Bleacher Report - Articles by Leon Wynn

Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25

Leon Wynn — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:45:53 -0400

College Football 2008 Preseason Rankings

It's that time again, and I’ve received a few e-mails demanding rankings for the college football preseason of 2009.

A bit early, I’ll go ahead and lay out my predictions (I’ll also stress that no poll can be too accurate until we’ve seen our titans clash a few times).

I can't wait for the season to kickoff (these NFL preseason games just ain’t doing it for me).

Without further introduction: these are the teams that I think will come out of the gate charging and won’t slow down until the big dance.

1. Oklahoma

2. Texas

3. Florida

4. Ole Miss

5. Virginia Tech

6. Alabama

7. USC

8. Oklahoma State

9. Georgia Tech

10. Boise State

11. Ohio State

12. Oregon

13. Penn State

14. Florida State

15. LSU

16. Oregon State

17. Georgia

18. Utah

19. Missouri

20. South Florida

21. North Carolina

22. West Virginia

23. Iowa

24. Clemson

25. TCU

Sleepers:

My heart goes to Ole Miss this season, these boys have the talent to go all the way this year, if they can remain consistent and ignore the media hype that is sure to spread like wildfire once the Rebels put up a strong show of force against Vandy and Bama. If these guys can overcome their inconsistency and step up their pass defense, expect big things.

Oklahoma State also has a lot of potential to shake things up on the national scene this season (Who knows, we might even get to see Gundy thump his chest again). We will know where they stand after their first game of the season against the visiting Georgia Bulldogs.

Over-rated:

Tim Tebow and the Gators. While their defense returning all 11 starters, a relatively easy schedule ahead of them, and a Heisman quarterback that has left the talking heads from ESPN with severe cases of tennis elbow after repeated fondling under their desks while they discuss Tebow. What could go wrong? Everything. I will pray to the football gods every night until the Gators fail, horribly.

As always, my way-too-early preseason prediction would not be complete without taking a stab at the different conference champions…

ACC

Coastal

1. Virginia Tech

2. Georgia Tech

3. North Carolina

4. Miami

5. Virginia

6. Duke

Atlantic

1. Florida State

2. Clemson

3. Boston College

4. Maryland

5. North Carolina State

6. Wake Forest

ACC Championship game: Florida State vs. Virginia Tech
Champion: Virginia Tech

Big 10

1. Ohio State

2. Penn State

3. Iowa

4. Illinois

5. Indiana

6. Michigan State

7. Purdue

8. Wisconsin

9. Michigan

10. Minnesota

11. Northwestern

Champion: Ohio State

Big 12

North

1. Missouri

2. Kansas

3. Nebraska

4. Kansas State

5. Colorado

6. Iowa State

South

1. Oklahoma

2. Texas

3. Oklahoma State

4. Texas Tech

5. Texas A&M

6. Baylor

Big 12 Championship game: Missouri vs. Oklahoma
Champion: Oklahoma

Big East

1. South Florida

2. West Virginia

3. Pittsburgh

4. Cincinnati

5. Connecticut

6. Louisville

7. Rutgers

8. Syracuse

Champion: South Florida

Pac 10

1. USC

2. Oregon

3. Oregon State

4. California

5. UCLA

6. Arizona State

7. Washington

8. Arizona

9. Washington State

10. Stanford

Champion: USC

SEC

East

1. Florida

2. Georgia

3. Vanderbilt

4. South Carolina

5. Kentucky

6. Tennessee

West

1. Ole Miss

2. Alabama

3. LSU

4. Mississippi State

5. Auburn

6. Arkansas

SEC Championship game: Ole Miss vs. Florida
Champion: Ole Miss

Other Conferences:

Conference USA Championship game: Southern Miss vs. Tulsa
Champion: Southern Miss

MAC Championship game: Ball State vs. Kent State
Champion: Ball State

Mountain West Champion: TCU

WAC Champion: Boise State

Sun Belt Champion: Troy

Open Mic: the Shame of College Football in 2004

Leon Wynn — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:08:22 -0400

What is the single greatest sports disappointment in history?

