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Notes From the Margins: ACC and Big 12 notes
By Jason Roberts | October 17, 2008
Who are the real movers and shakers in the ACC and the Big 12? Jason”Leo Tolstoy” Roberts gets you up to date with his timely update.
We venture into the wonderful world of mud-slinging (and then quickly trying to clean up the results of such activity), as revealed by the less-than-tactful Cullen Harper of Clemson, ponder the silence of Duke’s David Cutcliffe and an unusual foggy injury update this past Saturday, Greg Little getting another shot at fantasy production in a position other than tailback for UNC, the emergence of big-time (young) receivers at Baylor and Texas A&M, and amuse ourselves while debating whether Oklahoma should even have a backfield this season.
Clemson Tigers
Talk about one heck of a job back-peddling; senior quarterback for the Clemson Tigers, Cullen Harper, attempted earlier this week to suggest, says The State, that any comments that may be associated with him and the notion that ex-head coach of the Tigers, Tommy Bowden, got “what he deserved” are “water under the bridge.” Harper told reporters this past Tuesday that his remarks about Bowden’s firing were “taken out of context,” with his comments instead intended for new interim-head coach, “Dabo Swinney. “You know, you never want that to happen to anybody,” the senior expressed. “It’s unfortunate, and I wish coach Bowden the best.”
Yet the most recent column the quarterback is writing for The Sporting News contains suggestions that the best thing about Swinney is “what you see is what you get. He’s not going to talk behind your back. He’s not going to bring stuff up in the media. He’s going to be honest with you every time.” Such lines coincide with what many have perceived as a string of critical comments made by both Harper and his father, such as that made by the quarterback that Bowden tended to “approach his job like he was a manager. He stayed off to the side, he let his coaches coach the players, and he was the motivator. After a while, people stopped buying into some of the things he was saying and ways he tried to prepare us. Losing games made it worse.” Harper can say what he wants, but there was obviously little love existing between the Tigers’ previous coach and what was last year one of the hottest passers in the entire ACC; there’s was a volatile relationship, and one that clearly carried forth outside the playing field, and into the larger surrounding environment.
The State also reports on Monday that Clemson Tigers’ tailback, C.J. Spiller, is expected to sit out this weekend’s game with Georgia Tech because of a pulled hamstring. Fellow running back, senior James Davis, tells reporters that he is “kind of scared, too, because it’s been a long time since I haven’t had him out there with me.” As such, the debut of a dual-threat quarterback such as Willy Korn Saturday could truly be a blessing in disguise; having the freshman under center rather than senior Cullen Harper gives Clemson the opportunity to still run the ball effectively, even though the team’s rushing threat may not be fully embodied by the usual position of running back. The State also expresses that fans and fantasy owners alike will want to keep an eye out on freshman back, Jamie Harper, as he is expected to have a much more prominent role in the contest with the Yellow Jackets.
more ACC and Big 12 after the jump…
Duke Blue Devils
The News & Observer tells readers on Wednesday that head coach David Cutcliffe explained to reporters that his team had several players that “could not” practice this week, but, in an unusual move for the head coach, failed to reveal the names of those particular players. Generally, the Observer notes, Cutcliffe is very forthcoming with information on injuries during his weekly media conferences held on Sundays. Stay tuned to Fantasy College Blitz and Vince’s Saturday Morning College Football Breakfast Burrito as more information on this story becomes available.
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida Times-Union forwards the opinion that readers may want to start paying more close attention to Florida State’s Caz Piurowski, a junior who has in his first two seasons with the team bounced between tight end and offensive tackle, but is now settled in at the former position now given that former Seminoles’ tight end, Brandon Warren, has transferred to the University of Tennessee.
Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Times writes Monday that though backup quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles, D’Vontrey Richardson, has not played in FSU’s last two contests, he appears to “be returning to early season form,” having thrown two touchdowns during 11-on-11 drills this past weekend (the Seminoles’ were on a bye); the article also reveals the interesting tidbit that Richardson was seen lining up in the Seminoles’ backfield, taking reps as a modified tailback. “He’s made some real nice plays,” offensive Jimbo Fisher tells the Times. “He was at running back with a few guys banged [up].”
An interesting pieces comes from the Orlando Sentinel from last Friday; according to head coach Bobby Bowden, senior fullback Joe Surratt is no longer a member of the team. At one time leading the team with six rushing touchdowns, Surratt, said FSU’s coach, was “dismissed from the team” as an “administrative decision.” Some speculation surrounds whether Surratt’s being forced from the program stemmed from the fullback’s involvement in an altercation outside of a bar near campus back in September 2007, but the article notes that the senior entered this season with “legal troubles” behind him and fighting for playing time against Marcus Simms and Seddrick Holloway. Prior to his being released, Surratt had just one carry for six yards throughout the period of FSU’s first five games.
The same article referenced above also notes that starting quarterback Christian Ponder and kicker Graham Gano were involved in an automobile accident in the middle of last week, but neither sustained injuries.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The website Al.com reports late last week that the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets could see a third straight quarterback start this weekend against the Clemson Tigers, this as local media reports seeing senior Calvin Booker getting the most snaps under center during team practices. The move likely comes in light of the injuries to both starter Josh Nesbitt, who strained a hamstring during Tech’s matchup with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Jaybo Shaw, who the article notes is “still feeling fuzzy” after a blow to the head last weekend against the Duke Blue Devils. Should the senior in fact get the call this coming Saturday, he would become the 18th different player this year to get a first career start with Georgia Tech.
Miami Hurricanes
Good news for fans of the Miami Hurricanes this week, as reported by the Herald Tribune this Wednesday; after missing four straight game with a high left ankle sprain, UM’s first-string tailback Javarris James should be ready to go once more out of the backfield when the Hurricanes take on the Duke Blue Devils this upcoming weekend. James, readers may recall, carried for 84 yards and two touchdowns in Miami’s season opener against Charleston Southern, but was injured just two carries into the Hurricane’s matchup with the Florida Gators the following week. “All indications are he should be full-go,” head coach Randy Shannon told members of the press Tuesday afternoon; the ankle, the Tribune writes, still remains “a bit sore at times,” but is “nothing I can’t push through,” stated James.
The St. Petersburg Times, in the meanwhile, writes that even though quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes, Robert Marve, went just 8-of-19 passing with three interceptions this past Saturday against Central Florida, head coach Randy Shannon responded to reporters who asked whether or not he would consider starting Jacory Harris in place of Marve by simply stating, “Nope.”
North Carolina Tarheels
Fantasy owners, heads up; the Star News reveals Wednesday that head coach Butch Davi is considering moving tailback Greg Little over to wide receiver as early as this weekend’s ACC matchup against the Virginia Cavaliers. If so transitioned, Little would look to shore up the loss of talented senior wideout Brandon Tate, who last weekend suffered a devastating knee injury that will keep him out for the remainder of his time at UNC. The move too allows Little the opportunity to become more involved in the Tarheels’ offensive unit, this as he has been surpassed on the depth chart by converted defensive back Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston. Owners will want to keep in mind that the move could mean big things for the sophomore, particularly given that Little was originally recruited to the university as a wide receiver, suggesting that the transition time could be minimal for the youngster from Durham, North Carolina and solid statistical production may soon follow.
North Carolina State Wolfpack
The News and Observer hosts an article this week discussing the fact that in the midst of losing both tailback Toney Baker and wide receiver Donald Bowens, the North Carolina State Wolfpack have identified a potential new breakout player both at wide out and on special teams, freshman T.J. Graham. Minimal in his contribution to the N.C. State passing game so far this season (10 receptions for 163 yards on the year so far), Graham has managed to make a major name for himself on the Wolfpack’s special teams unit, where his 628 total yards leads the nation for kickoff return specials and a 28.6 yard per return average finds him top in that category for all of the ACC. “He’s a real threat,” Jarvis Williams, a fellow wideout says of the freshman. “Hopefully, we can still get some balls kicked to him,” this particularly after Graham returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown in the Boston College game held on October 4th.
