January 28, 2008
Which teams have the most returning starters for 2008?
Phil Steele has his list of returning starters up for the 2008 college football season. In theory, having returning starters is a good thing and not having returning starters... is bad, mm'kay?
I've always felt this is helpful in forecasting how successful each team may be relative to their previous season. For example, Notre Dame was among the lowest last year in returning starters (8) going into spring practice and we all know how memorable the Irish football season was.
Heading the 2008 list of returning starters is Temple, with 23 starters returning (10 on offense including starting QB, 11 on defense, and both the kicker and punter). So... if you want to race out to Vegas in support of the Owls... now might be the time. (I am so seriously not serious about that last statement.)
2008 Most Returning Starters By Conference
ACC - most - North Carolina - 19 players (10* offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams)
ACC - least - North Carolina State - 10 players (5* offense, 4 defense, 1 special teams)
Big 10 - most - Ohio State - 20 players (9* offense, 9 defense, 2 special teams)
Big 10 - most - Penn State - 20 players (9 offense, 9 defense, 2 special teams)
Big 10 - least - Michigan State - 12 players (5* offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams)
Big 12 - most - Texas Tech - 18 players (10* offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams)
Big 12 - least - Texas A&M - 11 players (4* offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams)
Big East - most - UConn - 20 players (10* offense, 8 defense, 2 special teams)
Big East - least - Louisville - 10 players (3 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams)
Conference USA - most - UAB - 20 players (8 offense, 10 defense, 2 special teams)
Conference USA - least - Southern Miss - 13 players (7 offense, 4 defense, 2 special teams)
MAC - most - Temple - 23 players (10* offense, 11 on defense, 2 special teams)
MAC - least - Ohio - 15 players (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams)
Mountain West - most - Utah - 17 players (8* offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams)
Mountain West - least - New Mexico - 10 players (5* offense, 5 defense)
Notre Dame - 18 players (9* offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams)
Pac10 - most - Arizona State - 16 players (7* offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams)
Pac10 - least - Oregon State - 11 players (7* offense, 4 defense)
SEC - most - South Carolina - 17 players (5 offense, 10 defense, 2 special teams)
SEC - most - Tennessee - 17 players (8 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams)
SEC - least - LSU 11 (5 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams)
WAC - most - Fresno State - 17 players (10* offense, 7 defense)
WAC - least - Hawaii - 11 players (4 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams)
Data based off Phil Steele 2008 CFB Guide... asterisk denotes returning QB, special teams is kicker and/or punter
The MAC returns more starters than any other conference with a per team average of 18 returning starters, although the SEC remains pretty salty. Roughly half of the SEC teams return at least 16 starters, which also popped off the chart - given that there are quite a few underclassmen from the conference headed to the NFL draft this season.
So... what does all this mean? Well, who knows. As a trend, teams with a lower number of starters tend to struggle year-over-year in the W/L column, while teams with a higher number of starters returning tend to improve their records.
Looking back at 2007 and ahead to the returning starters, I think you can expect a good season out of Arizona State, Tennessee, and Ohio State... with Penn State and Texas Tech both potentially moving up into the top of their conferences as well.
I think we may have heard the last of Hawaii for a little while, but there's reason to suspect that Fresno State might be the BCS cinderella in 2008, although some may voters may give the WAC strength of schedule more scrutiny this year in the wake of the Sugar Bowl.
Last but not least, it certainly looks as if Notre Dame has the foundation for a more successful season. Weis didn't use the term rebuilding in 2007 and it looks like he may have missed his chance to invoke that term for the time being. The Irish may not make it to a BCS game, but -- on paper -- they don't look to be in worse shape in 2008.
Comments:
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on January 28, 2008 9:57 AM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
I am encouraged as to the Cocks upcoming season! Home/away games are in our favor. So far, the new recruit class looks good. Last years excellent recruits got game time. Lots of returning starters.
Here is how and why I rate the ole ball coach Mr. Spurrier. Coach gets a AAA+, for not having a losing season in the SEC. Ask Mark Richt what he thinks about the Gamecocks, lol.
