For my firstpost on this board, I thought I'd run down my predictions for the upcoming college football season. I'm not a professional scout, so all of what I base my opinions on is second-hand (Phil Steele, Lindy's, etc.), but I think there's some objectivity to be had when considering, at least, how the teams look on paper.
In terms of thread direction, I suppose comments on my rankings are appropriate, but the idea would be to share your top 10 as well.
- Birdy
1. Oklahoma. Be honest. Before the Sooners were defeated the Big-12 title game, you thought they were unbeatable, a lock for the national title. Turns out, of course, it wasn't meant to be, and the Sooners, having ripped off 12-straight victories to open the season (including obscene final scores like 77-0 and 65-13), went on to lost their final two games. The late-season meltdown notwithstanding, the Sooners may have been the most talented team in the nation last year, and from that team return 17 starters -- including Heisman winner Jason White and nine others from the offense. With a lot to prove and tons of talent with which to prove it, the national title is simply theirs to lose.
Prediction: 13-0
2. Georgia. Not much to say here; the Bulldogs are experienced and deep on both sides of the ball, flying high with perhaps their best team in over 20 years. A power program that's ready to bring it hard, everything points to a serious run at an undefeated season.
Prediction: 12-1
3. USC. Southern Cal returns the nation's best quarterback and, should Mike Williams return, the most intimidating quarterback-to-wide receiver duo in recent memory. Like Georgia, the Trojans have clearly reemerged as an elite program with 23 wins the past two seasons, and are defending co-national champions.
Prediction: 11-1
4. Miami. To think, it's a down year for the Hurricanes to "only" rank fourth. But after huge losses to the NFL draft, Miami returns just four to the defense, and no one's been thrilled with Gator transfer QB Brock Berlin. It doesn't help matters the ACC has evolved into a premiere conference that won't provide the cupcakes the Big East did. Still, with the state of the Miami program, it's hard to see any Hurricane team losing three or four games. Just too much speed and raw talent.
Prediction: 10-2
5. Michigan. Michigan will field what should be their best defensive unit since the co-national champion group in 1997. Questions in the offensive backfield will be lessened by the nation's most talented receiver corps and the usual "Michigan" suspects on the offensive line. While probably not a dominant group, the Wolverines are the Big Ten's best and should have no trouble getting to Columbus at 8-2 or 9-1.
Prediction: 10-2
6. LSU. The defending national champs have much the same look as the #5 Wolverines: one of the best defenses in the country; forced to break in a new quarterback; yet still loaded with talent, however unproven. Defending a national championship is never easy, and LSU is only the second-best team in the SEC this season.
Prediction: 10-3
7. Florida State. It's the final go for Seminoles quarterback Chris Rix, and the question arises: Carson Palmer, or John Navarre? Eight other starters will accompany Rix back from last season's unit, making the Noles' offense one of the most experienced in the land. But will Rix emerge the seasoned leader ready to take the provervial next step, like Carson Palmer? Or will he emerge the same Chris Rix we've all come to know -- very talented, but ultimately very avergage -- like John Navarre?
Prediction: 9-3
8. Ohio State. Jim Tressell (32-7 at OSU) has emerged as a top-notch, first-class head coach. His cast of talent this season looks right in line with his formula for success: great defense, good enough offense. The Buckeyes should be every bit a legitimate national title contender, and could very well be undefeated when Michigan visits Ohio Stadium.
Prediction: 9-3
9. Texas. Only a handful of teams can recruit with Texas. So every year, on paper, Texas should be able to play with anyone. Then along comes a 65-13 loss to your biggest rival. The trouble with the Horns,though, is you can never be certain this won't be the year they break through what is fast becoming the Mack Brown Curse. The offense should be one of the most, yawn, explosive in the nation; the defense is, yawn, loaded.
Prediction: 10-3
10. West Virginia. With Miami off the schedule and Virginia Tech in a presumed "down" year, the Mountaineers could sneak into the national spotlight. A weak Big East's title still earns a BCS bowl bid, and this group is plenty talented enough to take advantage.
