Tulsa Football

(Props: Spike via BloodyElbow)

Spike TV has released a whole mess of interview clips featuring the stars of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, which premieres September 16th after UFC Fight Night 19. The clip at the top is your standard Rampage vs. Rashad gum-flapping session, with Quinton Jackson saying that the Team Rashad heavyweights are "lil' bitty," "garbage," and "booboo." (?) Meanwhile, Rashad predicts a lot of tantrums from his rival. The second video reveals something interesting that I guess we should have seen coming — Evans's "assistant coach" will be none other than game-plan master Greg "Yoda" Jackson. Once you hear Greg talk about "personal growth plans" for each fighter, it's hard to imagine how Team Rampage will compete in the mental game.

Now let's check in with some of TUF 10's heavyweight hopefuls...

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Tulsa will have to replace 4,059 yard passer David Johnson with junior Jacob Bower.  Also, the Golden Hurricane will need to replace their top rusher Tarrion Adams who had 1,523 yards, and also their top receiver Brennan Marion who had over 1,100 yards.

All of these loses will make it very hard for Tulsa to repeat their 2008 offensive output that was second in the nation.  All is not lost for Tulsa, because when David Johnson took over for Paul Johnson for the 2008 season he did a good job taking over and keeping the offense in the top 10 nationally.

Jacob Bower is the front runner but he needs to watch out for former three star sophomore G.J. Kinne, who began his career at Texas, and true freshman Shavodrick Beaver, who enrolled early and went through spring practice.

Most likely playing time will win out, but Kinne sat out last year to learn the system and Beaver learned in the Spring, so this is a race to watch out for.  So, who ever gets the started job should put up monster numbers and compete for a C-USA title.

In contrary to popular belief Tulsa does run the ball, because last year they were fifth in the nation in running the ball.  Now all Tulsa has to do is replace Tarrion Adams who had over 1,500 yards and 14 scores.

That responsibility goes to Jamad Williams and Charles Opeseyitan both combined for just under 900 yards.  The reason Tulsa is able to run the ball is because their passing game is so prolifent with the deep ball, and that leaves running room for the backs.  The Golden Hurricane actually run about sixty percent of the time.

In the receiver department they do lose big play wide out Brennan Marion who averaged 25.9 per catch.  What does this mean, well nothing really as the next player will step up and become the depth threat.

This is the position with the least worries with their next five wide outs back from 2008.  The way coach Todd Graham runs his pass attack everyone gets the ball; that is the way Tulsa has been so successful since they can manipulate matchups to their advantage.  One last note on the offense is that Herb Hand was promoted from line coach to offensive coordinator to replace Gus Malzahn, who went to Auburn to for the same position.

Now on to defense, umm yes defense is something Tulsa needs to improve on.  They gave up 27 points per game and ranked 78th in the nation in that category, but more importantly were middle of the pack in C-USA.  The difference was only six points from 2008 champ East Carolina.

They are a more experienced team with returning players, but the defense has taken the bend and not break policy and let the offense win games.

If you are looking for 2009 college football predictions, you have come to the right place. Below you will find 2009 college football previews for each team, exclusively featured on Touthouse.com courtesy of ATS Consultants. If you are interested in football betting this season and need winning football picks, be sure to visit Touthouse.com each weekend for free picks from our professional football handicappers. You can also sign-up for our free newsletter above to receive college football betting picks each weekend delivered right to you inbox.

Click here for current odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship

ACC Conference
Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 12 Conference
Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

Big East Conference
Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Big 10 Conference
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin

Conference USA
East Carolina, Memphis, Marshall, UAB, Central Florida, Southern Mississippi, Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, UTEP

MAC Conference
Akron, Bowling Green, Ohio, Buffalo, Kent State, Miami Ohio, Temple, Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan

Mountain West Conference
Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV, Utah, Wyoming

Pac 10 Conference
Arizona State, Arizona, California, Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, Washington State

SEC Conference
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Sun Belt Conference
Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Monroe, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, Troy

WAC Conference
Boise State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Utah State

FBS Independents Conference
Army, Navy, Notre Dame, Western Kentucky

The 2009 college football previews featured above are courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog and featured on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to visit Touthouse.com this season.

