Best College Football Helmets

Forgive the pictures on this posting, the best collection of helmets I could find was this website that sells miniature helmets, so I used their pictures when I couldn't find a decent picture elsewhere by default.

1.
Notre Dame

Again, I admit to some bias here, but the Irish get bonus points for not just having a gold colored helmet (like the golden dome), but for putting real gold flecks into the paint, and painting the helmets each week with fresh gold paint before the game. Besides, otherwise Michigan would have been first, and that happens over my dead body.

2.
Michigan

I hate Michigan, and the thought of them getting credit for doing anything well turns my stomach. However, the Michigan helmets are one-of-a-kind; creative, different, recognizable.

3.
Ohio State

Ohio State's helmets are shiny, and don't go in for the cheesy "let's stick the logo on the side of the helmet" ploy. They get bonus points for the Buckeye pride stickers as well.

4.
Alabama

Alabama's helmets are legendary, and evoke the (ahem) "tradition" of Alabama football. I almost left them off the list entirely, because simply being included on this list means that they will claim yet another undeserved national championship. What does that put them at? 5,137?

5.
Penn State

There is no simpler design in college football, and no design that is more closely tied to the roots of the team. A non-nonsense blue collar football team deserves helmets that look like they came off the rack.

6.
Florida State

Those spears are just plain cool. And the helmets are shiny.

7.
Arkansas

I don't know why. Wait. Yes, I do. Anyone with big enough stones to trot out on a football field with a pig on their helmet an proudly scream "Sooooiee!" deserves some recognition in my book.

8.
Southern Cal

Mostly, Southern Cal is getting credit for being Southern Cal, as they (like a bunch of other teams) simply stuck their logo on the side. But it's a cool logo.

9.
Colorado State

I think Colorado State would have jumped up much higher for simply trying to be different, if not for the fact that they haven't won a football game in, like, seventy-bajillion years. But they made the list.

10.
Army (tie)

Navy (tie)

They may look a lot like the Notre Dame helmets, but these teams have more tradition and pride than any other schools in the country, and prove it by not cheapening their tradition with a cheesy logo.

Worst helmets ever:

Air Force

Unlike their military academy brethren, the Air Force decided that a plain white helmet with a cheesy logo is better than something classy.

Boston College

The "other" Div. I-A Catholic University, BC ("Fredo") are cheap knockoffs of Notre Dame on the field, and they wear cheap knockoffs of our helmets. They are like the little brother that wants to wear your clothes, even though he looks terrible in them.

Miami

It takes a special kind of hubris (or stupidity) to place a letter logo on your helmet that stands for university. Like someone forgot the M for Miami. Or just was so full of themselves that they figured only THEY were a REAL university.
They got high marks for effective marketing on their logo, but when it comes to class and style, this ain't it.

Florida
The second worse football helmet tradition in college football, the Gators helmet today, while tacky as all get out, is far superior to what it used to be:

I think I'm going to be sick...

However, the reigning champion of worst football helmets in the history of college football (despite any changes they attempt to make) goes to (drum roll please) ...

The University of Hawaii

Excuse me while I vomit.

Next week: Fight Songs

2006 Spring Opponent Preview - United States Naval Academy Midshipmen

Top player: Rob Caldwell, LB
Make-or-break player: O.J. Washington, WR
Biggest offensive strength: Running Back
Biggest offensive weakness: using the Forward Pass
Biggest defensive strength: Linebackers
Biggest defensive weakness: ?
Spring Depth Chart

There are actually three certainties in life - death, taxes, and the Irish beating Navy. While this year will be no exception, this Navy team actually has the potential to win 10 games behind a potent rushing attack and a schedule that is softer than Charmin.

Navy had the top rushing aattack last year, averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground. However, only Rice had a worse passing game last year. Navy's wishbone offense is different, and is difficult to defend against. Their entire offensive philosophy is to use misdirection effectively such that each carry will net at least 3 yards. They do so effectively, averaging over 5 yards per carry last year.

However, if Navy ever wants to win games against quality opponents, it is going to have to learn to use that same misdirection to free up a few receivers down the field. Against teams like the Irish, Navy will face man coverage, with 8-9 guys in the box to defend the run. If they don't start to take better advantage of the single coverage, they will NEVER even come close to beating the Notre Dames of the world.

Navy does have a speedster in receiver O.J. Washington, and if they can utilize him better early in games to take a lead, their ball-control offense can keep them in games until the end, giving them a chance to pull out a big win.

