Is Arkansas the most Influential State for College Football of All-Time?

Since the first football game was played November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, football fans have battled over whose team is better, which team has the best players, and why for over 100 years.

The most overlooked area in college football and perhaps the most important is what state is the most influential. What makes your criteria, the most Heisman Trophy winners per state, the most first round NFL draft picks, or the coaches that got those players to their prominent positions?

Based on coaching, would you believe Arkansas may be the most influential college football state of all-time?

Penn State fans will argue about the legacy of Joe Pa, Florida State fans will “Tomahawk” you to death with Bobby Bowden all the while Bill Walsh and Cardinal fans will nickel and dime you down the field in the West Coast offense. But if one looks closely at the coaches born in the state of Arkansas or those that cut their teeth coaching at the University of Arkansas, you might change your mind.

Here are a few coaches that have made their mark in the world of college football after passing through the great state of Arkansas.

Paul “Bear” Bryant

Who is arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time? Most fans, especially those who support Alabama, will tell you Paul “Bear” Bryant is the end all be all and for good reason. Coach Bryant won six national championships at Alabama and 15 conference titles between the SEC and Southwest Conference.

When Bryant retired he owned a 323-85-17 coaching record; that is a winning percentage of 76. After his passing in 1983, Super Bowl XVII was dedicated in his honor. The National Coach of the Year Award is even named in his honor.

Three coaches that got their start under Coach Bryant went on to win National Championships – Danny Ford, Gene Stallings, and Howard Schnellenberger. Other notable head coaches that got their start under Bear Bryant include David Cutcliffe, Jackie Sherrill, Pat Dye, Sylvester Croom, Jim Owens, Charles McClendon, and Neil Callaway.

What does Coach Bryant have to do with Arkansas? He was born in Fordyce, Arkansas. Alabama and college football fans, you are welcome.

Frank Broyles

The next great Arkansas coach would have to be Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles was the head coach at the University of Arkansas for 19 years compiling a record of 149-62-6 (69 winning percent) making him the all-time winningest coach in school history.

Coach Broyles won a national championship in 1964 and seven Southwest Conference titles from 1958 - 1976.

His showdown against University of Texas in 1969 was considered “The Game of the Century” before this year’s Alabama and LSU teams were even a consideration. There was so much national attention on the game President Nixon showed up in Fayetteville to watch.

Broyles was in the broadcast booth with Keith Jackson on ABC from 1977-1985 influencing generations of college football fans watching the games at home.

In 1996 college football started the Frank Broyles Award to honor the top college football assistant in the nation. Past winners include Randy Shannon, Norm Chow, Gene Chizik, and Gus Malzahn.

Broyles helped Johnny Majors (Tennessee), Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins), Barry Switzer (Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys), and Jimmy Johnson (University of Miami and the Dallas Cowboys) all get their start in coaching. Between the four coaches they have won five college football national championships and six Super Bowls.

Of the players Coach Broyles mentored over 30 have gone on to coach at the college or pro levels.

As the athletic director for Arkansas in 1992, Coach Broyles led Arkansas to college football’s first mega-conference when they departed the now defunct Southwest Conference for the Southeastern Conference.

Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz succeeded Coach Broyles in 1977 as the head coach at Arkansas after stops at William and Mary, North Carolina State, and a one-year stint as the New York Jets head coach. Coach Broyles gave the embattled coach an opportunity to get back into college coaching before taking Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.

Holtz won the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 1977 after leading Arkansas to a 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Had Oklahoma won the game that would have been the third national championship in four years for the Sooners. OU was coached by Barry Switzer.

Younger generations may only know of Coach Holtz from his work on ESPN’s College Football Score Board and College Football Live or his time as South Carolina’s head coach (1999-2004).

Houston Nutt

Recruited by Broyles and played under Lou Holtz, Houston Nutt not only was born in Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks but he was also the head coach at the University of Arkansas from 1998-2007. Coach Nutt won three SEC West titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year three times.

In 1998 Coach Nutt was awarded coach of the year by The Football News for leading Arkansas to a 9-3 record after being picked to finish last in the SEC West during the preseason.

Coach Nutt had eight winning seasons while at Arkansas, two as the head coach at Ole Miss. Nutt’s teams have appeared in seven New Year’s Day bowl games.

He coached Darren McFadden to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Heisman Trophy Award – 2006 and 2007.

Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson played his college ball at the University of Arkansas before becoming the defensive coordinator under Broyles from 1973-1976. Johnson went on to be the head coach at Oklahoma State University (1979-1983) and University of Miami (1984-1988) before going to the NFL.

Coach Johnson won the 1987 national championship at Miami before taking over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach in 1989. While in Dallas, Johnson won the Super Bowl in 1992 and 1993. The foundation Johnson laid for the Cowboys set up another Super Bowl win in 1995.