Off subject, but Hawaii can bend over and kiss their own butts goodbye after their first game this year,
posted on January 28, 2008 10:19 AM — 150.176.192.1 — link — abuse?Ben Prather
said:
Utah, with 17 returning starters and a respectable schedule, could get into the top 12 even with a loss. BYU got to the top 17 with two losses, and into the top 14 in both polls after thier bowl win.
they were 13th on
a compairison of final computer rankingsI think next year will see the MWC return to the BCS, with the first one loss non BCS team participating.
Lennie Collins
posted on January 28, 2008 10:53 AM — 70.251.191.250 — link — abuse? said:
The teams listed here with the most returning starters is good for that team! With the exception of Ohio State...they will not be playing for a slot in the National Title game. Ohio State is the only one that has a GREAT chance of winning their conference.
Lennie Collins
posted on January 28, 2008 12:34 PM — 70.251.191.250 — link — abuse? said:
War Eagle Atlanta, Post #6, The fans are just content that they get some National Exposure! If Old Stevie was not there...would we really be a talkin' about the Garnet & Black? Crimson and Cream True...Shucky Ducky, Quack-Quack!
posted on January 28, 2008 4:47 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Kevin: I think that a small minority of fans may want to run OBC off, but that never-satisfied minority exists with every team.
I like Spurrier, but part of me wants to see him get run off eventually. But if you're a Gamecock fan, you have to wonder that if Spurrier can't do anything in Columbia, who the hell can?
Year three coming up for OBC. I say he's gone after five with no SEC titles...
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on January 28, 2008 5:36 PM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
War Eagle I don't expect a collapse. You must keep in mind that consecutive winning seasons in Columbia are very rewarding. Yes, we would like to win a NC. As long as Coach fields competetive teams, he's in good shape. That yakking about fans wanting to replace Mr.Spurrier came from fans of the game, not Gamecocks.
TE
posted on January 29, 2008 11:48 AM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
LSU returns everyone on the O-Line save for a guy that had never played there prior to the Spring of '07 in Carnell Stewart.
At WR, we didn't have Early for the biggest portion of the season, and he missed four games, and all but one play of a fifth...LOTS of depth there, and two straight ridiculous recruiting years at the position means we don't miss a beat next year.
At RB, everyone knows a lot of people around TigerTown think this position will be addition via subtraction. Hester was the best, all-around in terms of completeness, but the best running backs on our roster were, in order:
Keiland Williams
Charles Scott
Hester
Trindon Holliday
Richard MurphyOnly one of those guys leaves, and he's the one in the middle, who took all the carries, yet still went over 1,000 total yards!
At quarterback...umm...he was the backup this past year, went 2-0, and was the MVP of the SEC Championship Game...
On defense, we lose corners, and one safety, but we have FOUR guys there with significant experience and other-wordly talent, and at corner, we have signed the nation's top player at the position for-I think-perhaps three years in a row now...Jai Eugene, Chris Hawkins, Phelon Jones, & now Patrick Johnson give us not a lot of solid experience but a wealth of talent on the islands.
At linebacker, we return the linchpin, All-SEC senior Derry Beckwith, though losing Highsmith does hurt.
On the line, we lose Dorsey...and we return all the ends, get back Charles Alexander, who got hurt while starting opposite of Glen, and we also return Drake Nevis, Al Woods, Ricky Jean-Francois (The MVP of the MNC game), who all got starts opposite of Dorsey...So we have two deep across the board at tackle, and at end...We lose nothing at this position appreciably...
All in all, I like how this is shaping up for us...On paper, it seems as if we lose a lot, but in reality, injuries to guys like Dorsey, Doucet, and even Matt Flynn have given us plenty to be excited about in terms of their backups...
That, along with Les Miles outstanding recruiting...
Overlook LSU at your own expense, next year...
TampaGator said:
posted on January 29, 2008 5:18 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
TE/#15:
Fair points--LSU has lot's of talent--and frankly, that Holliday kid is about the fastest human being I've ever witnessed on the gridirion...
...however, it took everything your NC champ Tigers had to beat a VERY YOUNG Gator squad--in Baton Rouge. Play down all that departed tiger talent--and the Gators' youth--as much as you want, but...