Navy's defense is, in a word, average. They aren't great, but they aren't too bad either. They are ranked in the mid 60s (middle of the road) in almost every category. However, considering that Navy is undersized when they play everyone but Army and Air Force, they are highly underrated. And their linebackers are VERY good. Caldwell finished second in the nation in tackles last year, and many think Tidwell is actually a better player. However, unless they find some real speed for their corners or some true explosiveness on the ends, the linebackers will be underutilized.

Navy simply doesn't do enough on either side of the ball to really challenge the Irish. Their quirky offense will move the ball and score some points, but not nearly enough to keep up with the Irish offense.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Prediction
9/2	East Caarolina	W
9/9	Massachusetts	W
9/16	at Stanford	L
9/23	Tulsa	W
9/30	at Connecticut	W
10/7	at Air Force	W
10/14	Rutgers	W
10/28	Notre Dame	L
11/4	at Duke	W
11/11	at Eastern Michigan	W
11/18	Temple	W
12/2	vs. Army	W

College logos

I just read some stupid website that ranked the top 10 college logos, and they put Clemson's paw print first. Now, I may be a little biased towards the Irish, but a paw print is neither original or creative. Also, I do not see a paw print and immediately think Clemson - I think oh, how cute, some little kids football logo - the bears or cubs or somesuch.

So, I will now attempt a list of the 10 best college logos. For the sake of this list I considered the best combination of the mascot caricature and/or lettered logo. So, the Irish get bonus points for both the leprechaun logo and the interlocking ND. So, let's begin:

1.

Notre Dame Fightin' Irish
The most recognizable pair of logos in college sport. (I admit, I'm biased, but there are few logos that are as recognizable in college sports; only the Yankees logo and Dallas Cowboys star are comparable)

2. (tie)

Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is one of those rare logos that stands alone, so much so that there is no "letter logo." Just the Nittany Lion is enough. Classic.

Texas Longhorns
Again, a logo so distinctive, it stands alone. Hook 'em Horns.

(Usually, these logos stand alone without the accompanying name - the site I've been referencing for these logos doesn't actually have the logos I wanted)


4.

Duke Blue Devils
This is one of those logos that has it all - the letter, the mascot, the recognizability. High marks.

5.

Miami Hurricanes
I hate the Hurricanes, and I find their "mascot logo" to be tacky. However, the "U" does clearly belong to Miami, so much so that they've taken to calling themselves just "The U." So, I begrudgingly put them high on my list.


6.

University of Southern California Trojans
One of the true classics, the simple, understated design has become recognizable through the years as SC has worked to become a legendary university in football. Thus, they get a boost, despite lacking in creativity.

7.

Georgetown Hoyas
Much like the Irish, the Hoyas have a clearly recognizable mascot. Unlike the Irish, however, the Hoyas letter logo leaves something to desired, and dropped them down in my rankings.

8.

Washington State Cougars
Possibly the most creative logo to make the list, this one gets high marks for seamlessly combining the "mascot logo" with the "letter logo." If only they were good enough at anything to be more recognizable...

9.

Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State would be higher on my list, as Brutus Buckeye is a good mascot caricature, and the Ohio State logo is very distinctive. Also, they do have a high "recognition" factor. However, I have a soft spot for logos that don't hit you over the head, as Ohio State's does - a simple OSU logo would have impressed me more.

10.

Iowa Hawkeyes
Another great logo that requires no letters to be clear who they are referring to (ala Penn State and Texas). However, the logo is not as recognizable as some others.


Honorable Mention (alphabetical order):


Next Week: Helmets

2006 Spring Opponent Preview - UCLA Bruins

Top player: Justin Medlock, Sr., K (yes, the kicker)
Make-or-break player: Chris Markey, RB
Biggest offensive strength: ?
Biggest offensive weakness: ?
Biggest defensive strength: ?
Biggest defensive weakness: ?
Spring Depth Chart

If you've followed college football, and I told you that Olson was the quarterback for the Bruins this year, you'd probably scratch your head, count up the last four years un which QB Drew Olson started for the Bruins, and start screaming about NCAA violations.

However, Olson is in fact starting at quarterback this year - BYU transfer Ben Olson. A sophomore, he is expected to step into the shadow of the QB that preceded him and even has to wear the same name on his jersey.

