College Football - Aaron Torres Sports
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Friday, 03 September 2010 07:56 |
Well folks, Thursday night is in the books, and college football season is officially underway. And through just a few games, we’ve already learned a lot.
We learned that Stephen Garcia actually looks like a quarterback this year. And that USC’s defense looks to be in real trouble. We learned that Jacory Harris might throw for 50 touchdowns in 2010. And that it only takes Dave Wannstedt a few quarters to get in mid-season form.
Anyway, with the appetizers out of the way, it’s time to get to the main course. And we’re going to do it by dusting off my Friday picks column, back by the popular demand of none one in particular.
After a slightly above .500 2009 season, I worked hard in the weight room all winter, and expect to do even better this year. I’m even hoping for a New Year’s Day bowl appearance.
As always, the home team is in bold, and the point spreads are provided by our pals at BetUS.com.
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 09:30 |
|
If you read my work at all, you know that come the middle of August, I'm a college football introvert.
Nothing else matters. I don't want to go on dates, go to the movies or go to the beach. Baseball becomes a non-existent part of my life until October. I'd much rather spend August locked in my room, figuring out who the backup long snapper at New Mexico State is, and how a change at defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee will impact the Sun Belt race. Don't judge me, that's just how I am.
Well this year has been no different. I feel like I've been writing about college football for six months now, yet somehow, the games haven't even started yet. I've broken down all these teams every way I know how to; the good and the bad, their strengths, weaknesses, whatever. Simply put, I can rattle off Auburn's road schedule easier than I can my own family's birthdays, which is great for you the reader, but bad for my dad who's turning 58 sometime this month.
So with that, here are my college football conference previews. They aren't my usual, long, rambling diatribes, if only because I feel like I've already talked about all these teams from every angle I can. But I do need to get my picks on paper, if only so you have something to make fun of me for at the end of the season.
Also, be sure to check back for the first of my award winning (Ok, maybe not), college football picks column, this coming Friday. Until then, I'll hold you over with a few of my selections for Thursday night, found at the end of this article.
Now onto, the conference preview picks.
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Monday, 30 August 2010 08:38 |
|
Looking for a reason to be excited about college football season? How about 50 instead?
1. Because With Games Underway: We're finally talking about something other than agents and conference expansion. And not a moment too soon.
2. The Alabama Crimson Tide Going For A Second Straight National Title: We haven't technically had a repeat champion since Nebraska pulled off the feat in the mid-90's (Although USC fans would say otherwise). Regardless, are you betting against Nick Saban? Because I'm sure not.
3. Les Miles Jokes: Nobody likes cracking wise on the LSU coach more than this guy. Believe me. At the same time, if the Tigers don't beat North Carolina this weekend, it could get really ugly in Baton Rouge.
4. The Ron Zook Farewell Tour: Wait, what's that? He hasn't gotten fired yet? Just give it three months.
5. Utah Defensive Tackle Paul Kruger: Why is an obscure defensive tackle from a Mountain West school this high on the list? Because just hearing his name made me think of Mr. Kruger from Seinfeld. Which gave me a reason to watch this video.
6. West Virginia Head Coach Bill Stewart: Who I've decided that from now on, will only be referred to as, "Coach Paul Blart." Who's with me?
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Friday, 27 August 2010 08:52 |
|
I've got a really bad procrastination habit. Most writers do. Mine is especially chronic.
Any excuse I can come up with to avoid doing work, I'm there. Re-runs of Sportscenter? Count me in. Constant Twitter page refreshing? I can't stop. Calling up my family to make small talk? Alright, I've never actually stooped that low, although I have come close.
Yesterday, in the midst of one of those procrastination sessions, I was skimming ESPN.com and came across Matthew Berry's "Bold Predictions," piece on fantasy football. Of course I spent 15 reading it word for word, even though I don't play fantasy football.
Either way, it got me thinking about college football this year. And what were some wacky things that I thought could happen, that no one was talking about? Not stuff like "Alabama is going to lose a game," or "Florida is going to struggle without Tim Tebow." Any clown could tell you that. But what were some really, far out there predictions?
Here are 10 I came up with...
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Monday, 23 August 2010 09:01 |
On Saturday morning, Twitter officially blew up. Thankfully, it had nothing to do with Justin Bieber.
Nope, Twitter was all a buzz Saturday, as the first AP Poll of the 2010 college football season was released. This two weeks before the start of the actual season.
And despite having no games, exhibitions or in some cases, open practices to base the rankings on, everyone still had an opinion. Why this team was ranked too high. Why that team was ranked too low. Why so and so had no chance of winning eight games, even if they adopted Rich Rodriguez's practice schedule. Basically, anyone who had two opposable thumbs and an internet connection, was sharing their thoughts on the AP Poll somewhere Saturday morning.
As for me, well I wasn't one of those people. Truth be told, I spent most of Saturday morning just thinking. Why people were so excited about the poll to begin with. What these rankings really even mean. And wondering if, (considering that we use these polls- although not the AP- as a barometer to determine who plays for the BCS National Championship) it's time to eliminate them in the pre-season altogether.
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Friday, 20 August 2010 07:11 |
|
When I decided a little over a year about to commit myself to writing about sports, I had no idea what to expect. Would anyone read? Would anyone care? Would I be living in a cardboard box under the train tracks within six months?
While I’m happy to report that I am in fact not living under the train tracks, I have learned a lot over these past 13 months. And one thing that’s surprised me more than anything, is just how much people love to gamble on sports.
Everyone. Young and old. Rich and poor. Degenerates and regular dudes. Basically from what I can gauge, if you’re somewhere between the ages of 18-55, and know what a first down is, you’ve wagered on football sometime in the last calendar year.
