BuckeyeSoldier
2 time Reigning BuckeyePlanet Poker Champion
College Football’s Top Ten Baseball Lineup…
CF – Devin Hester (WR/KR, Miami, Fla) – No one gets his team kick-started better than this playmaker (Exhibit A: The N.C. State game). With his dynamic speed, he’s a “no brainer” for the leadoff spot (returning kickoffs and punts). He’s also the player most apt to cover the largest amount of real estate (4.2 speed) in the outfield and chase down those would-be doubles and triples. His wheels also allow for a serious base-stealing threat (yards after catch), and a sure headache for opposing catchers.
C – Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma) – You need a good hit-and-run man to bat in the two-spot, and no one is making better contact (bouncing off & then running past opposing LB’s and DB’s) than this rookie-of-the-year candidate. With his ability to handle those punishing hits, he’ll be a logical choice behind the plate. Of course, his youth may keep him from calling a good game every now and then (looking for contact instead of running out of bounds), which drives veteran pitches (head coaches) nuts.
3B – Aaron Rodgers (QB, California) – In the third slot, you need a player who can hit for average AND have the capability of delivering the long ball. With Rodgers’ solid .300 batting average (incredible passing efficiency and 14 TD passes), he’s the perfect fit to be the front-end protection for the cleanup hitter. His steady hand, on offense, also allows him to drive in plenty of runs in the first inning (or first quarter). His deadly accuracy and strong arm, also provides superb defensive strength from the hot corner.
LF – Reggie Bush (RB/WR/KR, Southern California) – Maybe you think that this spot needs to be filled with a 6’4”, 220-pound RB or QB, but the cleanup spot, regardless of size, needs to be filled with a player who can keep you in a game or close the door on an opponent with a homerun ball (Bush can score from anywhere on the field, and from any position on offense). No one in the country can provide that game-saving/game-winning boost like Mr. Everything, himself. We’ll place him in left field because of his speed in the open space.
SS – Derrick Johnson (LB, Texas) – Although not required to be a big hitter, the shortstop position is looked upon as being the defensive pillar of strength. Not only does this senior standout provide some back-end protection for the cleanup hitter and pack a solid punch with his bat (bone-jarring hits on opposing QB’s and RB’s), but also his gold glove (ability to forced fumbles) provides the necessary strength up the middle, which, more often than not, prevent his opponents from mounting big rallies.
RF – Alex Smith (QB, Utah) – This lineup needs a player, who will keep opposing pitchers honest, so that they won’t be tempted to always pitch around the fourth and fifth place hitter (Smith keeps executing & the Utes keep posting wins, which keeps the “BCS big boys” from looking past them). With his high batting average (pass efficiency) and speed, this junior (who plays like a senior) allows a manager plenty of flexibility heading into the lower part of the order. His strong and accurate arm also keeps third base coaches hesitant about sending runners home from second base on base hits (opposing defensive coordinators have nightmares defending the Utes’ offense).
1B – Stefon LeFors (QB, Louisville) – In the bottom third of the lineup, you need a veteran player and selfless leader (he’s never complained about splitting time with star recruit Brian Brohm), who possesses a high on-base percentage (high passing efficiency), which allows bunting and hit-and-run options for the eight and ninth-place hitters. The seventh spot in the lineup also needs a smart hitter (good field general, few turnovers), which can get things started and held carry things over to the top of the lineup. Being a lefty and having good hands also makes him the most suitable for the first-base position.
2B – Matt Jones (QB, Arkansas) – The second baseman is usually viewed as a pesky, gritty, spunky player, which can provide an offensive spark and give you strength up the middle, on defense. Jones is the definition of true grit, and his versatility, on offense (throwing from the pocket, running the option, even lining up at WR, if necessary), will provide spark at the bottom of the order, where it’s important to do whatever you can to get on base (gain the extra yard) to allow your pitcher to move you 90 feet further with a sacrifice bunt. Jones’ ability to turn double plays (scramble and turn losses into big gains) also keeps the opposing team’s offense from cashing in on big innings (and keeps opposing offenses off the field with his ability to keep a drive going).
Starting Pitcher – Matt Leinart (QB, Southern California) – You need a guy who can take the mound and shoulder all the responsibilities of his teammates (make up for the loss of so many star players from last year’s team). Leinart, who has spent the better part of two years having to face the opposing team’s best pitcher (he has to deal with the pressure of directing the offense of a No. 1 team), is used to facing the week-in and week-out pressure. He may not get all the credit (Heisman hype), but his performance always keeps his team in the game.
Relief Pitcher – Mike Nugent (PK, Mike Nugent) – Ah, the placekicker. What other position, in football, most resembles the closer, in baseball? For the better part of three years, the Buckeyes have depended on Mr. Clutch to get the final three outs and save the game (kick the game-winning field goal), and, for the duration of those four years, Nugent has delivered. When it’s the bottom of the ninth and you need to walk off the diamond with a ‘W’ (or when you’re tied or down by less than three points with only seconds remaining), there’s no one more dependable than the Buckeyes’ “closer”..
