Overview
For the first time in quite awhile, there may be more than one independent team that could have a good season. Navy could be even better than the team that beat up Missouri in the Texas Bowl last season, and Notre Dame may finally be recovering from what was a rollercoaster ride to say the least during the Charlie Weis era. Even Army, who hasn't had much to cheer about for quite awhile, may be witnessing forward progress in the program starting this year. Although no one from this group of teams will be fighting for a national championship bid, or probably even a BCS bid, it is worth noting that this season could be the start of a turnaround for what is left of the independent teams in college football.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
Of the three independent teams, Navy is the most talented. However, due to their strength of schedule and the fact that they aren't even in the preseason Top 25 rankings, it is pretty safe to assume that they will not make a run at the national title game. Sorry to all you Notre Dame fans as well, but this year is not the year that you guys will return to glory.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Army
I'm not saying that I think they will play in a bowl game, because I don't think that they will, but they do have a chance to have one of their better seasons in a long time. They should have a solid defense (which returns eight starters), and with a year of experience under his belt, sophomore quarterback Trent Steelman should be much improved. Navy and Notre Dame better watch out, because in a few years the Black Knights may be just as good as them.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Notre Dame vs. Stanford (September 25th)
Considering I picked Stanford to win the Pac-10, this is a pretty big game for Notre Dame in my opinion. Brian Kelly is much like Charlie Weis in that he is offensive minded, and considering Stanford's shaky defense last year, this game could turn into a shootout. This game will be a true test for Notre Dame if they can survive the three middle-of-the-road Big Ten teams to start their season.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Navy vs. Notre Dame (October 23rd)
This rivalry used to be very one sided, until three years ago when Navy broke through for their first win against the Irish in 44 years. Now, this game is no longer a give-me game for Notre Dame, and this year, they probably won't even be the favorites. Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs is a master at running the triple option, and if the last three years are any indication, Notre Dame will have trouble figuring out a way to stop it. Notre Dame could potentially have a lot of high scoring games this year, but this certainly won't be one of them. Navy will almost undoubtedly control the pace of this game.
Team Predictions
1. Navy (10-2, with wins over Notre Dame and Army)
2. Notre Dame (7-6, with a win over Army)
3. Army (3-9)
This post effectively concludes my college football conference by conference preview. If you missed one of my previews and no longer see it on the page, there is an archive on the left hand side of the screen (below all the polls) with links to all my previews. If you have not yet voted on all the polls, then please take the time to do so. Tomorrow, I will officially conclude my college football preview with a short list of Heisman hopefuls, some of the things I think will happen throughout the season, and my pick on who will be holding up the crystal ball on January 10th. Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read even one of my previews or have voted on any of the polls.
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label independent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independent. Show all posts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
"Stick it, A-Rod"
Those were the words of Dallas Braden's grandmother, Peggy Lindsey, moments after her grandson pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. Sure, she retracted her statement a day later, saying she didn't mean to say that, but don't tell me that those words weren't exactly what Braden and Lindsey were thinking after Braden's pitching gem on Sunday afternoon. In fact, I don't think they were the only ones thinking it either. Braden may come off as mouthy, or even a little bit of a punk, but it's still great, not only for him but for baseball as a whole when something like this occurs. Also, contrary to A-Rod's statement made a couple of weeks ago, Braden is receiving much more than "15 minutes of fame". This guy has come a long way, evident in the tough times he went through before making it to the MLB. Regardless of how the rest of his career plays out, it is likely that the first thing that will come to people's mind when talking about Dallas Braden will be "the guy pitched a perfect game". As for A-Rod, no matter how great his career ends up, it will always be marred by the fact that he took steroids. Quite frankly, I'd rather be a guy who took his 15 minutes of fame and ran with it than a guy who cheated the game.
