[Cloverleaf]

OHIO STATE: Many Buckeye fans in the know are really getting excited
about this team for 2008. The fact is, this might be the best team in college
football going into the coming season. DE Vernon Gholston is gone, but the
return of LB James Laurinaitis and CB Malcolm Jenkins, when they would
have been drafted in the top 15 players had they left early, all of a sudden
means the defense should be one of the best in the nation again. The
offense gets nine starters back including all the top players other than OT
Kirk Barton. If that wasn't enough, PK Ryan Pretorius and punter A.J.
Trapasso might be the best kicking combo around.

If this team gets it's head on straight, this could be a jaw-dropping
dominator from the start.

[Cloverleaf]

OKLAHOMA STATE: The Cowboys finished the season with another bowl
win, but it wasn't exactly the year the Poke fans were hoping for. OSU
was embarrassed by Georgia and Oklahoma on the road, got throttled by
Kansas at home, choked away a sure win against Texas and lost a seven-
teen point lead at Texas A&M.

The big question is how does the program take the next step? Each year
the Cowboys have NFL talent and this team is no exception, but under
Mike Gundy, the team hasn't been able to beat the big teams on a con-
sistent basis and hasn't turned the corner. With seven JUCO players this
spring the message is clear--win now. Spring practice and off season
conditioning needs to set the tone for the fall or the Pokes will be repeat-
ing past seasons.

[Cloverleaf]

LSU: Ouarterback Ryan Perrilloux will miss today's spring game, but he
will be back as a member of the team the following day. He will accompany
the team next week to the White House to accept congratulations from
President Bush for the team's national championship.

Coach Les Miles suspended Perrilloux in mid-February after he missed a
team meeting, skipped some classes and was late for a handful of work-
outs. Perrilloux had to meet academic requirements, as well as do extra
conditioning drills. Miles said the quarterback was not allowed to practice
this week and will not play in today's game. In fairness to the other QBs
who have split time with the number 1 offense this spring and have com-
peted hard for the job.

Perrilloux has run up against the law and team discipline with regularity
at LSU. He was on the fringe of a counterfeiting investigation and was
caught trying to board a Baton Rouge casino with a false identification,
which got him suspended all of last summer. He also was involved in a fracas at a nightclub in November, but he was cleared of wrongdoing.

[Cloverleaf]

FLORIDA: Percy Harvin, Gators outstanding receiver, will have heel surgery
this week but Coach Urban Meyer expects the speedy playmaker to be fine
for fall practice. Despite the nagging injury, Harvin ran for 764 yards and
six touchdowns last season and caught 59 passess for 858 yards and four
touchdowns.

[Cloverleaf]

ARKANSAS: The clock is already ticking for the Razorbacks. Every team
wants to make the most of spring practice, but the for the Hogs, there's
an extra urgency this year. New coach Bobby Petrino has some rebuild-
ing to do on offense after losing star tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix
Jones. Petrino has been all business since he abruptly left the Atlanta
Falcons in December to take over the Razorbacks program. The players
will have to learn his system quickly if they want to have any chance at
a third consecutive New Year's Day bowl.

"We'll throw a lot at them and then we'll come back and repeat that. Then
we'll come back and repeat it again," Petrino said this week. "Then they
should have it. Once we repeat it three times, they need to have it or
we'll have an understanding that they will be sitting on the bench for a
while."

Center Jonathan Luigs is one player whose spot in the lineup is probably
safe. An All-American last year, Luigs might be Arkansas' most accomplish-
ed player. Things will be interesting in Fayetteville this spring.

[Cloverleaf]

RANKING QB'S FOR NFL DRAFT:

1. Matt Ryan, Boston College: Tough as nails, a great leader and a winner.
Should be a starter with time.

2. Brian Brohm, Louisville: Was groomed to be an NFL OB. He is NFL ready
as any QB in the draft. He's not the greatest athlete and has an average
arm, bu he can make all the throws needed.

3. Chad Henne, Michigan: With the right coaching to fine tune his arm and
his mechanics, he could turn out to be the steal of the draft. Strong with
a gun for an arm.

4. Andre Woodson, Kentucky: Has the size at 6-5 and 235 pounds and
has proven he can be a precision passer. He'll need some serious coaching
to correct a fundamental flaw in his delivery. Will take time and patience
by some NFL team.

5. Colt Brennam, Hawaii: He is not big and not thick at a very skinny 6-3
and 185 pounds. He has one of the most accurate arms of any of the
prospects but red flags are everywhere.

6. Joe Flacco, Delaware: The hot prospect coming out of the off season
workouts. At 6-6 and 235 pounds he has the best arm of anyone coming
out in the draft. The big question mark is his consistency.

