Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Kurt, meet The Curtain

The red-hot Arizona Cardinals are headed to the Super Bowl to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. No, that is not a misprint. This game, like many Super Bowls, is full of great storylines: Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, head coach and assistant head coach of Arizona, go up against their former team. Whisenhunt and Mike Tomlin, two of the hottest young coaches in football, face off in their first SB appearances as head coach. Kurt Warner leading a second franchise to the big game. And the list goes on.

For me, the most intriguing matchup to watch will be Warner's offense versus The Steel Curtain. The seemingly ageless quarterback had a passer rating of 96.9 this season, good for third-best in the NFL. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's defense held opposing quarterbacks to an average rating of 63.4, good for second-best in the league. Something's got to give.

Being the Philly fan that I am, I know all too well that Arizona can score in bunches. Their seventeen-point second quarter versus the Eagles' pressuring defense gave them a nice cushion to work with, and their game-winning drive in the game's final minutes proved that they can score at will. With the league's best receiving corps and an offensive line that is playing great right now, this unit is very hard to slow down.

If the Cards can find a way to meet their regular season scoring average (26.7 ppg) versus the Steelers defense, they deserve that shiny Lombardi Trophy after all. However, that's been a daunting task for each of Pittsburgh's opponents this season. In fact, only one team (Tennessee) has managed to score at least twenty-seven points against them all season. They've been very consistent this year in all aspects of their defense, ranking first in most statistical categories. This may be the best defensive unit since the 2000 Ravens.

But while the numbers surely suggest a blowout win for the Steelers, the Cardinals have a lot of confidence right now. Defensively, the Eagles -- much like the Steelers -- also ranked atop their conference in most statistical categories this season. In the NFC Title Game, however, none of it seemed to matter. Jim Johnson's overloading blitzes and confusing stunts were nullified by some great playcalling. The Cards managed to keep the Eagles off-balance with many short passes, a surprisingly productive running game, and even a few trick plays. And, you know, the fact that they had Fitz didn't hurt either.

Some say that Ken Whisenhunt's intimacy with Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense may be the difference in the game. I'm sure that his knowledge of Steeler football can, in some way, give his young defense a slight edge. But at the same time, I'm sure that Pittsburgh probably knows a thing or two about Whisenhunt and his tendencies as well. I would rule the whole "inside information" thing as a push. I doubt that either team will benefit much from this knowledge. If you're looking for a key to the game, look to the defense of Pittsburgh.

While both defenses were very good this season, the major difference between Philly and Pittsburgh has to do with the overall scheme. Philadelphia's Jim Johnson likes to run the traditional 4-3 defense (four down linemen, three linebackers), while Pittsburgh's Dick LeBeau runs a 3-4 (three linemen, four 'backers). There are many advantages to running a 3-4. First of all, the majority of the league does not run it. When the player's lack familiarity, it makes it more difficult to prepare for - especially for a non-conference opponent such as Arizona. And more importantly, two key elements of a 3-4 defense are larger lineman -- which each demand extra attention from offensive blockers -- and four versatile linebackers that can get pressure and confuse the quarterback. Luckily for the Steelers', they have the best front seven in football. I expect to see lots of pressure from this unit.

The 3-4 may not be more popular than the 4-3 yet, but the former has become more and more common over the last decade. I would assume that this has a lot to do with the recent success that teams like Pittsburgh and New England have had with it in recent Super Bowls. Of the last eight Super Bowl champions, five have ran 3-4 defenses - not including last year's New York Giants, who used both schemes for most of the season. The Steelers' version of the 3-4 could be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to stopping the hot hand of Kurt Warner.

I guess you know which way I'm leaning on this one. As much as I'd like to throw the numbers out the window and give Arizona a shot, I can't bring myself to it. Pittsburgh is just too good. They don't have many weaknesses, and they find a way to exploit those of other teams. Crazier things have happened before - such as last year's shocking upset of the Patriots. It's not I doubt Arizona's ability - I just can't see them beating the Steelers to win the Super Bowl.

I don't usually watch the big game because the Eagles often leave me feeling jaded. Yet between this blog, my need to always watch historic events live, and the fact that my boss gave me off, I'll be watching this year. I wish all players from both teams the best of luck. Especially you, Kurt. It could be a long day.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

State of the Eagles

Since our new president won't give an official State of the Union address this year -- and because the Eagles' tumultuous season is finally over -- I figured it would be appropriate to give a State of the Eagles address. From a wild regular season to a deflating playoff loss, much can be said of the 2008 campaign. Here's my take on all things Eagles....




