ASV’s College Football Top 25-As of October 12, 2008

Our own selections… hey, this is just our opinion.

1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Penn State
4. USC
5. Texas tech
6. BYU
7. Oklahoma
8. Florida
9. Missouri
10. Georgia
11. LSU
12. Ohio State
13. Oklahoma State
14. Utah
15. Boise State
16. South Florida
17. Wake Forest
18. Virginia tech
19. Vanderbilt
20. Michigan State
21. Kansas
22. North Carolina
23. Pittsburgh
24. Ball State
25. Auburn

Heisman Outlook

With three of the top five teams falling the Heisman Outlook has taken a bit of a shake up because of it. The theme this week is Big 12 quarterbacks four of them.

Colt McCoy:

The Longhorns beat the Sooners yesterday impressively, behind Colt McCoy’s cool and clam stature. He moves into the number one slot on our Heisman Outlook, in front of Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford. He has better numbers now than Daniel, which allowed us to feel okay dropping Daniel. He has thrown for 17 touchdowns and only three picks and has also rushed for four scores. If they win the showdown this coming week against Missouri he could be looking at the Heisman.

Sam Bradford:

The Sooners may have lost yesterday, but please don’t blame it on Sam Bradford, he played well. He threw for five touchdowns, two picks and 387 yards not too bad against the new number one team in the country. If Texas loses next, week and Chase Daniel doesn’t play that well, he should be right back on top of the Heisman Outlook.

Javon Ringer:

This kid is a monster in the backfield of Michigan State; he has already broken the one thousand yard mark, with 1,112 yards and fourteen touchdowns, not bad. He is on pace for 1,906 yards, but with a big performance in the coming weeks, he could break the 2,000 yard barrier that may just lock up the Heisman.

Chase Daniel:

If you watched the Missouri Oklahoma State game lat night, you would second my opinion, when I say that Chase Daniel played awful. He threw three picks and only one touchdown, but some credit must go to the Oklahoma State secondary. They let the Missouri receivers catch the ball, and that was it nothing after that. Chase may have completed 39 out of 52 passes, but he played terrible.

Graham Harrell:

He is the fourth Big 12 quarterback to be mentioned on the list, and although he may have the best numbers, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have not beaten anybody. He has already thrown for 10 touchdowns and over twenty three hundred yards, which puts him on pace for a mere forty six hundred yards not bad. Although his projected yards may be one thousand less than last year, a stat that stands out to me, is interceptions, last year 14, this year, on pace for only six. That works out to one pick every 87 attempts not bad.

NFL Picks

We will pick every NFL game this week, and we will see what our record is.

• Baltimore at Indianapolis

This is one is tight, but the Ravens beat the struggling Colts, 27-20.

• Detroit at Minnesota

Minnesota will blow out the Lions, by the score of 31-13.

• Cincinnati at New York

The Jets don’t even bother to play Farve in the forth, because they are up so big the Jets win 41-10.

• Oakland at New Orleans

This one is close, but Brew Brees and the Saints pull out the win, 21-17.

• St. Louis at Washington

St. Louis scores first, with a Steven Jackson touchdown, but those are the only points they get, as the Skins win 28-7.

• Miami at Houston

Houston leads for fifty-nine minutes of this one, then loses on a last second field goal, Dolphins win 31-28.

• Jacksonville at Denver

In this low scoring affair Jay Cutler and the Broncos win 14-7.

• Philadelphia at San Francisco

The 49ers are able to surprise a lot of people keeping this one close, but in the end the eagles win 28-24.

• Green Bay at Seattle

Aaron Rodgers does indeed play in this one, and that sparks the Packers into a 31-24 victory.

• Dallas at Arizona

I’m going out on a limb here and picking the Cardinals to win this one, by the score of 45-35.

• New England at San Diego

Bill Belicheck’s move of keeping the team out west for the whole week proves costly as the Chargers win 28-17.

• Monday Night: New York at Cleveland

The Giants stay perfect and destroy the Browns by the score of 45-7.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UPSET SPECIAL

Each week, we will preview three top twenty five games where we think the higher ranked team has a chance to be upset.

