2010 Week 9 Picks

Week 1: 70-8 (89.7%)
Week 2: 61-9 (87.1%)
Week 3: 47-11 (81%)
Week 4: 47-11 (81%)
Week 5: 41-11 (78.8%)
Week 6: 40-15 (72.7%)
Week 7: 41-14 (74.5%)
Week 8: 37-14 (72.5%)
Season: 384-93 (80.5%)


Tuesday, October 26
Louisiana Tech at Boise St


Thursday, October 28
Florida St at NC State


Friday, October 29
West Virginia at Connecticut


Saturday, October 30
Vanderbilt at Arkansas
Washington St at Arizona St
Arizona at UCLA
Kansas at Iowa St
Northwestern at Indiana
North Texas at Western Kentucky
Clemson at Boston College
Wake Forest at Maryland
Auburn at Mississippi
William & Mary at North Carolina

Missouri at Nebraska
Louisiana Lafayette at Ohio
Colorado at Oklahoma
Cal at Oregon St
Louisville at Pitt
Texas Tech at Texas A&M
Baylor at Texas
Miami at Virginia
Stanford at Washington
Kentucky at Mississippi St

Purdue at Illinois
East Carolina at UCF
Syracuse at Cincinnati
FIU at FAU
Michigan St at Iowa
Oklahoma St at Kansas St
Troy at Louisiana Monroe
Utah St at Nevada
UAB at Southern Miss
Tennessee at South Carolina

Northern Illinois at Western Michigan
VMI at Army
Akron at Temple
Ball St at Kent St
San Diego St at Wyoming
Tulsa at Notre Dame
UTEP at Marshall
Miami (OH) at Buffalo
Bowling Green at Central Michigan
SMU at Tulane

Florida vs Georgia at Jacksonville
Duke at Navy
San Jose St at New Mexico St
Toledo at Eastern Michigan
New Mexico at Colorado St
Houston at Memphis
Utah at Air Force
Oregon at USC
Ohio St at Minnesota
Michigan at Penn St

TCU at UNLV
Idaho at Hawaii

Week 8 Top 25

1 - Auburn (1)
2 - Oregon (4)
3 - Michigan St (6)
4 - Boise St (5)
5 - Missouri (9)
6 - TCU (7)
7 - Utah (10)
8 - Alabama (11)
9 - LSU (3)
10 - Oklahoma (2)
11 - Wisconsin (14)
12 - Ohio St (12)
13 - Stanford (13)
14 - Nebraska (18)
15 - Florida St (15)
16 - Arizona (17)
17 - Oklahoma St (8)
18 - Iowa (16)
19 - Virginia Tech (22)
20 - USC (24)
21 - Arkansas (UR)
22 - Nevada (25)
23 - South Carolina (UR)
24 - Mississippi St (UR)
25 - Miami (UR)

Rank from previous week in parentheses

Others Receiving Votes: Baylor, Hawaii, Kansas St, NC State, West Virginia

Added: Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi St, Miami

Dropped: Kansas St, West Virginia, North Carolina, Texas

2010 Week 8 Picks

Week 1: 70-8 (89.7%)
Week 2: 61-9 (87.1%)
Week 3: 47-11 (81%)
Week 4: 47-11 (81%)
Week 5: 41-11 (78.8%)
Week 6: 40-15 (72.7%)
Week 7: 41-14 (74.5%)
Season: 347-79 (81.5%)


Thursday, October 21
UCLA at Oregon


Friday, October 22
USF at Cincinnati


Saturday, October 23
LSU at Auburn
Mississippi at Arkansas
Washington at Arizona
Washington St at Stanford
Arizona St at Cal
Texas Tech at Colorado
Michigan St at Northwestern
Georgia at Kentucky
Connecticut at Louisville
Maryland at Boston College

Penn St at Minnesota
Oklahoma at Missouri
Purdue at Ohio St
Nebraska at Oklahoma St
Rutgers at Pitt
Georgia Tech at Clemson
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
Kansas St at Baylor
Iowa St at Texas
Eastern Michigan at Virginia

