After this last weekend’s events I have had some time to really ponder what it means to be a college coach. As we all know, the college football world was thrust into a tail spin with Florida head football coach Urban Meyer deciding to call it quits. Then, fewer than 24 hours later, in an official press conference he back pedaled and decided to merely take a leave of absence. In both potential scenarios, this decision has created much emotional turmoil and posed many unanswered questions amongst those dedicated to Florida. Now I am not going to speculate on the rationale of coach Meyer’s decision to take the leave of absence. Rather, what I do want to focus on is the cost of being a head coach.

I will be the first to admit that I am no expert at the art of coaching nor will I ever lead a team through the tunnel into a stadium full of 90,000 fans. I do know the stress that comes from being a husband, a father, a professional, and a human being, amongst the many other hats that I wear. At the same time, I understand that in any profession it takes a particular individual with a specific skill set to successfully do whatever line of work is chosen. All focused and dedicated people have talents and traits that make them and good at what they do. And it is hard for me to imagine that a college football head coach has more stress than an emergency room doctor, city fire fighter or even a school administrator. I do agree that today’s coaches are subject to that proverbial microscope and that they are held to a particularly high standard.  They hold very public positions and they answer to a lot of people.  But don’t many other professionals deal with a lot of the same pressure? I guess I don’t see the abundant stress coming from being the leader of a large organized game with highly skilled players compared to the job of someone like Ben Bernanke right now.   I know, I know, apples to oranges, right?  I guess that it is just a little difficult to look at a coach like Pete Carol and wonder if the job of head coach is that stressful.

So what I have discovered is that like any profession there are those who are good but can’t handle the stress of certain parts of the job. It is hard to say whether Meyer is coping with the emotion of the game, or the pressure to perform from the school or fans. Maybe he is struggling to leave work at work and not bring it home to his family. Or maybe personal issues are finding their way to work.  But there I go speculating when I said that I wouldn’t.

The bottom line is that I think that he just isn’t built to be a college football coach. I realize that some may say that that  is a bold statement. But keep in mind that I did not say that Meyer is not a good coach or even that he is not going to be successful as a coach. I just think that he may not be built to be a coach. I would assume that in order to handle the job well, a person must have thick skin, a determined personality, and the ability to keep a level head when facing the variety of challenges in life. Meyer may just not be able to do that right now.

I just hope that from this experience other college coaches can reevaluate their own lives in order to keep them balanced so that they can stay on the field. It must take a special person to do what some of those old coaches have done to last as long as they have over the years. Meyer better figure out what he needs to do or he might find himself sitting on the sidelines, wondering what went wrong.

As the new year begins, an era in college football will conclude.  On January 1st, the Florida State Seminoles will take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Gator Bowl in Bobby Bowden’s final football game at FSU.  In this match up, West Virginia will look to gain even more respect for the Big East, but the ‘Noles will be playing for something bigger than themselves, as they will look to send their legendary coach off with a victory in his final game.

College FootBlog will break down this New Year’s Day match up, analyze the strengths and key concerns of each team, and ultimately, make a prediction of this game.

Noel Devine is one of the most exciting RB's in all of college football (google images)

Strengths:  The Mounaineers have a solid running game, led by junior running back, Noel Devine.  Despite being hampered by nagging injuries in the middle of the season, Devine has still managed to rack up 1,297 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. 

Quarterback, Jarrett Brown compliments Devine in the running game as well and has rushed for 423 yards himself.  They will look to have a big day against FSU’s struggling defense.

 

Key Concerns:  Despite having a stout defense against the run, WV’s pass defense has been exposed somewhat this season, ranking 52nd nationally in the FBS. 

The secondary will have to step up in this game because Florida State spreads the ball around to multiple receivers and backs.  Their ability to cover the intermediate routes and screens will have a direct impact on who wins this game.

 

Florida State

  

Strengths:  FSU’s offense has taken another huge step forward this season, averaging just under 422 yards from scrimmage per game.  One key component of that has been the leadership and solid play from quarterback Christian Ponder.  Unfortunately, for the ‘Noles, Ponder’s season was cut short with a separated shoulder.

