Friday Night Lights, as Appalachian State's Thursday night bid for an upset falls short in OT

Cedar Rapids, IA -- The 2016 College Football season kicked off with the Sydney Cup in Australia, last Saturday, then a host of games on Thursday night, including a thriller in OT in Knoxville, as Tennessee.

In Australia, the Cal Bears defeated Hawaii' 51-31 in Week 0, played on Saturday. Week 1 officially kicked off on Thursday night and will run through Labor Day, which is the new norm in College Football.

Junior QB #11 Taylor Lamb lead the Mountaineers offense,
who lead for 40 minutes over the #7 rank Volunteers

Appalachian State University football came up one bounce of the football from upsetting 100,000-plus fans again. The game was played nine years to the day, from the win in 2007, in Ann Arbor. This time in Knoxville, against the same offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, who coached at Michigan in 2007.

Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd recovered a Josh Dobbs' fumble in the end zone for the only score in overtime as the Volunteers held off a determined Appalachian State team on Thursday night in Neyland Stadium, 20-13.

Appalachian State (0-1) led for 40 minutes, never trailed in regulation, and held #7 Tennessee to 319 yards of offense, less than 300 in regulation. The Mountaineers outhit and outplayed Tennessee (1-0) for the first three quarters, leading 13-3 at half and holding the Vols out of the end zone until 10:30 left in the game. Tennessee scored 17 unanswered point to pull out the win on Thursday night.

Indiana opens 2016 with a road win, with a 34-13 win over
FIU, out of the Conference USA. IU's home opener is
next Saturday, when Ball State comes to Bloomington.

On Thursday night, the Big Ten Conference opened with 2 victories, as Minnesota defeated Oregon State 30-23 at home, while Indiana won on the road against FIU 34-13 in Miami. The Big Ten plays game three tonight, as defending Big Ten champion Michigan State kicks off the 2016 College Football season.

We fell short in our pick, for an upset in Knoxville on Thursday night. Here is a look at Friday night's action in College Football ...

Michigan State kicks off 2016 season
tonight against Furman.

• 
  
• Army at #46 Temple 6:00 pm on CBSSN - The Owls are looking to build on a six game winning streak, as Army comes to town tonight ...
• Ball State at Georgia State 6:00 pm on (CSNC+ / NESN+) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - in the first meeting last year, the Cardinals fell 31-19 at home during the mid-season ...
• Furman at #12 Michigan State 6:00 pm on BTN - the Spartans have won eight straight in the Mark Dantonio era and 17 straight overall in home openers, so very tall order for the underdog Paladins ...
• Colorado vs. Colorado State (Denver) 7:00 pm on ESPN - the Buffaloes took care of business 27-24 over the Rams last year, but in 2014, when it was a season opener, CSU took care of business 31-17 ...
• Northwestern State at #18 Baylor 6:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - a lot has taken place this off season in Waco and prior to the firing of Art Briles ... the Demons are the opening day opponent for the 2016 season under interim coach Jim Grobe at Baylor!
• Kansas State at #10 Stanford 8:00 pm on FS1 - Big 12 vs. Pac 12, as the Wildcats-Cardinal meet for the first time in series history ... the Cardinal are only 2-4 in season openers vs. Power 5 opponents!
• #47 Toledo at Arkansas State 8:00 pm on ESPNU - the Red Wolves are 0-4 vs. the Rockets, including last year's 37-7 game on the road, but Blake Anderson enters 3rd season for A-State, while kicks off Jason Candle era, after Matt Campbell bolted for Iowa State ...
• Albany at Buffalo 6:00 pm on espn3 - the Bulls are 5-7 in the series, but took care of business 51-14 last year, after the series was renewed, after being idle, since 1988 ...
• Cal Poly at Nevada 8:30 pm on Nevada Video / MWC Video - the Wolf Pack have won four straight, including a 63-0 blowout back in 1998 last meeting ...
• Colgate at Syracuse 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - the Orange have won 15 straight against the Raiders, ranked #16 in FCS ...
• MVSU at Eastern Michigan 5:00 pm on espn3 - the Eagles are 6-1 in home openers against FCS programs, like the Delta Devils. MVSU is 0-8 in previous meetings against FBS programs.

Our preseason rankings were compiled from Stassen.com. Yes, it looks like a good night for the home team.

For me tonight, it is time for a little Iowa high school football, as Cedar Rapids Washington hosts Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Kingston Stadium, in Week 2 of Class 4A, in this inter-district contest.

Thursday night kickoff of the 2016 College Football season

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Well, here's our projected Final 4 for the College Football Playoff, we can dream, can't we, for the 2016 College Football gods can give a little love for the home team?

• Clemson
• LSU
• Oklahoma
• Stanford or Iowa (actually, I said Washington from the Pac 12, since the 2016 Rose Bowl is history) ...