The possible expansion of the Big Ten has been a hot topic lately, and since my readers are primarily from the Midwest, it is even more prevalent and interesting. It is anyone's guess as to which teams will join which conferences in the next few months (or years), but here is one thing that I am confident in saying: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will not join the Big Ten. There are a couple of reasons for this. One reason is that their contract with NBC to broadcast their football games is much better than anything that Jim Delaney and the Big Ten Network can offer. Also, rather than having to share the revenue with ten other teams, Notre Dame pulls in all the money with their current contract. Another reason that Notre Dame will stay independent in football is because, at least as of now, it looks as if the Big East will stay relatively intact. With that being said, Notre Dame is part of arguably the best basketball conference in the nation in the Big East. Unless the Big East were to be decimated by the Big Ten and the ACC, Notre Dame would have no reason to switch conferences from purely a basketball standpoint. It looks as if the Big Ten is looking at expanding West (by possibly taking some Big 12 teams) rather than East, which means that the Big East will likely survive as a conference. The last reason that Notre Dame will keep its football independence is, simply put, history. Much of Notre Dame's rich history in college football (which we all know they love to bring up) is due to the fact that they played quality teams week in and week out because they were not limited to the confines of a conference. Although as of late their schedule has been significantly watered down, independence is still something that the Irish hold near and dear. Notre Dame losing its football independence would be as tragic to some Irish faithful as Touchdown Jesus being sold for advertising space. The bottom line is it's not going to happen.
Last week I put up a poll asking readers "who would you rather have on your team" in which the choices were Milton Bradley and Pacman Jones. Pacman received twice as many votes as Bradley, but I am going to have to disagree with my readers on this one. Although Pacman is arguably a more productive player than Bradley (and believe me, that is arguable), Bradley has never had an altercation with the law. Pacman's problems are external, while Bradley's are internal issues that the team can handle on their own. If I were management of a team, I'd much rather deal with a guy on my own than have to cooperate with the police. Also, from a media standpoint, who causes more trouble? Pacman's issues with the law are conversation on Sportscenter for weeks, while Bradley's issues usually only stay relevant in the news for a day or two.
For the next poll, I want to hear your thoughts on which team(s) the Big Ten will take when they expand. I realize that they may take more than one team, which is why this poll allows you to vote for more than one choice. I'm sure this will generate conversation, so leave me a comment in the comments section, or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com with your thoughts. Thanks guys.
- K. Becks
The possible expansion of the Big Ten has been a hot topic lately, and since my readers are primarily from the Midwest, it is even more prevalent and interesting. It is anyone's guess as to which teams will join which conferences in the next few months (or years), but here is one thing that I am confident in saying: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will not join the Big Ten. There are a couple of reasons for this. One reason is that their contract with NBC to broadcast their football games is much better than anything that Jim Delaney and the Big Ten Network can offer. Also, rather than having to share the revenue with ten other teams, Notre Dame pulls in all the money with their current contract. Another reason that Notre Dame will stay independent in football is because, at least as of now, it looks as if the Big East will stay relatively intact. With that being said, Notre Dame is part of arguably the best basketball conference in the nation in the Big East. Unless the Big East were to be decimated by the Big Ten and the ACC, Notre Dame would have no reason to switch conferences from purely a basketball standpoint. It looks as if the Big Ten is looking at expanding West (by possibly taking some Big 12 teams) rather than East, which means that the Big East will likely survive as a conference. The last reason that Notre Dame will keep its football independence is, simply put, history. Much of Notre Dame's rich history in college football (which we all know they love to bring up) is due to the fact that they played quality teams week in and week out because they were not limited to the confines of a conference. Although as of late their schedule has been significantly watered down, independence is still something that the Irish hold near and dear. Notre Dame losing its football independence would be as tragic to some Irish faithful as Touchdown Jesus being sold for advertising space. The bottom line is it's not going to happen.
Last week I put up a poll asking readers "who would you rather have on your team" in which the choices were Milton Bradley and Pacman Jones. Pacman received twice as many votes as Bradley, but I am going to have to disagree with my readers on this one. Although Pacman is arguably a more productive player than Bradley (and believe me, that is arguable), Bradley has never had an altercation with the law. Pacman's problems are external, while Bradley's are internal issues that the team can handle on their own. If I were management of a team, I'd much rather deal with a guy on my own than have to cooperate with the police. Also, from a media standpoint, who causes more trouble? Pacman's issues with the law are conversation on Sportscenter for weeks, while Bradley's issues usually only stay relevant in the news for a day or two.
For the next poll, I want to hear your thoughts on which team(s) the Big Ten will take when they expand. I realize that they may take more than one team, which is why this poll allows you to vote for more than one choice. I'm sure this will generate conversation, so leave me a comment in the comments section, or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com with your thoughts. Thanks guys.
- K. Becks
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