College football - 4 on the rise, 4 on the fall

[Skkorpion]

http://www.sportingnews.com/experts/matt-hayes/blog/1102940-p.html

I agree with Miami on the rise and West Virginia on the fall. Disagree about the fall of Tennesse, no opinion on the rest.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Written from a perspective of someone who doesnt follow WVU football...

1. Stewart lost 3 of the 4 offensive standouts in his first year (Schmitt, Reynaurd, and Slaton).

2. They returned only 5 of the previous years starters on defense.

3. There losses were on the road in early games at Colorado and @ ECU and later at Cincy.

They finished the season 10-3.

Of course there will be a drop off with the loss of Pat White but 2 consecutive top 20 recruiting classes will help that.

My biggest problem with this article however is with Rich Rodriguez. WVU fans know-even before RR left for Michigan - that Pat White made him and carried that team. His "offensive genius" label should have been that as "recruiting genius" since he was the only one that would let PW play QB. It had nothing to dow ith RR being this great coach. His play calling was predictable and stubborn, and he made little or no adjustments when they put 9 guys int he box to stop PW. His game plans were "Give the ball to PW and he will win it"

Only time will tell but mr Offensive genius lead Michigan to their worst record in history and snapped a 50 year bowl game appearance streak. Maybe this year with them boasting 8 home games and OOC schedule against the likes of Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Delaware St, he might be able to win 6 games. But I doubt it.

The RR offensive genius era ended as soon as he left Pat White.

 

[Southpaw]

Miami has to get better, because they can't get much worse. The ACC is improving across the board. Va Tech, BC, Ga tech, FSU, N Car all will be improved. Where does that leave Miami? Then throw in Oklahoma in this years schedule.

BTW, I like the potential of the 2nd string QB, Taylor Cook, better.