NCAA Football

 

As we prepare for the 2013 college football season, Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater is emerging as the heavy favorite to be the top available quarterback prospect eligible for the 2014 NFL draft.

Bridgewater recently debuted at No. 2 on Mel Kiper and Todd McShay's 2014 big boards (ESPN Insider content).

So let's take a look at a few of Bridgewater's attributes which have caught the attention of the draft experts and make him one of the elite prospects at this very early stage of the evaluation process. 

 

Athleticism

As NFL offenses continue to evolve, mobile quarterbacks are becoming a hot commodity. The early successes of Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaenernick are challenging conventional wisdom when it comes to evaluating signal-callers.

Bridgewater is more than just your average athletic quarterback, however. The NFL has seen plenty of elite scramblers fail to excel at the next level. The ones that make it are the ones that can use their athleticism as a supplement to their standard quarterbacking duties, which is an area in which Bridgewater already excels.

Rarely does Bridgewater bolt from the pocket at the first sign of pressure. His first move, when possible, is to maneuver within the pocket to buy himself some time. When forced to roll out, he consistently keeps his eyes downfield and only takes off running when it is clearly his best option.

While Bridgewater doesn't showcase his athleticism often, he does have the skill set to run a read-option in the NFL. His combination of athleticism and skills within the pocket compares favorably to Griffin and, assuming he continues to develop during his junior year, should earn him similar grades during the evaluation process. 

 

Cool Under Pressure

It's tough to teach a young quarterback to stand tall in the pocket, especially when he possesses the athleticism to easily outrun a closing defensive lineman. Yet Bridgewater is already willing to stand in the pocket and fire the ball down the field with linemen barreling towards him.

Bridgewater's toughness stood out throughout Lousville's upset of Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. In the play featured below, Bridgewater clearly sees Florida lineman Dominique Easley (No. 2) closing fast, but stands in the pocket and fires a strike for a first down on 3rd-and-14. 

 

Development

An underrated aspect of the evaluation process is watching how the prospect has developed over the course of his career.

Take Landry Jones for example. After experiencing immediate success at Oklahoma, Jones was viewed as a potential future first-round selection. But after four years as the Sooners’ starter, he had shown only marginal improvements from his freshman to senior year. This was cause for concern, and factored into his slide to the third day of the 2013 NFL draft.

Bridgewater, on the other hand, improved by leaps and bounds from his freshman to sophomore year at Louisville.

At this stage of the process, due to his status as an underclassman, scouts have limited insight into his work ethic and leadership skills because they are only allowed to openly scout and ask questions about seniors. But when a player makes obvious adjustments in his game from one year to the next, it speaks volumes about how he spent his offseason and his ability to accept coaching and implement changes.

Ultimately Bridgewater needs to follow up his impressive sophomore campaign with a strong performance in 2013 in order to solidify his spot atop draft boards.

He isn't the next Andrew Luck and shouldn't be considered a sure thing at this stage of the process. But all the tools are there and his early success may only be a sign of things to come. 

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How can you tell where a recruit will fit best? Take geography, skill and the needs of the teams involved and see where they all meet.

Some teams are known for national championships, and others are known for getting extremely close but falling short. Other teams are moving conferences, and they need to land bigger fish now in order to be competitive in the new lineup.

Here are the top 25 uncommitted recruits (from the ESPN 150), their best fit and the reasons why they would fit at that chosen school. Enjoy, and feel free to discuss these calls in the comment section.

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For many of the past head coaches at Ohio State, priority No. 1 was finding a way to keep Big Ten schools—and other elite programs around the country—from raiding the "Buckeye State" of its top high school talent.

Famed coaches like Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel consistently relied on Ohio to fill the majority of the Buckeyes' recruiting needs, and with its rich tradition of great high school football, that certainly wasn't a bad move.

Ohio State has taken more of a national approach to recruiting under Meyer.

That's not to say the Buckeyes are ignoring their state. In fact, 26 of the Buckeyes' 50 commitments over the last two recruiting classes played their high school football in Ohio (16 in 2012, 10 in 2013). 

The recent trend for Meyer and his coaching staff, though, is giving the Buckeyes a more southern feel.

For proof of that, just look at how hard the Buckeyes are recruiting in the state of Georgia.

@kippladams says LB Detric Dukes -- Kirk Tucker's teammate -- also offered by the #OhioState #Buckeyes. That's 22 Georgians offered.

— Brad Bournival (@bbournival) May 9, 2013

Considering the talent Georgia is offering in 2014, it shouldn't be a surprise that Meyer is tossing his (and Ohio State's) hat in the mix.

The two Georgia linebackers Ohio State offered last week—Kirk Tucker and Detric Dukes, both 3-star recruits—joined the 20 other Peach State prospects the Buckeyes have already offered. 

