First look ahead at 2009 College Football teams to watch
March 26th, 2009 by Vince Mullins
My first preview article after the microbial sabbatical focuses on looking ahead, much more setting the table for future articles than trying to make a accurate forecast in March. What fantasy college football programs set themselves up for improvement, what schools are drained of talent and set for disappointment, and what fantasy college football dynasties’ 2009 outlook is filled with bewilderment?
Programs trending up
Arkansas
Bobby Petrino leveraged his knowledge of offense into many jobs over the last ten years and the eyes of the college football world focus on Fayatteville in 2009 to see the results of his newest creation. Expect a return to top-tier production with new QB Ryan Mallett and some super-sized pass catchers.
Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli
Oregon
The Ducks tore up the November scoreboards and followed through strongly in the Holiday Bowl shootout win over Oklahoma State. Whether Jeremiah Masoli (right, Icon SMI) or Justin Roper take over the QB reins in 2009, and whether or not RB LaGerrette Blount (suspension) returns, new head coach Chip Kelly gets a disgusting amount of weapons at his disposal Also it will be very interesting to see how the first “coach-in-waiting” progresses, with new AD Mike Belotti just a hallway away.
Auburn
Gus Malzahn, offensive innovator ne plus ultra, is in charge – enough said. I have all the love in the world for what Tulsa produced over the past two years, but i cannot wait for the hell Malzahn will unleash upon the SEC defenses with SEC quality athletes on offense. I expect Mario Fannin will be the largest benefactor of the new regime, but the true test will be the effectiveness of the QB whether Kodi Burns or Chris Todd.
What schools may disappoint? What teams have more questions than the SAT? After the jump…
Schools set for disappointment
Rice
Much love for Coach David Bailiff, but how can one expect improvement after losing our Fantasy Player of the Year QB Chase Clement, NCAA career TD reception leader Jarett Dillard and Super-slash TE James Casey? Give the Owls a year to straighten out the new talent that must step in immediately. Our friends at CFFI like Nick Fanuzzi at QB in 2009, and I love RB Sam McGuffie in 2010 – stay tuned while we figure this one out through the spring and summer.
Rutgers
Just one year after losing RB Raymell Rice to the pros, 2009 leaves Rutgers without four-year starter Mike Teel and all-world WR Kenny Britt? That is a huge talent drain to overcome and this will be a huge test for Coach Greg Schiano. Look out below I say – Rutgers offense is trending down and that has to look good for the rest of the Big East.
Missouri
I likely said the same thing after Brad Smith graduated but Chase Daniel did just fine. At least Daniel got quite a few reps during Smith’s senior season – the Tigers implemented no such plan to give their 2009 QB Blaine Gabbert any work with live ammo. Do-everything-point-producer Jeremy Maclin will likely go in the first round of the NFL Draft (Drew’s Mock Drafts)but Coach Gary Pinkel’s cupboard is still stocked with RB Derrick Washington and WR Danario Alexander. I still expect a slow down until Gabbert hits his stride.
Bewildering teams
West Virginia
So you just graduated your QB that led you to four straight bowl wins and is the all-time leader in rushing yards for his position – hard to replace, right? I openly criticized Bill Stewart in his early season clock management, but in retrospect darned if he didn’t get Pat White to throw for 3000 yards and create a remarkable all-around season. Thing is the Mountaineers got little offensive production out of anyone else and now super-backup Jarett Brown gets a couple years to make his own mark. Who will help him? RB Noel Devine slipped from potential RB1 to a matchup fill-in at best and needs to take charge of his own destiny.
Ohio State
Unleashing Terrelle Pryor for a full season seems reason enough, but they must replace Chris “Beanie” Wells. I like the cut of RB Dan Herron’s jib in his early work last season, and I really like the young skill position talent including Cris Carter’s son Duron and Brandon Saine.
Notre Dame
A strong Notre Dame squad is good for all of college football but I am not yet willing to call for a huge offensive improvement based upon their destruction of the Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl. WR Golden Tate had a huge game with three TDs and Jimmy Clausen threw the deep ball like Dan Marino, but how will that flow to 2009? Coach Charlie Weis exorcised all other offensive coaches and vows to run things on his own in 2009 – that was not a recipe for success earlier.
Related posts:
