And here are the latest Spring notebook from ESPN on
Oklahoma St.




Oklahoma State Cowboys
DB Ricky Price, a converted wide receiver, produced three interceptions in the Cowboys' final scrimmage before their April 14 spring game. Despite the big performance, he still has not won one of the coveted black jerseys that new defensive coordinator Tim Beckman is presenting this spring for consistent play. The scrimmage was also highlighted by WR Anthony Parks, who snagged a pair of touchdown receptions. Massive 235-pound RB Julius Crosslin also had a big effort in his new position at tailback. The Cowboys' work through the spring has impressed coach Mike Gundy. "As a team, we are further ahead than I thought we would be this spring," Gundy said. "Defensively, we still have a ways to go. We have to learn some terminology and how to play the system. Our effort and attitude are much further along. And obviously, offensively, we are much further along." The Cowboys continue to experiment with a series of plays that includes quarterbacks Bobby Reid and Zac Robinson in the game at the same time. Beckman's new defensive philosophy has led to Donovan Woods evolving into a hybrid linebacker. The move will take him out of the secondary and move him closer to the line of scrimmage. WR Artrell Woods has been one of the biggest surprises of the spring, snagging TD receptions of 46 and 37 yards during a recent scrimmage. "He is one of the young receivers who is really stepping up," Gundy said. "The advantage he has is great speed. I don't use that term a lot, but he is extremely fast. He will give us that threat like we had a few years ago with John Lewis played with Rashaun Woods. I see Artrell as that kind of guy." Oklahoma State sports marketers have coined the term "most powerful offense in the world" to describe the Cowboys' attack keyed by Reid. The Cowboys return eight offensive starters and along with Boise State were the only offense in the country last season to average 200 yards rushing and passing.

ESPN article on UF - Tim Tebow

ESPN - Article on UK - Andre's Woodson

Continuing to folow up-dates for spring notes from ESPN:




Florida - Gators
The real answers will come in the fall, but sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow exits spring practice on the heels of some strong performances throwing the football. He was superb last season in a specialist's role when the Gators faced short-yardage situations or moved into scoring position. But with Chris Leak gone, Tebow will have to be more of a passer if the Gators are going to be in contention for a second straight national title. He showed off his touch in the spring game last Saturday and finished 17-of-27 for 216 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Blue team to a 27-21 victory over the Orange team. Tebow had a sore shoulder in the spring game, but Florida head coach Urban Meyer said it actually helped him with his touch and overall management of the offense.

While Tebow was busy showing everybody in the Gators' spring game that he can be plenty effective throwing the football, there was a rediscovery of sorts among his targets. Junior receiver Louis Murphy, who was a part of Meyer's first recruiting class and had done very little in his first two seasons, caught eight passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Meyer said the entire spring was a productive one for Murphy, who credits senior receiver and new roommate Andre Caldwell for helping him regain his focus. Whatever Caldwell told him worked, because Meyer said Murphy would enter the 2007 season as one of the Gators' starting receivers in what's already a deep and talented receiving corps. Sophomore Percy Harvin rates up there among the top playmakers in the league.

Spring notes for Kentucky also from ESPN:





Kentucky - Wildcats
It would be easier to put the "sleeper" label on Kentucky in the Eastern Division race if the Wildcats had stopped anybody on defense a year ago. In fairness, they were better toward the end of the season and held their own in a close loss at Tennessee and against Clemson in the Music City Bowl win. "On given games, we were a decent defense," Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks said. "The good news is that we return most of those guys, and 16 out of our top 22 were freshmen or sophomores last year. For us to be able to take the next step and compete with Tennessee, Florida and Georgia, we have to play better defense and still maintain the point production we were able to generate last year." Barring injuries, the Wildcats should be much better in the defensive line. Myron Pryor, Jeremy Jarmon and Corey Peters could play for several teams in the SEC. Trevard Lindley is one of the best up-and-coming cornerbacks in the league, while senior linebacker Wesley Woodyard is the top returning tackler in the league. Still, it's hard to forget the fact that the Wildcats had an astonishing 48 touchdowns scored against them last season.

Kentucky will conclude its spring this Saturday with its annual Blue-White spring game. Quarterback Andre' Woodson has been off-limits this spring to the defense, as Brooks doesn't want to take any chances with his getting hurt. Woodson has asked to see a little live contact just to get the feel again heading into the offseason. Woodson will have plenty of playmakers around him again, but there is still some uncertainty with the offensive line. Injuries have sidelined several starters, and left guard Christian Johnson remains suspended because of academics.

And the spring notes for the Gophers form ESPN:




Minnesota - Gophers
The Gophers haven't decided between Tony Mortensen and Adam Weber at quarterback. Both played reasonably well in the spring game, and whoever wins the competition in the fall will have another target Minnesota wasn't counting on. Eric Decker's four catches for 80 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown from Mortensen, show he could be a guy who takes the pressure off senior Ernie Wheelwright in the fall. "He has great hands, focus, concentration and toughness," coach Tim Brewster said of Decker. "Eric is going to have to be that kind of player for us to do the things we want to do offensively. I am really pleased with him."

Here is an Article about ULL from ESPN:


ESPN - Article about the porbation that ULL now faces

Bytor said

Here are some Spring Notebooks from ESPN about the Gators:



Florida Gators

My hope is that we lose this one in a respectable manner (~14 points). If it's a shut-out, absolutely zip, we'll look like a laughingstock.

If we keep it close - awesome, but reality says it will be similar to the outcome of the MSTU vs UF a couple years ago.

owlcountry said

Bytor said

Here are some Spring Notebooks from ESPN about the Gators:



Florida Gators

My hope is that we lose this one in a respectable manner (~14 points). If it's a shut-out, absolutely zip, we'll look like a laughingstock.

I'll take 14-0 shutout. Heck, I'll take a 24-0 shutout. If it gets worse than that then FAU might look foolish. But hey, I would rather lose 24-0 than 42-7. However I think FAU will be lucky to score more than 7 points and lucky to hold UF under 38.

GO OWLS!!!