• Game 1: Oregon State vs. 15 Utah

This one is simple the Beavers are coming off a win against the number one team in the country, USC. They have the momentum, and they have the fire power to take down the number 15 team the Utah Utes, tonight in prime-time.

Prediction: Beavers 23 – Utes 10

• Game 2: Colorado vs. 5 Texas

Colorado, will beat the Longhorns plain and simple. This is because the Horns have to go to Boulder go up into the air 5000 and something feet, and then beat a Buffalo team that just two weeks ago beat the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Prediction: Buffalo 41 Longhorns 35

• Game 3: 13 Auburn vs. 19 Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is quietly making some noise in the SEC, with the Bulldogs and Gators both falling, a win here could mean a lot. It is a home game for the Commodores and is the first time that College Gameday has even been there, it will be loud and the environment helps them beat the Tigers.

Prediction: Commodores 27 Tigers 23

College Football

One and Done … Not Quite

Last week in college football proved devastating for multiple teams inside the top twenty five. Eight top twenty five went down this past week including, Florida, Georgia, USC, Wisconsin, Clemson, Illinois, Wake Forest, East Carolina. At the time of their loss USC thought it had its title hopes lost, but then they watched the Florida game. Then it was Florida’s turn, they thought they were done, and then they watched the Georgia game. Same goes for Wisconsin, who lost in a thriller to Michigan, and then they as well watched the Dawgs game. As for the rest of the teams they probably did not lose their title hopes, but instead their BCS hopes or so they thought. Clemson lost on the first week of the season, to at the time an Alabama team with no respect, and they thought we’re done, until Alabama kept winning and is know ranked third, pretty respectable. Then they lost this week to a Maryland team that is quietly beating teams left and right, they thought they were done for, but no wake Forest goes down and they are still alive in the ACC. As for Wake Forest they lose to Navy, then they turn on the TV. and watched Penn State beat Illinois and there is a party in the Wake Forest locker room. Illinois on the other hand, falls to a very respectably ranked Penn State team, now ranked sixth, and thinks we are done, and unlike the other they might be now with two losses to Missouri and Penn State, and a tough Big Ten schedule I am sorry Illinois you may to done. Finally, East Carolina they had us all believing through the first three weeks that they may be this years Boise States, but then they fell to North Carolina State, and then this week to Houston you’re in the group with Illinois you are done.
There are other top twenty five teams that did not lose this week, but have already lost once earlier in the season. Some are Ohio State, Auburn, Kansas, Oregon, Fresno State and Virginia Tech. First off is Virginia Tech they lost on opening weekend to East Carolina who shocked the nation until week four, they thought we’re done pack it up now, but then next week Skip Holtz and the Pirates of East Carolina beat down on the Mountaineers and Virginia Tech perks up and says wow we’re okay. Next, on the list was Fresno State, who on the second week of the season had a tough home game against the Badgers of Wisconsin, they lost to say the least, and they fell out of the top twenty five, but then in week three Ohio State and Kansas lost. Ohio State played at the time the number one team in the country USC, and they got destroyed 35-3, they thought we’re done until what will most likely be their favorite day of the year, this past Saturday rolled around and USC lost, along with a flurry of others. Then came Kansas traveled into South Florida where they lost, 37-34 in a heartbreaker, they fell in the ranks then they won again next week, and what do you know Auburn and Oregon lose the next week. Oregon played at 6:15 in week four about an hour and forty five minutes before the Auburn game would take place, long story short the Ducks lose to the Boise State Broncos, ad when they get into the locker room they turn on the TV to the Auburn game and watch the end of the blown lead and feel a little better about themselves. Finally, the Auburn Tigers, they have the worst offense in the top twenty five, and because of that they lose to the LSU Tigers, but then they beat Tennessee this week, and watch SEC teams like Georgia and Florida fall, and they move right back into the SEC West hunt.
Who do we think will fall this week, check back tomorrow for our Upset Look-ins, and don’t forget every Sunday we post our own top twenty five and Heisman Watch.

