#FresnoSt.#Bulldogs Evaluated by the #46-17#CollegeEdge

As a handicapper and, as a fan, Pat Hill was one of my favorite coaches. His philosophy was he'd play any team in the nation, anywhere. And, he was successful with that game plan.
Then in 2005, in a game vs. #1 USC, Pat Hill and his tough Fresno St. team were a couple of big plays away from pulling off one of the legendary upsets in college football history. It wasn't to be as the Bulldogs lost in the most heartbreaking way possible. I remember that game vividly and I feel Pat Hill remembered that loss clearly as well, because, in my opinion, since that tough loss, Pat Hill's gutsy career at Fresno was never the same.
Again, from a handicapper's standpoint, Hill was one of my most reliable coaches. After that 2005 season, Hill went a collective 22-39 vs. the spread, and, finally, after a nice 15-year career with the 'Dogs, was let go after a 4-9 record in '11. I hate to admit his firing was probably the right move.
This year Tim DeRuyter takes over in his first stint as a full-time head coach(he was an interim coach for A&M in that team's bowl game in '11). The new coach was left well-stocked by the outgoing Pat Hill.
He has a QB in Derek Carr(David's Bro) who had terrific numbers as a starter last year: 26-9 Td/Int ratio, 62.6% completion rate; an outstanding RB in Robbie Rouse(1500 yards rushing in '11!) and a serviceable offensive line( 3.5 starters return).
The defense has 7 starters back, but, even more importantly, among those returnees is a tremendous leader in #1 tackler and all-league performer LB Travis Brown.
That means the new coach  has the luxury of an experienced leader on both sides of the ball. Despite DeRuyter's status as a new coach, I believe he's been put in a good spot and could have a very good year.

#Kansas#Jayhawks(FBS) Evaluated by the #CollegeEdge

There are some interesting angles to the Kansas program this year. The most interesting will be how well Charlie Weis does as the new coach. He brings NFL defensive coordinator, Dave Campo, to Kansas in that same role, and I'm extremely interested to see how an NFL-trained coach does in a new college role. A third point of interest in following a Jayhawk team that was absolutely horrible last year is the possible insertion of Crist at QB. Crist transferred from Notre Dame, where he started 10 games, and entered the Irish program as the #5 rated QB from his HS class.
All that being written, these new additions to the program will likely be in for a very tough year. The bad '11 offense returns only 6 starters, the horrific defense returns 7 starters(worst "D" in FBS last year?), and it's hard to find one starter on either side of the line who could be a standout contributor. It's incomprehensible that a team that gave up 43 points per game, 5.8 yards per carry and almost a 70% completion rate in '11 can do much to avoid getting its butt kicked in '12.
It'll be a tough year for NFLers Weis and Campo.

#ColoradoSt. #Rams Evaluated by the #CollegeEdge

From a handicapper's point of view, Sonny Lubick's Colorado St. program was one of the most reliable in college football. He did a terrific job in Fort Collins. Then, that dependable program seemed to just disappear. They had an uncustomary losing season in 2004 under Lubick, and, haven't had a winning season since. It continues to be one of the more baffling disappearing acts I've seen in all the years I've followed the sport.
Enter new coach, Jim McElwain. He's the former Off. Coordinator of Alabama, holding that position from '08 thru '11. CSU, and yours truly, hope that Tide pedigree will help turn the Ram program around. If McElwain does turn the program around, yo, it will be difficult, at least in this introductory season.
He has an 1100 yard-rusher back , and two all-league performers at center and OLB, respectively. That's about it. I see no way out of football limbo for the McElwain and his CSU team. He has a red-shirt freshman starting at QB, and sub-par, recruited talent at almost all positions.
I don't see how the Rams will score, nor, how they will stop any of their opponents. Unfortunately, that's a bad combination, no matter who is coaching.

#IowaState#Cyclones Evaluated by the #46-17 #CollegeEdge

In coach Paul Rhoads first year at ISU, he beat Nebraska; in his second year his Cyclones beat Texas Tech, Texas, and lost to Nebraska in OT, 30-31; in 2011, he upset Iowa, UConn, Texas Tech, and in the season's finalist for game of the year, his Ames, Iowa squad posted this still unbelievable score: ISU: 37 Oklahoma St. 31!
Rhoads had a nice 8-yr. run at Pitt as a defensive coordinator. He got the job at ISU in 2009, and, in my opinion is pointing his Big 12 program in the right direction.
Rhoads lost some key starters from '11, including two all-league performers in the offensive line, two very efficient defensive ends, and two, all-league performers in the defensive backfield. Those losses will be costly, but, because I have developed a like for Rhoads and his staff, I do believe he can get something out of the players that are returning from '11.
He has his two-headed combo back at QB, he has three offensive-line starters back, three junior RBs back after all three split starting  time as sophs, and quite possibly, one of the strongest linebacking crews in the Big12. Their two all-league stars combined for 230 tackles in '11!
I'm not going to fall crazy in love with coach Paul Rhoads just yet. He has a lot of question marks on his ISU team and this team could go south very quickly, but, I am mostly optimistic about this team, and you and I will find out a lot about the 'Clones after two tough opening games vs. Tulsa and Iowa.

#BoiseSt. #Broncos(FBS) Evaluated by the #CollegeEdge

Boise St. loses their 4-yr. starter at QB in the terrific Kellen Moore; they lose a 1200+ yard rusher who was also a #1 DC, and the #1 receiver as well. On defense, they have less than 1 starter back in the front seven.
When I look at those losses, I would normally salivate at the opportunity to go-against a team like the Broncos. But, coach Petersen has done such a great job at Boise, I wonder if they are now in the category of those elite programs that simply re-load, no matter how many starters are lost.
The Broncos play MSU and BYU in the first three weeks of the season. I'll use those games to determine if Boise is its normal dominant self. My instincts tell me I will look for good spots to go-against this lightly experienced team.

#Baylor #Bears(FBS) Evaluated by the #CollegeEdge

Check out these stats: 906 yards rushing; 4300 yards passing; 10.7 per pass att.; 37-6 td/int ratio; 72% completion rate. If you want to get a clue how successful Baylor will be this year, explain to me how the Bears will come close to replacing these unbelievable numbers posted by graduated QB, and great team leader, Robert Griffin III? Those numbers will not be replaced.
Add to these lost stats and leadership, the departure of 1500 yard-rusher Terrance Ganaway and #1 draft choice, wr Kendal Wright( 108 reception & 14 Tds!),and, you have a Baylor team which should suffer some major transitional stress.
Theoretically, you would ask Baylor's defense to step up, since that side of the ball has 8 starters back from the '11 team. Problem is, in my handicapping lifetime, I can never remember a Bear defense playing good , and, I don't think they'll start this year. Yo, last year, they gave up 200 yards rushing per game, and allowed opposing QBs to complete passes at a 63.6% percent rate. I'd be surprised by decided improvement this year.
One more thing: Griffin was injured in game 3 of 2009. They were 2-1 at the time of his injury. They went 2-7 the rest of the way. Nuff said.

What Does #46-17 Mean to the #CollegeEdge?

Last year my clients(heretofore known as my "cleeps") signed up for my college football, regular season package. It included all games not played on Saturdays during the FBS season( all of my Saturday plays were complimentary).
My record for my cleeps during that '11 season was a stellar 46-17! Since I don't expect anyone to tout my record for me, I try to refer to that record as much as possible, including the headlines of the team summaries I'm now working on. By the way, my record on complimentary Saturdays was outstanding as well.
So, now you know what 46-17 means to the College Edge.
Next team in line for a College Edge evaluation: the Baylor Bears.