Take a Look at 2007!

Isn’t it great how the schedule for next season is released just after the current one has ended? (We now know that USC will play Arizona State on Thanksgiving night. I was wondering what I was going to do that evening.)

It is like an immediate turning of the page. It makes you forget everything that just happened and forces you to look ahead, no matter how many months away the new season is.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Scan the schedule
   
2. Get the calendar out and schedule the fall weekends we’ll be out of town. (If you’re lucky enough to find a schedule for your team that can be directly downloaded in to Outlook that helps so much.)
   
3. Quickly reserve these weekends against any other conflicts: weddings, parties for engagements, parties for weddings, etc.
   
4. Take the next seven months to game plan how your team can make a run at the BCS next year.

I really do appreciate NCAA Football putting out these schedules so far in advance. As much of a torture device as it is, it does give us something to look forward to and talk about.

What matchups look good? Who has the strongest schedule? Who has the weakest?

How else would we all fill our time over the next half year?

So it gives us something to hang on to about NCAA Football. The great thing is, no matter how much we dissect every team’s schedule over the next few months, no one will be able to predict everything.

So have fun with it. But remember, we’ve got a long way to go. Save something for the middle of summer.

Best National Blog Nominee

Every Game Counts has been nominated for the "Best National Blog" in the Blogger Championship Series on Rocky Top!!

Florida: the Naional Champions!

By: GUEST BLOGGER Mark from Swamp Ball

Florida was not supposed to be there. There were clearly better teams than them in the country, and it was evidenced by the “great” game that Ohio State and Michigan played on November 18th that these were the two best teams in all of college football.

It’s been two weeks since the BCS National Championship game took place in Glendale, a game in which Florida defeated Ohio State 41-14 to not only showed they belong, but to show us who really was the best team in college football this season.

We as college football fans were spoon-fed the fact that the Buckeyes and Wolverines were “clearly” the two best teams in the nation, and that their match up in Columbus was the peak at which college football was going to be played in the 2006 season. What happened in the bowl season shook the college football world in that sense, as both of the above mentioned programs fell on their faces – maybe leaving some of us confused.

Could it be? Could Ohio State not be the best team in the nation?

On November 18th the Buckeyes beat the Michigan Wolverines 42-39 in an instant classic that no one should have missed. This was a battle between two great college football teams who should have been the benchmark for programs in the 2006 season.

On November 2nd, two weeks prior to the “big game,” Louisville beat West Virginia 44-34 in an exciting Big East conference battle. Unfortunately, though, this was just a showcase of pretty good offenses going against less than great defenses. This is what many college football fans were saying, at least. On January 8th, when the bowl season was completed, perhaps it became evident that the Ohio State – Michigan match up was of the same mold.

Even though the Buckeyes were 12-0 coming into Glendale, the defensive squad was coming off a game in which they gave up 39 points and close to 400 yards of total offense against their best regular season opponent. And on January 8th, against their best overall opponent, they gave up 370 yards and 41 points – running the combined total to 767 yards of offense and 80 points against their two best forms of competition on the season.

In scoring 41 points to beat the Buckeyes, the Gators offense looked as efficient as any offense could possibly be. Chris Leak continually picked apart the Ohio State zone defense (why they stayed in it nearly all game is a mystery), passing for 213 yards while never throwing more than a 20 yard pass. I don’t know if you can call that a great offensive performance. That could be called simply toying with the defense.

But the Buckeyes offense had a good showing, right? Wrong.

Heisman trophy quarterback Troy Smith compiled a total of 6 yards of offense in the 27 point loss, while the Buckeyes could only muster up a total of 82. Statistically this was second to only Western Carolina as the worst offensive performance by a Gators opponent all season. The Gators defensive front badgered the Ohio State offensive line, running backs and Smith all game long, as the secondary provided lock-down coverage. In no way was there going to be constant success against such an inspired and hungry Gators defense – a defense that had carried the team throughout the 2006 season.

Perhaps the presence of Ted Ginn Jr. could have changed some of what occurred for the Buckeyes defense. But if you ask Troy Smith and any other quarterback they will tell you that it is impossible to throw accurately from your back – a position Smith was in constantly in this game thanks to the Gators defensive front (Smith was sacked 5 times on the game). Plus, not having the deep threat Ginn provided just meant that Ohio State wouldn’t have to deal with the headaches caused from trying to pass the ball on safety Reggie Nelson.

