With the season upon us it is time to get ready for some college football. Very soon the site will be updated with new mocks, rankings, and more. But for now by popular demand, I give you the Official MDHQ Preseason National Championship Prediction.

Before you dive in it, I will tell you this. The departure of Tyrann Mathieu had no impact on what you’re about to read. LSU has an awesome defense, yes, but at the end of the day the SEC looks too congested this year for anyone to come out unscathed.

And with that said, here is the Official Prediction:

#1 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #2 USC Trojans

Why Oklahoma?

Two words: Landry Jones.  Not to mention Blake Bell as the goal line “wildcat QB” and a host of talented receivers.  This offense is just going to be too efficient at scoring points this season.  There are only two games that are going to be tough for them.  11/17  at West Virginia and two weeks later at TCU to close the season.

If Oklahoma runs the table, then without a doubt they go into the National Championship game.  Even if they loose in Morgantown or Fort Worth, they would still be the odds on favorite to be the #2 team in the Nation depending on what happens in the SEC and ACC.

Why USC?

Too much experience.  Something to play for.

And that pretty much sums it up.  The Trojans are coming off suspension, have retained superstar QB Matt Barkley and acquired Silas Redd from Penn State.  Did I mention they still have Robert Woods and a pretty tough defense as well?

Everything is set up for the Trojans to run the table.  I don’t see them having to struggle in any game this season, but I’ll rank them #2 for now because in true USC fashion they will struggle with some random team on a Wednesday night they have no business having difficulties with.  All in all, the Trojans should occupy one of the Title Game slots.

]]> http://www.mockdrafthq.com/2012/04/robert-griffin-iii-and-barry-sanders-make-cover-of-ncaa-13.html Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:44:51 +0000 http://www.mockdrafthq.com/site/?p=3268 EA sports is doing this cool thing where they let the fans vote which former Heisman athlete would join Robert Griffin III on the cover of NCAA 13. For a while it looked like Doug Flutie would get it but no, Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders is the lucky co-coverman for NCAA’s latest offering.

My only question is Why does RGIII look so short?

Cover Below:

Robert will be the cover man for NCAA Football 13 by EA Sports. Announced today:

Redwood City, Calif. – February 27, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc(NASDAQ: EA) today announced Robert Griffin III, former Baylor University quarterback, will be featured on the cover of EA SPORTS NCAA® Football 13, set to hit retail shelves on Tuesday, July 10. In addition to RG3, a fellow Heisman Trophy winner will appear on the cover of NCAA Football 13 based on a fan vote.

Beginning March 12, fans can log on to the EA SPORTS NCAA FootballFacebook page to vote for one of eight Heisman Trophy winners to accompany Griffin III on the cover of NCAA Football 13. The candidates include former University of Southern California running back Marcus Allen, former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie, former The Ohio State University running back Eddie George, former The University of Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard, former Oklahoma State University running back Barry Sanders, former University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker, former Florida State University quarterback Charlie Ward and former University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware.

The first student-athlete from Baylor to win the Heisman Trophy, Robert Griffin III – popularly known as “RG3”— also won the Davey O’Brien Award and was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year in 2011. In 2008, RG3 was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year by the league’s coaches, setting the school’s rushing yards record for a freshman and for a quarterback with 843 yards for the season.

The University of North Carolina on Tuesday declared Dwight Jones, the Tar Heels leading receiver, ineligible for the Independence Bowl after Jones allowed his name and image to be used to promote a party in Burlington, his hometown.

NCAA rules prohibit athletes from allowing their name or image to be used to promote an off-campus business or for-profit entity. Jones committed a secondary NCAA violation when he allowed his name and image to promote a birthday party in his honor on New Year’s Eve.

UNC has applied to the NCAA for Jones’ reinstatement. Jones apologized in a statement and said the party has been canceled.

Source: Charlotte Observer

I can see where the issue is. The NCAA doesn’t like the fact that Jones’ is going to make money off his OWN IMAGE. But the thing is, if his athletic duties are fulfilled isn’t this a moot point? This isn’t like a Sophomore doing this then coming back in the fall. This is a Senior celebrating after his final game.

December 26th is Dwight Jones’ final day as a collegiate football player.

The party is December 31st.

Problem?

I don’t see one either.

Here are our current Heisman standings. We are going to rank the top 5 guys and hopefully not look too crazy. I guarantee you won’t agree with at least one, or two of these picks.

Rankings below:

5. Tyrann Mathieu CB LSU
Yes, he served a suspension. Yes, LSU won without him. Yes Claiborne is probably the better pure player. But when you talk Heisman, we aren’t talking the best player on the best team necessarily. We aren’t talking the best story. We aren’t talking the best stats per say. We are looking at a total body of work, and who is the most excellent player in the Nation. The way Mathieu is impacting games from the corner back position and on special teams there is no way I can take him off this list. You may hate it, but Mathieu is creating turnovers, scoring touchdowns, and impacting his team in a major way… all as a Sophomore corner back.

4. Case Keenum QB Houston
Once again a controversial selection. According to ESPN he currently has 24 votes. The Heisman isn’t for lifetime achievements but not only has Keenum played well this year, he has done it all in a small conference and with the pressure of coming off an injury and going for a NCAA record. He’s broken all Timmy Changs records and is now the FBS leader in total offense,and passing touchdowns.

