2008 Previews: Iowa State

Preview No. 16 is Iowa State. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.

Remember all those years (but the late 90s especially) when Vanderbilt was just good enough to put a scare into virtually everyone they played, but never good enough to beat any of them?

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Iowa State Cyclones!

Coming off a 3-9 season in Year 1 of the Gene Chizik era, the Cyclones will likely be a better team, but the record won’t be appreciably better.

They’re replacing a four-year starter at quarterback with what will most likely be a two-QB system, their top three rushers are back, as well as four starters on the offensive line, but they ranked 95th in the country in rushing and 78th overall offensively.

And the defense loses both defensive tackles and two linebackers.

On the surface things sound bad. And they mostly are. But Chizik is slowly but surely turning things around in Ames, and while this team won’t win many games they should at least acquit themselves well each time out. And they avoid Oklahoma and Texas.

Here’s the schedule:

Aug. 28: South Dakota State
This probably isn’t as much of a gimme as it should be. The Cyclones lost to an FCS school last year (Northern Iowa) and have come close in numerous other years.

Sept. 6: Kent State
A good game to get ready for their rivalry matchup.

Sept. 13: at Iowa
The Cyclones actually shocked the Hawkeyes last year, but don’t expect it to happen again.

Sept. 20: at UNLV
If they’re going to top last year’s win total, they’re going to have to have this one. And it won’t be easy.

Oct. 4: Kansas
Gone are the days when ISU could bank on a win here (brief though they were).

Oct. 11: at Baylor
See: UNLV. This is the only conference game they can win, so they’d better be prepared.

Oct. 18: Nebraska
Although there’s probably a slight possibility they could pull off the upset here.

Oct. 25: Texas A&M
The Aggies are by no means the juggernaut of a decade ago, but they’re good enough to come into Ames and win.

Nov. 1: at Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is one of the teams ISU will eventually have to pass if its going to move up the Big XII ladder. They aren’t there yet.

Nov. 8: at Colorado
The Cyclones beat the Buffs last year at home. Don’t look for a repeat in Boulder.

Nov. 15: Missouri
This is probably the one game that ISU is hopelessly outmanned.

Nov. 22: at Kansas State
The Wildcats are definitely more talented. But will they have gotten mentally tougher?

ISU is probably looking at a 4-8 record this year. But look for them to sneak into some marginal bowl in 09.

2008 Previews: Florida State

Our 15th preview takes us to Florida State, formerly a top 5 football school but always a top 5 party school. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.

I was a little hard on Florida State last year.

While the column didn’t survive our move to a new Web site, I predicted the Seminoles would remain in mediocrity for the forseeable future during an August column.

They stayed there last season.

But, take heart Seminole fans. I see some drastic improvement ahead.

The Noles won’t be national (or even ACC) title contenders this year, but they have a group that can lay the groundwork for a return to prominence.

Drew Weatherford, who has shown flashes of brilliance amidst mountains of mediocrity in three years as an off-and-on starter, should improve at least a little bit in the fact that he won’t have to look over his shoulder for Xavier Lee after every mistake this time around (although Christian Ponder will probably see some time under center).

The Noles return their top three rushers (although they once again were unable to run the ball) and just two starters on the offensive line.

The defense - always a strong suit under Bowden and ace defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews - returns eight starters and should once again be stout.

FSU does have to deal with all those suspensions from that academic scandal, but start out with TWO FCS schools (and not even good ones).

The conference slate’s not easy, and they have to contend with the Florida juggernaut, but they should be much more competitive this time around.

Here’s the schedule:

Sept. 6: Western Carolina
Would someone please put a stop to this?

Sept. 13: Chattanooga
See above.

Sept. 20: Wake Forest
This is a big game. The Demon Deacons have beaten FSU twice in a row (I know, it’s hard to type, too) and come to Tallahassee with plenty of experience returning from their last two impressive seasons. But I think the Noles (especially after returning all those suspended players) will be able to take this one in a close battle.

Sept. 27: vs. Colorado (at Jacksonville, Fla.)
I famously guaranteed an FSU loss in Boulder last year. That didn’t happen, and it’s not gonna happen in Jacksonville, either.

Oct. 4: at Miami
Another big one. The Canes are on the way back, but FSU extends the winning streak for at least one more year.

Oct. 16: at N.C. State
Let the record show that 49 days into the season the Seminoles first venture out of Florida. FSU has lost in three of its last five trips to Raleigh, but should be able to bring this one home.

