Big Ten bowl wrap-up with Jim Delany, Part I
January 12, 2009 by feed · Leave a Comment
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
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| Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images | |
| Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany remains optimistic about next season. |
His league has taken a beating on and off the field in recent weeks, and many are questioning the Big Ten's relevancy in college football. But league commissioner Jim Delany remains resilient, albeit realistic, about the recent struggles. The Big Ten went 1-6 in bowls this year, arguably the league's worst postseason performance ever. It extended the Big Ten's losing streak in BCS games to six.
Nine years have passed since the Big Ten won a Rose Bowl, and the league hasn't posted a winning postseason since 2002. I caught up with Delany on Friday to discuss the league's bowl performance and the future.
Obviously the Big Ten's record wasn't good, but how did you feel coming out of this postseason?
Jim Delany: I would rather have gone 6-1, but that's not what the predictors said we would be. I was optimistic going in. I thought we'd win more than we'd lost, but we did not, so it was disappointing. The margins in some cases were not good. In other cases, the games were more competitive. I've given it a lot of thought. I'm not sure I've arrived at any particular conclusions, other than we're playing elite teams. Certainly Southern Cal was playing at another level. That was clear to me. While Penn State got their way back into the game, [USC] really had their way by the half. I'd seen them play earlier against Ohio State and I saw them play last year [in the Rose Bowl] against Illinois. They're very good. They've got great athletes, they're well coached and they play at a level. We don't have a team that's playing at that level at this juncture. We just don't.
How do you think Big Ten teams competed in all the games?
JD: I saw the Michigan State-Georgia game and I saw the Missouri game, I saw the Ohio State game and I saw the Iowa game. Those games were more competitive. One we won and the other ones, we were definitely in the games. Obviously, our goal is to compete at the highest level. When you don't, you have to look internally. That's a football coach's role, to see exactly what needs to be done. We've got great coaches. I would say we have, probably more than people realize, five or six programs that are in the building stages. I don't think you can say anything other than that about Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois and now probably Purdue and Indiana. So to be fair, a program that has got a coach in Year 1, 2 or 3, is different than a program that is in Year 5, 6, 7 or 8. So that has an effect, but that doesn't speak really to the issue. The last four or five years, we've played USC four or five times. We've gotten blown out a couple of times, we were competitive a couple of times, but we haven't been able to beat them. So clearly a better program. And while LSU and Florida got us on championship day, we've gotten them in other bowl games. Michigan got Florida last year and Iowa got LSU. So I'm not despondent about our ability to compete. But I think at the very highest level the last three or four years, we have not had a team. When Florida, LSU and Southern Cal have had championship teams, to me they have been the crème de la crème in terms of coaches, athletes, et cetera.
Rose Bowl preview
January 1, 2009 by feed · Leave a Comment
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
The defining game of the Big Ten bowl season pits traditional powers No. 8 Penn State (11-1) against No. 5 USC (11-1) in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi (ABC 5 p.m. ET). The Big Ten hasn’t won a Rose Bowl since 2000 and enters with a four-game losing streak in BCS games. Penn State hasn’t followed the league’s downward trend, winning its last three bowl games, including the 2006 Orange.
Here’s a look at this mega matchup.
WHO TO WATCH: Quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster have sparkled as first-year starters in Penn State’s offensive backfield. They face their toughest test to date in USC, which leads the nation in scoring and could be the best defense in recent college football history. Clark regained his confidence in the regular-season finale against Michigan State but must make smart, yet assertive decisions. If Penn State’s veteran offensive line gives Royster running room, he could do some damage.
WHAT TO WATCH: Penn State’s offensive scheme and strategy this season has been, well, very un-Penn State. The Spread HD attacked defenses with small, fast wide receivers and opened up running lanes for Clark, Royster, Derrick Williams and Stephfon Green. USC’s back seven on defense is its strength, so it will be interesting to see how aggressive play-callers Jay Paterno and Galen Hall will be in the game. A bold approach has its risks and rewards, while a conservative style likely won’t work against USC.
