After twelve straight seasons with at least nine wins, since his arrival at Texas in 1998, the last two seasons have fallen short of expectations in Austin for Mack Brown. 

The major culprit which has caused the sudden skid has been the production (or lack thereof) from the offense.  The same spread attack that vaulted former QBs Vince Young and Colt McCoy into college stars and NFL draft picks has shown exactly how one-dimensional their new quarterbacks have been.

David Ash and Case McCoy (younger brother of Colt) have experienced highs and lows as the signal callers for Texas, and their inconsistency has placed a heavy burden on the athletic Longhorn defense, leading to a very unspectacular 13-12 record in the last two seasons.

The great part of the spread offense is that it can be high-tempo and virtually unstoppable if you have the athletes and a quarterback who is a significant threat to both run and throw for big yardage.  The weakness of this offensive scheme is that if you have a quarterback who can’t win games with his legs, you’re in big trouble–just ask Florida fans post-Tebow and Auburn post-Cam Newton.

The good news for Texas fans is the Longhorns now appear to be running a more conventional offense, similar to the one that co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite ran when he ran the offense from under center.

Last week’s spring game showed a more traditional running game with the quarterback under center and out of the pistol sets, allowing Texas’ stable of talented running backs to head downhill immediately, instead of waiting for the ball in the slower-developing spread attack.  This throw back running game is what put Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson at the pinnacle of college football.

It’s also what allowed the Texas quarterbacks to run a balanced attack, despite their ability to rush the football.  Expect to see David Ash, who appears to have the inside track at the starter at QB this fall, to flourish in this offense.  A better offense will mean you can expect the ‘Horns to compete for another Big 12 title and get back where Mack Brown is used to being–winning 10 or more games in one season, rather than two.

Photo courtesy of Hoopthoughts.blogspot.com

Check out what our analysts had to say about this year’s big dance….we’re not sure what is on the line here (probably an only partially used CSF coozie).  Anyway, here are the predictions from a few of our writers.

Jeff Dunbar/CSF Senior Editor

Final Four:  Kentucky, Syracuse, Michigan State, UNC

I have Kentucky beating UNC in the championship, and here’s my breakdown of why:

I have Syracuse rallying to the Final Four, despite the suspension of Fab Melo.  They’re still very deep, and I think they come together as a team and get to New Orleans.

I think Tom Izzo gets yet another trip to the Final Four behind his coaching and the versitle play of Draymond Green.

UNC recovers nicely from their heart-breaking loss to Florida State in the ACC Championship game.  Keep in mind that the Tarheels were only one shot away in that one, and that was without John Henson.  Expect him to be back by round 2, and that will make an impact for Roy Williams’ crew.

I have Kentucky winning it all.  They have the best player in the nation, in Anthony Davis, and I believe this is the year John Calipari gets it done.  The ‘Cats simply have too much althleticsm, and despite losing the SEC Championship game, they are still the best team in the country.

Alex Munter/CSF Contributor and Bracketology Guru

Final Four:  Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan State, UNC

I picked these final four because, come on- Kentucky, self explanatory. Ohio State because they have all star talent that is sure to step up (on and off the court). Michigan State has been having an awesome season with a team that remains calm and composed throughout the game and has a strong defense. Finally, UNC because despite injuries, the team still has 3 players certain to land high future NBA draft picks and a couple young shooters that are bound to give a show.

I picked Kentucky to take it all against UNC because they are unstoppable! They have only lost 2 games this entire season and the winning streak won’t stop now. Calipari has a team full of talent and he knows how to coach. Not to mention, the Wildcats have enthusiasm and speed on their side, both offensively and defensively, thus making it difficult for opponents to stop them on the way to the basket. I am predicting a tight game with an end score of 85-78.

Allie Balog/CSF Writer & Contributor

Final Four: Kentucky, Syracuse, Michigan St., UNC
I have these four teams going to the Final Four because they are the teams that I feel have proved this season that they can really go all the way. Kentucky for one has only lost two games in this entire regular season, they are probably the countries pick to win the National Championship, but that’s only because they have proved that they are the best team in the country thus far. As for Syracuse, Michigan State, and UNC while they have all had loses, they have also proved that they are still a team that you want to beat and they don’t like to be beaten.
As for the National Championship, I have Kentucky. Like I said they have proved that they are the best team in the country during the regular season, and I have no doubt in my mind that they will work their butt’s off during March Madness to prove that they truly are the best and win the entire championship. I think that they will end up beating Syracuse for the championship and not by a lot. I think that the final score will be less than a 10 point difference, which would make for a really great National Championship game and truly show who’s the best of the best.