...I like our odds in the Swamp this year!
GO GATORS!!TampaGator said:
posted on January 29, 2008 5:19 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
TE/#15:
Fair points--LSU has lot's of talent--and frankly, that Holliday kid is about the fastest human being I've ever witnessed on the gridirion...
...however, it took everything your NC champ Tigers had to beat a VERY YOUNG Gator squad--in Baton Rouge. Play down all that departed tiger talent--and the Gators' youth--as much as you want, but...
...I like our odds in the Swamp this year!
GO GATORS!!TampaGator said:
posted on January 29, 2008 5:19 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
TE/#15:
Fair points--LSU has lot's of talent--and frankly, that Holliday kid is about the fastest human being I've ever witnessed on the gridirion...
...however, it took everything your NC champ Tigers had to beat a VERY YOUNG Gator squad--in Baton Rouge. Play down all that departed tiger talent--and the Gators' youth--as much as you want, but...
...I like our odds in the Swamp this year!
GO GATORS!!TampaGator said:
posted on January 29, 2008 5:19 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
TE/#15:
Fair points--LSU has lot's of talent--and frankly, that Holliday kid is about the fastest human being I've ever witnessed on the gridirion...
...however, it took everything your NC champ Tigers had to beat a VERY YOUNG Gator squad--in Baton Rouge. Play down all that departed tiger talent--and the Gators' youth--as much as you want, but...
...I like our odds in the Swamp this year!
GO GATORS!!TampaGator said:
posted on January 29, 2008 5:20 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
TE/#15:
Fair points--LSU has lot's of talent--and frankly, that Holliday kid is about the fastest human being I've ever witnessed on the gridirion...
...however, it took everything your NC champ Tigers had to beat a VERY YOUNG Gator squad--in Baton Rouge. Play down all that departed tiger talent--and the Gators' youth--as much as you want, but...
...I like our odds in the Swamp this year!
GO GATORS!!Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on January 29, 2008 6:16 PM — 138.163.0.43 — link — abuse?
WoW! Did not realize how many starters SC was bringing back. SEC will once again prove to be the most competitive conference this year. I think there will be a Championship team in the SEC, but with the current BCS system we will probably not be able to see them compete for all the marbles since the SEC will beat itself. On that note, I see a possible OSU vs Arizona St in the NC if OSU can beat USC early and ASU can beat USC late.
Bevo,
Holliday has been clocked running about the length of a football field in 10 seconds. I wasn't sure how remarkably fast that was until I tried running it full speed at a whopping time of 25 seconds. Maybe it was just all the bar-b-que I ate the day before.
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on January 29, 2008 8:07 PM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
The Cocks are in a little better shape than that list indicates. Mr. Spurrier parked three commits from last season at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. All earned four stars there. They joined the program this month.
http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011408aab.html
Zac said:
posted on January 30, 2008 1:31 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
WVU’s Noel Devine & Pat White run the 40 in 4.4 sec. White can flat out fly!!! Devine has quick feet and good acceleration from a start, but tends to fade quickly. WVU returns lots of talent, including all but 5 of its OL, on offense. Graduation was cruel to the defense. Not to mention, Rodriguez having left has resulted in a couple of guys, who would have come back, to opt for the NFL, and certain key recruits to jump ship. I think once Holiday (RC) & Stewart (HC & former RC) get it going, things will pan out just fine. Hopefully, it won’t be at the cost of White’s Sr year
TE
posted on January 30, 2008 1:59 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Bevo Boy,
Trindon Holliday ran the fastest 100 meter time in the NCAA, and the 2nd fastest in 2007, at the NCAA Outdoor Championships...
As a 19 year old, the kid clocked a 10.2 in the semifinal heat...a FSU guy got him in the Finals, when he turned in a 10.8...
No one ran faster than he did on a track last year that had an athletic scholarship to a NCAA member institution last year...so it's pretty much safe to say he's the fastest man in college football, as well...
SportsCenter timed his 96 (or was it 98?) yard runback against Ole Miss, in which it was NOWHERE near straight vertical, but more diagonal of a runback until he hit daylight, and he housed it in just over 10 seconds...
