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Thursday, August 9, 2012
Four Best Venues to Watch a College Football Game Stuck
10:32 AM - August 9, 2012. Written by jmik58


College football is the greatest sport in the world to watch.

The template of football provides the basics that Americans and sports fans worldwide love. Violence, teamwork, limited opportunity, and great stories. Throw in the college aspect and the dish becomes even sweeter. Pride and upsets come to mind as do allegiances to alumni. A variety of play-styles and the amateur feel to the college game also bring a sense of novelty, variety, and purity that the pro game lacks.

As Americans we can't help but be exposed to football. Many of us have attended a college or have family with connections. But a rare few of us can claim any legitimate ties to professional sports beyond a shared state of residency.

Watching college football is my favorite sports pastime, but what I really love is to experience a game live. For me, it's not just about the game -- college football is an event. From tailgating, to showing up at the stadium early to tour every corner, to the actual game, to the post-game party -- each aspect is a means to the next great piece.

I've repeatedly told my wife that my idea of retirement would be to travel the country from week to week, stopping at as many cities as possible to experience as many different venues from the NFL, MLB, and NCAA football. Chances are I'll never retire and I'll never get around to seeing a game at every stadium in the country.

But what if I could pick just four venues in which to watch a college football game? Where would I go and how would I decide?

Growing up in the upper-Midwest I've been to both Iowa City and Ames several times to watch the Hawkeyes and Cyclones play. (Full disclosure: I'm an Iowa Hawkeyes fan). As a recent transplant to Minnesota I've taken a few chances over the last few years to visit TCF Stadium to take in what the Golden Gophers have to offer. Twice I've been to the state of Florida to watch the Hawkeyes play in bowl games (Miami and Orlando).

Outside of the phenomenal game-day experience put on in Iowa City each Saturday of home games I've got some experiencing to do. In the words of the great people of Miami, Florida, "You Iowa people are crazy...I've never seen anyone tailgate like you guys." But surely Iowa fans aren't the only ones that know how to party when game time rolls around. And no doubt there are game experiences and stadiums that drop your jaws as well as any in all of college football.

So if I had to choose four places and four places only to watch a college football game outside of Iowa City, which ones would I pick? I'm glad you asked.

4. Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame)
Sure, the Fighting Irish haven't been relevant on a national championship scale for many years but that's not what this is about. Why do people who can't stand the Red Sox want to watch a game at Fenway? The history and beauty of the stories each stadium tells from it's past players, teams, and even gorgeous architecture -- that's what it's about. I just have to see Notre Dame Stadium to say I've been there, so my soul knows it was there.

I want to know what Rudy was all about. What did it sound like, smell like, look like to him? Throw in the fact that one of my best friends is a huge fan of the Fighting Irish and I can think of no better place to share a first-time stadium experience.

3. Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)
Over 100,000 seats? Check. What more do you need? How about some tailgating -- on boats. Sure, why not. Resting along the banks of the Tennessee River with the mountainous backdrop you may actually struggle to keep your eyes on the field and off the beautiful landscape.

Anointed as a true football "experience" by The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated, Neyland Stadium would have my hypnotized gaze affixed on the famous checkerboard endzone design for at least one Saturday. Good thing they don't have a catchy fight song. Oh, wait.

2. Autzen Stadium (Oregon)
Those crazy uniforms on that rotating five-yard-sections-of-patterned-shades-of-green. The high-octane Ducks offense might be worth the price of admission, but you know the school featured in Animal House has more to offer. Autzen has sold out every home game since 1999, proof that something truly special and fun is going on in Oregon. Not to mention, the architecture and influence of Nike make the entire campus and athletic facilities worth a look.

With 79 consecutive sellouts Autzen has been noted as one of the most intimidating stadiums to play in. Personalities such as Lee Corso and Lloyd Carr have gone as far to claim that the venue is home to the loudest stadium in the entire nation -- how fitting that they embrace their Animal House tradition at the end of each third quarter with a rendition of "Shout."