OTHERS: 7. Kevin O'Connell, San Diego St. 8. Erik Ainge, Tennessee
9. Josh Johnson, San Diego 10. John David Booty, USC

[Cloverleaf]

ALABAMA: Last week more than 1000 high school coaches attended the
University of Alabama football coaching clinic. One of the key speakers
was Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots. Alabama coach
Nick Saban worked under Belichick as his defensive coordinator with the
Cleveland Browns from 1991-1994. The two have remained friends and
stay in contact as much as possible.

Bama's A-Day game is this Saturday. Last year's game drew 92,000 fans
to set a record for spring games. A crowd of 50,000 plus is expected for
this year's game.

[Cloverleaf]

BIG TEN: Toughest Schedules for 2008.
1. Penn St.
2. Michigan
3. Ohio St.
4. Wisconsin
5. Purdue
6. Michigan St.
7. Minnesota
8. Illinois
9. Northwestern
10. Indiana
11. Iowa

[Cloverleaf]

TODD DODGE-NORTH TEXAS STATE: (Young coach to watch)
A Texas high school coaching legend after being at a place for only six
years and winning a few national titles. The former Southlake Carroll High
School head coach and University of Texas quarterback is about to make
North Texas good. His first season (2-10) was difficult, but the seeds were
planted for what should be one of the most exciting passing attacks in the
country. He's the ultimate QB coach with three of his high school passers,
including Chase Daniel (Missouri), ranking among the six most productive
QB's in Texas high school history and he's about to do the same at North
Texas. We see this guy with a great future in the college ranks.

[Cloverleaf]

ALABAMA: After watching the spring game (80,000 attendance) we
have some soft spots.
Need a backup QB to step forward.
Need a running back to step forward. No true starter.
Need a receiver to step forward. No one has.
Need several linebackers to step forward. Bigtime!

Other than that....we should be pretty good.....just not there yet.

[Cloverleaf]

PENN STATE: Joe Paterno and his boss agree: The 81 year old coach
doesn't need a new contract to keep his job at Penn State. Paterno's
current contract is up at the end of the 2008 season, yet that doesn't
necessarily mean the end of his record setting tenure leading the Nittany
Lions. University president Graham Spanier told The Associated Press
that both the school and Paterno agree that a contract isn't necessary
for the man entering his 43rd season as Penn State coach. The sides
agree to meet, as they have in the past, at the end of the season to
discuss the future.

[Cloverleaf]

OLE MISS: Houston Nutt's debut as coach drew a record 28,311 fans
to the spring game, that's 5000 more than attended last season's home
game against Northwestern State. Jevan Snead the transfer from Texas
threw for 269 yards, completing 20 of 26 passes and two touchdowns.
Dexter McCluster was Snead's favorite target, catching eight passes for
106 yards. The Blue team beat the Red team 40-14 Saturday to open
the Houston Nutt era.

[Cloverleaf]

MISSOURI: (The Linebacker Nightmare)
The off-season couldn't have been much worse for a Tiger linebacking
corps that's expected to be the team's strength. Strongside starter
Van Alexander, tore his ACL and may or may not be ready for the season
opener. Connell Davis, a weakside backer quit the team. Sean Weath-
spoon, the teams leading tackler suffered a shoulder injury that will
require surgery, and Marquis Booker was kicked off the team.

The question is can Chase Daniels (QB) tackle?????

[Cloverleaf]

PITTSBURG: Quarterback and the offensive line are major areas of concern
during spring practice. The most experienced QB was a freshman last year
and the Panthers passing game was lacking. They have brought in JUCO
transfer Greg Cross, and he provides more athleticism at the position. The
play of the offensive line will be the key for the offense. JUCO center Robb
Houser will need to start immediately and upgrade the play from last year.
Both tackles were lost to graduation and freshman or redshirt freshman
will have a chance to play.

On defense, Pitt should be good. Maybe one of the nations best with a
dominant and talented group of linemen and linebackers returning.

[Cloverleaf]

CINCINNATI: As quarterback Ben Mauk makes one final plea to the NCAA
for another year of eligibility, which was already denied once, the battle
to replace him rages on. Senior Dustin Grutza and Notre Dame transfer
Demetrius Jones are the favorites, but neither has gained much favor
with the coaching staff. Grutza is limited as a passer, while Jones has
work to do on his mechanics and isn't all the way back from shoulder
surgery. Yes, the Bearcats are praying for a miracle from the NCAA.

[tango papa]

Hey Clover, I was watching the Game Day show last Sat before the Fla Spring game and Herbie said he liked UConn in the Big East this year.

[Cloverleaf]

CONNECTICUT: Now that quarterback Tyler Lorenzen is in his second
season at the controls, UConn would love to pump up a passing game
that was 97th nationally a year ago. The biggest obstacle, however,
is that the offense has no reliable pass catchers, a situation that hasn't
improved.

