You couldn’t have asked for a better overall game, ACC powerhouse Duke was neck and neck with Horizon league foe Butler all game.
It’s too bad Butler’s Gordan Hayward couldn’t connect on his desperation half court shot. Butler lost 61-59.
Now on to the football side of sports…
It is safe to say Urban Meyer will never change his offense. After publically stating that he will use a two-quarterback system because projected starting QB John Brantley is not mobile enough, it is clear Meyer will never change his offense. On 4th and 1, look for a quarterback run.
1. Which head coaching change will lead to success faster?
Todd Berry is new at Louisiana Monroe and finds himself in promising position to take the program to the next level. Louisiana Monroe finished last season at 6-6 and just missed out on as bowl game. However, Western Kentucky’s Willie Taggart could have the most immediate success. Western Kentucky has finished a combined 2-22 the past two seasons, but Taggart should change things. Taggart brings over a more run based pro-style offense like the one he coached under at Stanford, which is a rare form for a conference dominated by the spread. Enough talent returns for the Hilltoppers to find four to five wins this season.
2. Will North Texas finally get over the hump?
North Texas Head Coach Todd Dodge is sitting on a very hot seat. Dodge’s Mean Green is 5-31 the past three seasons, and needs to show improvement this season to keep his job. The answer looked to be Dodge’s son Riley Dodge who was the quarterback last season and showed signs of being a star quarterback. But, due to a shoulder injury Riley has moved to wide receiver. North Texas’s offense should improve as they return 1,300 yard running back Lamar Dunbar and a proven offensive coordinator in former USF coordinator Mike Canales. The defense could be the key to success and somehow Dodge will need to coach them to a five win season if he would like to keep his job.
3. Can Troy’s offense grow without offensive coordinator Neal Brown?
Neal Brown bolted to take the offensive coordinator position at Texas Tech and Troy could see some instant effects on the offensive side of the ball. Along with Brown, the Trojans lost another Brown in senior quarterback Levi Brown. Running a no huddle attack, Neal Brown’s offense finished first in the Sun Belt last season and was the most impressive spread offense in the conference. Without both Brown’s, Troy needs to find some answers. One of those answers could be RB Shawn Southward who ran for 600 yards last season in split duties. 2010 looks be a rebuilding year for the Trojans offense.
4. How much of an effect will the death of Kendall Berry have on FIU’s season?
Kendall Berry, the FIU running back who was stabbed on campus weeks ago, will never be forgotten in FIU’s locker room. Just like in the case of last season when UConn cornerback Jasper Howard was stabbed to death mid-season, the team rallied around the event. Ceremonies and sorrow will be high for FIU’s home opener against Rutgers, but look for the leaders of the team to dedicate the season to the young individual who tragically lost his life.
Please feel free to submit questions to andrewrivins@gmail.com for a new weekley section "Ivins's Inbox"
-A. Ivins
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