Ric Flair has found himself up against the ropes.
It seems a judge in Charlotte, N.C., has issued an arrest order for the former professional wrestler for failing to pay his estranged wife more than $32,000 in spousal support, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Flair, whose real name is Richard Fliehr, was ordered to pay $4,000 a month to Jacqueline Beems after she filed for legal separation last summer.
However, according to court documents, Flair has failed to pay $32,352.51 following at least two court orders.
NEWS: Donald Trump headed to WWE Hall of Fame
The documents also note that the order for arrest was issued on July 3, but Flair can avoid jail time if he pays what he owes.
Meanwhile, Beems was charged on July 16 for making harassing phone calls to Flair's girlfriend, Wendy Barlow Kidder. Beems was subsequently released on a $500 unsecured bond, and her lawyer insists the charges are "unfounded and outlandish."
Flair and Beems tied the knot in November 2009. Three months into their marriage, Beems was charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly attacking her husband in their North Carolina home.
NEWS: Hugh Jackman steps into the wrestling ring and rumbles
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, Flair had minor injuries but refused treatment from paramedics.
Flair said in a statement at the time that the entire incident had been a misunderstanding and that his wife did nothing wrong. Beems was released from custody a few hours after her arrest.
More recently, Flair and girlfriend Kidder appeared on an episode of ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap, with Kidder switching places with Kitty Toombs, the spouse of former pro wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.

Ladies, we know it's summertime out there--and sometimes, especially when it's sweltering hot and humid, putting on a constrictive bra is the last thing we want to do in the morning! And, while going bra-free might be de rigueur on balmy weekends lounging around the house or by the pool, is it ever really OK to go out in public all fancy-free?

Miley Cyrus definitely thinks so! The gorgeous star popped by the set of Good Morning America in New York City--where weather-people estimated it felt like nearly 100 degrees yesterday!--wearing a chic V-neck short-sleeve body-skimming Chanel dress...and no bra.

What do you think about her look? Maybe it's the fabric of this particular dress, but going braless in this case seems to not be leaving very much to the imagination.

Later on, Cyrus appeared on set with Ryan Seacrest and Keith Urban wearing a super-cute crop top and skirt outfit. No bra required with this look, though, right?

The New Corvette Stingray has landed in Europe.

According to Car Scoops, Chevrolet puts all of its cars through the “GM standard quality control program” before they go on sale in Europe. The new Corvette Stingray, which will go on sale in Europe this Fall, will be taken for a few test drives by the company’s technical experts this week.

Patrick Herrmann, technical manager at Chevrolet Europe, said that his team will bring the new car to Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands over the next few months.
Hermann said: “Corvette is one of the famed names in automotive history and the new Stingray is the most advanced and capable standard model yet… Driving and testing this car is definitely one of the most interesting aspects of my job.”

There’s been a lot of hype about the new C7 Corvette Stingray but Car Buzz is a little skeptical about the car’s appeal in Europe.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Washington Redskins

July 3, 2013 8:50 PM ET


Behind rising stars like Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris, the Redskins perked up in 2012. Behind rising stars like Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris, the Redskins perked up in 2012.

Is this Washington's year?

It might be. My belief: Robert Griffin III will return to football at an almost normal level. I don't think we'll see much of a difference at all.

If that does happen Washington is primed to make a surprise run similar to what Seattle did. The NFC East isn't dominant. Washington's defense could be better than people think and maybe keep them close in games against potential playoff foes like Green Bay or San Francisco.

Yes, it could happen. This could be Washington's year.


Key changes

Washington had no salary cap room this offseason and didn't sign one truly big free agent. Not one. But the Redskins did something else perhaps more important. They kept almost all of their own players from leaving for other teams.

This is a monumental thing because what has mostly changed within this organization from past years under owner Dan Snyder is that the team is drafting and collecting top talent once again. The raw talent on this team is becoming on par with other top organizations. Washington no longer drafts stupidly or chases 65-year-old free agents.

Washington didn't have a first-round pick in this past draft, but some of their choices could still have a significant impact on the season. Second-rounder David Amerson is 6-1, 205 pounds and runs a 4.3 40. He likely won't crack the starting lineup early, but there's a solid chance he will see significant playing time.

The team will be helped even more with its third-round pick, tight end Jordan Reed. Reed is one of these new types of players at the position -- speedy with the athleticism of a wideout.

Washington can pair Reed with Fred Davis and give teams matchup nightmares. If Washington does what a handful of others teams do and sometimes use two tights and two backs, well, that could pose a highly formidable offense.
Position battles

This is one of the few teams in football where the key positions are set. There won't be great many battles. It's one of the things that makes this team so formidable this season. They can spend camp fine-tuning instead of working in wholesale changes.


New schemes

The change in offense will come with Robert Griffin III. By all indications, not only is his knee healing well, it's also healing quickly. If he won't be at 100 percent by the start of the season, he will be damn close.

What the Washington coaches will do is not change how Griffin plays but slightly alter it. He'll pass more and that part of his game is sometimes forgotten. Griffin is an excellent passer because he can be highly accurate.

The coaches want Griffin to be more like Aaron Rodgers. Use that athletic ability to shift in the pocket.

Don't misunderstand. There will still be lots of read-option. They will use it more to fool opponents and then throw deep downfield than run it and cross their fingers, hoping he doesn't get hurt again.


Bubble watch

No key veterans are in jeopardy or on the bubble, but there is one to watch and that's linebacker London Fletcher. This is just an appreciation of the fact he's spent 16 years in the NFL at a horribly violent position. This will probably be his last year.
Unheard-of-guy to watch

Defensive back E.J. Biggers, a seventh round pick in Tampa who signed with Washington as a free agent, could provide some critical depth for the team.


Biggest concerns

The secondary. It's shaky, to say the least. What the team wants to see is more steady production from DeAngelo Hall. He's the key. If he can make extra plays from the slot, the secondary could improve dramatically.
Something to prove

Griffin wants to prove that he can be as good as he was last season. He knows there is doubt. He has expressed to teammates, I'm told, that he wants to be another example of how a player can come back and be the same after knee surgery. He wants to be, he has said privately, another Adrian Peterson. Can he do it?

Yeah, he can do it.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Dallas Cowboys

July 3, 2013 9:22 PM ET


After an 8-8 season in 2012, it's time for the Cowboys to find their potential. After an 8-8 season in 2012, it's time for the Cowboys to find their potential.

This year will be one of the most significant seasons in recent team history. It's clear that owner Jerry Jones continues to be less patient and increasingly irritated with the team's mediocrity. They haven't played in a Super Bowl since 1996 and Jones continues to hear the reason the team won was because of ex-coach Jimmy Johnson.

So Jones will not wait much longer for results from this coaching regime. One thing about the Cowboys' upcoming season is pretty clear: If Jason Garrett doesn't make the playoffs, he'll likely be fired. Players know this. The coaches know this. And that increases the pressure on everyone.


Key changes

The problem with the Cowboys is that while they’ve made some solid changes to the roster -- changes that in theory should help Dallas considerably -- one needed change wasn’t made: Jerry Jones still owns the team.

Jerry Jones sometimes -- check that, a lot of times -- interferes with the normal functions of the coaching staff. That one change, Jones ceasing to interfere, is why the Cowboys may still fail to advance deep into the playoffs.

Jones stripped Garrett of play-calling, duties Garrett held since 2007. Garrett was actually struggling with those duties. Jones is the owner and it's within his rights. It’s how it was done. And Jones basically told the media before Garrett did.

The unusual aspect of Jones’ actions cannot be overstated. Ask almost anyone in coaching or personnel around the sport and they will say this type of situation is untenable. They will also say Jones is the biggest reason the Cowboys have just one playoff victory in the 2000s.

So expect another interesting year in Dallas. Tony Romo, coming off a fat new contract extension, will have maybe more pressure than ever.

Yet there is the possibility that a myriad of changes could save everyone’s behind. The biggest come on defense. Coordinator Rob Ryan was fired and with him went his 3-4 defense. In comes Monte Kiffin and his 4-3.

The offense could still be formidable. Wide receiver Dez Bryant no longer quits on his routes and Miles Austin, when healthy, is still a top receiver. Romo does choke with almost sun-up and sun-down regularity, but he is also highly effective and dangerous. If somehow he can cut down on the turnovers, Dallas would be a playoff team every year -- despite Jones’ meddling.


Position battles

There is one of great significance and it’s at right tackle between Jermey Parnell and Doug Free. Free recently took a 50 percent paycut of his base salary. During OTAs, both players split time at the position. Since Romo spent so much time running for his life last season, the Cowboys better get this decision right.


New schemes

The switch to the 4-3 should greatly benefit the Cowboys but, more importantly, the switch to Kiffin will. Ryan was an egomaniac who wanted his scheme to be the star. Kiffin is all about the players. He’s freed them up from the technicalities and basically just told them: go get the quarterback. Go stop the run. Just ... go.

One other thing to look for in Dallas this season: Kiffin’s defenses almost always lead the NFL in forcing turnovers.
Bubble watch

There truly is only one person on the bubble in Dallas and that’s the head coach. Another year without making the postseason and Garrett is gone.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Dwayne Harris returned punts about halfway through last season and showed such promise that it would not be a shock if he became a household name this year -- both as a special teams player and at wide receiver.
Biggest concerns

Handling the pressure. It is amazing when you compare the Cowboys to their biggest division rival, the Giants, how one team handles pressure versus the other. The Giants, most of the time, come up big. The Cowboys, most of the time, come up microscopic. What could change that is Kiffin. His calm demeanor tends to infect an entire franchise.
Something to prove

Again, it’s Romo. It’s always Romo. In some ways, it’s unfair. But still, it’s Romo. The $100 million contract only increases the weight on his shoulder pads even more.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Philadelphia Eagles

July 3, 2013 8:33 PM ET


From Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson to Chip Kelly, questions surround the Eagles this preseason. From Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson to Chip Kelly, questions surround the Eagles this preseason.

If the Eagles can find a decent quarterback (and that's a big if), and if they can keep that quarterback healthy (if it's Mike Vick, that's a huge if), and if Chip Kelly's offense can work (gigantic if) then the player who could have a monster year is wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

There continues to be talk that Jackson has a chip on his shoulder and this offseason he's worked as hard as ever. Jackson is still an intimidating weapon and if there's a miracle, and Kelly can reproduce a reasonable facsimile of his college offense, Jackson could be the one to benefit the most.


Key changes

For the first time since 1999, Andy Reid will not be coaching the Eagles. Think about that for a moment. This is a landmark year for the organization and it is also potentially a chaotic one. Chip Kelly is the coach now and he promises a more up-tempo style of offense. But many a college coach has promised to transform the NFL with their college-y ideas and many have failed. See: Spurrier, Steve, among others.

Kelly does inherit a team with talent. The cupboard, despite Philadelphia's dismal record last year, is not bare. LeSean McCoy missed four games last year but still had 1,213 total yards and five scores. What Kelly will have to do is patch an offensive line that was constantly injured last season. The quarterback situation is a mess. It's basically an open competition that Mike Vick will likely win but even if he does, Vick doesn't stay healthy. Fourth-round pick Matt Barkley will see playing time, maybe a significant amount.

The most interesting thing to watch will be Kelly. He wants to run 80 to 100 plays a game, which will never consistently happen. For the past 30 years, the average number of offensive NFL plays has been in the 60s. The Patriots last season once ran 92. That was considered Haley's comet territory. To run that many plays weekly is impossible and would lead to Kelly's offense being physically battered. There wouldn't be enough players to finish a season.


Position battles

The quarterback spot. That's the biggest. There are players on the Eagles who believe that Kelly will do everything in his power to name Barkley the starter.


New schemes

For all of its alleged fast pace and openness, Kelly will utilize two (and sometimes three) tight ends to shore up a shaky offensive line. It's yet another attempt by a team to duplicate the Rob Gronkowski/Aaron Hernandez tight end tandem that was the best in football until injuries and homicide charges destroyed it.

All indications are that the team will switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Philadelphia wants to do on defense what the Eagles will try on offense -- keep the game up-tempo and the team in attack mode.


Bubble watch

Tight end Clay Harbor spent time this offseason practicing at outside linebacker. Jason Avant, a wide receiver, practiced several times in the secondary. When the new coach puts a player at a different position, well, that does not bode well for the future of those players.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Isaac Sopoaga was a crucial free-agent pickup because he's a ferocious run stopper.


Biggest concerns

Where to begin? Can Vick stay healthy? Can the offensive line? Can DeSean Jackson?

Most of all, will Kelly's schemes hold up?


Something to prove

This is for certain: Around the league, few coaches think Kelly will succeed. Coaches are a highly cynical bunch. They think the daily rigors of the sport will beat Kelly's schemes into oblivion and he'll be chased back to college. It will be up to Kelly to prove them wrong.

CFL
Dunkel

Toronto at Winnipeg
The Argonauts look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games at Winnipeg. Toronto is the pick (Pick) according to Dunkel, which has the Argonauts favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Toronto. Here are all of this week's CFL picks.

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Game 421-422: Toronto at Winnipeg (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 113.061; Winnipeg 111.075
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2; 58
Vegas Line: Pick; 53
Dunkel Pick: Toronto; Over


SATURDAY, JULY 20

Game 423-424: Montreal at Calgary (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 109.531; Calgary 122.495
Dunkel Line: Calgary by 13; 48
Vegas Line: Calgary by 7; 52
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-7); Under

Game 425-426: Edmonton at BC (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 106.521; BC 120.171
Dunkel Line: BC by 13 1/2; 47
Vegas Line: BC by 8 1/2; 50
Dunkel Pick: BC (-8 1/2); Under


SUNDAY, JULY 21

Game 427-428: Hamilton at Saskatchewan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 112.968; Saskatchewan 116.906
Dunkel Line: Saskatchewan by 4; 60
Vegas Line: Saskatchewan by 6; 57
Dunkel Pick: Hamilton (+6); Over




CFL
Long Sheet

Week 4
Friday, July 19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (1 - 2) at WINNIPEG (1 - 2) - 7/19/2013, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINNIPEG is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 4-3 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 4-3 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, July 20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONTREAL (1 - 2) at CALGARY (2 - 1) - 7/20/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTREAL is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 5-0 against the spread versus MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 4-1 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDMONTON (1 - 2) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (2 - 1) - 7/20/2013, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 20-39 ATS (-22.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 6-3 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 7-2 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, July 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAMILTON (1 - 2) at SASKATCHEWAN (3 - 0) - 7/21/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SASKATCHEWAN is 56-36 ATS (+16.4 Units) when playing on a Sunday since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 47-25 ATS (+19.5 Units) in July games since 1996.
HAMILTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-2 against the spread versus HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-2 straight up against HAMILTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




CFL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Week 4

Toronto (1-2) @ Winnipeg (1-2)-- Underdogs are 12-3 vs spread in last 15 Argo-Bomberr games; Argonauts won four of last five series games, winning six of last eight visits here; under is 5-3 in those eight games. Road teams won four of last six in series. Both teams are off to shaky starts; Toronto allowed 32.3 ppg so far, giving up 160-224 rushing yards last two weeks. Winnipeg is already -6 in turnovers, being minus in every game; both its losses are by five points, losing only home game 38-33 to Montreal, 25-20 at Winnipeg. Argos trailed all three games at halftime- they had 446 passing yards in last week's loss.

