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What Peter Jurkin’s Committment Means To The Hoosiers

August 11th, 2010

During halftime of the final game at the Adidas Nations Tournament last night, top ranked center Peter Jurkin, a member of the class of 2012, announced his decision to play for Tom Crean at Indiana.

Jurkin, who is a native of Sudan but currently lives in Bloomington, is a seven foot, 200 pound behemoth who routinely blocks shots and sends down thunderous dunks.

While his offensive game is still raw, it is improving, and he still has two years before he even steps on campus to have it ready for the Big Ten's level of basketball.

With Jurkin committed (he is ranked 37th in ESPN's Super 60 ranking of the 2012 class), many insiders believe that this will help Indiana not just on the court but also in their recruitment of other top prospects.

The 2012 class in Indiana is one of the best ever, and there are at least eight to 10 major prospects that could become stars at the next level.

Many Hoosier fans hope that with Jurkin committed, other home-grown players will follow suit.

Players like Haner Parea, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Kevin (Yogi) Ferrell, and Gary Harris all value the Hoosiers highly, and there is no question that many of them would love to play alongside Peter Jurkin in the future.

Parea, Smith-Rivera, and Ferrell play alongside Jurkin on the same AAU team, Indiana Elite. And it is no surprise that Indiana head coach Tom Crean has stayed local, and it seems like his recruiting pitch is working.

It is only a matter of time before other potential Hoosiers—nationally ranked center Cody Zeller and Missouri guard B.J. Young—announce their decision of where they attend college.

But there is no doubt that the commitment of Jurkin could help speed up the process. In the meanwhile, the Hoosier faithful finally have something to smile about.

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Posted in Big Ten Basketball, College Basketball, Indiana Hoosiers Basketball, NCAA, Opinion

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2010 College Football Predictions: Boise State Plays Nat’l Semi Sept. 6

August 9th, 2010

I will predict the entire college football season based solely on each team's schedule.  Because as we know, as long as the Bowl Championship Series is in place, nothing matters more than how easy or difficult your schedule is.

Except maybe your preseason ranking.

The computer doesn't care a whole lot about how good your team is, it cares mostly about how many losses you have and when they occur.

This season, Boise State finally has a legitimate shot at reaching the title game thanks to its preseason ranking and two games against Top 25 opponents in Virginia Tech and Oregon State.

Below, I break down the schedules for each of the teams ranked in the Top 25 of the preseason Coaches Poll, explaining why I think each school will or will not make it to the BCS title game.

Because you can't win the championship unless you're in it.

1. Alabama (Predicted Regular Season Record: 10-2, 6-2)

The Crimson Tide returns a ton of talent from its 2009 BCS Championship team, but a difficult road schedule will make it tough to repeat its undefeated run from last season.

I see Alabama tripping up at No. 19 Arkansas and No. 16 LSU. Even if the Tide is able to win one of those games, it still has challenging home contests against No. 14 Penn State, No. 3 Florida, and No. 23 Auburn. Alabama also has to travel to South Carolina.

Nevertheless, I think the defending champs will win the SEC Championship game over Florida and be second in line to take either Boise State or Iowa's spot in the National Championship if one of those teams slips up.

2. Ohio State (10-2, 6-2)

The Buckeyes should survive home dates with No. 13 Miami and No. 14 Penn State, but road games at No. 12 Wisconsin and No. 10 Iowa won't be as easy.

3. Florida (10-2, 7-1)

The departure of Tim Tebow will become evident when the Gators travel to Alabama and No. 20 Florida State. Games versus LSU, No. 21 Georgia, and South Carolina won't be easy either.

4. Texas (11-1, 7-1)

If my predictions are correct, the Longhorns will finish the season ranked third in the BCS, after defeating Nebraska in the Big XII title game. They'll probably lose at the Huskers on Oct. 16, but defeat Oklahoma at a neutral site two weeks earlier.

5. Boise State (12-0, 8-0)

Last October, I wrote a column about how Boise State could change college football if it were to reach the BCS title game. Maybe I was a year early.