Last season, my most responded to articles were my weekly college football picks columns (first one coming in two weeks!). Everybody had an opinion. Why they liked my picks. Why they hated them. Why the pick I made was absolutely, positively the dumbest one they’d ever seen. Until that team covered the following weekend.
Well this year, rather than being caught off guard by all the gambling talk, I’m going to be at the forefront of it. With BetUS.com releasing all sorts of fun college football betting options already, I’ve gone ahead and looked at some of the Over/Under futures bets, and picked out a few that I like, and a few that I don’t. | Of course, by sharing my picks, that almost certainly means I’ll be struck by lightning, or even worse, lose all my money, and end up living under the train tracks. If that happens, it was fun knowing you guys, although I guess I saw it coming.
And finally, as always, feel free to tell me why you agree with my picks, disagree with them, or just think I’m an idiot. It definitely won’t be the first, or last time I’ve heard it.
Either way, let’s get to the picks:
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Tuesday, 10 August 2010 08:35 |
Yesterday, I revealed the first part of my "Way Too Early," College Football Preseason Top 25. We laughed, we cried, and luckily, remained injury free through all 3,000 words. To read the preview click here.
Today it's time for the second part, where I reveal 15 more teams, and end with the revelation of my preseason No. 1 (I'm sure you'll all be real shocked who I take at No. 1. Kidding.). Two quick notes before we start:
1. This is a very, VERY long article, even by my standards. You probably won't read it all in one sitting, and that's ok. Take your time, soak it in, swish it around in your mouth, like a glass of fine wine. Come back two or three times if you need to. And if you don't want to do that, just print it out and read it on your commute home, in bed while ignoring your wife, or wherever else you do your reading (I don't want to know where that might be). Just make sure to block off a fair amount of time.
2. After finishing yesterday's countdown at No. 15 Miami, we are starting... back at No. 15. Why, you ask? Well because I'm an idiot and actually ranked 26 teams instead of 25. I guess that hypothetically makes Notre Dame No. 26 in this poll, not No. 25, but I'm keeping them there anyway. Whatever. Like I said, I'm an idiot. Clearly, math was never my strong suit.
Anyway, let's get back to the list...
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Monday, 09 August 2010 08:32 |
|
I've got to be honest: I wasn't planning on writing this article until next week. But I just couldn't wait.
That's right, camps are opening nationwide, and Joe Schad has appeared from his summer hibernation, seen his shadow, and is now on my TV more than Lindsay Lohan jail news. Which can mean only one thing: College football season is right around the corner!!
With that, here is my preseason Top 25.
Sure, I probably should have waited a few weeks to post it, and yes my opinions will probably change 100 times between now and September 2nd. Then again, why bother waiting for boring stuff like "position battles," to play themselves out, when I can just make broad, sweeping generalizations, without having the facts to back them up!! At the very least, it sure beats another baseball article, right?
Let's start today with teams No. 25-15, as well as a few teams that missed the cut. Then, be sure to check back tomorrow for team's No. 14-1. As always, feedback is welcome, even if (More likely than not), you think I'm an idiot.
Enjoy.
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 09:41 |
|
When news broke a few weeks ago that former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli might end up playing at Ole Miss,
I half-heartedly joked on Twitter:
“Can’t lie: On the 1-10 Excitement Scale, I’m at about a 347 thinking about Jeremiah Masoli playing QB in the SEC at Ole Miss.”
Looking back though, that really might have been an understatement.
Last year Masoli turned Chip Kelly’s offense on its head at Oregon. The guy didn’t just run a no-huddle, read option attack, he was playing fast-break football. He was must see TV. When it came to the “eye test,” Masoli passed with flying colors: He was easily one of the 2-3 most exciting players in college football.
So to say that I was a 347 on the excitement scale, doesn’t really do justice to how I was feeling a few weeks ago. It was more than that.
It was the cast of Jersey Shore at an open bar level of excitement. It was a puppy off the leash in the backyard level of excitement. It was a Brett Favre’s Vikings teammates when he shows up at camp in two weeks, level of excitement. Masoli against Alabama, LSU or Auburn? Forget must-see TV, Ole Miss could charge $49.95 to watch their games on TV and I’d be the first one in line with my credit card.
|
|
Written by Aaron Torres
|
|
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 09:15 |
|
Is it just me, or is anybody else ready for some college football?
Between the teams, the packed stadiums, the prety coeds, Ryan Mallett's right arm and Jim Tressel's sweater vest, there are a million reasons to be excited about the start of the upcoming season. But here at AaronTorres-Sports.com, I'm about to give you one more: The opportunity to win a free copy of Blue Ribbon's College Football Yearbook, which, let me tell ya, is the ultimate preview guide in all of college football (I know it sounds like I'm trying to sell you a Juicer on a 2 a.m. infomercial right now, but believe me, this thing is legit. I got a PDF copy over the weekend, and I didn't see sunlight for two days. Seriously.).
Anyway, Blue Ribbon has given me one free copy to give out to one of my readers, and here's all you have to do to enter to win the magazine: Tell me the best college football experience that you've ever had. Easy enough, right?
I don't care what the experience was: A game you attended, a tailgate you were overserved at, meeting your favorite player or coach, taking a trip with your buddies to a big road game, spending a Saturday in front of the TV with your dog (Like me), even if you've never stepped foot inside a stadium, it doesn't matter. All I want is the details on an experience that you'll never forget, that somehow has to do with college football. That's it.
To enter, just post that experience in the comments section of this post, e-mail me at ATorres00@gmail, send me a message at Facebook.com/AaronTorresSports, get to me on Twitter @Aaron_Torres, again I don't care. Just get me your story, and get it to me ASAP. A one man panel of me will determine who has the best story, and the best story wins the yearbook.
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 7 |
|
|