Kickoff Zone College Football Blog

The college football season begins tomorrow, so it’s time to get everything out there.  The week one game of the week…

Boise State vs. Virginia Tech (in Landover, MD)

This week’s choice is rather obvious, as it is the only matchup between two top 10 teams and national title contenders.  While Boise State has been talked up as possibly the first team from outside of a BCS conference to play for the national title, Virginia Tech has flown somewhat under the national radar, but are never far from the conversation, and this year they should near the top with the talent they are returning.

Week One Pick- Virginia Tech by 3+  (meaning that I think they will win by at least three points, but maybe a bit more)

It’s not that I think Boise State is overrated, but that Virginia Tech has been criminally underrated by a number of preseason publications, as they would easily be in my Top 5 to start the year.

Tags: Boise State, College Football, College Football Picks, College Football Power Rankings, Nick Saban, Preseason Prognostications, Schedule, The Kickoff, Top 25, Virginia Tech, bcs, odds by Tommy
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After listing six of our 2nd tier Heisman Trophy candidates in no particular order, we begin our 1st tier with the #10 ranked contender.  Unlike our previous list, these candidates are ranked from 10th to our #1 pick going into the 2010 season.

Heisman Trophy Candidate Number 10

Ryan Williams- RB, Virginia Tech

2009 Stats

293 attempts 1655 yds, 21 TDs

127.3 rushing yds per game

To say the emergence of Ryan Williams last year was a bit of a surprise would be an understatement.  Expected to see limited playing time his freshman season, Williams was forced into action following the injury to All ACC Sophomore Darren Evans.  Well, all he did was go on to have an all conference season himself, breaking Evans own freshman rushing records at Virginia Tech and conference marks.  He rushed for over 100 yards in 10 games last season, which tied both the school and ACC mark. 

This season, Virginia Tech’s offense is expected to be even better.  With Tyrod Taylor returning under center and both leading recievers back, defenses will not be able to focus solely on shutting the running game down, and will also have to contend with Taylor’s rushing ability once the play breaks down.  This should create more opportunities for Tech’s rushing attack. 

The main reason Williams is not ranked higher than 10th on this list is the fact that Tech has so many weapons on offense that the spotlight will not be solely on him.  Darren Evans is returning this year and will get a large number of carries, and a legitimate case can be made for QB Taylor’s own Heisman chances.

Tags: Atlantic Coast Conference, College Football, Heisman Watch, NCAA, Preseason College Football Rankings, Preseason Prognostications, Virginia Tech, bcs by Tommy
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Finally, as the talk of expansion quiets down, we can put our focus on the upcoming season and what will happen on the field.  In this next series of posts, we will break down the early contenders for the Heisman Trophy for next season.

We have divided the contenders into two different categories, a first and second tier.  All of the following names have a shot at being invited to the ceremony in December, but some have better odds than others.

These rankings are in reverse order.  So today, we focus on the players longer odds of making the trip to New York in December. 

Note:  The first player is the top ranked in this group, while the rest of the names are in no particular order.

The 2nd Tier:

 

Tyrod Taylor – QB, Virginia Tech University

2009 Passing Statistics:

136-243 56.0%  2311 yds 13 TD 5 Int

Over 1,000 career rushing yards

Outlook: Heading up the 2nd tier of Heisman hopefuls is Virginia Tech’s quarterback, Tyrod Taylor.  In fact, the Kickoffzone blog probably has Taylor ranked higher than any other pundits out there, and here’s the kicker, we think that he will rise into the first tier once the season starts. 

Taylor led the ACC in passing efficiency last year, after 2 years of being known more as a running threat.  The Hokies also return their two leading recievers, both of whom averaged over 20 yards a reception last year.  Unlike Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor, Taylor has proven that he can excel either throwing or running the ball, which makes him one of the most dangerous players in the country. 

If Taylor has the opportunities to shine, we think he will do just that.  Working against him is the talent around him.  With both Ryan Williams and Darren Evans in the same backfield, Taylor’s Heisman hopes may depend on the Hokies gameplan, and whether or not he is overshadowed by his own teammates again this season.