Featured in that group is some of Ohio State's top recruiting targets. Raekwon McMillan, a 5-star linebacker, currently has the Buckeyes at the top of his list. Four-star wide receiver Demarre Kitt also has Ohio State on his short list, while 4-star prospects like athlete Myles Autry and quarterback Deshaun Watson are receiving a ton of attention from the Buckeyes.

Recruiting states in the SEC footprint makes a lot of sense for Meyer. Not only does he have a lot of experience doing so from his days at Florida (having strong relationships with high school coaches is a big part of recruiting), but Meyer knows that if the Buckeyes are going to compete with the SEC for national championships, they need to go head-to-head with those teams on the recruiting trail.

Looking back at Ohio State's 2013 recruiting class, Meyer's top-rated recruit—5-star safety Vonn Bell out of Rossville, Ga,—chose the Buckeyes over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida and a host of other SEC schools.

Bell explained why he chose Ohio State over all the SEC schools that were much closer to his Georgia home.

"Urban Meyer is on a mission right now to win a national championship," Bell said, according to 247Sports.com.

Part of that mission has Meyer invading the state of Georgia.

All recruit rankings per 247Sports.com.

 

David Regimbal is the lead Ohio State football writer for Bleacher Report.

Follow @davidreg412

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The Alabama Crimson Tide are the best there is in college football.

Don't argue, any argument presented can be shot so full of holes it's not even funny.

The program has won three of the last four BCS titles and looks primed to make a run at another on in 2013. Nick Saban and his staff consistenly recruit incredible classes, and the team's path to another title this season is not as filled with barriers as it has been in the past.

What could possibly stop them? Barring injury, the Tide are easily going to be the favorite in every game they play next season.

The schedule breaks favorably, and with the exception of a road trip to an over-rated Texas A&M squad, the Tide have not a single game against what one might consider "stiff competition."

The opening game of the season against Virginia Tech will be a nightmare for the Hokies, who don't have enough offense to compete with Alabama State, much less Alabama.

The the Tide get a week off before facing a Texas A&M team that is decimated on the defensive side of the ball.

While Johnny Manziel and the tremendous group of running backs that A&M will field are going to put up points, the defense isn't stopping the Tide, not without a pass-rusher who has the skill of Damontre Moore.

Then come Colorado State, Ole Miss, Georgia State, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee, in that order. An all-star team from those six teams would have a hard time beating Alabama in 2013.

While Ole Miss is improving, the Rebels are still a year or two away from competing with the Tide.

LSU should be interesting, although the Tigers' defense has little to no experience.

Mississippi State, Chattanooga and Auburn wrap up the schedule prior to the SEC title game. Picking against the Tide in any of these would have to be the byproduct of either a severe blow to the head or heavy drinking.

Sure, the Tide have to play the games, just like anybody else, but they should be No. 1 entering the season for a reason—they have the best talent and head coach in the nation.

The reality for Alabama is that a loss would be a result of pure indifference and lack of focus.

We have seen it before, most memorably in recent years, when Oklahoma State was upset by Iowa State late in the season, preventing the Cowboys from completing a perfect season.

Lack of focus can be a scary thing, resulting in stupid mistakes, bad decisions and a loss of motivation.

That is where the danger lies for Alabama and Saban.

The program is at the pinnacle of the college football universe and has the talent to remain there thanks to a tremendous staff, incredible recruiting and a wealth of talent.

Complacency is the biggest challenge the Tide face this season.

On paper, there is little to no competition on the field, but should their resolve falter just a bit, or focus waver for a short period of time, a loss to a lesser opponent would not be surprising.

It's up to the coaching staff to help keep the team focused, and Nick Saban has done a tremendous job over the past four seasons of keeping the team on course for excellence. Saban has made it pretty clear that he is focused on coaching and that he doesn't have time for the offseason nonsense going on.

The man started talking about next season immediately after the BCS title game win by the Tide, so it's difficult to see his level of intensity and focus being suspect.

The Tide should be the favorite going into this season, and they are, just about everywhere you look, the pick to repeat as national champs again.

As long as the team's focus and drive remains, nobody can beat them.

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A dismal first year for head coach Norm Chow ended on an up-tick as the Warriors finished with two strong wins, leaving fans and alumni eager for the start of the 2013 campaign. With a multitude of offseason changes, Hawaii has been actively recruiting on the mainland as well as within the state of Hawaii.

Defense was a problem area in 2012 (ranked 107th in points-against), as was the stagnant offense (No. 101 in passing and No. 114 in rushing). Not unexpectedly, defense and quarterback were the first areas addressed by Norm Chow's 2014 recruiting class, with verbal commitments from four prospects:

Larry Tuileta - QB - The 6'2", 210-pound native of Honolulu is the most recent prospect to give his commitment (April 12, 2013). In 2012, Tuileta's arm helped take his team to the state final, with a season that saw him throw for 2,588 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was also named the Hawaii's 2012 Gatorade State Player of the Year. 