In SI.com’s recent 2012 Mock Draft by Don Banks, college football fans see a lot of usual suspects.  Even if you’re not college football fan, you’ll notice that eight players he projects played in the BCS Title game that featured a rematch of LSU and Alabama.

You also see the top three Heisman candidates projected in the top 5.  In this edition of CSF, we take a look at Banks’ top 5 projected picks and we go Magic 8-ball on you to determine whether or not these players will make an immediate impact in the NFL.

1.  Indianapolis Colts:  Andrew Luck/QB Stanford: Unless the Colts feel they can win with two quarterbacks hijacking over $50 million in salary cap, at some point before March 8th, Peyton Manning will sign with a different team for the 2012 season.  This opens the door for Luck to see action immediately this fall.

Will he prove his worth in years 1 and 2?

Jeff’s Magic 8 Ball Answer:  Ask again later. I know, I know…not much of an answer, but sometimes, the Magic 8-Ball is vague, and in the case of the Colts, so is their immediate future.  The Colts showed last season that they are in shambles.  They hope to catch lightning in a bottle twice, with their second correct choice of a 1st round QB.  While Luck is a great player, it will take at least two drafts or a shift in philosophy (owner Jim Irsay has never been one to go after star free agents), and Luck will likely run into the same issues that St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford is facing–with no weapons around him, it doesn’t matter how talented your quarterback is.

2.  Cleveland Browns:  Robert Griffin III/QB Baylor: In Banks’ mock draft, he sees the the Browns trading up with the Rams, and more importantly, he sees them selecting a bigger, faster, more athletic version of their current QB Colt McCoy.  McCoy has done a serviceable job in his first two years for a really bad team, but unless he takes a huge step forward in year three, expect RG3 to be the starter this fall.

Will he prove his worth in years 1 and 2?

Jeff’s Magic 8-Ball Answer:  Outlook not so good. RG3′s speed and athleticism are unparalleled, but he doesn’t have the size of Cam Newton.  He’s bigger than Michael Vick and is more of a pass-first QB, but let’s be honest–Griffin’s running ability is a big part of his game.  His speed and elusiveness will what puts him on Sportscenter’s top plays, but it could be what puts him out of football.  As with the Colts, the Browns (or any other team that drafts RG3) have more needs than just the quarterback position, and the lack of weapons will lead to a lot of hits on a star QB.

3.  Minnesota Vikings:  Matt Kalil/OT USC: Banks sites the need to bolster the O-line over another speedy wideout.  As with most any offensive tackles taken high in the draft, expect Kalil to find the field immediately, and should the Vikings choose the talented tackle, he certainly has the ability to anchor an offensive line for a long time.

Will he prove his worth in years 1 and 2?

Jeff’s Magic 8-Ball Answer:  Without a doubt. Kalil is a force on the run and pass, and he will prove his worth right away.  In fact, Kalil’s departure from USC was one of the main reasons many experts thought that quarterback Matt Barkley would also leave this year for the NFL.  If Kalil is available, the Vikings don’t want to pass on dominant tackle that should make a few Pro-Bowl appearances by his third year in the league.

4.  St. Louis Rams:  Justin Blackmon/WR Oklahoma State: Assuming Banks is correct and the Rams trade their second pick to Cleveland, Blackmon would be an ideal pick.  Sam Bradford has been without an impact wide receiver since he got in the league two years ago.  Help could be on the way this fall for the tackling dummy, I mean quarterback for the Rams.  Bradford will still be running for his life behind a pourus offensive line, but at least he’ll have a stud to throw the ball to this season.

Will he prove his worth in years 1 and 2?

Jeff’s Magic 8-Ball Answer:  It is decidely so. Blackmon would have been a first rounder in last year’s draft, but he was only a sophomore.  And unlike fellow Okie State first round selection Dez Bryant, Blackmon isn’t a knucklehead and should be able to learn a playbook.  Any doubts as to whether Blackmon was a legit top 5 pick were put to rest in the Fiesta Bowl last month, when Blackmon absolutely went off, hauling in eight catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.  Expect much of the same in the NFL.

