BIG EAST
The Big East is the step-child conference, they never get any respect from the bigger more well known conference even when it is rightfully deserved. The Big East was thought to crumble when Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College bolted for the ACC, but it has been the complete opposite. Over the past 3 seasons the Big East has gone 9-5 in their bowl games including a 3-0 mark in BCS bowls. In that same span, in non-conference games the Big East is 81-31 and has a winning record against schools from other BCS conferences. The Big East has been getting better and better with new teams rising up and playing above expectations. Rutgers, once a walkover in the conference was one game away from winning the conference title 2 seasons ago. UCONN which was barely a D1 program a few years back tied WVU for the conference title and South Florida, a baby in the college football world having only played for about 10-12 years has beaten WVU the past 2 seasons. The conference doesn't have any national title contenders this season but is solid from 1 to 7 (Syracuse has struggled mightily the past few years). This conference is on its way up, maybe not to compete with the SEC's and Big XII's of the world, but it definitely is one to notice and not brush aside anymore.
MY PICKS FOR THE BIG EAST IN 2008:
BEST PLACE TO SEE A GAME:
I can't believe I am saying this, but it is Milan Puskar Stadium in West Virginia. The fans there are crazy. I don't think I've ever seen a more amped up student section in my life. However when things don't go so well it also can get really quiet too (13-9! watch the whole thing). The tradition that they have singing "Country Roads" after the game is pretty cool too. Check out the band performing it at the Sugar Bowl a few years ago, awesome video:
HOTTEST FANS:
I'm just going to take a guess here but I'm thinking that South Florida is a favorite in this one. We'll let you be the judge though.
Cincinnati
UCONN
Louisville
Pitt
Rutgers
South Florida
Syracuse
West Virginia
MOST SCANDALS:
This is the easiest question here, WVU. It won't be close.
SEASON RESULTS:
I'd like to say Pitt will be #1, and I think they can be for for this I am going to go completely un-biased.
1. South Florida
2. Pitt
3. West Virginia
4. Cincinnati
5. UCONN
6. Louisville
7. Rutgers
8. Syracuse
NEXT UPDATE:
PAC-10
ONLY 3 MORE DAYS TIL KICKOFF!!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
TROUBLE TRACKER UPDATE
Indiana University makes a surprising appearance on the Tracker today by suspending 4 players including the nations leading sacker Greg Middleton for their opener against Western Kentucky this Saturday.
Let's take a look at the up to the minute leaderboard:
The "U" - 7
Indiana - 4
Tennessee - 2
Michigan - 1
Mississippi State - 1
Let's take a look at the up to the minute leaderboard:
The "U" - 7
Indiana - 4
Tennessee - 2
Michigan - 1
Mississippi State - 1
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL REVIEW DAY 15
BIG TEN
I have never been one to hide my distain for the Big Ten, and that won't stop here. The Big Ten is about 10 years behind on time and the Ohio State Buckeyes are the only ones to figure that out. The funny part about that is that over the past 2 championship games they have proven even they are way behind compared to the rest of the country. Over the last 6 season the Big Ten is 4-7 in BCS bowls. Of those 4 wins, 3 were by tOSU and 1 of those came against a non-BCS team (tOSU vs ND in 2005). Penn State is the only other Big Ten with a BCS win, needing triple OT to beat a bad FSU team in one of the poorest played games I've seen in a long time. What does all this mean? THE BIG TEN STINKS!!!!! It has been overrated for years now, and it is FINALLY starting to be seen that way by the national media, or at least we can hope so.
Anyway, here is my breakdown of the BIG TEN.
MY PICKS FOR THE BIG TEN IN 2008:
THE BEST PLACE TO WATCH A GAME:
The Erector Set in Central PA aka Beaver Stadium, Penn State University
The reasoning behind this is similar to yesterdays, it is the only Big Ten stadium I have been to. However, I do really enjoy going to games there, as you can see from a blog I wrote last year after attending the Penn State-Notre Dame game. It truely is a awesome place to take in a college football game. The atmosphere is amazing and I can't imagine any other Big Ten school coming close to matching it. I would love to witness in person the Wisconsin band and student section do the JUMP AROUND between the 3rd and 4th quarter, that is a pretty cool tradition too.
HOTTEST FANS:
My immediate answer to this would be none of the above, all they have is big farm girls and girls bundled up in the cold weather not showing any skin. The more I got to thinking about it though, I figured there HAS TO BE some talent in the Big Ten so it is our job to find it. You be the judge!