With 21 of 22 starters back from their undefeated '09 team that deserved to play for the title, the Broncos are ranked fifth in the all-important preseason poll.

That means if they're able to beat No. 6 Virginia Tech in a "neutral" site game at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Sept. 6, they could very well punch their ticket into January's BCS Championship.

That is, if they don't slip up against No. 22 Oregon State on Sept. 25. I say they run the table and beat Iowa to win it all, changing college football forever.

6. Virginia Tech (9-3, 6-2)

The Hokies could pick up an equally huge win by beating Boise State, but Virginia Tech has a tougher road schedule that includes trips to No. 18 North Carolina and Miami.

7. TCU (11-1, 7-1)

And don't forget about the Horned Frogs, either. They open with a big neutral-site game versus Oregon State, but even if they win that, they'd have to win at No. 24 Utah later on to have a shot at the BCS.

8. Oklahoma (10-2, 7-1)

The Sooners will probably drop one of their tough non-conference games against Florida State or Cincinnati. They also play difficult road conference contests at Missouri, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State. Then there's that little game versus Texas.

9. Nebraska (12-0, 8-0)

The Cornhuskers have a favorable schedule that includes getting Texas at home and not playing Oklahoma at all. Nebraska will be tested at Oklahoma State and A&M, but I see them advancing to the Big XII title game, where they'll lose to the Longhorns.

10. Iowa (12-0, 8-0)

The Hawkeyes lucked out with their schedule as well, getting to play all of their tough opponents—Penn State, No. 12 Wisconsin and Ohio State—at home.

That's not to say Iowa can't lose there, but you have to like its chances, because its most challenging road game comes at unranked Arizona. The Nov. 20 battle against the Buckeyes should decide the Big Ten championship.

11. Oregon (10-2, 6-2)

The Ducks shouldn't have any trouble sweeping their home slate, but they'll probably lose a couple of their tough road games at Oregon State, USC, Arizona State, and Cal.

12. Wisconsin (10-2, 6-2)

The Badgers get Ohio State at home, but they have to play Iowa and Michigan State on the road.

13. Miami (9-3, 7-1)

The Hurricanes host Florida State, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech, but they play at Ohio State, No. 15 Pitt, and No. 17 Georgia Tech.

14. Penn State (9-3, 6-2)

The Nittany Lions play all of their tough games on the road at Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State.

15. Pittsburgh (10-2, 6-1)

Even if the Panthers run the table at home with wins over Miami and West Virginia, they'd still probably trip up a couple times on the road with dates at Utah, Connecticut, and Cincinnati.

16. LSU (9-3, 5-3)

The Tigers play three difficult road conference games against Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas.

17. Georgia Tech (8-4, 5-3)

The Yellow Jackets have maybe the toughest schedule away from home, with trips to North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Georgia.

18. North Carolina (9-3, 6-2)

If the Tar Heels can get past Georgia Tech and Va Tech at home, they'll still have problems with LSU (neutral), Miami (away), and FSU (away).

19. Arkansas (9-3, 5-3)

The Razorbacks get a couple of heavyweights (Alabama and LSU) at home, but they still have to travel to Georgia, Auburn, and South Carolina.

20. Florida State (10-2, 7-1)

The Seminoles host Wake Forest, UNC, and Florida, but have to travel to Oklahoma and Miami.

21. Georgia (9-3, 5-3)

I see the Bulldogs losing to Florida, Auburn, and South Carolina.

22. Oregon State (9-3, 7-1)

The Beavers may very well win the Pac-10, because they get to play USC and Oregon at home, but they have a difficult non-conference schedule that includes games against TCU and at Boise State.

23. Auburn (10-2, 6-2)

The Tigers get Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia at home, but play at Alabama and Mississippi.

24. Utah (12-0, 8-0)

The Utes' only two challenging games come at home against Pitt and TCU, so it's reasonable to project them as an undefeated team, like TCU and Boise State last year, that gets left out in the cold despite an unblemished mark.