Prediction: 9-3
In terms of thread direction, I suppose comments on my rankings are appropriate, but the idea would be to share your top 10 as well.
- Birdy
1. Oklahoma. Be honest. Before the Sooners were defeated the Big-12 title game, you thought they were unbeatable, a lock for the national title. Turns out, of course, it wasn't meant to be, and the Sooners, having ripped off 12-straight victories to open the season (including obscene final scores like 77-0 and 65-13), went on to lost their final two games. The late-season meltdown notwithstanding, the Sooners may have been the most talented team in the nation last year, and from that team return 17 starters -- including Heisman winner Jason White and nine others from the offense. With a lot to prove and tons of talent with which to prove it, the national title is simply theirs to lose.
Prediction: 13-0
2. Georgia. Not much to say here; the Bulldogs are experienced and deep on both sides of the ball, flying high with perhaps their best team in over 20 years. A power program that's ready to bring it hard, everything points to a serious run at an undefeated season.
Prediction: 12-1
3. USC. Southern Cal returns the nation's best quarterback and, should Mike Williams return, the most intimidating quarterback-to-wide receiver duo in recent memory. Like Georgia, the Trojans have clearly reemerged as an elite program with 23 wins the past two seasons, and are defending co-national champions.
Prediction: 11-1
4. Miami. To think, it's a down year for the Hurricanes to "only" rank fourth. But after huge losses to the NFL draft, Miami returns just four to the defense, and no one's been thrilled with Gator transfer QB Brock Berlin. It doesn't help matters the ACC has evolved into a premiere conference that won't provide the cupcakes the Big East did. Still, with the state of the Miami program, it's hard to see any Hurricane team losing three or four games. Just too much speed and raw talent.
Prediction: 10-2
5. Michigan. Michigan will field what should be their best defensive unit since the co-national champion group in 1997. Questions in the offensive backfield will be lessened by the nation's most talented receiver corps and the usual "Michigan" suspects on the offensive line. While probably not a dominant group, the Wolverines are the Big Ten's best and should have no trouble getting to Columbus at 8-2 or 9-1.
Prediction: 10-2
6. LSU. The defending national champs have much the same look as the #5 Wolverines: one of the best defenses in the country; forced to break in a new quarterback; yet still loaded with talent, however unproven. Defending a national championship is never easy, and LSU is only the second-best team in the SEC this season.
Prediction: 10-3
7. Florida State. It's the final go for Seminoles quarterback Chris Rix, and the question arises: Carson Palmer, or John Navarre? Eight other starters will accompany Rix back from last season's unit, making the Noles' offense one of the most experienced in the land. But will Rix emerge the seasoned leader ready to take the provervial next step, like Carson Palmer? Or will he emerge the same Chris Rix we've all come to know -- very talented, but ultimately very avergage -- like John Navarre?
Prediction: 9-3
8. Ohio State. Jim Tressell (32-7 at OSU) has emerged as a top-notch, first-class head coach. His cast of talent this season looks right in line with his formula for success: great defense, good enough offense. The Buckeyes should be every bit a legitimate national title contender, and could very well be undefeated when Michigan visits Ohio Stadium.
Prediction: 9-3
9. Texas. Only a handful of teams can recruit with Texas. So every year, on paper, Texas should be able to play with anyone. Then along comes a 65-13 loss to your biggest rival. The trouble with the Horns,though, is you can never be certain this won't be the year they break through what is fast becoming the Mack Brown Curse. The offense should be one of the most, yawn, explosive in the nation; the defense is, yawn, loaded.
Prediction: 10-3
10. West Virginia. With Miami off the schedule and Virginia Tech in a presumed "down" year, the Mountaineers could sneak into the national spotlight. A weak Big East's title still earns a BCS bowl bid, and this group is plenty talented enough to take advantage.
Prediction: 9-3