Daniel Lewis - CB - At 5'11" and 194 pounds, the Louisiana prospect has good size at the cornerback position. Lewis also posted a 4.40 time in the 40-yard dash and is rated as a 3-star prospect by Scout.com.

Manly Williams - OLB - A 3-star prospect (per Scout.com), Williams is another product of Hawaii. At 6'2" and 225 pounds, Williams is likely too small to be converted to defensive end. Williams was the second player in the 2014 class to commit to the Warriors.

Fitou Fisiiahi - MLB - A versatile athlete, the 6'2", 240-pound Fisiiahi plays middle linebacker as well as fullback. Another Hawaii native, Fisiiahi was pursued by both Oregon State and Utah but snapped up an early offer from the Warriors in October of 2012.

Currently, Hawaii's 2014 recruiting class ranks at No. 61 according to Scout.com but is second-best in the Mountain West Conference (behind Boise State). Although it is early in the 2014 recruiting hunt, the newest crop of prospects is already out-distancing 2013's group, which ranked No. 80 according to Scout.com.

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SEC Football is the measuring stick by which all college football is judged. 

A team from the SEC has represented (and won) the BCS title game in each of the last seven years, and the king of the hill (Alabama) has won three of the last four.

This upcoming season, there are six teams with a legitimate chance to win the SEC Championship Game: Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. Only one team can finish the season undefeated, and like last year, it shouldn't surprise anyone if every team loses at least one game.

Taking a look at the schedule, there are three games that stand out as the most critical of the upcoming 2013 season. 

 

Alabama vs. Texas A&M: 9/14/13 at Kyle Field

Expectations are high for both programs heading into the 2013 season, and it won't take long for one of these SEC West teams to get an early edge in the BCS standings. 

Alabama will play only one game before this contest, while Texas A&M will have two cupcake opponents to practice on before taking on Nick Saban's crew.

The Aggies went into 'Bama's house last year and beat them, making an early statement in the program's first season in the SEC.

In that game, freshman phenom Johnny Manziel was incredibly accurate and poised in the pocket, and the fearsome defense of Alabama couldn't force him into a single turnover. Without Luke Joeckel protecting his blind side, however, Manziel will need to keep his head on a swivel.

C.J. Mosley and the rest of the Crimson Tide defenders will be eager for revenge.

The team that wins this game will certainly be ranked the No. 1 team in the nation, and with plenty of football left on the schedule, neither program wants to start out the season in a hole.

 

LSU vs. Georgia: 9/28/13 at Sanford Stadium

A matchup between SEC East and West powerhouses, this contest will be a portrait of two opposing styles of offense. 

Georgia, led by talented pocket-passer Aaron Murray, scored nearly 38 points per game last year. LSU, on the other hand, led by Zach Mettenberger, scored under 30 points per game, thanks to Les Miles' penchant for calling a conservative game plan.

Both teams feature elite defenses that lost key players to the NFL this past winter but always manage to play at a high level, and turnovers will inevitably decide the outcome.

Furthermore, it will be the first big test of the season for LSU, while Georgia will have already faced Clemson and South Carolina. Should Georgia struggle out of the gates this season and fall to one or both of those teams, LSU will have a chance to bury this team in the standings.

Should Georgia come away with a win at home, it will set up a phenomenal last couple of months to the season as the top teams in the conference beat up on each other en route to the postseason.

 

Florida vs. South Carolina: 11/16/13 at Williams-Brice Stadium

Toward the end of the season, fans of SEC football will be treated to an SEC East battle between Florida and South Carolina—one that features the best defensive player in the nation, Jadeveon Clowney.

Florida dominated the Gamecocks last season, thumping them 44-11 in Gainesville. This year, the contest will be held in Columbia, and the home team will be out for sweet revenge.

It's quite possible that both teams could be undefeated or only feature one loss when they meet up in mid-November. Should this be the case, anticipation surrounding this contest will be indescribable. 

Will the old ball coach find a way to get his offense going against one of last year's toughest defenses, or will the young upstart (respectively) Will Muschamp find a way to replicate last year's drubbing? 

Either way, you can be sure this contest will not only provide fans with a thrill, but it will shape the landscape of the SEC heading into the postseason. 

 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78 

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High school players are young in their development and many of them probably won't be playing the same position in a few years. Recruits are still growing, adding weight and learning the game so to pigeon-hole them as players who only fit a certain scheme is very tough.

However, for this read, five recruits have been identified as perhaps players who need to be placed in a certain scheme. There's a QB who needs a passing game based on timing and rhythm, a LB who fits best in a 3-4 defense and even a DE prospect who's more of a read and react kind of player than a pure pass-rusher.

Here are some top 2014 recruits who only fit a certain scheme. 

