College Football FanZone Blog

Michigan and Notre Dame to put stored rivalry on hold after the 2011 season

Kieran — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:14:00 GMT

Starting after the 2011 College Football season, Notre Dame and Michigan will take a break from their storied rivalry. The big question for both teams is who to fill the spot left open.

Michigan will play a national power from a major conference, most likely in a home-and-home series, athletic director Bill Martin told The Ann Arbor News for a story posted on its Web site Tuesday evening.

Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White last week announced that Oklahoma would replace Michigan for two years after the current contract expires.

White said the goal is to play in different parts of the country in an attempt to return Notre Dame to its independent roots.

Who has the weakest schedule in 2007..

Kieran — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:44:00 GMT

ESPN.com came out with a list of teams that have the weakest schedule for 2007. So which team is going to bad their resume with cream puffs?

1. KANSAS
2. HAWAII
3. ARKANSAS
4. INDIANA
5. CONNECTICUT
6. NAVY
7. NORTHWESTERN
8. TEXAS TECH
9. OHIO STATE
10. TEXAS

100 things I'm looking forward to this season

Kieran — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:42:00 GMT

Found this great list of the 100 things to look forward to this upcoming College Football season. I lost the link of where it came from, but I had to post it.

1. Tulsa at La-Monroe on Thursday, August 30! (It's the first televised game of the season - 7pm ESPNU.)

2. Brent Musburger's first "You are looking live…" of the season.

3. Seeing the Gameday piece on Penn State football players cleaning Beaver Stadium and then having Desmond Howard sit down with select players and ask, "So, do you think you'll ever home-invade again?"

4. Nick Saban and Alabama hosting LSU on Saturday, November 3. There will be lawn chairs and styrofoam as far as the eye can see.

5. Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis running for his life, and knowing exactly what to do with the ball.

6. Illinois quarterback Juice Williams running for his life, but having no idea what to do with the ball…

7. …and then finding freshman receiver Arrelious Benn for a 60-yard touchdown.

8. Watching USC at Nebraska on Saturday, September 15. If you want to know how far Bill Callahan has brought the Nebraska program, pull up a chair and find out.

9. Virginia Tech at LSU on Saturday, September 8.

10. Antone Smith trying to become Florida State's first 1,000-yard running back since Warrick Dunn in 1996.

11. USC at Notre Dame on Saturday, October 20. It's the one day per year you can be a Notre Dame fan because you just don't know how many shots at losses USC is going to have--whereas that's never a concern about Notre Dame.

12. TCU at Texas on Saturday, September 8. This is likely the only loss on TCU's schedule. If they somehow get past Texas, they'll have a great shot at a BCS game.

13. Watching Pitt freshman running back LeSean McCoy. He was ranked right up there with Ohio State running back Chris Wells when they were high school seniors in 2005, but McCoy ran into some qualifying problems and has now re-surfaced at Pitt.

14. Seeing if Washington's freshman quarterback Jake Locker is half the player the fans are hoping he'll be.

15. The Bowden Bowl on Monday, September 3.

16. The Bubba Bowl (i.e. Alabama vs. Florida State in Jacksonville) on Saturday, September 29.

17. Finding out what menagerie of middling the Wolverines have in the secondary.

18. Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman proving many, many people wrong.

19. Seeing Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill bust through the line to find an unlucky member of the opposing secondary filling the hole. And the ensuing crumple.

20. Nick Saban's first Iron Bowl. (Alabama has lost five-straight.)

21. Florida sophomore quarterback/trench pummeler/jorted icon Tim Tebow actually dropping back and reading a defense for a change.

22. Michigan receiver Mario Manningham running down the sideline.

23. Wisconsin tight end Travis Beckum running down the middle of the field.

24. Neither of them doing it against the Buckeyes.

25. Steve Spurrier.

26. Arkansas' quarterbacks basically ruining the usage of the two best running backs in the SEC.

27. Penn State football players making sure not to make a mess during their home games, as they're the ones that will have to clean it up.

28. Oklahoma redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray making the post-Adrian Peterson mourning period a short one. He will be a star.

29. Watching Virginia Tech running back Brandon Ore continue to pile up tough yards and continue to go unnoticed nationally.

