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Independent's Preview - Jorge Gonzalez 8/11/2009

Independents Preview

It wasn't too long ago that Notre Dame the only
Independent team that received any attention. The
attention was negative last a season and Head
coach Weiss is on the hot seat. Not to worry, this is
one of the most talented teams that South Bend
seen in quite some time. When Paul Johnson,
National Champion at the FCS ranks, arrived on the
scene at Annapolis he brought his triple-option
offense. Johnson implemented the offense and
made the Midshipmen one of the best rushing team
in the country. Army is now copying a page out of
the Navy's book by going to FCS ranks and hiring
Cal-Poly coach Rich Ellerson. The Mustangs beat
San Diego State last season and narrowly upset
Wisconsin ( two botched extra points) on the road.
Ellerson also brings the triple offense with him but
he has a passing component to his offense the
other two academies due not possess. Navy led the
country is rushing last season and may have one of
the most talented teams they have had in the last
few years, especially on the defensive side of the
ball. Look for all three teams to have good seasons
with numerous spots to bet them through out the
season.

Notre Dame (15 returning starters)

Without question, this is the best team in the five
years under Weis with experience across the board
and plenty of good options to create strong battles
for most of the jobs. Lost in the mediocrity of last
season Notre Dame was a couple of missed kicks
against Pitt and Syracuse from finishing 8-4 on the
year; that would've set higher expectations coming
into this season and Weis would not be on the hot
seat. No, this is by no means a top 10 team, but
they are getting better in a hurry.. If the Irish do
end up playing in one of the big five January games,
it's not going to be like it was a few years back.
This time, they'll be the real deal that Irish fans
have been waiting so long for.

Navy (11 returning starters)

Navy has a tough schedule this season with only
five home and a neutral site for the end of the
season battle with Army. The Navy offense has
been the reason for the tremendous success over
the last several years, leading the country in
rushing the last four seasons. It's impossible to
properly simulate the speed and precision of the
Midshipmen attack in practices. More talented
teams, literally every team on the schedule, always
have trouble slowing down the triple option at
game speed. Their will be another solid running
this season but it will be the defense, 7 returning
starters, that will get the Midshipmen back to
another bowl game. The problem will be the
schedule. This could be the toughest line-up Navy
has dealt with in years. Navy starts the season at
Ohio State. They will then take on Louisiana Tech at
home before taking back to the road to battle
Pittsburgh . The Midshipmen could easily be 0-3 to
start the season. After some winnable games, Navy
will take to the road trip to play Notre Dame and
Hawaii in December . Let's not forget a trip to
Annapolis by Wake Forest. Lets see if second year
coach Ken Niumatatlolo can keep the six season
winning streak going.

Army (12 returning Starters)

By hiring Rich Ellerson, Army is serious about
becoming a legitimate team again in the college
football world, at least at the same level of the
other academies. Navy and Air Force have shown
that running the option is the best way to go when
you lack the talent levels of your opponents.
Ellerson runs the triple option, but unlike the
Midshipmen or the Falcons, there's more of a
passing element to the mix. His Mustang team were
the most fun to watch in FCS college football last
season with the nation's No. 1 scoring offense, the
No. 1 total offense, and the No. 2 offense in pass
efficiency. His defense was also No.2 in FCS in
quarterback sacks. The Cadets have a favorable
schedule with only four BCS teams on the
schedule. The toughest games are in West Point
against Rutgers and Vanderbilt, while there's a trip
to Iowa State and a winnable game against Duke. It
may take Ellerson a season to the new schemes
rolling, The Cadets will be a viable underdog this
season and should improve on their win total.

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