Player evaluations are based on my review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports & ESPNU.

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Alabama has produced the best linebacker talent in the country since Nick Saban arrived, and C.J. Mosley is the next in line to exit for the NFL after this season.

He could have left this past April, but Mosley wanted to stick around for one more year to finish his degree and work on his skills. His instincts against the pass and ability to shed blocks in the run game make him an impressive and effective player. 

He isn't respected for his play in the box, but his pass defense may become legendary before his time in Tuscaloosa is up. 

 

Pass Defense

One of the ways that Mosley has caught the eyes of scouts and fans is his pass coverage.

Last year he finished tied for the career record in interceptions (3) returned for touchdowns (h/t Alabama Athletics).

He is an elite coverage player that has great instincts.

Here is his pick-six against Michigan to open the 2012 season:

At the :39 mark in the video, you hear Kirk Herbstreit say that, “Mosley is the most athletic linebacker that Alabama has, and all he did here was read the eyes of Denard Robinson.”

In coverage, he is constantly around the football unexpectedly. Mosley rarely wastes a step and closes the gap faster than any linebacker in the country.

He has the ability to play well in zone coverage or in man when he is asked to cover slot receivers and backs.

His ability against the pass is impressive, but his run defense is the most underrated skill set he carries.

 

Run Defense

Mosley is not considered to be an elite defender against the run, but he is a very complete player that actually plays well in the box despite his lack of ideal size.

This is a look at Mosley making a play against the run in the Michigan game in 2012.

In the first clip he is circled in crimson and the ball-carrier is circled in blue, with a blue arrow showing his intended lane.

You will notice that Mosley is engaged with the left guard.

In the second clip, you see Mosley breaking away from the block, using his arms to shed the blocker and attack the ball-carrier. This happened regularly last season, and thanks to his lengthy wingspan, his reach is beneficial when shedding blocks.

 

Leader

The Crimson Tide have two leaders heading into 2013: AJ McCarron on offense and C.J. Mosley on defense.

Mosley started as a pass specialist his freshman year, and now he has become the backbone for the defense. He finished 2012 with 107 total tackles, leading Alabama in the category. Mosley had 48 more tackles than the Tide’s No. 2 Trey DePriest.

He also finished No. 3 in tackles for loss and No. 2 in sacks.

As an All-American, Mosley is what his teammates want to be. Heading into 2013, he will show them the way as the Tide searches for a third straight national title. 

 

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy

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Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes have a strong chance to repeat perfection this season.

At the same time, though, coming off a 12-0 campaign last year will earn the A-game from every scheduled opponent. So, Meyer's best players have to constantly be prepared if the winning streak is to continue.

To that end, let's check out Ohio State's key athletes as the Buckeyes seek an encore performance in 2013.

 

Braxton Miller, QB

Braxton Miller is obviously Ohio State's offense.

Last season he accounted for 3,310 total yards and 28 touchdowns, which helped field an explosively dynamic attack. Miller has also shown signs of improving as a passer, courtesy of a 4.2 percent increase on his completion percentage from 2011 to 2012.

Although that's not a major jump, progress is the only thing needed to gradually get a defense off balance. During this offseason, Miller also took the initiative to develop, as Brandon Castel of TheOzone.net writes:

Miller decided to spend his Christmas break out in California working with renowned quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. [Offensive coordinator Tom] Herman and the OSU coaches were happy to see their team leader take the initiative instead of sitting on his couch playing X-Box.

“I think we made tremendous strides,” he [Herman] said at the end of spring ball.

"We just have to keep plugging away and realize it’s a process."

Simply put: The more Miller polishes his mechanics under center only makes the Buckeyes that much more dangerous.

Carlos Hyde, RB

Running back Carlos Hyde enjoyed an impressive 2012 season with 970 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Measuring in at 6'0" and 242 pounds, Hyde's size is a competitive advantage in any short-yard situation, not to mention the red zone.

Factor the presence of Miller and defenses can't afford to isolate Hyde either.

As a result, front sevens will continue getting caught off guard and then slammed in the face by Hyde. Like Miller, he's also still developing into his position. Austin Ward of ESPN.com wrote of Hyde's maturity last Thursday (May 9):

He’s the first to admit he can become a more elusive runner to break a few longer runs and that his pass protection can be improved as well. It also doesn’t mean [running backs coach Stan] Drayton stopped paying attention to Hyde's handling of his new responsibilities -- but there were at least some aspects of his game that no longer required as much monitoring.

The quicker Hyde's vision dissects running lanes, blitz schemes and his peripheral awareness enhances when darting through the hole, the easier it'll be for Hyde to jolt up the NFL draft boards.

Bradley Roby, CB

For starters, Bradley Roby has high expectations for himself this season.