It is hard to pick two from the same conference, but with the strength throughout the Pac 12 and Big Ten, we may see a chance for the ACC and SEC will argue for two programs from the same division, as the season plays out?

Now, a look at the first kickoff in Week 1, Thursday, September 1st : 

Rankings are from Stassen.com preseason consensus polls. Forty-eight teams were picked in at least one Top 25 poll heading into the 2016 College Football season.

Popular tradition in the State of Utah:
The Beehive Boot.

• Charlotte at #21 Louisville 6:00 pm on FSN Affiliates / (ACC-RSN) - The bottom of the C-USA East travels to take on the #3 projection in the ACC Coastal ... pick the favorite!
• Maine at UConn 6:00 pm on (NESN+ / CSCA) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - Kirk Ferentz at Iowa got his first head coaching start at Maine in 1989. UConn coach Bob Diaco is a former Iowa player, so the Huskies should take care of business here! 
• #42 Appalachian State at #7 Tennessee 6:30 pm on SECN - Can the #1 choice in the Sun Belt upset the #7 ranked Volunteers ... is this 2007 and Ann Arbor ... we can only dream right?
• Indiana at Florida International 6:30 pm ESPNU - The Big Ten kicks off the 2016 College Football season, with two games on tap this evening. IU took care of business in Bloomington, but how will an early road test be for these Hoosiers? The Hoosiers are coming off a bowl season, for the first time, since 2007. FIU is picked #6 in the C-USA East ... 
• Rice at #41 Western Kentucky 7:00 pm on CBSSN - A conference opener against cross-division opponents in Conference USA ... Go WKU!
• South Carolina at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm on ESPN - Kickoff the 2016 SEC East season for the Gamecocks and the Commendores in Nashville ... both teams are picked by many to fight it out for the cellar in the East!
• Southern Utah at #40 Utah 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - It is the battle for the Beehive Boot tonight in Utah ... well, not quite, since Southern Utah isn't BYU, Utah or Utah State, but they are the #23 program in the FCS heading into 2016 ...
• Montana State at Idaho 8:00 pm ALT / espn3 - Could this be a FCS upset over a FBS program tonight?
• Oregon State at Minnesota 8:00 pm on BTN - One talking head over at ESPN suggests the Golden Gophers could be the #1 team in 2016 in the Big Ten West race. The Beavers are picked for the cellar again in the Pac 12 North in 2016 ... Pac 12 vs. B1G!
• South Dakota at New Mexico 8:00 pm on RSNW / RSRM - Another, FCS vs. FBS match up ...
• Jackson State at UNLV 9:00 pm on on MWC Video - The Rebels need to win games against programs only receiving votes in the FCS ...
• Presbyterian at Central Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Chippewas kickoff 2016 at home against an FCS program ...
• Tulane at Wake Forest 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - Tulane is picked last in the C-USA West, while Wake Forest is picked second to last in the ACC Atlantic ahead of Syracuse ...
• UT Martin at Cincinnati 6:00 pm on espn3 -The Bearcats are picked #3 in the AAC East heading into 2016 ...
• Weber State at Utah State 7:00 pm on MWC Video / Twitter Video - Clearly, this would be a disappointing FCS upset over a middle of the road MWC Mountain opponent ...
• William & Mary at North Carolina State 6:30 pm on WatchESPN - A #10 FCS program against an ACC Atlantic program picked #4 in the division ...

Athlon Sports Annual: College Football National Edition

Well, with the canceled church softball game tonight... I decided
to take one of my children to the store to pick up some assessors for bike riding. We included a pit stop at Barnes & Noble for a CD and of course, a sports magazine. This time I purchased the National Edition of Athlon Sports College Football 2008.



Athlon Sports Top Ten in 2008 consists of: 1. Florida, 2. Ohio State, 3. Oklahoma, 4. USC, 5. Georgia, 6. Missouri, 7. West Virginia, 8. Auburn, 9. LSU and 10. Clemson.



In contrast, my Top 25 launched on 5/31 has: 1. Georgia, 2. USC, 3. Ohio State, 4. Texas (as OU fans have reminded me... too high), 5. Ohio State, 6. LSU, 7. West Virginia, 8. Oklahoma, 9. Virginia Tech, and 10. BYU.

Looking over my own Top 25 and Athlon Sports... I think one or both of us have a couple of teams too high (certainly, a couple of Tiger teams):

• 6. Missouri (I have them #17, better spot, but still maybe high) - Clearly a breakout year in '07 for the Tigers, but most years under Coach Gary Pinkel (42-37, 7 years), this is a program that underachieves. Five starters have departed on Offense and the Defense in '07 only ranked 59th nationally. They do have a favorable schedule.
• 9. LSU (my #6, ouch) - Some reason, the defending champ should be ranked #1, until someone on the field beats them, but Coach Les Miles has lost a lot of leadership from the 2007 BCS Title winners. 6 Offensive, 7 defensive starters and their DC have departed. Why did I move them back into the Top 10? They will likely finish #16 in 2008.

