The Beeze's College Football Preview (vol.2)

She's trying to figure out where to put that ball!

B-Dub I love those Those South Carolina fans!

So last week I did VOLUME_1 This week, I'm gonna focus on some different teams, and not just the teams predicted to do well...We'll start with B-Dub's South Carolina Gamecocks...

SOUTH CAROLINA: QB Stephen Garcia was just the 6th QB under Steve Spurrier to get through the entire season without being pulled for an alternative...Freshman QB Connor Shaw has looked good, so don't expect it to happen again...

Last year the Offensive Line gave up 37 sacks, which was tied for most in the SEC...They have to improve if the 'Cocks are going to make a run at an SEC title...The South Carolina ground game has been the worst in the SEC for the last 3 years, and are looking for Freshman Marcus Lattimore to turn that around...

The Defense returns 7 starters and should be one of the top units in the SEC...If Spurrier (65) is gonna make one last run for glory, now is the time to strike, with teams like Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida all looking to have a down year...

NEBRASKA: The Cornhuskers last year in the Big-12, could be a good one...They return 9 starters on Offense, but they need to be more consistent then they were last year...QB Zac Lee is being pushed for his job by Sophomore Cody Green...

Even though the Defense lost Ndamukong Suh, it's still a deep unit at all positions...The key player on the Defense could be Nickel back Eric Hagg, who has the ability to step up and stuff the run like a Linebacker...

WASHINGTON: The Huskies return 9 offensive starters...The biggest name of the bunch is QB Jake Locker, a fifth year senior who chose to stay for one more year, and improve his craft under Coach, Steve Sarkisian...Locker has a big-time arm, and can do some serious damage with his legs...Sophomore running back Chris Polk, who rushed for over a 1,000 yards lat season, will help balance the attack...The offensive line should be a dominant unit...

All that praise for the Offense is quickly balanced out by the lack of experience on the Defense...The secondary is young, but may be the most talented group on the defense...

The next one is for my pal Steve...

SYRACUSE:

The Offense is planning to throw the ball down field more this year, while breaking in a new QB Ryan Nassib...Word is Nassib has the arm strength to do it...That said, The Orange lack depth and size at receiver...They should be able to run the ball, as the offensive line has improved, and gets a good push...But who will carry the ball? Starting tailback Delone Carter was suspended at the end of Spring practice for an off the field incident, and it's not clear if he'll be eligible for the start of the season...

Last year, the Orange defense went from last, to first in run defense in the Big East...Senior Linebackers, Doug Hogue and Derrell Smith (both former running backs) lead the fast, and attacking defense...The secondary lacks shutdown corners, and needs to find a way to cut down the passing touchdowns. (24 last season)

GEORGIA TECH: Run, run, run, and run, pass, run, run, run, run, run, pass, run, run, run, run, run, run, pass, run, run, run...Get the point...The Yellow Jackets like to run the ball, and they do it well...Head coach Paul Johnson has been running this punishing ground game forever, and he's not stopping now...Tech averaged just under 300 rushing yards per game last season...Best in the ACC, second best in the country...QB Josh Nesbitt rushed for over 1,000 yards and threw for over 1,700...He needs to improve his accuracy, to help balance the attack a bit...The main workhorse in Johnson's stable will be 6'0" 239 pound, Anthony Allen...Expect A-backs Roddy Jones and Embry Peeples to take on bigger roles in the passing game...

AL Groh has taken over the Defense, that allowed an average of 208 passing yards, and 150 on the ground, and he's brought the 3-4 with him...His goal is to get more pressure on the QB, and force turnovers...He's going to need a big year from Safety Jerrard Tarrant, who played corner last year...Tarrant is also a standout on Special Teams, returning two punts for touchdowns last season...

TCU: The Horned Frogs have 9 returning starters on Offense, lead by senior QB Andy Dalton, who is the winningest active QB in the nation...With his next victory, he'll pass Sammy Baugh as the winningest QB in school history...Yes, the Sammy Baugh! With Dalton is a very talented, and deep group of receivers and running backs, and an Offensive line that returns 4 starters...

The Defense must replace it's top two corners, but has a couple of veteran safeties to help out the young guys...The front seven is solid lead by Linebacker Tank Carder...TCU shouldn't have any trouble handling their schedule, but playing in the Mountain West will be held against them in the rankings...

Now, before I go, I can't talk College Football without some love for my Irish...This is helping me get in the mood...It's gonna be a good season...



Later, The Beeze.