Not that I'd ever condone gambling on sports, but let's do a little wagering. I'll give you a line related to the UT football season and you respond in the comments section with your prediction: over or under. We'll revisit these after the year, and a shout out (perhaps a prize) will go to person that guesses the most right.
Percentage of snaps taken by quarterback Terrance Owens: 65
It is my belief, as it has been all along, that Owens will be named the starter when Campbell makes the announcement later today. The loser of the battle waged between he and Austin Dantin will play, but how much?
Rushing yards by David Fluellen: 875
Eight times in the past 12 years a UT back has rushed for 1000 yards. Fluellen's high-water mark of 493 yards came last year when he was the team's third option. Now he's the go-to guy.
Regular season wins: 8.5
UT won eight regular season games in each of the past two years. No Boise States or Ohio States pop up this year, but Arizona, Wyoming, and Cincinnati are formidable.
Catches by Cordale Scott: 10
He has five in his career, all coming last year as a receiver. The fifth-year senior has transitioned to tight end, where he will start.
Sacks allowed by offensive line: 20
Breaking in three new starters, it's unrealistic to think this unit will match last year's feat of 10 sacks allowed. In fact, it's unrealistic to think any line can achieve that number.
Long field goal by J.D. Detmer: 52 yards
Detmer converted from this distance against Syracuse.
Touchdown catches by Bernard Reedy: 12
He had nine last year, with six coming in the regular season. Should assume a greater role with the departure of Eric Page.
High point total allowed by defense: 48
Rockets gave up 63 points in consecutive weeks against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
Different starters at cornerback: 3.5
Four or five players have been engaged in a good battle. Chris Dukes and Cheatham Norrils figure to start. Norrils might be summoned to safety in the event of an injury there. Something to think about.
Average attendance for home games: 22,157
This is last year's mark. Coastal Carolina and Cincinnati replace New Hampshire and Boise State in the non-conference slate.
Percentage of snaps taken by quarterback Terrance Owens: 65
Over
Rushing yards by David Fluellen: 875
Under (I think McDowell will get a good amount of carries also)
Regular season wins: 8.5
Over
Catches by Cordale Scott: 10
Over (I really hope they mix the TE in well)
Sacks allowed by offensive line: 20
Under
Long field goal by J.D. Detmer: 52 yards
Under (I don't believe they are playing in any domes this year)
Touchdown catches by Bernard Reedy: 12
Over
High point total allowed by defense: 48
Under
Different starters at cornerback: 3.5
Over
Average attendance for home games: 22,157
Over
Posted by: Campbell 4 President | 08/29/2012 at 04:13 PM
T.O under 50/50, Flu will rush closer to 1000 yards so over, Regular season wins over 8.5, Catches by Cordale over 10, sacks allowed going under 20, long field goals by J D under, TD catches by B. Reedy over, total points allowed under different starters at cb, over. Avg attendance over.
Posted by: Afluellen fan | 08/29/2012 at 04:52 PM
push 65%
under 750, we'll spread it between 3 backs.
over 11-3 with a MACC and a Bowl win
over Scott will be a large part of the O
over 2.5 per game
over 55 yarder
under 8, Toledo has a lot of unknown weapons
under 40 vs. WMU
under 3 starters if we stay healthy
over 22,500. The Akron and Ball State games will bring it down.
Posted by: Abaduiluvu | 08/29/2012 at 05:23 PM
Big Rocket fan here. Not excited about this season. I think the Rockets will stink. A competitive game at Arizona or win will obviously change my mind a little. I'm hoping this time the Rockets don't get embarrased.
Posted by: owen | 08/29/2012 at 06:36 PM
1) TO - over
2) Flu- over
3) wins-under
4) catches by Scott - over
5) sacks allowed - under
6) high pt. - over
7) cb starters - over
8) attendance - under
Posted by: TampaRocket | 08/29/2012 at 11:12 PM
Percentage of snaps taken by quarterback Terrance Owens: 65
Im gonna say over unless there is a serious injury. Dantin will be a good change of pace but Owens ability to open up the field with his cannon will make him the starter.
Rushing yards by David Fluellen: 875
Under. Im not sold on Flu and a little worried about running backs. Last year it seemed like Flu tried to be Adonis Thomas and thats not who he is. ill say 600 with other backs getting in that same area.