24. West Virginia (9-3, 4-3)

The Mountaineers have to play at LSU, Pitt, and UConn.

ACC Championship Game

Miami (10-3) defeats Florida State (10-3)

Big XII Championship Game

Texas (12-1) defeats Nebraska (12-1)

SEC Championship Game

Alabama (11-2) defeats Florida (10-3)

BCS Championship Game

Boise State (13-0) defeats Iowa (12-1)

Follow me on Twitter at JordanHarrison .

Jordan Schwartz is one of Bleacher Report's New York Yankees and College Basketball Featured Columnists. His book Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com.

Jordan can be reached at jordanschwartz2003@yahoo.com



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Posted in Boise State Football, College Football, College Football Predictions, Preview/Prediction

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How the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ High Hopes Can Translate to a Title

August 9th, 2010

Nebraska’s fall camp kicked off August 7th and Bo Pelini was in rare form. The third-year coach told reporters, “It was fine. It was a typical first day. I thought the effort was good.” While this past Saturday may have been typical in terms of what the coaches expected to see from their charges, 2010 is anything but typical for Nebraska.

It’s the Big Red Farewell Tour as the Cornhuskers will call the Big 10 home next year. The October 16th game against Texas in Lincoln is circled and underlined, whether both sides like it or not. Staff and players are wearing wristbands with the word “Finish” on them in reference to last year’s Big 12 Championship Game.

Add a No. 9 ranking in the preseason Coaches’ poll and you have the making of something that Nebraska fans haven’t been able to fathom in many a season: A run at the National Championship.

Here are the pieces to the puzzle:



1.) Ndamukong Who?: Many national analysts knock the 2010 version of the Blackshirts simply because of the loss of one man and rightly so. It’s hard to believe even Head Coach Pelini when he says that, as a unit, his defense will be even better without Suh. Fortunately, for Nebraska, they do have some talented young men to try to fill the shoes of #93.

Jared Crick, whose name is found on several early season award watch lists, will step into Suh’s role. Baker Steinkuhler will look to compliment Crick as well as Jared did the departed decorated lineman. Cameron Meredith has been impressive during his time on the field. He and fellow defensive end Pierre Allen look to complete a potentially dominant defensive front four.

The defensive backfield appears to be packed with talent from Prince Amakuamara, who some NFL draft experts have predicted as a first round selection, to Alfonzo Dennard, Dejon Gomes, and Eric Hagg. All have been groomed to the point where passing on Nebraska is likely a feat easier to suggest than execute.

The linebackers will need some time to get their feet wet after losing perhaps the least-heralded departed defensive superstar, current New York Giant Phillip Dillard. Still, the defensive unit as a whole should remain salty.



2.) First Downs: The 2009 campaign in which the Huskers finished 99th in total offense was as a disaster. However, I have maintained that due to a youth movement on the offensive line, a bevy of running backs, and a healed Zac Lee will change such paltry production. While injuries took their toll last year, offensive line rotation can be counted on this season. Such standouts as Brent Qvale, Jeremiah Sirles and the ever-intimidating Jermarcus “Yoshi” Hardrick help to add depth not seen in nearly a decade.

Roy Helu, Jr., Rex Burkhead and Dontrayveous Robinson give the Cornhusker running game speed, power or, specifically in the case of Burkhead, a little of both. Finally, in an area that has plagued Nebraska for a couple of seasons, wide receiver Niles Paul appears to have taken a leadership role. Brandon Kinnie and recently converted tight end Mike McNeil look to provide the Huskers with at least a serviceable passing attack.



3.) O Henery!: A likely factor in every game will be kicking sensation Alex Henery. The 175-pounder needs only eight more points to surpass Houston Texan Kris Brown as Nebraska’s all-time leading scorer. He should hold claim to that fame come about game three against Washington.

Alex’s big boot could be the difference in some of Nebraska’s likely defensive struggles this season. His 57-yard kick versus Colorado in 2008 comes to mind immediately. Don’t let his size fool you. Henery is a huge gear in the big red machine.



