Suggested Team Slogan: "WTLG: Win The Last Game"

What We Learned In 2007: Oklahoma is the King of the Big 12. Oklahoma won their 5th Big 12 Championship, most in Big 12 history. But like many other years, Oklahoma was unable to win its bowl game.

We also learned that Rhett Bomar getting kicked off the team in 2006 was the best thing that could have happened because it opened the door for Sam Bradford to have the best statistical year a freshman quarterback has ever had. Bradford led the nation in QB rating and set a freshman record for TD passes with 36.

Expectation in 2008: Expectations in Norman are as they always are, Big 12 Championship and National Championship.

A lot of experts want to try and compare Sam Bradford to Colt McCoy since they both had huge freshman seasons but McCoy had a sophomore slump, Bradford will not. While McCoy was running around trying not to get killed behind a suspect offensive line, Oklahoma has all 5 starters returning on the offensive line. So look for Sam Bradford's numbers to drop a bit but only because of DeMarco Murray.

The offensive line will also open lots of hole for DeMarco Murray, Chris Brown, and new comers Justin Johnson and
Jermaine Calhoun to run wild through. The star of that group is Murray who is looking to come back from an injury suffered in the Texas Tech game last season but look for him to explode onto the national scene this year.

What Could Hold Them Back: By now we all have seen the Josh Jarboe, the heralded WR recruit was kicked off the team for his YouTube rap video. I won't go on about that but the lack of experienced WR depth could be a hindrance this season for the Sooners.

The Big 12 is loaded with great quarter backs so the fact the Sooners are breaking in two new Cornerbacks and two new Linebackers could cause some problems if those units don't gel early.

The Sooners also have a bad habit of dropping a game on the road that they have no business dropping. Avoiding that bad loss will be big.

Big Men On Campus:  Obviously, Sam Bradford is the man in Norman. Also DeMarco Murray is the in line to be the next great Oklahoma back. As you will see below.



The Offensive Line is the best in the nation and the Defensive Line has all the makings of being the best in the Big 12.

Cheerleader Grade:


I will try and not be biased about it and just say, our Cheerleaders are cute but the real talent is in the students section on game days. B


EA NCAA 09 Simulation: 13-1. Big 12 Championship victory over Missouri, but a 45-17 National Championship loss to Clemson (the drought continues, damn)

All American 1st Team: QB Sam Bradford, LT Phil Loadholt
All American 2nd Team: TE Jermaine Gresham, C Jon Cooper
Freshman All American: OLB Travis Lewis
All Big 12 1st Team: QB Sam Bradford, HB DeMarco Murray, LT Phil Loadholt, C Jon Cooper, DT DeMarcus Granger, DT Cory Bennett, MLB Ryan Reynolds, OLB Travis Lewis, CB Brian Jackson
All Big 12 2nd Team: HB Chris Brown, WR Juaquin Iglesias, TE Jermaine Gresham, LG Duke Robinson, C Jason Hannan, RG Brian Simmons, RT Brandon Braxton, DE John Williams, OLB Keenan Clayton, SS Lendy Holmes

QB Sam Bradford: 294-385 for 3800 yards and 49 TD's (Heisman, Maxwell, O'Brien runner up)
TE Jermaine Gresham: 26 catches for 493 yards and 8 TD's
OLB Travis Lewis: 74 tackles, 17 TFL, 3 sacks and 1 INT
HB DeMarco Murray: 197 carries for 1018 yards and 11 TD's, 28 catches for 489 yards and 7 TD's
DT DeMarcus Granger: 28 tackles, 9 TFL and 4 sacks
DT Cory Bennett: 39 tackles, 16 TFL and 5 sacks
MLB Ryan Reynolds: 85 tackles, 19 TFL, 5 sacks and 1 INT
CB Brain Jackson: 25 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT and 1 TD
HB Chris Brown: 162 carries for 1060 yards and 7 TD's, 23 catches for 396 and 8 TD's
WR Juaquin Iglesias: 76 catches for 879 yards and 11 TD's
DE John Williams: 38 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 INT and 1 TD
OLB Keenan Clayton: 61 tackles, 13 TFL, 3 sacks and 2 INT's
SS Lendy Holmes: 30 tackles, 3 TFL and 6 INT's


Schedule and Predictions

Aug. 30, 2008	Chattanooga	Win
Sept. 6, 2008	Cincinnati	Win
Sept. 13, 2008	at Washington	Win
Sept. 27, 2008	TCU	Win
Oct. 4, 2008	at Baylor	Win
Oct. 11, 2008	Texas	Win
Oct. 18, 2008	Kansas	Win
Oct. 25, 2008	at Kansas State	Win
Nov. 1, 2008	Nebraska	Win
Nov. 8, 2008	at Texas A&M	Win
Nov. 22, 2008	Texas Tech	Win
Nov. 29, 2008	at OK State	Win

12-0 (8-0 Big 12) - Ok I know this looks like a total homer pick but I just don't see anyone who can beat the Sooners this season. I also think they will defeat Missouri in the Big 12 title game and play Florida in the National Championship game. The toughest games on the schedule (Texas Tech, Kansas, Cincinnati, & TCU) are all at home and it is hard to win games in Norman for the visitors. The games @ A&M and OK State are always tricky road games but the Sooners are too good to lose them this year.