The Buckeyes had a 51 day layoff before the game, while the Gators break lasted 37. There was talk that this 51 day break made Ohio State less focused and lethargic. While there could be some truth to that, this would be a non-issue had the Buckeyes won the game.

If the opposite outcome had occurred, we would have been under a constant barrage of talk focusing on how much of a genius big-game coach Jim Tressel is. It would have been because of his precise game-planning over the break that the Buckeyes pulled out a victory. Instead, the layoff is used as an excuse. 37 days is quite a while to for these athletes to stay focused as well – and the last time I checked coaching is part of football, too. Coaches should bring a winning game-plan and a motivated team, especially when so much is on the line.

It’s still hard to believe how easy that actually was for Florida. The Gators are the 2006 (BCS) National Champions, and it’s hard to make any argument to say any team would have knocked them off two weeks ago – even the supposed “actual” 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes team that didn’t show up to Glendale.

A closing note on the long layoff is that it may have been one week to long this season. While the +1 format just makes the major sponsors and college football wealthier, it is just too long of a wait in between the New Years Day bowl games and the National Championship game. In the future I feel that the NCAA and BCS should look into keeping these games closer together.

Other than the above complaint, there were not many negative things to say about the bowl game performance of the Florida Gators – capturing their school a football national title to go along with that basketball one earned last March. This is an unprecedented action that has the University of Florida on top of the college athletics world.

The Shark Jumps for the Diamond

The list for early entrees for the NFL draft is clearing up, and the look of this year’s crop of draftees will be complete.

One name that will be noticeably absent from any NFL draft board is Jeff Samardzija.

Shocked? Me too.

There’s no disputing the fact the Samardzija gave Calvin Johnson a run for his money as the best wide receiver in all of NCAA Football. I didn’t want to see it at first either, because Johnson is a freak!

With apologies to Dwyane Jarrett, if Johnson is 1, then Samardzija is 1-A, and it could easily be swapped and I would have no problem with that.

So how does one of the best players in NCAA Football, a probable first-round draft pick in the NFL turn down football? One word. Love.

This kid must love the game. The game of baseball. He’s signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs to take his skills to the show.

As a football fan, I hate it. But that’s me being very selfish. This guy is following his heart and staying on the diamond and away from runaway freight trains in the NFL. I can’t say I blame him. It’s much more likely that he could have a shot at playing both by trying baseball first anyway.

A few years on the diamond and if it doesn’t work out, I’m sure he could still get a tryout somewhere in the NFL. But starting out in pro football can cut an athletic timeline in half.

So good for you Samardzija. It was a pleasure to watch you play and enjoy the good years ahead of you. No matter what field they’re on.

Off Week One

The first off-season week of the year and it’s pretty much what you would expect.

Off. And boring.

Yes, teams are still waiting for some coaching hires. Most players have made the decision whether or not to return to the greatest atmosphere in sports and forgo the NFL for now.

• The latest, Colt Brennan will return to Hawaii. Hmm, Hawaii. College. Football. Quarterback. Yeah, I wouldn’t leave either
  
  
• Brian Brohm shocked me, but lucky for all of us he will return. Should be fun to watch him perfect his skills next season, watch out Heisman contenders.
  
  
• The coaching carousel continues to turn and it has spit out Chuck Amato back in Tallahassee. The more things change, the more they…change. These are not your father’s Seminoles. And they’re not Amato’s either.

Funny thing is, at NC State, Amato’s strong suit appeared to be recruiting. He stacked his defense with half the 2006 NFL draft, but produced basically a .500 team. He’ll be linebackers coach and the executive head coach. I think the folks in Raleigh are happy, I’m sure the Tallahassee faithful are too but another season like this one and there will be more changes.

