Projected Postseason Top 25: #19 Navy

Of the 119 teams in Division 1 Bowl Subdivision college football, Navy perhaps has the least amount of question marks. You need not to have ever stepped on an aircraft carrier or submarine to know what the Midshipmen do on the football field, they run the option and run it well. Navy got 83.2% of its yards on the ground, by far the highest percentage of any team. Also decided for all intents and purposes is where Navy will end its season. Once they become bowl eligible, the Midshipmen will go to San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl. This fledgling bowl will depend on the Fleets to fill up the seats and hopefully turn a profit.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat BYU in Poinsettia Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Temple (Road), Ball State (Home), Duke (Home), Air Force (Home), Wake Forest (Home), Delaware (Home), North Texas (Road), Northern Illinois (Home), Army (Baltimore, MD), BYU (San Diego, CA)

Who’ll beat them: Rutgers (Road), Pittsburgh (Road), Notre Dame (Road)

When they Pass: It’s considered “razzle-dazzle” Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (from Hawai’i in case you were wondering) is rarely called to pass and is without leading receiver Jason Tomlinson. Expect Navy to rank 119th in passing offense.

When they Run: Small and shifty describe Reggie Campbell and Zerbin Singleton are the slot backs, Adam Ballard returns at fullback for the closest thing to rugby team in college football. Navy led the nation in rushing offense, but then again they should.



When their Opponents Run: The defense is going to have to return six of its front seven which is why it has almost no chance against the Big East teams on its schedule.

When their Opponents Pass: The secondary is also only returning one starter off a team which ranked 85th against the pass last year.

When they Kick: Punter Greg Veteto will try to improve the punting which was atrocious last year. The option offense and Matt Harmon’s average leg mean few field goals over 40 yards will be attempted this year.

When they call Timeout: Paul Johnson is an oft-mentioned candidate when non-service academy jobs open up. With good reason, as he expects to take Navy to its fifth consecutive bowl appearance.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #20 Nebraska

Bill Callahan finally has Nebraska back to where it wants to be, expecting to challenge for Big XII titles. While Nebraska is a step below the class of the Big XII South, it should be the year in year out favorite to win the Big XII’s North Division (although a trip to Columbia this year may halt those plans). While the option offense and “black shirt” defense may be left in the Osborn era, lofty expectations are back to stay.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Fresno State* in Insight Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Nevada (Home), Wake Forest (Road), Ball State (Home), Iowa State (Home), Oklahoma State (Home), Texas A&M (Home), Kansas (Home), Kansas State (Home), Colorado (Road), Fresno State (Tempe, AZ)

Who’ll beat them: USC (Home), Missouri (Road), Texas (Road)

When they Pass: Arizona State transfer Sam Keller will likely take over for Zac Taylor and lead Bill Callahan’s West Coast Offense. Keller has the size, strength and experience to lead the Cornhuskers to places. To do so, his options will be seniors Terrence Nunn and Maurice Purify.



When they Run: Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn will try to replace Brandon Jackson’s run production from last year. Durability is an issue with both men.

When their Opponents Run: Linebackers Corey McKeon and Bo Ruud are the leaders of the defense and will have an entirely new defensive line in front of them. The development of the D-Line and their ability to stop the run will be the difference between a good season in Lincoln and a special one.

When their Opponents Pass: Cornerback Zachary Bowman is a former shut-down corner trying to return from an ACL injury, if he is able to return to his 2005 form, this pass defense could be among the best in the Big XII.

When they Kick: Adi Kunalic takes over the field goal kicking duties after Jordan Congdon left the team. Kunalic is a freshman which should make Husker fans nervous in close 4th quarter games.

When they call Timeout: Callahan’s style seems to fit Nebraska football much more than the dysfunctional family known as the Oakland Raiders. I’m sure it is safe to say he doesn’t miss Oakland right now. It’s a little much for him to be as revered as Tom Osborn was in Lincoln but if he can get Nebraska to the next step and perennial BCS appearances, that will certainly help.

*Qualifier to fill slot unable to be filled by Big Ten team

Projected Postseason Top 25: #21 Oregon State

Some high schools attempt to emulate college football teams with their uniform schemes. Oregon State has decided to reverse that trend. Beaver fans may be confused as to whether they are watching their team or an episode of MTV’s “Two-a-Days”. While I don’t know who Yvenson Bernard is taking to the Homecoming Dance, I do know this Oregon State team is capable of putting more than a scare in big 3 Pac 10 California programs, just as they did last year when they upset USC.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat TCU in Las Vegas Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Utah (Home), Cincinnati (Road), Idaho State (Home), Arizona State (Road), UCLA (Home), Arizona (Home), Stanford (Home), Washington (Home), Washington State (Road), TCU (Las Vegas, NV)

Who’ll beat them: California (Road), USC (Road), Oregon (Road)

When they Pass: To determine how well the Beavers will do when they pass, its good to know just who will be doing the passing. Sean Canfield is believed to be ahead of Lyle Moevao. Both are sophomores and are better off passing only when the situation forces them to.