Oct. 25: Virginia Tech
The simple fact that this one’s in Tallahassee will keep FSU in the game. I don’t think it’ll be enough to get them a win.

Nov. 1: at Georgia Tech
The Noles win in a game that’ll probably be closer than it should be.

Nov. 8: Clemson
See: Virginia Tech

Nov. 15: Boston College
The Noles ruined BC’s undefeated season last year in Chestnut Hill, and an Eagles team that won’t be near as good will come back to Tallahassee this year.

Nov. 22: at Maryland
This one’s dangerous. FSU has lost in its last two trips to College Park, and with a team still filled with a lot of young players they could be looking ahead.

Nov. 29: Florida
This series hasn’t been stacked this heavily in one team’s favor since the Gators won six in a row during the 80s (which they’ll probably surpass before FSU finally catches up).

If they can somehow upset Virginia Tech or Clemson the Noles could get a 10-win regular season. But if they wind up losing some game they have no business losing (as they’ve done at least once seven years in a row) they could slip right back to where they were the last two seasons. I say they’ll go 8-4 or 9-3.

2008 Previews: Penn State

Preview No. 14 takes us to Happy Valley, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Enjoy the Peachy Paterno Ice Cream. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.

I’ve been racking my brain looking for a reason to tell you PSU will have a lousy season.

There are a few bad signs: An inexperienced returning quarterback who will be pressured by a hotshot young recruit, the Lions’ overall offensive woes over the last decade even when they’ve had experienced signal-callers and the proclivity of Joe Paterno (and son/offensive coordinator Jay) to render his team useless in big games in recent years.

But man, the schedule’s just too easy.

Daryll Clark should step in at quarterback, and he can move. No one’s sure how much of a thrower he is, as he threw only nine passes last year. And super sophomore Pat Devlin will likely see plenty of time.

They also must replace 1300-yard rusher Rodney Kinlaw, but finding someone to run the ball typically hasn’t been a problem in State College.

The offensive line is almost completely intact, and the defense loses only two starters (both linebackers).

With 17 returning starters, an easy non-conference slate and only four losable games, the Lions should have a decent season, at worst.

Here’s the schedule:

Aug. 30: Coastal Carolina
If this were a baseball game PSU might be in trouble.

Sept. 6: Oregon State
If this game were in November PSU might be in trouble.

Sept. 13: at Syracuse
If this game were being played 10 years ago PSU might be in trouble.

Sept. 20: Temple
Under no circumstances at any point, past, present or future, would PSU be in trouble here.

Sept. 27: Illinois
Aha! An opponent that has a chance. Ron Zook has the Illini rolling right now (they’d better enjoy it while RichRod is building up Michigan), and barring a Juice Williams meltdown they should come into Happy Valley and take this one.

Oct. 4: at Purdue
PSU hasn’t been great on the road lately, but I don’t see the Boilermakers going very far this year.

Oct. 11: at Wisconsin
Paterno has been unable to win in Madison, and this year will be no different.

Oct. 18: Michigan
HIGH POINT OF THE SEASON ALERT! Penn State ends its losing skid to Michigan this year (they haven’t beaten the Wolverines since 1996).

Oct. 25: at Ohio State
The Lions are no match for Tresselball.

Nov. 8: at Iowa
UPSET ALERT! As low as I am on the Hawkeyes, this is a game I could see them winning.

Nov. 15: Indiana
A good tuneup for what will probably be a big season finale.

Nov. 22: Michigan State
The Nittany Lions had better come ready for this one. It’s likely to be a battle.

There’s no reason in the world, despite all their problems, that this team could do worse than 8-4. They’ll probably go 9-3.

2008 Previews: Michigan State

Michigan State is No. 13 in the preview lineup. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.

Michigan State is a team on the rise.

I know, I know. We’ve heard that a lot over the years. Nick Saban left after the 1999 season just when he seemed to have things going, the Bobby Williams era was pretty much a disaster and John L. Smith went from hot commodity to laughingstock in a span of four seasons.

But Mark Dantonio seems to be the real deal.

He built a powerhouse-in-waiting at Cincinnati (which Brian Kelly is benefitting from at the moment) and almost immediately took the Spartans from an inconsistent group to a team of tough, team-oriented players.

Only this year he’s facing a mixed bag.