30. Watching Notre Dame at Michigan on Saturday, September 15. It's the one day every year where you get to be a Michigan fan and you don't even have to worry about collecting enough tips to pay for the tank of gas you promised your mother if she just let you borrow the station wagon just this one time since the paint job on your car hadn't dried yet because that idiot Johnny Bench lied to you about Krylon's dry-time.

31. Seeing if any of Butch Davis' recruits contribute this season at North Carolina.

32. Seeing if any of Ron Zook's recruits contribute this season at Illinois.

33. Seeing if any of the SEC's recruits contribute this season at Fork Union Military Academy.

34. Watching the second-best running back tandem in the nation--Clemson's James Davis and C.J. Spiller.

35. Georgia sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford showing himself to be the future #1 overall pick that Mel Kiper Jr. claims him to be.

36. Seeing if Michigan quarterback Chad Henne is finally able to use the middle of the field effectively.

37. Florida at South Carolina on Saturday, November 10. Last season, South Carolina refused to beat Florida, even though the Gators were trying to give the game away. I'm expecting that that game last season and this game this season will be a focal point for the Gamecocks.

38. Having Spartan running back Javon Ringer on the field for an entire season.

39. Seeing what type of player Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham is. He was a high school All-American at linebacker, we'll see if it translates to the defensive line.

40. West Virginia at Maryland on Thursday, September 13. There's just something about West Virginia games on Thursday night.

41. Watching Boston College linebacker/goal-line plunger Brian Toal continue his excellence on both sides of the ball.

42. Seeing if Pete Carroll can split 40 carries between seven different USC running backs and keep them (and their parents) happy.

43. Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy continuing his precision attack via the dink, the dunk, and the occasional chuck.

44. Watching Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee take a beating and continue to get up. He's like the bionic version of Drew Stanton.

45. NBC's fantastically non-partisan college football coverage kicking off with Georgia Tech at Notre Dame on Saturday, September 1. The game will start at 3:30, but feel free to tune into the NBC Sports Desk prior to that in order to get a good rundown on the day's sports happenings! (Or, you can just watch the happenings on every other channel.)

46. Watching North Carolina State head coach Tom O'Brien go back to Boston College on Saturday, September 8. Nice way to open up the conference slate for O'Brien.

47. West Virginia's running game--especially if freshman running back Noel Devine can see the field.

48. Seeing how Rutgers running back Ray Rice fares without fullback Brian Leonard leading the way for him.

49. Iowa's workman-like front four getting worked like flaggers on a four-lane highway.

50. Michigan at Wisconsin on Saturday, November 10--one week before the Ohio State game. Not much room for looking ahead for the Wolverines.

51. LSU's Ryan Perrilloux as a backup once again--and the trouble Ryan Perrilloux'll cause.

52. Georgia at Tennessee on Saturday, October 6. For his career, Georgia head coach Mark Richt is 3-0 in Knoxville.

53. A healthy C.J. Bacher quarterbacking a Northwestern offense that actually puts a little bit of fear in their opponents.

54. A competent Spartan sideline…actually, anybody that is looking forward to that is a liar. Watching John L. Smith was akin to watching the Shriners drive their little go-karts along the parade path amidst lock-step marching bands and the 4-H float. (In this analogy, the other Big Ten schools are the marching bands, with Penn State being the 4-H float on account of their distance from city folk.)

55. Michigan at Illinois on Saturday, October 20. We will get to see exactly where the Illini program stands.

56. Seeing how long it takes Minnesota to run an effective spread offense.

57. Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell battling Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan for statistical supremacy.

58. The Sooners never-ending quest for a quarterback that doesn't a) play wide receiver; b) lack cartilage around the knee; or c) work 160 hours in a normal week.

59. Seeing how Hokie linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi end their college careers. Last season, the two of them combined for over 200 tackles.

60. Adequate quarterbacking from a Georgia Tech quarterback for the first time in over four years!

61. Seeing what it's like to have a non-self-destructive North Carolina State Wolfpack team for a change. Imagine the defense's surprise when they find out that not all penalties are fifteen-yarders. They'll probably feel like they're getting away with something. They'll be looking at each other wondering why the ref only penalized them five yards on that last play. Of course, this may then encourage them to play three times as idiotically.

62. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall finally getting the 20 carries per game that he deserves.

63. Seeing how a mutiny-less Arizona State team performs when USC comes to town on Thursday, November 22.

64. Louisville at West Virginia on Thursday, November 8.

65. California receiver DeSean Jackson cutting a punt return back up the middle and finding the seam.

66. Boise State at Hawaii on Friday, November 23. This will probably be the Game of the Century in the WAC, and the winner will probably be undefeated and headed for the BCS.

67. Charlie Weis' third defense as head coach at Notre Dame. Eventually it has to stop being Tyrone Willingham's fault, right?

68. Michigan freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett getting some playing time this season and shattering some 3rd-string breastplates and bursting a spleen or two with his Mallett-like arm. (You know you've arrived when you're an analogy for yourself.)

69. New Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh annoying the heck out of USC and Pete Carroll--and getting a 40-pt beatdown in the process.

70. Watching Buckeye linebacker Larry Grant continue his great spring into the fall.

71. Watching Iowa's young receivers develop. They may no longer have Drew Tate at quarterback…wait, is that even a bad thing?

72. The Hoosiers playing Number 13.

73. Notre Dame at Purdue on Saturday, September 29. The Boilers have never beaten Charlie Weis, losing both prior meetings by an average score of 42-25. If the Boilers have it in them, don't expect Tiller to go easy on an Irish secondary that escorts more touchdowns than the Air Traffic Control at O'Hare.

74. Kansas State at Auburn on Saturday night, September 1. We'll see if KSU quarterback Josh Freeman can pick up where he left off after a strong finish last season.

75. Seeing if quarterback Sam Keller can succeed at Nebraska after sitting out a year due to transferring from Arizona State because his team hated him and had no faith in him that he could win or play well.

76. Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice's continued run of unknown dominance.

77. Seeing if quarterback Josh Portis can win the Maryland job. If he can, Maryland will be fun to watch again.

78. Famed fire extinguisher shooter-offer and anti-vegite Willie Williams playing linebacker for Louisville.

79. Some contributions from Charlie Weis' recruits for once.

80. Watching Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart bouncing off tackler after tackler, then tweaking an ankle on a simple cut and being iffy for the next three games causing me to have to juggle my fantasy team. (I'm only looking forward to the first part of this.)

81. Watching Spartan safety Otis Wiley. He is a playmaker and a leader and Mark Dantonio will make him a star.

82. The Red River Shootout on Saturday, October 6.

83. Watching sophomore running back Mike Goodson become more of a point of focus for the Texas A&M running attack.

84. Having Buckeye safety Anderson Russell on the field for an entire season.

85. Penn State receiver Derrick Williams being used for more than just swing passes and scraping gum off of bleachers.

86. Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson perhaps getting Kentucky back to the salad days of Tim Couch and Jared Lorenzen. (Although "salad days" and Lorenzen probably don't go together.)

87. Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton again being able to run the ball with the benefit of a passing game.

88. Texas at Texas A&M on Friday, November 23. It very well could be the last thing standing between Texas and the BCS National Championship Game. Except, of course, for the Big XII Championship Game.

89. Mark Dantonio's first Michigan game as Michigan State's head coach--Saturday, November 3 at Spartan Stadium.

90. Drafting Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan #1 overall in my fantasy league. (And him not getting injured if I do land him, ala Louisville's Michael Bush last season.)

91. Seeing what Notre Dame has in freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

92. West Virginia at Rutgers on Saturday, October 27.

93. USC at Cal on Saturday, November 10.

94. Watching Myron Rolle continue his progression towards superstardom as he patrols the defensive backfield for the Florida State Seminoles.

95. Nebraska at Missouri on Saturday, October 6 for the Big XII North championship. Essentially.

96. Seeing if Penn State running back Austin Scott is a workhorse or a hobby-horse.

97. The Badgers breaking in a new quarterback. (It doesn't seem to bother anybody that Wisconsin will have a new guy taking snaps, yet it's somehow the big sticking point for the Buckeyes' hopes.)