The running back tandum of Andre Dixon and Donald Brown have looked
good this spring. Unless the pass offense improves, these guys will be
expected to carry the load.

Looking at UConn's schedule, I see them as a middle of the pack team.
6-6 or 7-5 record is my guess.

[Cloverleaf]

WEST VIRGINIA/MICHIGAN: Ex-West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez
said he would find a job at Michigan for a WV athletic fundraiser being in-
vestigated over an alleged racist remark, according to a sworn affidavit
obtained by The Associated Press.
Larry Aschebrook confronted Rodriguez and former assistant coach Calvin
Magee after being informed of a West Virginia University investigation into
Magee's accusation. Aschebrook denied making any such remark.
Magee's agent Mike Brown said Aschelbrook told Magee, who is black, that
he wouldn't have a chance at Rodriguez's former job because of the color
of his skin.
University President Mike Garrison asked the University's Office of Social
Justice to look into the allegations, which Magee initially made through
his agent, who is also Rodriguez's agent.
In an affidavit, Aschebrook said he called Rodriguez in Ann Arbor, and told
Rodriguez and Magee that the allegations were going to ruin his career.

All we need now is a bowl game between WV and Michigan to keep the
bad blood alive.

[Cloverleaf]

NEBRASKA: The first spring game under new coach Bo Pelini drew a school
record 80,149, with some tickets reportedly selling for $100 early in the
week. The Reds beat the Whites 24-14 in a scrimmage where the first and
second stringers were spread across both squads to make things even.
The crowd was the second largest for a spring game in college football
history behind the 92,138 that showed up at Alabama last spring. The
game was declared a sellout 10 days before, and some ticket brokers
were finding buyers willing to pay 10 times the face value of $10 for
reserved seat. Fans lined up outside the stadium gates three hours be-
fore kickoff. "I thought it was a pretty special atmosphere," Pelini said.

[Cloverleaf]

SOUTH CAROLINA: Scottie Spurrier (Steve's son) caught a 46 yard touch-
down pass by coming off the bench on the field during the spring game
Saturday. The referees threw a flag for illegal participation but Coach
Spurrier order his defense to decline it. Other than that completion, QBs'
Tommy Beacher and Chris Smelley threw eight interceptions between them.
Smelley threw five interceptions, going 13 for 30 for 219 yards and 3 tds.
Beecher was 9 for 20 for 131 yards and 3 ints. Outstanding field goal man
Ryan Succop made a 56 yarder to high light the day. Brian Maddox was
the leading rusher with 90 yards, including a 37 yard touchdown run.

[Cloverleaf]

SPRING GAMES: A look at a few spring games from last Saturday.

OHIO STATE: Todd Boechman and his backups at quarterback, Antonio
Henton and Joe Bauserman, each completed a long pass that led to a
touchdown as the Scarlet beat the Gray 20-7. The announced attendance
was 76,346, but that appeared to be inflated on a gray and rainy day.
"I think a lot of people probably bought their tickets and then left when
the rain came," runningback Maurice Wells said. " I didn't see 76,000."

MISSOURI: A crowd of 26,322, about twice as large as previous years,
watched Chase Daniel go 22 for 28 for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
Coming off a 12-2 season and top-10 finish, Missouri's spring scrimmage
was nationally televised by ESPNU.

NOTRE DAME: Jimmy Clausen was 10 of 27 passing for 183 yards during
the 60-minute game with a running clock. "I just feel great right now,"
said Clausen, who was hampered last season after elbow surgery. "Jimmy
got good zip on the ball," coach Charlie Weis said. "Obviously, he can
sling it." Robert Hughes ran for 100 yards on 22 carries.

[Cloverleaf]

TENNESSEE: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton showed off his arm in the
Saturday Orange and White game. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 266
yards and 3 touchdowns, leading white to a 38-16 win over the orange
squad. He connected with Denarius Moore on a 74 yard touchdown pass
on the first play of the game. B.J. Coleman went 9 for 13 for 80 yards and
an 8 yard touchdown pass to Tauren Poole. Nick Stephens finished 6-17
for 44 yards and 2 interceptions. As a whole, coach Fulmer said he was
happy with the effort given by the team.
As a side note, QB Crompton had surgery on his throwing shoulder on
Monday and reports are he should be fine for fall.

[Cloverleaf]

General or Dirty. Are we own some time of delay for posts?

[dirty]

Until the bashing can stop the board room has decided to place on post review. No sense in bashing posters...

[Cloverleaf]

Dirty, we always told you guys to hammer us when needed...no
problem.

See you in September come football season.