Thursday, June 30, 2011
Texas A&M's Kyle Field...#1 in the nation
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/6437023
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Top 25 college football stadiums
| SportsLine.com Senior Writer Tell Dennis your opinion! |
| The Top 25 Stadiums Ratings Breakdown | |||||||
| Rk | School (Stadium) | Atmo | Hist | Trad | Fans | Arch | Total |
| 1 | Texas A&M (Kyle Field) | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 48 |
| 2 | Notre Dame (Notre Dame Stadium) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 47 |
| 3 | Tennessee (Neyland Stadium) | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 46 |
| 4 | Florida (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium) | 10 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 7.5 | 45.5 |
| 5 | LSU (Tiger Stadium) | 10 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 | 7.5 | 45 |
| 6 | Nebraska (Memorial Stadium) | 9 | 9.5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 44.5 |
| 7 | Florida State (Doak Campbell Stadium) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 44 |
| 8 | Alabama (Bryant-Denny Stadium) | 9 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 | 7 | 43.5 |
| 9 | Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 43 |
| 10 | Georgia (Sanford Stadium) | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 42 |
| 11 | Michigan (Michigan Stadium) | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 41 |
| 11 | Penn State (Beaver Stadium) | 8.5 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 | 6 | 41 |
| 13 | Oregon (Autzen Stadium) | 10 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8.5 | 40.5 |
| 13 | USC (L.A. Coliseum) | 7 | 9.5 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 40.5 |
| 15 | Army (Michie Stadium) | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 40 |
| 15 | Clemson (Memorial Stadium) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 40 |
| 15 | UCLA (Rose Bowl) | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6.5 | 9.5 | 40 |
| 18 | Texas (Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium) | 8 | 7.5 | 9 | 7 | 7.5 | 39 |
| 18 | Washington (Husky Stadium) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 39 |
| 20 | Air Force (Falcon Stadium) | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 38 |
| 21 | Wisconsin (Camp Randall) | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 37 |
| 22 | BYU (LaVell Edwards Stadium) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 35 |
| 23 | Fresno State (Bulldog Stadium) | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 32 |
| 24 | Colorado (Folsom Field) | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 31 |
| 25 | Cal (Memorial Stadium) | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 30 |
KEY: Atmo=Atmosphere, Hist=History, Trad=Tradition, Arch=Architecture
Honorable Mention
Teams 11 through 25 from the above "The Top 25 Stadiums Ratings Breakdown", listed in alphabetical order by school
- Air Force (Falcon) - A supreme show of force, air and otherwise.
- Army (Michie) - Maybe the most stirring setting on a Saturday afternoon.
- BYU (LaVell Edwards) - Wholesome crazies.
- Cal (Memorial) - If the Bears won consistently and drew more fans this place would be in the top 10. Beautiful.
- Clemson (Memorial) - Death Valley to you, me and the ACC.
- Colorado (Folsom Field) - You can't beat a clear sky, mile high and the Flatirons lurking behind the stadium.
- Fresno St. (Bulldog) - The atmosphere and fans give the Bulldogs a huge advantage at home.
- Michigan (Michigan) - Surprisingly mellow for a crib that draws 100,000-plus.
- Oregon (Autzen) - The Autzen Bounce causes deafness in laboratory rats.
- Penn State (Beaver) - Even more ominous with recent expansion.
- UCLA (Rose Bowl) - Still the most recognizable stadium in the game.
- USC (L.A. Memorial) - Still a special place during big games.
- Texas (Royal-Texas Memorial) - Come early, stay late, be loud, wear orange.
- Washington (Husky) - About 5,000 fans or so come via boat on Lake Washington.
- Wisconsin (Camp Randall) - Students never lose with the Fifth Quarter
Ubben talks Texas A&M
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/43551/assessing-the-contenders-texas-am
Heading into the season, I see five teams in the Big 12 with a realistic chance to win the league. I'll be breaking them down in order (which won't be the same as my post-spring power rankings) of their chances to leave the season with the Big 12 title.
No. 1 on the list was the favorites: Oklahoma
Today, we take a look at my No. 2: Texas A&M.
Why the Aggies will win the Big 12
1. They've got the most complete offense.
Center Matt Allen is the only offensive starter not returning, but the Aggies have a solid line, headlined by a maturing, but already talented pair of bookends with big potential, tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews. At the skill positions, you won't find anything close to a weakness. Texas A&M returns the best running back corps in the league and maybe the best 1-2 punch in the nation with Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray. All of the team's top five receivers return, and Jeff Fuller, who chose to return for his senior season, is arguably one of the five best in the country. Ryan Tannehill doesn't have a ton of starts (six) under his belt, but he was great in a tight spot last year, and led the team in receptions his first two years on the field.