Duke at Virginia Tech
Syracuse at West Virginia
UAB at Mississippi St
Indiana at Illinois
FAU at Arkansas St
Temple at Buffalo
Rice at UCF
Wisconsin at Iowa
Texas A&M at Kansas
North Carolina at Miami

Louisiana Monroe at MTSU
Notre Dame vs Navy
Alabama at Tennessee
Ohio at Miami (OH)
Wyoming at BYU
Kent St at Bowling Green
Western Michigan at Akron
Central Michigan at Northern Illinois
Houston at SMU
Marshall at East Carolina

New Mexico St at Idaho
Western Kentucky at Louisiana Lafayette
Hawaii at Utah St
Colorado St at Utah
Ball St at Toledo
Fresno St at San Jose St
Air Force at TCU
Tulane at UTEP
San Diego St at New Mexico

2010 Coaching Carousel

New Head Coach:

Arkansas State: Steve Roberts resigned after nine seasons at Arkansas State. He was 45-63 and one bowl appearance.
Arkansas State hired: Hugh Freeze (Arkansas State OC)


Ball State: Stan Parrish was fired as head coach of Ball State after just two seasons. Ball State went 12-2 in Brady Hoke's last season, but Parrish only won half as many games in his two seasons. Parrish was 2-30-1 in his previous head coaching gig at Kansas State in the 1980's.
Ball State hired: Pete Lembo (Elon HC)


Colorado: Colorado is joining the Pac-10 next season and will have a new head coach for their first season in the league. Dan Hawkins was fired before he could finish his fifth season leading the Buffaloes. The decision came after Colorado blew a 28-point lead in the fourth quarter in a 52-45 loss to Kansas. Hawkins led them to only one bowl, the Independence Bowl versus Alabama, which they lost. He had a 19-39 overall record.
Colorado hired: Jon Embree (Redskins TE coach, CU alum)


Connecticut: Maryland hired Randy Edsall away from Connecticut.
Connecticut hired: Paul Pasqualoni (Dallas Cowboys DC, former Syracuse HC)


Florida: For the second straight year, Urban Meyer has decided to step down as head coach due to health and family reasons.
Colorado hired: Will Muschamp (Texas DC)


Indiana: Indiana fired head coach Bill Lynch after four seasons. He was 19-30 over that span, although he did lead Indiana to its first bowl game since 1993 in his first season.
Indiana hired: Kevin Wilson (Oklahoma OC)


Kent State: Doug Martin resigned as head coach after seven seasons at Kent State. He went 29-53 overall including a 5-7 record this season. He never reached the postseason and his best season was 6-6 in 2006.
Kent State hired: Darrell Hazell (Ohio State WR coach and assistant HC)


Louisiana Lafayette: Louisiana Lafayette fired Rickey Bustle after a 3-9 season. He was 41-65 in nine seasons as head coach. He never received a bowl invite although he won six games in four different seasons.
Louisiana Lafayette hired: Mark Hudspeth


Maryland: Maryland forced out Ralph Friedgen despite that he won the ACC Coach of the Year this past season. Rumors point to Mike Leach taking over at Maryland, but nothing official is out yet.
Maryland hired: Randy Edsall


Miami: Miami fired Randy Shannon after a 28-22 record in four seasons.
Miami hired: Al Golden


Miami (OH): Pitt hired Mike Haywood away from Miami (OH).
Miami (OH) hired: Don Treadwell (Michigan State OC, Miami (OH) alum)


Michigan: Michigan fired Richard Rodriguez after going 15-22 in three seasons with one bowl appearance.
Michigan hired: Brady Hoke


Minnesota: Tim Brewster was fired midseason in the midst of a six game losing streak. He was in his fourth season. Minnesota is looking to make a splash with their next hire much like when they hired Tubby Smith as their basketball head coach.
Minnesota hired: Jerry Kill


Northern Illinois: Minnesota hired away Jerry Kill from Northern Illinois after three seasons. Kill was 23-16 in his tenure with two bowl losses and an invite to Humanitarian Bowl against Fresno State this season. NIU was the heavy favorite in the MAC championship game this year, but lost to Miami (OH).
Northern Illinois hired: Dave Doeren