Virginia Cavaliers
Zach Berman of The Washington Post writes that as frustrating as it was for senior running back Cedric Peerman, to sit for the majority of UVA’s contest against Connectibut and all of a loss to the Duke Blue Devils - this in order to fully recover his health - the extra rest paid off, with Peerman rushing for a combined 283 yards and three touchdowns in surprising wins against both Maryland and East Carolina over the last couple weeks. Head coach Al Groh now suggests that Peerman is the healthiest he’s been since the start of last year and given that the senior is “back in action,” fans and fantasy owners can expect “to see what he always showed before [getting hurt].” Suggestive of the fact that Groh very well may have hit the nail right on the head, the Post points out that Peerman hit touchdown runs of 79 and 60 yards versus ECU, an unusual circumstance, particularly given that the UVA back’s previous career-long was no more than 35 yards. Expect to find Peerman now rotating in with Mikell Simpson, and a dual-running back system returning as “the staple of the offense” for Groh and the rest of the Cavaliers.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The Winston-Salem Journal writes this week that kicker Sam Swank is doubtful for this weekend’s game with the Maryland Terrapins; Swank currently is suffering from a strained quadriceps in his right leg sustained during last Thursday night’s contest against Clemson and will probably not be able to kick or punt until late this week. In Swank’s place, Shane Popham took over kicking duties versus the Tigers, with, as the Journal calls it, “mixed results”; for the night, he missed two field-goal attempts, but hit an additional two kicks, while also dropping four of his five punts inside the 20-yard line. Head coach Jim Grobe has said that he would consider starting Popham at punter to relieve the load on Swank if that would allow Swank to play, but the senior kicker tells the local media that he has not yet discussed that option.
Big XII
Baylor Bears
The Tulsa World states that while quarterback Robert Griffin has ignited the discussion of the Baylor Bears’ talent at underclassmen, a second freshman is turning heads now as well - wide receiver Kendall Wright. Already showing tremendous potential in the first half of the 2008 season, Wright exploded last week by taking seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Iowa State Cyclones
The Omaha World-Herald highlights the continuing saga of former quarterback Phillip Bates and what in particular might have led the sophomore to announce he was leaving the team. Bates comments that it was “no one incident” that led him to come to the conclusion he did, but that there were several things which had occurred since his freshman season that led him to feel that he “wouldn’t get to maximize my potential” at ISU. He admitted that a number of schools had contacted him since his announcement, but Bates would not name names at this point in time; most have requested that he transfer as an all-around athlete that could play multiple positions, but Bates still desires to remain a quarterback. Interestingly enough, Nebraska’s name has come up in discussions, with Bates noting that had current head coach of the Cornhuskers, Bo Pellini, been there when the young quarterback was being recruited, the freshman would have readily stayed in state; asked if he would consider giving Nebraska another try, Bates said he would consider, but didn’t think it an option right now, particularly given that he would have to sit out a year to transfer to any Big XII school.
With Bates gone, the Globe Gazette reports that starting quarterback, sophomore Austen Arnaud, will now be backed up by freshman from San Antonio, Texas, Jerome Tiller. Considered by most to be “a strong-armed quarterback can run, works hard and is an unselfish team player,” head coach Gene Chizik has every intention of redshirting Tiller, giving the youngster a full four years of eligibility at Iowa State, but will absolutely play him if in fact Arnaud happens to go down with injury at some point in the remainder of the season. As a senior in high school, fantasy owners may be interested to know, Tiller passed for 1600 yards and 12 touchdowns, but joined that with an additional 770 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing on the ground.
