I had a nice preview for my top 5 list, but my computer has unfortunately failed me at an inopportune time. So, here's my Top 5 Players you'll want to know for the rest of the 2011 College Football season:
5.) Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame - JR.
Wood is an excellent compliment to the highly explosive (Sometimes implosive) Notre Dame offense. A junior, Wood has been quietly a strong runner for the Irish through the first four games. With a 5.0 avg, it's hard to dispute Wood's positive contribution to the Irish. He also provides a safe alternative to the turnover issues of the Notre Dame quarterbacks through four games. Wood is a safe runner, with only two lost fumbles as a junior for the Fighting Irish. If ND can iron out there offensive miscues, look out for Wood and ND to be a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2011 season.
4.) Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego St. - Sr.
If you haven't seen Lindley play, be sure to check him out. The completion percentage could use some work, but nearly any college would take 8 TDs and 1 INT through four games. At 6'4", 230, Lindley has NFL size at quarterback, and his decision-making has sharpened each year since he has been an Aztec. His numbers may not look impressive in spots, he has yet to cost his team a game. A smart and big quarterback with an NFL arm, and some weaker opponents, look out for Lindley to make a big splash with his numbers this season.
3.) Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama - Soph.
For those who believe that Trent Richardson is completely carrying the load for the Crimson Tide in 2011, think again. At 6'1", 220, Lacy is a stalky back with excellent acceleration and toughness. Through the first four games for the Tide, Lacy is carrying the ball at an amazing 8.9 avg, along with 4 TDs. If the defense allows Lacy to get to the second-level, forget about it. He has the ability to outrun LBs and DBs, and is a dangerous part of the Crimson Tide attack in 2011, and possibly a few more years to come.
2.) Tyler Bray, QB, Tenn. - Soph.
Bray may only be a sophomore, but he has already established himself as the leader of the Vols offense. It is a little strange saying that a Tennessee quarterback is going unnoticed, but the majority of your average college football fans may not have even heard of Bray. Bray was rough around the edges as a freshman, but a bitter bowl loss to UNC may have helped motivate the young man, and the numbers help back that up. Bray has been a defensive issue for every team that has encountered him so far this season, as he is completing his passes at a 68.1% rate. He may have played the best game of his career against UC, when he tossed 34 completions for 405 yards, and 4 TDs. The numbers don't lie, Bray can play. He has above-average arm strength, and his accuracy is very good. Even against a speedy Florida defense, he managed 290 yards and 3 TDs, despite throwing 2 INTs. Get Bray a little more help from the line and running game, and Tennessee may have one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the nation in the next few years.
1.) Brandon Weeden, QB, OK St. - Sr.
In my opinion, Oklahoma State is the quietest of the top 10 teams in the nation, and Weeden has also, SOMEHOW, gone under the radar through the first four games. This guy can make it happen, and giving him Justin Blackmon might make it simply unfair for some defenses. Despite throwing 6 INTs through the first four weeks, Weeden also has 10 TDs, along with an astonishing passing percentage of 74.3%. Weeden also went under the radar at OK State as a junior, when he had 34 TDs and 13 INTs for one of the most dangerous offenses in the Big 12. It all came together for Weeden against TAMU, where he led the Cowboys comeback with some video game like stats. 47-60, 438 yds, 2 TDs, and a win at then #8 TAMU. Need I say more? Look for some more NCAA 12-like numbers from Weeden throughout the 2011 season, and more than like 35+ touchdowns.
If you disagree with anything on the list, I encourage you to post a comment, and state your case. Opinions are welcome on this blog, just keep it clean. Thanks for reading, I truly appreciate it!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Fading... Fast
I honestly made a blog for this specific topic, the Red Sox historical collapse that hangs in the balance as I type this blog.
September: 5-18 (Pending tonight's game @ NYY), 6.09 ERA
You didn't read that wrong. 6.09 ERA. Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Wakefield, and whoever else Tito Francona throws out to the wolves on any given night. As a die hard Red Sox fan, my respect has grown for Clay Buchholz as each game goes by this month.
