Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

You won't find Parker Bohn, Marshall Holman, or Pete Weber here, but yes...It's time to go bowling once again. From the Eagle Bank Bowl to the BCS Championship, we'll have previews and predictions for many of this season's best games. Check back frequently as we show off our expertise and send "oohs" and "ahhs" through the world of football prognosticators from coast to coast. Check back frequently as we add more bowls every day...(or at least that's the plan!)
LAS VEGAS BOWL NEW MEXICO BOWL POINSETTIA TEXAS BOWL

Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

All good things must come to an end. McDonald's discontinued the McDLT, the Snoopy Snow Cone Machine is no longer available, heck, even Silver Spoons went of the air. And In the game of college football, we saw the end of another exciting regular season; although for some it wasn't soon enough (Washington fans I'm lookin' at you). But before we get all misty-eyed, here are a few observations from week #15.

Kudos to Buffalo for their first MAC championship. It was obvious that when Buffalo didn't lay down early, the Cardinals started panicking. Nate Davis had a so-so game, while Buffalo did everything they needed to on offense to make BJ Hill and company uncomfortable on D. That being said, there were a few moments for Ball State where you couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if Dante Love had been carrying the ball on the end-around or catching the pass over the middle. Regardless, great achievement for Turner Gill and the boys, although it did not make the conference look all that strong.

Speaking of Turner Gill, he would be wise to stay away from the Syracuse job, but smart to start looking. In the MAC,a coaches stock can drop faster than Mary Kate Olsen's weight. Don't believe it? Ask BGSU's Gregg Brandon who's now wearing a sandwich board on 5th and Main.

Florida and Alabama was a great game, and truthfully, 'Bama didn't really do anything wrong. the difference was the greatness of Tim Tebow.

I think we all underestimated the depth of Florida's receiving corps behind Percy Harvin. They made a real statement by stepping up down the stretch.

Love 'em or hate 'em, Oklahoma is on fire. For all the praise heaped on QB Sam Bradford, TE Jermaine Gresham has been unstoppable the last three games. We all agree that maybe Texas got hosed, but at this point the Oklahoma/Florida matchup won't disappoint to many college football fans.

Boise State gets left out of the BCS picture, but the Poinsettia bowl against TCU will be one of the most intriguing non-bcs match-ups in years.

As much as I like Utah, matching up with a very angry Crimson Tide does not fare well for Utah. The Alabama pass rush will give Brian Johnson fits all day. The good news is that the Utes' running game could be the most balanced, diverse, running game the Tide has seen; the 3-pronged receiving corps won't stand out on tape either which is great for not drawing attention to yourself. The key to a Utah win? Colt Sampson!

My vote for the Heisman? UCLA QB Kevin Craft...no brainer.

Congrats to East Carolina for finishing on a good note with a C-USA Championship win. David Johnson did not play well for Tulsa, but they should have all the pieces in place to make a run at it again next year. The good news about that kind of offense is that even when you lose guys on defense, you can still outscore them...if you don't turn the ball over.

I'm Feelin' bad for Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns. I know they're a 6-6 Sun Belt team, but losing out on a bowl game that's played in your home state to a 6-6 MAC team from Illinois (NIU) has to sting. The reason? The same university that thought they were above playing them in the regular season (and now a bowl game) La. Tech!! Word on the street is that La. Tech voiced an objection to playing a Sun Belt team in the Independence bowl. For sales reasons, Louisiana would have been an ideal pick. The bad blood between these teams is really starting to boil...now that's a game I want to see!

One guy who is gaining a lot of buzz for 2009 is Iowa RB Shon Green. Green will face a feast/famine run defense vs. South Carolina in the Outback bowl. With continued off-season momentum, Iowa could be the most improved team in the Big 10 in 2009.

Nebraska showed a lot of Chutzpah by scheduling the mighty Wyoming Cowboys for a three game set. The athletic department may want to offer a class to explain what a non-conference road game is so they're not totally confused when they visit Laramie in 2011.

Hawaii really blew a golden opportunity to send a clearer message for non-BCS conferences and the problem with automatic bids when they let Cincinnati off the hook on Saturday. The good news is they draw Notre Dame for the Hawaii Bowl. The Islanders should be excited to get a peak at the Fighting Irish.