In an article by Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports on April 17, Roby wants the Heisman Trophy:

"I believe I can win it," Ohio State All-Big Ten cornerback Bradley Roby said.

"Corner is probably the second-hardest position to play," Roby said. "It's the only position on the field where everybody sees your mistakes. ... This year I'm focusing on the picks. I want the picks. I want the ball. I want to change the game all the way around."

Well, considering that Roby is coming off a year where he defended 19 passes and made 63 tackles, the production is set up nicely. Obviously, he'll have to bolster his interceptions and force/recover a few fumbles as well. Plus, he'll need to score or at least change the field position.

Regardless of how the Heisman pans out, though, Roby is clearly among the top overall defenders this season. Given his talent to lock down one-on-one, Roby immensely assists the front seven to get more quarterback pressure.

His impact also allows for an expanded blitz package, which is what unfolds in front of man coverage. If anything, the Buckeyes will record more sacks, and Roby benefits from increased turnover opportunities.

 

Ryan Shazier, LB

Ryan Shazier was one of college football's most productive linebackers in 2012.

Along with recording 115 tackles, Shazier had 17 for loss, five sacks, 12 defended passes and three forced fumbles. That's incredible production as he proved to be constantly around the ball.

And as obvious as it sounds, that is what every defense needs from its linebackers. Shazier's knack for locating the rock and then consistently making plays just puts his talent on another level.

The man also brings admirable toughness as he played through a hernia last season, according to Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch in March:

Shazier said the sports hernia first started bothering him in the Nebraska game at midseason. He played on rather than complain.

A surgical procedure repaired it just over four weeks ago. But during spring practice, as a starter the past two seasons, Shazier wanted to lend leadership to a rather young defensive unit.

“It’s real frustrating,” Shazier said. “Sometimes in the back of your head you think it’s a blessing because you’re not practicing. But to be honest, it’s frustrating, because you see all your guys out here grinding, working hard, doing tough workouts, and all you can do is watch.”

Don't anticipate Shazier slowing down in the fall, however. Just like Roby, Shazier is among the best all-around defenders in the nation.

The Buckeyes can rely on him in any situation and for multiple uses. At his core, Shazier's broad production will keep Ohio State's front seven dominant all season.

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A major help to a program's recruiting is its location, as schools like Texas, Florida, Miami, Georgia and USC will certainly agree. Residing in an area rich with talent is a huge aid, as schools can pluck good local talent who usually grew up rooting for the program.

However, some schools will disagree with that claim, as they sit in great hotbeds but are finding it tough to lure good recruits to their campus. This list has eight schools who fit that design and one will be surprised to find out it's on here.

From two schools in Texas who want to know Mack Brown's secret to recruiting, to a California school in a beautiful city who can't convince Golden State prospects to sign and two programs in the Carolina region whose recruiting cupboards are routinely bare, here are hotbed schools struggling at recruiting. 

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The task of replacing both Johnathan Franklin and Joe Fauria isn't an enviable one by any stretch of the imagination for the UCLA Bruins.

Franklin and Fauria were the Bruins' top two skill position players from a year ago. The duo combined for 27 touchdowns last season.

However, not all is lost for the Bruins. Head coach Jim Mora has a roster chock full of young and talented players. 

Here are the five best offensive weapons that Mora and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone have at their disposal. 

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The task of replacing both Johnathan Franklin and Joe Fauria isn't an enviable one by any stretch of the imagination for the UCLA Bruins. Franklin and Fauria were the Bruins' top two skill position players from a year ago...

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Throwback uniforms might be more popular in other sports, but college football also has some excellent throwback jerseys it can brag about.

While some are not as easy on the eyes as others, the jerseys on this list not only have historical significance, but also are not painful on the eyes to view.

The dates of these retro uniforms goes back nearly 100 years, and there is plenty of history that goes along with each and every one.

Here are the 25 best throwback college football jerseys of all time.

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The Big Ten is one of the most powerful conferences in college football, and one of the main reasons for that is because the league recruits well. Sure, this isn't the SEC, but with national powers like Michigan and Ohio State leading the way, the B1G pulls in its fair share of talent. 

The following list is a straightforward piece ranking the top 25 targets on the trail who are looking at Big Ten schools. This list also shows the recruiting reach of the league, as the B1G can pull recruits from far outside the Midwest region.

From skill recruits in California, eyeing speed in Florida, trying to lure toughness out of New Jersey and of course looking hard into Texas, this list clearly shows the Big Ten isn't just a regional recruiting league.

Player evaluations are based on my review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports & ESPNU.

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It seems like the no-huddle offense is here to stay in college football. Some teams use it as their base offense, some use it to change things up, and other coaches absolutely can't stand the concept of not huddling before a play.

Regardless of anyone's opinion, many teams are picking up this style of play and running with it.