And he will have his work cut out for him this year. Last year, the Bruins had a very good season behind a pair of Drews - Drew Olson, the QB that threw for over 3,000 yards, and RB Maurice Drew, the stud RB that shined in 2004 with a 6.4 yard per rush average, but sputtered a little in 2005 - not breaking the 1,000 yard plateau.

Ben Olson is a little old for a sophomore at 23, and will bring some poise and maturity with him to the position. The stud of the 2002 BYU recruiting class, Olson will finally get to start - for UCLA. He was unable to beat out Drew Olson last year because of his accuracy, and he will have to improve to be an effective leader of an inexperienced offense.

Replacing Maurice Drew is Chris Markey, who was the second leading rusher last year, and had a coming-out party against Purdue last year in the Sun Bowl, rushing for 160 yards in the win. He is a versatile and competent back, who should provide Olson with the production necessary to keep the defense honest.

The biggest drop-off this year is that the Bruin offense won't be able to ride stud Tight End Marcedes Lewis again, arguably the biggest loss for the team. And it's not a great sign that their tight end is the biggest loss - that means that they were lacking any truly explosive receivers, and this should be their biggest offensive weakness this year.

The biggest question mark for this entire team is, well, this entire team. They lost their leading passer, leading rusher, leading receiver, leading tackler, and leader in interceptions. Their only major statistical leader returning is their sackmeister, DE Justin Hickman. Probably the running game and defensive line will be the strengths, respectively, on offense and defense, while the receivers and defensive backfield will be the respective weaknesses. However, so much turnover makes it hard to predict what they will do.

One prediction I am comfortable making is that this squad will take a step back from last year's 10-2 finish. The young, inexperienced players will make mistakes and take time to develop. By the end of the season, this has the potential to be a very good team, but by then they will be fighting just to go to a bowl game, not to get into the BCS.

Against the Irish, their defense will (like most teams not in the SEC or Big Ten) be ridiculously overmatched. Their offense may move the ball, but I expect this game to be one where the Irish defense can start to build some momentum going into the late season, capitalizing on Olson's inaccuracy and the receivers not-so-sure hands.

The game should be fun, though, simply because we haven't hosted the Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium before (if I recall correctly) and their fans are rumored to be good-natured and fun. Look for the Irish to give up some points late in the game, making the score more respectable looking than it really should.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Prediction
9/2	Utah	W
9/9	Rice	W
9/23	at Washington	W
9/30	Stanford	W
10/7	Arizona	L
10/14	at Oregon	L
10/21	at Notre Dame	L
10/28	Washington State	W
11/4	at Cal	L
11/11	Oregon State	W
11/18	at Arizona State	L
12/2	Southern Cal	L

2006 Spring Opponent Preview - Stanford Cardinal

Top player: Trent Edwards, QB (followed closely by his 2 receivers)
Make-or-break player: Trent Edwards, QB
Biggest offensive strength: Passing the Ball
Biggest offensive weakness: Running the Ball
Biggest defensive strength: Safety
Biggest defensive weakness: Everything else
Spring Depth Chart

Stanford's season last year was, well, an enigma. At the beginning of the year, it looked as if the Cardinal were bad. Really bad. I mean like Baylor, Duke, Kentucky bad. Worse, even. The lost to the University of California. No, not the Golden Bears from Berkeley - the Aggies from Davis, a Div. I-AA team.

Then they win 5 games, including a shootout against Arizona State and (in a flukey game) put a scare into the Irish - a top 5 football team - at the end of the season, losing in the last minute.

Walt Harris got his team turned around, and now this Stanford team reminds me of the Stanford teams under Willingham - good enough to get to a bowl game most years, with the occasional chance of biting a big program in the ass or gatting to a major bowl.

Their offense like much of the Pac-10, is a passing offense. Problem is, somebody forgot to tell Coach Harris that you're supposed to run the ball, too. Stanford finished last year 110th in rushing offense, with a pitiful 2.8 yard per carry average. Stanford's passing offense was respectable, but not great. This year should see the passing offense improve, with veteran signal caller Trent Edwards throwing to one of the better receiving duos in the country in Moore and Bradford. They'll put up points by the bushel if they can develop a rushing attack.

The big problem with Stanford winning is that their defense gives up points by the truckload. Returning safety Brandon Harrison is as good as they come, but he can only do so much. 105th in total defense, 89th in scoring defense, 110th in passing defense.

110th. The only team worse than the Cardinal at stopping the pass last year on our schedule was Purdue. Of course, 110th in the country in pass defense was better than three of their Pac-10 opponents in the pass-happy conference.