A Long Week for Buckeye Fans

By: GUEST BLOGGER from The Buckeye Blog

It’s been a long week for Buckeye fans to say the least. Especially Buckeye fans such as myself who tend to be a little…shall we say…outspoken. At first it was shock and confusion. The day after game, Buckeyes could be found wandering the desert outside of Phoenix, searching for some centering point, trying to make sense of the travesty that had happened only mere hours before. The trip home didn’t help much either as the Phoenix airport was filled with National Championship t-shirts, shirts that I had hoped to fight over, to wear proudly into work on Wednesday. To make matters worse, hidden in the back of an airport magazine stand was a lonely rack of Ohio State sweatshirts, coats, etc. all selling at 50 percent off.

On Wednesday morning, Buckeye fans around the country returned to work only to find their offices newly decorated in Florida colors and a sudden abundance of Gator fans. People who knew nothing about college football were digging out orange sweaters that hadn’t seen the light of day since the 1970s. I’m sure to them it seemed funny and we all did our best to smile and laugh at the joke. Besides, it’s only a game…right?

Now, a week has passed, the fog is clearing and many of us have come to terms with the loss. Bottom line, Florida arrived prepared, determined and played a better game. Like Ohio State in ’03, when the Bucks beat Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the National Championship, Florida had more than a month to hear the country question their very presence on the BCS Championship arena. Florida arrived hungry, with something to prove, and did exactly that.

And to take nothing away from Florida, the Ohio State team we watched in Glendale was not the Ohio State team we have watched all year. The Buckeyes lacked the fire and the confidence that we have seen this season. Let the pundits say what they will, the Ohio State team we watched last fall was not the team that gave up 27 pts to Florida this January.

To be honest, the entire BCS Championship game lacked the fire and passion that a National Championship game deserves. The extra week between bowl games and the BCS Championship killed the hype and excitement that makes a national championship game. I have been saying since November that for a Buckeye fan, anything after this year’s Ohio State/Michigan game would be an afterthought and the extra week only helped to assure this reality. After the college football marathon of New Year’s day and almost two months of hype (or lack of), by the time we finally got to the BCS Championship, nobody seemed to care. This year’s Rose Bowl got more attention then the BCS Championship game.

I have been fortunate enough to attend some of the biggest games in recent Ohio State history. These games include the ‘03 Fiesta Bowl against Miami, Texas in the Shoe in ‘05, this year’s Ohio State/Michigan game and although I didn’t get into this year’s BCS Championship, I was in Glendale and watched the game outside of the stadium.

What makes these big games so exciting is not just the game itself but the energy leading into the game. All of the games mentioned above had a such a buzz, such an excitement that by game time, you were ready to explode. All of those games except this one. In ‘03, the energy level in Phoenix was off the chart. Ohio State fans were everywhere and the entire city seemed to boil with excitement. And it wasn’t only the Ohio State fans. The entire city was looking forward to the big game in Tempe.

This year, however, the energy of those past games was missing. Once again Ohio State fans descended on Phoenix in force and did seem to outnumber Florida fans about 10-1 (before the game at least). This year, however, Phoenix did not have that same feeling and couldn’t even be compared to this year’s Ohio State/Michigan game.

Let’s face it, the new stadium in Glendale, while impressive, has the feel of a shopping mall. Its location on the far west side of Phoenix spread things out around the Phoenix area. Unlike in ‘03, where Tempe was the center of the Bowl festivities, Bowl events were spread miles apart. Glendale is a good 1/2 hour drive from Chase Field, site of the Ohio State pep rally. As for the town of Phoenix, they were back to work. Locals coming down off the buzz of the Fiesta Bowl were more concerned about traffic problems caused by the inconvenience of the BCS Championship than the game itself.

With the events of this week, it is also becoming obvious that many of Ohio State’s top players were looking past the BCS game to the upcoming NFL draft deadline. Only days after the game, a teary eyed Antonio Gonzalaz, who graduates this spring, announced that he would forgo his last year of eligibility to go pro. Then we heard of the emotional conflict Teddy Ginn was facing as he tried to decide if he would stay for another year only to see both him and Antonio Pittman announce their NFL intentions the day before deadline. While it is sad to see them go, Gonzo, Ginn, Pittman and Troy Smith have made for some great Ohio State moments and we wish them luck in the big show.

For Ohio State, I think our season ended back in November. The Game (Ohio State/Michigan), as it will forever be remembered, will go down as one of the biggest games not only in the history of the rivalry, but in the history of college football. January is a time for NFL playoffs and basketball, not leftover college football games.