Montreal (1-2) @ Calgary (2-1)-- Stampeders (+2) won 22-14 in Montreal last week, their fourth win in last five series games; Calgary outgained Alouettes by 118 yards despite six Montreal sacks. Five of last seven series games went over total. Road team won all three Montreal games; Als scored 11-14 points in home losses last two weeks, with both games staying under- they scored 38 in only win- they've been outscored in second half in every game so far. Calgary has been outscored 55-22 in second half of games. Six of last eight series games went over the total.

Edmonton (1-2) @ BCLions (2-1)--Hard to tell much about Eskimos, since their last two games were played in monsoons. Lions won seven of last eight games against Edmonton; under is 8-4 in last twelve series games; BC (-3.5) won 17-3 in Edmonton last week, with Edmonton getting shut out in second half. Lions allowed total of 19 points last two games, after giving up 44 at Calgary in their opener- they ran ball for 160-197 yards last couple of games. Favorites covered four of last six series games, only three of last nine played here. Eskimos had three takeaways in their win; they didn't have any in either loss.

Hamilton (1-2) @ Saskatchewan (3-0)-- TiCats (+3.5) upset Roughriders 35-34 here LY, their first win in Regina in at least a decade, just their third win in last 18 games against the Riders. Underdogs are 4-1-1 vs spread in last six series games, 3-1-1 in last five played in Regina. Saskatchewan won its first three games, scoring 34.7 ppg, with all three tilts over the total; they've run ball for 173 ypg, and turned it over only once (+4). Hamilton gave up 147.3 rushing yards/game so far; they averaged over 11 yards/pass attempt last week, as they came from behind to beat Winnipeg for their first win this season.




CFL

Week 4

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, July 19

8:00 PM
TORONTO vs. WINNIPEG
Toronto is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto


Saturday, July 20

7:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. CALGARY
Montreal is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
Montreal is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 7 games when playing Montreal

10:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 7 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of British Columbia's last 7 games when playing at home against Edmonton
British Columbia is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games


Sunday, July 21

7:00 PM
HAMILTON vs. SASKATCHEWAN
Hamilton is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Hamilton's last 14 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Saskatchewan's last 5 games when playing at home against Hamilton
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Saskatchewan's last 14 games when playing Hamilton


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




CFL

Week 4

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argonauts at Blue Bombers: What bettors need to know
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+3, 52)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defense continues to dominate with 18 sacks in three games, but the offense has yet to reach that level. Quarterback Buck Pierce aims to elevate his game when the Blue Bombers host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday. Winnipeg has just one win to show for its defensive performance as Pierce has thrown four interceptions and completed 53-of-91 passes for a career-low completion percentage of 58.2, while running back Chad Simpson has just 251 combined yards.

Toronto should welcome a chance to face an East Division opponent after dropping two straight to West Division powerhouses in the BC Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray is off to an excellent start, but his receiving corps needed plenty of medical attention during last week’s home loss to Saskatchewan. Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman and slotback Chad Owens - last year’s Most Outstanding Player - both looked worse for wear after facing the Roughriders, and the Blue Bombers promise to be just as tough.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (1-2): Slotback Andre Durie, who is from Mississauga, Ont., was named Canadian Player of the Week after recording 122 combined yards and a 10-yard touchdown reception in Week 3. Owens, who has 640 total combined yards, has been the focal point of opposing defenses, allowing Ray to use a variety of receivers to tally 917 passing yards. Ray has completed 79-of-110 passes and has yet to throw an interception, spreading the field with five receivers (Owens, Durie, Inman, Jason Barnes and Spencer Watt) recording more than 100 receiving yards apiece.

ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (1-2): Coach Tim Burke cancelled practice Monday as Winnipeg sorted through its injury situation. Linebacker Terrell Parker will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and defensive back Desia Dunn is out at least two weeks with a hamstring injury, while a host of ailing players including defensive end Alex Hall (league-leading five sacks) missed practice Tuesday. The Blue Bombers allowed six sacks on Pierce in their loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 3 and will need to protect him better if they hope to get their offense going.

TRENDS:

* Argonauts are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.
* Under is 4-1 in Blue Bombers last five games overall.
* Argonauts are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Winnipeg.
* Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Winnipeg.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Winnipeg is looking for its first home victory at new Investors Group Field after losing to the Montreal Alouettes in Week 1.

2. Argonauts RB Chad Kackert has been limited to 55 rushing yards over the last two games after recording 112 against Hamilton to open the season.

3. The Blue Bombers were flagged for 19 penalties in Week 3.

Friday, July 19

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 8:00 PM ET Toronto -4 500 POD # 2

Winnipeg - Under 51.5 500 POD # 1

2013 NFL training camp preview: Green Bay Packers

July 3, 2013 5:23 PM ET


The Packers rarely miss the playoffs, but the question is: Can they return to the Super Bowl? The Packers rarely miss the playoffs, but the question is: Can they return to the Super Bowl?

Green Bay had a down year last year -- at least, from the Packers' perspective, anyway -- after going 11-5 and getting bounced in the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season.

But when Aaron Rodgers is leading your team and you have a strong core returning on defense, you have to like your chances to compete for another Super Bowl.

And Green Bay will be one of the favorites in the NFC again this year, because of Rodgers, because of defenders like Clay Matthews and because with coach Mike McCarthy the Packers have made the playoffs in five of the past six years.


Key changes

A year after sporting a spiffy 15-1 record but losing in the division playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants, the Packers weren't nearly as good last year, going 11-5 and losing again in the second round of the playoffs to the 49ers. But here's the good news: The Packers still are one of the most talented teams in the NFC, and in 2013, they'll bring back the core of their roster.

The biggest change on offense came from the Packers inability to come to an agreement with receiver Greg Jennings, who instead signed with the NFC North rival Vikings. While Jennings wanted No. 1 receiver money, it's unclear whether he's actual worth that price, particularly since he missed half of last season with groin and abdomen injuries. Even without Jennings, Green Bay still should be fine at receiver with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones -- in fact, Jones thinks all of them could break the 1,000-yard receiving mark this year. Jennings could come back to haunt the Packers in 2013, but I don't think that's likely.

Meanwhile, receiver Donald Driver retired from the game, and running back Cedric Benson, who started all five games last year he played before he was lost for the season with a foot injury, wasn't re-signed in free agency. Center Jeff Saturday, who somehow made the Pro Bowl in his final season despite a slipshod performance, retired as well.

The team's biggest loss on defense was the release of Charles Woodson, who eventually signed a one-year deal with the Raiders. And while the team will miss the soon-to-be 37-year-old from a veteran leadership standpoint, the truth is he only played seven games last year after breaking his collarbone. With a young solid secondary in Green Bay, there simply was no room for Woodson any longer (and apparently most of the league agreed -- there wasn't much interest in Woodson after his release).


Position battles

Most of the roster should stay the same as last year, though there will be a competition for spots in the secondary (can cornerback Casey Hayward, a rookie sensation from last year, win a starting role?) and for the place-kicker spot that was much-maligned last season -- last year's kicker, Mason Crosby, might be in some trouble if he doesn't impress in the preseason.

But one of the biggest battles entering training camp will be for the spot that the Packers hope never to use. That, of course, is for the right to back up quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The last two years, the No. 2 quarterback has been Graham Harrell, and he actually participated in four games in 2012. But the Packers also want to give him some competition, and now that 2012 seventh-round pick BJ Coleman spent a year on the Green Bay practice squad, those two will fight it out to see who will get the call if Rodgers has to miss games. For now, Harrell probably is the favorite to win the No. 2 spot, but if Coleman has a good training camp and Harrell doesn't, that could change.


New schemes

This isn't necessarily a new scheme, but an important part of the Packers offense will undergo drastic change: In effect, the offensive line should look completely different this season. That's because the line, as it was configured last year, allowed 51 sacks (the second-worst mark in the league). You might not remember this because of what happened in the final seconds of the wildest game of last season, but the Green Bay offensive line actually allowed the Seahawks to record eight sacks against Aaron Rodgers. In the first half.

Thus, coaches are moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga back to the position he played in college on the left side, replacing Marshall Newhouse. Josh Sitton, formerly the right guard, also has been switched to the left side to try to replicate the chemistry he had with Bulaga, and coach Mike McCarthy clearly wants his two best offensive linemen protecting Rodgers' blind side. Meanwhile, Evan Dietrich-Smith takes over for Saturday at center; TJ Lang, last year's left guard will play right guard now; and Derek Sherrod will battle Newhouse to see who starts at right tackle.


Bubble watch

Since the Packers selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, Newhouse has struggled at left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, which ranked him the 54th-best tackle in the league last year and dead last at No. 76 in 2011, Newhouse has managed to allow a total of 16 sacks in his first two years in the league. That's obviously not good, and that, of course, is why the coaching staff is moving the well-regarded Bulaga to the left side.

Newhouse will get the chance to start on the right side, but he's going to have some major competition. Sherrod, the team's first-round draft pick in 2011, is still rehabbing from a bad leg injury he suffered in December of that year and which caused him to miss the entire 2012 season. But if Sherrod is healthy and playing well, Newhouse will be in trouble. And don't forget about Don Barclay, who also will try to win that starting right tackle job.


Veterans in jeopardy

Kicker Mason Crosby has had a fine six-year career, as evidenced by the fact he's finished in the top-five in league scoring on three occasions, including an NFL-best 141 points during his rookie season. But how could anybody have trusted Crosby last year, after he posted a league-worst 63.6 field goal percentage? With the exception of the coaching staff, which stuck with Crosby throughout the season and into the playoffs, it doesn't seem like anybody.

Yet, Green Bay has kept him around for now. But that doesn't mean the Packers are going to sit idly and give him back his job automatically, even if special teams coach Shawn Slocum is on record saying that Crosby has worked through his technical problems. Instead, the team will watch to see if Giorgio Tavecchio can kick Crosby out of a job. It'll be the first time Crosby has competed for his job since the 2007 year, and there's a real danger that Crosby might not make the regular-season squad.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

After accumulating just 79 tackles during his first three years in the league, linebacker Brad Jones recorded 77 of them last season, though he wasn't a full-time starter at the middle linebacker spot. But here's how much Green Bay believes in Jones. The Packers released Desmond Bishop -- who missed all of last season with a ruptured hamstring but who started all 13 games he played in 2011 while recording 115 tackles -- to give Jones the job. Even Bishop agreed with that decision, saying, "It's a smart thing to do. It's understandable."


Biggest concerns

It's still the running game. Last year's free agent signee, Cedric Benson, was limited only to five games before a foot injury ended his season, and the highest rushing total on the team was Alex Green's 464 yards (Rodgers rushed for 259 yards, and when you learn that was the second-highest total on the squad, you know how subpar that running attack really was). As a result, the Packers drafted Alabama running back Eddie Lacy in the second round, the first time the team had taken a running back that high since Brandon Jackson in 2007.

But that selection doesn't necessarily make the team's problems evaporate. Lacy fell to the second round, because there were questions about his work ethic, a lack of speed and only one season as the Crimson Tide's No. 1 back. If Lacy doesn't perform well early on, he could lose playing time to Johnathan Franklin, who was taken only two rounds after Lacy, or a healthier Green -- who ended minicamp as the top running back on the depth chart.

Is the running game completely imperative in order for Green Bay to have success? No. The last time the Packers won the Super Bowl, the team's leading rusher was Brandon Jackson with 703 yards (and again, Rodgers ranked second on the squad). But it sure would be nice.


Something to prove

Jermichael Finley: Throughout his five-year career, Finley has been a frustrating figure. He is so darn talented, and he oftentimes showcases his abilities (eight touchdown catches in 2011, a career-best 61 catches in 2012), but he drops the ball too much and he hasn't cracked the elite level of tight ends in which players like Rob Gronkowski and Tony Gonzalez reside. Basically, he hasn't earned the trust of the franchise, which thought hard about whether it wanted to bring him back in 2013. Finley will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and if he wants to get paid like an elite tight end -- if that is, in fact, what he is -- he'll need to have the best season of his career this year.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Chicago Bears

July 3, 2013 6:13 PM ET

New head coach Marc Trestman will attempt to guide the Bears to the top of the NFC North. New head coach Marc Trestman will attempt to guide the Bears to the top of the NFC North.

We can argue about whether Lovie Smith deserved to be fired after putting together an 81-63 record during the past nine years, but in reality, he's gone and Marc Trestman is the new coach in town.

The offense will be opened up, and future jobs will be on the line, including that of a certain starting quarterback. Even if this team finishes in fourth place in this division -- and that's no sure bet -- the squad still has talent and could beat out anybody else in the NFC North.


Key changes

After nine seasons of Lovie Smith, who had a pretty decent run during his time in Chicago and who actually went 10-6 last season, the Bears ultimately fired him and brought in Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman. Previously, he had been the offensive coordinator in Cleveland, San Francisco, Arizona and Oakland. Clearly ownership felt the need to make the offense more explosive -- the team actually hasn't employed a consistently solid offense since Mike Ditka's last season in 1993 -- and Trestman worked wonders with quarterback Anthony Calvillo in Montreal and Rich Gannon in Oakland a decade ago. Helping him along will be solid coordinator choices in Aaron Kromer on offense and Mel Tucker on defense.

Already, changes have been made to help Cutler. Upgrading a shoddy offensive line that continually gets Cutler beaten up (the team was No. 8 in sacks allowed last year, No. 5 in 2011 and No. 1 in 2010), the Bears signed former Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod, former Jets left guard Matt Slauson and former Giants tight end Martellus Bennett. All three should help in their starting roles immediately -- especially Bushrod and Slauson, who will be charged with protecting Cutler's blind side better than tackle J'Marcus Webb and guard Chilo Rachal did last year.

The team lost the heart of its defense for the past decade with the decision not to re-sign linebacker Brian Urlacher (he subsequently retired). Former Broncos linebacker DJ Williams will compete for the middle linebacker position, and playing next to him as a strong-side linebacker should be James Anderson, who was signed this offseason after the Panthers released him. Chicago signed former Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, the No. 7 overall pick in 2008 who would be considered the biggest bust of that draft if it wasn't for a guy named Vernon Gholston. He'll likely back up Stephen Paea. The Bears also let go of defensive end Israel Idonije, even though he was coming off a solid season (he eventually signed with Detroit).