Johnson’s coaching tree includes native Arkansans Tommy Tuberville and Butch Davis. Johnson also helped start the careers of Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt, and Dave Campo.

Randy Shannon was the starting linebacker for Johnson’s national championship team. Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010.

Barry Switzer

As the head coach at University of Oklahoma from 1973-1988 Barry Switzer had a college record of 157-29-4 winning three national championships (1974, 1975, and 1985) and won 12 Big Eight Conference Titles.

Coach Switzer won 82 percent of his games at OU. His teams finished in the Top 10 of the AP Poll 12 times during his tenure.

He won Super Bowl XXX in 1995 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Switzer played for the Razorbacks from 1956-1960 before taking a position as an assistant from 1961-1965 with the Hogs.

Coach Switzer was born in Crossett, Arkansas.

Ken Hatfield

Ken Hatfield was born in Helena, Arkansas. He played at Arkansas under Frank Broyles, was the head coach at Arkansas from 1984-1989 compiling a record of 55-17 with three 10 win seasons – 1985, 1988, and 1989.

Hatfield was also the head coach at Air Force, Clemson, and Rice.

Butch Davis

Coach Davis was a defensive end for the Razorbacks before starting his coaching career at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas.

Coach Davis helped turn the University of Miami program around and laid down the tracks for success for Larry Coker and their BCS Championship winning team in 2001. Davis was the head coach at Miami from 1995-2000 before taking over as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns (2001-2004).

Davis was recently the head coach at North Carolina – 2007-2010.

He won three Big East Championships while at Miami – 1995, 1996, and 2000.

Butch Davis recruited Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, and Jeremey Shockey, just to name a few of the more noteworthy NFL players under his mentorship.

Hayden Fry

Coach Fry got his big coaching break when Frank Broyles brought him on staff as his offensive backfield coach in 1961. After Arkansas was the Southwest Conference co-champions that same year, SMU hired Fry as their head coach for the 1962 season.

Fry is most remembered as the head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes (1979-1998). Fry won one Southwest Conference title (1966), one Missouri Valley Conference title (1973), and three Big Ten titles (1981, 1985, and 1990).

Johnny Majors

Coach Majors may be considered “Mr. Rocky Top” but before he became the head coach at Tennessee he was an assistant under Frank Broyles from 1964-1967. Majors parlayed his time at Arkansas to a head coaching position at Iowa State (1968-1972) before two stints at University of Pittsburgh (1973-1976 and 1993-1996).

Majors won the SEC three times (1985, 1989, and 1990). His coaching record for the Volunteers was 116-62-8. In 1985 his Tennessee team finished the season ranked No. 4, his highest post season ranking.

Head Coaches Born in Arkansas

Fred Akers

Fred Akers was born in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was a running back, kicker, and punter for the Hogs before becoming a coach.

Akers is best remembered as being the head coach at University of Texas from 1977-1986. He also had head coaching jobs at Wyoming (1975-1976) and Purdue (1987-1990).

Akers twice led the Longhorns through undefeated seasons only to lose their bowl game each time – 1977 and 1983.

Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn, from Jonesboro, Arkansas, was the offensive coordinator for Arkansas, Tulsa, and Auburn before taking the head coaching position at Arkansas State.

He won the 2010 BCS National Championship as the offensive coordinator for Auburn.

As offensive coordinator, Darren McFadden had a runner-up finish in the 2006 Heisman Trophy Award and in 2010 quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman while at Auburn.

Charlie Strong

Coach Strong was born in Batesville, Arkansas and attended University of Central Arkansas before embarking on his coaching career. Strong made a name for himself as a top SEC defensive coordinator at South Carolina (1999-2001) and Florida (2002-2009) before taking the head coaching job at Louisville in 2010.

Tommy Tuberville

The “Riverboat Gambler” was born in Camden, Arkansas and played safety at Southern Arkansas before beginning his coaching career at Arkansas State.

Coach Tuberville has been the head coach at Ole Miss (1995-1998) and Auburn (1999-2008) before taking the Texas Tech position in 2010. While coaching in the SEC Tuberville won one SEC Conference Title and five SEC Western Conference Division Titles.

In 2004 he led the Tigers to a 13-0 record. That same year he won the Paul “Bear” Bryant award. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year – 1997 and 2004.

Fitz Hill

Coach Hill was an assistant on the Razorback staff from 1992-2000. He played collegiately at Ouachita Baptist (NAIA) in Arkansas. He was the head coach of San Jose State from 2001-2004 before returning to Ouachita Baptist as the school’s president.

