Off Topic » 2016 F1 season, the Australian

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The North Dakota State dynasty came Back 4 More. Or was it 4-peat in 14? Any of the unofficial slogans boasting the NDSUs extraordinary success remains appropriate with the Bison being fitted for FCS national championship rings for an unprecedented fourth straight season. Whats next for 2015, One For the Thumb? While it was tough enough for the Bison to win bragging rights from national runner-up Illinois State just within the Missouri Valley Football Conference, both programs figure to be near the forefront of the national scene again next season. FBS transfers, like what Illinois State gained in quarterback Tre Roberson after he came aboard last June, can change the direction of teams considerably, so a lot is subject to change in the coming months. But many of the familiar national powers will be among the FCS elite again in 2015 as the regular schedule drops back to 11 games after two seasons with a maximum of 12. For our early 2015 rankings, we were all set to go with a Sweet 16 to honor the college basketball season in full flight, but lets add in a plus-one to honor the FBS four-team playoff system, ahem, which just wrapped up. 17. McNeese State (2014 record: 6-5; 2014 final ranking: unranked) - Coach Matt Viator has never had a losing season with the Cowboys, but three straight losses to end a 6-5 campaign left a bad taste in everybodys mouth. Quarterbacks Daniel Sams and Tyler Bolfing will come back a year stronger and running back Ryan Ross should be a breakout star. The defense returns three of its top four tacklers, junior safety Brent Spikes and junior linebackers Wallace Scott and Bo Brown, who were All-Southland second-team selections. 16. Idaho State (8-4; No. 25) - The big question is, can the Bengals replace quarterback Justin Arias after he led the FCS in passing yards with a school- record 38 touchdown passes in 2014? Otherwise coach Mike Kramer has the returning talent to keep the momentum of this past season going. On offense, running back Xavier Finney and wide receiver Madison Mangum will continue to pile up yards and touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Mario Jenkins will continue to be all over the field. The Bengals didnt lose at Holt Arena in 2014, and in 2015 they get traditional Big Sky powers Eastern Washington, Montana and Montana State at home. They also will pay a visit to Boise State. 15. Eastern Illinois (5-7; unranked) - After Kentucky transfer Jalen Whitlow got acclimated at quarterback following the Panthers rough start to this past season, he became quite dangerous in their potent offense. His return along with a healthier Shepard Little at running back will have the Panthers challenging Jacksonville State in the OVC, and this time they will host the Gamecocks in Charleston. Coach Kim Dameron will have key players returning on defense in all-conference linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and safety Jourdan Wickliffe as well as defensive tackle Dino Fanti. 14. James Madison (9-4; No. 18) - It might sound strange but Walter Payton Award winner John Robertson of Villanova isnt a sure thing for the All-CAA first team. Thats how strong Dukes signal caller Vad Lee played during the second half of the conference schedule this past season. But with the Dukes losing a lot of key seniors, they will need some of the young talent, like Khalid Abdullah, linebackers Rhakeem Stallings and Gage Steele and cornerback Jimmy Moreland, to rise to a higher level of play. 13. Liberty (9-5; No. 17) - The returning list of seniors on offense is impressive, including the likes of quarterback Josh Woodrum, running back D.J. Abnar, wide receiver Darrin Peterson, lineman Jonathan Burgess and long-range place-kicker John Lunsford. Coach Turner Gills squad will need it for a schedule that includes two FBS opponents - West Virginia and Georgia State - and three likely Top 25 teams coming to Lynchburg in Montana, James Madison and Coastal Carolina. The defense must regroup after plenty of key losses, but defensive tackle Chima Uzowihe is a good start. 12. Northern Iowa (9-5; No. 10) - Perhaps like 2012, UNI may not overcome a brutal early season schedule, this time with trips to Iowa State, Cal Poly, Illinois State and North Dakota State and a home game against Eastern Washington all packed within the first five games. Coach Mark Farley better hope some new leaders will raise their play, perhaps running back Darrian Miller for All-American David Johnson. Theres still the choice of talented quarterbacks in Brion Carnes and Sawyer Kollmorgen, and place-kicker Michael Schmadeke is automatic within the UNI-Dome. The defense will feature linebacker Brett McMakin as well as Tim Kilfoy and Deiondre Hall in the secondary 11. Montana State (8-5; No. 20) - Dual-threat quarterback Dakota Prukop was sensational before he suffered a late-season knee injury. Much of the junior-to-bes offensive line will be back, as are some versatile playmakers, including Gunnar Brekke. But the Bobcats must get better on defense or coach Rob Ashs Big Sky squad wont have much of a chance to go far in the postseason. The regular-season finale versus rival Montana will be at home in Bozeman. 10. Chattanooga (10-4; No. 8) - The Mocs will end the season at Florida State, and they hope to land a third straight Southern Conference title leading into the matchup. Quarterback Jacob Huesman will chase a third straight conference offensive player of the year award while opponents chase after him. Despite the loss of defensive end Davis Tull, who won three consecutive defensive player of the year awards in the SoCon, the defense will be strong with a lock-down secondary featuring Cedric Nettles, Dee Virgin and Lucas Webb. 9. Villanova (11-3; No. 7) - There isnt much more individual hardware for quarterback John Robertson (2014 Walter Payton Award, 2014 CAA Offensive Player of the Year, 2012 Jerry Rice Award) to win as a senior, so his goal will be to lead the Wildcats to the CAA title. Kevin Gulyas returns as his big-play wide receiver. On defense, Don Cherry gives the Wildcats the best linebacker in the conference, and Dillon Lucas is a nice complement. Once again, the Wildcats arent scheduled to play New Hampshire, the 2014 CAA champion. But they will take on Connecticut in non-conference action. 