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Sorry for the long delay...been a hectic few weeks at work.
Up next is the national title game.
Up next is the national title game.
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BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
#2 FLORIDA ST. SEMINOLES (13-0, 10-0)
VS.
#1 WISCONSIN BADGERS (13-0, 10-0)
Michigan State's unlikely win over undefeated Stanford last year ended an incredible six-year winning streak for the SEC in the BCS National Championship game. But the undisputed best conference in football didn't disappear from the big stage for long. Led by dual-threat quarterback E.J. Manuel, the undefeated Seminoles scored three unanswered touchdowns in the first quarter, while the defense clamped down on Heisman winner Montee Ball to win their first national title in thirteen years.
As a member of the ACC early in the 2000's, Florida State appeared in the first three BCS national title games, winning one of them. Since then, they have been absent from the big game, suffering through a handful of seven and eight win seasons before moving to the SEC last year. Matched up against a host of in-state rivals, the Seminoles finished 2011 with an 8-4 (5-4) record, and ended the season with a 24-17 win over former conference rival Georgia Tech in the Music City Bowl. In 2012, all of the pieces finally came together for the team again. Over the course of the regular season, senior quarterback E.J. Manuel exhibited average play under center, completing 49% of his passes for 2,838 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. But he also finished 2nd on the team with 822 rushing yards and another five scores, making him one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the league. Against #1 Wisconsin, Manuel surprised everyone by putting his passing skills on display, using his quick feet to deftly avoid the defensive pressure as he completed 66% of his passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, he did not throw an interception against a Badgers defense who had one of the highest turnover differentials in the country. His go-to man was senior wide receiver Rodney Smith, the team's #1 option at the position who had a relatively quiet year. Smith finished 3rd on the team with 35 receptions for 607 yards and six TDs this season, but against Wisconsin had seven catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns on his way to being named player of the game. Defensively, the Seminoles did allow 365 total offensive yards, including 215 rushing yards, but also kept the Badgers out of the endzone for the first three quarters, allowing the offensive to build a secure 24-3 lead with just fifteen minutes left to play.
On the other side of the ball, 2012 Heisman trophy winner Montee Ball had one of his quietest games of the season, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown off 26 carries. Junior quarterback Jon Budmayr, who led the Big Ten this season with a 137.4 QB rating and 2,319 yards, couldn't pick up the slack for the offense. He completed just 14 of 25 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown as the Badgers' 4th ranked offense were held to their lowest points total of the season. As for the defensive, they had no answer for Florida State in the first half, but didn't allow a single points in the final two quarters. Still, the damage had already been done, and Wisconsin simply could not recover from the four score deficit.
Another thrilling college football season is in the books, and a national champion has been crowned. Now teams will turn to the offseason, where the final touches will be put on recruiting classes as all 120 teams prepare for what is sure to be another great season.
2013 BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Jan 9, 2013 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH SCORE #2 Florida State Seminoles (14-0, 10-0) 21 3 0 0 24 #1 Wisconsin Badgers (13-1, 10-0) 0 3 0 14 17 Team Stats Comparison FSU WIS Total Offense 348 365 Rushing Yards 72 215 Passing Yards 276 150 First Downs 15 20 Punt Return Yards 52 14 Kick Return Yards 53 74 Total Yards 453 453 Turnovers 0 1 3rd Down Converstion 5-11 (45%) 6-16 (37%) 4th Down Conversion 0-2 (0%) 1-3 (33%) 2-Point Conversion 0-0 (0%) 0-0 (0%) Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals 2-1-1 (100%) 3-2-1 (100%) Penalties 9-70 9-75 Posession Time 27:00 33:00 Scoring Summary FIRST QUARTER SCORING FSU WIS 11:49 (FSU) TD: James Wilder, 4 yard run 7 0 8:37 (FSU) TD: Rodney Smith, 26 yard pass from E.J. Manuel 14 0 5:21 (FSU) TD: Rodney Smith, 46 yard pass from E.J. Manuel 21 0 SECOND QUARTER SCORING FSU WIS 9:07 (FSU) FG: Dustin Hopkins, 24 yard kick 24 0 1:12 (WIS) FG: Cedric Thompson, 25 yard kick 24 3 FOURTH QUARTER SCORING FSU WIS 7:34 (WIS) TD: Montee Ball, 6 yard run 24 10 1:19 (WIS) TD: Jacob Pederson, 7 yard pass from Jon Budmayr 24 17 Comment
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2012 SEASON STATS
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Seems like that first quarter really did Wisconsin in. Shocked it was such a low scoring game.Comment
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2013 GRADUATION CEREMONY
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Sidenote: The Outlaws are now a three-star prestige team!Comment
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Two quick recruiting notes:
New Mexico State had the 92nd ranked recruiting class, but did manage to land five-star prospect Amir Walter (HB, 77 OVR) out of Hazel Park, Michigan. Even as a true freshman he's one of the most talented players on the roster, and has the starting job locked up.