1. Death Valley (LSU)
Most of the games are played at night. Translation: Plenty of time to swim in the booze. Perhaps that is why Death Valley is widely known as the loudest place in the nation to watch a college football game. The level at which pain kicks in due to loud noise is approximately 125 decibels. Short-term exposure to 140dB with ear protection is the maximum recommended to prevent permanent damage. Keep that in mind as Death Valley has hit 132.6dB -- just shy of the sound a jet engine makes at 100 feet away.

A full day of tailgating followed by an intimidating and constant roar that leaves your ears ringing? Oh yeah, and you get to watch a game of football as well. Sign me up!


What are your favorite places to take in a college football game? What venues are on the top of your list to watch a game in the future?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Wednesday, August 8, 2012


Forget the bogus run-differential fad among baseball statisticians. Where you should really be paying attention is the "RA" column of the standings.

No, I'm not talking about your resident adviser -- I'm referring to the often overlooked and simple statistic of Runs Allowed.

I know, I know, in the land of Sabermetrics how can such an elementary figure tell us anything?

While it might not be the cure-all statistic for what ails your baseball prediction addiction (say that three times fast) it has still managed to be a telling category when compared to runs scored over the past few seasons -- including 2012.

Before going too far into Runs Allowed, and to make sure I stop short of anointing it the holiest of right-under-your-nose figures, let's put a little perspective into the equation.

First off, I'm only comparing two different figures: runs allowed and runs scored. Defense or offense. Heads or tails. Keep in mind also that defense and pitching don't always run the show. Sometimes the best teams are those with great offenses while pitching and defense aren't as dominant.

When evaluating the numbers there is a clear ebb and flow but it appears (at least over the past five years) the more important side of the equation has been pitching and defense -- when looking at division winners.

This may have two implications. In the short term we can look at the current season. What are division leaders and contenders relying on? And in the long term, should teams be focusing more on offense or defense to build up their clubs for future runs at playoff-capable clubs?

Going back five years I compared the league rank (American and National separately) of each division winner in the categories of Runs Scored and Runs Allowed, also considering what the average was over that entire period of time.

In 2007, the average rank of division winners was 4.67 in regard to RA; for RS it was 5.83. Therefore, I'll conclude that pitching and defense was more important for that season for eventual division champions, albeit slightly.

The same was true in 2008 when the average rank of division winners for RA was 3.33 -- the best mark of the past five seasons. Runs Scored, however, came in with an average ranking of 6.67 among division champions -- a huge gap by comparison.

In 2010 and so far in 2012 we're witnessing the same trend. Division winners in '10 and leaders thus far in '12 ranked/are ranking higher in Runs Allowed than they are in Runs Scored.

Conversely, the years of 2009 and 2011 saw offense as a more powerful correlation for division winners in comparison to RA. In '09, division winners ranked in at an average of 3.17 (the best mark of the past five years) while only averaging a placement of 5.67 when it came to Runs Allowed. In '11 it was an average rank of 4.17 for RS and 5.17 in RA. Sometimes offense does carry the best teams; but not quite as often as the opposite scenario.

The simple conclusion when seeing three of the last five seasons lean more towards defensive dominance (with this year looking to follow that trend) is to conclude that pitching and defense are more important when aiming for division titles. Three of the last five years (four out of six if you include 2012 to this point) have been seen division winners/leaders associated with higher rankings in Runs Allowed than that of Runs Scored.

In fact, averaging out the years of 2007 through 2011, teams ranked in around 4.5 for RA and 4.77 for RS. While the comparison looks closer over that period of time, it's better to look at the figures on a season-by-season basis.

This is also key considering that each year of Major League Baseball presents it's own unique story. Also, many believe that the season can be split into three sections. The first is an attempt to see what you have as a team, the second is doing your best to make the team what you want it to be, and the final part of the year is making it happen with what you've developed.

The trade deadline has passed and teams have addressed their specific needs leaving with us with a chance to look at where each team is headed. More importantly, teams and fans alike realize this part of the year is crucial in evaluating the chances of contenders in 2012 -- based on the results of the past five years and the trend so far this year, it appears pitching and defense should be the focus, more specifically Runs Allowed.