2009 WAC Conference College Football Predictions

Boise State: The non-conference schedule features Oregon and Miami (OH) at home. They also take on Bowling Green and Tulsa on the road and UC Davis at home. This is a schedule that could put them at undefeated if they beat Tulsa and Bowling Green along with Louisiana Tech on the road. Hawaii is never easy on the road either, but they are fortunate to host Nevada and New Mexico State. 2009 Boise State College Football Predictions

Nevada: The Wolf Pack face Notre Dame and Colorado State to start the season on the road. They also host Missouri and UNLV in their non-conference schedule. A road game at Boise State in the finale may decide the WAC. This is a team with a very explosive offense that needs to find a way how to stop teams. 2009 Nevada College Football Predictions

Fresno State: The Bulldogs take on UC Davis at home to start the season, followed by Wisconsin on the road. A home game against Boise State in the third game of the season will tell a lot about the team. They also face Cincinnati on the road and Illinois on the road in the season finale. This is a program that appears to go bowling nearly every year. This should be a bowl team, but the key will be finding a quarterback to replace Brandstater. They have talent at nearly every other positon. 2009 Fresno State College Football Predictions

Louisiana Tech: Louisiana Tech faces Auburn and Navy on the road to start the season. They open their home schedule with Nicholls State and then later take on LSU in November on the road. In the WAC, they host Boise State, but take on Nevada on the road. 2009 Louisiana Tech College Football Predictions

Hawaii: Hawaii faces Central Arkansas at home to start the season and then takes on Washington State in Seattle. They also play at UNLV and host Navy and Wisconsin at the end of the season. The schedule is favorable with home conference games against Fresno State at Boise State. Unfortunately, Hawaii lost so much on defense and with the concerns on the offensive line and at quarterback, it’s hard to imagine they are much better than a middle-of-pack WAC squad. 2009 Hawaii College Football Predictions

San Jose State: The Spartans take on USC and Utah at home to start a brutal non-conference schedule. They also face Stanford on the road and Cal Poly at home. The conference schedule features Nevada at home with Boise State and Fresno State on the road. The offense should see some progress despite lacking great firepower and the defense should be steady again. 2009 San Jose State College Football Predictions

New Mexico State: The Aggies face Idaho (conference), Prairie View A&M and UTEP at home in their first three games of the season. They take on rival New Mexico, Ohio State and San Diego State on the road. In conference, they face Boise State on the road and Fresno State at home. This will be a rebuilding year for the Aggies, who are implementing a new offense and defense. 2009 New Mexico State College Football Predictions

Utah State: The Aggies open with Utah and Texas A&M on the road, which is just brutal. They also face Southern Utah at hoe and then BYU on the road. In conference, they host Boise State and Louisiana Tech and face Fresno State on the road. New coach, new staff and different system. The talent is just not there yet so expect a long season in Logan. 2009 Utah State College Football Predictions

Idaho: Idaho faces New Mexico State on the road to start the season and then takes on four straight non-conference foes in Washington on the road, San Diego State at home, Northern Illinois on the road and Colorado State at home. They also face Boise State on the road and Nevada on the road. Not that it really matters as the Vandals will stuggle this year against the upper-echelon of the WAC. 2009 Idaho College Football Predictions

2009 Odds to Win WAC Conference
(Odds Subject to Change - Estimated Payout for $100 Wager)
Click Here for Current College Football Odds
Note: The odds listed below are to win the National Championship. Stay tuned for updates on conference odds……

Boise State +15000

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2009 Boise State Broncos Predictions
2008 Record: (12-1, 8-0)
Coach: Chris Peterson, 4th year (35-4 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Bryan Harsin (4th year)
Def. Coordinator: Justin Wilcox (4th year)
Returning Starters: 13 (6 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Kellen Moore)

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Offense: The Broncos return six starters from an offense that averaged 37.6ppg and 440.9 yards per game. They also bring back sophomore Kellen Moore (6-0, 184), who earned WAC Freshman of the Year in 2008. The lefty threw for 3,486 yards with 25 touchdowns last season. They do have to replace RB Ian Johnson at running back. Junior Jeremy Avery (5-9, 171) has experience and rushed for 614 yards last year. Junior D.J. Harper (5-9, 192) also has the speed to take it to the house every time. At wide receiver, they return two proven targets in juniors Titus Young and Austin Pettis (567 yards). Up front, sophomore center Thomas Byrd (5-11, 282) returns to lead a line that needs to rebuild their left side.

Defense: The defense returns just five starters from a unit that allowed just 12.6ppg (3rd in the nation) and 308.2 yards per game (20th). The losses shouldn’t be devastating as the Broncos had talented backups with experience. The only returning starter is All-WAC end Ryan Wintersywk (6-4, 260), a junior who had 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He’s the only returning starting lineman, though sophomore DT Billy Winn (6-4, 279), who had 5.5 tackles for loss, was on the Freshman All-American team. At linebacker, they lose both starters (they play a 4-2-5). Sophomore Hunter White (5-11, 215) appears to have locked up one of the spots. The secondary returns four of five starters and should be the strength of the unit. Senior CB Kyle Wilson (5 picks) is back to improve his NFL stock. The leading returning tackles is junior Jeron Johnson (5-11, 190), who recorded 98 last year.