LaMichael James- RB, Oregon

2009 Statistics

230 carries 1546 yards, 14 TDs

James emerged after the suspension of LaGarrett Blount last season, rushing for over 1500 yards as a freshman.  This year he will be relied on even moreso following the suspension and subsequent removal of Heisman candidate Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback.  With an unproven signal caller, James should be a workhorse.  It also doesn’t hurt that he has an experienced offensive line returning as well.

James will have to prove he can shoulder the load in spite of his small frame, as he is only 5′9 and weighs in around 180 lbs.  Another factor is whether or not he is overshadowed by the tumultous offseason the program endured, and whether that will have an effect on the teams overall record.

Christian Ponder- QB, Florida State University

2009 Statistics:

227-330 68.8% 2717 yards 14 TD 7 Int

Ponder was well on his way to putting up Heisman-type numbers before an injury cut his season short last year.  He has all the tools of a top flight quarterback, but will have to prove that he has recovered from his blow out shoulder.  He also needs to be more consistent on a weekly basis, as blowouts against the likes of BYU will likely damage his chances in the upcoming season.  Plus, it remains to be seen how the team will be affected by the fact that Bobby Bowden is no longer on the sidelines or leading the team through the tunnel.

Terrelle Pryor- QB, Ohio State University

2009 Statistics:

167-295 56.6% 2094 yds.  18 TD 11 Int

162 rushing attempts, 779 yds rushing, 7 TD

Unlike almost every other publications or pundit, we here at the Kickoffzone blog are not on the “Terrelle Pryor for Heisman” bandwagon yet.  In fact, I have him rated below seven other quarterbacks on my Heisman watch list.  If this sounds ridiculous, well… sue us. 

In the long run, Pryor has yet to perform with any sort of consistency.  He had a solid Rose Bowl performance against the University of Oregon, but his numbers weren’t all that impressive.  He’s no Vince Young… yet.  In fact, we rate Tyrod Taylor higher, at this point.

In his favor, Pryor probably has more potential than anyone at his position in college football.  When he is on, he is an unbelievable football player, showing a lethal combination of speed and arm strength.  He just has to prove that he can put it all together on a weekly basis, and much like Ponder, he can’t afford to underperform against the likes of Purdue if he wants to be a contender for the most prestigous, and controversial award in college football.

Josh Nesbitt- QB, Georgia Tech

2009 Stats:

Passing: 75-162 46.3% 1701 yards 10 TD 5 Int

Rushing: 279 Att.  1037 yds, 18 TD

Possibly the most unconventional name to make more than one Heisman watch list is Georgia Tech QB Josh Nesbitt.  Not since Nebraska’s Eric Crouch has an option quarterback been a serious contender for the award and Nesbitt may not change that, but he could be rated highly enough to make the trip to New York at the end of the season. 

It all depends on how successful the Jackets are.  If they make the ACC Title game again, then you can bet that Nesbitt will have had a successful season, and that he will get some consideration.  He will need to put up monster numbers on the ground, while staying efficient, if not accurate, through the air. 

John Clay- RB, University of Wisconsin

2009 Stats:

287 Att.  1,587 yds 18 TD

John Clay is just the latest in a long line of successful Wisconsin running backs to reach an all-conference level.  His numbers are very impressive, and at 6′1 and weighing in at 250 lbs., he’s got Dayne-like size.

Clay has two things going against him.  The first is his conference.  Wisconsin, despite the fact that they contend for the title on a yearly basis, are always overshadowed in the media by the big market teams.  Although it may not be deserved, Terrelle Pryor will get the majority of the Heisman spotlight at the beginning of the season.  The second is ”the fact that he is a running back for the University of Wisconsin.”   The Badgers always turn out successful running backs who gain 1000+ yards a season.  Many voters may feel that he’s just a product of his system, much the way a Texas Tech qb may be the product of their system, which will likely diminish their Heisman value.

Tags: Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 10 Conference, College Football, College Football Power Rankings, Florida State, Heisman Watch, NCAA, Ohio State University, Preseason College Football Rankings, Preseason Prognostications, Southeastern Conference, Terrelle Pryor, Top 25, University of Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, pac 10 by Tommy
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Our college football power rankings breakdown, which is more of a “look-ahead” towards the upcoming season by breaking down the current odds for teams to win the BCS, continues with Round 3.  In this round, we look at teams who are “the other contenders.”  These teams are not overwhelming favorites like those in Round 1, and aren’t necessarily the next in line like the ones in round 2.  They are the teams who could easily find themselves playing for a national championship if one of the teams in front of them falters, at least according to the odds.