3. Kellen Moore QB Boise State
Again, not a lifetime achievement award, but Kellen Moore has played exceptionally well with the pressure of trying to lead Boise to a BCS bowl on his shoulders. He’s currently 174-228, with 2010 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions. I still think some one (TCU) is going to beat the Broncos though.

2. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
What do I have to say? If the Tide beat LSU this weekend then Richardson may move straight to #1 on this list. Nick Saban does a great job of not only finding extremely talented players, but putting in that pro style offense and giving them the best chance to succeed. Richardson has ran for 989 yards on only 149 attempts… that’s over 6 yards a carry in the $EC.

1. Andrew Luck QB Stanford
You already knew that after the Cardinal found a way to beat USC in the instant classic thriller last weekend that Luck was going to be moved to #1 on the list. There is still a chance that Luck loses a game this season and Richardson eclipses him but so far Luck has been the most excellent player in the nation. Not only has he shown the ability to win the easy games, he was the reason his team won their toughest test so far. If somehow Stanford runs the table then its a no brainer, Andrew Luck will be your 2012 Heisman winner.

Honarble mentions: Brandon Weeden QB OSU, Justin Blackmon WR OSU, Tajh Boyd QB Clemson

1. Oklahoma Sooners
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oregon Ducks
4. LSU Tigers
5. Florida State Seminoles
6. Stanford Cardinal
7. Boise State Broncos
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
9. Texas A&M Aggies
10. Wisconsin Badgers

I think the rankings are a bit Big XII happy, but that is what the season is for.  Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will play each other, so by the end of the season one of them won’t be in the Top 10.  Wisconsin and Alabama are introducing brand new QBs, so that could play either way.  Virginia Tech is ranked 13th and has the easiest schedule of the top teams by far.  We’ll likely see the Hokies crack this list in a few weeks time.

Can’t wait to get this season underway!

Thomas was cited for taking approximately $311 worth of free clothing from a former player who worked for a sports agent. According to the rule that is an impermissible benefit. Yes, again with the benefits. I’m not going to type out an all out rant again, by now you should know where I stand.

The NCAA uses far too many resources to criminalize these student athletes. Seriously, you go through all this investigating over $311?! You take away an ACC title over $311?!!!!!! First it was tattoos and rental cars, now you better not accept any snapbacks, fitteds, t shirts, or Jordans as well.

Big brother is watching.

What is the most hypocritical part of this, is just like the Cam Newton investigation the NCAA has decided to allow the players to play in a big money game as the violation hangs over the team.  No one is buying what the NCAA is selling anymore.  It is all about the money with them.  If this were three ECU Pirates or Tulsa Hurricane’s I guarantee that the players would be suspended immediately.  But since Terrelle Pryor and Boom Herron are playing in the Sugar Bowl (a big money game for all involved) the NCAA isn’t going to mess that game up by suspending the stars of the Buckeyes for that game, although they are allegedly in clear violation of NCAA rules.

The NCAA is a farce.  Everyone is allowed to make money off the players except for the players themselves.  Let’s not get this twisted.  The stars of college football don’t go to certain Universities because they want to, a lot of underhand deals from boosters and supporters go on under the table that no one ever speaks about.  In the NCAA’s eyes as long as they don’t find out then its okay.  Cam Newton’s father can negotiate a “pay for play” deal and it’s perfectly fine as long as Cam allegedly doesn’t partake in the conversations or receives any money.  However, AJ Green and Terrelle Pryor can’t sell the jerseys off their backs to have some extra money.

The college game has a huge hypocrisy problem going on.  If the NCAA doesn’t want the players to get paid, that’s fine.  But when you allow parents to negotiate “pay for play” deals and then allow that player to start in the National Championship game it clearly says you don’t believe in your own rules.  Billions of dollars are generated by these players but these players can’t even borrow five bucks for a slice of pizza or it’s a “NCAA violation.”  Everyone can touch the money except for those generating it.  To me this sounds totally contradictory and unconstitutional.  Do not be surprised if President Barack Obama gets involved in regulating the NCAA and the BCS.  At this point it is pretty much a monopoly between the NCAA and the top six conferences to keep all the money to themselves, while not giving a damn about the welfare of the 20 and 21 year olds who generate all the money for them.

It needs to stop, and it needs to stop now.

According to sources, an affiliate of the Newton family offered Mississippi State a commitment from Cam Newton in exchange for $100,000.  It is unclear if a money exchange happened or not in the decision of Cam to play for Auburn.  Although the full details have not come out yet, it seems as if from my untrained eye that Newton actually had no hand in any of the deals that were discussed.

Bloggers and writers are saying that Newton has “Reggie Bushed” himself out of winning the Heisman.  That is absurd.  If he didn’t get any money and did not knowingly assist someone in profiting off his name, then what has he done wrong?

The NCAA has a serious problem here.  They want the athletes to be pure and committed like their forefathers of the 40’s and 50’s but we don’t live in that era anymore.  Agents exist. Billion dollar television contracts exist.  Million dollar merchandise sales exist.  Parents who accept hundred thousand dollar gifts and homes exist. Boosters exist.

It’s time for the NCAA to reassess what they are going to do about these issues, or they will just continue to come up.