He has a solid quarterback in Brian Hoyer and a star running back in Javon Ringer returning, but lost some key players at receiver and on the offensive and defensive lines.

But unlike most of this decade, the Spartans will be well coached and should be able to overcome some of their youth, but the schedule’s not easy.

Here it is:

Aug. 30: at California
A cross-country trip to Berkeley’s not a great way for this team to start the season.

Sept. 6: Eastern Michigan
But the Spartans will have ample opportunity to right the ship.

Sept. 13: Florida Atlantic
Never sleep on the Fightin’ Schnellenbergers.

Sept. 20: Notre Dame
Over the last decade the Spartans have been unbeatable in South Bend (6-0 since 1997) but significantly less so in East Lansing (2-3 since 1998). I think this is a win.

Sept. 27: at Indiana
The Hoosiers have been on the rise, but are probably falling back to the pack this season.

Oct. 4: Iowa
A lot of people are high on the Hawkeyes this year. I am not one of them (even if they do avoid Michigan and Ohio State).

Oct. 11: at Northwestern
Key game here. This could be the difference between no bowl and a bowl for both teams.

Oct. 18: Ohio State
The Spartans have come close to knocking off the Buckeyes on several occasions, but not this year. Even at home.

Oct. 25: at Michigan
It doesn’t seem fair to have to play these back-to-back, does it? But if the Spartans are going to break their losing streak in Ann Arbor (eight and counting) this will probably be the best chance they’ll have for a long, long time.

Nov. 1: Wisconsin
I love the Badgers. I don’t particularly love watching them play.

Nov. 8: Purdue
Another key game. If they’re going to get six (or seven) wins they’re going to have to have this one and the Northwestern game.

Nov. 22: at Penn State
MSU has a history of beating the Nittany Lions (although not in Happy Valley so much), and they’ll certainly have a chance to steal this one.

Perhaps with just a little more experience returning on defense the Spartans would have a chance to make some noise in the Big 10 (where virtually everyone but Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois is fair game). But they’re probably looking at another six- or seven-win season. Which ain’t bad.

2008 Previews: Kansas

Kansas is No. 12 in our preview lineup. Previews of all 65 BCS conference teams, plus Notre Dame and state schools, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.

Kansas was one of the feel-good stories of the year last season, coming out of nowhere to finish 12-1 with a BCS bowl win and an eons of losing-cleansing drubbing of Nebraska.

And now the Jayhawks return 15 starters from that dream team, including nine on defense and ace quarterback Todd Reesing.

The only problem? They’re playing more than one team that can put up a fight this time around.

Not only are they taking a road trip to South Florida and facing always-frisky Louisiana Tech on the non-conference slate, but they replace Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech on their Big 12 schedule.

Not a good sign.

It also doesn’t help that the two players they lost on defense were All-World in tackle James McClinton and cornerback Aqib Talib.

While in many ways this will be a stronger, more polished team, the record is probably going to be significantly worse.

Here’s teh schedule:

Aug. 30: Florida International
The Jayhawks beat them 55-3 last year and there’s no reason to think this time around will be any different.

Sept. 6: Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs are always waiting to knock someone off, but Kansas should be strong enough to resist this one.

Sept. 12: at South Florida
A short week and a long trip equals bad things in Tampa.

Sept. 20: Sam Houston State
Can’t we start penalizing people BCS points for games like this?

Oct. 4: at Iowa State
The Cyclones are a long way away from being relevant again.

Oct. 11: Colorado
These two fought a pretty tough battle in Boulder last year. Expect the same this time around.

Oct. 18: at Oklahoma
As good as the Jayhawks could be, they are in no way equipped to go on the road and win a game like this.

Oct. 25: Texas Tech
This game could be the difference between a Holiday Bowl trip and an Independence Bowl berth.

Nov. 1: Kansas State
The Jayhawks have seized power in the state, for the time being at least.

Nov. 8: at Nebraska
Boy, this one should be interesting after the Jayhawks hung a whopping 76 points on the Huskers last year.

Nov. 15: Texas
The biggest game to come to Lawrence, Kan., in forever will probably end in disappointment for the Jayhawk faithful.

Nov. 29: vs. Missouri (at Kansas City, Mo.)
The Tigers knocked the Jayhawks out of the title picture last year and will knock them down a bowl notch this time.

Kansas will be no worse than 7-5, but no better than 9-3. 8-4 is probably the most likely record.