August 31, 2010

Well I'm back...school is getting crazy busy so at 5:30 p.m. at night I've returned to pump out a nice big blog...

1. Harvey Perlman...A new Hero?
2. Big 10 set to announce?
3. Big 12 Preview: Missouri
4. Big 12 Preview: Iowa State

1. A great article and I mean GREAT article on the details that surrounded Tom Osborne and Harvey Perlman about the days leading up to Nebraska joining the Big 10. It went into great detail about the days leading up to the Big 12 meetings. Essentially you saw both of these guys meeting with Jim Delaney and selling to him on Nebraska joining the Big 10. Yes I'll agree that there really wasn't much into getting the presidents to buy into getting Nebraska into the Big 10. But you do have to realize that when the Big 10 began looking into expansion, Nebraska was nowhere close on their radar. Ultimately I think we as fans are happy with the move, I'm stoked...but when you read into the nitty gritty details about what went into getting Nebraska into the conference, I was amazed at the endless work that both Tom and Harvey continue to put in to make sure that Nebraska was not left out in the ever growing expansion talk. Like before when I stated praise for what Harvey and Tom did in getting Nebraska into a conference that we all know is going to last for a long long time...this article further showed exactly what it takes to run a program at Nebraska and an academic institute like Nebraska. There was a time I moaned and complained about tuition rising on campus every year I was in school. When in reality our leaders did have the best interest of our fans, students, and faculty at heart. This move all but assures Tom and Harvey into lifetime contracts at the school, as they singled handedly ushered in a new era for the University of Nebraska.

2. It appears almost likely that the big 10 will be poised to announce its divisions on the Big 10 network as early as tomorrow night...This news breaks directly from Sports Nightly as I'm listening in. It's hard to say if it's true...guess we'll be tuning into the Big 10 preview show tomorrow night to see...I'm DVR-ing it..

3. Our preview of the Big 12 continues with two more teams today...Missouri is up.
Blaine Gabbert returns as Misery's starting QB. He was impressive as a true starting Sophomore last season passing for over 3500 yards and 24 touchdowns with only 9 picks. The Tigers are silly for not keeping a redshirt on him as likely as a Junior he'll be bolting for the NFL after this season. The biggest concern on offense is the loss of Derrick Washington. The starting RB was charged this week with sexual assault and has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of his trail. Likely opening the door for younger guys to get a crack but with losing Danario Alexander at WR after last season. Nine (now eight) starters return on that offense which are leading to big big expectations this season. On defense the loss of dirty player Sean Weatherspoon leaves Missouri searching for a defensive leader. The entire secondary returns but they were miserable in pass defense last season ranking 104th nationally.
OUTLOOK: The Tigers have created a team slogan for this season..."Get Money"...its ridiculous...what in the world does that even mean...the Tigers have always had bad blood with Nebraska but that has been magnified with Nebraska going to the Big 10 and NOT Missouri. The Tigers open with Illinois, McNeese State, San Diego State, and Miami of Ohio...all wins...it's one of the weakest nonconference schedule in the Big 12. Missouri has home games against Colorado, Oklahoma, K-State, and Kansas in Arrowhead with road games at Nebraska, Texas A&M, Tech, and Iowa State. In the conference I see wins over Iowa State, Colorado, and Texas Tech. With losses to Nebraska, Oklahoma, A&M, K-State, and Kansas. I see 7-5 this season on a year where Missouri thinks they'll be going to the Big 12 championship game...better hope you're not playing Navy in a bowl game again at the end of this season...

4. Iowa State is one of the most interesting teams in the conference this season. Paul Rhoads worked magic last season beating Nebraska with 8 turnovers to get a bowl bid and a bowl win. The Cyclones return one of the most prolific offenses in the Big 12 with Austin Arnaud and Alexander Robinson at Running Back. The duo could put up huge offensive numbers this season. The major issue comes with the defense which returns only 4 starters. Replacing all three linebackers is a huge concern to getting better to stop the run. Only David Sims with notable talent returns at Strong Safety. Iowa State must learn to stop teams or no matter how much they score they'll likely lose every game.
OUTLOOK: The Cyclones have the toughest schedule in all of College Football this season. Paul Rhoads talked about how much more improved this team could be this season but likely will end up with a worse record this season. Nonconference opponents Northern Illinois, Iowa, Utah, and Northern Iowa don't make things easy. I see 1-3 to those opponents (only win against Northern Iowa) but they could lose all four. Home games against Nebraska, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Missouri are brutal with road games at Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and K-State in Arrowhead. I see the Cyclones winning only 1 game in the Big 12. Colorado....which would drive a knife into Dan Hawkins side. Final record: 2-10. It's a dismal year for the Cyclones...because I expect many blowouts this year.


Back Tomorrow...enjoy....