Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 1)

Darren McFadden and Weymouth both had a rough first season in the FAC-10. Can the youngest backfield in the league lift their team out of the FBCS cellar and into the playoffs, or are the Islanders destined for another miserable season?




Goal Line Stand (Week 1)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette



Six teams finished the 2008 FBCS regular season with a record of 6-7. Two of those teams made the playoffs. One won the championship.

In a league where Twin City Tech consistently puts up 80 PPG, it's been the Goldens (6-7 in 2008) and Mexicos (6-5 in 2007) winning the title. Of course, to win a championship you have to first get INTO the playoffs, but who will those teams be in 2009?

Segue...


6. Stardust University (6-7) - While the new Flex position will help other teams, it should hurt the Crazy Horses the most. SUCH has no 3rd running back to help LenDale White and Willie Parker, and Jerricho Cotchery is hardly a stud #3 receiver. They'll need a big year from "superstar" Eli Manning if they want to sneak into the playoffs, otherwise they'll be done early for the third straight year since winning it all in 2006.

5. Athol A&M (7-6) - The Alchys are one running back away from elite status, but until that happens they are the best bubble team in the league. With 2 young receivers to compliment their 3 star ones, this team is a threat every week, and will be the most prepared come playoff time.

4. University of Mexico (8-5)- The Wildcats missed the playoffs for the first time in school history last season, and they battled for it until the very end of the season. Mexico missed the postseason on a tiebreaker by 3 points, but with healthy receivers and a backfield ready to break out, UM will be back in the postseason.

3. Busch University (10-3) - You can only ride one player for so long, and Busch is going to do that with RB Adrian Peterson as long as possible. If Brandon Marshall gets his act together, the passing game will be a nice compliment as well, but it's the running game that will push BU into the playoffs, and possible their 2nd championship game in 3 years.

2. Twin City Tech (10-3)- Kurt Warner was fantastic filling in last season, but QB Tom Brady is back and ready to lead the top offense in the FAC-10. The receivers are 3 of the top 5 or 6 in the league, and the running backs take care of business. The biggest test will be Week 8 when Brady, Randy Moss, and Clinton Portis get their scheduled week off and a dangerous Athol A&M team comes to town.

1. Dublin University of Brewery Arts (11-2) - The 3-man backfield of the Oktoberfests hit snags every week, as head coach Brad Bodell continuously chose the wrong guy to bench. This season, the league instilled a Flex position, giving Bodell a free pass and allowing DUBA to put up huge numbers on the ground. If QB Tony Romo can find SOMEONE to pass to, this team will end Twin City's reign of terror and grab the #1 seed.

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Week 1 Matchups
(6) Dublin over (1) Golden
(2) Twin City Tech over (11) Athol A&M
(5) Arizona-Kickery over (3) Bud Heavy
(4) Busch over (7) Mexico
(8) Gillespie State over (10) Rakeville
(12) Weymouth over (9) Stardust

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2008 Final Power Rankings (2008 Record)
1. Golden (6-7)
2. Twin City Tech (9-4)
3. Bud Heavy (8-5)
4. Dublin (8-5)
5. Busch (8-5)
6. Mexico (6-7)
7. Gillespie State (6-7)
8. Arizona-Kickery (6-7)
9. Athol A&M (5-8)
10. Rakeville (6-7)
11. Stardust (6-7)
12. Weymouth (4-9)

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League Notes
- #1 overall pick Beanie Wells told the Lakeview Times that he is uncertain if Weymouth is the right fit for him. "I don't even own a canoe," said the Ohio native.

- An unidentified Golden front office member was using the restroom at the team's practice facility and left his 2008 championship ring on the sink. When he returned shortly after to retrieve it, it was gone and in its place were taco crumbs.

- Nick Folk is still the worst kicker in the conference.