Position battles

One of the most important positions to solidify is the one Urlacher has vacated -- that of middle linebacker. In the offseason, the Bears picked up DJ Williams, who had been cut by Denver after a couple disappointing seasons. But then Chicago drafted Jon Bostic in the second round, and it appears as though Bostic and Williams will fight it out for the right to lead the defense. Williams was suspended for a total of nine games last year, and though Bostic has good versatility and probably could play anywhere in the linebacker corps, look for him to most likely beat out Williams for the job. If that's the case, Williams could have a chance to compete with James Anderson for the starting strong-side linebacker spot.


New schemes

After the Bears didn't surpass expectations with pass-happy Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator, Lovie Smith last year turned the offense over to the more-conservative Mike Tice. Now that the attempt has failed, Trestman and Kromer will create a new West Coast-style offense that will rely heavily on the passing game, using receivers and tight ends at different spots all over the field in an attempt to create mismatches. Martellus Bennett should benefit from this scheme, while running back Matt Forte likely will get more chances to catch balls coming out of the backfield while he's put more into motion. So far, it sounds like Trestman has become a big fan of Forte.

Trestman is lucky to have the versatile and sturdy Brandon Marshall as the team's No. 1 receiver, but 2012 second-round pick Alshon Jeffery should begin to make a name for himself as the No. 2 receiver.

Also, look for Chicago to run some read option as well. No matter that it's become trendy in the NFL in the past year, Trestman used that formation in Canada as well.


Bubble watch

Devin Hester's time in Chicago, it appears, is close to being over. And it seems as though there's a chance he might not make the 53-man roster. Consider that the Bears have no plans -- and no interest -- in returning Hester to the receiver corps. That means that Hester only will be working on special teams. Though Hester is one of the best returners of all time, he'll turn 31 in October and it might make sense for Chicago to use Eric Weems, who made the Pro Bowl as a special-teamer during the 2010 season and will contribute as a receiver, in his place. Hester has said that he wants to play two or three more years, but he also said during the offseason that he wouldn't mind "a fresh start." That fresh start might include the chance to play as a gunner on punt coverage, just so Hester could bring a little more versatility to the team. Otherwise, his chances of sticking around long-term are not very high.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

While Khaseem Greene wasn't selected until the fourth round of the 2013 draft, it sounds like the former Rutgers standout could be Lance Briggs' eventual replacement as the starting weak-side linebacker. Briggs, who will turn 33 in November, continues to play at fairly high level (though 2012 snapped a streak of seven seasons of Pro Bowl bids), and playing behind him likely will yield mostly special teams appearances for Green. But if Briggs gets hurt, it'll be interesting to see what kind of talent Greene can bring to the defense.


Biggest concerns

Looking at their depth chart, it's clear to see that the Bears, in theory at least, have improved much of their roster from last season. The linebackers might be a bit concerning because Chicago either will play with guys who are too inexperienced, on the downside of their careers or who simply aren't that good. But a solid defensive line and secondary should make up for that.

If I'm the Bears, my biggest worry is the lack of a backup quarterback. We saw the effects of that two years ago when Chicago was in line for a playoff berth after posting a 7-3 record to open the season. Then, Cutler got hurt, and the combination of Caleb Hanie and Josh McCown simply weren't good enough to help the team follow through (the Bears went 1-5 down the stretch). Jason Campbell was a solid backup last year, though he only needed to make one start, but now that he's signed with the Browns, the Bears have McCown and Matt Blanchard on the roster. If Cutler gets significantly hurt again, Chicago likely will have no chance at the postseason.


Something to prove

Jay Cutler is in the final year of his contract and the team wants to see how he performs in Trestman's offense. Cutler has been solid, but he also has the talent to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The fact he isn't is only partially his fault (see above when we discuss how his offensive line has been a frenemy to him the past three years). But at the same time, Cutler will have more help on offense than ever before, including first-round pick Kyle Long at right guard. If he continues his decent, but not spectacular career in the same fashion -- and Trestman talked this offseason about his mechanical inconsistency -- it wouldn't be surprising to see Cutler move on after this season. If he wants to stay in Chicago (and sign another huge contract), Cutler will have to play better than he ever has before.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Detroit Lions

July 3, 2013 6:00 PM ET

The Lions finished the 2012 season in the NFC North basement, with a 4-12 record. The Lions finished the 2012 season in the NFC North basement, with a 4-12 record.

Under coach Jim Schwartz, the Lions seem like an annual pick to break out of their latest decade-long malaise, and they sort of did it in 2011, going 10-6 and making the playoffs. Which made 2012 ever so much more disappointing when they slopped out a 4-12 mark.

Detroit enters this season with many question marks. The Lions SHOULD be good; they have the talent to compete for the division title. But they just haven't been for most of the Schwartz era, and that's obviously a problem for the team and for his long-term job prospects.


Key changes

With the uncertainly surrounding Jahvid Best's career -- he still hasn't been cleared from the concussions he suffered in 2011 -- and with Mikel LeShoure's past legal troubles, Detroit added running back Reggie Bush, who surprisingly didn't get much interest after leaving Miami. Bush is coming off the two best years of his career, and if he can get to 1,000 yards rushing, it'd be the first time in Stafford's career he'd have such a solid run attack (and Bush would be the first Lions player to do so since Kevin Jones in 2004). Stafford would have to like that versatility, especially since the team threw a league-record 740 times last year.

The Lions lost right tackle Gosder Cherilus to the Colts, but overall, that's not a terrible thing for Detroit, considering Indianapolis gave Cherilus an expensive contract. The team also will be without receiver Titus Young, who was a problem child since joining the team and has been arrested four times since Detroit released him. It's unfortunate for both sides, because Young really could have been a talent for Detroit.

The biggest loss for Detroit, though, is defensive end Cliff Avril, who played under the franchise tag last season and departed for Seattle afterward. But the Lions picked up defensive end Israel Idonije -- who surprisingly languished in the free agent market after leaving the Bears -- and signed Jason Jones. Both of those transactions seem like good moves and really add depth to what is still one of the best defensive lines in the league. Kicker Jason Hanson, who played for the Lions since 1992, retired, and proving they still enjoy employing older kickers, the Lions signed 38-year-old David Akers.


Position battles

With Cherilus moving west to Indianapolis, Jason Fox has the edge to land the starting right tackle spot, but he will be challenged by Corey Hilliard. Fox has been in the league for three years, but he's only participated in five games, due to a cornucopia of injuries suffered and because he was behind Cherilus and the now-retired Jeff Backus on the tackle depth chart. But for the first time in his career, Fox isn't rehabbing an injury in the offseason, and the team likes his size, strength and technique. Hilliard has only made five starts in six years. He'll have to have a strong training camp in order to beat out Fox.

While cornerback Chris Houston started most of the 2012 season as the left cornerback -- and had a solid year while doing so -- the right side of the secondary wasn't nearly as stable as Bill Bentley, Jacob Lacey and Jonte Green each started at least four games. Obviously, the Lions would prefer to have one effective starter for the entire season on the right side, so Bentley will compete against second-round pick Darius Slay and Ronald Bartell for that No. 2 cornerback job. Slay is the favorite entering training camp, but don't count out Bentley, a 2012 third-round pick who sustained a shoulder injury last year, quite yet.


New schemes

While the Eagles had success with their Wide 9 defensive scheme in 2011, that defense -- led by then-coordinator Juan Castillo and defensive line coach Jim Washburn -- collapsed last year and helped lead to Andy Reid's dismissal as head coach. The Lions ran a similar look, and last season ranked 27th in points allowed and 20th in sacks recorded (the Eagles, for what it's worth, finished 29th and 25th). And while there had been talk that we would see less of the Wide 9 look in Detroit heading into 2012, Detroit then hired Washburn this offseason as a defensive assistant. So, perhaps we'll see more Wide 9 instead of less, especially since first-round pick Ezekiel Ansah likely will get the chance to line up wide to rush the quarterback.

Schwartz, it appears, might double-down on the philosophy that ultimately helped sink Reid. And with Schwartz probably on the hot seat following a 4-12 finish last year, you have to wonder if a reliance on the Wide 9 scheme will get a head coach fired for the second straight season.


Bubble watch

Clearly, Matthew Stafford likes throwing to his tight ends. Last season, he combined to complete 101 passes to Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, but Scheffler is a potential candidate for release. Tim Twentyman, who covers the Lions for the team website, believes Pettigrew and seventh-round draft pick Michael Williams, known for his blocking, are likely to take two of the three tight end spots in Detroit. That means Scheffler and undrafted rookie Joseph Fauria would battle for that final job. Unless Scheffler is that much better, Detroit might just take a chance on Fauria, especially since it'd save more than $2 million by releasing Scheffler.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

If you've heard of Ashlee Palmer, many congrats to you. For you clearly have studied up on your Lions special teams players, and you clearly understand how his performance there earned him a two-year extension in the offseason. Now, though, Palmer is looking to make an even bigger impact as a starting strongside linebacker in replacing Justin Durant, who's moved on to the Cowboys. He'll have to beat out Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis for the job, but at this point, it appears to be Palmer's spot to lose.


Biggest concerns

For 12 seasons, Jeff Backus provided solid, steady play at the left tackle position, but after his decision to retire, the entire look of the offensive line will change. And the experience the team loses should be a cause for concern for a unit that actually protected Stafford pretty well last year. The biggest question mark is Riley Reiff, who moves from right tackle to left but has been criticized for his short arms and mediocre athleticism. Third-round draft pick Larry Warford likely will take the starting right guard job vacated by Stephen Peterman, now with the Jets, while Hilliard and Fox will battle for right tackle. Overall, with the exception of center Dominic Raiola and left guard Rob Sims, the offensive line will be inexperienced, and that's probably not such a great thing for Stafford.


Something to prove

In the last two years, safety Louis Delmas has missed a total of 13 games, and though he created interest in the free agent market this offseason -- he talked with the Rams and 49ers (and gave this great quote: “The Lions are cheating on me. They're going to the club every damn night and staying out late [at] night, trying to come back home to daddy”) -- he eventually re-signed with Detroit. One of the reasons Detroit allowed him to test the market was because he still isn't healthy. He didn't participate in OTAs because he's still recovering from an August knee surgery, and his health going into training camp will be a major storyline for this team. But the talented Delmas needs to prove he can return to form. He's only making a base salary of $715,000 this year (with $1.75 million in per-game bonuses), but next season, when again he'll be in a contract year, he's scheduled to make $6 million. If Delmas' health is still an issue, it's highly doubtful Detroit or anybody else will be interested in paying him that much.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Minnesota Vikings

July 3, 2013 5:12 PM ET

Few expected the Vikings to make the playoffs in 2012. Do they have more surprises in store? Few expected the Vikings to make the playoffs in 2012. Do they have more surprises in store?

Minnesota surprised much of the NFL world by making the playoffs last season, and coach Leslie Frazier hoisted himself off the hot seat by leading the Vikings to a 10-6 record.

Depending on how quarterback Christian Ponder plays, Minnesota could have the chance to battle with Green Bay for the NFC North title or the Vikings could fall back into the basement. If the latter happens, we might not see Frazier or Ponder around for much longer.


Key changes


Minnesota surprised most observers by scratching out a 10-win season in 2012 and taking one of the wild card playoff spots in the progress. But that roster looks a little different than the one the Vikings will showcase in 2013.

Perhaps the biggest loss to the team was when the Vikings traded receiver Percy Harvin to the Seahawks for multiple draft picks. A big talent loss for sure, but it might be a relief (at least, somewhat) for a Minnesota squad that had to put up with a player who clearly was unhappy with his Vikings contract. Still, no matter. Harvin won’t be an easy player to replace, but Minnesota certainly tried in signing another top-notch receiver.

The Packers' loss was the Vikings' gain when it comes to receiver Greg Jennings. After he turned down a reported $10 million per year before the 2012 season, Jennings only played half the season because of multiple injuries. Instead of re-signing with Green Bay, the Vikings offered him a $9 million-per-year deal that he accepted. We're not sure how much the nearly 30-year-old Jennings has left, and if Jennings continues to fall off, Christian Ponder had better hope Minnesota's 2013 first-round pick, receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, makes a huge impact immediately.

Following the news that the team signed former Chiefs starter Matt Cassel to back up Ponder, Minnesota took Joe Webb out of the quarterback rotation and made him a full-time receiver. But this way, if Ponder can't play -- and he missed five games in 2011 -- the team has a legitimate quarterback in Cassel who’s proven he can win games, albeit not in a while, in this league.

During free agency, the Vikings did a nice job of keeping tackle Phil Loadholt, fullback Jerome Felton and receiver Jerome Simpson, but Minnesota let go of Antoine Winfield. And it appears the Vikings screwed up the chance to keep the still-quality cornerback. All because they didn't feel he was worth his $7.5 million salary and because they thought they might convince him to re-sign at a lower price. The problem was that Winfield was so upset with the move that instead, he signed a deal with Seattle and upgraded what was already one of the top secondaries in the league. Without Winfield, Minnesota signed former Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey.


Position battles

Middle linebacker is the most important job that seems open for competition. Minnesota signed former Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop, who will probably have the best chance to earn the starting role. The Vikings have also said that Bishop could play at one of the outside linebacker spots. But if Bishop sticks in the middle, he might have to compete with Audie Cole and Erin Henderson -- who reportedly has bulked up his weight in order to make the move from weakside linebacker.

And actually, the weakside spot is open as well. If Bishop doesn't work there, look for Marvin Mitchell to compete with Gerald Hodges and Tyrone McKenzie for that job. For the nose tackle position, Letroy Guion, last year’s starter, will have to hold off Fred Evans to keep his spot.


Bubble watch

You have to wonder what the Vikings want to do with backup running back Toby Gerhart. He's entering a contract year, but he's also coming off the worst season of his career. Minnesota likes his pass protection, but at this point, he's nothing more than a third-down back who averaged 3.4 yards per carry last season. There have been reports speculating that Gerhart could be used as trade bait once training camps open, but the problem with that from Minnesota's perspective is that if Adrian Peterson leaves with an injury, there are no other proven commodities at running back. Gerhart's mediocrity might simply be a better option than the unknown.


Veterans in jeopardy

For now, all indications are that defensive tackle Kevin Williams will keep his starting job for the 2013 season. But there's a reason Minnesota took Sharrif Floyd in the first round of the draft, and it's likely not to play a backup role to Williams, who will be 34 by the time his contract expires at the end of 2013. It's also possible that the team could move Williams to nose tackle if Floyd proves impossible to keep off the field. One thing to remember: Williams still can play, as evidenced by his No. 9 defensive tackle ranking last season by Pro Football Focus. Either way, it's not difficult to forecast that Williams' time in Minnesota is limited.

Left guard Charlie Johnson, who already had to restructure his contract in the offseason after his disappointing 2012 season, could face a release if he can't win that starting job.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Josh Robinson will attempt to replace the cornerback that Pro Football Focus ranked No. 1 last season, Antoine Winfield. And if that's not enough, Robinson, who will be asked to play the slot cornerback spot, has never done so before. "This is all new to me,” he told reporters during the offseason. “... I really don't have any game-time experience with it. I think it's something I'll learn eventually. We'll see." Sounds pretty confident, eh? The bad news: When quarterbacks threw at Robinson's receiver last year, their rating was 106.5.