Tampa Bay’s Incredible Year

The Tampa Bay Rays have had the biggest one year turn-around in the history of baseball, but they still aren’t getting the respect they should be. Last year they finished dead last in the American League East, and were the worst team in the American League and in all of baseball. The question that has been asked for the entire year pretty much is how, and I am still wondering how they were able to do it. Their first success moves came in recent drafts, where they have picked up players like Evan Longeria and B.J. Upton. Next, was the name change from the Devil rays to just the plain Rays, although this may seem meaningless I’m sure some of the Rays players will tell you otherwise. Last year they were 66-96 and the worst team in baseball, the year before that they were 61-101, another terrible year. This year on the other hand they are 97-65, have a .599 wining percentage, are 57-24 at the Trop, and have scored 774 runs; their highest total in years. All these stats have turned into a 31 game turnaround ad have propelled them to an American League East title and the second best record in the A.L. and third best in all of baseball.

Some of the credit also deserves to go to the players who have really shown their true ability this year, Evan Longeria, played 122 games and drove in 85 runs with 27 homers. Carlos Pena lead the team in home runs with 31 and in RBI’s with 102, in only his second year with the team. Finally, B.J. Upton sparked their line up with 44 stolen bases, and was safe 73 percent of the time he also lead the team in walks and was second in runs scored with 85. These were the men that sparked the offensive side of the ball for the Rays, but they did not do it all.

The pitchers preformed well beyond expectations their starting rotation which went as follows; James Shield, Edwin Jackson, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, and Andy Sonnanstine were all tremendous. Shields lead the team in ERA with 3.56 and in innings pitched with 215. Jackson lead the team in wins with 14. Kazmir lead the team I strikeouts with 166 and had the third lowest WHIP, of the starters. Garza gave them stability towards the bottom of their rotation with 11 wins and an ERA of 3.70. Finally, Andy Sonnanstine had thirteen wins second on the team, and was able to give them 193.1 innings throughout the year. The relief was what held the team together tough, as Troy Percival, Grant Balfour, and Dan wheeler lead the way in the bullpen. Percival lead the team with 28 saves in 32 opportunities. Grant Balfour gave them 58.1 innings and had an ERA of 1.51 in those innings and added 82 strikeouts. Finally, Dan Wheeler has the backbone of the pen, with 70 appearances and only 44 hits allowed he helped the Rays in their climb to atop the A.L. East.

Finally, in my opinion the MVP of the Tampa Bay rays was the man who may have gotten the least credit, but have done the most, he is Dioner Navarro. He played in 117 games, and .994 fielding percentage in that time. He also helped the Rays staff mature throughout the year, and was able to throw out 28 out of 45 stolen base attempts. On the offensive side of the ball he lead the team in average, drove in 54 runs and hit seven homers. He had the seventh highest on base percentage in the American League with an OBP of .349. In the end this was the sate that really won me over was the team ERA when he was behind the plate it was 3.90.

FOOTBALL

NFL Power Rankings-American Sports Views

With week 4 in the books ASV‘s NFL power rankings have taken a bit of a shake up. If your team is not where you want it to be, politely let us know. Hey, it’s just one opinion!

1. New York Giants
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Washington Redskins
7. Denver Broncos
8. Carolina Panthers
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. New England Patriots
11. Baltimore Ravens
12. Philadelphia Eagles
13. Green Bay Packers
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
15. San Diego Chargers
16. New York Jets
17. Chicago Bears
18. New Orleans Saints
19. Arizona Cardinals
20. Atlanta Falcons
21. San Francisco 49ers
22. Indianapolis Colts
23. Miami Dolphins
24. Seattle Seahawks
25. Minnesota Vikings
26. Cleveland Browns
27. Oakland Raiders
28. Kansas City Chiefs
29. Houston Texans
30. Detroit Lions
31. Cincinnati Bengals
32. St. Louis Rams

OPINION

Heisman Outlook

While there are a lot of shake-ups throughout the top ten teams in college football, there are even more of a shake-ups in the Heisman race. The Gators and Tebow lose, The Dawgs and Knowshon lose, and USC and Mark Sanchez fall, as well.

