking School. "I did pick up some things from [Ito]. The way he drew his [kicking] lines and the way he tried to keep everything simple. So I try to keep everything simple when I'm out there."
DEFENSIVE LINE
In 2007, for the third straight season, Rutgers ranked in the top 20 nationally in both sacks (12th) and tackles for loss (20th), and the defensive line deserves plenty of credit.
A staple of Schiano's zone-blitzing scheme is the defensive line's ability to pressure the quarterback, and last season was no different. The result saw Rutgers tally 41 sacks and 83 quarterback hurries. Gone is three-year starter Eric Foster, who while taking a step back from his '06 All-America campaign still wreaked havoc in the trenches.
Returning are senior nose tackle Pete Tverdov (6-4, 265) and ends George Johnson (6-4, 250), a junior, and sophomore Jamaal Westerman (6-3, 260), who combined for 118 tackles and 13 sacks.
But unlike 2006, when Rutgers' run defense ranked in the top 10 nationally, last year's unit dipped down to 60th allowing 156.9 rushing yards per game. More than anyone, it's Westerman who figures to draw the attention from most opposing game plans. Westerman, who recorded 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season, boasts plenty of experience at end, starting 23 of his 38 games the last three years, but he moved inside to Foster's hybrid tackle position during the spring.
Gary Watts (6-3, 245), a senior who played in all 13 games, starting four last season, is expected to man the starting end spot if Westerman remains inside. If not, sophomore Alex Silvestro (6-4, 230), who played in 11 games as a freshman, is expected to vie for a starting tackle position.
LINEBACKERS
No position was more hotly criticized last season than linebackers, with Schiano bemoaning the lack of production for most of the season. Certainly he was satisfied with the play of strong-side linebacker Brandon Renkart, who recorded 67 tackles while captaining the unit.
Mostly, Schiano was displeased at the lack of consistent playmaking in the form of turnovers-forced. Considering last year's starting trio of Renkart, senior Kevin Malast and jun-ior Damaso Munoz combined for three of Rutgers' 15 forced fumbles last fall, Schiano certainly hopes for improvement at this position.
Don't be surprised if he gets it, as Malast (6-2, 230) and Munoz (6-0, 210) each return while junior Ryan D'Imperio (6-3, 235) is projected to start in the middle. While Malast isn't flashy, Rutgers' second-leading tackler certainly produces. Munoz, who started 10 of his 13 games in the middle, is expected to compete with freshman Manny Abreu (6-3, 220) for the starting strong-side spot vacated by Renkart.
D'Imperio is most intriguing, because the junior is now recovered from a broken leg suffered in April 2006. After missing Rutgers' first two games, D'Imperio returned in late September and struggled to regain his lateral movement. The result was only 14 tackles in 11 games.
But D'Imperio appeared to regain his form last spring, after having the screws that set his broken leg removed.
"It was great to have Ryan healthy," said Schiano, who gave a ringing endorsement to the linebacker unit after spring camp.
"I think the linebackers have improved this spring, no doubt about it," Schiano said. "What we have now is a bunch of guys who have played and feel comfortable in the scheme. Last year we didn't have a bunch of guys who felt comfortable in the system, so we feel good about that now."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Despite the graduation of Ronny Girault, who started all but four games at strong safety during his career, Rutgers has no shortage of depth and talent in the secondary. Leading the way will be Courtney Greene (6-2, 210), who flirted with leaving early for the NFL and now enters his fourth season as starting free safety.
A two-time All-Big East performer, Greene led Rutgers in tackles for the second time in three seasons, finishing with 101 as a junior. Others in the mix at safety include sophomore Joe Lefeged (6-1, 195), who earned Freshman All-America recognition last fall, junior Zaire Kitchen (6-2, 215), senior Glen Lee (6-2, 195) and junior Davon Smart (5-10, 190).
Kitchen has recovered after suffering his second ACL tear last fall, while Smart was chosen the team's most improved defensive player in spring camp. Lee, who started four games last fall in place of an injured Girault, has played in 35 games over the past three seasons.
Twins Jason McCourty (5-11, 185) and Devin McCourty (5-11, 180) are among the best corners in the Big East, each making up disparities in size with ball-hawking quickness. Jason, a senior in his second season starting at corner, recorded a team-best 12 pass breakups while Devin, a junior, finished with 63 tackles and a team-high two interceptions while starting all 13 games.
"When you have experience and experience that plays well, as I told them, we need to get better," said Schiano, whose unit ranked fifth nationally and first in the Big East in pass defense, limiting foes to 170.6 yards per game through the air. "The challenge has been laid there. Quite frankly, they lost their leader. Ronny Girault was their leader back there, so I'm anxious to see who takes control of the secondary."
PUNTERS
Teddy Dellaganna (6-2, 190) arrived at Rutgers last summer with big expectations after starring for one season on the junior college level. But the windy Northeast conditions affected the California native, so much that Dellaganna failed to earn the starting job and was forced to redshirt last season.
