AthlonSports.com - Goal Line Stand

Goal Line Stand: Penn State looks strong

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0500

As Penn State prepares for a season-defining stretch of games, it does so with a 6-0 record and number-six ranking in the polls. Though its image is no longer as pristine as its throwback uniforms, PSU is a factor once again on the national scene.

Goal Line Stand: Trojans look past opponents

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:45:00 -0500

Two weeks after thoroughly dismantling Ohio State, USC was upset by lowly Oregon State. That begs the question: Are the Trojans more interested in playing the big-time games than they are in taking care of business every single day?

Goal Line Stand: Vandy's rise is encouraging

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0500

Vanderbilt is 4-0 and ranked 21st in the country. Take a minute on that one. The Commodores, who haven’t been to a bowl game since 1982 are in first place in the SEC East Division with a 2-0 record and are a mere two wins away from post-season eligibility. Mighty mighty, indeed.

Goal Line Stand: Only USC can match SEC

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0500

It's only Week 3, but USC’s trouncing of the overmatched Buckeyes proved several things about the state of college football.

Goal Line Stand: ECU should be higher than 14

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0500

East Carolina entered the top 25 for the first time since 1999 and the top 15 for the first time since ’91. It was a momentous occasion and no doubt a source of great pride. The euphoria was tempered by one little problem: Why was ECU ranked so low?

Goal Line Stand: Tide's victory stunning

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0500

The truth is that neither team’s performance was truly indicative of how the season will go. The Crimson Tide will not be playing for the BCS title, and Clemson will not be sinking to the depths of the ACC. Still, last Saturday’s win by ‘Bama was absolutely stunning.

Goal Line Stand: Predicting 2008's top storylines

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0500

While the puzzle is still a jumble and the picture unclear, Michael Bradley uses the season's first Goal Line Stand column to make a few predictions on how the dominant storylines will play out.

Goal Line Stand: Miles puts on a show

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:00:00 -0600

And the 2007 Oscar for Best Dramatic Performance by a Football Coach goes to…Les Miles, Louisiana State University.

Goal Line Stand: The spread is here to stay

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0600

West Virginia has been classified as the gold standard of the spread offense, but the number of imitators across the country continues to grow. Make no mistake about it: The spread attack is here to stay.

Goal Line Stand: Job questions await Miles

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0600

The question reduced Les Miles to tears – and not because he’s some sort of softie. He remembers the Nick Saban situation from last year. Everybody does. Still. people want to know: Will Les bolt for Michigan?

Goal Line Stand: Michigan, Carr need this one

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:01 -0600

Michigan hosts Ohio State in the conference curtain-dropper for each team, as usual. The nation will be watching; a trip to Pasadena goes to the winner, and if that weren’t enough, Lloyd Carr’s legacy could well be at stake.

Goal Line Stand: Rules for Heisman voters

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:00:00 -0600

Now that Arkansas running back Darren McFadden has “reentered” the Heisman debate by rolling over South Carolina for 321 yards, Michael Bradley wants to revisit the criteria for the award.

Goal Line Stand: Evaluating the unbeatens

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

As of now, there are four unbeaten BCS teams. None was even expected to sniff their conference title at the beginning of the season, and yet here they are, still with a chance at the crystal trophy. Michael Bradley examines the chances of each to remain perfect.

Goal Line Stand: Are the Buckeyes for real?

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Ohio State climbed to the top of the polls thanks to an 8-0 record against a relatively soft schedule, but Michael Bradley says the final four games will determine what the Buckeyes are really made of.

Goal Line Stand: USF-BC title game preview

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0500

Is it too early to think about a Boston College-South Florida national championship game? Michael Bradley doesn't think so. In fact, he's already got your preview for a FOX ratings nightmare in this week's Goal Line Stand.