First and foremost, ladies and gentlemen, please know that the state of the Eagles is strong. I know that fans are upset with the way the season ended, but Philadelphia football could be in much worse shape. We, Eagles fans, are fortunate to have good people in decision-making positions. From the ownership to the coaches, very few teams have as many quality people at the top.

You can say what you want about not winning a Super Bowl over the last decade, but sometimes great organizations don't win the big one. It doesn't mean that the Eagles aren't one of the best teams in football year in and year out, and it doesn't mean that the Eagles' brass can't get the job done. In fact, this administration has had more success than any other in team history. Oh, you don't like the way the current regime runs things? Who would you rather have? When a team is good for a long period of time, the expectations become greater and greater. And when a team gets oh-so close one year, many people want to make drastic changes when things don't work out as planned. Frankly, drastic changes will not right the ship over night. It takes tweaking.

In addition to dumping Andy Reid, many fans also want to see Donovan McNabb hit the road. They think -- as they've said for a few years now -- that's he's past his prime. Note to the misguided: Donovan McNabb is still an elite player in this league. Yes, he is erratic at times, and yes, many of those times happen to be on key downs or key drives. However, professional football is the team game. What if this HOF-caliber quarterback had some weapons to give the ball to? I'm not making excuses. I'm being fair. The average fan's perception of this man could be a lot different if he had more talent around him. I'll address that later, though.

As you know, the Eagles have not won a Super Bowl in the ten seasons that Reid and McNabb have been in Philadelphia. And because they've not won a Super Bowl, they've been underappreciated by many Philly fans. For some reason, football fans are convinced that -- like golf or tennis -- the career of a coach or player should be measured in terms of championships. Maybe they didn't get the memo, but it's like I said before: pro football is the team game. No one person can win a championship on his own. With as good as our coach and quarterback have been these last ten years, I'm positive that they aren't the ones that need to be removed.





Speaking of championships, the Eagles won't be winning one this year. They've broken our hearts again. As for that painful loss to the Cardinals, this game cannot be pinned on any one thing. It wasn't the gameplan, the offense, the defense or the special teams. It was a bit of each. Any way you slice it, the Eagles were outplayed by Arizona. Considering that the Birds dominated the Cards 48-20 in Week 13, this NFC Title Game loss caught most sports fans in the Greater Philadelphia area by surprise. Didn't I warn you that anything can happen when two nine-win teams face off in this type of game? Although I was aware of the circumstances, I was as sure as you were that the Eagles were going to get pressure on Kurt Warner, shake him up, get a few turnovers, and hop on the plane to Tampa - but I was wrong. It doesn't bother me that the Eagles lost another NFC Championship. I'm used to that by now. What bothers me is that the Eagles, despite being a better team than the Cardinals, couldn't get the job done. It's painful to blow an opportunity that great.

I mentioned earlier that no one aspect of the Eagles' game can be blamed for losing the NFC Championship this year. They won as a team in their first two playoff games, and lost as a team in their final one. Still, it's hard to overlook the greatest discrepancy between the Cardinals and Eagles: the presence of a top-flight wide receiver. Larry Fitzgerald was clearly the difference maker in this game. He made many huge plays, including three touchdowns in the first half. He seemed, as he has this entire postseason, to be unstoppable. The Eagles simply could not find a answer for Arizona's extraordinary wideout.

Meanwhile, the wide receiver position -- as it has been for years -- was a major weakness for the Eagles' offense versus Arizona. There were deflected passes, bad routes, and dropped balls in both the Title Game and throughout the regular season. I must admit, DeSean Jackson was impressive this year. I liked the pick when he was drafted, but I didn't expect him to step in and become the team's top receiving option as a rookie. But while Jackson proved to be Donovan's number one target, he isn't a true number one. Put a guy like Jackson alongside a big target like Brandon Marshall, Roy Williams or T.J. Housh and you not only improve your team, but you draw attention away from Jackson and greatly improve depth at the position. Imagine if DeSean Jackson was the Eagles' number two receiver and Kevin Curtis could move back to his natural position, the slot. Hint to any Eagles exec that may be reading: Hosuh is a free agent this offseason.