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan
Michigan State
Minneosta
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Wisconsin
I have never been one to hide my distain for the Big Ten, and that won't stop here. The Big Ten is about 10 years behind on time and the Ohio State Buckeyes are the only ones to figure that out. The funny part about that is that over the past 2 championship games they have proven even they are way behind compared to the rest of the country. Over the last 6 season the Big Ten is 4-7 in BCS bowls. Of those 4 wins, 3 were by tOSU and 1 of those came against a non-BCS team (tOSU vs ND in 2005). Penn State is the only other Big Ten with a BCS win, needing triple OT to beat a bad FSU team in one of the poorest played games I've seen in a long time. What does all this mean? THE BIG TEN STINKS!!!!! It has been overrated for years now, and it is FINALLY starting to be seen that way by the national media, or at least we can hope so.
Anyway, here is my breakdown of the BIG TEN.
MY PICKS FOR THE BIG TEN IN 2008:
THE BEST PLACE TO WATCH A GAME:
The Erector Set in Central PA aka Beaver Stadium, Penn State University
The reasoning behind this is similar to yesterdays, it is the only Big Ten stadium I have been to. However, I do really enjoy going to games there, as you can see from a blog I wrote last year after attending the Penn State-Notre Dame game. It truely is a awesome place to take in a college football game. The atmosphere is amazing and I can't imagine any other Big Ten school coming close to matching it. I would love to witness in person the Wisconsin band and student section do the JUMP AROUND between the 3rd and 4th quarter, that is a pretty cool tradition too.
HOTTEST FANS:
My immediate answer to this would be none of the above, all they have is big farm girls and girls bundled up in the cold weather not showing any skin. The more I got to thinking about it though, I figured there HAS TO BE some talent in the Big Ten so it is our job to find it. You be the judge!
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan
Michigan State
Minneosta
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Wisconsin
Tough to decide there, none compare to what the ACC had to offer.
MOST SCANDALS:
Michigan is the favorite here since RichRod took over. Then again, Penn State has been anything but holier than thou and tOSU would blow everyone away if their crooked recruiting rumors proved true. My pick this here is RichRod at Michigan.
SEASON RESULTS:
1.tOSU
2. Wisconsin
3. Penn State
4. Illinois
5. Michigan State
6. Michigan
7. Iowa
8. Purdue
9. Minnesota
10. Northwestern
11. Indiana
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say tOSU wins the Big Ten and loses in their BCS game.
NEXT UPDATE:
The Big East
ONLY 4 MORE DAYS TIL KICKOFF!!
TROUBLE TRACKER UPDATE
We are not 12 hours into the next great creation known as TROUBLE TRACKER and we already have some additions. For those of you who don't know, TROUBLE TRACKER keeps tallies of suspensions, arrests and that sort of thing from all the BCS schools. Miami jumped out to a early 7-0 lead on the rest of the nation, but Tennessee and Michigan both get on the board today. Michigan announced that RB Kevin Grady will sit out the opener due to a DUI that he got this summer (RichRod is officially in Ann Arbor, his first player was arrested before a game was played!). Tennessee jumps ahead of Michigan though with an announcement of their own which declares 2 players out for poor attendance during the summer class session. Mississippi State also has suspended All-SEC safety Derek Pegues for one game for the same reason.
So, let's update the current standings:
The "U" - 7
Tennessee - 2
Michigan - 1
Mississippi State - 1
So, let's update the current standings:
The "U" - 7
Tennessee - 2
Michigan - 1
Mississippi State - 1
Monday, August 25, 2008
2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Day 14
ACC
As you may recall the ACC ranked dead last in my conference ranking when it came to the BCS conferences, so we preview them first.
The ACC is and has always been a basketball conference. The conference tried to change that by getting Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College to leave the Big East and join their beloved ACC. The idea was that they would take the best the Big East has to offer (Miami and Virginia Tech, BC was a throw-in) and build a football reputation from those schools. So far that hasn't really worked. While Virginia Tech has continued to be a steady 10-win team, the other 2 have fallen back to the rest of the ACC, while nobody from the original ACC has stepped up to form a big time threat. Sure Wake Forest won the conference 2 years ago and Clemson should be good this season, but they don't have a household name that they can showcase. That should be the case again this year.