So what does it mean for the rest of 2012 season and who are the teams to keep an eye on?

In the American League, Oakland has the best RA as they sit in third place of the AL West. Tampa Bay, like the Athletics, rest in third of their respective division and lead the AL East in RA. Each team resembles the type of squads that have the ability to hang around and surprise the league when the last day of the season sneaks around.

In the National League, it's the performance of teams already at the top that makes a strong statement. Washington (NL East) and Cincinnati (NL Central) are tops in the NL in regard to Runs Allowed. Likewise, teams such as Pittsburgh and Los Angeles look to have the pitching and defensive power to keep their squads in contention through September as well. St. Louis and Atlanta, however are offense-heavy and show signs of weakness when it comes to keeping opponents off the scoreboard -- not a good recipe for a division title in 2012.



Current Division Leaders -- Runs Allowed Rank -- Runs Scored Rank
  • NY Yankees (3rd RA in AL -- 3rd RS in AL)
  • Chicago (AL) (5th RA in AL -- 5th RS in AL)
  • Texas Rangers (7th RA in AL -- 1st RS in AL)
  • Washington (1st RA in NL -- 7th RS in NL)
  • Cincinnati (2nd RA in NL -- 8th RS in NL)
  • San Francisco (6th RA in NL -- 9th RS in NL)
  • Runs Allowed average rank (4th)
  • Runs Scored average rank (5.5)
Make your predictions now with the statistical evidence thrown at you: Who will be the winner of each MLB division in 2012? Will the leaders hold serve until the end or are there surprises waiting in the wings for us?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
NFL: Six Impact Rookies for the 2012 Season Stuck
10:31 AM - August 7, 2012. Written by jmik58

First-round draft choices expect big money and each respective franchise sets on-field expectations just as high. Many of this year's first-round selections will go on to fantastic careers and others will bust out.

It's the natural cycle of the NFL. The circle of life if you will.

Going into each season teams are well aware of what they expect out of their rookie selections. Some are drafted to add depth, others to be groomed into future stars. Then there are the select few players who are expected to start right away and make a significant impact from day one.

Many players hope to be the instant fix their team desperately hopes for, but not everyone steps into a situation capable of adding specific skills that could make a huge impact to correct their team's glaring weakness.

Here are the six rookies I expect to have the biggest impact on the 2012 NFL season:

6. Stephon Gilmore - DB - Buffalo Bills - #10 Overall Pick
The Bills weren't horrible against the pass in 2011, but average won't get you too far in a division that houses the likes of the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Buffalo gave up 232.1 ypg through the air -- 19th in 2011. More telling, however, was an ugly 30 passing touchdowns surrendered -- 30th in the league last year.

The Bills did notch 20 interceptions as a team, but more discipline and consistency is needed to keep opponents off the board. The franchise focused heavily on the secondary in the 2010 and '11 drafts -- highlighted by Gilmore who is expected to start on day one.

5. Luke Kuechly - LB - Carolina Panthers - #9 Overall Pick
Thanks to his blue-collar work ethic and self-made success story, Luke Kuechly won't have to do much to become a fan favorite. The rookie out of Boston College likely won't rest on his reputation as he's earned glaring reviews in training camp thus far for the Panthers. Carolina -- which gave up an average of 130.8 ypg on the ground in 2011 (25th in the NFL) -- is projecting Kuechly as their starter at weakside linebacker.

But the two-time leading tackler in the nation in college is showing promise beyond his play-recognition, pursuit and tackling skills. Coaches are raving about his ability in defending the pass thus far in camp -- something most expected would take him longer to develop.

4. Robert Griffin III - QB - Washington Redskins - #3 Overall Pick
The quarterback of the future and the face of the franchise for years to come is squarely one man: RG3. The success of the team, however, may not be that dependent on his skills in the short term. Despite the hype over what Griffin III brings to the 'Skins, the team was 14th in passing yards per game at 235.8 in 2011. The problem at quarterback appears to tie instead to quarterback rating (73.3, 27th in 2011) and sacks allowed (46, 5th most in '10 -- 41, 11th most in 2011).