Coaching Assistants at University of Arkansas

Joe Gibbs – Running backs coach 1971-1972, three time Super Bowl winner with the Washington Redskins.

Garrick McGee – Quarterback coach from 2008-2009, offensive coordinator from 2009-2010, and now the head coach at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Monte Kiffin – Defensive coordinator from 1977-1979, parlayed stint at Arkansas into head coaching job at North Carolina State. He is considered the “father” of the Tampa Two defense. Kiffin is the current defensive coordinator at University of Southern California.

Pete Carroll got his first big coaching break as a graduate assistant coaching the secondary at Arkansas under then head coach Lou Holtz. On staff was Monte Kiffin who taught Carroll the “4-3 Under” defense and the principal of the Tampa Two defense. Carroll was the 2003 National Coach of the Year while at USC.

Arkansas’ Influences in other Areas of Football

Jerry Jones grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas and played on Frank Broyles 1964 national championship team. In 1989 Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and immediately made waves throughout the NFL by firing legendary head coach Tom Landry.

Jones has taken “America’s Team” to new heights in popularity while winning three Super Bowls as the team owner – 1992, 1993, and 1995.

He is also the general manager for the Dallas Cowboys.

Pat Summerall was a place kicker, tight end, and defensive end at Arkansas from 1949-1951. He spent 10 years in the NFL before working NFL telecasts in 1962. Summerall and John Madden became the definitive broadcast voices for NFL football covering 22 years.

In 1994 the Pro Football Hall of Fame awarded Summerall the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his contributions to football through radio and television.

From USC to Tennessee and Seattle to Miami, the coaching tree continues to spread its influence on college and pro football making Arkansas the most influential state in college football. 

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SEC College Football Preview: Can Ole Miss Beat No. 10 Arkansas?

The 2011 college football season has not been kind to Houston Nutt. The Rebels are 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the Southeast Conference with three ranked teams left to play on their schedule and the annual Egg Bowl showdown.

Coming off a lopsided 52-7 loss to second ranked Alabama, Ole Miss must host tenth ranked Arkansas this weekend. Can Mississippi beat the Razorbacks?

Through all of the difficulty Houston Nutt and his team have endured during the 2011 season they still have a chance to beat Arkansas because Nutt likes coaching against the Razorbacks, there is talent on campus, and a win against the tenth ranked team in the country could salvage their season.

Ole Miss has had their share of suspensions, injuries, and shuffling of quarterbacks causing the offense to lack continuity. More importantly they have lacked production. The Rebels rank 117th in the nation in total offense out of 120 FBS teams by averaging 251.83 yards per game.

Senior running back Brandon Bolden has underperformed due to injuries and playing behind an offensive line that has not been the force Mississippi fans expected beginning the season. Bolden has rushed 23 times for 105 yards on the season after posting 976 total rushing yards in 2010 with an average of 6.0 yards per carry.

The rushing duties have been left to sophomore scat back Jeff Scott. Scott leads the team in rushing yards compiling 361 yards with six touchdowns.

Entering the Arkansas game the Rebel rushing attack is eleventh in the SEC with 606 total yards in six games; barely averaging 100 rushing yards per game.

Barry Bruneti, Zack Stoudt, nor Randall Mackey has been productive under center for Mississippi. Ole Miss is 10th in the SEC in total passing yards with 905 total yards. The combined four passing touchdowns ranks last in the SEC. Their touchdown to interception ratio is 1-2 having thrown eight interceptions this season.

The Alabama game proved to be more than a loss on the scoreboard for Ole Miss. Two of their players, senior defensive end Wayne Dorsey and senior corner back Marcus Temple, were lost to season-ending injuries. Temple fractured his ankle during the first half and Dorsey broke his arm in the fourth quarter. Both players were team captains for the Rebels.

Safety Charles Sawyer left the game with a back injury against Alabama and did not return to the game. He is not expected to miss game time and could see action at a corner position against Arkansas on Saturday.

To make matters more difficult for the already short-handed Ole Miss squad, they cut ties with troubled junior wide receiver Melvin Harris on Monday. The dismissal comes a couple of days after Nutt suspended running back Brandon Bolden, wide receiver Philander Moore, center A.J. Hawkins, and guard Alex Washington for violation of team rules for the Alabama game.

Reasons for Ole Miss fans to believe

During Nutt’s 10 years as head coach at Arkansas his must win game was beating his old college coach and mentor Lou Holtz when Holtz was the head coach at South Carolina. Nutt was 7-3 against the Gamecocks while at Arkansas. Now his must win game is beating the Razorbacks, a team he currently holds a 2-1 record against.