4.) A Sunny Schedule: A road trip to visit Heisman candidate Jake Locker waits in September, but other than that, Nebraska has a favorable road to hoe. Missouri and Texas both visit Lincoln, but trips to Stillwater and College Station could test the Cornhuskers’ mettle. Coach Pelini’s success on the road thus far in his tenure has made such visits to unfriendly confines more favorable for Nebraska as of late.



5.) A Little Blind Luck: Let’s face it, any national champion is going to require a little luck. Even the Cornhuskers themselves can point to 1997 and the “Flea-Kicker” game versus Missouri. Last year’s champion, Alabama, can attest to things being a little too close for comfort as they managed to stave off rival Auburn 26-21.

Former Nebraska Head Coach Tom Osborne was always quick to point out that luck was a key element to his team’s success, let alone winning the ultimate prize. Truer words have never been spoken. Only a select few national champions can look back at their season and say that a bounce of the ball or an inch here or there wouldn’t have made or broken it.

It may seem like a long shot, but these Huskers don’t take kindly to the idea that they can’t possibly be in Glendale, Arizona playing for it all. It’s BCS or bust.

 

For more Nebraska analysis, visit http://www.huskerhype.com

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Posted in Alfonzo Dennard, College Football, College Football Predictions, Jared Crick, Nebraska Huskers Football, Pierre Allen, Preview/Prediction, Prince Amukamara, Rex Burkhead

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Big XII Preview: Nebraska, Oklahoma out front

August 8th, 2010

In 2008, the Big XII was one of the most interesting in years. Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State all had legitimate chances to win the conference, and the games were often exciting (remember OU-Texas and Texas-Texas Tech, people?). In 2009, the Big XII Championship Game was more interesting than both divisional battles put together, with Texas edging Nebraska.  In 2010, the last year for the conference at 12 schools, expect more sparks to fly.

So here are some points:

1) Oklahoma's going to be better than Texas Quite simply, OU is bringing back more talent. DeMarco Murry and Ryan Broyles are better at running back than Texas' Tre Newton, Landry Jones has been quarterbacking longer for OU longer than Garrett Gilbert has been for Texas, and, while both OU and Texas lost hugely talented players to this year's draft (including Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley and Sergio Kindle), Texas has lost by far away more playmakers. Arguably, though, Will Muschamp's a better defensive coach than Sooners' Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables.

2) Nebraska's going to win the Big XII North Nebraska's got a great coach in Bo Pellini, got a large number of returning starters, and Zac Lee's a pretty tidy quarterback, too. Add into the fact that KU and Missouri aren't that good, and if Nebraska doesn't go to their second straight Big XII Championship Game, it'll be a shock. It's going to be a sweet goodbye for the Huskers to the Big XII (they defect to the Big Ten in 2011), and could see a darn good bowl game, too - particularly if Oklahoma goes to the National Title game.

3) The eyes of Texas....are in College Station?  In recent years, Texas A&M has been nothing but, maybe, entertaining. They have an incredible Michigan State-like ability to drag defeat from the jaws of victory, but it's always fun. Plus, they've probably got the best fanbase in Texas, if not the Big XII. If not in college football. On the field this year, Texas A&M will again entertain. They'll easily go 3-0 by playing no one until they wander into Oklahoma State and if they can beat Arkansas in Dallas, then Aggies fans could start getting excited again. Jerrod Johnson's a good-and-improving QB, and their wide receiving corps - featuring Jeff Fuller - is pretty strong too. The November 6th game against Oklahoma has the potential to be a College Gameday game - particularly if both sides are unbeaten (or close to it) going into it (perfectly possible if you check out A&M's schedule).

4) How will Colorado do in its last season? Big XII fans, the conference over, will hope that the turncoat Buffaloes will end the season getting beaten by everybody. This team showed a hell of a lot of guts in last year's loss to Texas, but CU's offense simply has to improve if Dan Hawkins keeps his job going into the Buffaloes' first Pac-10 season.