Chances are that RG3 won't blaze onto the scene with a stellar passer rating in his first year. But his mobility in and out of the pocket combined with his football intelligence should help to improve on the dismal sack numbers.

3. Andrew Luck QB - Indianapolis Colts - #1 Overall Pick
Being the guy that follows Peyton Manning should be one of the toughest jobs in NFL history. As luck (and Luck) would have it, a disastrous season in 2011 for Indianapolis may be the perfect buffer between impossible expectations and a chance to start anew for the top overall draft choice out of Stanford.

Luck's biggest obstacle may be the problem of winning with a cupboard less-than-full. Peyton Manning's skills as a field general and de facto coordinator allowed the Colts to win despite major talent gaps. The team went from the 2nd best passing attack in 2009 and the best in 2010, only to fall to 27th in the league last year. Indianapolis threw for an average of 187.2 yards per game, a QB rating of 72.2 (30th in NFL) while looking equally down at rushing -- 99.6 rush yd/gm (26th in the league).

There's nowhere to go but up for the Colts and no better man to take them than rookie Andrew Luck

2. Matt Kalil - OT - Minnesota Vikings - #4 Overall Pick
The Vikes have the players -- if only they could get the wins. The problem for Minnesota in recent years has been trying to find the balancing point. A stellar running attack but a scarce passing game. A stingy defense but a bipolar offense.

Minnesota ranked in at 27th in the NFL in 2011 by allowing 49 sacks on the year. It was no surprise then to see the franchise grab a book-end tackle in Kalil. With question marks lingering at the receiver corps, the last thing the club needs is another year of Christian Ponder picking himself up off the ground. So far in training camp things have been looking very promising for Kalil and company as the young tackle has had plenty of one-on-one experience with sack-master Jared Allen. Kalil certainly has All-Pro potential, but it's his ability to fill an instant hole and limit sacks that allows him to jump to number two on my list.

1. Michael Brockers - DT - St. Louis Rams - #14 Overall Pick
Despite all the struggles that the Rams had as a team in 2011, the defense showed some signs of promise. While it could be a sign of the porous rush defense, the pass-D of St. Louis ranked in at 7th in the NFL at yards allowed per game. The Rams also notched a respectable 39 sacks last year -- good enough for 15th in the league.

So naturally, the place the club needs the biggest boost is in stopping the run. With only one team worse in 2011, the Rams gave up an ugly 152.1 rushing ypg in 2011. With so many NFL squads committed to the 3-4 defense, Michael Brockers slid down to the 14th overall pick as a more traditional defensive tackle that fits the Rams' 4-3 style. With less pressure on the former LSU Tiger to produce as a pass-rusher, Brockers can focus on his impact as a run-stuffing tackle -- something he should have no problem with -- allowing his large athletic frame to cause havoc among NFL backfields.


What NFL rookies do you think will make the biggest impact in 2012?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Monday, August 6, 2012

Download the latest OS Community NCAA Football 13 roster updates from the respective EA Lockers.
Blog: Steve_OS
NFL: Will Replacement Referees Hurt the Game? Stuck
10:42 AM - August 6, 2012. Written by jmik58


Rarely does anyone ask to know the name of the guy who made all the routine calls. Instead, it's guys like Jim Joyce (perfect game screw-up) and Don Denkinger (1985 World Series) whose names we will remember forever.

One of the goals of any official, referee, or umpire is to remain nameless. However for the current crop of NFL officials calling games on the field, it's not because of their reputation that they remain nameless, it's because these officials don't even have an NFL reputation yet.

Starting with last night's game, the NFL is currently being officiated by replacements. Thanks to a labor dispute between the league and officials' union, college crews will be pulling double-duty until further notice.

Perhaps you didn't notice during last night's preseason game thanks to a lack of critical moments, but don't give the grand audition a free pass. Preseason games are less about winning and more about player assessment anyways.

That's not to say that the replacement officials are less competent than their NFL regulars. However, teams and fans are used to games being called a certain way. While football is football, the college game isn't the pro game so differences are to be expected in how games are called.