Until 2004, every team that finished 13-0 in Division I-A college football had been declared national champion. Every team!

It doesn’t matter what the BCS said. No legitimate national champion could be crowned after the 2004 Orange Bowl as long as there was another major college football undefeated team.

As I watched the Orange Bowl, I knew the wrong teams were on the field. One deserving national champion was not out there.

Who am I talking about? Everyone (that wasn’t living under a rock during the 2004 season) knows that I am talking about the undefeated Auburn Tigers.

If Auburn can’t be the 2004 national champion, then neither can USC.

Undefeated is undefeated. A major conference is a major conference.

Auburn remained undefeated in THE premier conference. They were kept out of the Orange Bowl because, among their buffet of victories, one was against a Division I-AA team, The Citadel.

Auburn was scheduled to play Bowling Green but was forced to extend an invitation to The Citadel when Bowling Green pulled out at the last minute (to lose to Oklahoma).

The BCS determined that Auburn’s playing one Division I-AA team was enough cause for them to lose hold of the “strength of schedule” area.

I don’t see how.

Before the bowl season, Auburn finished with a total of four wins against teams ranked in the top 16 of both the writers' and coaches' final polls, compared to only two wins from USC and one from Oklahoma.

That’s right—Auburn had more top 16 wins than USC and Oklahoma COMBINED!

USC played Arizona and Colorado State, two teams that combined for a 7-15 record. Oklahoma took on Houston and Baylor, two teams that combined for a 6-16 record.

I guess the lesson is that Auburn should have scheduled Buffalo (1-11 in the 2003 season) or some other Division I non-entity rather than The Citadel (6-6 in the 2003 season).

Auburn, Oklahoma, and USC all played a couple of patsies, and all played some top teams in 2004. They all won major conferences.

Auburn played more top-tier teams than either team invited to the National Championship game.

If you want to talk strength of schedule, fine. But measure it against the best teams you play, not the worst.

But let’s be honest, folks. Auburn’s mistake wasn’t playing The Citadel—it was starting the season ranked behind both USC and Oklahoma.

Once the voters set that order, none of the teams were going to change positions as long as they kept winning.

Had Auburn begun the season first or second—a vote taken based on no evidence because no games had yet been played—it would have been playing for the title, not sitting at home after being cheated out of a shot.

And that doesn’t even get into the situation with Utah, an undefeated team that unfortunately isn't in a big conference. I’d even throw the one-loss Texas team in the mix as a deserving team...

We all know what should have happened—a playoff. But this article will shy away from that in the interest of sparing the proverbial dead horse yet another beating.

It’s a damned shame that all the great teams didn’t get a chance to prove their greatness.

It’s a goddamned sin that Auburn was blocked from its National Championship

Vanderbilt Football: Maybe Next Year

Leon Wynn — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:15:06 -0400

I'm an optimist, but the absolute best-case scenario for Vanderbilt is nothing to boast about.

If the stars align just right, Vandy will be going 6-6 this year with a possibility of making it to a bowl game. They have taken a hard hit due to graduation, an early departure from Earl Bennett, and injuries this spring.

Vandy's offense is up in the air right now. The starting quarterback slot is unfilled right now with Mackenzi Adams or Chris Nickson looking to take the reigns.

The big boys in front are all new-commers after all five of last year's starters graduated, including first-round draft pick Chris Williams.

And to top it all off, the Southeastern Conference's all-time leading receptions leader is no longer around to be the bail-out guy.

This team will rely on their defense to carry them. While this may be asking too much, the secondary is full of veteran SEC talent led by D.J. Moore.

The lightning-fast corners are accompanied by an excellent defensive line that is quick enough off the snap to generate a solid pass rush against the best of teams.

Expect to see DEs Broderick Stewart and Steven Stone find their way to the quarterback regularly.

