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Would you get a tattoo from a tattoo artist without any tattoos? If so, chances are you'd probably end up on this list. Just like how there are plenty of women who take relationship advice from single people and end up alone. We're not ill with the ink needle and Complex Sports isn't really the place to go for relationship advice but we can tell you nearly everything you need to know for the upcoming college football season. Or we at least know someone who can.
The 2012 college football season gets underway today, and who better than to tell you everything you need to know than an expert? It has to be someone that has lived and breathed football. It's got to be someone that was born in SEC country. It should be ESPN's Travis Haney, who was born, raised, and educated in the best college football conference in the land, the South Eastern Conference. From who's most likely to win the BCS title game this year to which coaches may be looking for a new job in October, here is Travis Haney's Guide to the 2012 College Football Season.
Interview by Richard Boadu of 6Magazine (@6magazine)
Which teams have the most to gain from a change of conference? Which ones have the most to lose?
It’s the same for both. TCU is going to benefit the most. They've been wanting to be apart of a big conference for decades. The fact that it is in one now and can reap the benefits of being recruiting in Dallas. They’ve got a brand new stadium and a lot to advertise being the Big 12 school in Dallas. At the same time, going from the Mountain West Conference to the Big 12 is a lot to bite off in one year. They play both Oklahoma schools, Texas, West Virginia and Kansas State in their last five games so it’s going to be a tough November. They have set a high standard winning 10 games the past few years and it’s going be difficult to win that many this year. Short term, they’ll be in trouble, but they’ll benefit from the new conference in the long run. Missouri is going to struggle in the SEC. They've got players to be competitive but by October and November they’ll be worn down.
The Nevin Shapiro scandal broke a year ago. Will Miami ever be punished?
It’s coming, but that’s one of the more confusing things about the NCAA. Whether it’s UNC or USC or they hand down a fast decision as they did with Penn State and Ohio State, it’s just hard to predict. There is a lot of evidence in the Miami case, especially if you’ve seen the Yahoo! report. It would really help [head coach] Al Golden if they could get a punishment and move on, because it’s holding the program hostage. High school recruits are hesitant to sign with Miami because they don’t know what sort of punishment is coming. You wish things would work faster for the sake of program, because this whole thing is not Golden’s fault.
How much credit does Mike Stoops deserve for his brother Bob's initial success in Norman?
It’s not everything. Because offensively they've been great. They've played for other titles and won the Big 12 after he left. One thing I’d say to OU fans is that Mike coming back isn’t going to fix everything. He has moved players where they fit best. The issue with OU is that they haven't recruited to the level they did when Mike was there. They are not as physical at linebacker as they have been. I think if they shore up the defensive tackle position and get linebackers like they’ve had in the past they’ll be better. You really discredit the previous teams and coaches to say everything is going to be better with him back, because they were extremely successful after he left.
Will the Big East conference ever be BCS worthy in the final two years of the BCS?
They are always going to be a step behind. They are doing the best they can to add teams next season. They are trying to stabilize things but they are giving up identity in terms of region and creating a lot of problems as far as travel. They’re nothing more than a step up from Conference USA. They are not BCS-worthy and thankfully we don’t have to worry about that in a couple of years.
Does Denard Robinson give Michigan a better chance to win if he plays WR and Devin Gardner plays QB?
He’s going to have to play wide receiver in the NFL, but you don't play guys in college because they'll make better pros at a particular position. You put them where they can help you win. If I was the head coach, I’d put in a package with both him and [Gardner] the field together. Both guys are versatile enough to move them around. You’re going to have to figure out what to do with the two of them anyway. They've also moved Gardner around at wide receiver this year, too. No matter what, they’ll be a good offense this year.
Who are some true and redshirt freshmen to watch out for this year?
Trey Metoyer at OU is one to look out for. I’m highly curious to Oklahoma State play a true freshman at quarterback. You go from Brandon Weeden at 28 years old to Wes Lundy at 18. Johnathan Gray at Texas can help them at running back. Arik Armstead at Oregon could really stand out and make a difference. The third wide receiver at Tennessee, Cordell Patterson, could be really good.