If a deal isn't reached between the two sides before the start of the regular season there's no doubt that replacement officiating will be in the back of everyone's mind.

It will likely be at the front of all of the attention if an important call is blown in a critical moment. Even worse, what about if the NFL referees return mid-season -- the pre-season isn't just for the players after all.

Will the replacement officials make more calls to justify their role, or will they let more calls go in an attempt not to interfere? Will the flow of games slow down as officials get used to working NFL games? And most importantly, will replacement officials be able to get it right with the game on the line?

These questions and more will be lingering and keeping players, coaches, and fans on edge as the start of the season approaches.

What do you think? Will replacement referees hurt the NFL and play important roles in game outcomes?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Friday, August 3, 2012
Nittany Lion Exodus Stuck
11:18 AM - August 3, 2012. Written by jmik58


The term "Nittany" is widely believed to derive from Mount Nittany, meaning "single mountain" as coined by the Algonquian-speaking tribes of Pennsylvania.

Mount Nittany -- a divisive geographic structure that separates Nittany Valley from Penns Valley -- naturally shared it's name with the wild cats that once roamed its wilderness. A mascot adopted by Penn State, "Nittany" also helps explain the men who thought of their single needs first -- creating a divide between the victims of Jerry Sandusky and the mirage of all we once believed to be so great about Happy Valley.

But the rift hasn't stopped there.

Little did the natives know how symbolically prophetic their terminology would be. The home to the Nittany Lions -- Penn State University -- has become a splitting wedge that has pushed emotions to opposite extremes and now is witness to the growing departure of current and future football players as the full effect of NCAA sanctions start to hit the program.

Those very penalties levied by the NCAA were heavy in the long term. While short of a "death penalty," the four-year ban on postseason play and extended scholarship limitations are sure to hurt Penn State football and make the road to relevance a difficult one. As much as it may hurt to speculate on what the future holds, the truth is that enough problems exist in the current moment to distract from what the next decade brings.

The immediate response to the Jerry Sandusky scandal helped many people see just how loyal the folks in Happy Valley were to the "good" that Penn State and Joe Paterno stood for. So it was a legitimate waiting game to see how current Nittany Lions players would respond when the NCAA allowed them the freedom to leave without restrictions.

Would the unquestioned culture of loyalty hold captive the players as well?

Things moved slow at first, but "free agency exodus" has been a light term for what has transpired over the past week.

At first, new Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien went into full damage control mode, hoping to focus on the pro-potential and academic bonuses of playing for his staff and at an excellent educational institution.

Immediate reports looked bright for Penn State as players stepped forward and reaffirmed their commitment to the program. The weekend following the NCAA sanctions, as many as six PSU recruits visited coach O'Brien to assure him and his staff they would still be future Nittany Lions.

But since then the news has been anything but sunshine.

Four-star recruits Ross Douglas (DB) and Greg Webb (DT) recanted their college choice and have decided on Michigan and North Carolina, respectively.

The loss of current players -- especially those of key starters -- has been the most inevitable and painful. None bigger than the loss of junior halfback Silas Redd who has departed for USC. Just as the sting of Redd's break-up started to pass, quarterback Rob Bolden decided to head south for LSU, followed by safety Tim Buckley to NC State, tight end Kevin Haplea to Florida State, and linebacker Kahairi Fortt to California.

Rest your wrist, let your graphite cool, and then turn the page for more.

Also on the way out are offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki (Illinois), defensive tackle Jamil Pollard (Rutgers), and kicker Anthony Fera (Texas). The more players leave, the more others second-guess their decision to stay. It's quite possible Penn State may be fielding something resembling a junior-varsity squad by the time September 1st rolls around.

With every chance to end the senseless acts of Jerry Sandusky, the failed leadership at Penn State chose to stand quietly between two choices. How fitting that the "Nittany" they stood for perfectly defined their actions. Singular and divisive.

But the players are making their own moves now -- refusing to be indirect victims of the madness. Moving anywhere but the mountain. As far away from the valley as possible.