Suggested Team Slogan Give Us A Break, Remember How Good We Were In 2007

What we learned in 2007 Well, we learned the LSU Tigers were pretty damn good. Mainly, they were exceptional on 4th and 1. Though LSU never lost a game in regulation (thank you Les Miles, you have a nice day as well), they also won two games by converting on 4th down by, well, the officials opinion.

Nonetheless, few would argue that LSU was the best team in the country and more than deserving of the BCS National Championship. I just wish they would have received a more prepared opponent in New Orleans.

We also learned how badly LSU will miss Glenn Dorsey and Al Highsmith. But it is Louisiana and we know they've got people to fill those holes...

Expectations in '08 Obviously the FanIQ community has high expectations, picking them as the No. 5 team in this preseason poll. I'm not quite as confident, but an SEC title is still a reasonable goal, if not an NCAA title.

Dorsey and Highsmith will be misses, as will Early Doucet, Jacob Hester, Matt Flynn, Craig Steltz... you get the picture. Les Miles lost a lot of experienced players that helped him win a title. They can't keep up the same level of play over an offseason can they?

Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch looks to be the man in charge under center, and he has a very talented wide receiver in Demetrius Byrd to deliver the ball to, and the strength of the offensive will definitely be the run game. The O-Line remains strong behind Herman Johnson and Ciron Black with Keiland Williams, Charles Scott, and Richard Murphy blasting through the holes. 

What could hold them back Even when you're LSU, you just don't lose seven starters on defense and stay the norm. Glenn Dorsey is one of the best defensive college players of my lifetime. In addition to players lost, the mind behind it all Bo Pelini also left. This won't be the same Tigers defense.

Not to mention, quarterback is a huge question mark. Ryan Perrilloux was uber talented and primed to lead this offense. While it's the right move to dismiss him, it does leave Les Miles with less options. Andrew Hatch is clearly smart, in the Matt Flynn mold, but it won't happen overnight.

Big Men on Campus This Tigers team is going to win games with special teams play, and ironically, it's the smallest guy on the team I deem the biggest. Trindon Holliday is the fastest player in college football, and it would be wise to get the ball in his hands not only on kick and punt returns but on offense as well.

Cheerleader Grade



The South is a wonderful place. Does it really matter what grade I give?

Schedule and Prediction

Aug. 30	Appalachian State W
Sept. 6	Troy W
Sept. 13	North Texas W
Sept. 20	at Auburn W
Sept. 27	Mississippi State W
Oct. 11	at Florida L
Oct. 18	at South Carolina L
Oct. 25	Georgia L
Nov. 1	Tulane W
Nov. 8	Alabama W
Nov. 22	Ole Miss W
Nov. 28	at Arkansas (Little Rock, Ark.) W

9-3 (5-3 SEC) -- Sounds disappointing, but this is a very good team that just isn't as experienced as the other top SEC teams. At Auburn is another possible loss, but if they were to lose that, I just can't see LSU losing four before November. Spurrier's defense will cause the Tigers fits and he's due for a big win against LSU.

Your thoughts and predictions?

Last year, the AFC South was arguably the toughest division in all of football.  It was the only division with three 10 win teams.  The Colts, Jaguars, and Titans all made the playoffs from this division, and the Texans also had a solid 8-8 season.  Heading into this season, who looks to top the division?  Will the Colts win the division for a sixth straight year?  Will the Jaguars live up to the hype and take it?  Will Tennessee improve to take it?  Could the Texans sneak in and take it?  Here's what I think will happen from this division.

4th, Houston Texans
The Texans have a young defense which looks be a very tough force in the future.  Young stars like Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, and DeMeco Ryans look to anchor the Houston D for a long time.  This years' D still has some questions, especially in what appears to be a pretty flawed secondary.  Can Fred Bennett be a #1 corner?  How good is Jacques Reeves?

Offense is the teams biggest concern.  They have an average at best offensive line, as well as no real running game.  The often injured Ahman Green and Chris Brown are their choices.  Yikes.  And while Andre Johnson is great, they don't have any other offensive weapons to ultilize. 