98. Nittany Lion cornerback Justin King justifying the early pub he is receiving this season.

99. Watching USC linebacker Rey Maualuga plow though linemen, running backs, refs, the dude with the parabola-thing, the one lady that's always on the sideline that gets run over, Will Ferrell, Snoop Dogg, Erik Estrada, "Jeff" from Taxi and an oxidized Twiki.

100. Seeing USC safety Taylor Mays do the same thing as Maualuga, but keeping it on the field. (This being USC, however, Snoop Dogg would still be at risk.)

2007 Preseason Hawe College Football Poll Launched

Kieran — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:38:00 GMT

College Football Fanatics has just released their 2007 Preseason Hawe College Football Poll. The Hawe College Football Poll ranks all 119 teams using their own proprietary algorithms.

Indiana football coach dead at 59

Kieran — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:06:00 GMT

University of Indiana football coach Terry Hoeppner, passed away today due to complications from a brain tumor. Hoeppner, who was 59, had gone through 2 brain surgeries in the past 18 months. Hoeppner went 9-14 in two season but had to take 3 medical leaves due to his condition.

Notre Dame star recruit has medical procedure, will be ready by fall

Kieran — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:28:00 GMT

The new golden boy at the University of Notre Dame, Quarterback Jimmy Clausen underwent a "medical procedure" on his elbow says ND spokesman Brian Hardin. Hardin said that Clausen would be ready to play when the team begins fall practice in early August. No further details were given.

It should be noted that Clasuen has had issues with bone spurs in his throwing elbow and also played through a un-specified arm injury during his senior year. We are going to watch this one closely because I got a feeling there is more to this then they are letting on.

Two University of Florida players suspended indefinitely

Kieran — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:18:00 GMT

A University of Florida football and basketball player have been suspended from their respective teams after being charged with buying marijuana. Running back Brandon James and basketball guard Brandon Powell were arrested Monday on the charges. "We are aware of the situation and understand the severity of its nature," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "This is not something we take lightly. Both coaches have informed me that the players involved have been suspended indefinitely and we will continue to follow the procedures in addressing this." Brandon James set a record for punt return yardage last year in a 62-0 killing of Western Carolina.

Notre Dame third wheel QB granted permission to transfer

Kieran — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 10:48:00 GMT

University of Notre Dame has given QB Zach Frazer permission to transfer. Frazer plans to visit up to five schools (Rutgers, UConn, Miami, Louisville and East Carolina), all of which have mutual interest in the 6'5' 225 red shirt freshman. Frazer was a top recruit with a stellar High School record but after Coach Charlie Weis announced last week true freshman Jimmy Clausen, redshirt freshman Demetrius Jones and junior Evan Sharpley would compete for the starting spot in the fall.

Ailing Indiana Football coach future in question

Kieran — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:19:00 GMT

The Indiana athletic director Rich Greenspan was hoping Head Football coach Terry Hoeppner would be back by now - however that is not the case. Coach Hoeppner had brain surgery twice in 10 months and has had to take a leave of absence three times since 2005. It seems as though no one knows when Hoeppner will return to IU - he recently released a statement that caused more questions then answers.

Coach Hoeppner has gone 9-14 in the past two seasons.

Notre Dame making move to Big East?

Kieran — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:03:00 GMT

Not any time soon however the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame did announce that they will use officiating crews from the Big East, instead of the Big Ten. Hmmm Interesting.

Also out of South Bend, Coach Weis announced that Gary Gray - a top recruit will miss all of this season due to shoulder surgery. This is a huge blow to a secondary that needed a lot of help.

UVA leading WR out for season

Kieran — Wed, 30 May 2007 12:26:00 GMT

University of Virginia wide receiver Kevin Ogletree will miss all of 2007 after tearing his anterior cruciate at a practice Friday. Ogletree was the Cavaliers leading receiver in 2006 pulling in 52 receptions for 582 yards and 4 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Michigan State shows unveils new uniforms

Kieran — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:06:00 GMT

On the heels of a lackluster season Michigan State unveiled new football uniforms that are both high-tech and traditional. The uniforms are made by Nike and restore the last names to the back of the jersey...you can see the new duds here.

The Spartans will show off their new uniforms September 1st against UAB.