Realistically, the Commodores will most likely end up with five wins under their belt and a good season to learn from. I expect these guys to be bowling in two years.

This year, the team is too young and needs time to grow together. This season is already being written off as a training exercise.

Like Justin Hokanson said, "Maybe Next Year."

Auburn Football Loses Defensive Giant, Gains Offensive Titan

Leon Wynn — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:41:28 -0400

Tommy Tuberville has been through a massive coordinator upheaval. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was stolen away by Texas, and offensive coordinator Al Borges resigned.

Borges was replaced by Troy's Tony Franklin. Muschamp was replaced by Pittsburgh's Paul Rhoads.

Tubby is well-known for grooming fine coordinators. He's so successful that they get their own agents and accept offers for a higher salary somewhere else.

Auburn's coach is one of the best-compensated, winningest, and most consistent coaches in the SEC. Just ask any Alabama fan; even those stubborn bastards can’t say the current streak is pure luck. He is a magnet for young talent, both players and coaches.

To get Will Muschamp from Auburn, Texas had to negotiate with Bob Lamonte, who represents seven NFL head coaches and handful of college coaches, including Notre Dame’s Charlie Weis. This year, Texas will pay Muschamp $425,000 to fill the role of recently demoted Duane Akina.

Akina was demoted to secondary coach after a less than stellar performance from last year’s Texas defense. As long as he improves a defense that was the seventh-worst in Texas history, there will be little for Muschamp to worry about.

Muschamp is relatively young and has a bright future ahead of him. He commands a hard-hitting defensive spread developed at LSU. As an Auburn fan, I will mourn the loss of a great defensive coordinator, not only for his brilliance in coaching, but also for his energetic antics on the sideline.

Muschamp’s vigorous sideline displays were frequently broadcast on television and generated a lot of media attention.

"ESPN has a lot to do with that," Tuberville said. "The exposure is really going to help you.”

Some writers have claimed that Tuberville has been “cutting his own throat” by actively promoting his coordinators. Tubby certainly doesn’t care. He is a classy guy who gives credit where credit is due. The degree of freedom he gives his staff allows them to further develop their talent.

"I let my guys talk to media after practice every day," Tuberville said. "A lot of coaches don't do that. They tie their hands because they don't want them out in front. Sooner or later, you've got to let them speak for themselves."

His replacement, Paul Rhoads, has big shoes to fill and I hope he will. I don’t know much about him, except that a lot of Pittsburgh people are glad to see him go. Expect at least a year for him to completely make the transition.

There is no debate here, Auburn lost a major asset on defense and will take awhile to recover. In the meantime, Auburn will look to its offense to set the pace after acquiring a genius on the offensive side of the ball in Tony Franklin.

Auburn's new offensive coordinator, Franklin, developed his own consulting business after being blacklisted in 2001.

While at Kentucky, he coached two future NFL quarterbacks (Tim Couch and Jared Lorenzen). However, he wrote a book that disclosed some private information about the Kentucky staff during the Hal Mumme era.

Franklin did not work as an offensive coordinator until 2006, when Troy coach Larry Blakeney hired him. Franklin then raised the Trojans' offense to No. 16 in total offense in 2007.

Franklin created "The Tony Franklin System Seminar," a copyrighted offensive system implemented by over 300 high schools nationwide. Given only nine days to install his offense at Auburn before the bowl game, Franklin's "system" was able to produce 423 yards in a 23-20 victory over Clemson.

Not long after the bowl victory, high school coaches began descending upon the Tigers' offices looking for film, advice, and Franklin. The “Franklin System” is a work of art and is sure to help the Tigers make it to the SEC championship game this year.

"He's kind of a cult..." Tuberville said of the overhaul of his offense, adding, "It's kind of a cult."

Bowl Season: What You Really Want To Know

Leon Wynn — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:45:58 -0500

This Bowl Season, I have perched upon the venerable commode many times.