5.  Tampa Bay Bucs:  Trent Richardson/RB Alabama: Banks believes the Bucs could benefit from another bruising back to complement LaGarrette Blount, and Richardson is easily the best running back in this draft.  At 224 lbs., he has the size to run between the tackles, but he also has the balance and speed to go along with it, qualities that allowed him to average over six yards a carry in the SEC, despite being the focal point of every defense he faced.

Will he prove his worth in years 1 and 2?

Jeff’s Magic 8-Ball Answer:  As I see it, yes. The fact that the Bucs already have a big, physical back in Blount means that the addition of Richardson will cut down on carries for each of the running backs, and they will see the same benefit that Alabama saw in Richardson’s first season with the Crimson Tide, when he split carries with Mark Ingram.  If a different team selects Richardson and he is forced to carry the ball 250-300 times, well…I’ll have to re-check the 8-Ball for an updated answer.

Click here to see Don Banks’ 2012 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 for his full first round projections and analysis, and check back later this week for my Magic 8-Ball impact predictions later this week.

Earlier this week, it was announced that quarterback Danny O’Brien was leaving the program.  O’Brien was the 24th player to leave the program since new head coach Randy Edsall took over just one year ago.  (photo courtesy of bcsfootball.net)

Many fans criticized the firing of former Terps’ coach Ralph Friedgen, who was fired after taking home ACC Coach of the Year honors after a solid 9-4 season a year ago.

Edsall has a much more disciplined approach than Friedgen, and that dictatorship approach appears to have not resonated well among the players–since the conclusion of the Terps’ dreadful 2-10 season in Edsall’s debut, O’Brien marked the 12th player to leave the program, since the season ended.

If the mass exodus continues, the Terps will have to hope they’ll have enough players to scrimmage by the end of spring camp.

Meanwhile, Maryland fans have to be scratching their heads and questioning the adminstration even more for the coaching change that has most likely set the program back at least 2-3 years–and that’s assuming that Edsall will turn things around.

Terps fans have Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson to thank for the plumet into college football obscurity.  It was Anderson who announced in November of 2010, that Friedgen would be on the Terps sidelines in 2011 to finish his contract.

The following month, however, Anderson announced that Friedgen was out.  Edsall took over, and it hasn’t been pretty.  Just ask the two dozen players who have jumped ship before things get even worse in College Park.

Just months after being fired from his head coaching position, legendary college football icon Joe Paterno passed away over the weekend.  Friends, family and fans across the country mourn his departure, and much discussion–and even anger–has sparked as people debate on what his legacy is and will be.  (photo courtesy of 995themountain.com)

There are many supporters, who include former Penn State players, like Todd Blackledge and Matt Millen, who have been very vocal about criticizing media and fans for jumping on Paterno and holding him more accountable than all others involved with the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The fact is that many people dropped the ball, and I agree that Paterno has been held more accountable in the media than Mike McQueary (who initially reported Sandusky’s improper behavior with a young boy in the Penn State shower room), and it has been Paterno’s name  that has been on the forefront and not former athletic director Tim Curley or former PSU vice president Gary Schultz (who are both currently facing perjury charges due to the alleged cover up).

Those on the other side bring up the fact that Paterno, himself, admitted to–he could have and should have done more to help the alleged victims.  Even though Paterno was never indicted, his silence and contentment with simply handing over the responsibilities of Sandusky’s heinous acts allowed a known sex offender to run free and ultimately, to torment others for nearly ten more years with free reign.

No matter which side you are on, the fact is that Paterno will be remembered for both the very, very good, but also for the very, very bad.  Just like Pete Rose is known for being Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader, he is also known for being the guy who bet on baseball and has been forever shunned by the Hall of Fame.

You cannot dispute the positive impact that Paterno made on his university, the thousands of players he coached or college football itself.  Unfortunately for Paterno and his supporters, he will also be forever linked to Sandusky and how he turned a blind eye and allowed a monster to molest even more children.

Running a great practice, being a great recruiter or keeping up graduation rates will never erase the last few months of his tenure at Penn State. 