5) Who's Going To Suck? While it would be easy to say that everybody in the Big XII North is going to suck bar Nebraska, that's a little unfair. Heck, Iowa State got to a bowl game last year after finishing 3-5 in their division, and Kansas finished at the bottom with a 1-7 record after a stunning collapse.  A collapse, that in fortune, cost Mark "Need Gastric Band" Mangino his job. With a new coach, a new defensive co-ordinator, a new quarterback (haven't finished yet) and a defense that was the same crappy bunch as last year, KU will suck. Sorry. I hope I'm wrong (their helmet might just be one of the coolest in the division).


PLAYERS/COACHES TO WATCH

Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson: The kid can fly.

Oklahoma QB Landry Jones: The kid can throw

Oklahoma RB DeMarco Murray: The kid can run

Texas Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp and Nebraska head coach Bo Pellini: The kids can yell and jump up and down and stamp their feet and throw tantrums.


GAMES TO WATCH

Oklahoma vs Texas (October 2nd): The usual conference/national title implications at The State Fair.

Texas A&M vs Arkansas ( October 9th): First taste of how good this Aggies team REALLY is in facing an SEC team.

Texas at Nebraska (October 16): Revenge, anyone?

Oklahoma at Texas A&M (November 6): If Texas A&M can get through Arkansas, then this may well see two unbeaten teams get it on.

Iowa State vs Iowa (September 13): First test for ISU against local rival and Big Ten favourite. Could be fun.


BEST FANS?

Texas A&M. Hands down.

Best Cheerleaders?

Texas. Heart attack central for any middle-aged men watching young ladies in chaps jump around. Pass the smelling salts please!!


The Game of Last Season?

The Championship Game, of course...

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Posted in Big 12 Football, College Football, Jerrod Johnson, Mack Brown, Oklahoma Sooners Football, Preview/Prediction

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College Football 2010: Big 12 Falling Off the Radar in Eyes of Voters?

August 8th, 2010

The Big 12 appears to not only be taking a tumble in reputation, but in rankings and national respect as well.  Only three Big 12 teams begin the 2010 season ranked in the Top 25, with four other schools in the "others receiving votes" category.

If you're reading this article then there's a chance that you are also probably aware of the recent re-alignment/expansion events that took place over the past few months.  You are also probably aware that the Big 12 appears to be pretty vulnerable, with uncertainty being the most certain thing about the conference's future.

One could also make a case that all three Big 12 teams that are ranked might be overrated to begin the season.  It wouldn't be a stretch to consider that all three might have these lofty positions just because they're Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska. 

Why else wouldn't Missouri or maybe even A&M also be ranked?  Most in the Big 12 (outside of Norman and Austin) give both of those teams a legitimate shot at the conference title this year.

Texas starts the season ranked the highest at No. 4.  It has this high ranking even though it lost three offensive lineman, the winningest QB in Texas history, its best DB, and an explosive Jordan Shipley.  The Longhorns did have a stellar recruiting class and their potential is off the charts, but No. 4?

Oklahoma has the highest ranking of any team that endured five losses in '09.  Matter of fact, there isn't a team in the Top 15 that didn't win at least 10 games last year.  The fact that the Sooners endured so many injuries last season enabled them to get the younger players more experience, which could have something to do with this ranking.

Nebraska came in right behind Oklahoma at No. 9.   Many expect big things from the Huskers in their final season in the Big 12.  There's a groundswell of support out there for Nebraska and Oklahoma to get to Arlington in December as it may be after 2020 before they ever play again...unless they meet in a bowl game.  There's also a lot of support out there for sending Nebraska packing with its tail between its legs.

Missouri, OSU, TTU, and A&M are the other Big 12 teams on the outside looking in.  All four have schedules that would put them in the Top 25 at some point in the season.  However, the fact that none of them are ranked now is a change from how the Big 12 has been represented recently. 

With the Big 12 faced with so much uncertainty it's probably a pretty critical thing for as many Big 12 teams to end the season ranked as possible.  Not that it will make the league any less vulnerable.

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Posted in Big 12 Football, College Football, College Football Polls, Preview/Prediction

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