Congratulations to Florida. They played a great game and deserved to win. Most of those Gators will be back again next year and they will be a force to be recognized. As for Ohio State, ‘07 will be a rebuilding year but there is a lot of talent waiting in the wings. Ohio State isn’t used to losing these days and this big loss may be good for the future of the program. It is a memory that returning Ohio State players will not want to repeat and may provide the motivation Coach Tressel needs to build a young team.

And don’t get too comfortable Florida. That young basketball team standing in your way come March will have learned a lot since you saw them in December. They will be hungry for a rematch.

Change a Part of the Off-Season

We had another amazing season of NCAA Football. And now is the time to reflect, and the time for change.

The teams we watched last year will never be the same again. And for just about everyone except the Florida Gators, that’s a good thing.

Last year is over, and each team starts fresh. Unfortunately we say goodbye to some great players and coaches.

LSU’s JaMarcus Russell is taking the cannon on his shoulder to the next level going to “whoever picks first and whoever pays the most.”

Hey, makes sense to me.

USC’s Dwayne Jarrett is also exiting stage left. Jarrett was emotional at his press conference and visually confirmed head coach Pete Carroll’s insistence that “he knows he has to leave but he doesn’t want to leave.”

Carroll apparently doesn’t either. After being wooed by the Miami Dolphins, Carroll says he’s staying put at the college level, which is good. There are some coaches who just fit the mold of a college coach, and Pete Carroll is the mold in today’s NCAA Football.

Another coach that fits the mold of a college coach, and one of my favorites this year, is Bobby Petrino. But he’s decided to try and solve the Atlanta Falcons mystery which opened the door for Tulsa’s Steve Kragthorpe.

Kragthorpe is tabbed as an up-and-coming coach in the NCAA, time will tell but the folks at Papa John’s stadium certainly have gotten used to a lot of points, and wins.

With every death there come’s rebirth. It’s the circle of life.

Ok, NCAA Football is not that serious, but the off-season ‘tis the season for change. I’m sure it will be interesting, fans will get upset, other fans will be happy. And by the time August rolls around, all we’ll be focused on is that opening weekend of NCAA Football.

And I can’t wait.

Gators Show Up, Shut Down Buckeyes

Congratulations to Chris Leak and the 2006 national champion Florida Gators. Apparently they did deserve the right to be in the national title game. At least the BCS system got one team right.

Just kidding. We all know Ohio State is a very talented football team but for whatever reason, they were not ready for what the Gators took to Arizona.

Maybe it was the 51-day layoff. (51 days?)

Maybe it was the fact that after Ted Ginn “held” off the Gators on the opening kickoff return for a touchdown he was sidelined the rest of the game.

But I doubt the Buckeyes and Jim Tressel would want to rely on these excuses or any other. Ohio State was flat out stomped in the BCS title game and looked nothing like the team that dominated the Big Ten all year.

Interestingly enough, this game was against an SEC team. Ohio State has never beaten an SEC team in a bowl game in eight tries.

But this wasn’t just any SEC team. It was one that was told it didn’t deserve to be in the BCS title game; that it couldn’t withstand the brute, raw strength and power from the mighty Buckeyes.

Well maybe Urban Meyer and his team just got tired of hearing that and decided to do something about.

Or maybe, just maybe, the 2006 Florida Gators were the best team this season. I’m sure glad we finally got to see it.

Kevin Hynes Promotes FCA at AFCA

By: Kevin "Chappy" Hynes, Chaplain, University of Georgia

I’m here for several reasons, the main being we have a chaplains’ conference in conjunction with the AFCA. Grant Teaff and the staff here have been such wonderful hosts to us. The Collegiate Chaplain program has really gained momentum in the last 5 years. Many coaches are seeing the importance of having a spiritual mentor (Chaplain) on the team. I’m out here to meet up with the other chaplains to discuss ministry and glean wisdom from them. I’m also here to promote the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) to coaches. Many people ask me what I do as the Chaplain at Georgia. In response I tell them that I love these players and coaches. First and foremost I’m a servant to all and here’s how I love them.