Can you believe the guy had two other scholarship offers coming out near Baton Rouge at Northeast HS? Duke (track only) and ULL!
Tampa, Matt had a pretty bum ankle in that game, as well...and aside from a Craig Steltz brainfart on a called WR screen in which he completely left his man to overplay the screen he read (NOT TRUSTING HIS TEAMMATES, ARGH!), we gave up a grand total of 7 points in the 2nd half...Crunch time...
Oh, and your defense folded up like cheap tent late, as well...They were young, but our entire OL, WR, & RB depth charts return...I also think we'll give you a TAD more to think about on offense with Perrilloux, as well, don'tcha think?
Look, I'm not saying this isn't going to be a titanic tilt in Gainesville...in fact, I think it'll either decide the national championship for either team, or if Florida flounders, it'll be the first time we see how Meyer reacts to OPEN criticism, as opposed to the undercurrents he's only felt the ripples of so far...
Personally, I think this game is MUCH tougher than Georgia. We're going to maul them like they're drunken schoolkids with slingshots loitering near the San Diego Zoo's Tiger Cage...
A lot of people are pimping Georgia out next year, but they have ZERO WR talent returning, and our ENTIRE D-line returns...They're going to lean on the run unless by some miracle they develop consistent downfield threats in the vertical passing game. Leaning on that against an LSU team that returns its DE's, and five guys with starts on an interior that had Glenn Dorsey on it?
Fans in Athens and elsewhere in Jawja have a RUDE awakening coming...
Bevo Boy said:
posted on January 30, 2008 3:39 PM — 207.200.116.5 — link — abuse?
TE, I'm pretty sure that Jamaal Charles ran a 10.1 100 meter when he was a freshman to get all- Big XII, but then he gave up track to focus on football. If they both were at the peak of their track careers, would've been a nice race.
TE
posted on January 30, 2008 4:03 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Definitely...Though I think that Charles decided to focus on football and bulked up in this past offseason, and obviously will continue to put on weight (read: decrease speed) as he goes...
Trindon, on the other hand, has a pretty good shot at the 100m in Beijing, and had to turn down a shot at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan (I think) this past summer to focus on fall camp...
TampaGator said:
posted on January 30, 2008 4:13 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
TE/#33:
"...Oh, and your defense folded up like cheap tent late..."
Touche'. My point however, is that it wouldn't be wise to count on that happening again. Our D sucked last year; of that, there is little argument. However, that was primarily a function of youth and inexperience--in many cases, a matter of players being out of position-by inches. Those young kids manning that embarrassment of a defense last year, will have matured significantly under the able tutelage of Charlie Strong and Greg Mattison by the time LSU rolls into Hogtown. Most of those kids were highly touted coming out of HS (4-5 stars per scout/rivals) for a reason. Guys like Carlos Dunlap, Justin Trattou, Brandon Hicks, and Major Wright. Derrick Harvey returns (at least, so I believe; I haven't heard anything about him opting for draft). Plus a pile of young bucks added to the list, like Will Hill (S), Omar Hunter (DE), and---just today--William Green (LB). We have every reason to expect a very much improved defense. Offensive was very good, and returns most of our starters.
Your perspective on UGA is unique/original--and I happen to agree. Much was made of their win over UF last year; IMO, way TOO much. Great. You beat a young and crappy D, and an H-man QB of a one-dimensional offense--the one game he was gimp. Let's see if they can take down a solid, balanced team hitting on all cylinders. I don't think they're there yet. LSU will beat UGA, and so will Florida.
...but I don't mind the UGA hype; let them get their hopes up.
GO GATORS!!
ATL-ien said:
posted on January 30, 2008 4:17 PM — 160.10.98.222 — link — abuse?
TE...post 33
Yeah our returning WR aren't all that, that is why we got 2 top 100 recievers coming in (including the #2 wide reciever in the land)and a couple of top 100 athletes who will more than likely suit up for reciever.
And that D-line you talk about will not only have to deal with Moreno but Caleb King (out of Greater Atlanta Christian) who was ranked as the number one running back before he got hurt in high school and Noel Divine took that title. Bascially he is a 2nd coming of Moreno and Moreno is still in school.