Chase Daniel

Even though the Tigers were off this week, with poor performances by Tebow and his Team and Knowshon Moreno and the Dawgs; Chase was able to secure the number one slot. His number are still good though, even though they have play one less game than the others with twelve td’s and only one pick, look for a big game next time out against Nebraska.

Sam Bradford

Flying a little bit under the radar the Sooner quarterback is putting up some of the best numbers in all of college football. He has thrown for sixteen touchdowns and only two picks very impressive numbers, with a favorable match-up next week against Baylor the Sooners and Bradford should keep on rolling.

Javon Ringer

If you want to talk about domination you can bring up Javon Ringer and almost every college football fan will know who you are talking about. The Michigan State star running back is putting up some of the best numbers the NCAA has ever seen. He has already rushed for twelve td’s and has put up 897 yards, which means he is on pace to rush for 2153 yards this year, not bad.

Max Hall

We realize that you have probably never heard of this kid and I don’t blame you, how many people follow the non BCS conferences not many. This kid is for real though, the quarterback from number eleven BYU is quietly putting up All-American like numbers. He has thrown for 1284 yards and fifteen touchdowns, which is second on this list even in front of the leader Chase Daniel. He may have some trouble pulling off the Heisman even if he is able to keep up these numbers, with a weak schedule in the Mountain West.

Knowshon Moreno

Before the past two games the Bulldogs have played I knew that Knowshon Moreno was good, but over the past two week I realized hes better than that he is great. His explosiveness when he hits a seam the moves in the open-field and the energy he brings to the Bulldogs make him a Heisman contender. He has already rushed for ten touchdowns and is one pace for somewhere in the twenty plus range. He has 629 all-purpose yards and he would have many more if teams weren’t scared to death to kick to the kid.

College Football Top 25 – As of September 28, 2008

In a week of upsets and surprises, it’s time to re-evaluate the top teams in college football. Here are our selections. Remember, it’s just our opinion…

1. Oklahoma
2. LSU
3. Alabama
4. Texas
5. Missouri
6. Penn State
7. USC
8. Texas Tech
9. Georgia
10. Florida
11. BYU
12. South Florida
13. Auburn
14. Utah
15. Ohio State
16. Wisconsin
17. Kansas
18. Boise State
19. Vanderbilt
20. Virginia Tech
21. Oklahoma State
22. Maryland
23. Colorado
24. Oregon
25. Fresno State

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Heisman Outlook — update September 14, 2008

It is week three in the college football season, and the Heisamn race took a little bit of a shake-up after some interesting games

Chase Daniel

The Missouri Tiger continues to wow the college football faithful, as he put up huge umbers this past week in their rout of Nevada. He threw for 405 yards while on his way to becoming Missouri’s all-time leading passer. He has throw for ten touchdowns and only one pick so far this year, which has helped propel him to the front of the Heisman race.

Graham Harrell

I’m a sucker for the big time passing offenses, which trust me has something to do with Graham Harrell being number two in our Heisman outlook, but the numbers do not lie. He has already thrown for 1,251 yards in just three games, which works out to 417 yards a game not too shabby. Also he has thrown for eight touchdowns and three picks, if he can get to 5,000 yards and 45 touchdowns he may be a lock for the 2008 Heisman.

Knowshon Moreno

The Georiga Bulldogs star cracked our top 5 this week, as the Bulldogs were on their way to a win over South Carolina. He has decent numbers, 306 yards on the ground and 434 all purpose yards with seven tds. In the tough SEC you can expect his carry numbers to go up allowing his overall numbers to increase, which may just put him over the top.

Tim Tebow

The Gators did not play this week, so it wasn’t that Tebow had a bad week, it was that everyone else just had good ones with a game next week against Tennessee his number should return to normal.

Jeremy Maclin

Probably the nations best all-around player had a good week, because of their lackadaisical opponent Nevada. He had six catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns, On the year he has 520 total yards, which is amazing considering prior to the Nevada game he had only fifty one yards receiving.