Biggest concerns

While many see young quarterbacks like Blaine Gabbert as being unworthy of a starting job, Christian Ponder -- who, like Gabbert in Jacksonville and Jake Locker in Tennessee, is entering his third year in the league after being drafted in the first round -- has more job stability. Though Ponder certainly hasn't been great, he helped lead Minnesota to the postseason last year and certainly made improvements from his rookie season. But if the Vikings don't play well in 2013, there have been reports that his job will be in trouble, especially with Matt Cassel as his backup.

And if Cassel does eventually take over Ponder's job, Minnesota will have plenty of questions at that position moving into the future. If it's not Ponder, the Vikings might have to head back into the draft to find their next franchise signal-caller. Ponder isn't a concern yet, but he hasn't made those kinds of questions go away, either.


Something to prove

While watching Jared Allen play last season, you had to wonder if you were seeing the decline of one of the best defensive ends of the past half-decade. After recording a total of 44.5 sacks from 2007-09, Allen has failed to crack the 12-sack mark in two of the past three years. Of course, you could say, "hey dude, he had 22 sacks in 2011!" and you'd be absolutely right. But in 2012, he seemed to disappear for long stretches of time.

Plus, he's coming off an offseason of knee and shoulder surgeries, though neither is supposed to threaten the beginning of the regular season. Allen managed 12 sacks with a torn labrum last season, but you have to believe that his advancing age won't help keep him healthy. Allen hasn't been asked to take a paycut, but he said if the Vikings mentioned it, he would refuse to do so. The fact this is even a topic might motivate Allen as he enters the 10th year of his career.

Finally, training camps are here; now, here's what we want to know

July 18, 2013 6:38 pm ET

Dallas and Miami open training camps this weekend, and hallelujah. Maybe now we can move the conversation past Colin Kaepernick, the Pouncey brothers and DUIs.

A year ago, it was Bountygate that served as the back story to the season. Now it's the New England Patriots, Tom Brady, the receivers they don't have and the backup quarterback they do.

Neveretheless, there are story lines galore waiting to be played out this summer, and here's an idea of what to expect:

TEN BURNING QUESTIONS

1. What's going on with the Cleveland Browns? I'm not talking about their quarterback, head coach or Trent Richardson. It's owner Jimmy Haslam, who's under the magnifying glass, and that might be OK if it weren't the FBI doing the magnifying. Haslam swears he has no intention of selling the team, but it might not be his call -- particularly if a federal investigation uncovers evidence that implicates him.

2. Does Philip Rivers get back to winning? Chargers coach Mike McCoy said Rivers needs to "get back to basics," and I don't know about that. I think he needs to get back to protecting the football, and that doesn't happen if the Bolts don't protect him better with their running game, offensive line, tight ends, something, anything more than they've done the past two seasons. Rivers is a terrific quarterback ... when he gets time to throw. So give it to him.

3. When does RG3 return, and how long does it take him to find his mojo? Robert Griffin III said last month "without a doubt" he'd be ready for the start of training camp, and that's next week. But someone tell him there's no prize for getting back early. Some Redskins were quoted as saying they were "astonished" with his recovery, which is great. But this isn't a race, and this isn't Adrian Peterson. What's important is that Griffin does what he did not a year ago -- return only when he's healthy.

4. What happens to the read option? Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin called it "the flavor of the month," and while that seems extreme I found others who tilted in his direction. What seems apparent is that no one will be caught by surprise this season. Defensive coordinators spent the months huddling with collegiate coaches, hoping to discover how to defend the read-option and pistol and believe they have a handle on the scheme. "Just my opinion," said Cinncinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, "but if you're a disciplined football team you're going to play it OK."

5. Are the New England Patriots on the elevator going down? That seems to be the prevailing opinion, and it's easy to see why. Brady turns 36 next month and just lost four of his top five receivers from last year, including Wes Welker. And the fifth? That would be tight end Rob Gronkowski, and no one knows what to expect after four surgeries. So the Patriots did some heavy subtraction. What they didn't lose was Brady, and look what happened in 2006 when his best receiver was Reche Caldwell. The Patriots went to the conference championship game and were within a minute of the Super Bowl. As long as Brady's around, the Pats aren't headed south.

6. How much will San Francisco miss Michael Crabtree? They gave tight end Vernon Davis turns at wide receiver at minicamp. Does that answer the question?

7. What does New England do with Tim Tebow? Something the Jets did not: Give him a chance. I don't care where it is. The Patriots will find a role for him, and, just a hunch, it won't be quarterback.

8. How much better is New Orleans with Sean Payton back? Let's see, they were 13-3 with him in 2011; they were 7-9 a year later. That should put Atlanta on alert. While the Falcons have been loading up this offseason, so has New Orleans. It has its head coach back. The NFC South is a two-team race, with the Saints pushing the Falcons to the wire.

9. How will Chip Kelly's offense translate to the NFL? Not sure. One thing we do know, though: His players will be in shape. Kelly runs practices as if he were late for dinner -- with several drills going at once and all at a frantic tempo. Does that make the Eagles better? Nope. It just makes them a vastly improved fitness class. But I don't care how fast the Eagles practice; I just care how carefully they protect the football. Over the past 32 games they committed 75 turnovers, and look no farther when you wonder what happened to this franchise.

10. Who rediscovers winning first -- Oakland, Buffalo or Cleveland? The Raiders are the early favorite to make the first choice in the 2014 draft, and what's new? They've had top-10 choices in eight of the past 10 years (two of which they traded). But when do they get out of the bunker? Before Buffalo? Probably not. Cleveland? You tell me. All three teams have uncertain situations at quarterback, and that explains why they are where they are.

MY FIVE FAVORITE TRAINING CAMPS

This list took direct hits when the Cards moved out of Flagstaff, and the Giants abandoned Albany. They're part of a movement that has teams doing what seems sensible -- namely, running all practices at their own facilities. Fortunately, not everyone is there yet.

1. St. John Fisher College (Buffalo), Pittsford, N.Y. -- Everything is so accessible -- players, coaches, staff, facilities, you name it -- and the Bills are accommodating. Plus, you're a five-minute drive from the Erie Canal and the picture-postcard village of Pittsford.

2. Green Bay Packers at Nitschke and Hinkle fields -- Imagine a place where kids take the adults to work. You don't have to. Go to Lambeau Field, put your child on a bike and point him toward practice. He may come home with Aaron Rodgers.

3. San Diego Chargers at the team facility -- What can I say? It's San Diego.

4. The Oakland Raiders in Napa -- It's out the back door of the Marriott, so there's nothing extraordinary about the immediate surroundings ... until, that is, you start tooling up Route 29. Then you'll wish the Raiders trained here year round.

5. St. Vincent College (Pittsburgh), Latrobe, Pa. -- When the Steelers say they train on campus they're not kidding. They practice in the middle of the school, and their workouts are perfect for viewing -- good for the hordes of fans who make the drive.

FIVE (OK, SIX) PLACES TO CHECK OUT WHILE YOU'RE GOING

1. Pagliai's in Mankato, Minn. Stop by for the lunch special, then pick up a T-shirt when you leave. If these guys were in New York City, there would be no lines outside Lombardi's or Grimaldi's.

1a. Tav on the Ave, Mankato, Minn. It's not often you find two sure things in one training-camp stop, but that's what happens in Mankato. When I think of my favorite sports bars, this makes the cut easily.

2. Oxbow Public Market in Napa. It's on First Street and offers everything from wine to burgers to gourmet foods to raw oysters to Three Twins Ice Cream to Todd Humphries' Kitchen Door. In short, there's a choice of great food in an inviting venue. If you can't make it to the Oxbow district, stop in at the Bounty Hunter Wine Bar and Smokin' Bar-B-Q in downtown Napa and order the BH beer-can chicken. Warning: Bring friends or one helluva appetite. It's an entire chicken, and at $24.50 it's a bargain. Honest.

3. The Coal Tower in Pittsford, N.Y. If you haven't heard of this place, you haven't been paying attention. One reason to go to Pittsford is to see the Bills; another is to eat at the Coal Tower. Absolutely one of the best places on the planet. Nice people. Great food. Decent prices.

4. Big Dipper Bar-B-Q in Apalachin, N.Y. -- So it's 45 minutes from the Jets in Cortland. I go after every practice. You should, too. Trust me, you'll be happy you did. I've eaten a lot of BBQ chicken in my life and never, ever, ever had anything better than what's alongside Route 17. Plus, if you're still hungry after you're finished, there's an ice-cream stand across the parking lot.

5. Lil' Piggy's Bar-B-Q in Coronado, Cal. -- Notice a trend here? Yep, it's the ribs and chicken that keep me coming back. Plus, you're directly across the bay from downtown San Diego. The view is terrific; the food is better.

FIVE QUOTES YOU CAN BANK ON

1. "Aaron Hernandez is not part of this football team." -- New England coach Bill Belichick, on his former tight end.

2. "As I told you before, I'm in no rush to name a starting quarterback." -- Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly, on who starts at the most important position.

3. "I'm just trying to make this team." -- Tim Tebow, on his role with New England.

4. "It will take care of itself. I'm not concerned." -- Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler, on a contract extension.

5. "I'm not here to talk about the Steelers. -- Cincinnati linebacker James Harrison, on his former team.

FIVE GUYS WITH SOMETHING TO PROVE

1. Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford. He just got the big bucks. Now it's time he puts up the big numbers. He did that two years ago, and the Lions reached the playoffs. He tailed off dramatically last year, and they were 4-12. The Lions go only as far as Stafford takes them, and it's time he jacks up those numbers from a year ago -- particularly the victories.

2. San Diego running back Ryan Mathews. The Chargers traded up to make him the 12th pick of the 2010 draft, and Mathews hasn't lived up to expectations. Sure, he's been decent when he played, but he's missed 10 games in three seasons. New coach Mike McCoy has been supportive, saying Mathews is "the guy," and that's great ... except look at the competition: Danny Woodhead and Ronnie Brown? I'd hope he was "the guy." I'd also hope he stays in the lineup because then he might prove to be more than "an average back," which was how he recently described his career. You know something? He's right.

3. Tampa Bay cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Bucs surrendered a high draft pick to acquire him, then signed him to a whopping contract that pays Revis $16 million per. One hitch: None of it is guaranteed, which means it's pay-as-you-go. That means Revis must prove he's worth it, and that's not an issue for him. He believes so much in himself that he jumped at the deal. Still, he's coming off a torn ACL, though the Bucs say he should be ready for Opening Day. OK, fine. But people aren't sure how effective he'll be, wondering if "Revis Island" is still in business. Revis has nothing to prove to himself, but he might to the Jets -- namely, that they made a big mistake letting a premier corner walk in the prime of his career. If so, he doesn't have to wait long. The Jets open with Tampa Bay on Sept. 8.

4. Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker. The Titans made a commitment to him when they made him the eighth pick of the 2011 draft, but they just hedged their bets by adding Ryan Fitzpatrick as his backup. Yeah, I know, the job belongs to Locker, but I know several quarterback coaches in this league who think Fitzpatrick presses him.

5. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub. He's good enough to get the Texans to the playoffs. We know that. But can he take them deep into the playoffs? That's something that must be answered. Quarterbacks coach Karl Dorrell says Schaub needs to play better in "crunch time." GM Rick Smith said he needs to play better in big games. After watching Schaub flounder in last season's Monday night litmus test vs. New England -- or even the playoff defeat of Cincinnati -- I'd have to agree.

TEN ROOKIES TO WATCH

1. Philadelphia quarterback Matt Barkley. When I stopped by the Eagles in early June, I took an informal poll of local writers, asking them who starts for the Eagles in Week 17. The verdict was unanimous: Barkley.

2. Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy. He was the best running back in the draft, but he wasn't the first back chosen. He wasn't the second or third, either. Instead, he lasted until the 61st pick, and there's a division of opinion why. Some people said clubs were scared off by injuries; others said it was his lack of "passion" for the game. All I know is that Green Bay is the team that had Aaron Rodgers fall in its lap after 23 others passed, and look what happened there.

3. St. Louis wide receiver Tavon Austin. He was the most explosive player in the draft, and fireworks are something St. Louis hasn't had since Kurt Warner left town. Finally, the Rams find someone to play catch with Sam Bradford.

4. San Diego linebacker Manti Te'o. He was a tackling machine for all but one game last year. Unfortunately, that one game not only was his last; it was the most important one of the season. So which is he: The Heisman Trophy candidate or the guy who disappeared vs. Alabama? We're about to find out.

5. N.Y. Jets quarterback Geno Smith. Once we talked about him challenging Mark Sanchez. Now there's a report that he might serve the same role as Tim Tebow, which was no role at all. You can't make this stuff up.

6. Denver running back Montee Ball. Team exec John Elway compared him to Terrell Davis, saying the guy is "a gem," but slow down. He hasn't had a single carry. Davis ran for more than 2,000 yards in a season and punched Elway's tickets to two Lombardi Trophies. I understand Denver has been looking for a young running back for years, but let's give Ball a chance to exhale.

7. Buffalo wide receiver Robert Woods. He wasn't the best receiver in the draft, but he was one of its most productive. Buffalo was lucky to find him in the second round, and nobody should be happier than Stevie Johnson. Maybe, just maybe, Buffalo found another receiver to take the heat off him.

8. San Diego wide receiver Keenan Allen. The Chargers need offensive linemen like Mission Beach needs shade. So they took one with the first pick, then passed while they chose Te'o and Allen. I agree that Allen shouldn't have lasted until the third round, but where are the pass blockers Philip Rivers needs? Allen better be good. Real good.

9. Detroit defensive end Ziggy Ansah. He's been described as "boom-or-bust," which is how scouts labeled Jason Pierre-Paul when he was drafted -- and that turned out OK. "He does it all," said defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. He may have to.

10. Oakland cornerback D.J. Hayden. I know he's talented. I also know his medical history, and that scared off potential suitors. But the Raiders spent their first pick -- the 12th overall -- on someone who nearly died a year ago, and talk about risk. It's impossible not to root for the guy, but it's also logical to ask: Why were the Raiders willing to gamble? "Because nothing's changed there," one scout told me. I don't believe it.

FIVE COORDINATORS IN THE LINE OF FIRE

1. Monte Kiffin, defensive coordinator, Dallas. He coaches the 4-3 Tampa-2. He has 3-4 material. Plus, he's been away from the NFL for four seasons. Tell me how this works.

2. Rob Ryan, defensive coordinator, New Orleans. This is his third job in four years, and it's his most challenging. The Saints weren't just bad on defense in 2012; they were historically bad, hemorrhaging a league-record 7,042 yards.