The Eagles have been frugal with their money for years. They've always saved a little extra for a rainy day. In case the organization hasn't heard, today is a rainy day. Maybe they'll shock all of us here in the Delaware Valley and use some of that cap space this offseason. You know, the last time they signed multiple big-name free agents they ended up in the Super Bowl. Coincidence? I think not.

As I stated previously, the Eagles need to tweak - not dismantle. Besides the obvious need for a top wideout, there are other areas that need to be addressed....

Mel Kiper's latest mock draft has the Eagles taking Chris Wells, a bruising tailback out of Ohio State, in the first round. I've seen the dude play live before, and he's the real deal. Despite a brief history of injuries (he missed three games in '08), Wells has power, speed, and most importantly, patience. Whether the Eagles actually select Wells or not, this type of player is the kind that the Eagles have lacked for many years. Brian Westbrook, who's never played a full season in his NFL career, would be much fresher with another quality tailback to split time with. Plus, B-West will turn thirty in September. And if history tells us anything, it's that running backs generally take a step back around that age. At some point, they'll have to replace Westbrook. Why not draft a top back now and slowly incorporate him into the offense? Another underclassman to watch out for: Knowshon Moreno.

Running back isn't the only position that features an aging star. For as long as I've watched football, safety has been a strong suit for the Eagles. Ray Rhodes drafted Brian Dawkins in the '96 NFL Draft, and the rest is history. B-Dawk has been the heart and soul of the Eagles for many years. The imprint he's left on this organization cannot be ignored. However, Dawkins is starting to look slow. I hate to rip such an all-time great, but he's been slow for two years and his big hits are looking dirtier by the game. As one of my readers pointed out recently, the guy doesn't even tackle people anymore. As their going down he comes flying in with his helmet and either hits them with it, or he does this weird thing where he turns and hits people with his back. I expected the Eagles to install a succession plan at safety each of the last two years. Time is running out. If they don't act quickly, we could be one play away from watching Sean Considine start again. Eesh!

The final question mark going into '09 is the situation on the offensive line. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, both of whom are worthy of HOF consideration, are a combined sixty-nine years of age and each is without a contract as of today. Replacing both tackles is an issue for most teams. However, this situation could work itself out nicely if: a) Shawn Andrews can stay healthy and move over from right guard to right tackle, and b) if Todd Heremans can move back to his natural position of left tackle. From there, all the Eagles would have to do is fill in both guard spots. And as far as I'm concerned, they can go down to Geno's and find the two fattest guys in sight and let them suit up at guard.

Other than the few positions I just mentioned, the Eagles are in very good shape. The defense was spectacular in '08, and McNabb and Westbrook are still great players. Realistically, the Eagles are just a step away from the Super Bowl. And again, tweaking is all that's necessary. Addressing these needs could make a huge difference. With $36.5 million in cap space (the third highest figure in the league), I just hope that the Eagles will be a little more generous this offseason.

So, please Philadelphia, don't give up on your squad. Their future is bright. It's the season of hope, of change. Let's follow the lead of our new president and work towards a better tomorrow. The Eagles may be in better shape than America at this point, so keep your heads up and hope that next year can be a successful one.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Three and Out: Howard, Wake, 'Roids

My classes started this week, we have a new president, and the sports world is full of great stories. Meanwhile, I'm slacking off. I apologize for not being on top of my game lately, but I've been fairly busy. I caught up with some old friends recently, one of my siblings had a birthday over the weekend, and my cousin was in town today.

Sorry guys, but family comes first. Due to my slacking, I feel obligated to -- as my man Cooney would say -- "drop some knowledge" for you all. I have some thoughts about the Phillies' most overpayed player, on which D1 basketball conference reigns supreme, and why many former athletes are dying young.

Three and Out

1. Like one of his home runs, Ryan Howard may be "outta here" sooner rather than later. The 29-year old first baseman apparently believes that he is worth $18 million dollars a season. Eighteen million dollars. I know, it's a staggering figure.

I'm not saying that he will be gone sometime soon. It probably won't be this season. But if you are the guy who writes paychecks, why would you ever agree to giving Ryan Howard this kind of money? I'll give you this: he's still in his prime.