Kansas State Wildcats
As covered in the Salina Journal this week, head coach Ron Prince told reporters this week that after watching the tape of last week’s rare road win at College Station against the Texas A&M Aggies, he was left “very impressed” by the first collegiate start of true freshman tailback Logan Dold, and “thought he had good continuity and chemistry with the line.” Playing in place of the injured Lamark Brown, Dold rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries against TAMU, and was a major component in the Wildcats producing a season-best 215 yards total on the ground. Expect to see the youngster from Garden City High School (2,388 yards rushing as a senior) getting increased playing time this weekend as KSU prepares to take on Colorado, particularly given that at this point in time, Brown still remains uncertain in terms of being able to go against the Buffaloes.
Missouri Tigers
The News Tribune reports this week that thought the Missouri Tigers suffered a heart-breaking loss this past weekend against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, senior place kicker, Jeff Wolfert, still managed to set a school mark by breaking the school career scoring record previously held by quarterback Brad Smith; Wolfert now has 289 career points and is 8-for-11 on field goals for the year. Yet, Wolfert was the only player for the Tigers who had a big night on Saturday; TheManeater.com notes that senior tight end for Missouri, Chase Coffman, nailed a career-high 11 receptions for 104 yards against Oklahoma State.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
According to the Nebraska State Paper, head coach Bo Pellini sees three of the team’s receivers - Nate Swift, Todd Peterson and Menelik Holt - as being the offensive units three MVPs; says the Paper, there is good reason that this is the case, as the three - Swift and Peterson, seniors, and Holt, a junior - have combined for 74 receptions for 944 yards and seven touchdowns to this point in 2008. “On a consistent basis, those guys along with Joe [Ganz] have been the MVP’s,” comments Pellini. “They’re playing very well. Not only running routes and catching balls, but blocking on the perimeter. They’re playing at a high level, I really like it.”
Oklahoma Sooners
Some interesting commentary from The Norman Transcript this week, which essentially makes the case for Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma Sooners to “abandon” the run game altogether in Norman and take up the strong arm of sophomore Sam Bradford in order to continuously move the ball downfield through the air. Oddly enough, Stoops’ isn’t far from agreeing when he told reporters, “The bottom line is, when you’re up there with six blockers and they have seven defenders, they’ve got you outnumbered no matter what formation you’re in. And basic football says, if they have you outnumbered, then you throw the football. And we’ve been highly effective throwing the football.” That that game play is perhaps being fulfilled is suggested in the fact that against Texas, of 67 plays run by the Oklahoma offense, 41 were passes, with three more intended to be passes but instead ending up as sacks. Thus, it appears that while the Sooners are not “about becoming Texas Tech,” they have adopted the notion that on offense, the team runs a “balance between passing plays, rather than ground and air.”
Oklahoma State Cowboys
In light of his being highlighted as a playmaker last weekend in the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ huge win against the Missouri Tigers, the Tulsa World attempts to answer the question of whether or not sophomore wide receiver Damian Davis is on the verge of a breakout remainder to the 2008 season. The article notes that prior to Saturday, Davis had just four receptions on the year, six for his entire career; yet against the Tigers, Davis became highly involved in the OSU offensive game plan, taking a 40-yard catch for a touchdown in the third-quarter, as well as 31-yard pass for a score in the fourth. Given that Dez Bryant still leads the team with 34 catches this season, with no other OSU player posting more than seven, it is a sure bet that Davis isn’t going to take on the same stature as his fellow sophomore teammate; still, given that Bryant continues to draw attention from opposing defensive backs, watch for Davis to see increased numbers and become perhaps a solid secondary receiving option whenever the offense is on the field.