WHY TO WATCH: Because it’s the Rose Bowl, silly. Not fully convinced? You’ve got two iconic coaches from different generations (Joe Paterno and Pete Carroll), two top five defenses (including the so-called greatest defense ever in USC), a ton of future NFL players and the arguably the greatest setting in college sports. USC can strengthen its argument as potentially the nation’s best team, while Penn State can finally gain national respect for its team and, just maybe, its league. You have no excuse not to watch this game.
What to watch in the final four Big Ten bowls
December 31, 2008 by feed · Leave a Comment
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
The final 2008 edition of What to Watch examines the four remaining Big Ten bowl games: Outback, Capital One, Rose and Fiesta. The Big Ten is winless so far in the bowl season and is favored in only one bowl (Iowa, Outback).
Here are some subplots to watch as you watch the games (in order of kickoff time).
1. Iowa running back Shonn Greene — Big Ten fans should be somewhat familiar with Greene, but most of the country will get its first glimpse of the Hawkeyes’ superstar on Thursday against South Carolina. The Doak Walker Award winner has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all 12 regular-season games but faces a stout South Carolina defense. This likely will be Greene’s final collegiate game, so get a good look while you can.
2. The Hawkeyes’ back seven vs. Stephen Garcia — Garcia gets the start at quarterback for South Carolina and hopes to provide some stability under center. The redshirt freshman has six touchdown passes and five interceptions on the season, and he’ll need to limit mistakes against an Iowa defense that forces plenty of them. Iowa led the Big Ten with 20 interceptions, with five players collecting multiple picks.
3. Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer — His last bowl appearance was a disaster, as he committed five turnovers (4 INTs, fumble) in a loss to Boston College. Georgia undoubtedly will load up to stop Javon Ringer and make Hoyer win the game for Michigan State. Though Hoyer’s numbers this season won’t blow anyone away, he has made clutch throws and found ways to win games. If he can stretch the field with Blair White, rushing lanes should open for Ringer.
4. Michigan State’s defensive line vs. Georgia’s offensive line — If the Spartans manage to slow down Georgia, it has to start up front. Michigan State’s defensive line has more experience and must find ways to exploit Georgia’s front five. Rush end Trevor Anderson finished the year with eight sacks and Brandon Long and Justin Kershaw combined for seven more. If Matthew Stafford has time in the pocket, Michigan State will be in big trouble.
5. Joe Paterno’s whereabouts — It doesn’t really matter where Paterno watches the Rose Bowl, but his potential return to the sideline after seven consecutive games in the press box might give Penn State an emotional lift. Paterno admits he sees the field better from up top, but the 82-year-old is itching to get back to where he belongs. His location likely will be a game-time decision, and the officiating crew better be on its toes if JoePa returns to the sideline.
6. Quarterback Daryll Clark and Penn State’s offensive strategy — Clark got his swagger back in the regular-season finale against Michigan State and enters the Rose Bowl stocked with confidence. But he goes up against quite possibly the best defense in recent college history. Though Clark has been smart and efficient all season (four interceptions in 285 pass attempts), Penn State likely needs to challenge USC down the field. A passive approach simply won’t work in this game, and play-callers Galen Hall and Jay Paterno need to go right at USC’s strength.
7. Penn State’s special teams — These two defenses could easily cancel one another out — Penn State can play some ‘D’, too — and the Rose Bowl might come down to special teams. Penn State senior return man Derrick Williams has been outstanding this season and needs another huge performance against USC. If Williams can give Penn State short fields and Kevin Kelly converts his field goal attempts, the Lions could outlast the Trojans. Punter Jeremy Boone also could play a big role in this one, and Penn State must contain the Johnsons (Ronald and Stafon) on USC’s returns.
2008 Rose Bowl Preview: Who Has The Edge?
December 13, 2008 by feed · Leave a Comment
The 2008 Rose Bowl will be the only BCS bowl game to feature two one loss conference champions play head to head besides the National Title Game. So naturally this game will function as a sort of “semifinal” in which the winner can make a case that they deserve to play the winner of the title game for the real title in a plus one format.
But that’s another story for another day…
So Penn State and USC will face off in the 95th Rose Bowl.
Great. Another Big Ten team sent to their execution in sunny Pasadena?
Wrong. Or at least, the facts show otherwise.
Before breaking down this match up, it is essential to analyze the reason for this “Big 10 is going to get blown out” stigma in the Rose Bowl.