Otherwise, we're talking about an out-of-shape designated hitter who can't play the field very well. Ryan Howard's salary has jumped from $355 thousand, to $900 thousand, to $10 million over the last three years. His batting average over that span? It's gone from .313, to .268, to .251. Yes, he's produced many runs - but give me eight more inches and eighty more pounds and so will I.

The Phils will most likely win their arbitration suit versus their star first baseman. They offered fourteen mil, he's asking for eighteen. I would be shocked if he got what he wants - but regardless, what does this mean for next year? Let's say they go to arbitration for a third straight year. What will he ask for then, $25 million? At some point, it gets to be too much.

The Phillies have made many key signings over the last couple weeks. They've locked up Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino, brought back Jayson Werth and Greg Dobbs, and solidified their bullpen by keeping Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson. However, Ryan Howard for $18 million is not something that I would want if I were Reuben Amaro, Jr. Philadelphia may be a top-five marketplace, but they don't have to spend money like one. More teams should take notes on the Rays and learn how to get the most out of the least.



2. The Wake Forest men's basketball was the lone unbeaten heading into tonight. They were ranked No. 1 in the land and in just one week were set to face No. 2 Duke in a colossal ACC bout. I guess you know where this one is headed.

Wake got upset by Virginia Tech this evening. The Deacs couldn't stop the hot shooting of the Hokies, nor could they get to the free throw line enough to pull off the comeback. Some will claim that Wake wasn't for real - and that's nonsense.

Wake Forest is more than for real. A team doesn't get to be the nation's top-ranked outfit by accident. Heading into tonight, opposing teams only shot 36.2 percent against them this season. That's good for No. 2 in the nation. Last year's Kansas team, the eventual National Champions, finished the season third in that category at 37.9 percent.

I think the Wake upset says more about the strength of the ACC. Through the first few months of this season, as well as the last couple years, many college basketball fans have called the Big East the best conference. These same fans claim that the ACC is too top-heavy, not as balanced as the Big East.

First of all, the Big East has sixteen teams. A conference with that many teams will always look good because there are so many positive things to talk about. And as far as the top-heavy talk, I see ACC basketball like I see SEC football: It's so good at the top that people forget (or don't care) about the teams in the middle of the pack.

When Ole Miss beat Florida in football this season, people called Florida a fraud. They went on to hold the highest-scoring offense in college football history to 14 points. Fraud, huh? People can say all they want about Wake or their conference not being for real. Just wait until tournament time.



3. A former football great at Texas and eventually a starting defensive lineman in the NFL, Shane Dronett is dead at the age of 38. He was found at his home this morning. The cause of death is not yet known.

Whenever a former athlete -- especially a football player -- dies at such a young age, it always get me thinking. The police were called to his house this morning in response to a possible suicide. Suicide is an awful thing. It's selfish and it's irresponsible. But what leads someone to that point?

I hate to speculate when it comes to this kind of thing, but has anyone considered steroids? Performance-enhancing drug use was heavy ten and twenty years ago. The testing was not as stringent and the average person couldn't tell you a thing about them. Today, thanks to guys like Bill Romanowski and Jose Canseco, the public is more aware of steroids and their role in professional sports. We know what they can do, what they look like, how they can be used, where one can find them, and exactly who's taken them.

What we don't know, however, is how bad they are for your body. If a drug can't be tested for, how will we know what the long-term effects of usage are? In addition to all the unknowns, labs around the world are constantly trying to come up with new drugs that cannot be detected. In this case, the long-term effects may not be known for another twenty to thirty years.

I'm no investigator, but when a 38-year old former football player dies there is something wrong. This is a guy who played 10 seasons in the NFL. He was in great shape for as long as I've been alive. For him to die of unknown causes, it just seems errie. If it was suicide, like the early reports are saying, that may have stemmed from depression. And one thing we know about steroids is that depression is one major side-effect.

My thoughts are with his family. Fortunately, Dornett earned a good enough living that his family can live comfortably. But I know that nothing replaces a loss like that. Everything I've read says that he was a good guy that was easy to get along with. I hope that he lived his life to the fullest. I also hope that we don't see more of this in the coming years.

I'm out.

