CFB Report

In the build-up to the new college football season, Pro Football Focus has been ranking coaches and players, and James Franklin has made the cut once again. Although ranked fourth amongst Big Ten coaches, Franklin comes in at 10th overall in the country.

Franklin’s impressive coaching career has seen him raise the level of execution from his players, taking Penn State back onto the verge of a College Football Playoff berth with an impressive 2022 season. However, arguably the most notable achievement of his career was leading Vanderbilt to ranked finishes in 2012 and 2013, something that the Commodores hadn’t achieved since 1948 and haven’t been able to do since Franklin’s departure.

Franklin’s talent for developing players is evident in his ability to prepare them for the NFL, which could explain why he boasts such a high ranking. PFF lists Ohio State’s Ryan Day in first place, with Alabama’s Nick Saban and Georgia’s Kirby Smart at second and third, respectively.

Matt Rhule, the new head coach of the Big Ten’s team, occupies the next spot on the list at 25th. The ranking highlights Franklin’s prowess as the highest-ranked Big Ten coach in the top 25.

Pro Football Focus has cemented a reputation for delving into the nitty-gritty of coaches and players, highlighting what makes them better than others with its itemized statistics. The PFF platform is considered the gold standard for informed analytics within football, leaving Franklin’s inclusion in their coaches rankings a coveted achievement.

With the start of the college football season rapidly approaching, the pressure is on for coaches throughout the country. Every win is crucial in the quest for a playoff spot, and coaches are continually seeking ways to optimize their players’ performance. For many coaches on this list, finding the winning formula on the field is their primary focus.

As the season approaches, James Franklin will undoubtedly be analyzing how to get the most out of his team, using his coaching talent and experience to turn his players into NFL-bound stars. Penn State fans will be looking towards their upcoming games with feverish anticipation, hoping their team can clinch that coveted College Football Playoff spot under Franklin’s guidance.

With draft month officially here, NFL fans can find mock drafts sprouting up all over the place. The Raiders are set to pick seventh, and many speculate it could be a pivotal position in the first round. Will they trade up for one of the top players at the quarterback position or hold tight and try to help the defense?

A recent mock draft from CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco predicts Will Levis, QB from Kentucky, as the Raiders’ pick. Prisco argues that Levis could become the team’s future franchise quarterback.

The NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein predicts the Raiders will trade down to No. 12 and choose Darnell Wright, OT from Tennessee. Zierlein believes Wright is an excellent option for the Raiders’ thin offensive line.

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson predicts the Raiders will trade up to No. 4 with the Colts and choose Paris Johnson Jr., OT from Ohio State. Wilson argues that Johnson would solidify the Raiders’ offensive line and help improve their run game.

ESPN’s Todd McShay predicts the Raiders will choose Devon Witherspoon, CB from Illinois. McShay argues that Witherspoon’s quickness and instincts in coverage make him an attractive prospect for the Raiders’ defense.

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicts the Raiders will choose Christian Gonzalez, CB from Oregon. Middlehurst-Schwartz believes Gonzalez’s speed, agility, and size make him a defensive prospect in the top tier.

In contrast, Walter Football’s Walter Cherepinsky predicts the Raiders will choose Paris Johnson Jr. However, Cherepinsky believes that the Raiders truly need defensive playmakers if they decide not to choose a quarterback.

Finally, Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano predicts the Raiders will choose Christian Gonzalez. Manzano believes that Gonzalez’s size, athleticism, and ball-hawking skills make him the best cornerback in the draft.

The draft offers lots of options for the Raiders. With their 12 picks, including the seventh overall and five picks in the top 109, the Raiders are well-positioned to improve their roster significantly. Nevertheless, Raiders fans will have to wait until April 27th to find out who they will choose.

Vanderbilt football has concluded its Black & Gold game, and there is plenty to unpack from the scrimmage. Here are five takeaways from the game that may give fans an idea of what to expect from the Commodores next season.

Firstly, Vanderbilt’s depth in the trenches may make or break its season. After having their depth wrecked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commodores have been gradually rebuilding. This spring, the offensive line looks deeper and more experienced. Furthermore, the defensive line has emerged as the team’s strongest unit. Keep an eye out for Yilanan Ouattara, a 6-foot-7, 305-pound defensive tackle from Germany, who has the potential to be a breakout star.

As far as the quarterback position goes, A.J. Swann is undoubtedly the starter, and there’s no drama there. Senior Ken Seals is back and the clear backup, so the Commodores have some stability at the position.

However, it may not be all about Swann at quarterback. Unheralded sophomore Walter Taylor had a fantastic showing in the spring game, directing the day’s first touchdown drive and launching a beautiful deep ball for a 50-yard touchdown just before halftime. Taylor stands at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, with excellent mobility and a strong arm. If he can find consistency, he could provide the Commodores with some big-time upside.

The Vanderbilt football team is still searching for a new kicker to replace Joseph Bulovas. Junior Will Faris had a mediocre showing on Saturday, going 1-of-3 on field goals and missing a couple of easy shots and an extra point in damp conditions. The Commodores may need to look to incoming freshmen or walk-ons to fill the void.

Finally, De’Rickey Wright emerged as a star of the scrimmage, making tackles and picking off a pass for a 60-yard pick-six. If his showing on Saturday is any indication, the senior safety could be due for a big season.

Overall, it’s still too early to make definitive predictions about the Commodores’ performance in 2023. However, these five takeaways from the Black & Gold game give us a glimpse of what to watch out for when the season kicks off this fall.

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel has hit back at Kirby Smart’s claim that uptempo offenses take the pressure off quarterbacks. Heupel, who runs one of the fastest offenses in college football, said no one in America puts more pressure on their quarterbacks than his program. Heupel’s team had the highest-scoring offense in the country, averaging 46.1 points per game, with Hendon Hooker, who passed for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 24 games, leading the way.

Smart, the Georgia Bulldogs head coach, had said that in his system, quarterbacks had to be able to process information quickly: Get the signal, get people lined up, see what the defense is in, and correct the situation if necessary. In Tennessee, however, Heupel’s quarterback must make multiple decisions on every play, including running run checks, pass checks, reading boxes, and making alerts and kills.

Hooker, who is climbing NFL Draft boards and could be a first-round pick later this month, controlled the entire game on every single play, Heupel said after Tennessee’s Pro Day on March 30.

Heupel’s offense was a juggernaut last year, with the Vols finishing fifth in passing offense, averaging 326.1 yards per game with 38 touchdowns. They also ranked 26th in rushing, averaging 199.46 yards per game and scoring 40 times on the ground. Smart, on the other hand, runs a more methodical offense in which the quarterback is the primary decision-maker.

The coaches’ points of view raise the question: Which system is better? The answer may be that it depends on the players in the program. Smart’s system has been successful at Georgia, and he has a championship ring. However, Heupel’s Tennessee team last year was explosive, and Hooker is projected as a first-round pick despite concerns over his ACL tear last November.

Given this context, it is clear that whatever system works is fine if the players can execute it. Heupel’s players excel at his uptempo offense, and Hooker was able to manage it expertly. It will be interesting to see how well Hooker performs in the NFL and what the outcome of QB comparison tests will be.