The Big 10’s record in this game against a Pac-10 opponent since 2000 is a lowly 1-3.
The lone victory in this decade game came against Stanford.
Wisconsin beat them 17-9 in 2000.
The other three games between the Pac-10 and the Big 10 in this game have been USC vs. Michigan twice, and once Illinois.
The combined scores of those games?
USC-109
UM & Ill.-49
So chalk up this decade to USC in particular when it comes to the traditional Big 10 vs. Pac-10 match up in this game.
While Penn State can not even bring the Big 10’s record to .500 vs. USC in the Rose Bowl this decade with a win on New Year’s Day, they would go a far way towards healing that stigma.
Without further ado, the preview:
Coaching
Penn State
Joe Paterno has two National Titles, five Undefeated Seasons, 383 wins, 23 Bowl Victories, and is the only coach to win all four BCS Bowl Games (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange).
It is an inspiring resume.
Combine that with Galen Hall, Tom Bradley, and Jay Paterno, and you have one hell of a staff. Penn State’s coaches have been flawless all year, except for a couple of bad calls in the red zone against Iowa.
And even with the blunders, it took a last second field goal to top Penn State by one point.
USC
Pete Carroll has two National Titles, an 85.3 percent Winning Percentage, and is 5-2 in bowl games. He’s only been coaching for seven years or so.
And his offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is great as well, but will be leaving to go to Washington next season, which could or might be a distraction.
Nick Holt on D…need I say more or did USC’s D speak for itself?
Advantage: Penn State
How can you go against such a consistent staff such as Penn State’s? Especially with Joe Paterno. The legend gets the nod here, but when it comes to the Rose Bowl, Carroll definitely knows a thing or two about how to win one of these for sure.
The thing that hurt USC in my eyes was the whole Sarkisian situation possibly becoming a distraction.
Offense
Penn State
Spread HD. Two words that struck some fear into many teams this season.
Daryl Clark passing to a trio of wide receivers in Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood, and Deon Butler that have combined for 121 catches, 1769 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
If he is not passing, he is handing it off to the 1-2 punch of Evan Royster and Stephfon Green who combined for 280 carries, 1723 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
Pretty lethal. Not to mention Clark can run.
75 carries for 265 yards and 12 touchdowns.
And that offensive line?
The main reason this offensive unit has been averaging 40 points a game.
USC
The Trojans have an amazing offense as usual with Mark Sanchez leading the attack.
They average 37 points per game.
The stable of running backs is effective as ever.
Between C.J. Gable, Joe McKnight, and Stafon Johnson, they have racked up 1892 yards on only 313 carries for an average of 6 yards per carry, and scored 19 touchdowns.
And how could we forget those wide receivers? The trio of Damien Williams, Patrick Turner, and Ronald Johnson have combined for some gaudy stats.
122 catches, 1862 yards, 24 touchdowns.
All behind a great offensive line that keeps Sanchez off the ground.
Advantage: TIE
I watched Penn State each and every week rip most teams to shreds with a balanced attack.
USC’s offense statistically is a bit better.
I have seen both teams struggle to move the ball in a couple of games, but they both have such balanced attacks. Daryl Clark’s dangerous mobility, and the seniority of that PSU offensive line counters the slight statistical advantage that USC’s running backs and receivers have.
Both teams are extremely talented at the skill positions, and they are about dead even in this category.
Defense
Penn State
One of the best units in the country ranked fifth in total defense allowing only 12.4 points per game.
Although dominating in many games, especially the 13-6 victory over No. 10 Ohio State in Columbus, they played a soft non-conference schedule which helped inflate their stats a bit.
Their highest points allowed in a game was 24, and that occurred twice. It is not shabby of course, but represented a more “bend don’t break” mentality than dominating defense.
They have leadership, but it is young. Josh Hull, a walk on as a linebacker at Linebacker U?
He has come into his own, and leads a defense that had many injury issues, including Sean Lee’s which put Hull on the field in the first place.
The strong spot on this defense is the defensive line. Although they do not have much depth, they are definitely strong, with Aaron Maybin, Josh Gaines, Maurice Evans, and Jared Odrick.
USC
You thought fifth was a good ranking?
Try first in the country in total defense.
Allowing how many points per game?
