Monday's Thoughts 4-12

Four-years ago a freshman quarterback played his first game ever in the swamp, running left and right and up the middle, the kid and his awkward throwing motion excited the Gator Nation.

Four-years later, this past Saturday, a freshman quarterback, ran all over the field racking up 178 yards rushing and recording a spring game record 78 yard TD run.

That man four-years ago was Tim Tebow, arguably the greatest college football player ever.

Over the weekend that was freshman quarterback Trey Burton.

After committing to play for the Gators two years ago, the lifelong gator fan was ready to finally play in the swamp, and he reminded many of #15.

Burton looked like a raw version of Tim Tebow, more of the 2006 era type. Taking the snap and plowing straight forward, running over defenders in the way, just as Tebow had done his first year on campus.

Reminding many of that 2006 season even more, was the presence of former QB Chris Leak, who had been invited by Burton to coach him up in his orange and blue debut.

And Leak, did just that. Burton looked poised, and despite his long awkward throwing release (think Tebow here), he did just fine, enough to give him a shot at playing time.

Urban Meyer wants to use two quarterbacks. Face it, Meyer simply refuses to change his offense that on most third and short opportunities, lines up in a power shotgun set and has the QB dive up the middle. It is what made Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow.

This upcoming season a version of Leak is taking over the Gators in QB John Brantley, and this looks to be a good sign for the Gators, as Brantley can move and distribute the ball.

The question is however, who will be 2010’s Tim Tebow?

Trey Burton looks to be the man…

- FAU looks to be set a tight end as in this past Saturday’s scrimmage, both TE Rob Housler and TE Darrin Williams caught touchdown passes. After graduating two all- Sun Belt tight ends in Jammari Grant and Jason Harmon, many would think there would be a drop off production wise. But, Williams and Housler look ready to make plays in the offense that relies heavily on tight end involvement.


- After watching North Carolina’s spring game, it is clear that the defense is one of the best in the ACC. LB Quan Sturdivant and DT Marvin Austin are future top-20 draft picks and anchor the athletic Butch Davis defense. If Davis could find a quarterback, North Carolina could very easily be thinking ACC championship game. Keep in mind, Alabama QB Greg McElroy was good, not great, until the championship games, and they still won with him.

- Last season Rutgers was 97th in the nation in total offense with the 89th best passing attack. That could change this season as Rutgers welcomes back sophomore QB Tom Savage. Savage took over last season after an opening blowout loss to Cincinnati, and was the man after that. Throwing for 2200 plus yards and 14 TDs, Savage showed poise and looked older than his freshman tagging. Throw in fellow sophomore WR Mohammed Sanu who finished with 8 TD’s and the emerging TE D.C. Jefferson, Rutgers passing attack looks ready to flourish.

Closing thought:

Alabama went 13-0 and won the National Championship in 1992 after beating Florida 28-21 in the SEC Championship Game. In 2009 Alabama went 14-0 and won the National Championship after beating down on Florida 32-13 in Atlanta.

After the 92’ season Alabama returned to the SEC Championship game against Florida but this time they lost 28-13.

Is a repeat in store for 2010?

- A. Ivins

Dear NCAA.. (Saturdays Column)

Butler guard Gordan Hayward grabbed the rebound with less than 4-seconds left, dribbled up the court and launched a half court shot which appeared dead on...

For that moment the 70,000 fans in Lucas Oil Stadium as well as the millions watching the television broadcast all thought that David could have just knocked off Goliath. Butler, a small college from the Horizon league could have shocked the 1-seeded ACC powerhouse Duke.

As the buzzer went off Hayward’s shot hit the rim and went out; the game was over. Duke was crowned the national champions in a 61-59 thriller.

Butler for that two hour game had its most fans ever, people packed into bars and cheered for the underdog small school playing only six miles from its Indianapolis campus.

All of this, came because of what some claim is the greatest playoff system in sports, The NCAA College Basketball 65- Team Tournament.

If this were football’s BCS version, Kansas and Kentucky would have been squaring off in the championship game, not a small 4,000 student liberal arts college named Butler.