3. Marty Mornhinweg, offensive coordinator, N.Y. Jets. His head coach is a lame duck. There's a mess at quarterback. There aren't enough playmakers. There's no high-profile back. In short, he just drew the short straw. Keep that motorcycle running, Marty. You might want to leave practice again.

4. Ken Whisenhunt, offensive coordinator, San Diego. He's in charge of putting Philip Rivers back together again, and that's going to depend on his left tackle and running game -- neither of which distinguished themselves in 2012. Whisenhunt was a great hire for these guys. I mean, look what he did with Kurt Warner. He could do the same for Rivers ... if he finds someone to protect him.

5. Billy Davis, defensive coordinator, Philadelphia. The Eagles stunk last year, and no one stunk more than a defense that went through two coordinators, ranked 15th in yards and tied for 29th in points and dead last in takeaways (13). So Davis comes in with an advertised presnap 3-4 that might look different once the ball is in play, and here's hoping something's different. The Eagles were downright unwatchable for too much of last season.

10 STORYLINES TO FOLLOW

1. What's next for Miami. The Dolphins are desperate to win again and spent lavishly in the offseason to get there. One problem: They still have to pass Tom Brady and New England, and good luck there. Miami believes Ryan Tannehill is a franchise quarterback and just bought him what it believes is a franchise receiver in Mike Wallace. Wallace can stretch the field and will catch a lot of bombs. But he'll drop them, too. I saw it happen too often in Pittsburgh.

2. Bill Callahan as the Dallas playcaller. Giving him this job wasn't Jason Garrett's idea; it was Jerry Jones who made the call, and I can see why. The Cowboys need to be more balanced, making more use of the run and DeMarco Murray. But with Tony Romo more involved in game-planning, I don't know if that will happen. What I do know is that Romo can't survive if the Cowboys ... OK, Callahan ... don't dial Murray more often.

3. What Marc Trestman does for Jay Cutler's career. The Bears brought in Trestman from the CFL because he not only knows the passing game, he excels at it. Remember when the Oakland Raiders were a playoff team? Yeah, I know, you need a time machine. Well, Trestman was the offensive coordinator, and he threw so much then -- 65 times in the 2002 road opener vs. Pittsburgh -- that he turned Rich Gannon into a league MVP and the Raiders into a Super Bowl club. It worked then. Can it work now? Logic says it should. The question, of course, is: Can Trestman draw something out of Cutler others could not? Cutler's future depends on it.

4. The Baltimore Ravens' defense without Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and more than half the starting lineup from Super Bowl XLVIII. There are some people who think they'll be better, and I'm one of them. One reason: The bar isn't high, with the Ravens ranking 17th overall in defense and tied for 12th in scoring defense. Another: They have Terrell Suggs for an entire season, and while he may not be the same player he was two years ago he'll be better than he was the second half of 2012. Still another: They get their best defensive back, Lardarius Webb, back. And then there's this: Elvis Dumervil. The Ravens should send thank-you notes to Dumvervil's agent and the Denver Broncos.

5. Who quarterbacks Philadelphia. Michael Vick said he'd like it resolved before training camp. DeSean Jackson seconded that nomination, then said he's pretty sure it will be Vick. But it's what Chip Kelly says that matters, and he says he's in no rush to make a decision.

6. The impact of Andy Reid and Alex Smith on Kansas City. The Chiefs had a league-leading 37 turnovers last year, tying them with Philadelphia and the New York Jets. Reid coached the Eagles, so there's no guarantee the spigot gets turned off except ... except they just hired a quarterback who rarely makes mistakes. Smith had 10 turnovers the past two years en route to a 19-5-1 record, and I'll take my chances with that -- especially on a 2-14 team that had six players named to the Pro Bowl.

7. How RG3 changes his game after last season's knee injury. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan insists he has no intention of changing the Washington offense to protect his quarterback, saying "the zone read is something I feel, in the long run, helps the quarterback." There's no doubt it helped Washington last season, but it didn't help RG3. He spent the offseason recovering from a serious knee surgery. My guess is that the Redskins don't have Griffin take one-fourth of the carries as he did last year; teach him the wisdom of sliding; introduce him to the sidelines; school him on when and where to throw the ball away and encourage him to stay in the pocket. Does that mean he stops running? No. When you have someone like RG3 you take advantage of his talent. But you do it wisely. Using him as a pass receiver was not wise. Neither was playing him on one leg.

8. The role Gregg Williams plays in Tennessee. After Bountygate, the expectation was that Williams was finished in the NFL. Not so fast. Tennessee re-hired him, and he's working as a senior defensive assistant to coordinator Jerry Gray. Anyone who knows Williams knows he'll have an influence on the Titans' play, which will be aggressive, with ample pressure calls and corner blitzes.

9. The NFC West. San Francisco and Seattle are the prohibitive favorites, but beware of St. Louis. The Rams quietly are putting together a strong team that last year not only had the best division win-loss record in the NFC West but never lost to the 49ers. Now they've added an explosive receiver (Austin) and franchise left tackle (Jake Long) to the offense, with the expectation that Sam Bradford takes a giant leap forward.

10. How Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos handle Super Bowl expectations. The feeling at the end of last year's regular season was that Denver was the best team around. Then Rahim Moore happened. So the Broncos start all over -- this time with Wes Welker and without Elvis Dumervil -- and the expectation is that they're the team to beat in the AFC again. The reason: Peyton Manning is another year removed from his neck surgery, and he was good enough last season to finish as the MVP runnerup. Anything less than a Super Bowl will be disappointing for Denver, just as it was last year.

FIVE QUARTERBACK DERBYS TO WATCH

1. Mark Sanchez vs. Geno Smith. Sanchez is confident he'll be the starter, and the more I hear about Geno Smith the more I think he might be right. Now there's a report out there that the Jets are considering using Smith in the role they reserved for Tim Tebow last year. Except, there was no role. They acquired Tebow, then didn't know what to do with him. That's not what I'd call encouraging for Smith.

2. Christian Ponder vs. Matt Cassel. Ponder is the starter, and Cassel is the backup, OK? In fact, GM Rick Spielman says he believes Ponder was as responsible as Adrian Peterson for the Vikings' playoff run last year, but that doesn't make sense. Peterson was the league MVP. There's a feeling in some circles that Minnesota signed Cassel to push Ponder and serve as the safety net they could've used last year. Maybe. I'd just keep my eyes on this one.

3. Kevin Kolb vs. EJ Manuel. When you're a team that hasn't gone to the playoffs since 1999, hasn't had a winning season the past eight years and spent the past five as a division doormat, change isn't just good, it's downright necessary. So Buffalo rolls out two new faces at quarterback and hopes one of them does what Ryan Fitzpatrick, J.P.Losman, Kelly Holcomb, Trent Edwards, you name it, could not -- namely, win more than he loses. Manuel is the logical choice because the Bills spent their first draft pick on him. When you're coming off a 6-10 season and trying to energize the fan base, you don't spend your first pick on a backup. You expect him to start.

4. Blaine Gabbert vs. Chad Henne. This is supposed to be a make-or-break year for Gabbert, but I'm waiting for that separation between him and Henne. With a new GM and head coach, Gabbert is running out of security blankets. But the truth is: The team is invested in Gabbert, and he's the one with a future. Maybe. I expect he wins the job, but I don't expect he's the quarterback here a year from now.

5. Josh Freeman vs. himself. He's in the last year of his contract, and the Bucs are in no rush to extend him. More than that, they drafted Mike Glennon. Take the hint, Josh. It's now or never.

FIVE HEAD COACHES WHO NEED TO STEP IT UP

1. Rex Ryan, N.Y. Jets. He can outrun the bulls in Pamplona, but can he outrun the Bills in Buffalo? He better. He's in the last year of his contract, with a new GM and a roster short on playmakers. Oh, yeah, he's also working on his third offensive coordinator in three years and his second defensive coordinator in two. It's a mixed up, muddled-up, shook-up mess for Rex, with the expectation that he's the first to get cashiered.

2. Jason Garrett, Dallas. First, Jerry Jones talks about a "window of opportunity" that is closing. Then he takes away Garrett's play-calling, installing Bill Callahan as the guy diagramming snaps. Garrett is 21-19 as a head coach, never made the playoffs and never won more than eight games in a season. His window of opportunity is closing, too.

3. Jim Schwartz, Detroit. Yes, he put the Lions back in the playoffs. But that was two years ago. He's 22-42 overall and won no more than four games in two of his four seasons as head coach. I like Schwartz, too, and the attitude he brings to his team. But attitude is one thing, winning is another, and it's time to put the Lions back in black.

4. Ron Rivera, Carolina. He was pardoned a year ago when the Panthers made a second-half rally to win six of their last 10 starts. But his GM, Dave Gettelman, didn't hire Rivera, and that's never good for a coach's longevity -- especially when that coach is 13-19. He either wins or else.

5. Mike Munchak, Tennessee. He did a marvelous job in his first season, then succumbed to gravity. Not only did the Titans finish a disappointing 6-10, they allowed 30 or more points in half of their games. Now Munchak must prove himself all over again. The Titans loaded up in the offseason to take the pressure off quarterback Jake Locker and put it on running back Chris Johnson, but make no mistake: The pressure is on the head coach.

2013 MAC Preview

July 14, 2013

It's been said the MAC has enjoyed balanced divisions for the same amount of time the cast of Jersey Shore has been sober...about 2 months.

With Temple making like an In-and-Out burger, opting out of the MAC for the Big East/American Athletic Conference after being admitted in back in 2007, the conference remains in flux. (At least a $6 million buyout fee paid by the Owls softened the blow.)

Unfortunately, UMass' admission last year now leaves the loop an unbalanced, unlucky 13-team league. Thus, in the battlefield of conference shuffling and expansion gone wild, Temple is old news, and Massachusetts a breathe of fresh air, in the 2013 Mid American Conference.

Entering its 67th year of gridiron competition, the MAC this season at least feels better composed knowing that four teams from the West Division finished the 2012 season with a winning record. That after only five teams managed to accomplish the same the previous three years.

And while it can be said that only three players from the MAC were selected in this year's NFL draft, you've got bragging rights for at least a year when you lay claim to the No. 1 overall pick (Central Michigan's Eric Fisher) calling the Mid American Conference home.

As we reported last year in this conference review, this is definitely a league that is wide open and one that likes to mix things up. Ten different teams have appeared in the last eight MAC Championship games, while 19 different MAC schools (seven last season) have gone bowling the last ten years.

And speaking of bowls, keep this note handy once the bowl games roll around: after going 3-13 SU and 2-13-1 ATS in bowl games from since the 2008 calendar year, the MAC has rebounded going 6-6 SU and 5-7 ATS as bowlers the last two seasons.

Amazingly, when traveling as favorites on the non-conference road the lightweight MAC is a staunch 16-2 SU and 12-5-1 ATS laying points, including 8-0 SU and 7-0-1 ATS when coming off a conference game.

All of which bodes well for an ever-changing league that's simply looking to balance the books. Because once you go MAC, you never go back.

Note: Numbers following team name represent the amount of returning starters on offense and defense, with an asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. Potential designated 'Play On' and 'Play Against' Best Bets follow each team's preview.

East Division

AKRON (7/7)
Team Theme: CHEMO THERAPY

When the Zips hired Terry Bowden as their new savior last season, they realized he was a program-builder and that in his previous three stops as a collegiate head coach his teams had posted records of 9-1, 11-0 and 11-2 in his first year on the job at Samford, Auburn and Northern Alabama, respectively. Thus, last season's 1-11 debut was as well-received as a preliminary diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. And to make matters worse, a quick glance at this year's schedule (10 winning opponents, first 7 games versus bowl teams, all 6 home games versus the same) is practically a death knell. The loss of QB Dalton Williams (started all 12 games last year, passing for 3,387 yards and 25 TDs) and his top WR, Marquelo Suel, cements it.

Stat You Will Like: Bowden is 1-11 SU and 2-10 ATS as a home dog.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Ball State (10/26)

BOWLING GREEN (*9/9)
Team Theme: HERE WE COME AGAIN

Thanks to yet another underclassmen-led infusion, for the second-straight year the Falcons return 18 starters to a squad picked by many as the team to beat in the MAC this season. This year's crew features 9 senior starters back - five on the offense and four on the defense - including no less than 7 all MAC performers. High profile QB Matt Schilz (35 starts, 7,832 passing yards and 50 TDs) leads the attack, along with all three of last year's starting wide receivers and his tight end. Most impressive, though, are the 9 starters back from a defense that improved 109 YPG in 2012. All this for a team that closed out the regular season last year with wins in seven of its final eight games.

Stat You Will Like: The last time the Falcons won a conference championship was 1992.

PLAY ON: at Kent State (9/7)

BUFFALO (*9/8)
Team Theme: COME ALL WITHOUT, COME ALL WITHIN

Year Four of the mighty Quinn project finds Buffalo taking positive baby steps under HC Jeff Quinn. The hope this season is the return of 17 starters, including a two-headed quarterback (Joe Licata and Alex Zordich) and its leading wide receiver and running back, will carry Buffalo on through to its first winning campaign since Turner Gill roamed the sidelines in 2008. The addition of former Illinois head coach Lou Tepper as defensive coordinator paid immediate dividends last season, especially the 2nd half of the season when the Bulls surrendered just 326 YPG. A tough schedule finds them taking on seven winning teams in 2013. That could prove difficult, as our stat below indicates.

Stat You Will Like: The Bulls are 2-17 SU versus .500 or greater foes under Jeff Quinn.

PLAY ON: vs. Ohio U (11/5)

KENT STATE (6/6)
Team Theme: HAZELL NUTS

Darrell Hazell's two-year stint with Kent went by in a flash (pun intended). After a pair of 5-7 seasons, Hazell was recruited from the Ohio State staff and, after another 5-7 season in his first year as a FBS head coach, he led the Golden gang to its first-ever MAC title game and a winning season for the first time 2001, coming this-close to landing a rarified BCS bowl bid. The result was a six-win improvement, tied with Middle Tennessee and Ohio State as the most improved teams in the nation in 2012. As expected, Hazell was lured to a prime-time job (Purdue), leaving KSU after just its 2nd winning season since 1987. Former Arkansas DC Paul Haynes enters looking to pick up the pieces. Good luck.

Stat You Will Like: The Flashes were the first MAC East team to go 8-0 since Ben Roethlisberger's Miami Ohio team in 2003.

PLAY AGAINST: at Ball State (10/12) - *KEY if off win

MIAMI OHIO (8/6)
Team Theme: TREADING WATER

Consistency seems to be the operative word in Oxford these days where the RedHawks have parsed together a pair of 4-8 efforts under 3rd-year head coach Don Treadwell. The promising news is the offense has improved each season under his tenure. Unfortunately, the defense has not, going backward both seasons - including a whopping 104 YPG decline in 2012. The biggest loss of 2013, though, is the departure of star QB Zac Dysert who broke Ben Roethlisberger's record for passing yards, completions and TDs. In his stead is QB Austin Boucher who led Miami to four straight wins, including the MAC title game and a GoDaddy.com bowl victory in 2010. Sophomore RB Jamire Westbrook, the team's leading rusher as a freshman last year, keeps them afloat.