The no-huddle allows you to do many things, creating obvious advantages for your team. But the offense has weaknesses that could hurt your team. It is up to you to weigh the good and the bad and discover whether this is truly the offense you prefer to run.

Here are the pros and cons of running the no-huddle offense in college football.

 

Pros

There are tons of reasons to run the no-huddle offense, which is why more and more teams are leaning in this direction. It has even taken off in the NFL, and we are seeing eye-popping numbers because of the transformation.

The top benefit of running this offense is wearing the opposing defense down. Fatigue is something any defender can complain about when having to defend this speedy offensive approach. Due to the offense getting to the line and snapping as quickly as possible, it limits substitutions, which means a defender will be on the field for a long time and is expected to keep up. Good luck.

This is absolute hell for the big boys in the trenches, who are supposed to generate a pass-rush and get to the quarterback. With almost no time for defenders to catch their breath, it is only a matter of time before the quarterback has all day in the pocket. Once the drive has passed five or six plays, guys are ready for a nap and don't want any part of the offensive line. It doesn't matter what level of football you are playing, if you can't put pressure on the quarterback your defense is doomed.

To counter, defenders begin faking injuries to give the rest of the defense a chance to relax. Even if it is only for a minute, it becomes valuable, giving players that extra boost they need to try and stop the drive. It is tough for scout teams to mimic this type of offense, and no matter how many times a defense sees the no-huddle, it is a completely different ball game when you're out there on the field trying to defend.

You are either conditioned or you aren't, and even the teams in the best shape struggle to keep up. This can also wear a team down mentally if the offense is able to move the football consistently. Scoring quickly and putting points up in a hurry can really break a defense down early. You will begin to see guys with hands on their hips, yelling, showing frustration—that is when the offense has you beat.

The no-huddle offense also allows you to set the tempo of the game. While we often confuse the no-huddle for the hurry-up offense, on the no-huddle, the quarterback isn't required to snap the ball immediately. Sure, most teams want to run at a breakneck pace, but sometimes a quarterback will use that extra time to his advantage by scanning the field, adjusting accordingly and making sure everybody is on the same page. While the defense can make adjustments as well, it must be prepared for the ball to be snapped at any time.

Usually the quarterback is in control and already knows what play is going to be called, but other times the coaching staff will reset things based on the defensive alignment. Using weird-looking signs to announce what to run has become popular these days with coaching staffs.

Having extra time to control things at the line and wearing down the defense usually is a recipe for a ton of offense. Teams that run the no-huddle offense such as Baylor, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Oregon finished in the top five last season in total yards per game. Coincidence? Think again.

 

Cons

Due to the video game numbers and constant scoring, you may think the no-huddle offense is the best thing since sliced bread. However, like everything in life, its inherent weaknesses must be considered before rallying for your team to pick up this style of play.

The thing that should scare you the most is the amount of time the defense is out on the field. While the offense is having all of the fun, often your defense has to take the field with very little rest. This can result in the opponent scoring a lot, making your defense look bad as a whole. How many times last year did you laugh at West Virginia giving up oodles of points? And Oregon always gets a bad rap defensively.

You can't put all of the blame on this system, but it certainly doesn't help matters. Not enough of the blame goes on the offense that is scoring too quickly. As you can see in the chart, no-huddle offenses put the defense in a bad spot. Of course, it is the defense's job to get stops, but much like the opposing defense gets tired from the no-huddle, it has the same effect on its own defense.

It doesn't matter how talented a defense is, it will give up points if it is facing more than 75 plays a game. It can't be a coincidence that nearly every no-huddle and quick-tempo team has poor defensive statistics. Next time you are quick to throw a defense under the bus, check out how many plays it has spent on the field.

Another challenge a team can face running this offense has to do with communication. A huddle makes things much easier to communicate, as you announce the play, and everybody usually understands it. Not huddling forces the quarterback to use code words, hand signals and those funky pictures on the sidelines. It only takes one guy to miss a sign for the whole play to turn into a disaster.

You must have a smart quarterback who knows the playbook inside and out. Another thing you need is a solid offensive line that is in shape. Back to the fatigue thing, the offensive line must be conditioned to run up and down the field, get in position and block monster defensive linemen play after play. With little time between plays, this can be challenging for a 300-pound man who may not be in the best shape. A tired offensive line means bad news for the quarterback.

Much like any system, the coach must have guys who are fit, or it isn't going to work. To run the no-huddle consistently, players must be in above-average shape in order to keep up.

 

Overall

So should you run the no-huddle?

Weighing the pros and cons, running this as your base offense isn't for everyone. Sure, it draws a lot of attention with a boatload of points and flashy highlight reels, but what it does to the defense turns a lot of folks off. The SEC has shown that you need an elite defense to win a national title, and the no-huddle can hurt your own team.

