Between now and the September 2nd season kick-off, Danny Hobrock will be previewing all the major college football teams with new teams being released daily.
2009 final record (overall, conference): 10-4, 6-2 Bowl Game: Holiday Bowl (W, 33-0 vs. Arizona) Final Ranking (AP, Coaches'): 14, 14 Conference finish: 1st Big 12 North Offensive rank: 99 Defensive rank: 7
2009 Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Roy Helu, Jr., 1,147 yards, 10 TD Passing: Zac Lee, 2,143 yards, 14 TD, 10 Int Receiving: Niles Paul, 796 yards, 4 TD Tackles: Ndamukong Suh, 85 total tackles; Phillip Dillard, 83 total tackles; Larry Asante, 79 total tackles Sacks: Ndamukong Suh, 12 sacks (10 solo, 4 assisted); Jared Crick, 9.5 sacks (8 solo, 3 assisted); Barry Turner, 5.5 sacks (3 solo, 5 assisted) Interceptions: Matt O'Hanlon, 6 interceptions (1 TD); Prince Amukamara, 5 interceptions; Dejon Gomes, 4 interceptions
2010 Season Outlook
Schedule
(* denotes conference game)
Key Matchups
September 18 @ Washington: Not necessarily a key game in terms of how they'll finish in the conference, but it should be interesting to see how Nebraska handles Washington quarterback Jake Locker, and vice versa.
October 16 vs. Texas: The Cornhuskers have a little unfinished business left over from last year's Big 12 Championship Game. This could be the first of two matchups between the two schools this season.
October 30 vs. Missouri: The Tigers could be Nebraska's biggest challenger for the North division this season. A win here could put the Cornhuskers a midseason step closer to the division title and another shot at the conference championship.
November 20 @ Texas A&M: Jerrod Johnson could cause some trouble for the Nebraska defense as the season winds down.
Preseason Rankings
AP: 8th
Coaches': 9th
Key Losses
Jacob Hickman, C; Ndamukong Suh, DT; Barry Turner, DE; Phillip Dillard, LB; Larry Asante, S; Matt O'Hanlon, S
Key Returning Players
Roy Helu, Jr. RB; Rex Burkhead, RB; Niles Paul, WR; Keith Williams, G; Jared Crick, DT; Pierre Allen, DE; Prince Amukamara, CB
Although Brett Favre has yet to 'officially' inform the Minnesota Vikings whether he will return for the 2010 season, the quarterback's actions indicate he intends to play a 20th pro season.
Favre, 40, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle Friday in Florida to clean up scar tissue and other elements of the joint to allow for a better range of motion. Noted surgeon James Andrews performed the procedure at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Favre acknowledged on his website Friday night that he underwent surgery writing.
"This is to confirm that I did have a procedure to remove some scar tissue and bone spurs from my ankle which had been bothering me for a period of time."
The word is that Favre will need from four to six weeks of rehabilitation before he starts a running program that would put him on schedule to report to training camp 'either at the beginning of camp or shortly thereafter.'
Everyone knows how Favre is known to be averse to any type of surgical procedure, so having the certainly indicates his intentions to come back.
Below are pictures of Favre's ankle and hamstring taken only hours after the NFC championship game where he sustained the injuries. The pictures were provided by Favre's agent Bus Cook.
Favre, who spent 18 years with Green Bay Packers and played for the New York Jets in 2008, led the Vikings to a 12-4 finish and the NFC Championship Game in New Orleans, throwing for 4,202 yards with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions having arguably the best statistical season of his career.
On March 11, we commented on a story involving a letter sent from Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Max Baucus (D-MT) that was addressed to Bill Hancock, Executive Director, Bowl Championship Series. To put it simply, the letter was intended to question the legality of the BCS, and was a major 'call out' to what many believe is a crippled system.
(To read the senators' letter in its entirety, click HERE. Then scroll down and open the PDF.)