Nutt has proven to be a great motivator throughout his coaching career. He routinely wins games when his team is not favored to win. Most famously in 2007 when Arkansas beat top ranked LSU in three overtimes 50-48. With Ole Miss, Nutt’s unranked 2008 team beat the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the Swamp 31-30.

In 2008 Nutt knew the strengths and weaknesses of his former players and used that knowledge to his advantage. Struggling with a 2-4 overall record, much like this season, he took the Rebels into Fayetteville and won 23-21. The win ignited Ole Miss eventually leading to a 9-4 season culminating with a Cotton Bowl victory.

In 2009 Nutt waited until the seventh game of the season to unleash running back Dexter McCluster against the Hogs. McCluster finished the game with career-highs in rushing yards with 123 and receiving yards with 137 with one touchdown.

During the game the rested McCluster appeared to be a step ahead of everyone else on the field as he was rarely used before the Razorback matchup.

Former Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead also set a career high in passing yards against the Razorbacks with 332 in 2009.

The game was not without controversy when the officiating crew was suspended after several bad calls that went against the Razorbacks.

In 2010 Bobby Petrino held the wild card with running back Knile Davis. Davis slowly asserted himself as the Razorback’s leading rusher three games prior to the Arkansas versus Ole Miss showdown. Davis finished the game with the first 100-yard rushing game of the 2010 season for the Razorbacks. He rushed for 176-yards and three touchdowns.

Which Ole Miss players could be the breakout player against the Hogs this season?

The Rebels have had three consecutive recruiting classes ranked in the top 20 per Rivals.com. The 2008 class was a ranked a respectable 29th. The talent is there to play against the Razorbacks.

True freshman Nickolas Brassell (Batesville, Mississippi) could make a difference for the Rebels. Nickolas played a reported 30 snaps on offense and 30 on defense for Ole Miss against Bama. He finished the game with four catches for 104 yards and five tackles.

Another true freshman, Tobias Singleton (Madison, Mississippi), is starting to make a name for himself as a kick returner. Against the Tide he had five returns for 131-total return yards.

Watch out for the four previously suspended Rebel players; Bolden, Moore, Hawkins, and Washington. The timing of their suspensions could not have been better for those players.

Nutt’s decision to rest or suspend key players before a personal game against Arkansas is not out of the realm of questioning.

Key in-game matchups

Ole Miss running attack versus Arkansas run defense

Look for Ole Miss to run their version of the Wildcat offense, the Wild Rebel, early and often. Arkansas will have to limit big play opportunities on the corners.

The Hogs gave true freshman Tevin Mitchell (Mansfield, Texas) his first start at corner against Auburn. Greg Gatson got his second career start at corner against Auburn.

Mitchell was out of position against Auburn that led to a 55-yard Michael Dyer touchdown run. Ole Miss will look to exploit their inexperience if possible.

The Razorback defense could benefit from the bye week with the return of starting cornerbacks Isaac Madison, Darius Winston, and defensive lineman Robert Thomas from injuries. Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson may rest his banged up players if the game dictates that scenario.

The Razorback rushing attack versus the Rebels rush defense

Look for the Hogs to establish a running game against Ole Miss to set up their play action passing attack. Since the second quarter of the Arkansas versus Texas A&M game the Hogs have ran the ball effectively. Against Auburn they ran for 171 yards.

Bobby Petrino’s running game came to life this time last year. If the Hogs can find balance between their established passing game and their budding running game, they will be tough to beat for the rest of the season.

Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams could receive a couple more carries against the Rebels. Adams broke a 92-yard touchdown run against Auburn. His speed and ability in the open field gives the Razorbacks an added dimension to their running game.

Inside the Numbers

Arkansas offense: 39.17 points per game, 17th in the nation

Ole Miss offense: 20 points per game, 103rd in the nation

Arkansas total offense: 466.17 yards per game, 23rd in the nation

Ole Miss total offense: 251.83 yards per game, 117th in the nation

Arkansas scoring defense: 21.33 points per game, 34th in the nation

Ole Miss scoring defense: 29.17, 80th in the nation

Arkansas total defense: 389.50 per game, 64th in the nation

Ole Miss total defense: 442.83 per game, 106th in the nation

Arkansas rush defense: 188.67 yards per game, 95th in the nation

Ole Miss rush defense: 225.67 rushing yards per game, 115th in the nation

Arkansas pass defense: 200.83 yards per game, 33rd in the nation

Ole Miss pass defense: 217.17 yards per game, 56th in the nation

3rd down conversion defense

Arkansas: 34.41 percent, 37th best in the nation

Ole Miss: 46.34 percent, 101st worst in the nation

Analysis

Houston Nutt will throw everything at Arkansas including the kitchen sink to try and win this game. Nutt’s back is up against the wall and a victory over Arkansas could take some heat off of his seat and change the season around in Oxford as it did in 2008.