Round 3:  The Other Contenders

Round 3 begins with a team that whose odds are 15:1- the University of Nebraska.  How the Cornhuskers find themselves with odds this high is beyond me.  They were a solid, but not spectacular, team last season with one superstar defensive lineman… who graduated.  They return most of their key players on the offensive side of the ball, but they weren’t all that impressive offensively when playing quality opponents.  In their favor, they do return QB Zach Lee and their leading rusher.  They also return most of their defense as well, with the exception of DT Ndamukong Suh.

Following the Cornhuskers with odds of 17:1 are the Virginia Tech Hokies.  Unlike Nebraska, there’s little doubt about Va. Tech’s returning talent.  Personally, I consider them to be a Top 6 team heading into next season with a real shot at playing for the BCS title.  On the offensive side of the ball, the Hokies are… loaded.  There are at least 3 players who could be considered Heisman contenders going into next season, although their running backs will likely have to split carries.  Tyrod Taylor has slowly matured into an excellent QB, and should be a household name by next season.  Va Tech returns their leading rushers from the last two seasons.  In 2008, Darren Evans rushed for 1265 yards as a true freshman,   and going into last season, he was expected to be one of the best tailbacks in the country, but an injury forced him to redshirt.  In his place, true freshman Ryan Williams rushed for 1538 yards.  With both of their tailbacks healthy and their top two leading recievers from last year all returning, Tech will be loaded on offense.  Defensively, they will be as strong as ever.  Any college football power rating system will likely rank Virginia Tech very close to the top heading into next season.

Tags: College Football, College Football Picks, College Football Power Rankings, NCAA, Preseason College Football Rankings, University of Nebraska, Virginia Tech by Tommy
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As Virginia Tech begins spring practice, there are a few questions that need to be addressed, according to the Daily Press.  The first question revolves around the starting tailback position, where the Hokies are loaded:

What can we expect to see from the loaded tailback spot? It’s tough to call a position where Ryan Williams gained an Atlantic Coast Conference and Tech freshman-record 1,655 rushing yards last season, and Darren Evans picked up 1,265 yards in 2008, much of a concern – considering both players enter spring as co-No. 1’s at tailback.

The big unknown is whether Evans, a junior, is ready to handle a heavy workload again after sitting out last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He participated at full strength in winter conditioning drills and Beamer has declared him “ready to roll.”

If sophomore David Wilson deems playing time may be as hard to come by as it was last season (59 carries for 334 yards), he may push for a redshirt.

The second question is whether Tyrod Taylor can improve on his numbers from a year ago:

How much better can quarterback Tyrod Taylor get as a senior? After leading the ACC in passing efficiency last season by completing 56 percent of his passes for 2,311 yards, 13 touchdowns and just five interceptions, Taylor showed he clearly understands what it takes to be a game manager.

Now, with his top five wide receivers returning along with Williams and Evans, Taylor should continue to test his ability to stretch the field this spring. Taylor, a Hampton High graduate, is eighth on Tech’s career passing yardage list (4,274 yards).

He needs 2,235 yards to pass Bruton High graduate Bryan Randall and become Tech’s all-time leader. Taylor also has 5,811 yards of total offense, which puts him fourth all-time at Tech. He’s 2,223 yards behind first-place Randall.

These are both good questions.  At the tailback spot, VA Tech has an overabundance of talent and production.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan Williams get the nod, which will allow them to bring David Evans along slowly as he returns from his injury. 

I also expect Tyrod Taylor to be quite a bit better.  People do sometimes forget that he did have a very good season last year.   He has improved every year as a passer, and when you factor in that he has WR speed, he should be poised for a breakout year.  I wouldn’t be surprised in the least bit if he recieved some Heisman notice as next season progresses.

Tags: College Football, NCAA, Schedule, Virginia Tech, spring practice by Tommy
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