Dellaganna, a sophomore, appeared much improved in the spring, exhibiting better consistency and drawing raves from Schiano, who called the sophomore a "gym rat."
"The kid's worked incredibly hard," Schiano said. "I come in with my kids in the offseason and he's in here in punting."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rutgers failed to make much noise in the kick and punt return games last season, ranking in the 70s nationally in both categories. Worse, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who was widely respected in coaching circles, left to take the head-coaching job at his alma mater, Rhode Island.
Replacing Rizzi will be Chris Rippon, formerly the special teams whiz at Ole Miss and Syracuse.
"Special teams is all about putting guys in the right positions to succeed," Rippon said last spring.
Though Rippon spent spring camp shuffling his return teams, Tiquan Underwood, Dennis Campbell, Timmy Brown and Mason Robinson drew the most repetitions on the return units.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=180 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=2><CENTER>Grading the Scarlet Knights</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=110>Unit</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" width=50><CENTER>Grade</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Offense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Special teams </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Defense </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B+</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=110>Intangibles </TD><TD width=50><CENTER>B</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->While Rutgers last year became the first team in college football history with a 3,000-yard passer, a 2,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season, the Scarlet Knights too often relied on Ray Rice to bail them out.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially considering Rice's propensity to elevate his game in the biggest moments. But offensive coordinator John McNulty's pro-style offense works best when there's balance.
Sure, it won't be easy replacing Rice and his 2,012 yards, but don't be surprised if the offense morphs from a run-oriented attack into a pass-friendly assault featuring quarterback Mike Teel and receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt.
With 380 carries and 25 receptions, Rice accounted for 44.2 percent of Rutgers' offense last season. Until a true No. 1 tailback emerges, Rutgers will have no choice than to put the ball in the hands of its best playmakers.
After playing the Big East's worst nonconference schedule last fall, Rutgers beefed up its competition this fall, with Fresno State, North Carolina and Navy kicking off the September workload.
Still, October figures to tell the tale of this season, as Rutgers travels to West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati with a home game against 2007 Big East co-champion Connecticut sprinkled in. While contending for the Big East championship might be a tall order, it would be surprising if Rutgers didn't earn its fourth straight bowl game
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
<!-- end top part --><!-- begin table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD>LOCATION</TD><TD>New Brunswick, N.J.</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE</TD><TD>Big East</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST SEASON</TD><TD>8-5 (.615)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CONFERENCE RECORD</TD><TD>3-4 (t-5th)</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>DEF. STARTERS RETURNING</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>NICKNAME</TD><TD>Scarlet Knights</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>COLORS</TD><TD>Scarlet and white</TD></TR><TR><TD>HOME FIELD</TD><TD>Rutgers Stadium (43,500)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>HEAD COACH</TD><TD>Greg Schiano (Bucknell '88)</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECORD AT SCHOOL</TD><TD>38-46 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>CAREER RECORD</TD><TD>38-46 (7 years)</TD></TR><TR><TD>ASSISTANTS</TD><TD align=left>• Kyle Flood (Iona '93), Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
• John McNulty (Penn State '90), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Gary Brown (Lock Haven '05), Running Backs
• Kirk Ciarrocca (Temple '90), Wide Receivers
• Gary Emanuel (Plymouth State '82), Offensive Line
• Bob Fraser (Allegheny '85), Linebackers
• Chris Hewitt (Cincinnati '97), Cornerbacks/Nickels
• Mike O'Connor (Lafayette '04), Assistant Linebackers
• Ed Pinkham (Allegheny '74), Secondary
• Chris Rippon (Southern Connecticut State '92), Special Teams
• Joe Susan (Delaware '76), Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.)</TD><TD>5-4-7-11-8</TD></TR><TR><TD>FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) </TD><TD>96-80-53-13-40</TD></TR><TR class=io-evenRow><TD>2007 FINISH</TD><TD>Beat Ball State in International Bowl.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=8>2008 Football Schedule and Results</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD>DATE </TD><TD>OPPONENT </TD><TD>RESULT/TIME </TD><TD>RECORD/TICKETS </TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 1</TD><TD>Fresno State </TD><TD>4:00 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 11</TD><TD>North Carolina </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>September 20</TD><TD>at Navy </TD><TD>3:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>September 27</TD><TD>Morgan State </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 4</TD><TD>at West Virginia </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 11</TD><TD>at Cincinnati </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>October 18</TD><TD>Connecticut </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>October 25</TD><TD>at Pittsburgh </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 8</TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>November 15</TD><TD>at South Florida </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD>November 22</TD><TD>Army </TD><TD>TBA </TD><TD>Tickets</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>December 4</TD><TD>Louisville </TD><TD>7:30 PM ET </TD><TD>Tickets</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
no problem....It will be interesting when they go
Rutgers
Buy
@ UCONN
USF (thursday game)
@ West Virginia
@ LVille (friday game)
Pitt
that is a tough stretch IMO
Dmoney416
Ben Mauk's Counsel
No doubt about it, but most of those BE teams have similar stretches since seven out of the eight teams in the conference should be competitive.
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