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Road Not Taken

The last time I wrote about the Philadelphia Eagles they had just been throttled by the Ravens and were preparing to host the Cardinals on Thanksgiving Day. At the time, Philadelphia fans were livid. The finger-pointing had reached an all-time high and an air of discontent was hovering above the Delaware Valley.

In case you passed out, bumped your head and ended up in a coma after reading my last Eagles post, I'll fill you in: The Eagles went on to dominate the Cards on Thanksgiving, led by Donovan McNabb and a heavy dose of pressure from the defense. This made the holiday a happy one, but a game in the Meadowlands the following week was looming - and a loss looked to be devastating.

Somehow, the Eagles managed to shut down the Giants at their place. This win sparked some optimism amongst the fans - cautious optimism, that is. Three games remained: Cleveland, at Washington, and Dallas. I predicted a win, a win, a loss, and a side-door entrance into the playoffs. I was close.

The Eagles fed off the energy of their back-to-back wins and dominated the Browns. That game was followed by a trip to Washington. Some called this a "trap" game. It was, in fact, just that. The Eagles hot offense suddenly hit a wall against the 'Skins. The passing game was good, but the running game never got going and that resulted in many failed third and longs. An Eagles win would have clinched a playoff berth. Instead, it set up a huge matchup versus the Cowboys in Week 17.



In the preseason, many predicted that this game would have a lot riding on it. But instead of deciding the division or home field advantage, this game eliminated one team from the playoff hunt. For Dallas, it was win and you're in. For Philly, it wasn't as easy: the Eagles needed to win, Oakland had to upset Tampa, and either Chicago or Minnesota had to lose. As unlikely as that scenario seemed, the Eagles dominated the Cowboys like never before, Oakland pulled the improbable upset, Chicago lost, and the Birds clinched the final playoff spot.

It was a great way to end the regular season and, much like the Giants last season, the Eagles were getting hot at the right time. On the surface, this looked like the perfect scenario. On the other hand, this type of situation can also become the perfect storm - especially in Philadelphia.

The Eagles were matched up with the Minnesota Vikings in the opening round. The storylines were abundant: two quarterbacks who were benched but managed to turn things around, Brad Childress versus his former team, and the NFC's best running back against the conference's best defense. Minus a forty-yard TD run, the Eagles were able to contain Adrian Peterson and Asante Samuel did what he does best - return interceptions for touchdowns. Ultimately, his third quarter TD was the game-winning score. Next up: the New York Giants. In the Meadowlands. Again.

Prior to the Vikings game, I was asked many times about what I thought was going to happen in that contest. I told everyone I spoke to, without reservation, that the Eagles had it locked up. I was not so confident the following week. I shouldn't say that. It wasn't that I lacked confidence - I just knew what the Eagles were going up against. The defending Super Bowl Champions were home and their bruising tailback, Brandon Jacobs, was healthy this time around. I told folks that if I had to bet my life on it, I would pick the Giants. I had a great feeling about the Eagles all season, but I was truly worried about this game.

Two key statistics that are often overlooked by the average fan are third down and red zone efficiency. The Eagles won big this season when they converted on third down and scored in the red zone. When they stunk it up, it was because they were not efficient in these areas. Most of the time, this is the case for all teams.



However, the "experts" each tabbed something else as the key to this colossal matchup. I listened to 950 ESPN radio all week at work. I tuned in for Jody Mac and Harry Mayes, Tirico and Van Pelt, and Mike Missaneli from Monday through Friday and heard the same things over and over: Brandon Jacobs is the key, Donovan McNabb is the key, the kickers are the key. There was not one mention of third downs or red zones.

In the end, this game came down to the two areas I just mentioned. The Eagles converted fifty percent of their third downs, while the Giants converted only twenty-three percent and failed to score a red zone touchdown. In fact, the Giants didn't score a touchdown all day. The NFC's best team was held to three field goals and a controversial safety. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't bet my life on this game, huh?

Later that night the Cardinals went into Charlotte and dominated the Panthers. The Eagles win may have been a shock to most, but it was greatly overshadowed by Arizona's win over Carolina. Following the regular season, some people felt that the Panthers were the NFC's best. Instead, they'll be sitting at home watching the Eagles and Cardinals play in the NFC Championship Game tomorrow. Who could have predicted such a thing?

