Making the college football picks

Guys football is just around the corner and I am sure you all are getting excited to make those college football picks.

Nothing better than sitting on the coach watching football and eating a pizza and making that winning pick.

Man just can't wait.

College Football - San Diego State Review

SAN DIEGO STATE
STRENGTHS: These receivers may be the deepest in the conference. Leading catcher Vincent
Brown is back as are two other returning starters while senior DeMarco Sampson was the
surprise standout of the spring. Sophomore Ryan Lindley has a bright future at QB after showing
plenty of promise a year ago. Combined with the talent running routes this could be a formidable
passing attack. The new blitzing defensive scheme should benefit the linebackers, which
possesses the most talent on this side. LB Luke Laolagi is primed to log over 100 tackles.
CONCERNS: The Aztecs cannot run and they cannot stop the run. This is not a physical ball
club. There are veterans returning in the offensive backfield but they were all a part of a group
that managed to average just 73 yards per game last fall (nation's third worst). The front seven on
defense returns six starters. However, much like the offense, SDSU has never been known for its
physical defensive prowess. Depth is extremely thin across the board and everyone will be
learning a new scheme.
PROGNOSIS: The Aztecs are in full rebuilding mode. Ball State coach Brady Hoke takes over
and his assistants now include defensive coordinator Rocky Long - 11 years as head coach at
New Mexico where his defenses were stellar, offensive coordinator Al Borges - former Auburn
play caller and former Cleveland Brown Brian Sipe coaches the quarterbacks. There is talent
here to spread the ball around via the air and the new 3-3-5 blitzing defense is going to help
improve a defense that has been on the downside for a long time. Improvements should be
evident rather quickly. However, this is the only school not to attend a bowl in the history of the
MWC. That won't change this season but they might surprise a few teams.
PROJECTED RECORD: 5-7

College Football - Colorado State Review

COLORADO STATE
STRENGTHS: Four starters return to bolster the offensive line, all of them are seniors. Receivers
Rashaun Greer and Dion Morton are both playmakers that will help a passing game still
searching for a quality QB. The most experienced unit on defense will be in the backfield where
all four starters return.
CONCERNS: The Rams will be breaking in a new QB and a new set of running backs. Fifth year
senior and first time starter Grant Tucker will handle the job behind center but coaches have yet
to give him the vote of confidence. Replacing talented Gartrell Johnson in the backfield will have
to be done by committee. The top defensive player, LB Ricky Brewer, is out for the season on a
"team rules" suspension and the inexperience up front on the defensive line is going to cause
problems.
PROGNOSIS: While the Rams got an important bowl victory last season, they now have to
reload at some of the most important positions. A new QB, a new set of running backs and a
completely rebuilt defensive line are huge areas of concern and will keep CSU out of the
conference race. The two aforementioned offensive holes left coaches scratching their heads all
spring. Luckily, the blockers up front may be the team's best unit. Getting off to a rough start won't
help build confidence as BYU, Utah, TCU, Nevada and Colorado dot the schedule before mid-
October arrives.
PROJECTED RECORD: 4-8
NEW MEXICO
STRENGTHS: Those 1,000-yard rushing seasons of the past were built around a strong
offensive line. Center Erik Cook is an All-MWC performer and there is enough talent around him
to keep the front line sound. The top three receivers return led by Chris Hernandez although none
of them put big numbers last season due to the QB inefficiencies. Both of the returning starters at
safety are seniors and will be called upon to keep the defense honest.
CONCERNS: QB play was horrid a year ago. Donovan Porterie threw for over 3,000 yards in
2007 and will return from a torn ACL that sidelined him in 2008. The QB plight is still unsettled
however as eight game starter Brad Gruner is in a heated battle with Porterie. With roughly three
starters back on defense the Lobos will switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme, which puts pressure on
a DL that is extremely short on experience and depth. Two new corners get broken in and will
require a ton of help from the veteran safeties.
PROGNOSIS: Dynamic offensive mind Mike Locksley from Illinois takes over in his first stint as a
head coach. All of the schemes on both sides of the ball will go through a major reconstruction
schematically. The offense will be a no-huddle spread attack and the defense moves to a
completely new scheme too. The days of a power running game are history and this team is
lacking top rated talent to make the transitions smooth. It will take a few seasons to haul in the
players Locksley needs to run his sets. The key for the present is finding a QB, which proved to
be the downfall of 2008.
PROJECTED RECORD: 4-7

College Football - Air Force Review

AIR FORCE
STRENGTHS: QB Tim Jefferson was tabbed the 2008 MWC Freshman of the Year and talented
tailback Asher Clark was the team's top rusher from the nation's No. 6 rushing attack. Both return
although Jefferson took time out from the off-season to concentrate on academics. Clark is now
being experimented at QB, his former position. Both give this ground attack solid wheels. The
secondary appears to be the strength of the defense. Senior Chris Thomas, the teams MVP last
fall, returns at safety as does starting corners Reggie Rembert and Anthony Wright. All three
linebackers are back in the fold to further enhance the back seven.
CONCERNS: The biggest question is up front on the DL where two quality bookends have
departed in Ryan Kemp and Jake Paulson. Getting pressure on opposing QBs won’t likely equal
the same positive results. The Falcons are also missing an experienced receiver despite the fact
the passing attack is only the last ditch option. Expect the ground game to continue to be the play
of choice nine times out of ten. One of the biggest losses is in the kicking/punting game where
two-year starter Ryan Harrison needs replaced.
PROGNOSIS: Air Force has nearly twice as many starters back as it did a year ago, but the team
is still fairly young. Most of the starters are freshmen and sophomores. A steady defense and
continued use of the running game is still the winning formula and so it should be no surprise that
head coach Troy Calhoun makes a bowl game for the third straight season.
PROJECTED RECORD: 7-5
BRIGHAM YOUNG
STRENGTHS: QB Max Hall is a legitimate Heisman contender, RB Harvey Unga is a former
MWC Freshman of the Year who is now healthy after a lesser sophomore outing and TE Dennis
Pitta may be the best TE across the national landscape. DE Jan Jorgensen is one the best sack
masters in the conference while operating under this unique 3-3-5 defensive scheme and all of
the linebackers return to the fold. The defense should be stiff.
CONCERNS: Only four starters return to the offensive side, which means there is sure to be
gaping holes. The first area of concern is at receiver where Mike Reed and Austin Collie are
chasing NFL dreams. All of the incumbents are short on quality experience. Also the offensive line
has to replace four starters. Replacing both starting safeties becomes the priority on the
defensive side. Projected secondary starters Brandon Bradley and Scott Johnson have been
battling through injuries and projected starting CB Brandon Howard has left the school for
personal reasons. Incoming JUCO transfers could be vital here.
PROGNOSIS: An undefeated season is out of the question. The Cougars open with Oklahoma
and gets Florida State two weeks later. With senior Max Hall behind center anything is possible
as Coach Mendenhall strives to keep pace with Utah and TCU in conference (they get both at
home). Keep an eye on TE Dennis Pitta as he could easily wind up the top TE in the 2009 NFL
Draft. The lack of playmakers at receiver and a newly formed OL could make the season
interesting at times against teams BYU is favored over. The defense is good enough to stuff the
ground game but keeping the passing yards down is going to be a difficult task with this
secondary.
PROJECTED RECORD: 8-4

National Championship Game

Guy we are down to the last game of the college basketball season... who will your final college basketball pick be ? Do you remember if your final NFL picks were right in the Super Bowl?

Not easy in tonites game either go with the super charged home team or go with the super talented NC team. All I know is this game will be a much closer game than the game earlier this season.

I will take NC myself.