 

Freshman QB EJ Manuel will need a solid game for the 'Noles to beat the Mountaineers (google images)

Freshman QB EJ Manuel has assumed that role, and has filled in fairly well in his three starts.  The wideouts at FSU are very versatile and any of them can make the big play, but the most consistent of the group has been sophomore, Bert Reed, who has racked up 710 receiving yards this season.

 

Key Concerns:  FSU’s defense has been brutal this season, ranking 110th nationally.  Legendary defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will need to get his unit to play inspired football, or West Virginia could make it a long day for the ‘Noles.

 

FSU has had particular trouble with the spread this season, and Devine and company will provide one of the toughest challenges they have had all year.

Florida State Offense vs. West Virginia Defense

  

Even though Manuel is a young quarterback, he has a lot of weapons around him, and more importantly, in front of him.  FSU’s offensive line is the best OL in the ACC, and the weeks of preparation have given time for All-American guard Rodney Hudson to get back to full strength.

 

West Virginia has a unique defensive scheme with their 3-5-3, but FSU’s OL coach, Rick Trickett, who coached there before coming to Tallahassee, will have his line ready to play against them.  Also, look for EJ Manuel to hit a lot of screens and short passes early to soften the defense and get him into a rhythm.  EDGE:  FSU

  

West Virginia Offense vs. Florida State Defense

 

West Virginia’s spread attack and the speed of Noel Devine will be tough to overcome.  FSU has been vulnerable to the big play all season, and this game should be no different.  The ‘Noles have a particularly tough time with misdirection, and the Mountaineers will likely use this to their advantage.

 

The Mountaineers are not known for their ability to throw the ball, but pretty much every opponent FSU has faced, regardless of talent at QB, has scorched the ‘Noles’ struggling secondary.  With that in mind, WV will likely take a few shots down the field.  EDGE:  WV

 

Special Teams

 

We have mentioned how explosive Noel Devine is as a running back, but he is equally as dangerous as a kick returner.  The Seminoles, however, have had a lot of success this season against some of the best returners in the country, including Clemson’s CJ Spiller.  That is because of the leg of freshman kicker Dustin Hopkins, who has boomed a whopping 23 kickoffs for touchbacks, which is fifth best in the country.

 

Couple that with the nation’s top punt returner in freshman Greg Reid, and Florida State’s special teams have truly been special this season.  EDGE:  FSU

 

Prediction

 

As bad as FSU’s defense has been all season, look for them to play inspired football.  It is, afterall, the final game for head coach Bobby Bowden and longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.  Also, take into account FSU’s success at the Gator Bowl (5-0-1 all-time), and the ‘Noles will be tough to beat.

 

Expect a high-scoring game, but ultimately, we think FSU’s offense will have a solid game with all the preparation time, and the defense will do just enough to send Bowden off with yet another bowl win.  Score Prediction:  FSU wins 33-27

 

After more than a month-long hiatus, College FootBlog is back and ready for this year’s bowl season.  On December 29th, the ACC’s Miami Hurricanes (9-3) will take on the Big Ten’s Wisconsin Badgers (9-3) in the Champs Sports Bowl.  In this match up, the ‘Canes will look to show the college football world that they were overlooked for a New Year’s Day bowl, while the Badgers will try to redeem themselves after getting blown out by Florida State in their bowl game last season.

College FootBlog will break down this match up, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team, and will conclude with a score prediction. 

Jacory Harris will lead Miami's passing attack in the Champs Sports Bowl (google images)

Strengths:  With sophomore Jacory Harris as the trigger man, the Hurricane’s passing attack has put up some big numbers in 2009.  After splitting time with Robert Marve last season, Harris has really developed since taking over as the full-time QB.

His corps of receivers has helped as well.  Junior wideout Leonard Hankerson leads the group with 773 yards and six touchdowns on the season, and if Laron Byrd can come up with 69 yards and Travis Benjamin can come up with ten yards, the ‘Canes would finish the season with three WR’s with at least 500 yards on the year.

Key Concern:  Despite having a ton of speed and athleticism, Miami has been very inconsistent on defense.  The ‘Canes rank 25th in yards per game on defense, they have given up some points.  In fact, the ‘Canes have given up over thirty points four times this season.

The bright side for Miami in this match up is their ability to stop the run, led by linebacker Colin McCarthy.

