FreaKnight

Weiss is doing a great job at Notre Dame, no doubt about that. But for you to say that the USC game trumps O'Leary, well that statement speaks for itself. You do remember that Notre Dame lost that game, right? Weiss deserves to be nominated and maybe even win, but so does GOL.

Weiss has had the benefit of an offense that averaged over 25 points a game last season and returned all 11 starters on offense. Talk about a recipe for success for offensive production.

We need Rocky Ross to step up, but you can't replace a Mike Walker type of talent, especially mid-season. I think that we could see more passes directed towards our RB's and a heavy dose of looks at the TE.

I believe Mike Walker is in the Top Five of any of the wide receivers of any of the universities in Florida this year.  He rarely drops a pass, runs great routes, and has good speed, strength, and size. Of course it's going to hurt production. I just feel bad for the kid, he plays his butt off all year and then to get injured because of the playing surface, not even in the play, that just flat out sucks.

Yes - ESPN

Someone had a bad weekend betting.

UCF was flat on offense in the first half and the triple option, if executed, is a handful to defend because no one runs it and you can't prepare for it. Walker went out in the 3rd quarter. From what I heard, UCF's week of practice was the worst week of practice of the year. I don't know how that happens, but sometimes, I think kids start to believe everything they read.

You obviously didn't think this through. Making it a 31 -16 game allows Cincy to be only 2 possessions down. the onside kick only proves that he was trying to get the ball back and make it a 1 possession game.

Mike Walker was running a hitch route and when he made his cut downfield he said he just heard his knee pop. A no-contact injury that I blame 100% on that crappy Astro-Turf that Rice has on it's field. UCF also lost DE Glenroy Watkins to an ACL yesterday. I can't believe anybody even uses that stuff anymore.

Here are the career stats for each (catches/totalyards/ypc/Td): Mike Walker  30 528 17.6 1 TD Johnny Payton 22 469 21.3 2 TD Both have had limited production based on their respective situations.  In 2005 they will both be asked to do a lot more. Both are talented playmakers who have NFL potential.

I think the intent was to highlight Walker's athleticism by referencing his performance as a DB in the Penn State game.  Walker demonstrated his range in that game snagging 2 INT's. I maintain that Walker and Payton are at right about the same level at WR.  The 2005 season will obviously say a lot about that.

There is no question that Peyton and Walker are our team's most talented respective WR. As far as who is better, time will tell. Statistically they are fairly even. After those two, I think it's fairly even, with a sllght nod to USF for overall experience and overall athleticism with the new corps brought in after the end of the 2004 season. UCF has the clear edge at TE due to Darcy Johnson. USF's Cedric Hill is a talent but with no experience. Both teams have good talent at WR.

Would you put your money where your mouth is?

He was worth the risk of a scholarship offer.

Seems rather slow to be a safety, and does have any experience at the DB position? Seems to me like it's QB or bust for this kid.  Competition is a good thing.  If B.S. comes on board, the player who would have the most beef is Grothe.  If Grothe gets beat out at QB, and doesn't want to play another position, he could be a transfer candidate.  But it wouldn't be an issue because of the others in place. Gregory could be useful in that type of situation as a possible 2nd/3rd string QB.

This is a nice setup and interview, I like the 3 part series format. Nice job and interesting read.

I doubt anyone really knows why he left, just speculation. Sounds like USF didn't lose a starter, but just takes a hit at depth in the DT position. Injuries are always a concern, and also having players familiar with the system to push competition is also an issue.

PSU does have a good defense and Hall could get 50 yards....in one run.  I think Hall is just that talented. Like you said, USF still might not win, but he will get his yards if he gets the carries.

Well, it could also mean that initial projections of Ronnie and H.B. were wrong, or that H.B. has just progressed further than Ronnie while in college. Just playing Devil's advocate. But both are good linebackers, no doubt. As far as recruiting, I think USF is recruiting well enough to compete in the BE. Which school is doing better than the other from a recruiting standpoint is so difficult to quantify. Usually the best way to determine pure talent is NFL draft picks. The NFL scouts do countless hours of homework and are objective (don't care what school they are from). What teams actually win year in and year out brings in many other factors (in addition to talent-level of recruits) that are tough to measure (coaching schemes, coaches getting the RIGHT players for their systems, coaching turnover, injuries to key players, scheduling, etc...).

From what I have heard, UF is 100% out. The quote from him is that he is going to a school that is , "somewhere under the radar". Orlando local news reported Nebraska as the likely candidate.

Nebraska is a strong candidate, allegedly.

Adrian Peterson was a true freshman. No one easily puts up 2,000. If I had to pick up one player as a RB, I pick Peterson. But choosing between Bush and Peterson is like choosing between a Porsche and a Ferarri.

A lot of those games were scheduled when UCF was still an independent, and the higher profile games were absolutely needed to help keep fan interest. With a conference schedule that need is not as high. I like the idea of playing the high profile teams, but it's tough to go on the road all the time and lose those games.

Keep in mind that Blackwell's success with Smith came at the expense of a lot of IAA teams, with a few obvious exceptions. Not to take anything away from Blackwell as his track record of wins and losses speaks for itself, but it's true. The new QB and offense will be playing a very challenging 2005 schedule.

Who do you suppose USF would lose to if you have 8 wins?