The Lion they take with them -- the Nittany they leave behind.


How many games will Penn State win in 2012?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Thursday, August 2, 2012


Two wins through two games. A forty-two point average margin of victory. Perhaps Team USA Basketball could take the gold with only four men on the court.

Realistically, of course, international basketball isn't quite that easy -- even if the best USA squad since the Dream Team makes it look that way.

While the one-hand-tied-behind-my-back braggart might argue that our four is better than your five, a more realistic and serious situation is starting to develop that could mean an end to elite USA Olympic basketball as we known it.

Could Team USA take down the best the world has to offer without LeBron James?

The honest answer is yes -- even though it would take a lot of fun out of the games. The same would be true for Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, and every other player on the squad. But what if we make the question plural? How would Team USA fair without all of those men?

The answer may only be four years away.

NBA owners are starting to become vocal once again about pulling stars from international play. Their multimillion dollar assets (see players) are competing for various countries around the globe in London, but national pride is the least of their worries.

Players continue to risk injury with each practice and every game of these 2012 games. For NBA players not on Team USA, the worry is even greater. Owners have stated their concern about the medical care and competency of athletic trainers for various small-country teams. Add to that the pressure and minutes required of stars like Tony Parker, and the physical stress to carry one's team can wear down bodies worth much more than their weight in Olympic gold.

Owners have also hinted at the possibility of players taking on risk of losing money should they become injured while competing internationally. Hitting them where it hurts could scare away young NBA stars who depend solely on their contracts. If the NBA were to reach an agreement with FIBA to lower the competition age to under-23, such a decision might create a gap between the age limit and that of the actual players.

While players new to the NBA and under the age limit would qualify, the risk would be too great a personal responsibility financially, leaving us with unpolished kids fresh out of high school or in the midst of a developing college career.

As rough as that sounds for the future of USA Basketball, the owners aren't stopping there. If you want to know what makes rich businessmen more angry than simply risking assets with no chance at gain -- throw in the fact that the IOC makes a fortune off the performances of NBA players throughout the Olympic games.

How much of that money does the NBA see? Zilch.

Feeling used and abused, NBA owners are on the cusp of thrusting their power. Making sure that you see your favorite superstars in their respective NBA uniforms for years to come, this may likely be the final time you see them together for the red, white, and blue.

Get ready for the college all-stars Dream Team tour of 2016.


Do you side with the NBA owners or should stars be allowed to compete in the Olympics? Could the USA win Olympic gold with an under-23 basketball team?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Thursday Other Stuff (8-2-12) Stuck
09:02 AM - August 2, 2012. Written by Steve_OS


If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)QOTD: Does virtual reality interest you at all?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

jordainare, Cavicchi, jvalencia82 (30), BroMontana82, Mules50
Blog: Steve_OS
Wednesday, August 1, 2012

As I mentioned in yesterday's article, talent alone isn't enough to be a winning team -- it also takes leadership and experience.

Today's list of teams, however, proves that returning starters aren't always a good thing -- if you can get them.

Veteran leadership and comradery is a beautiful thing on paper and in locker rooms, but many clubs struggle to win despite an abudance of returning starters. Conversely, there are teams who wish they even knew what it was like to have such problems -- settling instead for a squad riddled with more new faces than a kidnergarten classroom on the first day of school.

To recap quickly, I come up with my experience ratings by looking at the past few years of each college football team. I compare the number of returning starters with their eventual win-loss record and use that as a factor for predicting success or failure in subsequent seasons.

Some teams -- like Oklahoma State -- have a tendency to excel in the win column regardless of how few returning starters they field (see 2010 and '11). Others, however, struggle with few starters or fail to win even with experience to brag about.

Here are my top five college football teams in 2012 that will struggle the most due to a lack of returning starters, and/or an inability to capitalize historically on a squad of experienced players.