When they Run: Defenses will be inclined to defend All-Pac Ten Heisman Candidate Yvenson Bernard. Expect Bernard to gain his yards anyway. He might be too small to be an NFL team’s feature back but in 2007 he is the best running back in the Pac Ten.



When their Opponents Run: All three linebackers and two members of the defensive line returning will make it tough on Pac Ten teams to run on the Beavers.

When their Opponents Pass: The secondary also returns three of its four starters but they will have to improve off of 2006 when they were 88th in the nation in pass defense.

When they Kick: Alexis Serna may be the best kicker in the country. Kyle Loomis is a solid young punter.

When they call Timeout: Mike Riley’s one of more than a handful of coaches who have found a place in college football after failing in the NFL. Riley now realizes leaving Oregon State for the NFL was a mistake and has found his way home and he and the Beaver program are better off for it.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #22 Texas Tech

Texas Tech fans have been watching the same show for a while, ever since Mike Leach took over their program. An offense running up numbers like a pinball machine, fueled by a prolific passing attack moving the ball in a hurry, then a questionable defense giving up points just as easily. Graham Harrell and the offense have their role down part and will build off of their miracle comeback in last year’s Insight Bowl. The question marks on defense will have the loyal people of Lubbock wondering where they’ve seen this time and time again.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Minnesota in Alamo Bowl

Who they’ll beat: SMU (Road), UTEP (Home), Rice (Road), Northwestern State (Home), Iowa State (Home), Texas A&M (Home), Colorado (Home), Baylor (Road), Oklahoma (Home), Minnesota (San Antonio, TX)

Who’ll beat them: Oklahoma State (Road), Missouri (Road), Texas (Road)

When they Pass: In 2006 Graham Harrell passed for 4,555 yards and 38 touchdowns, its difficult to see him improving on those numbers, but in this offense anything is possible.

When they Run: The threat to Harrell’s stat padding could be the emergence of running back Shannon Woods. Woods ran for 926 yards in his sophomore season. He had a difficult spring but should bounce back to produce this fall.

When their Opponents Run: The Raiders struggled against the run last year, allowing 151 yards a game. And they didn’t have to replace five starters in the front seven then. It should be quite easy to run on Texas Tech this year leading to many shootouts yet again.

When their Opponents Pass: The Big XII’s best pass defense returns three out of four starters. And the numbers shall be even better as teams attempt to keep up with Leach’s offense by running at his defense.

When they Kick: Alex Trlica’s foot is dependable if not strong. Although Minnesota may have thought the same before his 53 yard field goal completed the Raiders’ comeback and sent the Insight Bowl to overtime.

When they call Timeout: Leach is safe as long as Tech wins 9-10 games every year, even if fans in Lubbock wonder when they’re going to take that next step and compete for Big XII South titles.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #23 Vanderbilt

Every year it seems one of the country’s brainiest institutions joins the upper echelon of college football usually populated by large state schools. Last year Wake Forest took everyone by surprise all the way to a berth in the Orange Bowl. While Vanderbilt hasn’t had a winning season since 1982, this is the most talented Commodore team since then and it has the pieces in place to surprise some teams in the SEC who widely regard the Commies as a punch line.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Florida State in Music City Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Richmond (Home), Alabama (Home), Mississippi (Home), Eastern Michigan (Home), Georgia (Home), South Carolina (Road), Miami OH (Home), Kentucky (Home), Wake Forest (Home), Florida State (Nashville, TN)

Who’ll beat them: Auburn (Road), Florida (Road), Tennessee (Road)

When they Pass: Quarterback Chris Nickson filled in admirably for All-Everything Commodore Jay Cutler. He was helped by the future All-Time SEC leader in receptions Earl Bennett. Nickson and Bennett should be even more prolific in their second year together and are something for the Commies to get excited about.



When they Run: The running game was a focal point of spring practice and Vandy looks to be taking a duo approach between Jeff Jennings and Cassen Jackson-Garrison.

When their Opponents Run: The defensive line is a work in progress by linebacker Jonathan Goff is a potential First Round NFL Draft Pick.

When their Opponents Pass: Three of four starters return on the secondary which will attempt to avoid the big play against the powers of the SEC.

When they Kick: Kicker Bryan Hahnfeldt has been inconsistent throughout his career.