And, while flipping through sports literature and tearing out unnecessary pages, I pondered that ever-so-elusive question: "What does the general public want to hear this Bowl Season?"

We are now a week into Bowl Season and nothing has cooled down. Articles are still being published criticizing the BCS—some even go so far as to claim the BCS rigs bowl games!

Even after a season that was as predictable as a rabid squirrel tossed in a pond, people still have the audacity to make predictions and some are even placing bets on games. I pity the poor souls who lost money when the East Carolina Pirates steamrolled Boise State, the ten-point favorite.

BCS controversy, conspiracy theories, underdog mania...what am I leaving out? Oh yes, the traditional backstabbing that occurs in Bowl Season. The whole country was shocked upon hearing Les Miles' decision to turn down the Michigan Head Coaching job. Alas, Miles did not soften the hearts of so many coaches who were thirsting for higher salaries and better teams.

However, even these ship-jumping sissies can unite and point their fingers at an even larger scumbag: Rich Rodriguez.

The former Mountaineer coach is refusing to pay the $4 million buyout his contract says he owes WVU after bolting for the head coaching slot at Michigan.

Nay! That is not what everyone wants to talk about. What is?

Toys.

What toys did the Bowl officials decide to give their players this year?

Setting The Trend

The Holiday, Allstate BCS National Championship, and Valero Alamo Bowls are all passing out Nintendo Wiis to their players. But the nation's hottest gadget pales in comparison to what the Champs Sports Bowl and the Capital One Bowl are doing. Both are letting their participants raid Best Buy with a $400 gift card for each player to get whatever his heart desires and will pay to mail any large items.

However, the Citi Rose and PetroSun Independence Bowls are not to be outshined...much. Each player is receiving a $300 Sony Bravia theatre system, which includes a digital media port, five-disc DVD/CD player and five-speaker surround system with subwoofer.

Wow...You Can't Be Serious...Really?

The GMAC bowl is giving Bowling Green and Tulsa sets of Sony noise reduction headphones. We can only hope that they players but their headphones on before they hear what other bowls were throwing around.

Meh...I've Seen Better

The Outback Bowl is giving away a Cybershot Digital Camera for the players to capture the beauty of other teams' Bowl prizes.

Most Innovative

The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl got Virginia and Texas Tech the Oakley Thump. Sunglasses, music player: now one. The Thump crams a music player and earphones right into the frame of the sunglasses—pretty nifty.

iPod, Enough Said

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is giving UCF and Mississippi State the Nike+ iPod kit (iPod chip for shoe), an Apple iPod, and a veritable cornucopia of other Nike apparel. The Adidas-sponsored UCF players can take the iPod, but will have to smuggle the Nike+ kit.

The iPod Nano Video is the Chick-fil-A Bowl's gift of choice, along with some other traditional items—but still, you gotta do better than that. Oh well, I guess these players can just enjoy the fact that they didn't get stuck in...

Detroit

Detroit is a fine city that prides itself on automobiles, which is why the Motor City Bowl is awarding the hard-working players of Purdue and Central Michigan with... [insert drumroll] a leather monogrammed travel bag. But wait that's not all, each player receives a commemorative watch (leather wristwatch, off brand) and a football with BOTH TEAMS LOGOS ON IT!

Without Any Doubt, The Most BA Gift

I do not like to end things on a negative note, with so much already going wrong in today's college football world. This is why I will end with the gift most befitting an urban pimp—a gift so big that only the Texas Bowl could give it away.

Ladies and gentlemen, sportsfans of all ages: I give you the Boot!

TCU and Houston players, in compensation for playing in the most unimportant bowl, will be proud to receive $300 custom-fitted Nocona boots.

These bad boys can be made with just about any kind of leather, including ostrich, veal, alligator, sea turtle and whatever other animal you can hit with your car—it's each player's choice.

("BS BCS" Image Courtesy of Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle)

("Sea Turtle Boots" Image Couresy of HotBoots.com)