On Sunday, Penn State’s basketball team took on Indiana and they observed a moment of silence.  Ironically, it was Paterno’s nine-year moment of silence that cost him his legacy.

Last month, SI.com reported that former St. Joe’s basketball player, Todd O’Brien had missed the first half of his final season of eligibility because his former coach, Phil Martelli and the administration at St. Joseph refused to grant the senior center a release, once he transferred to UAB this past summer.

Of course, the adminstration of St. Joe’s and Coach Martelli have hidden behind the scenes throughout the breaking of this story, declining to comment to any media outlets as to why they see it necessary to prevent O’Brien from finishing his college career.

O’Brien tried to utilize the same NCAA rule that allowed former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson to transfer from NC State to Wisconsin.  Without getting into too much legal jargon, it states that an athlete who has already graduated will not have to give up a year of eligibility if he/she goes to a different institution, provided that a masters program or course of study is offered at the new institution and is not offered at the original school.

That is…assuming that athlete can get a release.  When it became obvious that Martelli was not willing to allow O’Brien to play for UAB, the senior center made an appeal to the NCAA in the fall.

In typical fashion, the NCAA denied the request, citing St. Joe’s stance on the issue.  O’Brien made an appeal, citing his grades, course of study and his internship that he completed, proving to the NCAA that he is, indeed, studying an area not offered at St. Joseph’s.  That appeal was promtly denied.

The NCAA boasts that it is the governing body that is in place to protect the integrity of college student athletes.  Guess what, NCAA…you failed.  Again.

How is it right that a kid, who averaged a meager 1.0 point per game last year at St. Joe’s, can’t play out his college eligibility because of a hard-headed, vindictive former coach?  The NCAA had a perfect opportunity to protect a student athlete.  But instead, they turned their back on him.

Unfortunately, O’Brien’s case is just the latest in a trend that the NCAA has set.  Take a look at some other ridiculous decisions, in which the NCAA dropped the ball (no pun intended) and failed the student athlete.

2011:  Terrelle Pryor, Devier Posey, Dan Herron and others/Ohio State: The and selling of equipment by Ohio State football players to the owner of a tattoo parlor is well-documented and ultimately cost Jim Tressel his job.  Much criticism was given to Tressel and his players, most notably, star quarterback Pryor for the scandal.

The NCAA did their investigation and announced suspensions of four different players, including Pryor, but despite announcing the suspensions before last year’s Sugar Bowl, the NCAA determined that those suspensions would not begin until the following season.

It should be noted that the NCAA collects the majority of their revenue from college football.  The BCS bowls earn a significant chunk of that revenue.  And a Sugar Bowl without Pryor, Posey and star running back, Herron would mean a sharp decline in ratings and advertising dollars.  The NCAA rules with an iron fist….unless it could hurt their revenue.

2010:  AJ Green, WR/Georgia: The NCAA suspended Green four games after he admitted to selling a bowl jersey to a former North Carolina defensive back for $1000.  In the meantime, the NCAA raked in the money generated from the EA Sports NCAA Football game which featured Green’s digital character, wearing that same #8.

2009:  Dez Bryant, WR/Oklahoma State: After failing to fully disclose that he had a meal with former NFL defensive back Deion Sanders, the NCAA suspended the star wideout for the remainder of the season on October 7, 2009.  Bryant had been a Heisman front-runner and later told media outlets that he was scared when the NCAA questioned him about the interaction with Sanders, and out of fear of loss of eligibility, he did, in fact, mislead them.  Critics, however, question a suspension that cost the phenom his entire junior season.

2004:  Mike Williams/WR, USC: After a federal judge ruled in favor of former Ohio State running back, Maurice Clarrett that the NFL could not bar a player from entering the NFL Draft, instead of requiring that an athlete is at least three years removed from high school, Williams(then a sophomore) declared for the draft and hired an agent.

The Court of Appeals overturned that ruling, prompting Williams to seek reinstatement, so he didn’t have to sit out the entire 2004 season.  Williams applied for reinstatement with the NCAA, caught up on his classes to get in good academic standing and followed the plan laid out for him by the USC coaching staff and administration.  –photo courtesy of cbssports.com

Not only did the NCAA deny Williams his eligibility, but they waited to give the news of the rejection until USC was preparing for their flight out to their first game of the 2004 season.