2. They're especially strong in great places on defense.
Those places: Secondary and pass-rushers. That's huge in the Big 12. New joker Damontre Moore, defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie and linebacker Sean Porter should combine for more than 15 sacks this year and tons of quarterback pressures that could result in some big plays for another defensive strength: the secondary. All four starters return, and Terrence Frederick, Coryell Judie are experienced seniors at corner, while Trent Hunter and Steven Campbell hold down the safety spots.
3. They made it hard to win nine games last year.
Texas A&M already won a share of the Big 12 South last year, despite ranking 10th in the Big 12 in turnover margin at minus-5. Its 30 turnovers (15 INTs, 15 fumbles lost) were the most in the Big 12 and 111th most in the nation. You'd have to think that number will drop this year with Tannehill at quarterback. He struggled in the loss to LSU, throwing three interceptions, but he had just three in his six previous games at quarterback, compared to 11 touchdowns. Five of those 30 turnovers came from Jerrod Johnson in a loss to Oklahoma State, and if the Aggies take care of the ball then, or this time around, they're likely Big 12 champions.
Why the Aggies won't win the Big 12
1. The defensive losses will be too much.
Damontre Moore should slide in and replace Von Miller. I'd expect him to do well, but what about middle linebacker? Michael Hodges was the heart of the defense in 2010 and its leading tackler. When a knee injury forced him out of the Cotton Bowl against LSU, the Tigers gashed the Aggies' defense, which for the few weeks to end the season, looked like one of the Big 12's best and topped the league in rush defense. Hodges is gone for good now, and the Aggies left spring without a solid replacement. For now, it looks like Jonathan Stewart will slide in, but it could end up being true freshman Donnie Baggs. Either way, A&M won't be as strong there, and teams that can run the ball (i.e., OSU, OU) may take advantage. Lucas Patterson is the only other loss on the defensive side of the ball, but my money is on Hodges being missed the most on the field, even though Miller was the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.
2. They have to travel to Norman.
Texas A&M has been outscored 107-24 in its last two trips to Norman, and Les Miles at Oklahoma State in 2001 is the only Big 12 coach to ever beat Bob Stoops at Owen Field. The odds are definitely against Mike Sherman becoming the second. The Aggies knocked off Oklahoma in College Station last year, but did it largely on the strength of the linebackers, and Hodges and Miller, who helped orchestrate those three goal-line stops to beat the Sooners, are gone.
3. Hype and the Aggies are not happy bedfellows.
Texas A&M looked like a possible Big 12 South contender last year, but the Aggies lost all three of their first real tests, and nearly lost to Florida International in College Station, erasing a 21-7 fourth-quarter deficit to avoid embarrassment. After being written off by most, they rallied for a share of the Big 12 South, but this year, the attention is back on the Aggies, who will likely be toting a top-15 ranking into the preseason. How will the team handle big games early in the season against Oklahoma State and an early trip to Lubbock before the showdown in Norman? Their recent history suggests "not well."
Heading into the season, I see five teams in the Big 12 with a realistic chance to win the league. I'll be breaking them down in order (which won't be the same as my post-spring power rankings) of their chances to leave the season with the Big 12 title.
No. 1 on the list was the favorites: Oklahoma
Today, we take a look at my No. 2: Texas A&M.
Why the Aggies will win the Big 12
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Rod AydelotteQuarterback Ryan Tannehill will be crucial to Texas A&M's success in 2011.
Center Matt Allen is the only offensive starter not returning, but the Aggies have a solid line, headlined by a maturing, but already talented pair of bookends with big potential, tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews. At the skill positions, you won't find anything close to a weakness. Texas A&M returns the best running back corps in the league and maybe the best 1-2 punch in the nation with Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray. All of the team's top five receivers return, and Jeff Fuller, who chose to return for his senior season, is arguably one of the five best in the country. Ryan Tannehill doesn't have a ton of starts (six) under his belt, but he was great in a tight spot last year, and led the team in receptions his first two years on the field.
2. They're especially strong in great places on defense.
Those places: Secondary and pass-rushers. That's huge in the Big 12. New joker Damontre Moore, defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie and linebacker Sean Porter should combine for more than 15 sacks this year and tons of quarterback pressures that could result in some big plays for another defensive strength: the secondary. All four starters return, and Terrence Frederick, Coryell Judie are experienced seniors at corner, while Trent Hunter and Steven Campbell hold down the safety spots.