So, what will happen in this unlikely matchup? The numbers suggest that this game will be another blowout for the Eagles. They not only trumped the Cards on Thanksgiving, but they have a far greater defense and -- at this point -- Brian Westbrook is much better than Edge or Tim Hightower. The Eagles have struggled to run the ball lately, but the Cardinals are not nearly as good against the run as the Eagles' previous two opponents. And while I know that the Cardinals win over Carolina looked impressive from a distance, Jake Delhomme had six turnovers on his own. Do really think Donovan will turn the ball over that many times against Arizona's shotty defense?



However, box scores don't always tell the full story. Arizona may have too much momentum for the Eagles to handle, the Birds may struggle to get pressure on Kurt Warner this time, and the Cards are playing at home. My point is, don't be surprised by any outcome. Remember what you're watching. These are two teams that won only nine games each in the regular season. If two nine-win teams can reach a conference championship, anything can happen.

The Eagles' path to the NFC Championship has taken many unexpected turns: What if the Giants lost to the Panthers in Week 16 and the playoff seeds were re-ordered? What if Tampa beat Oakland in Week 17 and the Eagles were left out of the postseason? There were so many close calls and unforeseen events that have led the Eagles to this point. Hell, what if the Cowboys lived up to expectations this season? I've heard many comparisons to last year's Giants team. Sure, I can see that. But these Eagles remind me of another championship team - the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies. Like the Phils season, everything is falling into place.

Imagine if the Eagles had won twelve games and the division championship. They could have ended up like the Giants and Panthers: a complacent, twelve-win team that is one and done in the playoffs. That would have crushed the city. Instead, the Eagles have persevered all season long. After Andy Reid benched his quarterback he told us that sometimes you need to take a step back in order to go a mile forward. Back then, the haters called this one of the worst coaching moves ever. Hate him or love him, he looks prophetic today. The Eagles have surely taken the road less traveled this season. And so far, it's made all the difference.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Pecking Order

All fans are opinionated, but college football fans are extreme. Take it from me - I’m one of them. Want proof? Check the message boards.

There are more college football fans on those things than any other sport. I just read an article about the Lions new head coach – the top headline on ESPN.com – and noticed that a few hundred people had commented. Then I read about Mark Sanchez – the second headline – and there were more than a thousand comments.

What gives? Why are college football fans so adamant? I think it has a lot to do with the nature of the sport. Everything is based on the opinions of so-called “experts”. They dictate where teams rank, which teams go to bowls, and they have the final say on the bowl-versus-playoff debate.

With everyone else giving their two-sense, maybe the average fan feels left out. Whatever the case may be, fans will continue to argue. And there’s one debate that rages on year after year: the hierarchy of the eleven FBS conferences.

Unlike the polls, the rankings for the eleven conferences are not in writing - they’re imaginary. It’s an informal list that coaches, players, and fans are left to debate from one season to the next.

Some say the pecking order of the conferences doesn’t matter. I disagree. If the public perception of the Mountain West was greater, Utah may be the 2008 National Champions. I’m not saying they should be, but it’s worth considering.

This past bowl season gave us a chance to watch rival conferences play one another. While some were exposed, others made a statement. One thing that hasn’t changed over the last twelve months: the Big Ten’s credibility – or, lack thereof.



Here are my conference rankings. When you're finished reading, give me yours.

1. SEC - After a season full of trash-talk from the Big 12 and its fans, the Southeastern Conference proved to be the nation's best league - again. An SEC team has won the last three Title Games, reminding us that the road to a National Championship starts in the Deep South.

2. Big 12 - Is a good offense really the best defense? Apparently not. Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma State each finished the season ranked in the top ten in scoring. When it came to the bowls, however, each failed to match their season average, and only two of them won their games.

The SEC and Big 12 were clearly the two best conferences in America this season and I don't think one season can change that. Therefore, the drop from #2 to #3 is a steep one. Is it a coincidence that Texas and Florida produce the most talented HS football players?

3. Pac-10 - Yes, the Pac-10 was the only conference to go undefeated in the bowl games - but don't be fooled. This was not an overly impressive showing: Oregon State won 3-0 against Pitt!?... Oregon may have scored a ton versus OK State, but they allowed 31 points... Cal beat Miami in San Francisco - big whoop!... and Arizona beat the always overrated BYU Cougars.