There is no other offense that is more fun to watch, and it brings in the ratings. But the ultimate goal is to go to the big dance, and it is hard to do that with this style of offense. Using the no-huddle as a change of pace would be the best idea, as it keeps the opposing defense on its toes but doesn't go over the top with it. Outscoring the opponent with a "last team to score wins" approach isn't the safest way to do things.

The no-huddle is here to stay, but it comes with a price.

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To the victor goes the spoils, and Alabama's players are yet again getting spoiled with some pretty flashy jewelry.

Members of Alabama's 2012 BCS National Championship team received their championship rings on Monday, and they are quite flashy.

Long snapper Carson Tinker, who was a member of all three title teams of the current Crimson Tide dynasty, tweeted a picture of one the 2012 national championship rings.

BLING! twitter.com/carsontink/sta…

— Carson Tinker (@carsontink) May 13, 2013

Well done.

Bling?

There's lots of it. There are so many diamonds (or cubic zirconia due to NCAA restrictions) that it is almost blinding, but the ring is traditional in the sense that there's not much to it.

Just three subtle outlines of the three coaches' trophies that reside in Tuscaloosa since 2009, and the Alabama logo.

The Bryant Museum sent out a picture of one the sides of the ring, which features the score of the BCS National Championship Game win over Notre Dame and the official championship logo of the 2012 team.

Winning #bama #rolltide twitpic.com/cqd1bw

— bryantmuseum (@bryantmuseum) May 13, 2013

Simple, yet flashy. All while portraying the proud tradition of the program.

The new rings are certainly more traditional than Alabama's rings from last season, which were busier and more colorful with a crimson trophy and a semi-noticeable Alabama logo.

Are the rings too much? No. They're within the rules; and in an era in which $2,000 per year stipends are a hot-button issue, rewarding the players within the rules is fine by me. Just don't sell them, because then the NCAA doesn't take too kindly to that.

What do you think of Alabama's latest national championship rings? Let us know in the comments below.

 

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Every offseason, there's a hot transfer quarterback on the market, and the 2013 offseason is no different.

Wes Lunt, the man who won the battle to replace Brandon Weeden as a true freshman last season at Oklahoma State, decided to transfer, according to the university.

ESPN's Joe Schad reported on Monday that a couple of SEC schools could get visits from the former Rivals.com 4-star quarterback:

Former Oklahoma State QB Wes Lunt is considering Southern Miss, Illinois, Louisville, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) May 13, 2013

Tennessee should push hard for Lunt's services.

He completed 61.8 percent of his passes (81-of-131) for 1,108 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions last season, battling through injuries and for playing time against fellow freshman J.W. Walsh and junior Clint Chelf.

Inconsistent? Sure. But he was a true freshman, albeit a true freshman who enrolled early.

Neither Nathan Peterman nor Justin Worley grabbed hold of the quarterback spot on Rocky Top exiting spring practice, which means that it's worth taking the risk with Lunt.

If Lunt transfers to a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school, he won't be eligible until 2014, but three years of Lunt starting in 2014 would be a big plus for the Vols—especially if Worley, a junior, ultimately wins the starting job this season.

That would give Lunt a year to get acquainted to Tennessee, learn the system and then hit the ground running in a battle with Worley as a senior.

It'd be all upside for the Vols. They'd be bringing in a quarterback with pro-style experience in a spread system similar to the one that Butch Jones and first-year offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian run.

Sure, incoming freshmen Joshua Dobbs and Riley Ferguson might not approve, but competition breeds success. 

Jones better push hard for Lunt, because his presence on the roster would be a huge benefit for the program. After all, having options at quarterback is never a bad thing.

 

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In 2006 No. 1 Ohio State beat No. 2 Michigan 42-39 in the first Game of the Century in the BCS era. When the BCS poll came out the following Sunday, Michigan was still ranked No. 2. 

Was that fair?

Michigan fans argued that their team lost to the No. 1 team by a very small margin so the Wolverines shouldn't drop in the polls. USC (9-1) and Florida (10-1) fans disagreed because their respective teams had dropped in the polls after suffering a loss earlier in the season.

This unbalanced system of reward and punishment is exactly what is wrong with the BCS. 

The rankings are arbitrary and without any semblance of consistency. 

Early last November, No. 1 Alabama lost 29-24 to No. 16 Texas A&M. When the polls came out, Kansas State took over the No. 1 spot while Oregon moved to No. 2 and Alabama dropped to No. 4. 

In the following week, Oregon lost 17-14 to Stanford, and Kansas State lost 52-24 to Baylor. Kansas State would drop to No. 6 while Oregon would fall to No. 5 in the new polls. 

Like Alabama, Oregon only dropped three spots after its loss. But Kansas State dropped five. 

Apologists will argue that Texas A&M was a better team than Baylor so Alabama should not have dropped as much as Kansas State. In other words, some losses should be rewarded more than others.