Which three coaches will be on the hot seat when October rolls around?
It will not be any different than what it is now. Maryland will struggle, so Randy Edsall might get fired in the middle of the season, because of their schedule. Joker Phillips at Kentucky is in a tough position. The team is not talented enough to compete in the SEC and their quarterbacks haven’t panned out. Derrick Dooley at Tennessee should win enough games to stay around for another year. Maybe Tommy Tuberville at Texas Tech could be on the hot seat. They return a bunch of players and had been to a bowl several years in a row until he got there. He could be 3-6 going into November, which may put a lot of heat on him to win against Oklahoma State and Baylor late in the year to keep his job.
Who are the three most exciting players on BCS and non-BCS teams to watch this season?
That’s a speed question. De’Anthony Thomas can just fly. Tavon Austin at West Virginia, being in a new league with an experienced quarterback, he’s an exciting player. I would have said Tyrann Mathieu because of his return game and what he does with turnovers, but we won't see him. Denard Robinson (Michigan) is just really exciting and makes their offense go. As far as non-BCS, Tracy Lampey at Southern Miss, Ryan Aplin at Arkansas State can run and throw, so he will put up big numbers. Garrett Gilbert, the former Texas quarterback, who's now at SMU will be interesting to see in June Jones’ offense.
Will Notre Dame ever contend for a national title again?
You don't ever want to say never. But they've bitten off too much for their schedule. I don’t understand why they would add Oklahoma with the schools they already play every year. Their talent level is better than it has been, and is getting there. Brian Kelly is a smart and good coach. As long as the schedule is the way it is, they are going to struggle to win. Being in a more structured conference schedule would actually help them more because they’d be playing opponents regularly that they could become familiar with. Being independent is not doing them any favors.
Which non-BCS team has the best chance of playing BCS-relevant games in November?
This category has really changed. Utah and TCU don't qualify anymore. Boise State doesn't qualify either with six draft picks last year. There really isn't one anymore. Central Florida has a ton of talent, but just got hit with NCAA sanctions. Houston in time could be there, but they'll struggle. Arkansas State could be interesting, they are the best Sun Belt conference team out there. Ohio University with head coach, Frank Solich, could go undefeated or lose one game because of their schedule.
Which teams outside of the preseason AP Top 10 have the best chance of playing for the BCS title?
Michigan State, I like a lot. They are structured really well for the Big Ten. Andrew Maxwell has a lot of potential. Le’Veon Bell is one of the most underrated backs in the league. They have a very experienced offensive line and a very underrated defensive line outside of all the press that William Gholston gets. They could be in the Rose Bowl if things shake out the right way. If Oregon beats USC they could sneak into the National Championship game. South Florida went 5-7 last year, but they were in a bunch of games. Four of their five losses were by six points or less. They have a ton of players coming back and with West Virginia going to the Big 12, it opens the door for someone to jump in there.
What is it going to take for the other conferences to catch up to the SEC?
I don’t know that they are that far off. Things have to fall into place. Take one half of a game last year and Oklahoma State is playing against LSU for the championship and they could have won because of their style of play. Oregon could have been there. Alabama and LSU could knock each other out or lose a game that they shouldn't this year. This could be that year to create an opening for a two-team championship game without an SEC team. Florida State, Oregon, USC, and Michigan State are not that far off, it’s just that the SEC depth is incredible. Look at Alabama: for them to lose 10 starters and still be considered a national contender is a testament to that.
Will an SEC team win the national championship for the 7th year in a row?
Yes. I like LSU even without [Tyrann] Mathieu. They are talented enough to fill in even though they'll miss him. Alabama has a good chance to grow. Oregon looks at most likely to be the team to win it if an SEC team doesn’t. USC's depth issues will creep on them because they are staring the season with 70 players. Michigan State could slide in there. They were close last year, closer than what people realized.