*Gulp* 7.8.
Yes folks that is under 10. That is under eight for crying out loud! Even with that admittedly tougher non-conference schedule.
Leadership?
They got it.
Award winning linebacker?
USC has him. His name is Rey Maualuga.
This 6′3″ 250 pound Linebacker has terrorized the Pac-10 (although apparently so do Mountain West Conference teams these days) for much of his career at USC.
This year though, the man has played lights out, leading the Trojans with 66 tackles. He has a knack for the big plays, and has two interceptions this year.
Watch for yourself- Ray’s Highlight Reel
I could say a lot more about USC’s defense. But they are so legendarily good that you have probably heard enough about them already.
Advantage: USC
Statistically they are close, both are in the top five.
But unlike in the offensive category where Penn State held an ace in the hole with Daryl Clark, USC has the advantage here in leadership with Ray Maualuga.
But let’s not kid us ourselves.
Penn State’s defense can hang.
USC’s defense can hang anyone.
Special Teams
PSU leads in three of the four statistical categories of special teams.
But I don’t look at that.
I look at what I call the scare factor…
If I am punting or kicking off…
Do I really want to let Derrick Williams (two kickoff return touchdowns, three punt return touchdowns) touch the ball?
USC has how many return touchdowns?
One.
If I need a field goal, who would I go to?
David Buehler who is 8 for 12 this season…
or
Kevin Kelly,
A senior.
Penn State’s all time leading scorer.
20-24 on FG attempts.
Kicked the game winning field goal in the 2005 Orange Bowl.
Advantage: PSU
Derrick Williams is a game breaker on special teams, and Kelly is a reliable kicker. All extremely important game changing assets.
Home-field Advantage: USC
Come on, they know the Rose Bowl better than UCLA. Penn State will travel well, but do not expect a White Out.
Final Prediction:
When the categories are tallied up, the results are:
PSU: 2.5 (Coaching {1}, Offense {.5}, Special Teams {1})
USC: 2.5 (Defense, {1}, Offense {.5}, Home Field {1})
I’m a Penn State fan. You do not want my opinion. I will not give it to you.
You have seen the numbers and explanations.
You decide in the comments.
Give us your score, and why!
And do not forget to tune into the 95th Rose Bowl presented by Citi on ABC on January 1, 2009 at 5:10 EST/ 2:10 PST!
Zook getting ample interest in Locksley’s old job
December 10, 2008 by feed · Leave a Comment
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Mike Locksley’s departure to become head coach at New Mexico leaves Illinois without its offensive architect and top recruiter. Arguably no assistant coach in the Big Ten brought in a better recruiting haul than Locksley, who landed wide receiver Arrelious Benn, cornerback Vontae Davis and defensive end Will Davis, among others.
But Illini head coach Ron Zook won’t have trouble finding a replacement at offensive coordinator. Zook’s phone has been flooded with calls the last 48 hours, including recommendations from Georgia head coach Mark Richt, former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and Penn State offensive coordinator Galen Hall.
Hmmm, I wonder who Hall is pushing for the job (Jay Paterno?). Nothing against Fulmer, but Zook should be a little leery of hiring anyone associated with Tennessee’s offense this season.
“What makes you busy is that it’s a job that a lot of people want,” Zook said. “It makes you feel good because people have taken notice, they’ve seen the progress we’ve made and they realize we’ve got some talent here. Now, we’ve just got to coach it up and get them ready to where they’re supposed to be.”
Locksley doesn’t expect to bring “major guys” from the Illinois staff with him to New Mexico. If Zook chooses to stay in house, wide receivers coaches Jim Pry and Kurt Beathard, both of whom have offensive coordinator experience, would be top candidates.
Though Locksley served as a mentor for quarterback Juice Williams and others, Zook assured his players Tuesday that “nothing’s going to change.”
Recognizing the Big Ten’s top coordinators for ‘08
December 5, 2008 by feed · Leave a Comment
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
A comprehensive review of the regular season will begin next week, but I wanted to recognize the top coaching jobs by the guys many of you love to hate — offensive and defensive coordinators.
Here are the Big Ten assistant coaches/coordinators who made the biggest impact on their respective teams this fall.
The list definitely has a defensive flavor to it.
1. Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz – No assistant had a more transformative effect on a unit than Hankwitz did with Northwestern’s defense. Considered a lost cause since the introduction of the spread offense in 2000, the Wildcats’ defense led the league in sacks after finishing 10th last season, dropped its scoring average by 11.7 points from 2007 and allowed 67 fewer yards per game.
2. Penn State quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno and offensive coordinator Galen Hall — Together, these two men administered the high-powered Spread HD offense that put Penn State into the national title mix midway through the season. Penn State’s offense was by far the most balanced in the conference, leading the Big Ten in scoring, ranking second in rushing and third in passing.
3. Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley – This guy deserves a head-coaching position, and Penn State would be wise not to drag its feet much longer before naming him Joe Paterno’s successor. Despite a wave of injuries, suspensions and dismissals along the defensive line, Penn State led the Big Ten in both total defense (263.9 ypg) and scoring defense (12.4 ppg). Bradley’s scheme produced stars like Aaron Maybin, Jared Odrick and Navorro Bowman and effectively masked weaknesses in the secondary.
4. Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker – It helps to have two veteran tackles in Mitch King and Matt Kroul, but Parker’s time-tested scheme once again proved to be extremely effective. Young defenders like Adrian Clayborn, Pat Angerer, Amari Spievey, Brent Greenwood and Tyler Sash blossomed as Iowa allowed just 13.2 points a game.
5. Minnesota defensive coordinator Ted Roof – Roof would be higher on the list if not for Minnesota’s four-game losing streak to close the season, but he did an incredible job with a unit that ranked last nationally and set team records for futility in 2007. Minnesota led the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally in takeaways (30), and defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg and cornerback Traye Simmons earned all-conference honors.
Honorable mention: Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock and Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.
Penn State Offense Vs. Ohio State Defense Highlights Prime Time Matchup
October 22, 2008 by feed · Leave a Comment
The “Spread HD” offense run by the Penn State Nittany Lions and PSU QB Daryll Clark can be described in several ways. “It’s a spread offense in high-def is what our quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno had named it. It’s ‘high-definition’ or ‘highly diverse.’ And so far it hasn’t been ‘huge dud,’ said Clark.
The new offensive scheme designed by offensive coordinator Galen Hall and quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno has the Nittany Lion offense scoring at will on opponents, averaging over 45 ppg, good enough for seventh in the nation.
Penn State is led by Clark, a first-year starter who has thrown for 1,531 yards and 11 TDs. He has also run for another 190 yards with eight TDs.
Clark will be challenged this weekend by an Ohio State defense (ABC, 8 pm) that ranks 10th in the nation in total defense.
When Daryll Clark steps under center on Saturday night, his first job will be to find Ohio State’s ball-hawking cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins is tied for the team lead in interceptions with three, along with safety Kurt Coleman.
The Ohio State secondary has been the strong point of a team allowing 265 ypg. They have accounted for nine of the team’s 11 INTs and have also recovered two fumbles.
While OSU’s secondary has been their strong point this season, the Buckeyes are led by their linebackers and All-American James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis, Ross Homan, and Marcus Freeman are the team’s three leading tacklers. Freeman leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss.
The weak point of the Buckeye defense to this point has been the defensive line. The OSU coaches have rotated a number of players into the lineup but with limited success. The loss of Lawrence Wilson has caused the team to go to backups in key situations.
One player who has stepped up has been DE Thaddeus Gibson. Gibson recovered a fumble and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown in a blowout win against Michigan State.
The Buckeye defense will be on its heels this weekend when it faces a veteran offensive line and RS sophomore RB Evan Royster. Royster leads the Big Ten with 7.7 ypc.
Royster is relieved by RS freshman Stephfon Green. Green’s speed (4.24/40 time) compliments Royster’s power and provides the breakaway speed Royster lacks.
In previous years, Penn State has lacked a playmaker at quarterback. The strong OL and ground game would often be shut down and the offense forced to throw.
This season, if you stop the rushing game, then Daryll Clark can beat you with the pass.
If you stop the passing, then Evan Royster and Stephfon Green will run right by you.
Come Saturday, will the “Spread HD” offense be in High-Definition, or will the Buckeyes unplug the TV?