Stat You Will Like: The RedHawks are 1-10 SU versus .500 or greater opponents under Treadwell.

PLAY AGAINST: at Ohio U (10/26)

OHIO UNIVERSITY (*7/5)
Team Theme: WAR OF ATTRITION

Talk about being on a roll. Frank Solich's squad was sitting pretty - off to a 7-0 start with wins in thirteen of its last fourteen games - when the injury bug laid a deadly bite on the Bobcats. So severe, in fact, it claimed 15 players from the two-deep roster, resulting in a disappointing 2-4 finish to what had 'best-season-ever' written all over it. They healed up enough to lay a whipping on La-Monroe in the Independence Bowl, picking up their spirits in the offseason. As a result, the coaching staff held out 29 players from the spring game either because of injuries or simply to avoid an injury, including record-setting QB Tyler Tettleton (2,844 yards and 18 TDs). If the bug bypasses them at all this year, they become the team to beat in the MAC.

Stat You Will Like: Solich is 5-0 ATS at home off a SU underdog win in his college football head-coaching career.

PASS

UMASS (*4/7)
Team Theme: WAIT A MINUTE

"I don't look at UMass as being Massachusetts' football team," head coach Charley Molnar said at his introductory news conference in December 2011. "I look at UMass as being New England's football team. There's no reason why we can't be the No. 1 team in New England." Excuse us, Charlie… enthusiasm over a new job is one thing - veracity is another. The Minutemen were 1-11 in Molnar's UMass debut last year, while being outyarded 183 YPG against a sea of relative lightweights, so there is obviously room for growth. Rest assured, this 1st-year FBS program, with only one loss by single-digits and a 0-4 mark in non-conference games by a combined 194-26, is a long way from being top gun in the state of Massachusetts - let alone New England.

Stat You Will Like: UMass is 1-22 SU against FBS teams since 1988 with seven of the losses versus MAC teams last season.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Akron (11/16) - *KEY if favored

West Division

BALL STATE (*7/6)
Team Theme: ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

The slogan above appears atop the 2013 Ball State spring prospectus and it represents the infectious style of play the Cardinals have assumed under head coach Pete Lembo. The nine wins they recorded last season tied for the third-most in single season school history. Most importantly, Lembo loves the progress in senior QB Keith Wenning, who has added durability in the weight room while improving his quickness and core strength considerably the last two years. Wenning is only the second quarterback to throw for more than 7,000 yards in school history, and his team was sixth in the nation in first downs (27.9 per game) in 2012. The Cardinals' four losses last year came at the hands of teams that finished the season 43-9.

Stat You Will Like: Lembo has suffered only one losing season (5-6) in his 12 years as a collegiate head coach.

PLAY ON: at Northern Illinois (11/13)

CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8/7)
Team Theme: CHIPPIN' AWAY

Once again the Chippewas proved that teams that play youngsters two years in a row are on the way up. After 19 players in 2010 and 24 more in 2011 made their starting debuts, CMU's seven wins last year more than doubled head coach Dan Enos' total victories from his first two years combined. While that attack loses QB Ryan Radcliffe and Eric Fisher (the first pick in this year's draft), RB Zurlon Tipton (1,531 yards and 19 TDs) and a strong receiver corps, led by WR Titus Davis, return. "Titus Davis is a very special football player… he will have an opportunity to play on Sundays. He is as good as they come," said wide receivers coach Mose Rison.

Stat You Will Like: The Chippewas are 0-6 ATS as conference dogs of less than 7 points under Dan Enos.

PASS

EASTERN MICHIGAN (*7/5)
Team Theme: IN PLAIN ENGLISH

With just 10 wins in his four seasons in Ypsilanti, Ron English fully realizes his Eagles need to take flight soon in order to save his job. Granted, a two-victory effort last year came against a salty schedule as nine foes went on to bowl games. Nine more winning foes dot this year's roster as well, providing English with a greater sense of urgency. As a result, he will assume defensive coordinator duties in 2013, joining seven other FBS head coaches that will share coordinator roles this season, including two of whom - Rocky Long, San Diego State and Bronco Mendenhall, BYU - that will be barking out defensive plays. New OC Stan Parrish takes over the offense. Here's hoping seven road games, including five winning foes, do signal the end of this English class.

Stat You Will Like: 16 of EMU's 48 games under English have been decided by 7 or less points (Eagles 6-10 in those games).

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Western Michigan (11/9)

NORTHERN ILLINOIS (*8/5)
Team Theme: TOP DOGS AT THE WIRE

Meet the winningest program in Illinois and in the MAC over the last decade. As a result, the Huskies became the first-ever MAC team to secure a bid in a BCS bowl game last season. In fact, 34 wins over the last three seasons is only two shy of Oregon's best of 36. Because of all the success, head coach Dave Doeren was lured away to NC State. Assuming the reins as head Husky is Rod Carey, last year's offensive coordinator. He welcomes back Heisman-candidate QB Jordan Lynch and his entire cast of offensive linemen. And if excitement is your thing, you have to love the fact that NIU won the last two MAC championships on the last play of the game. Whew!

Stat You Will Like: The Huskies own the nation's longest conference win streak (17 games) entering the 2013 season.

PLAY ON: as a dog at Iowa (8/31)

TOLEDO (*9/3)
Team Theme: PREPARING FOR LIFTOFF

When the senior class took the field three years ago, they did so on the heels of three straight losing seasons at Toledo. They enter the 2013 campaign 26-13, including 20-4 in the MAC, with three straight bowl seasons. But they're not finished according to head coach Matt Campbell. "We want to win the MAC West Division, win the MAC Championship Game, and go to a bowl game," insists Campbell. And behind an offense loaded with FIVE all-MAC performers, including the nation's leading rusher David Fluellen (1,498 yards and 12 TDs) and senior QB Terrance Owens (17 career starts with 2,707 yards last season), who split duties the last three years with Austin Dantin, it appears all systems are go this year.

Stat You Will Like: The Rockets' defense features six players with 30 or more tackles last season.

PLAY ON: at Ball State (9/28)

WESTERN MICHIGAN (*5/7)
Team Theme: GOLD FLECKS ON THE SURFACE

New 32-year old Broncos head coach P.J. Fleck is the youngest FBS head coach in the nation and another of the MAC's youth-tree of coaches, joining five others in this loop that are 44 years old or younger. Fleck, a former wide receiver at Northern Illinois and an assistant with the Tampa Bay Bucs last year, was recently named "Best New Hire of 2013" by Sports Illustrated. He has coached under Jim Tressel, Jerry Kill and Greg Schiano and brings in OC Kirk Ciarroca and DC Ed Pinkham (friends and former coordinators at Rutgers) to smooth out the transition. They will rely heavily on QB Tyler Van Tubbergen, who started the last six games of 2012 and threw for 5 TD's twice. In addition, diminutive RB Dareyon Chance returns after rushing for 947 yards last season.

Stat You Will Like: QB Van Tubbergen completed 19 of 21 passes for 252 yards and 6 TDs in his first start against Akron in 2011.

PLAY AGAINST: at UMass (10/27)

2013 Independents Preview

July 7, 2013

With conference expansion maddeningly filling the college football airways these days, you might be surprised to learn the one loop that has grown the most the past three years is none other than the Independents.

When BYU declared its independence and joined Army, Navy and Notre Dame to form the FBS Independent ‘fighting four’ in 2011, the contingent is now up to a ‘skirmishing six’ with the additions of Idaho and New Mexico State this season.

By our math, that’s a 50% increase of members in two years.

And like last year when a member of the ‘fighting four’ had a say in college football’s title picture (the Irish fell to Alabama in the championship game), expect more of the same this year when these six Indy’s take a total of 40 opponents that landed bowl bids last season, with Notre Dame leading the charge against a whopping 11 bowlers.

Keep this thought in mind when handicapping the chances of these six INDEPENDENTS this season: Collectively, under their current head coaches, this contingent shines in games when taking points, going 56-44-1 ATS combined, including 19-8 ATS against foes off a SU and ATS loss, and 9-3 ATS as underdogs against an opponent with a losing record (8 wins straight up).

Then again, on the opposite side of the ladder, this sextet combined to go just 4-14 ATS as home chalk last season.

Regardless of how you approach handicapping this contingent this season, don’t be influenced by stories and promises from other parties. Stand your ground and remain Independent, if you know what I mean…

Note: Numbers following team name represent the amount of returning starters on offense and defense, with an asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. Potential designated ‘Play On’ and ‘Play Against’ Best Bets follow each team’s preview.

ARMY (7/8)
Team Theme: HIGH ON A FEELING

Loaded with 60 returning lettermen from a team that improved its offensive numbers nearly 40 YPG last season, head coach Rich Ellerson is high on his Black Knights. After assessing his team in spring camp, Ellerson gushed, “I’m really pleased with the progress we made. It was very combative… We made some tremendous gains physically.” The top rushing team in the land the last two years, Army returns leading RB Raymond Maples, the 3rd running back in school history to run for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons last year, and FB Larry Dixon who pounded the ground for 839 yards in 2012. Now if they can just improve on a 2-18 SU mark against fellow service academies since 2003, morale will be sky-high at West Point.

Stat You Will Like: Army has won 6 Commander-In-Chief trophies, the last in 1996.

PLAY ON: vs. Navy (12/14)

BYU (8/6)
Team Theme: BRONCO RESTORATION

Hired on after the Cougars suffered through three consecutive losing seasons back in 2005, Bronco Mendenhall not only put the program back on a winning track but has also elevated it to all-time high levels (see ‘Stat You Will Like’ below). As a result of winning an average 9.25 games per season, Mendenhall fields one of only four teams in the land to win four bowl games the last four years. Not satisfied, he brings in five new offensive coaches this season, including former OC Robert Anae. Should the offensive unit improve like the defense did last season (No. 3 in the nation), the 20 seniors on this squad figure to go out winners again as the restoration process at the ‘Y’ continues.

Stat You Will Like: Bronco Mendenhall owns the highest win percentage (.718) of any football coach in BYU history.

PLAY ON: vs. Utah (9/21)

IDAHO (7/4)
Team Theme: COMING HOME

When Idaho hired Paul Petrino, it appeared to be an odd fit. Why would a high-profile coach who’s been the master architect (offensive coordinator) of major powerhouses at Arkansas, Illinois and Louisville move to Moscow to make his head-coaching debut? It turns out that Petrino was an assistant with Idaho from 1992-94 and loves the area. Born and raised in Butte, Montana, he’s at home in Vandal country. Unfortunately, he inherits the nation’s worst offense, a team that averaged just 15.8 PPG in 2012. That doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm, however. “We want to score a whole bunch of points, be explosive on offense and hit that quarterback on defense. We want to win a whole bunch of games and go to bowls.” However, with little talent on hand, Petrino will likely have to ‘want on’ in his first season.

Stat You Will Like: The Vandals are 3-13 ATS as home favorites, including 1-11 ATS off a loss.

PLAY AGAINST: at New Mexico State (11/30)

NAVY (*6/7)
Team Theme: IN THE NAVY, NOW

Long the laughingstock of the military academies, the Middies have made a u-turn of dramatic proportions since going 3-30 from 2000-02. That’s confirmed by an 83-45 mark the last 10 years – and their 19-2 record in games against other military schools over the same period has turned the laughs into wows. Last year, QB Keenan Reynolds became the first freshman to start behind center for the Middies since 1991. With Reynolds at the controls, the Swabbies’ 5 losses in 2012 came at the hands of foes that were 44-19 on the season. For a team that was ranked No. 2 last year and No. 1 in 2011 in fewest penalties per game, Navy has suddenly become a now-team.

Stat You Will Like: Navy’s 19 wins versus BCS schools since 2003 is the most in the nation by a non-BCS team.

PLAY ON: at Duke (10/12)

NEW MEXICO STATE (7/7)
Team Theme: MY FAVORITE MARTIN

Thank goodness for Georgia State. Were it not for the Panthers making their FBS debut this season, the Aggies would be, hands-down, the dregs of college football. And with the announcement that redshirt junior QB Andrew Manley has been granted a release to transfer, they still might be. While he may not own up to it, Manley started all 12 games last season, throwing for 2,764 yards and 18 TDs. The good news is the entire starting cast of OL returns. The bad news is that the entire starting cast of OL returns. New head coach Doug Martin, a former 7-year head coach at Kent State, was the OC at Boston College last year and OC here with New Mexico State in 2011. Note: those two teams finished 47th and 26th in passing offense under his lead.

Stat You Will Like: The Aggies are 0-9-1 ATS as home favorites of less than 9 points.

PASS

NOTRE DAME (5/8)
Team Theme: 4-LEAF CLOBBER

Brian Kelly was in select company last season when he became the 5th coach in Irish history with a chance to win the national championship in his third-year at the school. Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Lou Holtz each accomplished the feat. Kelly did not. The luck of the Irish – half of the Dame’s 12 wins were by single-digit margins – ran out when they were battered from pillar-to-post in a 42-14 annihilation at the hands of Alabama in the BCS title game. A brutal schedule in 2013 finds them taking on 11 teams that went to bowl games last season. Complicating matters is the suspension of starting QB Everett Golson for academic reasons. Senior QB Tommy Rees with 18 career starts under his belt looks to fill Golson's shoes provided, of course, the school assigns him a designated driver.

Stat You Will Like: The last 10 teams to lose a BCS title game have not returned to win it since that loss.

PLAY AGAINST: as a favorite at Michigan (9/7)

2013 CUSA Preview

July 1, 2013

Life without a scorecard around these parts would be like going to a wet tee-shirt contest with a blindfold. It just doesn’t make sense.

With six new teams joining the affiliation, comprising a pair of 7-team divisions, a scorecard in the Conference USA is a must these days.

According to our scorecard, CUSA loses Houston, Memphis, SMU and UCF to the American Athletic Conference (the former Big East). Meanwhile they import Charlotte, FAU, FIU, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, and Texas-San Antonio in 2013.

If expansion talk like this isn’t dizzying enough, the loop welcomes four new head coaches in 2013, including Ron Turner (FIU), Skip Holtz (Louisiana Tech), Todd Monken (Southern Miss) and Sean Kugler (UTEP), while breaking in six new starting quarterbacks as well.

Advertisement
Stepping outside the conference, members will take on 18 games against foes from the Big10, the Big12 and the SEC. In head-to-head games against these three super conferences, the CUSA stands 45-206 straight up and 110-134-5 against the spread since the inception the conference, including a super-scary 2-117 SU and 39-83-2 ATS in games in which they fail to score 17 points. Against all other non-conference foes the loop stands 343-324 SU overall.