MY PICKS FOR THE ACC IN 2008:
BEST PLACE TO SEE A GAME:
Scott Stadium, University of Virginia
Now, I'll be completely honest here, I haven't been to any other stadium in the ACC, so Scott Stadium won by default. However, it is a great place to watch a game. I would love to go to a game at Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech and witness the ENTER SANDMAN pre-game, and I think checking out Clemson and seeing them run down The Hill from Howard's Rock would be a great experience as well.
HOTTEST CO-EDS:
After lots of research and asking many experts I was able to narrow this down to 2 schools and I will let you decide the winner.
CLEMSON:
view 1
view 2
view 3
view 4
AND
FLORIDA STATE:
view 1
view 2
view 3
view 4
MOST SCANDALS (suspensions, arrests, cheating, fights, etc.)
THE U is right back to the The U we all love. They take a big lead in this category after announcing that 7 players are suspended for the opener against Charleston Southern on Thursday night. You really have to wonder though, would these 7 have been suspended if the were playing Florida State to kick-off the season like in years past?
This is a category that we are going to be keeping a running tally throughout the season for all the BCS schools. We will keep you updated.
SEASON RESULTS:
ATLANTIC DIVISION:
1. Clemson (wins head-to-head tiebreaker with WF)
2. Wake Forest
3. Florida State
4. Boston College
5. North Carolina State
6. Maryland
COASTAL DIVISION:
1. Virginia Tech
2. North Carolina
3. Miami
4. Georgia Tech
5. Duke
6. Virginia
ACC TITLE GAME:
Clemson defeats Virginia Tech to go to the Orange Bowl.
NEXT UPDATE:
The Big Ten
ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TIL KICKOFF!!!!
As you may recall the ACC ranked dead last in my conference ranking when it came to the BCS conferences, so we preview them first.
The ACC is and has always been a basketball conference. The conference tried to change that by getting Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College to leave the Big East and join their beloved ACC. The idea was that they would take the best the Big East has to offer (Miami and Virginia Tech, BC was a throw-in) and build a football reputation from those schools. So far that hasn't really worked. While Virginia Tech has continued to be a steady 10-win team, the other 2 have fallen back to the rest of the ACC, while nobody from the original ACC has stepped up to form a big time threat. Sure Wake Forest won the conference 2 years ago and Clemson should be good this season, but they don't have a household name that they can showcase. That should be the case again this year.
MY PICKS FOR THE ACC IN 2008:
BEST PLACE TO SEE A GAME:
Scott Stadium, University of Virginia
Now, I'll be completely honest here, I haven't been to any other stadium in the ACC, so Scott Stadium won by default. However, it is a great place to watch a game. I would love to go to a game at Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech and witness the ENTER SANDMAN pre-game, and I think checking out Clemson and seeing them run down The Hill from Howard's Rock would be a great experience as well.
HOTTEST CO-EDS:
After lots of research and asking many experts I was able to narrow this down to 2 schools and I will let you decide the winner.
CLEMSON:
view 1
view 2
view 3
view 4
AND
FLORIDA STATE:
view 1
.png){kind=link}
view 2
view 3
view 4
MOST SCANDALS (suspensions, arrests, cheating, fights, etc.)
THE U is right back to the The U we all love. They take a big lead in this category after announcing that 7 players are suspended for the opener against Charleston Southern on Thursday night. You really have to wonder though, would these 7 have been suspended if the were playing Florida State to kick-off the season like in years past?
This is a category that we are going to be keeping a running tally throughout the season for all the BCS schools. We will keep you updated.
SEASON RESULTS:
ATLANTIC DIVISION:
1. Clemson (wins head-to-head tiebreaker with WF)
2. Wake Forest
3. Florida State
4. Boston College
5. North Carolina State
6. Maryland
COASTAL DIVISION:
1. Virginia Tech
2. North Carolina
3. Miami
4. Georgia Tech
5. Duke
6. Virginia
ACC TITLE GAME:
Clemson defeats Virginia Tech to go to the Orange Bowl.
NEXT UPDATE:
The Big Ten
ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TIL KICKOFF!!!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Day 13
THE TOP 5
Well, we have counted all the way down and today we are revealing our Preseason TOP 5 for the 2008 season. So let's get started!