Ole Miss offensive coordinator David Lee will have a couple of trick plays or misdirection plays for the Hogs.

Nutt will have his team fired up for this game.

Ole Miss came out of the gate against Bama scoring first. The 72-yard drive was highlighted by a 59-yard pass from Mackey to Brassell with Jeff Scott scoring on a one-yard run. Six possessions against the Tide were three-and-out or less.

The Rebels did not have sustaining drives until the second half when the Tide had removed their starting units.

Arkansas better be ready to stop the Wildcat. The Hogs defense saw Auburn’s version of the Wildcat before their bye. Can they stop the Rebels’ version?

Ole Miss is short handed on defense with two starters out and a weak pass defense. The Rebels will have to improve upon their 10 total sacks on the season to keep Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson out of rhythm if possible.

Arkansas has been short handed with injuries. Coming off a bye week with no ranked opponent looming overhead, the Razorbacks will be fresh and ready for Ole Miss. No trap game for the Hogs.

The Hogs will rely on the pass to help the running game and put pressure on Ole Miss as needed. The Hogs lead the SEC in passing yards and are ranked 8th in the nation in passing offense with 2,021 total yards.

Ole Miss packed the stadium last week with 61,792 in attendance when Alabama came to town. That was the fourth-largest crowd at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for an Ole Miss football game.

By proximity, Oxford is the closest SEC school to Fayetteville. The Razorback nation travels well. Look for another sell-out crowd this weekend.

All-Time Series History

Arkansas 31 wins, Ole Miss 25, 1 Tie.

Last Meeting: October 23, 2010

Arkansas 38, Ole Miss 24

Outcome

Ole Miss will try to make it interesting with their rushing option attack. Arkansas has been susceptible to trick plays.

Ole Miss will keep it close initially but the Razorback passing attack will be too much for the Rebels.

The Rebels will score one special teams touchdown on a return.

Petrino has been embarrassed twice by Nutt in 2008 and 2009. Don’t look for it to happen again with a top ten ranking on the line, a possible share of the SEC West title, and a possible BCS bowl berth at stake.

The only thing that keeps the score close is if Petrino chooses to abandon the pass in the second half to further develop the running game as he did against Auburn.

Final Score

Petrino proves a point as Arkansas wins 52-23.  

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College Football: Coaches and Coordinators on the Hot Seat

Every football season begins with hope and promise for college football fans nation wide. Fans count their teams returning starters, ponder the ability of incoming recruits, look over this season’s schedule, and talk about how the off-season workouts went for their players.

Fall practices flames the passion of fans a little more and then game day comes. For most fans reality hits somewhere between the first and second quarter. A lucky fan does not see the reality of their season until a couple of weeks into the season, but once reality sets in regardless of who you cheer for, the same words will be spoken, “We are not a good team again this year”.

Who or what’s to blame for your team’s bad start? Was the schedule too hard? Did the team incur too many injuries? Or is your favorite college team just not that good? Regardless of what the problem may be, the ultimate responsibility lies on the head coach and his staff.

Here’s a list of head coaches and coordinators that are in trouble four weeks into the 2011 season.

Houston Nutt, Head Coach, Ole Miss

David Lee, Offensive Coordinator, Ole Miss

Many pundits saw this one coming. Nutt had back-to-back 9-4 seasons in 2008 and 2009 including back to back Cotton Bowl victories. Then he had a 4-8 2010 season with a 1-7 SEC record. After a last second loss to BYU at home and an embarrassing loss to Vanderbilt and Georgia, Nutt is in deep trouble before the 2011 season really gets going.

This is Houston Nutt’s fourth year on campus at Ole Miss. Typically a head coach wants four years to get “his” own players on the team so those player fit the schemes he wants. There’s no blaming Ed Orgeron for leaving the Rebels without talent, his last recruiting class in 2007 was ranked 27th in the nation. This is Houston’s team with solid talent available.

Nutt brought in David Lee from the Miami Dolphins to direct his offense in hopes of generating the same offense they had together at Arkansas with Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Peyton Hillis. Only problem is McFadden, Jones, and Hillis are NFL Pro Bowl quality running backs. Does Nutt have that type of talent in Oxford?

Ole Miss Recruiting:

In 2008 Mississippi finished recruiting ranked 29th in the nation.

In 2009 Mississippi finished recruiting ranked 18th in the nation.

In 2010 Mississippi finished recruiting ranked 18th in the nation.

In 2011 Mississippi finished recruiting ranked 19th in the nation.