And despite its BCS non-AQ status, the CUSA has performed well of late with 10 different teams from the conference participating in 45 bowl games over the last eight years. They’ve really held their own in these post-season affairs, going 22-23 SU and 23-21-1 ATS.

Interestingly, in that span against .666 or greater bowl opponents the CUSA is 15-9 SU and 17-7 ATS, while just 7-14 SU and 6-14-1 ATS versus sub .666 foes. (Go figure)

So when it comes to partying take off the blindfold and, like the teams in this loop, just go for it and enjoy.

Note: Numbers following team name represent the amount of returning starters on offense and defense, with an asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. Potential designated ‘Play On’ and ‘Play Against’ Best Bets follow each team’s preview.

East Division

EAST CAROLINA (*8/8)
Team Theme: RUFFIN READY
After serving 10 years as an assistant under Mike Leach at Texas Tech, former ECU alum (and 4-year football letterman) Ruffin McNeil knew it was his time when the Pirates brought him aboard as the head coach in 2010. A 19-19 record does not have the fan base clamoring for him to walk the plank, but his breakout season looks to be at hand in 2013. After 51 players made their first-ever collegiate starts with the Pirates in his first two seasons, he featured only three senior starters on offense in 2012. As a result, ECU will field the second-highest number of returning starts of all FBS teams this year: 355, including 215 from last season. With 25 seniors and 24 juniors (50.5% upper classmen) putting on the pads, including record-setting QB Shane Carden, the Pirates are ready to push the envelope.

Stat You Will Like: 75% of the Pirates lettermen return in 2013.

PLAY ON: vs. North Carolina (9/28)

FLORIDA ATLANTIC (7/8)
Team Theme: MOVIN’ ON UP

Like the Jeffersons, FAU finds itself moving on up to Conference USA beginning this football season. It didn’t take new head coach Carl Pelini long to make his mark in Boca Raton, where his Owls dramatically improved their offensive numbers in his first year at the helm in 2012. A 101-yard improvement rewarded backers as well with a nifty 8-3 pointspread mark. With 15 starters back, they’re prepared to move up in class this campaign. The good news is they will face only two opponents that participated in a bowl game last season, and will close out the season against seven losing squads. The feeling here, though, is the combination of sophomore blues and a tougher neighborhood may find the Owls asleep on the ATS perch in 2013.

Stat You Will Like: FAU improved from No. 117 to No. 64 in penalty yards per game under Pelini last season.

PLAY AGAINST: at UAB (10/5)

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (*3/3)
Team Theme: TURNING A NEW CORNER

Along with their neighborhood cousins Florida Atlantic, FIU moves in a new direction by joining Conference USA in 2013. In addition, they bring along new head coach Ron Turner, a former boss at Illinois and San Jose State. The former Big 10 Coach of the Year (Illinois 2001) will need all of his coaching skills as he finds the cupboard bare with only three starters back on both sides of the ball after the Panthers lost nearly 30 seniors to graduation. The good news is 22 true or redshirt freshmen made their debut last season, while 28 players who sat out because of redshirt, injury or transfer status will be suiting up in 2013. Keeping oft-injured QB Jake Medlock healthy is crucial.

Stat You Will Like: Turner is 6-23 ATS in games off a SUATS loss in his college career.

PLAY ON: vs. Marshall (11/23)

MARSHALL (*8/7)
Team Theme: GREEN COLORED GLASSES

When Doc Holliday arrived in town three years ago he promised to fire-up an offense that appeared to have run out of bullets. They’ve re-loaded since, with the buy-sign coming last year when the Doctor’s offense improved a whopping 201 YPG. Puzzling, though, was the fact that after going 7-1 in one-possession games (games decided by a touchdown or less) his first two seasons with a popgun attack, his troops plummeted to 2-4 in the same games last year. The blame can be placed on a defense that has been in decline since Holliday’s arrival. With plenty of offensive power on hand in the likes of QB Rakeem Cato (CUSA MVP) and WR Tommy Shuler (110 receptions in 2012), things will improve when and if the defense does.

Stat You Will Like: In addition to Cato and Shuler, the Thundering Herd offense returns its top three running backs, TE Gator Hoskins (10 TDs) and a whopping eight linemen with starting experience.

PLAY ON: vs. East Carolina (11/30)

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (*9/8)
Team Theme: NO STANDING STILL

The hire of Rick Stockstill at MTSU in 2006 has paid off in spades. He has demonstrated the ability to develop and coach big-time players throughout his career, having worked 24 years as an assistant with legendary coaches Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier, Danny Ford, Tommy Bowden, Ken Hatfield and Tommy West. Coaching is in his blood and it was apparent last year when he led the Blue Raiders to the nation’s biggest win improvement of +6 games, including a school record 5 FBS road wins. Headed to the Conference USA, seventeen starters are back for more, led by senior QB Logan Kilgore who has enjoyed back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons. Going up against only two bowl teams in 2013, anything less than a bowl would be substandard.

Stat You Will Like: In his tenure at MTSU, Rick Stockstill’s teams have gone from an APR score of 892 to 983, the biggest increase of any program in the country.

PLAY ON: vs. North Carolina (9/7)

SOUTHERN MISS (4/9)
Team Theme: HERO TO ZERO

On paper it looked like the right move. Ellis Johnson, a four-year defensive coordinator at South Carolina under Steve Spurrier, was in for the departed Larry Fedora. His job was to extend the Eagles' 18-year win skein, if not somehow improve on 2011's school-best 12-win effort. It turns out Johnson became the poster-boy for the Peter Principle when he led his team to ZERO wins. Like a candle in the wind, his flame burned out long before his legend ever did. Enter Todd Monken, former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State. He is the third Golden Eagles head coach of the last four hired whose previous job was OC with the Cowboys. The good news for Monken: Zero-win lined teams have gone 248-439-4 the next season since 1991.

Stat You Will Like: David Duggan, Southern Miss defensive coordinator in 2011, returns as DC this season.

PLAY ON: vs. Texas State (8/31)

UAB (*8/8)
Team Theme: OINTMENT APPLIED

Former Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee was fully aware of what it was he was getting into when he assumed the reins at UAB last season. He inherited a team on a 7-year losing skid and a defense that was torched for more than 500 yards on seven occasions. The seven-year itch wouldn’t go away but a solid improvement on both sides of the ball provides the salve needed to soften the wounds. Led by returning QB Austin Brown’s school record 309 passing YPG, and joined by last year’s leading WR Jackie Williams and top RB Darrin Reaves, the Blazers take the field in 2013 with the look of a team ready to turn the corner.

Stat You Will Like: Four returning wide receivers caught 40 or more passes last season.

PLAY ON: vs. Troy (8/31)

West Division

LOUISIANA TECH (3/4)
Team Theme: BOW-WOW

You know the tale of Mother Hubbard going to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone, only to find the cupboard bare. That same verse is running through new coach Skip Holtz’s head as he assumes the reins in Ruston with a total of 7 starters back from last years record-setting squad that tallied 51 PPG and 578 YPG en route to a 9-2 season. Unfortunately, the program turned down an Independence Bowl invite hoping for a more high-profile game, only to have their porous defense (allowed 526 YPG) fail to impress the bowl scouts elsewhere – thus, the Bulldogs remained home for the holidays. Skippy will need to rely on his playbook more than ever this season with QB Colby Cameron (4,147 pass yards) listed among the departed. Sophomore RB Kenneth Dixon (1,194 rushing yards) will be heavily counted upon to carry the load.

Stat You Will Like: Skip Holtz is 15-3 ATS as a dog versus a .500 or less opponent.

Pass

NORTH TEXAS (*8/8)
Team Theme: SMOOTH OPERATOR

Dan McCarney’s operation of weaning JUCO’s and concentrating instead on recruits showed promising signs - on the stat sheet at least - last season when the Mean Green improved its numbers on both sides of the ball despite slipping both SU & ATS. Longtime followers of this publication know what that equation means – expected improvement this season. For the first time in 60 years NTSU had three players rush for more than 500 yards in a single season and two of them are back in 2013. They join senior QB Derek Thompson to form a potent backfield. Coupled with a defense that allowed the fewest points in a season since 2006, the transition to the CUSA could be smoother than anticipated.

Stat You Will Like: North Texas’ offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the nation last season (6).

PLAY ON: vs. Middle Tennessee State (10/12)

RICE (*9/10)
Team Theme: MANY HAPPY RETURNS

A 5-game season-ending win skein is not all that propels the Owls into the 2013 season. For the first time in head coach David Bailiff’s seven-year tenure, the entire coaching staff returns intact. In addition, 19 returning starters dot the roster led by QB Taylor McHargue. The clincher, though, is the fact that 14 freshmen debuted last season and they combine with an FBS-best 233 returning starts from last year’s team to bring experience aplenty. That makes the wide-eyed Owls a major player in the CUSA this campaign. Think not? Then chew on this: last year’s 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS away mark put a halt to a 1-17 SU and 5-13 ATS road mark since 2009.

Stat You Will Like: The Owls led the nation in time of possession (33:59) last season.

PLAY ON: as a dog vs. Louisiana Tech (11/16) - *Key off win

TULANE (8/8)
Team Theme: I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR C.J.

When C. J. Johnson brought his 25 years of coaching experience, along with some flashy hardware – namely: a Super Bowl trophy during his stint with the New Orleans Saints and a national championship ring as an assistant at Miami Florida – the hope was his glossy resume would be a good start toward recovery for a program that has wallowed 10 straight years on the south side of .500. Year Two of the rebuilding project finds hope with 16 starters back, including all-CUSA WR Ryan Grant (led the conference in receiving yards last year). The wish is that JUCO transfer QB Nick Montana will assume the reins and walk on by to the north side of the barrier. The wishin’ and hopin’ continues in the Big Easy.

Stat You Will Like: PK Cairo Santos was the winner of the 2012 Lou Groza award. Santos nailed 21 of 21 field goals last season.

PLAY AGAINST: as a favorite vs. North Texas (10/5)

TULSA (*7/3)
Team Theme: STARSHIP ENTERPRISE

Replacing 4-year starter G.J. Kinne proved to be no problem for Bill Blankenship’s Golden Hurricane last season when they tied a school record with 11 wins thanks to a same-season revenge win over Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl. QB Cody Green, along with his top three wide receivers and two running backs, are back for more, giddy as all get-out after winning Tulsa’s first conference title since 2005. In fact, no other senior class has managed to top the 29 wins recorded by this group in school history. After venturing where few other Tulsa teams have gone before, Blankenship’s star-studded no-huddle spread offense will hope a gutted defense, sans the entire D-line, doesn’t let their efforts go to waste.

Stat You Will Like: Blankenship is 15-2 SU and 12-5 ATS in conference games with the Hurricane, including 4-0 SUATS off a loss.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Marshall (11/14)

UTEP (7/4)
Team Theme: GLORY DAYS

If kudos and coaching pedigree are a part of the equation when it comes to evaluating a new coach then the Miners struck gold this off-season when they inked Sean Kugler to replace Mike Price. “There’s absolutely no question that he’s the best football coach I’ve ever been around,” beamed Boise State head coach Chris Peterson. Kugler is a former UTEP offensive lineman who spent one year with the Broncos in between eleven years as an assistant with the Bills, Lions and Steelers in the NFL. To top it off he hired Scott Stoker as his defensive coordinator. Stoker, the 2011 FCS DC Coach Of The Year guided Sam Houston State to consecutive FCS National Title games. Ex-Texas A&M QB Jameill Showers, who played behind Ryan Tannehill in 2011 and Johnny Manziel in 2012, will usher in the Kugler era.

Stat You Will Like: New OC Patrick Higgins, former UTEP offensive coordinator (2000-03), served as interim OC and interim head coach at Purdue last season.

PASS

UTSA (10/8)
Team Theme: REBORN IN THE USA

After spending its first-year as an FBS member in the WAC, the Roadrunners are off to the Conference USA. This upstart program will become a full-fledged FBS program and bowl eligible in 2014. That’s good news for a program built from the ground up by former national championship head coach Larry Coker, who is 72-25 with a .742 career win percentage, as he has appeared in 18 bowl games in his collegiate career with his teams winning 14 of those contests. But first things first as the jump to a tougher neighborhood will likely dampen last year’s successful debut. 18 returning starters in 2013 – and 21 last year – make this a seasoned lot. Remember, though, only half of their 8 wins last season were against FBS squads, and those teams finished up 8-41.

Stat You Will Like: NBC Sports personality Michelle Beadle is a Texas-San Antonio alum.

PASS

2013 Outlook - Big 12

July 17, 2013

Skinny: 5Dimes has Oklahoma State as the +270 favorite to win the Big 12. The Cowboys had to stave off several SEC schools bidding to hire their ninth-year head coach Mike Gundy back in January. Gundy’s relationship with his AD obviously needs some work, but their issues weren’t enough to prompt Gundy to leave Stillwater.

Oklahoma St. finished 2012 with an 8-5 record both straight up and against the spread. Gundy’s squad had a disappointing regular season but finished strong by spanking Purdue 58-14 as a 17-point ‘chalk’ at the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

OSU returns eight starters on offense and seven on defense. The offense averaged 45.7 points per game last year. Senior quarterback Clint Chelf completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,588 yards with a 15/6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Chelf better stay sharp and healthy because his back-up, sophomore JW Walsh, connected on 66.9 percent of his throws with a 13/3 TD-INT ratio as a freshman.

The offense loses its lead RB Joseph Randle, who rushed for 1,417 yards and 14 TDs in 2012. However, senior RB Jeremy Smith and junior Desmond Roland have plenty of experience. Smith and Roland combined to rush for 12 TDs last year and posted 5.3 and 6.5 yards-per-carry averages, respectively.

All three of OSU’s starting wide receivers return, including junior Josh Stewart, who had 101 receptions for 1,210 yards and seven TDs last season.

OSU’s ‘D’ gave up 28.2 PPG in 2012. This unit was abysmal in all five of the Cowboys’ defeats, surrendering 59 points at Arizona, 41 vs. Texas, 44 at Kansas St., 51 at Oklahoma and 41 at Baylor.

Oklahoma St. has a season win total of 9.5 (‘under’ 125, ‘over’ -105). The Cowboys have 45/1 odds to win the BCS Championship.

Texas has the second-shortest odds to win the Big 12 (+285, risk $100 to win $285). The Longhorns’ season win total is 9.5 (‘over’ 160, ‘under’ +130) and their future number to win it all is 34/1 at 5Dimes.

Mack Brown’s program is just 22-16 over the last three seasons. The ‘Horns finished the 2012 campaign with a 9-4 SU record and a 6-7 ATS mark. Since 2009, Texas has limped to a 21-30-1 spread record.

Texas returns 10 starters on offense and nine on defense. The Longhorns finished last season by capturing a 31-27 win over Oregon St. at the Alamo Bowl.

As a sophomore, David Ash established himself as the QB of the present and future. Ash connected on 67.3 percent of his passes for 2,699 yards with a 19/8 TD-INT ratio. He has all of his to skill position players coming back and will operate behind what is probably the Big 12’s top offensive line.

