College Football 2011: 25 Headlines We Can Expect To See This Fall
You see them all the time in every sport.
Nothing beats a witty headline, and something tells me you'll find plenty of them again once the college football season kicks off in the fall.
The opportunities will be plentiful, whether it's with your powerhouse teams like Oklahoma, Auburn and Oregon, or with big games like the Ducks' opener with LSU. Of course, the Heisman Trophy race will create more headlines, along with coaching moves.
I've always been a fan of headlines that mix in humor and pop culture references, so I decided to have a little fun.
Here are 25 headlines you can expect to see this fall. None are more significant than the other. I simply tried to keep some chronological order:
25. New Kids on the Block: Pac 10, Big Ten, Mountain West Welcome New Members
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For those who have no idea about New Kids and were born in the 90s, click here. It's four minutes, 12 seconds you'll never be able to recapture. Growing up, I was a much bigger fan of the hair bands.
It's sad to see Nebraska bolting for the Big Ten, but I am intrigued to see how Utah will do in the new Pac 10 (or is it the Pac 12?).
24. Star Studded: This Year's Heisman Trophy Race Packed with Elite Talent
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It's been quite a while since we've had a Heisman race with so much star power.
In recent years, it's been maybe three or four elite guys, then a bunch of very good players.
Now this fall you have a top five that includes Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Boise State's Kellen Moore, Landry Jones at Oklahoma, South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore and Oregon running back LaMichael James.
Do you really see a clear-cut favorite there? You've got four who will be able to make a serious push, and another (Lattimore) who could factor in if his team doesn't suffer any letdowns.
23. Drama Department: Ohio State Begins Season with Controversy, Suspensions
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Coaches preach all the time to players about blocking out distractions and just focusing on each other.
I think it's funny how the Sweater Vest just heaped more distractions onto his team. He'll now miss the first two games of the season and has also been fined $250,000.
If I'm a parent of a prospective recruit, I can certainly cut Jim Tressel some slack, but I'd have a hard time buying into the idea that he's not like other coaches. You can't really know someone unless you spend a considerable amount of time around them.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Ancient History: Gary Patterson, TCU Putting Rose Bowl Victory Behind Them
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I can already see Rose Bowl talk driving Gary Patterson nuts.
It's natural for fans to want to relive past seasons and talk about what was accomplished. The Horned Frogs' coach, though, is hard-wired for now and is probably obsessing already over game tape of Baylor. TCU opens the season in Waco on Sept. 3.
Having been around the program in recent years, I know Patterson will remind the media and his players of the pyramid: there's a huge diagram of a pyramid inside a meeting room and it lists the team's yearly goals, which include competing for a conference championship.
The bottom of the pyramid is the season opener.
21. Lone Ranger: BYU Begins Independent Schedule at Ole Miss
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The Cougars open up in Oxford on Sept. 3, then head to Austin to face the Longhorns the following week before their home opener against Utah on Sept.17.
To any of you BYU guys who make the trip to Mississippi: You're in for a treat. Enjoy The Grove, and try not to let your jaw drop too much.
I'm not referring to the massive stadium, either.
20. Duck Hunting: LSU Heads to Texas for Showdown with Oregon
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If you're a fan of big-time college football, you can't miss this game.
The Ducks and Tigers will likely both be in the top five to begin the season, and they'll get a crack at each other in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The combined talent on that field will be incredible.
I was there for the Cotton Bowl earlier this year, and yes, I'll be there again to watch my alma mater.
19. No Contest: Boise State Thumps Georgia in Chick-Fil-A Classic
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Pressure's on the Bulldogs on this one.
Boise State's proven it can beat college football's best, but now it goes up a notch as they go take on a SEC team.
A Georgia win would be pretty impressive, but I just have a hard time right now seeing the Bulldogs shut down Kellen Moore in Atlanta.
18. Grand Opening: Prized Defensive End Jadeveon Clowney Debuts Against ECU
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Most recruits you don't get too hyped over and generally have a wait-and-see attitude.
Then there are others like Clowney that are different.
Clowney, a 6'6'', 245-pound defensive end, was the consensus No.1 player in the nation among this year's recruiting class. He wound up picking South Carolina, where he should contribute immediately.
That will likely come Sept. 3 when South Carolina plays East Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
17. Neutered: South Carolina Drops Georgia to 0-2 with Impressive Win
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You ultra-sensitive types just remember that Bob Barker used to reference neutering at the end of each "Price is Right."
If Georgia gets thumped by Boise State in its opener, it could be tough to recover a week later with the defending SEC East champs coming into town. The Gamecocks clearly have more talent and could blow out the Bulldogs if they play to their capability.
16. Dyer Straits: Michael Dyer Leads Auburn into SEC Opener with Miss. State
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The Auburn running back will be one of four elite running backs in the SEC this fall, but will also be a focal point when Auburn opens conference play against the Bulldogs.
Mississippi State now has the challenge of improving off last year's impressive season, which saw them lose to the Tigers 17-14.
15. Tiger Blood: Clemson Knocks off Auburn, Awaits Seminoles
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Yup, have to weave in a reference somehow from this man.
Auburn escaped with a 27-24 overtime victory last year, but I'll be interested to see if Clemson could knock them off now that Auburn will be without Cam Newton.
In last year's game, Newton threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns.