Wisconsin

Strengths:  As sophomore running back John Clay goes, so does the Badgers’ offense.  The bruising 248-pound back enters this bowl game just four yards shy of 1,400 and has rushed for 16 TD’s on the year.  Clay has enjoyed anothergreat year, following the traditional stellar offensive line that consistently produces NFL talent.   

At 248 pounds, John Clay is quite a load out of the Wisconsin backfield (google images)

Key Concerns:

  At nearly 220 yards passing allowed per game, the Badgers have not exactly been stingy this year, especially considering the Big Ten is not known for throwing the football around.

Wisconsin ranks 66th nationally against the pass, and despite shutting down pass-happy Hawaii and limiting them to ten points and 214 total yards, the Badger defensive backs will face much more speed than they have seen so far this season.

The Badgers will need a big day from their secondary if they want to stay in this game.

Wisconsin Offense vs. Miami Defense

Although Miami has seen a couple of dominant running teams this season in Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, they have not faced an offensive line like this.  Look for the ‘Canes to stack the box and force quarterback Scott Tolzien to beat them. 

Still, Clay will easily eclipse the 1,400 yard mark on the season, and he should make a real run at 1,500.  Slight EDGE:  Wisconsin

Miami Offense vs. Wisconsin Defense

As previously mentioned, the Wisconsin secondary should have their hands full with the speed and the talent that the ‘Canes possess at wide receiver.  The silver lining for the Badgers could be that Miami’s senior offensive tackle Jason Fox is out for this game. 

The Badgers will have to get pressure on Jacory Harris, or it will be a very long day.  Mix in Graig Cooper’s receiving ability out of the backfield, and Miami could score and score quickly.  EDGE:  Miami

Special Teams

The big difference here could be the return men.  Wisconsin’s David Gilreath is a dangerous returner on kick offs and punts.  Miami counters will very dangerous tandem of Travis Benjamin and Graig Cooper.   Both kickers, Miami’s Matt Bosher and Wiconsin’s Phillip Welch have been solid this season as well.  Slight EDGE:  Miami

Prediction

The Big Ten had another let down of a season in ’09, but the ACC didn’t exactly light things up this year, either.  Wisconsin was supposed to have the big advantage last year against Florida State with their ability to run the football.  Things did not go so well for the Badgers, as the Seminoles rolled to a 42-13 win.

Like last year’s match up, the Badgers will likely have a difficult time keeping up with Miami’s speed on offense.  Wisconsin has shown that they can be vulnerable to the pass, and they could be facing the best passing offense they have gone against in a couple years.  Look for Miami to roll.  Score Prediction:  Miami 34, Wisconsin 17

Miami

Like any season, it comes down to the classic age old rivalry game. These games have been played, some of them, for over a hundred years around the country. It is more than just winning, it ‘s about school pride and bragging rights! There is a lot at stake in this years rivalry game. These games not only allow fans to connect with their team, but for exciting and quality football to be played! These games are usually instate match-ups-two schools within the same state battle it out for the coveted bragging rights within their state lines. These match-ups like Florida, Florida State, Arizona, Arizona State and many more in between are games that pit schools against each other.

This year’s rivalry match-ups are going to be exciting! There is much more riding on the line then just the Territorial Cup. Many of the major college match-ups will decide the fate of some teams national championship hopes! Some to watch this week are: Oregon vs. Oregon State, Texas vs. Texas A&M, and Florida vs. Florida State. All of these teams are ranked in the top 25 in the AP and BCS pools. Two of these teams with one loss could end up not playing for a national championship, and all of these teams are poised to winning out their conference.

The first match-up is the Oregon vs. Oregon State. This game is the closest thing to a conference championship in the PAC-10. The “Civil War,” as they call it, will decide who smells the roses and who does not. There is a tremendous amount at stake in this game, and both teams have had a roller coaster of a season leading up to this historic rivalry.

The Florida and Florida State match-up should be another proving ground, along with the Texas and Texas A&M game.  These two games could decide who is playing in the national championship. These teams have had some close games, but have managed to come out victorious. Both teams are undefeated, and have a perfect record, but if broken, this could mean the end of a championship run for either team!

Match-ups like this is what makes these games so crucial to win year after year. They not only create healthy competition, but also really put things in perspevtive for the national championship race. So pick up your Paul Bunyan ax trophy and make sure that you follow this weeks rivalry games!