**Can you say the new DMac and Felix or the new Davis and Spiller
TE
posted on January 30, 2008 4:29 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
ATL-ien,
We had the #2 WR in America last year, too...He was our 4th wideout this past year...as well as a 5*, and two 4*'s as well, and other kids, as well...
Talk all the trash you want, but two things stick out about your post, slick...
#1, you're talking about RECRUITS who haven't sniffed your playbook, much less the field of play at this level, and trying to talk about how they're going to be difference makers. If you're deluded enough to think they'll carry your receiving corp, then we should probably just end the conversation from that aspect of it...
#2, Anyone that mentions D-Mac & Felix Jones and then compares them using the word "or" as if they're parallel players or on equal talent footing, so to speak, just questioned their own fanhood...
Spiller & Davis? Compared to two first round backs, one of which will go #1 or easily top 3? Color me unimpressed with your thoughts on the game...
Not to take shots, but you might want to lay off opiates for awhile, or put down the Red & Black custom crackpipe you're smoking...
posted on January 30, 2008 7:14 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
TE: Seriously, man. You ought to freelance and do scouting reports for other teams. You could charge for it. Perhaps a subscription service?I'd pay for the Auburn one. No one goes more in depth than you.
Do you have your own homer blog? What was/is Tiger Roar?
TE
posted on January 30, 2008 8:32 PM — 69.2.54.228 — link — abuse? said:
Tiger Roar is indescribable...Great site...$32 a year...No one calls it Tiger Roar, though...It's really two quite old and antiquated internet message boards...The Lair and the Alley...
Great people there...I've met so may fellow Tiger Fans there it's not even funny. A lot of good information gets disseminated there, and a lot of the info I run across is from there...
It was free for many moons, but the owner of the site had some health related issues (testicular cancer, to be honest), and we all gladly signed on. Heck, we've had four or five splinter sites that were borne out of the Lair over the years, but like we always say...There's just no substitute for the site itself...It's crack...
I got kicked off right before the 2003 season and posted on one of the splinter sites (which is how I found fanblogs)...Great place, but home called, I groveled, and they let me back on...In my younger years, I was far, FAR worse than I am now, if you can believe it...
If you'd like an inside look at almost everything going on with all of LSU's sports teams, then join up...Whether it's Baseball, Hoops (Oy Vey!), or of course football, there are a lot of juice in posters who will share recruiting, coaching, and AD decisions...
I've never really thought of having a blog...Always thought that there were people who did it better, or who did it pithier than I can...
You've got me thinking, though...Remember the thought about the "SEC Fanblogs"?
Hmm...
posted on January 31, 2008 11:45 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Wait, TE. How do YOU get kicked off a LSU homer site? Certainly all your purple and gold knowledge was worth something.
Yea, I guess your heart wouldn't be quite into doing the scouting for other teams. Without the passion, it just wouldn't be the same...
I do like the idea of a nominal cover charge for access to the site. That would keep the riff-raff out. Kinda like an upscale bar does...
TE
posted on January 31, 2008 12:03 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
I was much, MUCH younger, and I had ruffled the wrong feathers of some hitters there that were WAY heavier (IE-Local advertisers on the site who sponsored the owner and the site that I took shots at) than I was...
Twas many, many moons ago, again...
I understood the decision, completely...But, seriously, that place is Golden, Ponyboy...
(If you're an LSU fan, that is)
posted on January 31, 2008 12:17 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Well, you could have adopted a new moniker, a la Coondawg, but alas, there would have been no way to hide your writings from people who were already familar with your style.
I think you had the link to that site back when you used to have the 'Tiger Educated' handle. Maybe one day I'll go and try to hack into it and see what you corndogs really talk about! :-)
1st_and_NOLE
said:
posted on January 28, 2008 8:48 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?I'm going to go out on a limb and say OSU is going to their 3rd straight BCSCG in 2008.
Looks like LSU is taking a hit but I'm sure they've got plenty of talent to fill some slots. Though, I highly doubt they make it back to the BCSCG.