Ole Miss offensive ranking in 2011(out of 120 FBS teams) after week four:

Total offense: Ranked 118th

Scoring Offense: Ranked 103rd, 18.75 points per game

Rushing Offense: Ranked 102nd, 90.5 rushing yards per game

Rushing Offense: Averages 2.85 rushing yards per attempt

Passing Offense: Ranked 113th, 144.5 passing yards per game

Passing Offense: 54 completions, 7 interceptions, 3 passing touchdowns

What excuses can Nutt and Lee provide for their poor offensive showing? None. Should the Rebels return from Fresno State with another loss look for the alumni and boosters to start gathering buy out money sooner than later.

Vic Sealy, Defensive Coordinator, Kansas Jayhawks

Yes Turner Gil has only been the head coach at Kansas since 2010 and the Jayhawks are off to a 2-1 start, but his 5-10 coaching record has to be of concern for fans and alumni. There is some talent left on campus from former head coach Mark Mangino’s days and Turner turned in a solid 2011 class.

Kansas Recruiting:

In 2008 Kansas finished recruiting ranked 40th in the nation.

In 2009 Kansas finished recruiting ranked 31st in the nation.

In 2010 Kansas did not finish ranked in the top 50 in recruiting rankings.

In 2011 Kansas finished recruiting ranked 36th in the nation.

What’s the problem in Lawrence? Vic Sealy’s defense is a major problem. The Jayhawks have given up 24 or more points in all three games this season; McNeese State 24, Northern Illinois 42, Georgia Tech 66.

Kansas has given up 18 touchdowns and only held teams to two field goals.

Total Defense: Ranked 120th (last) in the nation, 550 yards per game.

Scoring Defense: Ranked 120th (last) in the nation, 44 points per game.

Rushing Defense: Ranked 120th (last in the nation, 282 yards per game.

Passing Defense: Ranked 102nd in the nation, 268 yards per game.

Rick Neuheisel, Head Coach, UCLA

Rick Neuheisel has no one to blame but himself in 2011. Neuheisel fired five assistant coaches from last year’s staff and made himself the play caller for 2011. He installed the Pistol Offense in 2010 with mixed results. The Bruin offense finished 2010 ranked 32nd in rushing offense but finished 116th in passing offense for a total of 100th best or worst offense in the nation.

UCLA has underperformed with the talented recruits they have on campus. There’s no reason or excuse for not having a top 20 recruiting class every year and seeing that ranking translate to wins on the field. Last year’s 45th ranked recruiting class should have the Bruin faithful concerned along with a seven win 2009 and a four win 2010.

UCLA Recruiting:

In 2008 UCLA finished recruiting ranked 13th in the nation.

In 2009 UCLA finished recruiting ranked 14th in the nation.

In 2010 UCLA finished recruiting ranked 8th in the nation.

In 2011 UCLA finished recruiting ranked 45th in the nation.

How has Neuheisel’s 2-2 team performed statistically?

Total Offense: Ranked 59th in the nation, 411.25 yards per game.

Scoring Offense: Ranked 74th in the nation, 27 points per game.

Scoring Defense: Ranked 91st in the nation, 20.75 points per game.

Rushing Defense: Ranked 93rd in the nation, 183.25 yards per game.

Passing Defense: Ranked 72nd in the nation, 229 yards per game.

Total Defense: Ranked 98th in the nation, 412.25 yards per game.

Little offense and no defense should make for another long season in Westwood especially in the offensively minded PAC-12.

Frank Spaziani, Head Coach, Boston College

Frank Spaziani has only been the head coach at Boston College for three years but his 17-14 record is worrisome. His 1-3 2011 record is frightening for Eagle fans.

BC has lost to Northwestern (24-17) at home, University of Central Florida (30-3) on the road, and Duke (20-19) at home. Their lone win is against a Football Championship Subdivision school, Massachusetts (45-17).  

Spaziani did not walk into the Boston College head coaches’ position without knowing the team and the system ahead of time. Spaziani was on the BC coaching staff for 12 years as a running back’s coach and defensive coordinator before becoming their head coach in 2009.

Each year the Eagles’ record has slowly dipped under Spaziani; 8-5 in 2009, 7-6 in 2010, and 1-3 to date in 2011. Spaziani has taken the Eagles to back-to-back bowl games but lost both games in those lesser bowls; Emerald Bowl and Fight Hunger Bowl.

What’s the problem in Chestnut Hill? Recruiting could be better… a lot better. The last time BC finished in the top 25 in recruiting was in 2004 at 24th in the nation.

Boston College Recruiting:

In 2008 Boston College finished recruiting ranked 33rd in the nation.

In 2009 Boston College did not finish ranked in the top 50 in recruiting.

In 2010 Boston College finished recruiting ranked 47th in the nation.

In 2011 Boston College finished recruiting ranked 38th in the nation.