North Texas: Todd Dodge was fired after a 1-6 start in his fourth season. He was only 6-37 during his tenure. Dodge came from the prestigious Southlake Carroll High School, and may return to coaching high school again.
North Texas hired: Dan McCarney (Florida DL coach, former Iowa State HC)


Pittsburgh: Dave Wannstedt has resigned as head coach of Pitt after six seasons. He will remain as a special assistant to the athletic director. He was 42-31 in his tenure and is coming off a disappointing 7-5 season after 19 wins in the two previous seasons.
Pitt hired and then fired: Mike Haywood
Pitt hired: Todd Graham


San Diego State: Michigan hired Brady Hoke away from San Diego State. Defensive Coordinator Rocky Long is rumored to replace him.
San Diego State hired: Rocky Long (San Diego State DC, former New Mexico HC)


Stanford: Jim Harbaugh was hired by the San Francisco 49ers.
Stanford hired: David Shaw (Stanford OC)


Temple: Miami hired Al Golden away from Temple.
Temple hired: Steve Addazio (Florida OC)


Tulsa: Todd Graham was hired by Pitt.
Tulsa hired: Bill Blankenship (Tulsa Asst HC / RB Coach / Special Teams Coach)


Vanderbilt: Robbie Caldwell, who was named the interim head coach just weeks prior to the season, has stepped down as head coach of Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt removed the interim tag during the season, but Caldwell still decided to resign.
Vanderbilt hired: James Franklin (Maryland OC)

Coaches on the Hot Seat: Midseason Update

Halfway through the season, it's time to update my list of coaches on the hot season. The preseason post can be found here.


Ralph Friedgen (Maryland) - Maryland started strong winning four of the first five games. Several tough games remain on the schedule, but Maryland only needs to win two more to get to a bowl game. Three conference wins and an EagleBank appearance may keep Friedgen's job.

Tom O'Brien (NC State) - NC State had been toiling in mediocrity under O'Brien until this season. NC State is 5-2 and is a contender to win the Atlantic division. Before the season, I said that O'Brien would survive another year but needed a big season to cool down his seat. It looks like he's going to get it.

Dan Hawkins (Colorado) - Colorado picked up a huge non-conference win over Georgia, but is still just 3-3 with two blowout losses. With Colorado moving to the Pac-10 next season, they may want to start over with a new head coach as well.

Ron Zook (Illinois) - The Illini played well against the toughest part of their schedule. With an easier rest of the slate, Illinois should be able to make it to at least a lower-level bowl game. With the promise of a talented young freshman quarterback, the Zooker probably isn't going anywhere.

Richard Rodriguez (Michigan) - Michigan started off strong before losing to Michigan State and Iowa. While everyone was fawning over Denard Robinson's insane stats and Michigan being back, nobody was talking about their soft schedule. Michigan should end their streak of losing seasons this year, but will the Michigan faithful be happy with a 7-5 record?

Neil Callaway (UAB) - Callaway needs to make it to a bowl game to feel safe. He missed big opportunity for a marquee win when UAB lost to Tennessee in overtime. UAB has the schedule to make it to a bowl game, but the loss to FAU in the opener might haunt them.

George O'Leary (UCF) - It looks like it will be back to back winning seasons for the first time for UCF under O'Leary. He's not going anywhere.

Bob Toledo (Tulane) - Tulane is only 2-4 but they did pick up a nice win over Rutgers, their first win over an AQ team since 2006. A couple more wins this season and he should be back.

Mike Price (UTEP) - Mike Price has ridden an easy schedule to a 5-2 start. He may want to retire after a good season, or he may try to build on a winning season. Regardless, he isn't going to get forced out at the end of the year.

Stan Parrish (Ball St) - Parrish was Brady Hoke's replacement after he left for San Diego State. Ball State promoted from within to try to keep some of the momentum that Hoke had created. Instead, Parrish has gone 4-16 with two losses to FCS schools. He just gave Eastern Michigan their first win of the season. Parrish has a lifetime coaching record of 6-46-1 and will likely be forced out sooner than later.

Mike Locksley (New Mexico) - New Mexico is Winless through the first half of the season and has been outscored by an average of 34 points per game. On the plus side, I haven't heard of any new allegations against Locksley this season.