Hancock stated at the time that he was eager to look over the letter and address the senators concerns. It turns out he's a man of his word.
Hancock sent a letter in response to the senators' letter, and was not bashful about revealing his feelings regarding politicians butting their noses in the business of the BCS and college football.
"While I appreciate your interest, I believe that decisions about college football should be made by university presidents, athletics directors, coaches and conference commissioners rather than by members of Congress."
The letter goes on, "Please note that much of the information that you have requested is available at www.BCSfootball.org and was provided to members of Congress during hearings last spring and summer."
He ends the opening page with, "[the BCS] has been successful in balancing the interests of student-athletes and is consistent with the educational mission of colleges and universities. In addition, it has created the most exciting regular season of any sport in America (college or professional), and preserves the nature of the bowl games, which give greater access to post-season play for more schools and more student-athletes than ever before. It is for these reasons that the vast majority of university presidents, college football coaches, athletics directors and faculty members support the BCS."
The rest of the letter is divided into five parts: "1. Revenue Distribution Under the Agreement for the 2011-14 BCS Games", "2. Automatic Qualification Process and Formula", "3. BCS Structure", "4. Organization and Administration of the BCS" and "5. Computer Rankings".
In regards to one of the more striking questions delivered in the senators' letter, the distribution of revenue from BCS games among teams from non-automatic qualifying conferences, Hancock offers this explanation: "The Sun Belt Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference and Western Athletic Conference (the "non-AQ conferences") have elected to pool their revenue and distribute it under a formula that they have developed. That is solely their decision. The non-AQ conferences have the details of this arrangement."
There is further explanation of the subject in the letter, and Hancock even offers an example referencing the University of Utah of the Mountain West Conference (and from Senator Hatch's home state). If you're curious, you can read Hancock's response in full by clicking HERE.
The ongoing saga between the disgruntled giant Albert Haynesworth and the Washington Redskins has continued, but it's not even close to being resolved.
NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported that Haynesworth feels deceived because the defensive system is drastically different than the system he hoped to play in before he signed. Apparently, Haynesworth wouldn't have signed with the Redskins, despite the $100 million contract, if he had known the defensive system would be a 3-4. To which I say, BULL$%@&!
There is no way he would have turned down $100 million. You know why? Because it's one hundred million dollars... And now he feels deceived? Deceived? Are you kidding me? So, the Redskins pay him $32 million of his guaranteed $41, and he feels deceived?
Okay I'm confused.
It's the other way around. The Redskins organization has been deceived. His teammates have been deceived. The fans have been deceived.
Haynesworth literally took the money and ran away. The 100 Million Dollar Man has been complaining about the new 3-4 scheme implemented by the new Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett.
Haynesworth is unhappy that he won't be able to go after the quarterback anymore. So instead of being the bigger man and just dealing with it, he decided to skip voluntary minicamps and OTAs. He decided to ditch his teammates, go work out with his personal trainers and pray that he gets traded.
Last Tuesday the Miami Dolphins re-signed nose tackle Jason Ferguson. The signing didn't receive much press, but it caught my eye as I thought it was odd because he faces a suspension for the first eight games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The Dolphins announcement of the signing came in a news release that made no reference to Ferguson's suspension.
Today it was revealed that his eight-game ban was for taking medicine to treat high blood pressure.
I'm all for leveling the playing field and not giving anyone an advantage using PED's, but this is a little silly. Are we now saying that a player who is attempting to stabilize his blood pressure by taking a prescribed medicine from his doctor is cheating? The NFL would prefer the player to have a heart attack or stroke rather than be a healthy individual?
Ferguson was sidelined by a season-ending quadriceps injury in November that required surgery and was reportedly contemplating retirement so it's not clear whether he would have been ready to go at the beginning of the season anyway, but that's not the point.
I understand that you have to draw the line somewhere and you can't allow players to take PED's, but somewhere along the way, someone has to be able to apply some logic and reason to the situation.