1. Maryland Terrapins
  • 2011: 14 returning starters, 2 wins
  • 2012: 15 returning starters
  • New starting QB
  • 3/5 OL starters return
  • All DL starters return
  • 50% of DB starters are back
2. Ole Miss Rebels
  • 2011: 13 returning starters, 2 wins
  • 2012: 14 returning starters
  • Brunetti and Wallace battling for starting spot
  • 2/5 OL starters return
  • 50% of DL starters return
  • 3/4 of secondary starters return
3. Arizona State Sun Devils
  • 2011: 15 returning starters, 6 wins
  • 2012: 8 returning starters
  • New starting QB
  • 2/5 OL starters return
  • 1/3 DL starters return
  • 50% of secondary starters are back
4. Northwestern Wildcats
  • 2011: 16 returning starters, 6 wins
  • 2012: 10 returning starters
  • New starting Quarterback
  • 3/5 OL starters return
  • 50% of DL starters are back
  • 1/4 DB starters return
5. Miami (FL) Hurricanes
  • 2011: 14 returning starters, 6 wins
  • 2012: 10 returning starters
  • New starting QB
  • 2/5 OL starters return
  • 50% DL starters are back
  • 2/4 starters in secondary return
Which of these teams has the best shot a winning record in 2012?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
NCAA Football: Five Best; Experienced Teams in 2012 Stuck
10:57 AM - July 31, 2012. Written by jmik58


It certainly takes talent to win championships, but talent can only take you so far.

I've detailed my choice for the nation's five most talented offenses, defenses, and overall teams. Now it's time to take a look at my picks for the programs I feel will have the most success this year due to strength of experience.

To come up with a rating I took into account a few aspects. First, I calculated the percentage of returning starters in each position group combined with extra emphasis for quarterbacks, offensive/defensive linemen, and secondary -- a preference I developed out of personal opinions and some minor research. I then look at how teams have performed in recent years with varying numbers of returning starters and compare that to what would have been expected.

For example, Oklahoma State returned few starters in 2010, yet they had a big year in the win column -- this helped to predict their 2011 success considering they had even more talent and experience back that year.

In short, some teams can win despite a lack of experience while others may follow the average or underperform. The challenge is finding out what teams fall into each mold.

Looking back on 2011, my top five in the experience category were SMU (8-5), Texas A&M (7-6), Notre Dame (8-5), UCLA (6-8), and Michigan (11-2). While experience -- like talent -- didn't prove to be a significant push by itself, a nod towards a winning record was almost a guaranteed.

As a side note, I eventually incorporate my talent and experience numbers to come up with my win-prediction model. This constitutes the large majority of how I rank my teams and predict my national champion. In 2011, my top five teams based on this were Alabama (12-1), Oklahoma (10-3), Oklahoma State (12-1), LSU (13-1), and Boise State (12-1).

As you can see, the top-five didn't let me down anywhere. In fact, I was extremely shocked to see Oklahoma State pop up so high, but was pleasantly surprised to see the prediction come true as the Cowboys finished in the top three at season's end (perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise based on what 2010 showed).

So to sum things up, my experience ratings on their own do a decent job to show average or below-average teams that should be able to push through for a winning record at the least -- while solidifying the ability of groups with talent as title contenders. Conversely, my ratings that throw in talent (along with other factors) go to greater lengths in an attempt to predict season wins and subsequently estimate the top overall teams in the land (I'll share those in a future article).

A quick look at my most-experienced list for 2012 makes it pretty clear that a slightly-above-five-hundred record -- like I saw in 2011 -- is aiming low. This year's top five is full of teams that either overachieved based on returning starters in 2011, or have just as many back if not a greater amount than they employed in a successful campaign.