Manny Diaz’s defense gave up 29.2 PPG last season and this unit lost its two best players in Kenny Vaccaro (team-high 107 tackles) and Alex Okafor (12.5 sacks, 20 QB hurries). This group will benefit from the return of LB Jordan Hicks, who missed most of last season with an injury.

TCU (+345) has the Big 12’s third-shortest odds to win the league. The Horned Frogs have a season win total of 8.5 (‘under’ -155, ‘over’ +115). They return seven starters on offense and nine on defense.

Gary Patterson’s team made its Big 12 debut last season and finished 7-6 SU and 4-8-1 ATS. TCU won its first four games, going 2-2 versus the number, before QB Casey Pachall was suspended and sent to rehab. Without their star QB, the Horned Frogs lost six of their next nine games, including a 17-16 loss to Michigan St. at the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

In four games, Pachall had completed 66.0 percent of his passes for 948 yards with a 10/1 TD-INT ratio. Trevone Boykin started the last nine games at QB as a true freshman. He threw for 2,054 yards with a 15/10 TD-INT ratio. Boykin also rushed for 417 yards and three TDs.

TCU should have a stout defense with 10 of its top 11 tacklers returning. This unit gave up only 22.6 PPG in 2012.

Oklahoma has the next-shortest odds to win the conference (+375). The Sooners, who have a season win total of nine (‘under’ -120, ‘over’ -110), went 10-3 SU and 6-7 ATS last year. They bring back seven starters on offense but only four on defense.

Bob Stoops’s squad must replace four-year starting QB Landry Jones, who is the school’s all-time leading passer with 16,646 yards. Fourth-year junior Blake Bell is the new signal caller. He specialized in short-yardage and goal-line situations last year, rushing for 11 TDs.

Bell will have one of the Big 12’s best RBs to lean on in Damien Williams, who rushed for 946 yards and 11 TDs as a junior. Williams averaged 5.4 YPC. RB Brennan Clay (555 yds., 6 TDs & 6.0 YPC average LY) will also get plenty of touches.

Although WRs Kenny Stills and Justin Brown are gone, plenty of talent remains at the position. Jalen Saunders is poised for a breakout campaign after hauling in 62 receptions for 829 yards and three TDs last year.

OU’s defense gave up 25.5 PPG in 2012. Those numbers are very un-Stoops like and four of the top five tacklers are gone. This unit will have to improve if the Sooners hope to bag another Big 12 title.

If Baylor can win at Kansas St. in Week 7, it has an excellent chance to start 7-0 going into a Thursday night home game vs. Oklahoma with an open date beforehand. Going into his sixth season at the school, Art Briles has this program thriving at an elite level for the first time in decades.

Baylor has won 18 games over the last two seasons, hooking up its backers at a 17-8 ATS clip. The Bears have won back-to-back games, including a 49-26 shellacking of UCLA at last year’s Holiday Bowl.

Briles proved his offense can put up points galore without Robert Griffin III in 2012. In fact, the offense under RG3 in 2011 produced 45.3 points per game compared to 44.5 PPG under Nick Florence last season.

This year with Bryce Petty under center, there isn’t expected to be much drop-off. The fourth-year junior doesn’t have much experience, but he looked dynamite in the spring game and has an arsenal of weapons around him.

Lache Seastrunk might be the Big 12’s best RB after rushing for 1,012 yards and seven TDs with a 7.7 YPC average last season. Glasco Martin is another playmaker in the backfield, rushing for 889 yards and 15 TDs in 2012. WR Tevin Reese is looking to build on last season’s 53 receptions for 957 yards and nine TDs, and Baylor is hoping to get instant results from true freshman WR Robbie Rhodes.

The defense gave up 37.2 PPG last year, but this unit returns seven starters and its top four tacklers. The Bears need more defensive efforts like they got in holding UCLA to only 26 points in San Diego.

Baylor has a season win total of eight (‘under’ -150, ‘over’ +120). The Bears have 250/1 odds to win the BCS Championship at 5Dimes, and their odds to win the Big 12 are 15/1.

Kansas St. won 21 games compared to only five losses in the two-year Collin Klein Era. The Wildcats, who went 11-1 in 2012 before losing to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl by a 35-17 count, bring back eight starters on offense but just two on defense.

Junior QB Jake Walters, who garnered National Junior College Offensive Player of the Year honors last season, will be the man to replace Klein, who became the first QB from a BCS conference to rush for at least 20 TDs and throw for 10 more in two different seasons.

K-St. has a season win total of eight (‘over’ -130, ‘under’ +100). The Wildcats have 16/1 odds to win the Big 12 and 300/1 odds to win the BCS Championship.

Texas Tech ushers in a new era with the hiring of former QB Kliff Kingsbury, who is the school’s second all-time leading passer. Kingsbury did a remarkable job as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M under Kevin Sumlin, resulting in him becoming the youngest head coach of a BCS school.

Many in the Texas Tech fan base never got over the loss of Mike Leach. Tommy Tuberville was an SEC guy and was never the long-term answer. Now Kingsbury unites the fan base and provides a link to the pass-happy, wins-galore tenure Leach brought to Lubbock.

Michael Brewer, a true sophomore, is the new QB who is expected to be a three-year starter. In limited action last year, Brewer completed 34-of-48 throws for 375 yards and four TDs without an interception. Brewer has one of the Big 12’s top WRs in Eric Ward, who had 82 catches for 1,053 yards and 12 TDs in 2012.

Texas Tech has eight starters returning on defense and five on offense. The Red Raiders have 25/1 odds and 750/1 odds to win the Big 12 and BCS Championship, respectively. They have a season win total of 7.5 (‘under’ -230, ‘over’ +170).

The Red Raiders finished 8-5 SU and 6-7 ATS last season. They beat Minnesota by a 34-31 count at the Car Care Bowl.

West Virginia raced out to a 5-0 record and No. 5 national ranking last year. But then the Mountaineers lost six of their last eight games, including an embarrassing 38-14 loss to Syracuse at the Pinstripe Bowl.

Geno Smith, the school’s all-time leading passer, along with WRs Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, the school’s top two all-time leading receivers, are gone. WVU returns just three starters on offense and five on defense. With that said, the offseason dealt Dana Holgorsen a pair of presents when immediately-eligible transfers landed in Morgantown.

From FSU, junior QB Clint Trickett arrives. Also, RB Charles Sims (11 TDs, 6.0 YPC) joins the program from Houston to split the carries with Andrew Buie.

WVU has a season win total of six (‘over’ -130, ‘under’ +100). The Mountaineers have longshot odds to win the Big 12 (25/1) and BCS (750/1).

Iowa St. went 6-7 SU and 5-7-1 ATS in 2012, dropping a 31-17 decision to Tulsa at the Liberty Bowl. The Cyclones return five starters on offense and four on defense.

Kansas won just one game in Charlie Weis’s first season in Lawrence. The Jayhawks, who have only nine starters returning (5 offense, 4 defense), are optimistic about the arrival of BYU transfer QB Jake Heaps, who was one of the nation’s best coming out of high school in 2011.

Fearless Predictions
(No Championship Game)

2013 Win-Loss Projections

School Record Win Total (5Dimes) Bowl Projection

Oklahoma State 10-2 10 ½ Fiesta vs. At-Large

Baylor 9-3 7 ½ Cotton vs. SEC #3 or #4

Texas 9-3 9 ½ Alamo vs. Pac-12 #2

Oklahoma 8-4 9 ½ Buffalo Wild Wings vs. Big 10 #4

Texas Tech 8-4 7 ½ Holiday vs. Pac-12 #3

Kansas State 7-5 8 ½ Texas vs. Big 10 #6

TCU 7-5 9 ½ Pinstripe vs. AAC #4

West Virginia 5-7 5 ½ -

Iowa State 3-9 5 ½ -

Kansas 3-9 3 ½ -


Games to Watch:

1-Oklahoma State at Texas: (Nov. 16) - 5Dimes has Texas installed as a 6.5-point home favorite. I have the Cowboys going into this game unbeaten and losing, yet still winning the Big 12 because the Longhorns will have three Big 12 losses to Oklahoma, at TCU and at Baylor. Therefore, the head-to-head advantage Texas will have over OSU won’t come into play.

2-Oklahoma at Notre Dame: (Sep. 28) – When the Irish went into Norman and pulled away for a 30-13 win over OU last season, it was quite the hit for the Sooners and the Big 12. Bob Stoops and Co. would love nothing more than to return the favor in South Bend. 5Dimes has Notre Dame favored by 2.5 points.

3-Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas): (Oct. 12) – This game would normally occupy the No. 1 slot, but these schools don’t enjoy a talent separation compared to their Big 12 competition like in many previous years. Nevertheless, the winner will be in excellent shape heading into the meat of the Big 12 slate.

4-Texas at BYU (Sep. 7) – This is a very dangerous spot for Texas. The Cougars went 8-5 last season, but four of their defeats came by 13 combined points, including an overtime loss at Notre Dame and a one-point loss at Boise St. due to a missed extra point. Altitude could be a factor. 5Dimes has the Longhorns favored by 6.5.

5-Baylor at Oklahoma St. (Nov. 23) – If Bryce Petty is the player I think he’s going to be, then the Bears are going to be in contention for the league title going into Stillwater. If Baylor can steal this game, it might win the conference. The Cowboys will be coming off a 60-minute battle at Texas the previous week. They will also be seeking revenge for a 41-34 loss in Waco in last year’s regular-season finale. 5Dimes has OSU installed as an 11-point ‘chalk.’

Best Week 1 Bet: Play ULM +24 at Oklahoma
ULM returns 17 starters, including QB Colton Browning (29/10 TD-INT, 7 rush TDs), from a team that went 8-5 last season. The Warhawks won at Arkansas, lost in overtime at Auburn and lost a 47-42 decision vs. Baylor. OU quarterback Blake Bell will be making his first career start. I think ULM can score on a Sooners’ defense that brings back only four starters and gave up 25.5 PPG. I like the double-digit underdog.

Players to Watch:

1-David Ash (Texas QB) – I don’t rank Ash at the top because I believe he’s the conference’s best player. I have Ash No. 1 because I think he’s the most important player. If he can duplicate his play of last season (67.3 completion %, 19-8 TD-INT) or improve it, then Texas will almost certainly win the league. However, I still have my doubts about Ash. All the pieces (experienced RBs, quality o-line & improved defense) are in place for the Longhorns to get back to their first BCS game since 2009, but I don’t think it will happen.

2-Josh Stewart (Oklahoma St. WR) – Mike Gundy does an outstanding job of getting the ball into the hands of his best playmakers. Stewart finished 2012 with 1,330 yards and eight TDs on 109 ‘touches.’

3-Bryce Petty (Baylor QB) – We’ve seen the production in this offense from RG3 and Nick Florence over the last several seasons. Can Petty duplicate it? There are plenty of reasons to think he can. He looked incredible in the spring and isn’t lacking for weapons.

4-Casey Pachall (TCU QB) – The Horned Frogs were undefeated before his suspension last season. Pachall has proven what he can do on the field (36/8 career TD-INT ratio). If he’s right off the field, he will have an outstanding senior campaign.

5-Damien Williams (Oklahoma RB) – With the passing attack due for a significant drop in production, OU’s ground attack will be expected to carry the offense. The Sooners need Williams to have a monster season.

AFC East Preview

July 17, 2013


The AFC East has been owned by the Patriots over the last decade, but the hits offensively in New England may slow down the attack. Obviously the Pats still have Tom Brady under center, but an injury to Rob Gronkowski, the release of Aaron Hernandez, and the loss of Wes Welker to the Broncos takes away plenty of weapons for the defending division champions. New England fell one game short of the Super Bowl last January, while splitting each of its final 12 games against the spread.

The remainder of the division is up in the air with the Dolphins, Jets, and Bills each trying to take that next step. However, Miami made significant free-agent moves in the offseason to help Ryan Tannehill in his second season at quarterback, which include wide receivers Mike Wallace (from Pittsburgh) and Brandon Gibson (from St. Louis). The Dolphins continue to be the most inconsistent ATS team over the last four seasons, compiling a 33-31 record, while failing to post an above .500 record since winning the division in 2008.

New York qualified for a pair of AFC Championships in Rex Ryan's first two seasons (2009-2010), while the Jets have been grounded recently with an 8-8 record in 2011 and just a 6-10 finish in 2012. Under Ryan, the Jets continue to underachieve in the role of a home favorite, posting an 11-15 ATS record since 2009, as New York may be laying points at Met Life Stadium up to four times this season.

The Bills have lost double-digit games for each of the previous four seasons, while picking up a last-place schedule in 2013. Buffalo stunk it up as road underdogs last season, putting together a 2-6 ATS record, including four losses by at least 10 points. Former Florida State standout E.J. Manuel is expected to start at quarterback following Ryan Fitzpatrick's roller-coaster campaign, as the ex-Harvard signal-caller was released after the season.

September Games to Watch:

Carolina at Buffalo - Week 2: The Bills have split each of their last 10 home games against the NFC since 2008, while dropping contests to the Rams and Seahawks in 2012. Buffalo won and covered four of six home contests in the favorite role last season, including double-digit routs of the Chiefs, Jaguars, and Jets. Carolina closed the last campaign with covers in five of its final six games, including outright 'dog wins at San Diego and New Orleans.

Miami at Indianapolis - Week 2: The Colts escaped past the Dolphins, 23-20 as short home 'dogs last November, one of six road losses for Miami. The Dolphins will be playing their second road game in as many weeks after their season opener at Cleveland. Miami begins a four-week stretch in Week 2 of facing upper-tier quarterbacks by taking on Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Joe Flacco in successive weeks.

New England at Atlanta - Week 4: The Patriots lost three of four games against the NFC last season, including defeat to eventual conference champion San Francisco in December. New England is expected to be listed as a road underdog, as Bill Belichick's club owns a terrific 7-1 ATS record since 2009 when receiving points away from Gillette Stadium.

N.Y. Jets at Tennessee - Week 4: This isn't exactly a prime matchup on that week's card, but it's a rematch of an ugly Monday night contest last December from Nashville. The Titans slipped by the Jets, 14-10, the start of a three-game skid for New York to close the season. The Jets actually wrap up September with three non-playoff teams from last season (Buccaneers, Bills, and Titans), while the schedule toughens up in October with matchups against four playoff clubs from 2012.

2013 Win-Loss Projections
School 2012 Record 2013 Win Total (LVH) Predicted Over/Under
New England 12-4 11 ½ UNDER
Miami 7-9 7 ½ OVER
N.Y. Jets 6-10 6 ½ OVER
Buffalo 6-10 6 ½ UNDER

Week 1 Best Bets (courtesy of LVH Hotel and Casino):

-- Dolphins -1 ½ at Browns
-- Buccaneers -1 at Jets
-- Patriots -6 ½ at Bills (PASS)