8. New Hampshire (12-2; No. 3) - Coming off back-to-back appearances in the national semifinals, the CAA Football champion must replace an outstanding senior class, led by wide receiver R.J. Harris. Still, coach Sean McDonnell will get back some terrific players in quarterback Sean Goldrich, linebacker Akil Anderson and cornerback/returner Casey DeAndre. The Wildcats will go all the way to San Jose State to open their season and figure to be more vulnerable than they were while reaching a No. 1 ranking this past season. 7. Youngstown State (7-5; No. 22) - Bo Pelini didnt win enough to satisfy everybody at Nebraska, but he steps into a ready-to-win situation at Youngstown State as the Penguins go after their first playoff appearance since 2006. Many of the teams best players will be back, including quarterback Hunter Wells, running backs Martin Ruiz and Jody Webb, wide receiver Andrew Williams, defensive ends Derek Rivers and Terrell Williams (who combined for 24 sacks), and linebacker Dubem Nwadiogbu. The Penguins beat Pittsburgh in 2012 and will take another shot at the Panthers to open the 15 season. 6. Coastal Carolina (12-2; No. 5) - Monumental success in the last two seasons (back-to-back 12-win campaigns) is making it harder for coach Joe Moglias Big South power to fill non-conference dates. Few opponents are anxious to face dual-threat quarterback Alex Ross and 1,500-yard running back DeAngelo Henderson. The defense will have to adjust to not having linebacker Quinn Backus, who won the last three Big South defensive player of the year awards, but the front four, led by end Roderick Holder, will be outstanding. No doubt, the Chanticleers biggest game will be at Liberty to close the regular season. 5. Jacksonville State (10-2; No. 9) - This seasons early playoff exit as the No. 3 seed should motivate the Ohio Valley Conference champion Gamecocks throughout the offseason. They will return many key players despite the loss of running back DaMarcus James. Troymaine Pope and Miles Jones saw plenty of action behind James, and quarterback Eli Jenkins will keep developing behind what will be a veteran offensive line. OVC defensive player of the year Devaunte Sigler, LaMichael Fanning and Chris Landrum form an intimidating defensive line, and Jermaine Hough is a standout cornerback. Coach John Grass squad will test itself in opening the season at Chattanooga and Auburn. 4. Sam Houston State (11-5; No. 6) - The Bearkats started only four seniors in the national semifinals, so coach K.C. Keeler will have a tremendous returning roster for his second season in Huntsville. If he adds a few FBS transfers, which is usually the case, a Southland Conference crown may not be the only title they win in 2015. Dual-threat quarterback Jared Johnson kept getter better this past season, and so did some of his favorite receivers (Yedidiah Louis and LaDarius Brown). Defensive end P.J. Hall, who finished with 30 tackles for loss as a freshman, scared all of the opponents. Even season- opening opponent Texas Tech will be leery of him. 3. Eastern Washington (11-3; No. 4) - What quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. can accomplish as a senior is a scary thought. But the two-time runner-up for the Walter Payton Award and All-American wide receiver Cooper Kupp are going to have to keep scoring in bunches until the Eagles defense proves it is much improved. Allowing 59 points to Illinois State in the national quarterfinals left some doubt. The schedule is as difficult as ever for the three-time defending Big Sky champions, including Oregon, Northern Iowa, Idaho State and Montana on the road, and Montana State (as a non-conference matchup again) and Cal Poly at home. 2. Illinois State (13-2; No. 2) - The FCS runner-up will return the nations best 1-2 offensive punch in quarterback Tre Roberson and national rushing leader Marshaun Coprich, but the rest of the offense was senior-laden this past season, so the Redbirds will need to fill some holes (three of the five starters on the offensive line depart). An athletic defense gets back ends Teddy Corwin and David Perkins and leading tackler Pat Meehan at linebacker. Coach Brock Spacks team will have road games against Iowa and Eastern Illinois, but the Redbirds havent lost at home since 2012. They will be in the mix for both the Missouri Valley Conference and national titles again. And guess who with ... 1. North Dakota State (15-1; No. 1) - Sure, the senior losses (expected to be 15) are significant again this offseason, including running back John Crockett and a host of top defensive players led by Buck Buchanan Award winner Kyle Emanuel, but didnt it appear this time a year ago that another team would be on top at the end the 2014 season? For a change, the Bison offense might be better than the defense. The power running game will be there with quarterback Carson Wentz and running back King Frazier working behind an outstanding offensive line, and wide receivers Zach Vraa and RJ Urzendowski will form a dynamite duo. Starting cornerbacks Jordan Champion and C.J. Smith will allow some new leaders, including defensive tackle Nate Tanguay and linebacker Nick DeLuca, to emerge into the defensive spotlight. The Bison open at Montana and wont play an FBS opponent as well as Illinois State in the regular season once