Outlook: The non-conference schedule features Oregon and Miami (OH) at home. They also take on Bowling Green and Tulsa on the road and UC Davis at home. This is a schedule that could put them at undefeated if they beat Tulsa and Bowling Green along with Louisiana Tech on the road. Hawaii is never easy on the road either, but they are fortunate to host Nevada and New Mexico State.

This WAC conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com

Oregon

The most anticipated Bronco game in the history of the program is set for September third of 2009. The Boise State Broncos are hosting the Pac 10’s Mighty Ducks from Eugene, this time on the blue turf of Bronco Stadium. 

The Bronco’s played and defeated Oregon last season on the Ducks home field and U of O coaches and players are looking to avenge that loss. The Ducks as powerful, and talented as they are will find the goings extremely tough this year.

The Broncos are bringing to the table a very explosive, talented, and experienced team starring sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore.

The Oregon Ducks on the other hand have found a fellow they believe is a marvelous quarterback as well in number 8 Jeremiah Masoli. 

The bottom line is he better be marvelous — the Bronco defense has its secondary intact and the Bronco defensive line is going to be as strong as it has ever been. 

The Broncos are tough and they are pumped over the season opener. So what are the Ducks going to do? Well they are bringing in coach Chip Kelly. Mike Bellotti was promoted and no longer takes part in coaching duties.

Of course if you’re Chip you are not going to admit pre-game jitters, but lets be real folks the Ducks have a lot to be jittery over. 

The Ducks are going to start their season off playing a team on its home field that for all intent and purpose just does not lose at home (not during the regular season anyway).

Still, the Ducks are a Pac 10 team — they will be tough — they will score. Oregon players to watch  (no doubt the pros are) are No. 83 Ed Dickson, 6’5 senior Tight End who tips the scales at 243 pounds. 

Next is 6’2, 240 pound senior running back No. 9 LeGarrette Blount. Both of these guys are pro size and perform pro wise. 

Just speaking of these two would give the Ducks and their fans reason to believe but graduation hit them hard very hard, and if that was not enough new coach Kelly has had half a dozen players quit on the team and some were expected to start such as interior lineman Tonio Celotto, and wide receiver Aaron Pflugrad. 

Also the odds are with Max Unger graduated, the Oregon backup center and heavily used long snapper Zac Taylor would seemed to also have started for coach Kelly. The Bronco D will hold them most of the game from doing much damage.

Kellen Moore’s offense will put up enough points for the victory.  Broncos will take this one.

Miami of Ohio

On September 12, Miami of Ohio, who finished the 2008 season with a 2-10 record (good for last place in the MAC east), comes to Boise to play the Broncos.

Last season's star for the Redhawks, TE Jake O'Connell was picked up by Kansas City in the recent NFL draft, thus showing Miami must have been doing something right this past season and that their record was not indicative of the type of team they had as a whole. 

Regardless, the Broncos will be prepared for their arrival. The day any team takes any program for granted, they are headed for disaster. This game may wind up to be a break of sorts for the Broncos after playing the Ducks.

Albeit not so for the Redhawks as they will playing a very rugged Bronco defense and Miami will not have had time to recoup from their season opening battle with the SEC’s Kentucky Wildcats (UK). 

Still know beyond a shadow of a doubt that first year Miami coach Mike Haywood, former offensive coordinator from Notre Dame, will have his team ready to play their best.

The Red Hawks strengths rest in QB Daniel Raudabaugh and WR Chris Givens. These two are quality players and coach Pete knows the Broncos will need to be completely ready for anything.

This will be a fun game for the Bronco secondary.

Bowling Green

On September 26th the Broncos roll into Bowling Green, Ohio. Last season, the Boise State defeated the Falcons on the Bronco blue 20—7. The Broncos are a much better team this year and this game should not be as close—even on Bowling Green's home field.

However, former Falcon coach Gregg Brandon commented in regard to last season’s game that they did not come two thousand miles to lose. He was also adamant about the noise at Bronco stadium saying he did not here any noise and he did not care about the blue turf and all the distractions.

Well bully for Brandon. The bottom line is he lost and this time around there will not be even his own distractions to be accounted for as Gregg Brandon is no longer Falcon coach. They will be better without him. Regardless of better, this game belongs to Boise State.

