USF-Pitt: Sept. 30, 2011

I have a rating system I've worked on since the beginning of July, 2011. Every FBS team, with few exceptions, gets a rating from me. I consider every aspect of a team, and put a value on those parts of every team. I then factor in things like conference record, home-field, and more.
It is one of my key handicapping tools. I no longer let it completely govern my picks, but, it is still one of my main resources when I make my final decisions on a game.
I have Pitt as the higher rated team in this contest, and, if I were to put a line on this game, I would've made Pitt the favorite. They have an experienced defensive interior, decent DBacks, the best RB in the game in Graham, a formidable, and experienced QB in Sunseri, and the home-field in an ESPN game.
USF brings much to the table as well, not the least of which is a very good coach in Skip Holtz.
I just don't think the relatively weak schedule they've played to date(okay, N.Dame was a tough opponent, but, their stats in that game were less than impressive)which included Ball St, Fla.A&M and UTEP, warrants them being a favorite on the road vs. a very good Pitt team and program.
The Pitt Panthers are the pick in tonight's Big East contest!

4th Pick: A.J. Green

Great player departs Georgia, but, Bulldawgs have a returning, very good QB back, good RB back, and an all-SEC center returning. The Dawgs will miss Green, but, they'll more than survive.

3rd Pick: Marcell Dareus

Very good player for 'Bama, but, I don't believe his deparure will deter from the great defense I expect the Crimson Tide to play this year. Saban's problem will be with his offense. Reasoning for that to come.

2nd Pick: Von Miller

This guy almost single-handedly helped turn the A&M defense into a formidable unit. His departure will almost certainly return the Aggies to the pedestrian defense I've become used to. I'm not sure what his sack totals were this year, but, for the past two years his sack totals at 30, or higher. WOW!

First Pick: Cam Newton

Auburn will lose a quarterback who did everything for them this past championship season. The two years prior to his arrival, Auburn was 13-12 overall, and 5-11 vs. the SEC. With the loss of Newton, and no experienced QB returning, and also with the loss of 4 out of 5 offensive linemen from the championship team, I suspect I will be anxious to go against the Tigers this year.

THE REIGNING FAT MAN OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Okay, it's one thing when Kansas got rid of the co-Fat Man of College Football, Mark Mangino. You could argue he may have lost his job based on how he allegedly treated his team, and its players.
But, the reigning Fat-Man of College Football, Ralph Friedgen of Maryland, is getting fired after getting his Terps to 8-4, after a 3-9 record in 2009, and achieving Coach of the Year honors in the ACC. He has done a good job with a team that was a disgrace before he got there.
He has a good freshman QB in O'Brien, and a potential 15 starters back next year, so Friedgen is being let go at a time when his Terps appear to be in a major upswing.
The reigning "Fat-Man" of college football is getting screwed. I have an outside hope his team plays so well today, they will re-hire one of my favorite college football coaches.

HOW YOU LIKE JOE WEBB NOW?

When commentators and fans ignorantly made fun of the Vikes Joe Webb this past week, I was hoping what happened last night would come to pass.
If Webb played a school that had the name University of Alabama instead of University of Alabama at Birmingham, Joe may have won the Heisman last year.
He was in the top 5 of my favorite players last year because he almost single-handedly led his team to a bowl game( and victory) last year. During that Heisman-deserving season, Webb ran for 1400 yards, passed for 2300 yards and scored 21 Tds on the ground, and 12 through the air. That's 33 darn touchdowns. Commentators and fans belittled Webb foolishly last week. Webb( AND ME) HAD THE LAST LAUGH.
See, another learning moment courtesy of a person who may know more about college football than anyone you will meet in your lifetime.