As it turned out, Alabama and Notre Dame deserved to be in the 2012 title game. The pollsters got it right. 

But the process of determining which two teams are the most deserving to play for the title was—and still is—flawed.    

Shouldn't there be a mandatory amount of spots a team drops if it loses? Does it matter who it loses to?

Most fans would like to see preseason polls disappear and start the polling process after the sixth week of football. That won't happen, but the system could still be tweaked.

How would fans react if there was a formula? Like this one:

Any FBS team that loses to an FCS team should drop 10 spots in the polls. 

If a team is willing to water down its schedule playing Mary Poppins State, then it should bear the brunt of that tactic when it backfires. 

A loss to a non-BCS team on the road should drop a team seven spots. A loss to a non-BCS team at home should cost it an eight-spot drop. 

Finally, a loss to a BCS team on the road should drop a team five spots and a loss at home should drop it six.

With those parameters in place, two other issues need to be addressed: the timing of a loss and rewarding cupcake victories.  

Does a loss late in the season deserve less punishment? Most teams are playing all conference teams in November. They're in the meat of their schedule. At least most of them are. 

Last November, Florida played divisional foe Missouri and three non-conference opponents: Louisiana Lafayette (Sun Belt) and Jacksonville State (FCS) at home and at Florida State (ACC). During that same month, Oregon played on the road at USC and California, while playing at home against Stanford and Oregon State. 

Florida was ranked No. 6 after it beat Louisiana Lafayette 27-20. The following week it beat Jacksonville State 23-0 and rose two spots to No. 4.

Why was Florida rewarded for beating an FCS team? Because Oregon and Kansas State lost to conference foes on that same Saturday. 

This needs to change. No team should ever rise in the rankings after beating an FCS team. Even if teams above it lose.  

A fairer system would have had Florida's ranking remain unchanged until it had beaten a BCS team. This would prevent rewarding an FBS team for playing an FCS team.   

The timing of a team's loss should have no bearing on how many spots it drops. An early loss is more advantageous because that team has more time to climb back up the polls.

Early losses also tend to be forgotten. But the amount of spots a team drops after a November loss should be the same as for teams who lost earlier in September. 

Pollsters need to view a loss without mitigating circumstances. For example, an overtime loss is still a loss. 

No team should ever be rewarded for a loss. No team should ever be rewarded for beating an FCS team. 

The College Football Playoff is over a year away. Fixing the ranking process is a good start to kicking off the new era in college football. 

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Brady Hoke doesn’t sugarcoat his thoughts often, and the straight-line talk hit a new level this week.

Kyle Meinke with Mlive.com broke the news on his Twitter account that Hoke called out Notre Dame for their schedule change that doesn’t include the Wolverines.

Hoke says Notre Dame is "chickening out" of its series with Michigan. Notes ND is still playing Michigan State.

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 13, 2013

Yes, Hoke said that the school was “chickening out.” He called out the Fighting Irish for cutting out a longstanding rivalry against Michigan, and saving its matchup with Michigan State and Purdue in the process.

Hoke had this to say during the Michigan Sports Commission Annual Luncheon (h/t Mlive.com):

The Notre Dame game, that rivalry, which they're chickening out of. They're still gonna play Michigan State, they're gonna play Purdue, but they don't want to play Michigan. I don't know how they made that decision ... I really do ... But anyway, that's a great national rivalry game. It's a great game.

While the Irish have a tradition-rich rivalry against the Spartans, the first football game in Notre Dame History came against the Wolverines. There have been fewer games played overall, but the history behind the Michigan rivalry is too much to give up.

Michigan and Notre Dame have met 40 times, while the Spartans have played the Irish 75 times.

Another rivalry that was saved in the process was the Purdue game. While this is another tradition-rich game—84 total meetings—the Michigan rivalry would carry more weight on the national stage. It would also add more clout to the Irish schedule.

Of all the games to cut out, the Michigan matchup made the least amount of sense. It is a premier contest that captures the country’s attention. Last year it was highest-rated showdown televised during the prime-time slot on the fourth Saturday of September (h/t zap2it.com). It beat out Clemson vs. Florida State and the Kansas State vs. Oklahoma game.

While the call-out may be a bit strong, it is interesting to watch the Irish dump the Michigan game in favor of others. No matter which team lost the draw, there would have been complaints.

Thankfully it was Michigan because Hoke’s comments are priceless offseason fodder. 

 

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It's no secret that Michigan's offense is still a work in progress, as there will likely be severe growing pains at times here in 2013.

This unit does possess a handful of playmakers, but not as many as you'd usually see on a typical Michigan offense.

With that being said, opposing defenses will still have to carefully prepare for the weapons this offense does have.

Here's a look at the five most dangerous offensive players Michigan will run onto the field this fall; offensive linemen are not included, so don't expect to see Taylor Lewan's name on here.

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