Is it possible that I'm the only one who is looking at this that way because of my medical background?
Assuming he's healthy enough to play (blood pressure and quadriceps), at 35, Ferguson improves the Dolphins' roster depth, but they remain in the market for a starter at the position. - Gregory Shapiro
Greg is an orthopedic surgeon that has a number of professional athletes including MLB & NFL players as patients. He's an avid MLB & NFL fan and fantasy participant with some unique insight into the world of professional athletes.
On April 25th our own Danny Hobrock profiled one of the 2010 NFL Draft Day 3 Stories: Myron Rolle. There's been quite a bit of speculation since the draft about why this brilliant young man, who is as physically gifted as he his smart, lasted until the 207th pick.
I get so irritated when I hear how Myon Rolle abandoned his team (Florida State) and decided to spend his senior year taking advantage of something he has worked his entire life for, the Rhodes Scholarship and attending Oxford University in England. The way the majority of us look at college athletics is just wrong. These kids are just that, kids. They are supposed to be student athletes, not athletes who also attend class. The point of going to an academic institution is not supposed to be that it's a minor league for professional sports. To the credit of some and apparently against popular thinking, some of the great athletes attending college are appreciating their full paid scholarship and getting a great education that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
If you were offered a Rhodes Scholarship and had the opportunity to study at the world famous Oxford University, you wouldn't go to Oxford? Would you decline so that you could play one more year of college football? Really???
For those of you that said yes, this is what separates you from the elite, and this is what separates you from Myron Rolle. Rolle is only the second student athlete to ever attend FSU and to be offered a Rhodes scholarship.
There are 32 Rhodes scholarships offered to American students each year. If one does not accept or get admitted, there is no alternate, thus very few people turn down the opportunity to attend Oxford University. There are four standards by which these scholars are selected:
literary and scholastic attainments;
Energy to use one's talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.
moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take interest in one's fellow beings.
Think about these four standards by which the scholars are judged in order to receive the opportunity to attend Oxford University on the Rhodes Scholarship. WOW..... Basically, you have to be someone that, the trust of the scholarship feel, will be a special person having a positive societal impact on not only your country, but the entire free world.
Let's take a look at some students that had the same opportunity as Rolle.
Twenty six British Prime Ministers
At least thirty other International leaders
American President Bill Clinton
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism
Many renowned authors such as; Samuel Johnson, Robert Graves, Evelyn Waugh, T. S. Elliot, Henry James Pye and many more
Let's take a look at the Big East QB's and where they rank before the 2010 season starts. Here is a brief description of each starting QB and why I feel they rank where they do.
1. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati: Zach has the opportunity of a lifetime here. He was the back up to Tony Pike last year and didn't get to play much, but when he did he was phenomenal, putting up a QB rating of 195.53. He will be playing in the same spread offense that helped Pike put up the numbers he did last year. (Not taking anything away from Pike, as I picked him to be one of the best QBs in the draft this year despite his late draft pick.) The weapons Zach has in the passing game are the best in the Big East this season. This is why he is the No. 1 QB in the Big East at the start of the season. Look for Collaros to throw close to 30 touchdowns and win the Big East QB of the year; and keep in mind that he is only a sophomore this year. The only thing going against him is his size, but with his skill and a determination to win, I would take the 6'1 Collaros over any QB in the Big East any day of the week.
2. Tom Savage, Rutgers: Savage is coming off a QB rating of 128.75 as a freshman and has more collegiate starts than any other QB in the league. This is going to be the surprise of the conference if you ask me. He started last year as a freshman and got the experience he needed to step in this year and put up some outstanding numbers. He threw for 14 touchdowns last year and look for him to put up 20 plus touchdowns in 2010 and vie for recognition as the Big East's top quarterback.