If you watch any Sox game during this catastrophic month, it never seems like they can go an inning without getting into some kind of trouble. Sometimes I find myself wondering, who in the world has cursed us now? Which is the most unfortunate part of being a Red Sox fan. This collapse could possibly overwrite the sheer glory felt in 2004 and 2007. They could quickly become the same ol' Sox. Free agent acquisitions, most notably Adrian Gonzalez, and an allegedly "upgraded" bullpen had many fans and writers penciling the Sox in the World Series come late October.
In my opinion, this collapse essentially comes to down to two major issues for the Sox. The most obvious problem: the bullpen. Matt Albers has channeled his inner Kerry Wood. No matter what situation Albers is brought in, there always seems to be a few runs added onto the scoreboard for the opposing team. Next, Daniel Bard and Jonathon Papelbon. Bard started off in the same fashion as the team: very shaky. He found his groove once April had passed. Papelbon had a string of months where he had not allowed a SINGLE run. In September, you ask? Bard and Papelbon have both cost the Red Sox crucial games. Bard against TORONTO, and Papelbon to Robert Andino and the Baltimore Orioles. The bullpen has been highly criticized throughout the season, but these two were the rocks that got the job done. They are now in the same conversation as the not-so-great Matt Albers. Ouch.
Reason No. 2: Injuries.
Hasn't the injury bug seemed to bite the Red Sox quite often over the last two seasons? Injuries were the only thing that held the Sox out of the playoffs last year. They are now accompanied with poor, poor pitching, but this problem still lingers. J.D. Drew, Youk, Pedroia, Ortiz, Gonzalez, Lowrie (More than once), Crawford (he can be considered a problem by himself), Beckett, Lester, BUCHHOLZ. These are the big names that have had nagging injuries and/or missed a chunk of time over the season. Not a lot of teams can stay in the playoff hunt with a large list of injuries, but the Red Sox have managed.
Hopefully, the Sox will not throw their playoff chances away on their own.
September: 5-18 (Pending tonight's game @ NYY), 6.09 ERA
You didn't read that wrong. 6.09 ERA. Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Wakefield, and whoever else Tito Francona throws out to the wolves on any given night. As a die hard Red Sox fan, my respect has grown for Clay Buchholz as each game goes by this month.
If you watch any Sox game during this catastrophic month, it never seems like they can go an inning without getting into some kind of trouble. Sometimes I find myself wondering, who in the world has cursed us now? Which is the most unfortunate part of being a Red Sox fan. This collapse could possibly overwrite the sheer glory felt in 2004 and 2007. They could quickly become the same ol' Sox. Free agent acquisitions, most notably Adrian Gonzalez, and an allegedly "upgraded" bullpen had many fans and writers penciling the Sox in the World Series come late October.
In my opinion, this collapse essentially comes to down to two major issues for the Sox. The most obvious problem: the bullpen. Matt Albers has channeled his inner Kerry Wood. No matter what situation Albers is brought in, there always seems to be a few runs added onto the scoreboard for the opposing team. Next, Daniel Bard and Jonathon Papelbon. Bard started off in the same fashion as the team: very shaky. He found his groove once April had passed. Papelbon had a string of months where he had not allowed a SINGLE run. In September, you ask? Bard and Papelbon have both cost the Red Sox crucial games. Bard against TORONTO, and Papelbon to Robert Andino and the Baltimore Orioles. The bullpen has been highly criticized throughout the season, but these two were the rocks that got the job done. They are now in the same conversation as the not-so-great Matt Albers. Ouch.
Reason No. 2: Injuries.
Hasn't the injury bug seemed to bite the Red Sox quite often over the last two seasons? Injuries were the only thing that held the Sox out of the playoffs last year. They are now accompanied with poor, poor pitching, but this problem still lingers. J.D. Drew, Youk, Pedroia, Ortiz, Gonzalez, Lowrie (More than once), Crawford (he can be considered a problem by himself), Beckett, Lester, BUCHHOLZ. These are the big names that have had nagging injuries and/or missed a chunk of time over the season. Not a lot of teams can stay in the playoff hunt with a large list of injuries, but the Red Sox have managed.
Hopefully, the Sox will not throw their playoff chances away on their own.
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