BC has not played the toughest part of their schedule and they have under performed against lesser quality teams thus far. The Eagles still have to play at Clemson, at Virginia Tech, versus Florida State, at Notre Dame, and at Miami.

Total Offense: Ranked 99th in the nation, 328 yards per game.

Scoring Offense: Ranked 99th in the nation, 21 points per game.

Total Defense: Ranked 92nd, 406 yards per game.

Scoring Defense: Ranked 50th in the nation, 22.75 points per game.

Ted Roof, Defensive Coordinator, Auburn University

How can a defensive coordinator coming off a BCS National Championship win be on the hot seat? Having the 60th ranked defense in 2010 and the 110th ranked defense in 2011 is a start. This has to drive Auburn head coach Gene Chizik crazy as he is known as a defensive coach; Auburn 2002-2004, Texas 2005-2006.

Auburn has as much talent on campus as any other team in the nation. (Auburn fans will argue this point to their advantage or to their defense one way or another.) They lost eight defensive starters to graduation, the NFL, and/or armed robbery (Mike McNeil). Roof did not substitute for linebackers Josh Bynes or Craig Stevens much last year, so they do have a lack of experience this season at those positions.

Regardless those are all excuses with the recruiting classes they have hauled onto campus (25 four-star recruits and 4 five-star recruits since 2009). If Auburn was shutting everyone down they would point to how great they have recruited over the past three years.

Auburn Recruiting:

In 2008 Auburn finished recruiting ranked 20th in the nation.

In 2009 Auburn finished recruiting ranked 19th in the nation.

In 2010 Auburn finished recruiting ranked 4th in the nation.

In 2011 Auburn finished recruiting ranked 7th in the nation.

Auburn has given up 15 red zone scores out of 17 red zone drives for 90 total points allowed in 2011.

Scoring Defense: Ranked 92nd in the nation, 31 points per game.

Total Defense: Auburn is giving up 477.50 yards of offense per game.

Rushing Defense: Ranked 112th in the nation, allowing 226.50 rushing yards per game.

Passing Defense: Ranked 90th in the nation, allowing 251 yards per game.

Gus Malzahn needs Roof to come up with quality stops to take some of the pressure off of Auburn’s offense. When a two-touchdown lead becomes a two-touchdown loss, who do you blame?

Other head coaches on the hot seat:

University of Memphis, Larry Porter: a 1-10 2010 season and zero wins to start the 2011 season will not help Porter keep his job. The Tigers scoring offense is ranked 117th in the nation only scoring 11 points per game.

University of Georgia, Mark Richt: 2-2 record in 2011. Richt has not advanced to SEC Title game since 2005. Bulldog fans expect more.

University of Illinois, Ron Zook: a 4-0 start and a win against ranked ASU helps start the season out well, but if things go south Fighting Illini fans will remember the 7-6 2010 record quickly.

Arizona State University, Dennis Erickson: ASU has not gone bowling 2007. If ASU stumbles through the season, the Sun Devils will look to replace him.

Ohio State University, Luke Fickell head coach. Fickell could be replaced by elite coach before the bowl season is over.

Washington State University, Paul Wulff: Three year record entering this season was 5-32 (2 wins, 1 win, 2 wins). A 3-1 start has Cougar fans excited but WSU has yet to reach the meat and potatoes part of their schedule. A bowl appearance would take him off the hot seat but three or four more wins will be tough to reach.

*All recruiting rankings based off of Rivals.com.

**All statistics given from the NCAA. 

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SEC Subplots for the 2011 College Football Season

What’s a football season without predictions, storylines, and subplots? The 2011 SEC college football season should provide everything needed for a Hollywood movie. The SEC has new coaches, new players hoping for new results, and old coaches, old players with some hoping for the same old results while others praying for new results.

Here are a few storylines that might be worth taking note of over the next five months.

I am Genius See Me Fail or Succeed?

Can Charlie Weis consistently run a productive/winning offense in college football? In 2005 Weis told the world that Notre Dame would have a “decided schematic advantage” over the teams they play due to his offensive prowess in the NFL. Weis won with Tyrone Willingham’s players in 2005 and 2006 (9-2 and 10-3) then faltered his next three years (3-9, 7-6, 6-6). Luckily Weis has Muschamp and other to recruit for him at Florida. He may sneak in a few new plays during 2011 to help UF earn a victory here or there. If he does well this year hold the praise until years two and three. SEC defenses will eventually catch up to him, like they did with Urban Meyer’s spread option.

Payback is… fun

Gus Malzahn is considered the hottest head coaching prospect in Division-1 football after leading Auburn to a title last season. With all of the talent depleted from their roster, how competitive can Malzahn make Auburn? His stock either rises or falls after this season.