#5 Oklahoma Sooners (11-3 last season)
The Sooners are absolutely loaded this season. The offense is led by QB Sam Bradford who, as a freshman last season, threw for 3,121 yards and 36 TD's and led the entire nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 176.5. The entire offensive line is back from last year and although he was not a starter DeMarco Murray who ran for 764 as a back-up will carry the load on the ground. The defense will be a typical Bob Stoops defense that will be dominant at times and non-existent at other times (ie. bowl game, where OU has allowed 40+ in 3 of the last 4 bowl games).The Sooners don't get Missouri (a team they beat twice last year) and have Kansas and Texas Tech both in Norman. I see no reason why the Sooners couldn't be 12-0 going into the Big XII championship game, possibly against a 12-0 Missouri team.
#4 the Ohio State University (11-2)
The Buckeyes had a rebuilding year last year and went 11-2. That is what happens when you play in the Big Ten you have a rebuild year and destroy pretty much everyone because that conference is a joke! That being said, tOSU should go 11-1 this year before getting trounced AGAIN in the BCS championship. That 1 loss, to the Trojans of USC. Every time the Buckeyes go out of conference and play a good opponent this happens. My prediction is that USC is up by 14 by the end of the 1st quarter and by at least 21 at some point in the 4th quarter. (tOSU over the past 3 year is 22-2 vs the Big Ten, and 3-3 vs BCS teams). Instead of building a wall at the Mexican border, I say the NCAA builds a wall at the Florida border to prevent tOSU from getting to Miami for the national championship thus saving themselves the embarrassment of getting thrashed AGAIN!!!! I hope USC beats them by 50, and does it without Matt Sanchez!
#3 Florida Gators (9-4)
Florida also had a rebuilding year last year and they still managed to be a major player in the SEC. They return 16 starters from last year and have a lot to prove this year. The Gators have the offensive weapons in Tim Tebow (1st sophomore to ever win the Heisman) and Percy Harvin. The problem for the Gators last year was a lack of running game from the running back position. The Gators averaged nearly 200 ypg on the ground, but their top 2 rushers were QB Tebow and WR Harvin. This year look for USC transfer Emmanuel Moody to get the bulk of the reps in the backfield, thus giving Harvin and Tebow a chance to do what they do best, pass and catch touchdowns. The Gator defense was a young group last year and allowed the more ppg they had in the prior 5 seasons. They return 8 starters, and they have ZERO seniors as projected starters, making this group maybe the defense with the biggest upside in the country. One worry maybe for gators fans is that last year the Gators lost every game they played against a quality team (Auburn, LSU, Georgia). Florida does get LSU at home this year and they miss out on Auburn. Georgia as always is in Jacksonville and that makes Tennessee the only real road test for this team. Look for the Gators to lose once this season, the SEC is too good to have teams run through it undefeated, but circle that game against Georgia, the winner of that one is playing for the NC in South Beach.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs (11-2)
Everyone loves Georgia this year, and I am no different. As a matter of fact I really wanted to put the Bulldogs #1, but the more I thought about it I couldn't, not yet at least. The one thing that scares me is that they didn't beat anyone REALLY good last year, when they made that run that started all the hype. Sure they finished the season by winning 7 straight, but who did they really beat that you are WOW'd by? Beating Vandy by 3? How about the powerhouse Troy, they beat Troy by only 10? This is a team that lost to South Carolina and got stomped by Tennessee last year. Do I think they are talented, yes. Do I think they are unbeatable, hardly. First of all the schedule is MUCH more difficult this year. They play @ LSU (didn't play them at all last year) and Auburn. I think the game September 20th @ Arizona State will tell us a lot about Georgia, if they win this one, on the road against a quality opponent, that might be enough to get the ball rolling. But until then, I am going to be weary.
#1 Southern Cal Trojans (11-2)
Pete Carroll has put a defense on the field that has held teams to 1 TD or less 11 times over the past 2 seasons. That is amazing, what is more amazing is that this season he will put his best defense yet out there. The defense returns 2 of the top 5 LB's in the country in Rey Maualuga (a sure fire top 10 pick in last years NFL Draft had he gone pro) and Brian Cushing (probably a sure fire top 15 pick in this years draft). The Trojans didn't mess around with the schedule this year either to help their young offense adapt. USC goes across the country to Virgina for the 1st game of the year and then hosts tOSU in its next game. They finish off their non-conference schedule with Notre Dame Nov 29th.
Now, on a somewhat non-related issue about USC, apparently they have a severe case of jock itch going through their locker room. Now, I know that jock itch is NOT an STD, but according to WebMD, it is a fungi that "grows best in warm, moist areas of the body such as the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks." That being said, it can be spread by touch. SO, does anyone else find it ironic that a team named the TROJANS have a fungi on their body that they can prevent spreading in their personal life, by simply using a TROJAN?!?! I don't know, struck me as ironic!