When they call Timeout: Bobby Johnson may be best known for his no-profanity policy in practices but he is doing a respectable job in one of the most disadvantageous of situations, being the nerd in the league of jocks. The Commodores managed to keep games close against some of the SEC’s best in 2006 and with a little bit more experience on their side, they could see a lot more wins and possibly a bowl berth.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #24 Southern Mississippi

While 2007 was an off year for Jack Bauer and CTU, it is set up to be perhaps a memorable year for Jeff Bower and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagles are the class of Conference USA, which is still reeling from the departures of Louisville and Cincinnati in 2005. If Bower’s team can run the table in C-USA two opportunities for eye-opening wins in the non-conference schedule, road games at Tennessee and at Boise State. Wins in both of those games could get the attention of the BCS, but with a head coach with the last name Bower, it’s hard to rank them anywhere else.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 11-2, Beat Kansas State* in Liberty Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Tennessee-Martin (Home), East Carolina (Road), Rice (Home), SMU (Home), Marshall (Road), UCF (Home), UAB (Road), Memphis (Home), UTEP (Road), Arkansas State (Home), Kansas State* (Memphis, TN)

Who’ll beat them: Tennessee (Road), Boise State (Road)

When they Pass: Senior Jeremy Young is a dual threat to pass and run but that ability was stifled by a turf toe injury last year. His favorite target will be NFL prospect Tight End Shawn Nelson.

When they Run: Damion Fletcher is the best Running Back you haven’t heard of, next year he’ll be the most overrated Running Back you’ll have heard enough about. Fletcher was All-Freshman last year but lacks blazing speed to launch himself to a dark-horse Heisman candidacy.



When their Opponents Run: Returning all linebackers and four linemen in Conference USA gives the Golden Eagles, an advantage over just about every team they’ll play in conference, an ability to stop the run.

When their Opponents Pass: Expect opponents especially in conference to test Michael McGee and Eddie Willingham the two new cornerbacks they will have experience behind them however with two seniors playing the safeties.

When they Kick: Britt Barefoot (really, that’s his name) will be doing the kicking and punting.

When they call Timeout: Bower will win by doing two things; running the ball and stopping the run and it should be successful this year as it has be the past 13 winning seasons.

*Qualifier to fill slot unable to be filled by SEC team

Projected Postseason Top 25: #25 Syracuse

Just as Steve Spurrier casts his 25th place vote for the school that gave him his first head coaching job every year. I give mine to the school that gave me my education and three-quarters of my sexual partners. In case you see this as a sign to dismiss this blog entirely, please don’t go. I start covering the good teams tomorrow. Just allow me to preview my Orange, even if they are and may be for years, a perennial bottom feader.

Projected Record: 5-7

Who they’ll beat: Washington (Home), Miami OH (Road), Buffalo (Home), Connecticut (Road), Cincinnati (Home)

Who’ll beat them: Iowa (Road), Illinois (Home), at Louisville (Road), West Virginia (Home), Rutgers (Home), Pittsburgh (Road), South Florida (Home)

When they Pass: Head Coach Greg Robinson finally has the jockey for his horse. After two years of eleven step drops and sailing overthrown passes which labeled the Perry Paterson era at Syracuse, true Sophomore Andrew Robinson (no relation) takes over. “A-Rob” is a much better fit for the West Coast Offense than Patterson, although just about anybody would be. It’s a lot for him to ask to take the Orange anywhere on his own. If receivers Mike Williams, Rice Moss and Taj Smith stay healthy the passing offense should bring some excitement to the Carrier Dome, which desperately needs some.

When they Run: Exciting Freshman Tailback Delone Carter suffered a season-ending hip injury and its possible his career at Syracuse may never be the same. If Curtis “Boonah” Brinkley 1/3 as good in real life as he is in NCAA Football ’08 than he is more than adequate Running Back but he also has health concerns. The Offensive Line is still woeful however, they will need to play a lot better if the Orange are going to make a run at even the International Bowl, which might as well be in Baghdad for as many SU fans who would travel to Toronto in early January for a bowl game.

When their Opponents Run: When your conference has Ray Rice, Steve Slaton and even LaRod Stephens-Howling, its a scary thought to start three new linebackers. This could mean some ugly losses to the Big East elite. The experienced line which features best player and token NFL prospect Jameel McClain could keep the Orange in games against the rest of the schedule.



When their Opponents Pass: While the safeties including converted quarterback Joe Fields are solid, the corners are shaky. A lot will be counted on McClain and the pass rush, which was outstanding last season to help in the passing game.

When they Kick: Patrick Shadle made 16 of 18 Field Goals last year but he was never asked to kick anything crowd-wooing. Team MVP Brendan Carney has graduated leaving the punting in the hands (or is it feet, or foot) of Freshman Rob Long. If Robinson can’t get the offense going you will bet teams will come after a Freshman punter.

When they call Timeout: Syracuse hiring Greg Robinson because he reminded people of Pete Carroll is like Republicans voting for Mitt Romney because he reminds them of Ronald Reagan. You can decide which error is more egregious. This is year 3 of Robinsons “reconstruction” at Syracuse, and while I don’t feel he’ll ever be on the “hot seat” before his contract ends (anyone who’s familiar with Syracuse AD Daryl Gross doesn’t see him as the “My Bad, I F-ed up” type) the Orange will have to win at least 4-5 games before the fanbase, including yours truly becomes impatient.