14. Dodge Ball: Stoops, Sooners Avoid Upset Against Ball State
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If you're a fan of Oklahoma, you're used to a non-conference game or two being much closer than it should be. That's what always seems to happen.
I know Oklahoma will travel to play at Florida State, which should be a great game, but I can also see Ball State causing problems Oct.1 in Norman, just a week before the annual Red River Rivalry.
13. Running Man: Denard Robinson Runs Wild as Michigan Takes Down Spartans
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Those of you who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s will remember that ridiculous dance.
I'm hoping Brady Hoke pulls off some magic with the Wolverines just for the simple fact it's sad to see a player of Robinson's caliber on such a bad team. Michigan plays at Michigan State on Oct.15.
12. Moe Money: Missouri's T.J. Moe Outshines Justin Blackmon
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The Big 12 will have three elite receivers returning this fall in Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles, Justin Blackmon at Oklahoma State and T.J. Moe at Missouri.
Missouri hosts the Cowboys on Oct. 22. I don't think you can totally shut Blackmon down. In last year's game with Oklahoma, Blackmon was hobbled by an ankle injury and still had 105 yards receiving and a touchdown.
11. Brown Out: Bryce Brown, Kansas State Dominate Jayhawks
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Brown began his career at Tennessee before transferring to Kansas State, where he sat out last year per NCAA rules.
The talented running back was considered one of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school. He could put up some huge numbers Oct. 22 when the Wildcats face the Jayhawks, which should be ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 to begin the fall.
10. Good to the Last Drop: TCU, Boise State Provide Another Classic
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Their two bowl games were absolutely incredible and now the Horned Frogs and Broncos will square off as conference rivals on Nov.12.
I'll be shocked if this is a blowout, and I do expect this to be just as competitive as their previous two games.
They've become two very respected programs, and shown other small schools it is possible to build highly successful teams that can be successful on a yearly basis.
9. Cryan Shame: Texas Longhorns Can't Stop Ryan Tannehill and the Aggies
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Right now on paper I think anyone would go with the Aggies' quarterback over Texas' Garrett Gilbert.
The Aggies will likely be a top 10 team to begin the season and will face much bigger expectations after last year's performance. Texas A&M hosts Texas on Thanksgiving in Kyle Field.
8. Iron Fisted: Bama Thumps Auburn with Convincing Victory
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Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide could have pulled off quite an upset last year, but wound up blowing a 24-point lead as Auburn won the Iron Bowl, 28-27.
The Iron Bowl is usually close and tense, but it has had blowouts sprinkled in too over the years. In this matchup, a 10-point victory is considered a blowout.
7. Will Power: Florida Gators, Muschamp Close out Year with Upset of 'Noles
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I think Will Muschamp is the right man to lead Florida, but I think it will be three years before the Gators return to the elite level they're used to.
I've got a hunch this will be a rebuilding year of sorts, and it will take time for Muschamp's personality and approach to take hold. It wouldn't shock me, though, if he's all riled up and going nuts when the Gators play the Seminoles on Nov. 26.
6. Houston, We Have a Problem: Ole Miss Parts Ways with Houston Nutt
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I have a real hard time seeing Ole Miss sticking with Nutt if they suffer through another season like last year.
Nutt was great at Arkansas, and has had success at Ole Miss, but no way do higher-ups watch Mississippi State pass them by and start gaining an edge in perception and with recruiting.
5. Rick Rolled: Trojans Demolish Neuheisel and the Bruins
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Could be a make or break year for the Boy Wonder.
The Trojans won last year's game 28-14, and finished with 474 yards to 358 from the Bruins. In 12 games, UCLA (4-8) ranked near the bottom of the nation in points scored (20.2) and passing yards (141.1).
For those who've never heard the term: "Rick rolled" is when you show up at an event, or place and bust out a little music from the 80s icon. The controversial Westboro Baptist Church got Rick rolled not long ago during one of their protests and wound up leaving the site.
4. Legend of the Fall: Andrew Luck Adds Heisman to Brilliant Career
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I knew Andrew Luck would be a great college quarterback.
I just never suspected he would break John Elway's school records and become one of the most polished, pure passers the game's seen in recent years.
Put aside dual-threat quarterbacks and think about it. Just pure passing. The best arms. Who would your top three be in the last five years? I would go with Luck, Sam Bradford and Ryan Mallett.
3. Golden Boy: Al Golden Leads Miami Back to Top with ACC Title
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You 'Canes fans would lose your minds if that happens.
I think that conference is very even and there's not one dominant power, so it wouldn't totally shock me.
2. Getting Stronger: Louisville Takes Next Step in Year Two with Charlie Strong
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I thought Louisville made a brilliant hire when they landed Strong from Florida.
The man has been around elite football, and should be able to build something special with the Cardinals. They finished last season 7-6 and beat Southern Miss 31-28 in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
They've tasted winning, now it's time to compete for a Big East title and get to a second-tier bowl game, instead of a bottom-feeder.
1. Title Fight: Undefeated Oklahoma, LSU Set to Face off for BCS National Title
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Sure, it's a pipe dream to think my alma mater could run the table. I'm just nervous and don't want to see them get torched by Oregon.
The talent is there, but doing that in the SEC is nearly impossible. Yes, I know Auburn did it last year, but they also had some miraculous victories.
This is one of the possible matchups that could happen. The others that wouldn't shock me would be Oklahoma and Oregon, Alabama and Boise State or Oklahoma and Alabama.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