3. Adam Froman, Louisville: This one depends on how well new coach Charlie Strong coaches up his offensive line. Froman can complete a high percentage of passes when he has the time, but being sacked 20 times in only 7 games last year makes me think that Froman will be on his back too much again this year. However, with the defensive minded new head coach the offense may see better field position this year, giving Froman a better chance to be successful.
4. Tino Sunseri, Pitt: A sophomore this year after backing up senior Bill Stull last year. He was one of Rivals.com's top 25 QB's in the nation coming out of high school and we will get the opportunity to see what he is really made of this year. If he plays well the Pitt Panthers have a chance to steal the Big East Title. However, he only threw 17 passes last year and played in 4 games. There was really no reason to throw the ball in the 4 games he played in because Pitt was winning all 4 games by a considerable margin and really just needed to run out the clock.
5. BJ Daniels, South Florida: Injured his non-throwing shoulder on Nov. 21st against Louisville and had the partially torn rotor cuff repaired in late January. He will miss most if not all of spring practice and will be a late bloomer in the 2010 season. Also, operating in a brand new offense will not help Daniels' numbers early in the year. Most people are picking Daniels to be the top QB in the Big East this year. I don't believe he will be. He might be one of the leading rushers in the league again this year, but he doesn't have the talent around him to be the Big East's top QB.
6. Zach Frazier, Connecticut: Zach is a senior this year and really needs to have a big year to have any chance of being drafted by an NFL team in 2011. In the final 5 games last year he threw for 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has a lot of help with the running game but I don't think that is enough to help Frazier rank any higher than 5th best at preseason.
After almost two weeks of rumors regarding where he would land in 2010, former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell has reportedly returned home to Mobile, Ala.
The most recent rumors regarding Russell's new home was the Cincinnati Bengals fueled by Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco making comments on his Twitter page on May 11. Apparently that was Chad just being Chad as on Friday, an article written by Geoff Hobson on Bengals.com called Russell a long shot as a future Bengal and suggested the team perceived him as a project.
I understand the Russell was the number one draft pick in the 2007 draft, but that doesn't mean he should have been a top pick, that just means that Al Davis had lost his mind - but we already knew that.
After watching this big piece of meat get under center in the NFL and fade back to pass with absolutely no apparent awareness of his surroundings, exactly why would any NFL team add him to their roster?
Lot's of guys can throw a ball hard and far, but that doesn't mean they can be NFL QB's. He's big, that's for sure, and if he were trying to block or tackle someone perhaps that would help, but there isn't anything his size has given him that he's been able to use at the QB position.
If someone would kindly tell me using both logic and reason exactly why an NFL team would take a chance on this big fella, I'd like to hear it, because I don't see it. - Gregory Shapiro
Greg is an orthopedic surgeon that has a number of professional athletes including MLB & NFL players as patients. He's an avid MLB & NFL fan and fantasy participant with some unique insight into the world of professional athletes.
It is baseball season, but there are plenty of ways to get your fill of football too. Our own Hank Koebler, IV is on the beat making his way across the NFL landscape exhaustively covering team after team. These previews will get you up to snuff with everything you need to know about the transition to each 2010 team.
Each preview covers the team's outlook and projection for the 2010 season. We've got in depth coverage of each team's offense, defense and special teams. We'll cover who's in and who's out, rookies, players in their prime and savvy veterans. Finally, we'll look at strategy and style of play on both sides of the ball, as well detailed information about coaches and players.
Check back often between now and the September 9th season kick-off as new team previews are going up almost every day. Clicking on the NFL Football in the right sidebar will take you right to the latest previews each time you come back.
For the past few months our College Football editor, Danny Hobrock, has been making his way across Division 1 College Football campuses around the nation in an effort to bring you up close and personal to the best NCAA football programs in America.
Alas, after living out of a suitcase and visiting 83 schools in less than 4 months, Danny has finally returned home just in time for the season's first 2010 College Football Kickoff this Thursday evening.