L- Listen
O- Offer Biblical teaching with a Christian world view
V- Value
E- Encourage

There are many dynamics to being a Chaplain but I attempt to obey the scriptures by just loving God and loving people. I also have a Head Coach (Mark Richt) who loves God and promotes the Chaplain program which allows me the freedom to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here at the convention I help FCA and others to share the vision with coaches and encourage them to incorporate a Chaplain into their programs.

To learn more about Chappy’s ministry at Georgia, please go to www.uga.edu/teamunited.

Impressions of AFCA from the perspective of Lobos Football Operations

By: Gavin Bevis, Associate AD for Football Operations, University of New Mexico

There’s no better place for a football coach to be this week than San Antonio, Texas! The AFCA convention is great for networking. You see guys you used to work with years ago, some guys you haven’t seen in 10-15 years. You even run into some guys from playing High school ball- some you played with, some you coached with. You also get to see lots of vendors we do business with.

I’ve been coming for 20 years now. I keep coming back to see everyone and this is the one place where you see all the vendors in one place. If you want to buy a new blocking sled, you can talk to someone. If you want to see the interior design team who did our locker room, they’re here too. It’s great that all of the vendors are all in one place so we don’t have to travel around to see them. I even pushed 3 new customers to a certain vendor so I can use that in the future to negotiate a better deal for us.

I’ve been to these conventions for years. I’ve been to Orlando, Dallas, etc. I remember the very first one I went to when I was a high school coach. I had a job at the time but I was looking & wondering if I could go to Division 1. I coached high school for 11 years (football & wrestling). There were times I thought about joining the service or something else but I love football. (My Dad was a policeman, so I thought about doing that too.) The 1st time I came to an AFCA convention, I was looking for a job. Now I don’t need to look. Now people are coming to me & wearing me out!

AFCA: Joe Taylor Gets EGC shirt

Joe Taylor was the featured speaker at the President's breakfast this morning. I talked to him afterwards and gave him an Every Game Counts tee-shirt which he was excited about. I told him that his fans were supporting him on the blog and he loved it! Keep it up EGC fans!

AFCA Convention

The Every Game Counts team is headed to San Antonio, TX for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) convention. There will be 6,000 Highschool and College Coaches attending. Jim Tressel, Lloyd Carr, and Greg Schiano are among many who are featured as headline speakers for the conference. We'll be blogging during the conference and hope to have a few coaches blog for us so make sure to check back in!

Buckeyes Go for 8th National Championship Title

By: GUEST BLOGGER from The Buckeye Blog

The Buckeyes nation heads west this weekend in anticipation of Monday night’s BCS feast. It is a rare opportunity that fans of the Scarlet and Gray get an opportunity to dine on Gators meat but from everything I hear, it tastes a lot like chicken.

The SEC has established itself in the perfect position coming into this year’s bowl season. All year long we have heard the talking heads tell us about “SEC speed” and how the SEC is, hands down, the best in the country. On the part of the SEC it is a genius bit of marketing and provides the perfect win/win scenario. If the SEC looks good in the bowls, we are bombarded with shouts of “Told you so.” If they lose, the excuse has been prepackaged as a simple, “It just goes to show you that no one can make it out of such a tough division and a playoff in one piece.”

However, this game is not about the SEC and the Big Ten. Those games are over. It is not about who should or shouldn’t take on Ohio State. The contenders have been chosen. It is about which team can bring their best to the field and when they do, will their best be enough to stand upon that podium and proclaim that they are, “The best damn team in the land.”

It is no secret that Florida is the underdog. Ohio State has run the tables starting and ending the season with a #1 ranking. There has been no question along the way as the Buckeyes had the rare opportunity to prove themselves against two #2 ranked teams. With a win on Monday, they will be the first team in the history of college football to beat three #2 ranked teams in one season.

As game day approaches, there is not a sportswriter out there who hasn’t given us the breakdown in position, speed, size, pass percentage verses secondary defense, you name it, we’ve heard it. What you haven’t heard about, something that all Buckeye fans understand, is the nature of today’s Ohio State football team.

There are those on the outside who wonder if Ohio State will play down to Florida, not bring their “A” game to the field. There are those who think that Heisman winning quarterback Troy Smith will struggle against a defense the likes of which he hasn’t seen yet this year. There are those who believe that the extended time off will be a detriment that the Buckeyes will not be able to overcome.