The NCAA tournament stands for what college athletics should be. All 347 men’s Divison-1 basketball teams have an equal opportunity to win the tournament and be crowned number one in the land.

That is why every small school Monday night was cheering and pulling for Butler.

Butler provided the vision everyone wanted to see; a Goliath winning it all.

Dear NCAA please keep the tournament at 65 teams, it is truly one of the greatest events.

-A. Ivins

WR Visitng Practice

Spring football is usually the time when many prospects flood the practice fields to catch Florida Atlantic’s practices.

Yesterday, 2011 prospect WR Xavier Youngblood was out watching practice with his father.

“FAU has offered me, so I decided to come down” explained Youngblood when asked about the interest FAU has shown in him.

The 6’3” 185 pound prospect hails from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, FL. The problem for Youngblood however is his high school’s offense.

“We don’t really throw the ball” Youngblood said. “Its run, run, run, sometimes they throw it to me.”

Lake Brantley’s triple option offense has been there for years and is run much similar to Georgia Tech’s.

Current FAU offensive lineman Jared Pizzuti comes from the Lake Brantley program, but Youngblood didn’t know too much about him.

One thing is for sure, FAU will need to reload in this next recruiting class as they loss senior WR’s Lestar Jean and Avery Holley. Youngblood’s father was aware of the situation and had a depth chart in hand looking at all of the receivers.

“I like FAU” remarked Youngblood “Maybe ill commit soon, maybe sometime this week.”

The prospect plans to make it out to FAU’s April 24th spring game.

- A. Ivins

Practice Report Day 5

WRs Richardson (left) and Hankerson (right) lined up

New faces can be seen all over Florida Atlantic’s wide receiver corp. Former star’s Chris Bonner and Cortez Gent have both graduated which has left a window of opportunity for new players to step up.

Some of those new players include WR DeAndre Richardson and WR Bryon Hankerson. Both of whom have been making plays all over the practice field.

Richardson, a redshirt freshman, has used his big frame to make some blocks and catches over the middle when needed and appears to be the teams number three receiver.

Walk-on Hankerson has proved he was worthy of making the squad and is fighting for some playing time with the second team offense. In today’s spring session Hankerson took a middle screen up the field for 30 yards bouncing off of defenders, which generated appraisal from the coaching staff.

New wide receivers coach Jarred Allen has a large selection pool of talent to choose from, but many receivers are missing practices due to injury or class. WRs Amos Wood and Grant Glover both were not on the field today, and starting receiver Avery Holley has been in and out with a sore hamstring.

One thing is set for sure in the passing attack and that is the play of the tightends. Senior TE Rob Housler, who has put on some weight, made catches all throughout the day. Junior Alex Fick also made some notable catches and has been working out with both the receivers and tightends.

Practice Notes:

-DE Jamere Johnson had the play of the day when he intercepted QB Jeff Van Camp’s screen pass in the backfield and took it in for a touchdown.

- CB Tavious Polo, who has been trying to play wide receiver, dropped multiple interceptions throughout the day when he was working with the first team defense.

- Redshirt freshman TE Nexon Dorvilus has put on some weight for this spring and has looked athletic running his routes. The coaches seem pleased with his effort.

- WR Avery Holley got the ball on a reverse and lost 15 yards as the defense swarmed him.

- CB Tarvoris Hill sat out 7-7 drills and team scrimmage but did workout in position drills. WR Grant Glover and WR Amos Woods were not at practice.

- P Mickey Groody is working out as the team’s fourth string quarterback.

- Initial reports are that Sophmore LB David Hinds has broke his leg.

FAU returns to the practice field Friday at 3:30.

-A. Ivins

Ivins's Inbox 4-7

How does FSU do in the upcoming season without Bowden? Can they make a BCS bowl and beat UF?
- David (Orlando, FL)

Bobby Bowden won't be on FSU's sideline for the first time since 1975, and FSU looks to be in a transitioning period as Jimbo Fisher takes over. Fisher steps in after waiting his turn behind Bowden.