Some highlights from this year's National Edition: Iowa's Mitch King 6'3" 264 Sr. defensive tackle is listed as 2nd team all-American (page 25). Like many magazines, the Coaching Carousel is highlighted with pages 26-30 giving insight on the 18 new Division I-A football coaches; from Rich Rodriquez to Michigan, Bo Pelini to Nebraska and former Green Bay Packer head coach Mike Sherman to Texas A&M.

All 119 Teams are ranked from 1-110 (page 32): Iowa 38th and Iowa State 81st. First and second teams for each conference, in addition to conference position ratings. Followed by a page of information for all 119 Division I-A teams from Florida to Florida International.

Throw in the soon to be the 120th Division I-A team: the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who will be playing a Division I-A schedule (only 2 teams not among the 119). Of course, looking at the Division I-A schedules (FBS), as the NCAA wants it called now, so do some full members (play 2 outside the 119), see pages 181-183:

• Clemson plays The Citadel and South Carolina State (covers just about all in SC)
• Florida State opens with Western Carolina and Chattanooga
• Georgia Tech has Jacksonville State and Gardner-Webb
• Virginia Tech hosts Furman and Western Kentucky (they are not a full FBS yet)
• Indiana opens with Western Kentucky and Murray State
• Texas Tech faces Eastern Washington and Massachusetts
• Ball State tackles Northeastern and Western Kentucky (not listed as 120th yet)
• Kentucky invites Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky as OOC home opponents (they travel to in-state rival Louisville to open season)
• Troy welcomes Alcorn State and Western Kentucky (soon to be a full FBS member)
• Western Kentucky visits Eastern Kentucky and hosts Murray State

Athlon Sports throws in some Sideline Spirit (pages 184-188) for good measure. Recruiting news (pages 190-192) and of course this year's top rising high school seniors (page 195), which includes our own Top 20 WR Keenan Davis 6'3" 195 from Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Washington High School).

Like the Big Ten edition of Athon Sports for 2008, the same College Football Fantasy information (pages 196-198)

In closing on the back page (page 200), What the ?... We all remember last year's shocking upset on opening weekend... Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32. The page highlights ten other shocking scores involving UCLA (twice), Louisville, Oklahoma, USC, Nebraska Miami-FL, Kansas State, Alabama and finally special mention, Navy 48, Notre Dame 44 (OT).

By the way, August 30, 2008: defending Division I-A champ (FBS) LSU hosts defending Division I-AA (FCS) champ Appalachian State to open the season. Will we be in for another What the ?

peace

Parity Knocks... Picking non-BCS teams in the Top 25

Is BYU ready to be the next non-BCS team to finish in the Final Top 10 Poll for a season?

I wrote on May 31st, my preseason Top 25 College Football Poll for 2008. I included Brigham Young (11-2 in '07) at #10 for the preseason entering '08. BYU has finished in the final AP Poll the past two seasons at #14 and #16, respectively, in 2007 and 2006.

In additional to BYU as non-BCS teams in the Top 25, I have Fresno State (9-4, NR) at #22, Utah (9-4, NR) at #23 and Tulsa (10-4, NR) at #25.

In additional to BYU's #14 finish in '07, Hawaii finished #19 in the final AP Poll. Boise State missed after earning #30 in points in the AP Poll.

Between 2003 and 2006, a non-BCS team has finished in the Top 10, three out of four seasons. In 2003, Miami-Ohio (13-1) finished 10th, while Utah (12-0) finished 4th in 2004 and Boise State (13-0) in 2006.

In 2006, in addition of Boise State at #5 and BYU at #16, TCU finished #22 and Hawaii just missed earning #26 in total points in the AP's final poll.

In 2005, the non-BCS teams were shut out, though Toledo (#26), Tulsa (#27), Nevada (#29) and Navy (#30) were just on the outside of the AP final poll.

In 2004, Boise State at #12, Fresno State #22 and Navy #24 joined #4 Utah for four non-BCS teams finishing in the AP final Top 25 Poll.

In 2003, Boise State at #16, Utah #21, Bowling Green #23 and TCU #25 joined #10 Miami-Ohio for five non-BCS teams in the AP final Top 25 Poll.

We will have to see the 2008 Season played out to see, if four is on the mark for this season? However, we certainly have seen more parity throughout the current decade in college football. In part, the current 85 scholarship limit has lead to a lot more parity around the NCAA. Heck, even Division I-AA, Appalachian State, received votes in last year's AP Top 25 Poll. Of course, a lot of that was likely fueled by a huge win over Michigan to kick off last year's first week of the season and Appalachian State winning another I-AA National Championship.

peace