UL Monroe had the 94th ranked recruiting class, but did manage to land five-star prospect Ben Bennett (WR, 78 OVR) our of Sidney, Ohio. He's #2 on the depth chart right now behind senior Tavarese Maye, and will have senior quarterback Kolton Browning (87 OVR) throwing to him this season, and true freshman QB Will White (76 OVR) next season. Bennett could really transform this offense.Comment
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Alright, flurry of updates is done for now...got called out for a job, so I'll be gone for a week. See ya when I get back, when I'll post the roster preview and schedule.Comment
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Have not checked in in a while man but it still looks good.
I can not believe you didn't make a bowl at 7-5
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2013 ROSTER PREVIEW
-OFFENSE-
SENIOR RUNNINGBACK DESHAUN SANDS IS THE UNDISPUTED LEADER OF THE OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Senior Xavier Rouse spent his first two seasons as a backup, but showed dramatic improvement this offseason. Still, the starting job belongs to junior Charles Dickson unless he loses it with poor play. As the team's full-time starter last year, Dickson completed less than half of his passes for 2,176 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, and will need to show the coaches more in the opening few weeks if he hopes to retain that starting spot. The coaches are most excited about incoming three-star recruits Brett Brown and Brandon Preston, who will both be redshirted this season in anticipation of competing with Dickson for the starting spot in 2014.
RECRUITING: Xavier Rouse is in his final collegiate year and second-year freshman Josh Merritt has shown little to no improvement, so look for the team to target two more quarterbacks to add to the roster for next year. Three-star prospect Lee Robbins is playing high school ball just a few miles away from WTU's campus, and will likely be their #1 target. Also look for the team to heavily recruit three-star prospect Mike Yancey from Dumas, TX.
THE BACKFIELD (HB/FB)
The time has come for Iowa transfer DeShaun Sands to step into the spotlight, and lead the Outlaws' offense. Sands will undoubtedly be the focal point of the team's offensive strategy this season, with juniors Tyree Melton and Andrew Brown providing a change of pace as backups. Second-year freshman Derrick Thomas rounds out the depth chart, while three-star prospects Eddie Rucker and T.J. Meyer, the gems of the 2012 recruiting class, will redshirt. Rucker is a talented back, and could potentially leapfrog all the runningbacks on the roster next year to take over the starting job in his first playing season. At fullback, it's the same story as last season. Junior Joe Lilly holds the starting spot, while second-year freshman Martin Miller will act as his backup.
RECRUITING: With six runningbacks on the roster and only one graduating at the end of the year, there's no need to add another runningback for next season. But four-star prospect Jim Davis from Paragould, Arkansas has shown interest in the Outlaws, and could be the gem of the class if the team can land him. However, they'll face stiff competition from BCS schools like Oklahoma, Texas, Florida State, and USC. Don't expect any new additions at fullback.
RECEIVING CORPS (WR/TE)
Michael Maynard, C.J. Bellamy, and Cam Beach combined for 104 catches for 1,610 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012, and return to their roles as the team's top three wide receivers this season. Senior Kevin Irvin, freshman Van Sanders, and sophomore William Tatum round out the depth chart. Three-star recruits Reggie Robinson and David Hall will redshirt this season, and figure to factor prominently in the gameplan next season. At tight end, Nathan Hills and Steven Nugent are gone, opening the door for senior Chad Clark to take over the starting spot with second-year freshman Van Ricks seeing playing time in two tight end sets. Junior Marvin Watson rounds out the depth chart, and three-star prospect Jason Simmons will redshirt this season in anticipation of competing with Ricks for the starting job next year.
RECRUITING: With three of their top four players graduating at wide receiver, the position will feature a new look in 2014 with Cam Beach taking the lead, and youngsters Van Sanders, Reggie Robinson, and David Hill vying for the #2 spot. The team will look to add four-star prospect Jason Pope from Canyon, TX, who currently has WTU rival Texas Tech as his #1 school. At tight end, the team hopes to replace the graduating Chad Clark with three-star prospect Kenny Holloway from University Park, TX, who currently lists West Texas as his #2 school behind SMU.
OFFENSIVE LINE
David Cox (LT), Terrence DeAngelis (LG), and o-line leader Chris Pino (C) return to the starting lineup in 2013. They will be joined by senior Mike Boone, who will take over for Cox at right tackle after he was moved to the blind side to replace the recently graduated Adam O'Brien. At right guard, senior Stephen Campbell replaces Shane Mayes. With the exception of Cox, all of the team's starters in the trenches will graduate at the end of this season, so expect a new look in 2014 with guys like junior Robby Mooney (C), second-year freshman Luke Burks (LG), and reshirted freshman Kevin Douglas (RT) projected to be the favorites for starting jobs next year.
RECRUITING: Nearly half of the team's offensive lineman will graduate at the end of this year, so this will be an area of high activity for recruiting this season. The team will look to add three-star prospects Chad Walker and Jasson Hubbard at tackle, both of whom hail from Texas and currently list West Texas as their #1 school of choice. At guard, three-star prospects Shelton Crosby and Joseph Bennett both list WTU as their #2 school. Finally, the team will target three-star prospect Matt Holmes (C), who has the Outlaws as his 2nd choice behind Texas Tech.
TOTAL RECRUITING TARGETS: 11 (In addition to the ten offensive targets, the team is also recruiting three-star prospect Jarod Morgan, an athlete out of Wells Branch, TX who has WTU as his #2 school behind Rice)Comment
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Made it to the third round folks, need your votes more than ever:
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