If the Ole Miss job opens up… Auburn can wave goodbye to Gus. The deeper story is Houston Nutt gave Malzahn his first shot at college coaching while at Arkansas, and rumors are Nutt wasn’t the nicest guy to Malzahn then. This would be another personal victory for the former Arkansas high school football coach over Nutt, if he wants the job.

On the hot seat: Mark Richt and Houston Nutt.

Both coaches will feel the heat after week one if they lose their tough non-conference openers; Boise State and BYU respectively.

Prediction:

Richt finishes the 2011 season but no one knows after that?

Nutt’s week three loss to Vanderbilt begins the collection of buyout money. The Egg Bowl loss gives Nutt his walking papers.  

SEC Dark Horses

Mississippi State is more of a dark horse for a SEC Title run than Arkansas, but both teams have programs on the rise and teams that can make some noise. Which team if either can knock off traditional powerhouse schools Alabama and LSU?

A Tiger Slaughter?

Will Les Miles sacrificial lamb offering of Gary Crowton last year be enough to keep LSU alumni, boosters, and fans off of him if LSU’s offense sputters again this season? Miles’ future was in the hands of the offensive head of Steve Kragthrope; Kragthrope recently stepped down as offensive coordinator upon learning that he has Parkinson’s disease but he will remain on staff. Miles is still responsible for the arm and production of Jordan Jefferson.

Any good to decent coach will be able to recruit top talent for the Bayou Bengals. Selling hope off of recruiting stars year after year won’t keep the passionate and knowledgeable fan base in Baton Rouge happy for long. The mantra in Baton Rouge of “Lose Les, Win More” could put another winning coach on the hot seat.

Gamecock Nation Getting Antsy

Spurrier finally gave USC fans a taste of what they’ve been waiting for over the past 19 years, a chance to play in the SEC Title Game. Anytime a coach takes a program to the next level, the expectations of the fans raise a level above the last achievement. Winning the SEC Title Game is expected; a BCS Bowl game is demanded.

An Eye on Lattimore

During the early part of the 2010 season true freshman running back Marcus Lattimore got all the opportunities he could handle to prove he was an All-SEC type of running back. By the end of his second game against Georgia, 37 rushes 182 yards and 1 touchdown, he appeared to be worn out. Lattimore was held to under 100 yards rushing in each of the next four games (Furman 97 yards rushing, at Auburn 33 yards rushing, Alabama 93 yards, and at Kentucky 79 yards rushing).

He sat out his would be 7^th game versus Vanderbilt and by the end of his eighth game versus Tennessee he was banged up again after a 29 carry effort for 184 yards and 1 touchdown. Against Arkansas, the ninth game of the Gamecocks season, Lattimore was largely ineffective only rushing for 30 yards; his lowest individual rushing total of the 2010 season. One can argue that Spurrier held Lattimore out once the Razorbacks were ahead so he would be fresh for the Florida Gators showdown the following week, which yielded 40 rushing attempts and 212 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns.

Lattimore ended up with 1,197 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. He only crossed the 100 yard mark four times in 2010 with one of those efforts going for 212 yards. Will Lattimore be able to take the pounding game in and game out during his sophomore season?

SEC Players Strike a Pose

Three of the past four Heisman Trophy winners have been from a SEC school; Tim Teabow 2007, Mark Ingram 2009, and Cam Newton 2010. Will a SEC player make it 4 out of 5?

You’re My Alma Mater!

Will Muschamp graduated from University of Georgia and was a captain on their football team his senior season (1994). If the Gators are up by 14 in the 4^th quarter does he try to run the clock out or let Weis keep chucking it down field?

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Sports Quick Hits - College Football

Joke of the day, perhaps of the year.

The NCAA does not think Ohio State lacked institutional control.

College football, more importantly the NCAA, is a joke. The NCAA is the institution that has lost their institutional control; something they will ever get back. How can players be paid from 2002 through 2010, steal equipment from the equipment room, buy illegal drugs, at least one school official knew about the infractions, a school administrator tried to cover it up and this is not a lack of institutional control? What does a program have to do to “show a lack of institutional control”?

Fans of college football will have to take a note of how to continue from fans of Major League Baseball. Enjoy the game for what it was and what it means to you. Everything that’s going on behind the curtain is tainted and festering… throughout college football.

SEC Joke

Houston Nutt’s canned response for every SEC Media question about Ole Miss’ 4-8 record last year was, “back to back Cotton Bowls”.

If Steve Spurrier is the “Old Ball Coach” can we start a new knick name for Houston Nutt? How about the “Slingin’ The Bull Coach”?

Nutt’s “look there, not here” approach won’t last long in Mississippi. The fans expect more from him after his “back to back Cotton Bowls”. 

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