Regular season wins: 8.5
Over. Its hard not to be biased on this question, but i believe we will get 14 games this year so 9 is possible,
Catches by Cordale Scott: 10
Over. Definitely. He may not be the best run blocker but he will get his targets as an athletic tight end.
Sacks allowed by offensive line: 20
Over. Allowing less than 2 sacks a game will be tough with even a talented line when the experience isnt there.
Long field goal by J.D. Detmer: 52 yards
Under. We may not even attempt one that long let alone nail one that long. not impossible but i dont think it will happen.
Touchdown catches by Bernard Reedy: 12
Under. But this isnt a bad thing. Teams will focus in on him as the number 1 guy, but a lot of touchdowns will be spread out among multiple receivers and tight ends
High point total allowed by defense: 48
Under. If we can escape Arizona on the under i think it will stay this way. I look for the offense to be improved from last year.
Different starters at cornerback: 3.5
Over. Young corners will all take their turn getting burned and others will be plugged in to see what they can do.
Average attendance for home games: 22,157
Over. With this winning and weather are everything though. If we can start off 2-0, BG will be a sellout. Win that and CC will even be high.
Posted by: Kurtis Winzenried | 08/29/2012 at 11:25 PM
Thanks everyone ...
Tampa: You missed two (long field goal and TD catches by Reedy)
Kurtis: I only am looking for regular season wins.
Both of you feel free to modify your predictions.
Posted by: Ryan Autullo | 08/30/2012 at 10:14 AM
Oops. Im going to switch to the under for 8.5 wins. i think over is possibly, but under being a better choice. we could easily start 0-2, lose at least 1 MAC game, and lose to Cincy. (same goes for winning those games though)
Posted by: Kurtis Winzenried | 08/30/2012 at 10:32 AM
My son has a habit of missing a few questions on tests by skimming throught it and forgetting to fill everything in...looks like he inherited that skill from me...
Predictions for the ones I missed:
Long FG - Under
Reedy TD's - Over
Posted by: Tamparocket | 08/30/2012 at 11:00 AM
Percentage of snaps taken by quarterback Terrance Owens: 65
Over
Rushing yards by David Fluellen: 875
Under, I'm thinking 700-750
Regular season wins: 8.5
Over, Probably biased but I'd like to think we can get at least 9
Catches by Cordale Scott: 10
Over
Sacks allowed by offensive line: 20
Over
Long field goal by J.D. Detmer: 52 yards
Under
Touchdown catches by Bernard Reedy: 12
Under, He's the go to receiver now
High point total allowed by defense: 48
Under, Like Kurtis said though, we have to escape Arizona under
Different starters at cornerback: 3.5
Over
Average attendance for home games: 22,157
Over
Posted by: rocketdowney | 08/30/2012 at 11:01 AM
Owens snaps:barely over 66-68%
Flu rushing:over 950-1050 yds.
Wins: OVER!!!!! 10 to maybe 12+
Scott catches: over 25 Big target over the middle
Sack allowed: Under barely 15-19
Detmer FG length: over, was at that end of Carrier Dome and the 52 yarder would have been good for another 10 yards.
Reedy TD catches: Over: will average over 1 per game. some multiple TD games.
Defense Points Allowed: UNDER!!! looking for 20 points average...Can't see anyone scoring 40 on the improved D this year...
Starting CB's: over, could see up to 5
Attendance: Over, 25,000 with early road wins, but weeknight games in Nov. will hurt and keep it from reaching 28,000
Posted by: Terry Bryant | 08/30/2012 at 11:20 AM
Percentage of snaps taken by quarterback Terrance Owens: 65
Under (barely)
Rushing yards by David Fluellen: 875
Over. UT always has a nice stable and manages to get someone close to 1,000 it seems.
Regular season wins: 8.5
Over
Catches by Cordale Scott: 10
Over I think he finally shows the potential he came in with.
Sacks allowed by offensive line: 20
Under
Long field goal by J.D. Detmer: 52 yards
Under
Touchdown catches by Bernard Reedy: 12
Over. Break out year for him
High point total allowed by defense: 48
Under (45?)
Different starters at cornerback: 3.5
Over
Average attendance for home games: 22,157
Over. Lets get the Glass Bowl rocking again!
Posted by: Jim Carmack | 08/31/2012 at 02:52 PM