They also have a very tough schedule to start.  The first five games are @ Pittsburgh, Baltimore, @ Tennessee, @ Jacksonville, and Indy.  It would be a success to go 2-3 through that stretch.  And while they do have the Bears, Lions, and Dolphins, the rest of the games are either close or against them.  I can't see this team getting to .500.  I say they go 6-10.

3rd, Tennessee Titans
Defense once again is the key to the Titans success.  Last year, they had a very good defense, and this years' isn't a whole of a lot difference.  They lost a few pass rushers, but they did re-sign Jevon Kearse.  The question is about Headstompin' Haynesworth's health.  When he was injured last year, the D seemed to go with him.  His rookie year was the only one where he played all 16 games, and he's gotten in trouble for shenanigans as well.

The offense was pretty awful last year, and this year doesn't look to be too much improved.  They lost both starting guards, and Kevin Mawae is getting pretty old.  They still have nothing at wide receiver, and an over-the-hill Alge Crumpler won't make too much of an impact.  Vince Young also showed little improvement.  They will need LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson to run the ball very well to have any offensive success.

They luck out in the fact that most of their toughest non-division opponents have to come Tennessee.  Minnesota, Green Bay, the Jets, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland are all home games for the Titans, which makes beating them a much easier task.  With that said, I see them still being no more than a borderline playoff team.  My prediction: 9-7.

2nd, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars return most of the same group defensively.  They did lose Marcus Stroud and Sammy Knight, however they played half of the season minus Stroud without issue.  The addition of Drayton Florence strengthens the secondary, and allows former corner Brian Williams to move to safety where I think he'll be successful.

The offense has been the Fred and Maurice show for the Jaguars. Behind a solid offensive line, they've been great at running the ball. However, Taylor is now 32, an age where many running backs hit a big decline.  If that happens, what happens to this offense?  How efficient can David Garrard be if that running game isn't 100%?  They still have jack squat for receivers.  (And you're kidding yourself if you really think Jerry Porter is the answer)

Like Tennessee, they do get some of their tougher opponants at home.  Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Green Bay, and Cleveland each have to come to Jacksonville.  Looking at it, there doesn't seem like many losses for them.  With their talent and schedule, it certainly isn't unrealistic to say they have a very good shot at the division.  However, I think they fall short, but make the playoffs at 12-4.

1st, Indianapolis Colts
Defensively, this team really hasn't changed.  Health will be the concern for this team as a whole, as they're dinged up.  Defensively, with Dwight Freeney returning, they've got a strong front seven with the likes of himself, Ed Johnson, Robert Mathis, and Gary Brackett.  However, the outside linebackers still have questions.  The secondary is very strong, provided that Bob Sanders stays healthy.

Offensively, once again health is the concern.  How healthy is Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison?  Center Jeff Saturday is banged up, but they still have a strong offensive line.  They have a good running game with Addai, and a strong receiver group with Wayne and Clark.  If they are healthy, there is no reason for them not to remain one of the leagues' best offenses.

The schedule for the Colts is brutal.  They play road games against Minnesota, Green Bay, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.  Not to mention, the annual matchup against against the Patriots, even in Indy, isn't an easy task.  This team at full strength really might be the best Colt team they've had in all of these strong years.  I think the schedule will hurt, but I believe they finish 12-4 like the Jaguars, and win the division on a tiebreaker.

Well, that's what I foresee in the AFC South.  What do you think?

FanIQ Prediction System

Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans
Houston Texans

Everyone's favorite female tennis player Ana Ivanovic has been eliminated from the US Open today by the188th-ranked player Julie Coin, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Never before in the Open era has the #1 women's seed has been knocked out of the in the second round.

Clearly this is a blow to women's tennis fans like all of us here on FanIQ are. So I guess this means that we can go back to ignoring women's tennis until the next Major tournament.

And just because...

The big games kickoff Saturday, but that doesn't matter, there's real actual football tonight. Considering I watched an entire high school football game on TV last weekend, I'd say I'm ready.

Football provides a nice change of baseball, where losses are quickly pushed aside, because there's always another game tomorrow. These count and count big.

Here's the games of note. Make sure to get your pick' em entries in. You can just follow the links below to make your predictions.

Vanderbilt at Miami U. (7:30 ESPNU) -- 62% picking Commodores
North Carolina State at South Carolina (8 ESPN) -- 94% picking Gamecocks
#23 Wake Forest at Baylor (8 FSN) -- 92% picking Demon Deacons
Stanford at Oregon State (9 ESPN2) -- 85% picking Beavers

I think we know who Jon Wilner is taking tonight. His love affair with South Carolina begins anew. Also of note, is Ryan Perrilloux restarting his career with Jacksonville State who pays a visit to the brand new Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. That's worth keeping an eye on.

As for me, my focus is on my beloved Redhawks and their first meeting at home with an SEC opponent.

Enjoy the games, and finally, let's talk some live college football right here.