1. Auburn Tigers
  • 2011: 6 returning starters, 8 wins
  • 2012: 15 returning starters
  • New starting QB
  • 3/5 OL starters return
  • All DL starters returning
  • 3/4 starters back in secondary
2. Georgia Bulldogs
  • 2011: 7 returning starters, 10 wins
  • 2012: 10 returning starters
  • Murray back at QB
  • 2/5 OL starters return
  • All DL starters returning
  • 3/4 starters back in secondary
3. Florida Gators
  • 2011: 10 returning starters, 7 wins
  • 2012: 17 returning starters
  • Brissett and Driskel are both solid options with experience
  • 4/5 OL starters return
  • 3/4 DL starters return
  • All starters return in secondary
4. Virginia Tech Hokies
  • 2011: 12 returning starters, 11 wins
  • 2012: 12 returning starters
  • Logan Thomas is back at QB
  • 1/5 OL starters return
  • All DL starters return
  • 50% of starters back in secondary
5. West Virginia Mountaineers
  • 2011: 12 returning starters, 10 wins
  • 2012: 14 returning starters
  • Geno Smith is back at QB
  • 3/5 OL starters return
  • 3/4 DL starters return
  • 50% of starters back in secondary
Most of the teams with big-time experience also happen to be groups that bring back much in the way of talent as well. This is something I don't recall seeing in quite some time, and it may mean that we're in for one of the best collections of college football teams nationally that we've seen in years. In other words, the entire nation may take turns beating up on each other this season.

As good as the SEC has been and continues to be, 2012 may be the year where one or even two-loss teams are the standard at the top -- and don't be shocked if a two-loss SEC squad is in the conversation when the end of November rolls around.

But to be there it appears talent or experience won't be enough to make a move this year. Skills are a plus, but leadership and key returners may be the common team among the nation's elite in 2012.

Check back tomorrow as I take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum for the least experienced teams, as well as a sneak peak at those who may be scrapping for wins all season long.


What do you think -- is talent or experience more important in college football?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Monday, July 30, 2012
College Football On Deck Stuck
10:21 AM - July 30, 2012. Written by jmik58


One month. Just one more month is all we have to wait until another exciting season of college football kicks off.

August 30th can't get here fast enough with the off-season shenanigans we've endured as fans. The 2012 season looks to bring plenty of "new" to the landscape -- one of the more exciting challenges with following the college game.

New teams are set to join the FBS ranks, new names and stars will emerge, new rules will take some getting used to, a new format is on the horizon for post-season play, and a new perspective is hitting home in Penn State.

Plenty of riveting stories exist going into the year, but college football truly must be enjoyed one week at a time, one game at a time. Luckily, we won't have to wait long as the opening week of games launches us straight into the gauntlet.

Thursday, August 30th has upset potential with Texas A&M traveling to Louisiana Tech. Washington State gets to show off the new aerial attack of coach Mike Leach as they take on the promising BYU Cougars. The next night we have Boise State vs. Michigan state and NC State taking on Tennessee.

Saturday brings Auburn vs. Clemson, Michigan vs. Alabama, Miami (FL) vs. Boston College, and Notre Dame vs. Navy -- just to name a few. Throw in an intriguing matchup as Arkansas State and new head coach Gus Malzahn (former Auburn offensive coordinator) travel to Oregon to take on the Ducks; and there's something for just about everyone.

Just in case that isn't enough, Sunday has a pair of games followed by a Monday night matchup between Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. There's no easing into college football after all. Only a full cannonball dive will suffice in order to soak up all of the fresh things 2012 has to offer.

And while the new has it's flair, it's truly the "old" that we've waited for since the beginning of the year. The good ol' game of football. The blocking, tackling, missed calls, and upsets. It all needs to come back.

We're all growing tired of the drama and talk. We're ready for some action.

We're ready for some football.


How will you prepare for the start of the 2012 college football season?


Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.
Blog: jmik58
Monday Other Stuff (7-30-12) Stuck
09:32 AM - July 30, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)QOTD: Are you a huge fan of the Olympics? What is your favorite event?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

Tikerz (31), Flesheater (29), ShavarHayes (29), JoeMimic (28), buddy321813 (22)
Blog: Steve_OS
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday Other Stuff (7-28-12) Stuck
08:53 AM - July 28, 2012. Written by Steve_OS

If any of these links interest you, talk about them! (If you find any, send me a PM. I'll post them in the next update and mention you.)
QOTD: What are your weekend plans?

Happy Birthday to the following OS'ers!

goz, JayD (30), brewersfan84 (28), Tmacattack (23), bronxbomber25
Blog: Steve_OS