Quarterback play will be essential next season if FSU looks to make a run at a BCS game. Senior QB Christian Ponder showed flashes of greatness last season before an injury, but returns with playmakers all around him. WRs Taiwan Easterling, Bert Reed and Jarmon Fortson all have big play ability and Ponder can get the ball to them.

Ponder (#7) is the key for FSU

A tough schedule lies ahead for Ponder and the Noles as they travel to Oklahoma and face BYU at home. A trap game lies in a Thursday night matchup at North Carolina State, as it seems FSU always struggles on the road there.

FSU gets Florida at home this year, and many feel this is the year they will end the streak. Florida has owned the Noles lately winning six in a row by a combined score of 202-71. Florida is also in a reloading period, replacing QB Tim Tebow and a defense chalk full of future NFL players. Taking all of this in to consideration, as long as Urban Meyer is in Gainesville you have to take the Gators. Florida just has too many premier athletes as opposed to FSU. Give Fisher another year and another recruiting class. Florida 28-27, still way to early to call.

Right now I see the Noles finishing 8-4 (6-2) with losses to Oklahoma, NC State, North Carolina and Florida. The Noles will get a shot in the ACC championship game, but I think the Costal division will be too strong. FSU finishes in the top 25 facing an SEC opponent in the Chick-fil-A Bowl game.

- A. Ivins

4 Questions (Sun Belt Edition)

1/4 of an inch. That’s how much off I was from picking last night’s Duke-Butler game.

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

Monday's Thoughts 4-5

- Alabama QB A.J. McCarron went 21-for-28 passing for 228 years throwing three touchdowns in Saturday’s spring intra-squad scrimmage, and that has got many buzzing about a potential quarterback competition between McCarron and current Tide QB Greg McElroy. McCarron a redshirt freshman has impressed over the first nine days of camp and looks like he could challenge the undefeated starting senior quarterback McElroy for time next season. However, the real man losing out in all of this is redshirt freshman QB Star Jackson. Jackson a highly regarded quarterback prospect out of Lake Worth, Fla. was thought to be the predecessor for McElroy, but now appears to have lost the job to McCarron. Expect a potential transfer from Jackson soon, as Alabama’s coaching staff keeps bringing in elite quarterbacks like early enrollee QB Phillip Sims.

- Florida HB Jeff Demps appears to be the fastest player in college football after running the 100-meter at 10.11 seconds. While Demps is setting track records, he is also missing out on Florida’s spring practices which could be trouble for Urban Meyer and the Gators. The Florida running back corp. hasn’t been steady since the 2005 days of Ciatrick Fayson and DeShawn Wynn. The latest setback is another injury to RB Emmanuel Moody. With Demps and Moody out for spring practices look for sophomore HB Mike Gillisee to have a big impact in the offense come this Fall.

- The NCAA is flirting with the idea of a 96-team tournament, but that is flat wrong. North Carolina dosen't deserve to make one of the greatest sporting events after finishing an embarrising 16-16. Heck North Carolina shouldn't deserve to play in any post seaon play. The NIT and CBI Insider Tournament
are where teams that dont make the selection comitees cut should play. Looking outside of the box, a small program like Rhode Island or Drake should embrace in playing in the NIT as they are given more of a chance to win games on TV. If those programs where looking to take the next step, the NIT gives them the opportunity to take center stage on ESPN. Don't let the NCAA ruin a great event for "money."

- Georgia Tech could have made the best coaching change this off season, and many people still don’t know. Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson brought in former Virginia Head Coach Al Groh to become the Jackets Defensive Coordinator. Groh always had good defense’s during his nine seasons with Virginia, and will need to translate that success to Tech. Revamping a defense that lost the likes of S Morgan Burnett will be key to the Jackets success as the offense will be led by senior QB Josh Nesbitt again.

A. Ivins Likes:

Butler over Duke by 1. Everyone is going to take Duke here, but I like the Cinderella story. Butler will play off the emotions of a home crowd and win it at the end.  Perhaps a last second buzzer beater?

Please feel free to submit questions to andrewrivins@gmail.com for a new weekley section "Ivins's Inbox"

-A. Ivins