Texas Longhorns
The Star-Telegram for this week hosts a piece on Texas Longhorns running back, Chris Ogbonnaya, and how he has fit into the UT offense this season, this after serving primarily as a third-down blocking back and a receiving threat out of the backfield for most of his earlier career. Now a fifth-year senior, Ogbonnaya is developing a manner of communication that has junior quarterback Colt McCoy feeling confident in having “somebody that you can communicate with without having to talk to them or tell them in the huddle.” The Longhorns’ primary rusher now, Ogbonnaya shed 15 pounds prior to the start of the 2008 season in order to add more speed as a running back, but also worked on learning how to run patient, waiting for offensive linemen to open up holes rather than “reaching for a big break early.” Major Applewhite, running backs coach for UT, notes as well that Ogbonnaya’s flexibility as an athlete also is a major plus for the Longhorns’, with the senior allowing the offense “to do a ton of things in the passing game that you wouldn’t be able to do with a traditional tailback.” Applewhite continues, stating, “You can put him in the backfield and run your typical run game. You can leave them in there to protect because he understands blitzes. And then you can flank him out and run different routes than you would typically run with a running back who’s flanked out.”
Texas A&M Aggies
According to the Star-Telegram, a great deal of mystery still surrounds quarterback Stephen McGee and the status of an injured shoulder sustained at the end of September in the Aggies’ contest with the Army Black Knights. Head coach Mike Sherman is quoted as stating the McGee “threw very little” last week in practice, but made no comment on the state of the senior’s health heading into this weekend’s contest with Texas Tech. Sherman also mentioned that he would not reveal whether or not there was a possibility that both McGee and backup quarterback, Jerrod Johnson, might play this weekend, highlighting that he felt it was his “only competitive” advantage” in preparing for the Red Raiders. Regardless, though, Sherman did state that there is a possibility that redshirt freshman Tommy Dorman might have his redshirt removed this weekend if, for some reason, McGee is not prepared to go.A couple of other quick notes, as provided by the same article mentioned above: Tight end K.J. Williams had his redshirt removed in the Aggies’ matchup with the Kansas State Wildcats. Freshman Randy Bullock also had his redshirt removed, this to handle kicking duties for an injured Richie Bean, who is currently battling a groin injury. Sherman acknowledged that when Bean is ready to return to the playing field, the Aggies’ coach will reopen competition for the starting role at placekicker.
A separate article in the Star-Telegram notes that wide receiver for the Texas A&M Aggies, Ryan Tannehill, set a pair of freshman records last week against the Kansas State Wildcats, catching 12 passes for 210 yards; he now leads the team with 28 catches for 401 yards, and this even though he missed a game earlier in the season with an ankle injury. Interestingly enough, though, Tannehill, ranked by Rivals.com as the #21 dual-threat quarterback in the nation back in 2006, still has every intention of moving to play under center with the Aggies; the freshman wideout tells the Telegram, “I still want to be the quarterback here at A&M.” Sherman has tentatively agreed to give Tannehill a shot, calling his family to assure them that the move to receiver this year wasn’t permanent; noted Tannehill’s father, “Coach Sherman has given Ryan his word that he’ll be able to go in there in the spring and fight for the quarterback position with Jerrod [Johnson] and Tommy Dorman.”
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Dallas Morning News reports on Tuesday that head coach Mike Leach has replaced freshman starting kicker Donnie Carona with senior walk-on Cody Fowler. Fowler will handle PATs and short field goal attempts, while Carona, considered to possess the stronger leg of the two youngsters, will handle long-range field goal tries, this though is season-long is just 35 yards. The move comes in light of a missed extra-point try by Carona in last week’s game against Nebraska, in which the freshman had partially-blocked a kick resulting from a one-yard run for a touchdown by Eric Morris in the first overtime period.
Interesting additional note: As revealed by the website, RedRaiders.com, Texas Tech, in last week’s matchup versus the Nebraska Cornhuskers only possessed the ball for 19 minutes and 48 seconds; the remainder of the game was taken up by Nebraska’s running attack and short passing game, used, as the numbers above clearly show, for the purposes of controlling the game clock.
Topics: ACC, Big 12, College Football, Jason Roberts, Notes From the Margins |
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