UC Davis

On Saturday October 3rd UC Davis and Boise State hook up for a 6:00 PM PT game. UC Davis is Division 1-AA and is the same University that Broncos coach Pete played quarterback for. 

Will Bronco fans be as entertained over the game as coach Pete? Maybe not, but don't underestimate the 1-AA programs. It is these schools that often put on the best show.

Former NFL super star quarterback Neil Lomax who demolished foes while playing for the Portland State Vikings and Ramses Barden the fantastic wide receiver from Cal Poly, now a NY Giant, are perfect examples.

Tulsa

The last of the Bronco non-conference games is with the Golden Hurricanes of Tulsa on October 14. Tulsa is used to putting mammoth points on the board.  And they just brought in a junior college transfer to do just that.

The game may be wild but once again the powerful defense of Boise State will be more than enough for Tulsa. Still, Tulsa will score. The Golden Hurricanes' WRs Damaris Johnson and Trae Johnson put their own spin on the tag Johnson and Johnson. 

This will be a great game and should offer some great photos. The Broncos are fortunate to be able to play both Oregon and Tulsa in the same season.

Short of a crystal ball, it's hard to say—but Boise state is looking good to go 13-0.  Go Broncos!

Article first published by Lace Banachek on 7/11/2009 at http://broncobluereview.blogspot.com/

Before this final homestand started, I thought it would be acceptable to see the Tigers take 4 out of 6 games before the All Star break.  Here we are four games into the thing and the Tigers have won three out of four.  Good start.  The final two games are very winable games.  Here’s how they break down.

SATURDAY: 7:05pm against Cleveland

The pitching matchup here is Armando Galarraga against Carl Pavano.  This is actually a rematch and I saw round one in person at Comerica Park.  Galarraga was just beginning to suck and Pavano was just coming into his own a bit.  However, Galarraga has been pretty good the past month and Pavano has not.

Since June 10th, batters are hitting .370 off of Pavano, a span that covers five starts.  His ERA is 7.33 and he has lost four of those starts.  The league is catching onto Pavano and it would be nice to see the Tigers pile on.  Even if Pavano is good, the Cleveland bullpen is so awful that the Tigers probably will have a shot even if Pavano is sharp.

Since May 28, Galarraga has rebounded with an ERA of 4.10.  Not too shabby for a 4th or 5th starter.  Over his his last two starts, Galarraga has thrown 13.1 innings and has an ERA of 1.35 and hitters are batting only .156 off of him.

SUNDAY: 1:05pm against Cleveland

This one looks like a slam dunk on paper.  Justin Verlander will start against Tomo Ohka of the Indians.  Ohka is the definition of a journeyman having appeared in the bigs with five different clubs.  He gives up a ton of home runs (7 in 28 innings this season) and strikes out next to no one.

He has an 8.49 ERA in 3 appearances against the Tigers in his career.  Current Tigers players have 87 career at-bats against Ohka and a .379 batting average to show for it.  I just don’t like the guy’s chances against the Tigers.

Justin Verlander will be making his final start before the All Star break and you have to think that he’ll be in the game for as long as possible.  He’ll have a few days off and considering he’s pitching on Sunday, he will probably be unavailable to pitch in the All Star Game on Tuesday.  Verlander has been great this season, but he’s looked a little vulnerable recently.

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This week Bacott and Imig held down the fort while Sebek was away doing research for his Saved By the Bell novella.  The discussion in the opening segment turned into yet another riveting edition of “Thoughts from a Message Board” with topics ranging from Albert Pujols steroid accusations to bizarre responses to the Steve McNair incident

Joining us in the illustrious Wiffle Ball segment were first timer Jason McIntyre from The Big Lead and veteran Tim Ryan from The Sports Hernia

Questions included:

1. Favorite baseball All Star Game during your lifetime. Go.

2. If you could have any two sluggers, past or present, compete in their prime in a home run derby, who would they be?

3. The city of Detroit is considering auctioning off the Pontiac Silverdome this fall, as it has been costing the town $1.5 million to stand vacant since the inception of Ford Field. Assuming you bought it, what would you do with it?

4. You are an advertising talent in charge of creating and marketing a broadcaster-endorsed candy bar or food product (much like Reggie bars, Baby Ruths and Flutie Flakes) … what is the product you create and what is your slogan/tagline? 

5. With the recent smashing success of Ron Artest’s rap tribute to the late Michael Jackson, who is the one deceased athlete or entertainer that you would like to see Ron dedicate a song to next?  

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