SB Nation User Blog: collegegameballs

TENNESSEE COACH LANE KIFFIN ON THE BOWL MATCH-UP WITH VT: "We’re very excited about this match-up. ...

collegegameballs — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:44:21 -0000

TENNESSEE COACH LANE KIFFIN

ON THE BOWL MATCH-UP WITH VT: "We’re very excited about this match-up. ... I view this as a BCS bowl, from the excitement and energy around the game, where we get to play it, the stadium ... and most importantly who we play, Virginia Tech, ranked 11th in the country. They’ve been to back-to-back BCS bowls and are coming off a BCS win. With a win, this would be their sixth straight 10-win season. Only Texas has done that over the last six years. So this is a big-time match-up for us. We love every part of it. We love going to Atlanta. It’s very critical for us in the state of Georgia recruiting, especially Atlanta. And then to play Virginia Tech on national TV on New Year’s Eve, it’s perfect."

Kyle Tucker - Chicken Bowl Blog, Volume 1 (Surviving Snow edition)

Ryan Williams, Heisman Candidate?

collegegameballs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:53:30 -0000

[Ed. Note: Bumped from FanPosts]

With Sam Bradford injured, Colt McCoy flying under the radar and Tim Tebow looking... human the Heisman race is wide open. Going into last weekend Cal's Jahvid Best was the unofficial front-runner. Best is more than deserving of the praise, because he's a fine runner and dynamic play maker. However, what I found particularly interesting is how favorably Ryan William's numbers compare to Best's.

	Attempts	Yards	Y/A	Touchdowns	Receptions	Yards	Y/R	Touchdowns
Ryan Williams:	84	492	5.9	8	6	120	20	0
Jahvid Best:	69	467	6.8	8	9	73	8.1	1

The thing that pops out as you eyeball the table is Best bests (pun intended) Williams' yards per attempt by almost a full yard. Is that a negative? No not necessarily, having a durable running back that can grind out yards as well as break the big one is a luxury.

Statistically William's best game was against a lowly Marshall. But Heisman campaigns aren't built on top of scrubbing a bad team. Therefore, his most impressive game was against #9 Miami. He rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Cliché or not he ran harder as the game progressed. His grueling carries in the 3rd and 4th quarters helped gouge time off the clock and seal the deal for the Hokies. Yes, he did do that much damage against the same Hurricane defense that smothered both Georgia Tech's and Florida State's rushers.

On the flip side, his worst game was against #19 Nebraska. It was a rushing effort akin to hurling a boulder up a mountain. Take away his long run of 46 yards and his stats are a meager 61 yards on 20 carries.

Before laying an egg against Oregon Best had been in top gear all season long. However, the competition was mediocre. As of today, these are the rush defense rankings of Cal opponents: Maryland (110), Eastern Washington (I-AA), Minnesota (70) and Oregon (60). Even though Minnesota sports a slightly below average rush defense the game versus Cal was competitive and was Best's signature performance (so far). He accounted for a third of the Bear's offense and all five of their touchdowns.

I think it's fair to say that, through four games, Williams is on par with the (perceived) best back in the Nation, Jahvid Best. Unfortunately for Ryan he has no chance of winning the Heisman in 2009, Even if he continues to pile up gaudy numbers Williams won't be seriously considered for the award until 2010+. The Heisman is supposed to be a year-to-year award, but very rarely does it go down that way. It requires a "buzz year" for both America and the Media to become familar with a stud player. For right now all we can do, Hokie fans, is jump aboard the RW Express and watch in awe as it steams through 2009.

Gameday Signs -- I need your Help

collegegameballs — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:18:30 -0000

As you may or may not know each week during the season I do my best to capture all best signs from ESPN's College Gameday and post them on my blog CollegeGameBalls.com. For example, here's the phenomenal work y'all did last year.

http://www.collegegameballs.com/2008/10/19/gameday-signs-austin-texas/

http://www.collegegameballs.com/2008/10/13/gameday-signs-dallas-texas/

This year I'm trying to go high quality by getting pictures of the signs live from Gameday. So far I've been fortunate enough to attend the VT-Alabama Gameday and a had reader going to OSU-USC take pictures for me there. This is where y'all come in. I'll be in Blacksburg watching VT-Nebraska slug it out and know no one in Texas. So I was hoping someone or someones from BON attending Gameday would take pictures and send them to me. Please.

It is a non-paying gig, but you will be doing everyone who enjoys these signs and especially me a huge favor. I have no problem crediting the source, and i have no problem going anonymous. Whatever works for you. I can tell you I will strip all of the meta-data from your digital images so there is no way to tie them back to you (probably only of importance to professionals).

If you are interested reply here with a way for me to contact you or email me cgb [at] collegegameballs [dot] com or use my contact form: http://www.collegegameballs.com/contact-us/

Peter thank you so much for letting me post this here and good luck to y'all against Texas Tech.

Speaking about Florida International wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, Saban told reporters, "This guy No....

collegegameballs — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:23:03 -0000

Speaking about Florida International wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, Saban told reporters, "This guy No. 4 is a better offensive player than anybody that we played against last week."

Alabama's Saban Jabs at the Hokies' Offense

British Amateur Champion Weaver -1 at U.S Open

collegegameballs — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:21:30 -0000

British Amateur Champion Weaver -1 at U.S Open

High Point's Drew Weaver fired a 1-under 69 at the U.S. Open this morning and is tied for the lead midway through the first round at Bethpage Black. Weaver, 22, who graduated from Virginia Tech last month, birdied 13, 16 and 17 to get into red numbers.

Hokies Have 9 Commits for 2010 Class

collegegameballs — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:55:48 -0000

[Ed. note: CGB has taken it upon himself to update you on Hokie recruiting. This page and future FanPosts will be the place to discuss recruiting, rumors and get updates on commitments.]

This page isn't much now, but it's going to be frequently updated throughout the off-season. I'm hoping when it's all said and done it can be the free go to resource for Hokie recruiting.

I need your help. If you're a recruiting guru or have those inside connections then leave any news or rumors in comments or email me, cgb [at] collegegameballs [dot] com.

Name	Position	Rivals	Scout	Status
Nick Acree	DT	****	***	C
Caleb Farris	G	***	*	C
Derrick Hopkins	DT	NR	*	C
Mark Leal	QB	***	*	C
Tahrick Peak	OLB	NR	*	C
Mark Shuman	OT	***	***	C
Ricardo Young	QB	***	*	C
Jerome Lewis	DE/TE	***	***	C
Zack McCray	DE	****	****	C