Click on the text or any team logo to find each team's in-depth preview page and read Danny's thoughts on each team's prospects and keys for success this year.
For those of you looking forward to Danny's work, we are proud to announce that the critically acclaimed, "College Football Saturday in 500 Words or Less" column will once again appear here first, on Xtra Point Football, each Sunday throughout the season prior to syndication throughout the nation. Here's the Preseason Edition.
Between now and the September 2nd season kick-off, Danny Hobrock will be previewing all the major college football teams with new teams being released daily. 
Although Brett Favre has yet to 'officially' inform the Minnesota Vikings whether he will return for the 2010 season, the quarterback's actions indicate he intends to play a 20th pro season.
On March 11, 
The ongoing saga between the disgruntled giant Albert Haynesworth and the Washington Redskins has continued, but it's not even close to being resolved.
Last Tuesday the Miami Dolphins re-signed nose tackle Jason Ferguson. The signing didn't receive much press, but it caught my eye as I thought it was odd because he faces a suspension for the first eight games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
1. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati: Zach has the opportunity of a lifetime here. He was the back up to Tony Pike last year and didn't get to play much, but when he did he was phenomenal, putting up a QB rating of 195.53. He will be playing in the same spread offense that helped Pike put up the numbers he did last year. (Not taking anything away from Pike, as I picked him to be one of the best QBs in the draft this year despite his late draft pick.) The weapons Zach has in the passing game are the best in the Big East this season. This is why he is the No. 1 QB in the Big East at the start of the season. Look for Collaros to throw close to 30 touchdowns and win the Big East QB of the year; and keep in mind that he is only a sophomore this year. The only thing going against him is his size, but with his skill and a determination to win, I would take the 6'1 Collaros over any QB in the Big East any day of the week.
2. Tom Savage, Rutgers: Savage is coming off a QB rating of 128.75 as a freshman and has more collegiate starts than any other QB in the league. This is going to be the surprise of the conference if you ask me. He started last year as a freshman and got the experience he needed to step in this year and put up some outstanding numbers. He threw for 14 touchdowns last year and look for him to put up 20 plus touchdowns in 2010 and vie for recognition as the Big East's top quarterback. 
3. Adam Froman, Louisville: This one depends on how well new coach Charlie Strong coaches up his offensive line. Froman can complete a high percentage of passes when he has the time, but being sacked 20 times in only 7 games last year makes me think that Froman will be on his back too much again this year. However, with the defensive minded new head coach the offense may see better field position this year, giving Froman a better chance to be successful.
4. Tino Sunseri, Pitt: A sophomore this year after backing up senior Bill Stull last year. He was one of Rivals.com's top 25 QB's in the nation coming out of high school and we will get the opportunity to see what he is really made of this year. If he plays well the Pitt Panthers have a chance to steal the Big East Title. However, he only threw 17 passes last year and played in 4 games. There was really no reason to throw the ball in the 4 games he played in because Pitt was winning all 4 games by a considerable margin and really just needed to run out the clock.
5. BJ Daniels, South Florida: Injured his non-throwing shoulder on Nov. 21st against Louisville and had the partially torn rotor cuff repaired in late January. He will miss most if not all of spring practice and will be a late bloomer in the 2010 season. Also, operating in a brand new offense will not help Daniels' numbers early in the year. Most people are picking Daniels to be the top QB in the Big East this year. I don't believe he will be. He might be one of the leading rushers in the league again this year, but he doesn't have the talent around him to be the Big East's top QB.
6. Zach Frazier, Connecticut: Zach is a senior this year and really needs to have a big year to have any chance of being drafted by an NFL team in 2011. In the final 5 games last year he threw for 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has a lot of help with the running game but I don't think that is enough to help Frazier rank any higher than 5th best at preseason.
After almost two weeks of rumors regarding where he would land in 2010, former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell has reportedly returned home to Mobile, Ala.