again, but considering coach Chris Kliemans squad will be less experienced defensively, a softer schedule might be beneficial. Five others to consider: Harvard (10-0; No. 15), Montana (9-5; No. 13), South Dakota State (9-5; No. 12), Stephen F. Austin (8-5; unranked), Western Carolina (7-5; unranked). Fake Vans For Sale . The Calgary Stampeders announced both moves on Wednesday. Parker played 17 regular season games with the Stampeders in 2013, setting career-highs in catches (21) and yards (217). Fake Vans Toy Story . Head of clinic Josef Obrist tells the Austria Press Agency on Thursday that Morgenstern "is doing surprisingly well. ... He still has a memory gap but thats nothing unusual." Morgenstern has moved to a rehabilitation clinic in Klagenfurt for further recovery. http://www.fakevans.com/. Raonic, the mens No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed more than three hours to overcome Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 and become the first Canadian man into the fourth round at Roland Garros. Fake Vans SK8 . Carling Bassett-Seguso was a world No. 8 almost 30 years ago. Currently 13th, Bouchard is assured of equalling that when the next rankings are released Monday. Fake Vans Slip-on . Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon; a brief, poor outing that served to highlight two trends that have developed this season.F1 chiefs will move to change the qualifying format within days after the new elimination-style system endured a farcical debut at the Australian GP. The newly-devised system, which sees drivers knocked out at 90-second intervals from mid-way through each of the three sessions, was panned by drivers, team bosses and pundits after the new rules confused fans and meant cars were not on track at what were meant to be decisive moments of the session.Polesitter Lewis Hamilton was already in parc ferme three minutes before the chequered flag fell, while a host of drivers had earlier been knocked out when their cars were not even on track. Conclusions from qualifying for the Australian GPBut after an immediate backlash from fans on social media, and condemnation of the new system from a number of the sports leading figures, moves are already underway to make immediate changes for the second round of the season in Bahrain in two weeks time.There is a will [to change it], Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said on Saturday night in Melbourne. Head of Mercedes Motorsport Toto Wolff said the new qualifying format is rubbish, and thinks discussions will take place over reverting to last years form Nobody tried to damage the spectacle in qualifying on purpose. The basic idea of having a shootout and every 90 seconds somebody drops out could trigger results that give a certain variability and could mean that a favourite gets it wrong.So the basic concept was not completely stupid but, as with many things, the devil lies in the detail and weve seen today that we actually complicated things in a time that we should simplify them.There was periods when no car was running, you saw that at the end, and that wasnt exciting. Qualifying report Lewis Hamilton dominates in Australia to take pole That should be the target [to change by Bahrain].With the season already underway, a unanimous vote of the F1 Commission will be required to change the regulations again - with such a move possibly taking place as early as Monday.Technically you need a couple of days to change whatever you want, said McLaren racing director Eric Boullier.You just need an e-vote by fax or by email and the FIA Commission members can give their opinion. If everybody agrees, it should be unanimous and it could be done.Whens the Australian GP on Sky Sports F1?It appears likely that the three-part qualifying system will revert to the rules used over the last decade, with a group of cars exiting at the end of Q1 and Q2 respectively before the top 10 compete for pole in Q3. Sky Sports F1s Martin Brundle and David Croft give their damning verdict on the new F1 qualifying format which resulted in no action for the last four min It seems theres a unanimous desire amongst both the team bosses and the drivers themselves and other power brokers within the sport to get all this changed, probably back to the way it was last season in time for the Bahrain Grand Prix, reported Sky Sports News HQs Craig Slater.ddddddddddddThe shake-up of qualifying was only first agreed two weeks ago by the Strategy Group and F1 Commission and had already provoked controversy among drivers, who had argued that it would not work.Team managers also met with FIA race director Charlie Whiting to express reservations about the new-look Q3 during testing at Barcelona, but the elimination system was subsequently rubber-stamped in its original form by the World Motor Sport Council last week. Ted Kravitz brings you all the latest news from qualifying at the Australian GP Wolff believes F1 is right to be looking at ways to improve its spectacle, but suggests it needs to take longer working on any more radical solutions.There are two perspectives, he said. The first is we had a qualifying format that was pretty okay and in order to spice things up this is where we ended up. The obvious choice is to return to what we had before, its in the regulations. If we were to reinvent a different format I think we need to think carefully about what that would do.We shouldnt close our eyes to trying to make the spectacle better - that is important - but it should be a thought through process.Hamilton enjoys sexy laps for pole positionThe first race of the 2016 F1 season, the Australian GP, is exclusively live on Sky Sports F1. The race in Melbourne starts at 5am on Sunday morning. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here Also See: Conclusions from Oz GP qualifying New qualy format slammed ' ' '