Pre Season Rankings & Reviews

[MeanGreen61]

#101 Minnesota

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...esota/#more-894

Who is No. 100?: This team finished last in the F.B.S. in average attendance with 6,810 fans per home game.

[NT Drummer]

"The Gophers were last in the nation in total defense, having one of the worst statistical years in recent F.B.S. history. The Countdown has already pointed out that North Texas and Rice, both spread teams, were among the worst defensive teams in the nation, and promised to look into the phenomenon. Minnesota also runs the spread, leading me to believe that there may be a connection."

I don't know who the author, Paul Myerberg, is. He really doesn't like spread offenses, does he? Hopefully the return of the DeLoach defense will make him reconsider. Did anyone else notice that he didn't mention Gary DeLoach's return in the North Texas writeup? ...probably doesn't even know about it...

[Eagle1855]

I don't know who the author, Paul Myerberg, is. He really doesn't like spread offenses, does he? Hopefully the return of the DeLoach defense will make him reconsider. Did anyone else notice that he didn't mention Gary DeLoach's return in the North Texas writeup? ...probably doesn't even know about it...

Well I think there might actually be a correlation between defense and the type of offense you run. Like I think our defense was so good in the early 2000s because we ran the ball ad nauseam. Killed the clock.

Look at Tech, WV and others. Never known for having great defenses.

I personally don't care about the spread. I'd rather run a balanced traditional offense, but I'm not sure we'll ever get the caliber athletes in here you need to effectively run something like that.

So for that reason, Viva El Dodge.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Eagle1855

[Mean Green 93-98]

Look at Tech, WV and others. Never known for having great defenses.

I agree with Tech. WV, however, had the #7 total defense last year. Not too shabby.

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

Well I think there might actually be a correlation between defense and the type of offense you run. Like I think our defense was so good in the early 2000s because we ran the ball ad nauseam. Killed the clock.

I'm with you on preferring a balanced offense but as to killing the clock? I checked back to 2003 (as far as our archives go) and found only one year where our offense was on the field longer than our defense. Of course, it's hard to make a point in that regard because the defense was porous but last year our offense was one the field an average of 3+ minutes more than our defense. But, even with the no-huddle we still didn't put the ball in play much under the 25 second clock expiriation. We did make more non-penalty first downs last year than in the four previous Dickey' years.

The spread is more entertaining but I still like to see a running back break one for a long gain. Maybe we can have both with the Dodge offense.

[UNTLifer]

I believe TTech ended last year with one of the top defenses in the Big XII. Could be wrong and too lazy to look it up.

[Eagle1855]

I believe TTech ended last year with one of the top defenses in the Big XII. Could be wrong and too lazy to look it up.

stop punching holes in my argument! ha

Either way, it took both programs a little while to establish both sides of the ball. Many more spread programs have yet to do so.

[UNTLifer]

stop punching holes in my argument! ha

Either way, it took both programs a little while to establish both sides of the ball. Many more spread programs have yet to do so.

TTech was ranked third in the Big XII in total defense last year and will probably be better this year. Oh, and I still hate them.

[MeanGreen61]

#100 Eastern Michigan

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...higan/#more-896

Who is No. 99?: Down into double digits. This university has regional campuses in Ashtabula, Geauga and Tuscawaras.

[MeanGreen61]

#99 Kent State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-898

Who is No. 98?: The alma mater of The Quad’s own Connor Ennis and Pete Thamel.

[MeanGreen61]

#98 Syracuse

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...acuse/#more-899

Who is No. 97?: According to the good people at Money Magazine, this university’s city was the best place to live in America in 2006, though it did not crack the top 100 in 2007.

[UNTLifer]

#98 Syracuse

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...acuse/#more-899

Who is No. 97?: According to the good people at Money Magazine, this university’s city was the best place to live in America in 2006, though it did not crack the top 100 in 2007.

Colorado State?

[MeanGreen61]

#97 Colorado State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-902

Who is No. 96?: This university was the first school to win an N.C.A.A. men’s Division I basketball championship with an all-black starting lineup

[greenminer]

#97 Colorado State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-902

Who is No. 96?: This university was the first school to win an N.C.A.A. men’s Division I basketball championship with an all-black starting lineup

DUH. I got this next one.

Edited May 25, 2008 by greenminer

[MeanGreen61]

#96 UTEP

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...-utep/#more-906

Who is No. 95?: This university will drop its long-standing Native American nickname this fall.

[UNTFan23]

#96 UTEP

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...-utep/#more-906

Who is No. 95?: This university will drop its long-standing Native American nickname this fall.

I'll wager Arkansas State.

[MeanGreen61]

#95 Arkansas State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-907

Who is No. 94?: It has been a rough month for this university: First a major drug bust, and recently two of its fraternities were expelled for hazing.

[MeanMag]

#95 Arkansas State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-907

Who is No. 94?: It has been a rough month for this university: First a major drug bust, and recently two of its fraternities were expelled for hazing.

That's easy, SDSU

[MeanGreen61]

#94 San Diego State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-911

Who is No. 93?: The only university on the list without an athletic department or athletic director.

[UNTLifer]

#94 San Diego State

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...state/#more-911

Who is No. 93?: The only university on the list without an athletic department or athletic director.

Vanderbilt?

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Vanderbilt?

Has to be - they made news a few years ago for getting rid of their Athletic Department.

[MeanGreen61]

#93 Vanderbilt

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/2...rbilt/#more-912

Who is No. 92?: The first of two universities on the list with Cowboy mascots.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Who is No. 92?: The first of two universities on the list with Cowboy mascots.

I would have to say Wyoming.

[UNTLifer]

I would have to say Wyoming.

They should be ranked lower considering their uniforms. Who ever chooses brown and yellow!?

[forevereagle]

They should be ranked lower considering their uniforms. Who ever chooses brown and yellow!?

There's a joke in there, I just know it...