One other note, If you enjoy college football sites like this one to help pass the time, please take a moment to click on the Ticketcity.com link on the upper right-hand side of this page. You don't even need to buy anything, just help keep us going strong as we prepare to offer a weekly college football podcast next year!!

Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

They are the lifeblood of what college athletics are all about, but can make your stomach turn to the point of nauseum. You know what I’m talkin’ about; that one game where the whole world stops momentarily to watch David upset Goliath: to see the doormat become the foot, and the bug become the windshield. We’re talking about upsets, and this season could be stacked with ‘em. Okay, maybe there is no Appalachian State/Michigan game in the bunch, but we here at pigskinpress.com wanted to take a moment to stake out this year’s most volatile games. We’ve included ticket links as well for some of the bigger games. Enjoy! CLICK FOR ENTIRE STORY

By Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

Everybody's got their own idea of what makes the perfect gumbo. Some people gotta’ have crawfish, while others need extra okra. On occasion you’ll find it with nuthin’ but seafood, while others would consider leavin’ out the sausage a sin against the Cajun Cookin’ Gods. For the better part of his football career, University of Louisiana Quarterback Michael Desormeaux has been asked to be everybody’s perfect gumbo. Some fans love a quarterback with impeccable wheels, while others think he should just sit back and use his arm all game long. Regardless of how you take your gumbo, or your quarterbacks, you’ve always gotta’ have the perfect combination. In 2008, the senior standout will look to shed the expectations of the football culinaries and create his own perfect recipe: 1/3 winning, 1/3 guts, and 100% heart. READ MORE

By Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

Alright friends, it's time to climb into our way-back machine to a magical year called 2006. You remember that year don't you? The Florida Gators were national champions, Boise State shocked the BCS world, and New Mexico State Wide-Out Chris Williams led the nation in receiving yards. Let me guess, you weren't aware of that third thing, huh? Are you sure? The guy only runs a 4.32 40-yard dash and has hands that would make the good people at Elmer's Glue sob like 9-year-old girls. Okay, okay, If you haven't heard of Chris Williams we'll cut you some slack, but here's our suggestion...READ MORE

Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

It's been said that what goes up, must come down. It's true for roller coasters, the economy, and the life of a college football head coach. We here at pigskinpress.com thought it might be interesting to break down each coach and assign a stock judgment-you're either up, or you're down. There's no in-between or steady stuff here at the press, it's one or the other! So, please take a moment to locate your favorite (or most despised) head coach, read our evaluation, and if you've got some free time, tell us what you think at fanfeedback@pigskinpress.com. Bon Apetit!
ACC BIG 12 BIG 10 BIG EAST C-USA MAC MWC PAC-10 SEC SUN BELT WAC

by Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

It wasn't long ago that the unspeakable happened on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Ft. Collins, Colorado. A talented tight end who was on his way to a being a sure-fire NFL draft pick took the field against the highly touted California Golden Bears. It was a Saturday like any other, until the catch. Just one five-yard catch, and one "snap" after the ensuing hit that would force him to start over, work harder, and climb the ladder again to impress the NFL scouts that once drooled over his potential, and maintain his sanity as his football career seemed to be passing him by.

That player is Colorado State's Kory Sperry. After a nasty ACL tear, the tough-as-nails tight end is back for one final chance at success in 2008, and ready to have a staring contest with adversity.

And you can probably figure out who's gonna' blink first. READ MORE

By Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com


Size is overrated. It really is.

Everything in our society is getting smaller and more efficient. Cars, I-Pods, phones- you name it. While it may not have been intentional, it seems that the days of the big, bruising, college running back may be going the way of the gun as well.


In recent years, NCAA teams have rolled out their new line of quick-compact-efficient running backs. West Virginia has the sporty Noel Devine, Middle Tennesee features the sleek Desmond Gee, and Southern Miss proudly displays the 175-pound Damion Fletcher. The list goes on and on, but in the small city of Kent, Ohio you'll find a running back who may be the smallest in D-1 football. But as the Kent State Golden Flashes look to Junior speedster Eugene Jarvis to carry them to the top of the MAC East standings, the nation may soon learn that this 5'5" stick of dynamite has the highest payload in his class. READ MORE