Because of that 110th ranking, no balance on offense, and the talent differential between the two teams, I expect the Irish to score twice for every Stanford score in a game that will finish something like 56-28 Irish.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Prediction
9/2	at Oregon	L
9/9	at San Jose State	W
9/16	Navy	L
9/23	Washington State	W
9/30	at UCLA	L
10/7	at Notre Dame	L
10/14	Arizona	L
10/21	at Arizona State	L
11/4	Southern Cal	L
11/11	at Washington	W
11/18	Oregon State	W
12/2	at Cal	L

2006 Spring Opponent Preview - Purdue Boilermakers

Top player: Dorien Bryant, WR
Make-or-break player: Curtis Painter, QB
Biggest offensive strength: Wide receiver (if Ingraham is back on the team) or Offensive line (if he's not)
Biggest offensive weakness: Quarterback
Biggest defensive strength: ...
Biggest defensive weakness: Defending the other team's offense
Spring Depth Chart

Last year was supposed to be a banner year for Purdue - a returning QB, lots of talent and positively LOADED with experience (20 returning starters). They didn't have to play either Michigan or Ohio State. Many preseason prognosticators picked the Boilermakers as Rose-Bowl bound, and a few even muttered the words "National Championship game" and "Purdue" in the same sentence (I don't think anyone was crazy enough to say they would win the Championship, though). After back-to-back wins to start the season, the Boilermakers were ranked #11 in the AP poll.

Then the wheels came off. The season started downhill with a double overtime loss to the Golden Gophers. Six straight losses later, the Boilermakers were asking themselves "What Happened?" Only wins over a November MSU team (who is traditionally a bottom feeder in the Big Ten by then) and major renovation projects Indiana and Illinois allowed the Boilermakers any remaining self respect. The season ended as Tiller's first losing season, going 5-6.

And then the entire friggin' train exploded.

Since the end of the football season, much of the coaching staff (5 coaches) have been replaced, Purdue is leading the (Div. I-A) race for the Fulmer Cup (award for the most offseason behavioral problems by a team, named for Tennessee Coach Phil Fulmer), and their second best player (WR Ingraham) is currently ineleigible due to academics. Anyone who has been following Purdue athletics this year has seen a complete implosion of the athletics department. The institution has come completely unglued - football, basketball, you name it, they are having major issues.

Of course, most of the mainstream prognosticators are once again calling for the Boilermakers to win 7-8 games and go to a bowl game. However, the mainstream prognosticators are crazy and gullible.

If Tiller can find some super-glue to craft this team back together, they have the talent to win six games and become bowl-eligible. However, if the on-the-field and off-the-field distractions have any effect on team confidence and morale, this team could just as easily drop every Big Ten game, and only get wins against Indiana State (Div. I-AA) and Ball State. And I wouldn't count out Ball State just yet.

The offense should get back to the traditional Purdue spread (if Tiller has any sense) even without a more traditional QB at the reins. The new offensive coordinator, Zaunbrecher, is very good at developing quarterbacks. The offensive line is excellent, allowing only 9 sacks last year, and should give the inexperienced signal caller plenty of time to throw the ball to some very talented receivers. If the pass offense struggles, don't be too surprised to see redshirt freshman Joey Elliott get a look, as he is a more traditional QB. Kory Sheets is a fast running back that is a constant home run threat. Offensively, if Tiller goes back to what he knows, Purdue can be very productive.

The defense is another story entirely. After finishing last year at the bottom of the Big Ten in pass defense, there seems to be nowhere to go but up. But with insufficient experience, depth, and talent, this could be a very long year for the Boilers. They have an excellent safety, and a very good linebacker. Everyone else is average at best. The corners in particular are suspect, and against the Irish, that's not a good thing.

"It's 49-21, sweetheart." This year, that quote could very easily become "It's 56-0, sweetheart." The Irish offense is going to be very potent, and the Purdue defense should be the weakest we face outside of the service academies.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Prediction
9/2	Indiana State (Div. I-AA)	W
9/9	Miami (OH)	W
9/16	Ball State	W
9/23/td>	Minnesota	L
9/30	@ Notre Dame	L
10/7	@ Iowa	L
10/14	@ Northwestern	L
10/21	Wisconsin	L
10/28	Penn State	L
11/4	@ Michigan State	W
11/11	@ Illinois	W
11/18	@ Indiana	L
11/25	@ Hawaii	L