Paul Wulff (Washington St) - Washington State's Only win so far is against an FCS team. The offense is better than his first two seasons, but they are still giving up 40+ points per game. I don't think he'll make to a fourth season.

Mark Richt (Georgia) - I didn't see this one coming in the offseason. A four game losing streak and an 0-3 start to conference play was not expected to be part of the first half of the season. With blowout wins over Tennessee and Vanderbilt, Georgia could still make it to a bowl game. From all accounts, Richt is well liked by the administration, and I think he can survive one losing season.

Robbie Caldwell (Vanderbilt) - Caldwell was named the interim head coach after Bobby Johnson unexpectedly retired. Then Vanderbilt removed the interim label. Vanderbilt picked up a nice win over Mississippi, but wins are always hard to come by for the Commodores. I wouldn't be surprised if Vanderbilt reopened the coaching search in the offseason.

Todd Dodge (North Texas) - Dodge was hailed as an offensive guru from prestigious Southlake Carroll High School, but the transition to the college game has been disappointing. With only one win in 2010 and only six in his tenure, he could find himself back in the high school ranks again.

Tim Brewster (Minnesota) - Tim Brewster was fired after going 1-6 in his first seven games of the season.

Coaching Update

On Sunday, Minnesota fired head coach Tim Brewster. Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Horton will serve in the interim. Brewster was 1-6 this season and 15-30 in his tenure. He led the Golden Gophers to two Insight Bowl bids, both losses. Athletic Director Joel Maturi says he wants to make a splash hire, same as when he hired Tubby Smith as the basketball head coach. Tony Dungy, a Minnesota alum, has said he isn't interested in the job, but will assist with the search.

Week 7 Top 25

1 - Auburn (6)
2 - Oklahoma (5)
3 - LSU (4)
4 - Oregon (5)
5 - Boise St (3)
6 - Michigan St (7)
7 - TCU (9)
8 - Oklahoma St (12)
9 - Missouri (13)
10 - Utah (10)
11 - Alabama (11)
12 - Ohio St (2)
13 - Stanford (14)
14 - Wisconsin (21)
15 - Florida St (22)
16 - Iowa (23)
17 - Arizona (15)
18 - Nebraska (8)
19 - Kansas St (24)
20 - West Virginia (UR)
21 - North Carolina (UR)
22 - Virginia Tech (UR)
23 - Texas (UR)
24 - USC (UR)
25 - Nevada (16)

Rank from previous week in parentheses

Others Receiving Votes: Arkansas, Michigan, NC State, Northwestern, South Carolina

Added: West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Texas, USC

Dropped: South Carolina, Arkansas, Michigan, NC State, Air Force

2010 Week 7 Picks

Week 1: 70-8 (89.7%)
Week 2: 61-9 (87.1%)
Week 3: 47-11 (81%)
Week 4: 47-11 (81%)
Week 5: 41-11 (78.8%)
Week 6: 40-15 (72.7%)
Season: 306-65 (82.5%)


Wednesday, October 13
UCF at Marshall


Thursday, October 14
USF at West Virginia
Kansas St at Kansas


Friday, October 15
Cincinnati at Louisville


Saturday, October 16
Arkansas at Auburn
Baylor at Colorado
Boston College at Florida St
Mississippi St at Florida
MTSU at Georgia Tech
Vanderbilt at Georgia
Arkansas St at Indiana
South Carolina at Kentucky
Louisiana Monroe at Western Kentucky
Illinois at Michigan St

Miami at Duke
NC State at East Carolina
Texas at Nebraska
Army at Rutgers
Pitt at Syracuse
Iowa St at Oklahoma
Maryland at Clemson
Southern Miss at Memphis
Missouri at Texas A&M
FIU at North Texas

North Carolina at Virginia
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech
Oregon St at Washington
Arizona at Washington St
Mississippi at Alabama
Miami (OH) at Central Michigan
Minnesota at Purdue
Oklahoma St at Texas Tech
Louisiana Lafayette at Troy
Bowling Green at Temple

Eastern Michigan at Ball St
Akron at Ohio
UNLV at Colorado St
Western Michigan at Notre Dame
Cal at USC
Iowa at Michigan
Houston at Rice
Buffalo at Northern Illinois
SMU at Navy
UTEP at UAB