Alabama hush about possible Saban violations

Kieran — Mon, 28 May 2007 10:34:00 GMT

Officials at the University of Alabama are not commenting on reports that Coach Saban might have violated NCAA rules about contacting potential recruits. The Miami Herald reports that 3 south Florida High School prospects had extended conversations with Coach Saban that might have exceeded NCAA guidelines. IF this is true it would be considered a secondary violation and would not result in any significant penalties.

University of Alabama officials are not commenting on the allegations.

Paterno will make entire football team clean stadium after games...

Kieran — Fri, 25 May 2007 08:59:00 GMT

Joe Paterno - the legendary coach of the Penn State Nittany Lion's has had enough of his players conduct this off-season. Joe Pa announced at an alumni function that because of the arrests of several of his football players he will be punishing the entire team for the season. The Nittany Lion's will be forced to clean the 107,000+ seat Beaver Stadium after every home game, they will also be required to do community service.

Good for Joe, this off-season has seen a lot of legal issues come up around College Football and I like how he taking charge.

Arkansas Razorback QB transfers to USC

Kieran — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:27:00 GMT

Mitch Mustain, much heralded recruit for the Arkansas Razorbacks has enrolled in summer school at USC and will sit out next season. Mustain, who went 8-0 as a freshman starter last season will have 3 years of eligibility left when he returns.

2007-08 Bowl Schedule Released

Kieran — Fri, 18 May 2007 20:47:26 GMT

The College Football bowl schedule was released - here are the ones that matter.

January 7th, BCS Title Game - New Orleans - Fox - 8pm
January 3rd, Orange Bowl - Miami - Fox - 8pm
January 2nd, Fiesta Bowl - Glendale, AZ - FOX - 8pm
January 1st, Rose Bowl - Pasadena - ABC - 4:40pm
January 1st, Sugar Bowl - New Orleans - FOX - 8:30pm

For a complete list of the 2007-08 Bowl Schedule visit the College Football Fanatics schedule page.

TCU kick killer gets life in prison

Kieran — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:58:00 GMT

The 42 year old man who fatally shot TCU kicker Kasey Davis was sentenced to live in prison. Jeffrey Clay Lasiter walked up to the car Davis was sitting in and shot him with a deer rifle. Of course the defense attorneys tried to use the old mental illness defense...wow you think he was mentally ill?

Davis and Lasiter did not know each other....sad sad stuff.

Penn State offensive lineman done for good after neck injury

Kieran — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:50:00 GMT

Elijah Robinson, offensive lineman for the Penn State Nittany Lion's, sustained a serious neck injury during spring practice. Robinson was able to walk off the field but after team doctors examined him they found he was born with a tight spinal canal. Any further impact to Robinson's head could result in paralysis.

Robinson was close to winning the starting spot and had two years of eligibility left.

College Football Search Engine Launch

Kieran — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:16:00 GMT

The CollegeFootballFanatics.com network has just launched another College Football focused website. This time it is a Search Engine dedicated to College Football. Check out CollegeFootballSearchEngine.com and see how much better a targeted search engine can be.

College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2007

Kieran — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:10:00 GMT

A couple of days ago the complete list of 2007 inductees into the college football hall of fame was announced...and your winners are:

Tom Brahaney, C, Oklahoma, 1970-72

Dave Brown, DB, Michigan, 1972-74

Jeff Davis, LB, Clemson, 1978-81

Doug Flutie, QB, Boston College, 1981-84

Johnnie Johnson, DB, Texas, 1976-79

Rex Kern, QB, Ohio State, 1968-70

Ahmad Rashad, RB/WR, Oregon, 1969-71

Anthony Thompson, RB, Indiana, 1986-89

Wilson Whitley, DT, Houston, 1973-76

Reggie Williams, LB, Dartmouth, 1973-75

Richard Wood, LB, Southern California, 1972-74

Chris Zorich, DT, Notre Dame, 1988-90

Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan (1978-93), 110-55-10

Joe Paterno, Penn State (1966-present), 363-121-3

All of these guys had unbelievable College Football careers, however the above list lacks a great deal of "name players". The biggest name is Doug Flutie and then maybe Ahmad Rashad - who is know for his work on TV not on the field.