What they all fail to recognize is the impact of Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. While those of us who sit in the stands not only look forward to another Buckeye national championship, we expect it. For our boys on the field, it will be a different story. On Monday, they will step onto that field not with brash, in-your-face, smashmouth football. There will be plenty of that in the parking lot outside the stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes will enter the national championship arena with the quiet confidence and mental preparation that comes from a coach that knows how to win big games.

There are lots of teams out there with the skills, the speed, the size, all of the things that it takes to make a football team. However, all but one of those teams (with all respect to Boise State) has been able to bring their best to the table game after game, week after week. Only one team has been able to face two of the best teams in the country, in two of the biggest games of the year, meet the smaller teams, the ones that have killed many a sleeping giant, and walk away unscathed.

The Ohio State team that takes the field Monday night has already played in one of the biggest games in college football history. The Ohio State/Michigan rivalry is a game that those on the outside cannot fully comprehend. An entire season, everything every year, comes down to that one game for both teams. An 11-1 season at Ohio State is a losing season if they lose to Michigan. This year’s November classic was the biggest, most significant, in the history of that great rivalry. It is true, for many of us, the BCS Championship seems like something of an afterthought when held in the light of this year’s Ohio State/Michigan contest. For Coach Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes, however, this team will be ready. The films have been studied, the plays rehearsed, the battle plan secured. Most importantly, the Buckeyes will be mentally prepared for the crowing achievement of one of the greatest seasons in not only Ohio State history but in the history of college football.

So run the analysis, play out the simulations, debate the stats, Ohio State fans are bold and confident for a reason. Today’s Ohio State is about character, it is about pride, it is about tradition. And on Monday, it will be about our eighth national championship title.

Bowl Game Home Stretch

What is up with the start time of these games!? Come on now, a late Saturday night game during the season is one thing but these games running days together are killing me. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all games ending the following day.

I thought these games were “starting” in the seven o’clock hour, but none ended up kicking until after 8:00. (Yes, I have an east coast bias.)

Fortunately, these games were worth staying up for. Although the quality of game faded as the week got older. Boise State’s win could have been the most exciting game ever, Wake Forest’s challenge of Louisville was a good story (and surprising to many, a good game), and the LSU game…well, that wasn’t a good one unless you love the Bayou Bengals or hate the Fighting Irish. So, maybe it was fun for a lot of people.

After wrapping up the Sugar Bowl, we’re faced with only one last game (BCS that is, although keep in mind we also have the International Bowl and the GMAC Bowl) for all the marbles. Next week this time we will have a new national champion. I just wish we didn’t have to wait so long for them to play the thing.

Imagine this, if Florida wins, we will have yet another undefeated team who never got to play for the national title. My, my, my, that would certainly give the BCS haters some more ammunition, not that it would matter.

After warming up on these BCS games, I think we’re in for a doozy on Monday.

Fantastic Finish in the Fiesta

Hook and ladder. Check.

Halfback pass. Check.

Statue of liberty?! Check.

For those of you lucky enough to have stayed up late Monday night, you know what I am talking about. And the rest of you have no doubt heard about the greatest college football game in recent memory. Boise State’s win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl may have been the best football game I’ve ever seen. Seriously.

If you can think of a better one you’ve seen please let me know.

I have tried but can’t come up with much that beats this one. This game had everything. It had the underdog story, little Boise State crashing the BCS big boy party, and kicking the door in. It had the big lead, the blown lead, the late game heroics, tons of late-game heroics.

I don’t think I need to recount everything that happened in this game, especially in the last quarter and overtime. But Boise State head coach Chris Petersen just has to be commended for some of those offensive play calls. I can’t decide which one was gutsier. I lean toward the fourth-and-goal half-back pass in overtime.

But they were not only the perfect calls, they were run perfectly. We may never again see plays of that caliber and difficulty run, basically, in succession. It was awesome to watch.

For Oklahoma, I know this one stings. But it took unbelievable fight to battle back and take the lead in that game. It is a tribute to Bob Stoops and his team. It really is a shame someone had to lose this game.