Idaho at Louisiana Tech
BYU at TCU
Utah at Wyoming
Tulane at Tulsa
Ohio St at Wisconsin
Kent St at Toledo
Boise St at San Jose St
McNeese St at LSU
Air Force at San Diego St
New Mexico St at Fresno St

Nevada at Hawaii

Week 6 Top 25

1 - Oregon (2)
2 - Ohio St (3)
3 - Boise St (4)
4 - LSU (9)
5 - Oklahoma (6)
6 - Auburn (8)
7 - Michigan St (12)
8 - Nebraska (7)
9 - TCU (5)
10 - Utah (11)
11 - Alabama (1)
12 - Oklahoma St (15)
13 - Missouri (14)
14 - Stanford (18)
15 - Arizona (10)
16 - Nevada (16)
17 - South Carolina (UR)
18 - Arkansas (22)
19 - Michigan (13)
20 - NC State (25)
21 - Wisconsin (23)
22 - Florida St (UR)
23 - Iowa (24)
24 - Kansas St (20)
25 - Air Force (UR)

Rank from previous week in parentheses

Others Receiving Votes: Florida, North Carolina, Oregon St, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Added: South Carolina, Florida St, Air Force

Dropped: Florida, Miami, Northwestern

2010 Week 6 Picks

Week 1: 70-8 (89.7%)
Week 2: 61-9 (87.1%)
Week 3: 47-11 (81%)
Week 4: 47-11 (81%)
Week 5: 41-11 (78.8%)
Season: 266-50 (84.2%)


Tuesday, October 5
Troy at MTSU


Wednesday, October 6
UAB at UCF


Thursday, October 7
Nebraska at Kansas St


Friday, October 8
Connecticut at Rutgers
Oklahoma St at Louisiana-Lafayette


Saturday, October 10
Syracuse at USF
Boston College at NC State
Indiana at Ohio St
Illinois at Penn St
Central Michigan at Virginia Tech
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Western Michigan at Ball St
Temple at Northern Illinois
Baylor vs Texas Tech at Dallas
Tennessee at Georgia

Memphis at Louisville
Bowling Green at Ohio
Colorado St at Air Force
UCLA at Cal
Virginia at Georgia Tech
Pitt at Notre Dame
Michigan St at Michigan
Clemson at North Carolina
Arkansas vs Texas A&M at Arlington
UNLV at West Virginia

Western Kentucky at FIU
Akron at Kent St
Alabama at South Carolina
Wyoming at TCU
Army at Tulane
Utah St at Louisiana Tech
Oregon at Washington St
Oregon St at Arizona
San Diego St at BYU
Navy at Wake Forest

Utah at Iowa St
Colorado at Missouri
Eastern Michigan at Vanderbilt
Arkansas St at North Texas
Miami (OH) at Cincinnati
FAU at Louisiana Monroe
LSU at Florida
Purdue at Northwestern
Auburn at Kentucky
East Carolina at Southern Miss

USC at Stanford
Toledo at Boise St
New Mexico at New Mexico St
Mississippi St at Houston
Florida St at Miami
Tulsa at SMU
Rice at UTEP
Arizona St at Washington
Hawaii at Fresno St
San Jose St at Nevada

Week 5 Top 25

1 - Alabama (1)
2 - Oregon (4)
3 - Ohio St (2)
4 - Boise St (3)
5 - TCU (5)
6 - Oklahoma (6)
7 - Nebraska (7)
8 - Auburn (9)
9 - LSU (10)
10 - Arizona (12)
11 - Utah (13)
12 - Michigan St (16)
13 - Michigan (14)
14 - Missouri (17)
15 - Oklahoma St (18)
16 - Nevada (20)
17 - Florida (8)
18 - Stanford (11)
19 - Miami (25)
20 - Kansas St (22)
21 - Northwestern (UR)
22 - Arkansas (23)
23 - Wisconsin (15)
24 - Iowa (UR)
25 - NC State (21)

Rank from previous week in parentheses

Others Receiving Votes: Air Force, South Carolina, Temple, USC, West Virginia

Added: Northwestern, Iowa

Dropped: Texas, USC