3. They made it hard to win nine games last year.
Texas A&M already won a share of the Big 12 South last year, despite ranking 10th in the Big 12 in turnover margin at minus-5. Its 30 turnovers (15 INTs, 15 fumbles lost) were the most in the Big 12 and 111th most in the nation. You'd have to think that number will drop this year with Tannehill at quarterback. He struggled in the loss to LSU, throwing three interceptions, but he had just three in his six previous games at quarterback, compared to 11 touchdowns. Five of those 30 turnovers came from Jerrod Johnson in a loss to Oklahoma State, and if the Aggies take care of the ball then, or this time around, they're likely Big 12 champions.
Why the Aggies won't win the Big 12
1. The defensive losses will be too much.
Damontre Moore should slide in and replace Von Miller. I'd expect him to do well, but what about middle linebacker? Michael Hodges was the heart of the defense in 2010 and its leading tackler. When a knee injury forced him out of the Cotton Bowl against LSU, the Tigers gashed the Aggies' defense, which for the few weeks to end the season, looked like one of the Big 12's best and topped the league in rush defense. Hodges is gone for good now, and the Aggies left spring without a solid replacement. For now, it looks like Jonathan Stewart will slide in, but it could end up being true freshman Donnie Baggs. Either way, A&M won't be as strong there, and teams that can run the ball (i.e., OSU, OU) may take advantage. Lucas Patterson is the only other loss on the defensive side of the ball, but my money is on Hodges being missed the most on the field, even though Miller was the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.
2. They have to travel to Norman.
Texas A&M has been outscored 107-24 in its last two trips to Norman, and Les Miles at Oklahoma State in 2001 is the only Big 12 coach to ever beat Bob Stoops at Owen Field. The odds are definitely against Mike Sherman becoming the second. The Aggies knocked off Oklahoma in College Station last year, but did it largely on the strength of the linebackers, and Hodges and Miller, who helped orchestrate those three goal-line stops to beat the Sooners, are gone.
3. Hype and the Aggies are not happy bedfellows.
Texas A&M looked like a possible Big 12 South contender last year, but the Aggies lost all three of their first real tests, and nearly lost to Florida International in College Station, erasing a 21-7 fourth-quarter deficit to avoid embarrassment. After being written off by most, they rallied for a share of the Big 12 South, but this year, the attention is back on the Aggies, who will likely be toting a top-15 ranking into the preseason. How will the team handle big games early in the season against Oklahoma State and an early trip to Lubbock before the showdown in Norman? Their recent history suggests "not well."
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Courtesy of GhostofBigRoy
The Texas 7-on-7 State Championship has some serious competition now with the national Red Bull Gamebreakers 7-on-7 tournament on the scene. Where the Texas championships feature only high school teams from the Lone Star State, the Red Bull tournament showcases teams from across the country, with the finals held in the Metroplex the same weekend as the state tourney. Aledo and Arlington Martin have already opted to attend the Red Bull event instead of heading to College Station.
On Tuesday afternoon, Round Rock High School hosted a Gamebreakers qualifier, with a number of area teams in attendance. Unfortunately, Lake Travis did not attend, but Austin High's Cayleb Jones and Bastrop's Antwuan Davis were there, making the trip up I-35 from Austin worthwhile.
The Red Bull event also features several major rule differences from state 7-on-7. The major change is the length of the games -- 20 minutes instead of 40, leading to fewer comeback opportunities and less rhythm for the quarterbacks. Additionally, Gamebreakers also has a different scoring system, awarding points for interceptions, defensive stops, and first downs, and allowing the defense a pass rusher, who can begin pressuring the quarterback one second into the play. And instead of the the pool play format used in the state qualifying tournaments, followed by the semifinals and finals, the Red Bull event utilizes a double-elimination format with a winner's bracket and a loser's bracket.
Follow after the jump for some thoughts on Jones and Davis, as well as James Kirkendoll's younger brother, 2014 Round Rock WR Keyon Dilosa.
Texas A&M football offer: Marvin Bracy
Looks like we made his 1st cut of schools. We are in his top 5.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Marvin-Bracy-117401
Offers from all over the country and we make the cut. Given his size 5'10", 160 he is likely enamored with our track program.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Marvin-Bracy-117401
Offers from all over the country and we make the cut. Given his size 5'10", 160 he is likely enamored with our track program.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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