CF – Devin Hester (WR/KR, Miami, Fla) – No one gets his team kick-started better than this playmaker (Exhibit A: The N.C. State game). With his dynamic speed, he’s a “no brainer” for the leadoff spot (returning kickoffs and punts). He’s also the player most apt to cover the largest amount of real estate (4.2 speed) in the outfield and chase down those would-be doubles and triples. His wheels also allow for a serious base-stealing threat (yards after catch), and a sure headache for opposing catchers.
C – Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma) – You need a good hit-and-run man to bat in the two-spot, and no one is making better contact (bouncing off & then running past opposing LB’s and DB’s) than this rookie-of-the-year candidate. With his ability to handle those punishing hits, he’ll be a logical choice behind the plate. Of course, his youth may keep him from calling a good game every now and then (looking for contact instead of running out of bounds), which drives veteran pitches (head coaches) nuts.
3B – Aaron Rodgers (QB, California) – In the third slot, you need a player who can hit for average AND have the capability of delivering the long ball. With Rodgers’ solid .300 batting average (incredible passing efficiency and 14 TD passes), he’s the perfect fit to be the front-end protection for the cleanup hitter. His steady hand, on offense, also allows him to drive in plenty of runs in the first inning (or first quarter). His deadly accuracy and strong arm, also provides superb defensive strength from the hot corner.
LF – Reggie Bush (RB/WR/KR, Southern California) – Maybe you think that this spot needs to be filled with a 6’4”, 220-pound RB or QB, but the cleanup spot, regardless of size, needs to be filled with a player who can keep you in a game or close the door on an opponent with a homerun ball (Bush can score from anywhere on the field, and from any position on offense). No one in the country can provide that game-saving/game-winning boost like Mr. Everything, himself. We’ll place him in left field because of his speed in the open space.
SS – Derrick Johnson (LB, Texas) – Although not required to be a big hitter, the shortstop position is looked upon as being the defensive pillar of strength. Not only does this senior standout provide some back-end protection for the cleanup hitter and pack a solid punch with his bat (bone-jarring hits on opposing QB’s and RB’s), but also his gold glove (ability to forced fumbles) provides the necessary strength up the middle, which, more often than not, prevent his opponents from mounting big rallies.
RF – Alex Smith (QB, Utah) – This lineup needs a player, who will keep opposing pitchers honest, so that they won’t be tempted to always pitch around the fourth and fifth place hitter (Smith keeps executing & the Utes keep posting wins, which keeps the “BCS big boys” from looking past them). With his high batting average (pass efficiency) and speed, this junior (who plays like a senior) allows a manager plenty of flexibility heading into the lower part of the order. His strong and accurate arm also keeps third base coaches hesitant about sending runners home from second base on base hits (opposing defensive coordinators have nightmares defending the Utes’ offense).
1B – Stefon LeFors (QB, Louisville) – In the bottom third of the lineup, you need a veteran player and selfless leader (he’s never complained about splitting time with star recruit Brian Brohm), who possesses a high on-base percentage (high passing efficiency), which allows bunting and hit-and-run options for the eight and ninth-place hitters. The seventh spot in the lineup also needs a smart hitter (good field general, few turnovers), which can get things started and held carry things over to the top of the lineup. Being a lefty and having good hands also makes him the most suitable for the first-base position.
2B – Matt Jones (QB, Arkansas) – The second baseman is usually viewed as a pesky, gritty, spunky player, which can provide an offensive spark and give you strength up the middle, on defense. Jones is the definition of true grit, and his versatility, on offense (throwing from the pocket, running the option, even lining up at WR, if necessary), will provide spark at the bottom of the order, where it’s important to do whatever you can to get on base (gain the extra yard) to allow your pitcher to move you 90 feet further with a sacrifice bunt. Jones’ ability to turn double plays (scramble and turn losses into big gains) also keeps the opposing team’s offense from cashing in on big innings (and keeps opposing offenses off the field with his ability to keep a drive going).
Starting Pitcher – Matt Leinart (QB, Southern California) – You need a guy who can take the mound and shoulder all the responsibilities of his teammates (make up for the loss of so many star players from last year’s team). Leinart, who has spent the better part of two years having to face the opposing team’s best pitcher (he has to deal with the pressure of directing the offense of a No. 1 team), is used to facing the week-in and week-out pressure. He may not get all the credit (Heisman hype), but his performance always keeps his team in the game.
Relief Pitcher – Mike Nugent (PK, Mike Nugent) – Ah, the placekicker. What other position, in football, most resembles the closer, in baseball? For the better part of three years, the Buckeyes have depended on Mr. Clutch to get the final three outs and save the game (kick the game-winning field goal), and, for the duration of those four years, Nugent has delivered. When it’s the bottom of the ninth and you need to walk off the diamond with a ‘W’ (or when you’re tied or down by less than three points with only seconds remaining), there’s no one more dependable than the Buckeyes’ “closer”..