4. Big Ten - On the biggest stage, America's oldest football conference took another beating at the hands of Southern Cal. What's a shame is that Penn State was actually really good this season. And that says a lot about the strength of the conference. Ohio State surprised everyone with a strong showing in the Fiesta Bowl - but a win in that game wouldn't have been enough to help the Big Ten.

Personally, I feel like there is another drop from #4 to #5 in the conference rankings. The Big Ten is comparable to the Pac-10: a few good teams, a couple bad teams, and a bunch of average teams. With either conference you never know exactly what you're going to get. On any given day the best can look bad and the worst can look good.

5. Big East - If I had things my way, the Big East (as well as the ACC) would be stripped of their automatic BCS bids. Six of eight Big East teams did finish the season with eight or more wins - but if Cincinnati is your conference champion, you have a problem. To Big East die-hards who want to defend the league by bringing up the conference's 4-2 bowl record: Rutgers beat a 6-6 NC State team because their starting quarterback left the game, Pat White single-handedly willed West Virginia to a win over Carolina in the last seconds, and your other two wins came against Memphis (who finished 6th in C-USA) and Buffalo (who, at the time, was 7-5). Cincy and Pitt, the Big East's two best teams, combined for only seven points in the Orange and Sun Bowls. Sorry about the italics. I couldn't help myself.

6. ACC - You may be surprised to see the Atlantic Coast Conference ranked below the Big East. Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl and ten of the conference's twelve teams played in a bowl game, right? Yes, but Georgia Tech was embarrassed by LSU, BC lost to Vandy (their first bowl win in 53 years), and the ACC lost to the Big East in head-to-head matchups, 2-1. It's a virtual push, but the ACC is sixth based on that final figure.

Honestly, No. 5 and 6 are interchangeable. Each league lacks a National Championship contender and both are flooded with average teams. Although I was tempted to move C-USA or the Mountain West ahead of the Big East or ACC, I couldn't bring myself to it. My top six get the automatic BCS bids for a reason: They are the six best.




7. C-USA - When the ACC persuaded Miami, VA Tech and BC away from the Big East, Louisville jumped at the opportunity to play in a BCS conference. With C-USA losing their premier team, the future looked bleak. Since then, however, they've made great strides. They fielded six bowl teams this season -- more than the Pac-10 and every other "mid-major" conference -- and upset many quality non-conference programs. With an impressive 4-2 bowl record, including Tulsa's ass-kicking of Ball State, Conference USA deserves more credit than it's getting.

8. Mountain West - The MWC may have ended the season with three ranked teams and the nation's only undefeated, but if they played the nine best from the Pac-10 or their eight best played the Big East head-to-head, things could get ugly. I give Utah a lot of credit for beating Alabama in New Orleans, and I've been rooting for TCU for years - but this is a top-heavy conference that doesn't stack up from top to bottom. Utah and TCU are legit programs, but the rest of the league stinks.

Note to reader: I didn't intend to group my rankings when I started writing this - it just worked out that way. I think there is another drop in quality after the Mountain West. Quite frankly, these last three leagues are awful. I would never tell you to stop reading what I have to say, but you can walk away from the computer now if you'd like...

9. WAC - The Western Athletic Conference gets the nod at #9 for one reason: The blue-turf Broncos of Boise. They were undefeated through the regular season -- highlighted by a 37-32 win at Oregon -- and finished with a 12-1 record. However, the second-best team in the WAC this year was Louisiana Tech(?), Hawaii fell off the map after losing June Jones and Colt Brennan, and Fresno State no longer wins big games. This is the type of conference where each team has a good year or two (because of a great player or two) before going into a decade-long hibernation.

10. MAC - The Mid-American Conference comes in at #10 by default. Five years ago this league was considered the best mid-major conference around. As for this year, Ball State was a nice story - until they lost to a 7-5 Buffalo team in the MAC Championship Game. I realized two things when that happened: a) Ball State was a fraud and b) the MAC stinks. When one of your division champs is 7-5, you will not finish high on this list.

11. Sun Belt - This conference is bad. How bad, you ask? They sported only two bowl teams this year, struggled against anyone decent outside their conference, their lone bowl win was a close call versus Central Michigan, and their best team (Troy) lost their bowl to C-USA's fifth-best team, Southern Miss. When things are this bad, it's like my man Biggie said, the sky's the limit!