CollegeFootballTalk on NBCSports.com |
Video: Football from NBC Sports |
Weis knows 6-5 isn't good enough Nov. 22: Charlie Weis says he's responsible for Notre Dame's record and says he can't argue with the decision if he's replaced as coach. |
College football |
Schedules, stats | TV | Matchups | Odds Top cheerleaders | Rivalries | Mascots | Fans |
Special feature |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
Q: Instead of continually improving — as has Sylvester Croom with Mississippi State — Alabama is moving backward. What should be done? Does Mike Shula need to go?
— Kyle Stephens from Birmingham, Ala.
A: Alabama has definitely taken a step backward this season, Kyle, but that might’ve been inevitable after losing quarterback Brodie Croyle and other key performers. I believe Mike Shula is safe — a 10-2 season bought him some time — and a win against Auburn would leave a good taste in everyone’s mouth.
That being said, the current 6-5 record isn’t the ticket at Alabama, which was fortunate to escape Vanderbilt and Mississippi. On the other hand, it seemingly had a victory against Tennessee in hand and would’ve beaten Arkansas had it not been for a catastrophic performance by place-kicker Leigh Tiffin.
So what do we have? A team that has won some it should’ve lost — and lost some it should’ve won. The one thing Shula couldn’t do — from a perception standpoint — was lose to Mississippi State and Sylvester Croom, the Tide alum who was passed over for the head-coaching job that went to Shula in 2003.
That makes for a potentially rocky offseason. As usual, recruiting will probably decide whether Alabama’s program hovers near .500 or returns to an elite level.
Q: Is Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan the real deal or more a product of the system? And is he likely to break David Klingler’s NCAA single-season touchdown mark?
— Todd from Beaumont, Texas
A: Colt Brennan definitely is a product of the system, Todd. A darn good system. The run-and-shoot attack of coach June Jones has put Brennan in position to break Klingler’s TD mark of 54. With four games remaining, Brennan already has 43 TD passes.
|
But that shouldn’t detract from his accomplishments. He’s certainly the real deal as a college quarterback. Beyond that, as everyone knows, it’s a roll of the dice. There’s no such thing as a certainty when No. 2 overall pick Ryan Leaf becomes an NFL flop and sixth-round pick Tom Brady becomes a likely Hall of Famer.
Q: Who does Duke play next season (and in ’08?)? Was curious how long you think their NCAA-long losing streak might last.
— Steve W. from Lexington, Ky.
A: Duke’s losing streak is up to 18 games, Steve, and the 19th loss probably is at hand in Saturday’s trip to Georgia Tech. Actually, I don’t think we’ll have to wait much longer. I think Duke is going to beat North Carolina in the Nov. 25 regular-season finale.
Just in case my crystal ball is fuzzy, here’s your information.
2007: (ACC games) Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, at Florida State, at Virginia, at North Carolina. (Non-conference games) Connecticut, Northwestern, at Navy, at Notre Dame.
2008: (ACC games) at Clemson, at Wake Forest, at Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech, Virginia, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Miami. (Non-conference games) James Madison, Navy, at Northwestern, at Vanderbilt.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
LowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL |
| Add College football headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links




