2010 Armed Forces Bowl

Thursday, December 30 Noon Eastern

Army's triple-option led by QB Trent Steelman should sneak up on SMU in the Armed Forces Bowl. (Icon SMI)

Southern Methodist Mustangs (7-6, 6-2 CUSA, 1^st Place West, 2^nd Place Overall)

vs. Army Black Knights (6-6)

As an interesting kickoff to the preview, both these teams have already faced an offensive clone of their opponent and lost: SMU lost @ triple-option Navy 21-28 in Week 3 and Army was downed at home by run-and-shoot Hawaii 28-31 in Week 2. So both these defenses have already had a taste of what is in store for them this Thursday. The main thing about the triple-option is that it is just so tough to prepare for in one week mid-season, especially if you’ve never seen it before. A guy or two out of position can lead to a breakaway TD. SMU has at least some familiarity with the offense and has had 3 weeks to prepare.

Meanwhile, the time off has not made Army’s DBs any quicker or faster. They might be able to diagnose tendencies, but no one has grown 6 inches or carved a few tenths off their 40-time since early December. The advantage here goes to SMU (Note: SMU has actually played Navy 3 times over the last 3 years and have gone 0-3 vs the triple-option). Read the rest of this entry →

Although there are only 3 Division I-FBS Independents left, there will be plenty of fantasy talent available at those schools.

The Independent school that has piqued the most interest is Notre Dame, as they bring in new head coach Brian Kelly (photo, thanks, Scout.com).  Kelly has produced potent offenses, and winning teams, while at Central Michigan and (most recently) Cincinnati….and could put some spark into a Fighting Irish offense that could use a little more consistency.

Meanwhile, Navy and Army will continue to run their option offenses, giving fantasy players some running, fantasy-worthy QBs Read the rest of this entry →

If the option offense was a naval fleet, then Navy QB Ricky Dobbs is it Admiral.

The Midshipmen QB is our Fantasy College Blitz 2009 Independent Fantasy Player of the Year, and highlights the FCB 2009 Independent All-Fantasy Team.

Dobbs (photo, thanks Scout.com), a junior from Douglasville, GA (Douglas County HS), led the Middies with 786 yards rushing and 22 rushing TDs, while throwing for 752 yards and another 4 TDs (stats through November 21st games).

With his 22 rushing TDs, and, with three games left to go in the 2009 season (including a bowl game for bowl-eligible Navy), Dobbs is on track to break…possibly shatter…the NCAA FBS record for rushing TDs in a single-season by a QB (tied with current Florida QB Tim Tebow, who rushed for 22 TDs in 2007).

Dobbs, however, is more than just stats.  He led the Middies to an upset of Notre Dame in South Bend a few weeks ago.  Also, in the season opener, Dobbs and Navy nearly pulled one of the biggest upsets of the decade, losing 30-26 to Ohio State in Columbus.

Joining Dobbs on the Independent All-Fantasy Team are… Read the rest of this entry →

There may be only three Division I-FBS Independents in college football, however, that does not mean a lack of fantasy prospects for your roster.

In fact, with the re-emergence of offense at Notre Dame…..the new coaching staff at Army installing a proven, productive, triple-option offense….and the usual “300 yards and a cloud of dust” ground game at Navy, the Division I-FBS Independents will have much more fantasy impact in 2009 than they had, collectively, in previous seasons. Read the rest of this entry →