NEXT:
Breaking down the ACC, with win-loss predictions and much more.
ONLY 17 DAYS UNTIL THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE SEASON!!!!!
Well, we have counted all the way down and today we are revealing our Preseason TOP 5 for the 2008 season. So let's get started!
#5 Oklahoma Sooners (11-3 last season)
The Sooners are absolutely loaded this season. The offense is led by QB Sam Bradford who, as a freshman last season, threw for 3,121 yards and 36 TD's and led the entire nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 176.5. The entire offensive line is back from last year and although he was not a starter DeMarco Murray who ran for 764 as a back-up will carry the load on the ground. The defense will be a typical Bob Stoops defense that will be dominant at times and non-existent at other times (ie. bowl game, where OU has allowed 40+ in 3 of the last 4 bowl games).The Sooners don't get Missouri (a team they beat twice last year) and have Kansas and Texas Tech both in Norman. I see no reason why the Sooners couldn't be 12-0 going into the Big XII championship game, possibly against a 12-0 Missouri team.
#4 the Ohio State University (11-2)
The Buckeyes had a rebuilding year last year and went 11-2. That is what happens when you play in the Big Ten you have a rebuild year and destroy pretty much everyone because that conference is a joke! That being said, tOSU should go 11-1 this year before getting trounced AGAIN in the BCS championship. That 1 loss, to the Trojans of USC. Every time the Buckeyes go out of conference and play a good opponent this happens. My prediction is that USC is up by 14 by the end of the 1st quarter and by at least 21 at some point in the 4th quarter. (tOSU over the past 3 year is 22-2 vs the Big Ten, and 3-3 vs BCS teams). Instead of building a wall at the Mexican border, I say the NCAA builds a wall at the Florida border to prevent tOSU from getting to Miami for the national championship thus saving themselves the embarrassment of getting thrashed AGAIN!!!! I hope USC beats them by 50, and does it without Matt Sanchez!
#3 Florida Gators (9-4)
Florida also had a rebuilding year last year and they still managed to be a major player in the SEC. They return 16 starters from last year and have a lot to prove this year. The Gators have the offensive weapons in Tim Tebow (1st sophomore to ever win the Heisman) and Percy Harvin. The problem for the Gators last year was a lack of running game from the running back position. The Gators averaged nearly 200 ypg on the ground, but their top 2 rushers were QB Tebow and WR Harvin. This year look for USC transfer Emmanuel Moody to get the bulk of the reps in the backfield, thus giving Harvin and Tebow a chance to do what they do best, pass and catch touchdowns. The Gator defense was a young group last year and allowed the more ppg they had in the prior 5 seasons. They return 8 starters, and they have ZERO seniors as projected starters, making this group maybe the defense with the biggest upside in the country. One worry maybe for gators fans is that last year the Gators lost every game they played against a quality team (Auburn, LSU, Georgia). Florida does get LSU at home this year and they miss out on Auburn. Georgia as always is in Jacksonville and that makes Tennessee the only real road test for this team. Look for the Gators to lose once this season, the SEC is too good to have teams run through it undefeated, but circle that game against Georgia, the winner of that one is playing for the NC in South Beach.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs (11-2)
Everyone loves Georgia this year, and I am no different. As a matter of fact I really wanted to put the Bulldogs #1, but the more I thought about it I couldn't, not yet at least. The one thing that scares me is that they didn't beat anyone REALLY good last year, when they made that run that started all the hype. Sure they finished the season by winning 7 straight, but who did they really beat that you are WOW'd by? Beating Vandy by 3? How about the powerhouse Troy, they beat Troy by only 10? This is a team that lost to South Carolina and got stomped by Tennessee last year. Do I think they are talented, yes. Do I think they are unbeatable, hardly. First of all the schedule is MUCH more difficult this year. They play @ LSU (didn't play them at all last year) and Auburn. I think the game September 20th @ Arizona State will tell us a lot about Georgia, if they win this one, on the road against a quality opponent, that might be enough to get the ball rolling. But until then, I am going to be weary.
#1 Southern Cal Trojans (11-2)
Pete Carroll has put a defense on the field that has held teams to 1 TD or less 11 times over the past 2 seasons. That is amazing, what is more amazing is that this season he will put his best defense yet out there. The defense returns 2 of the top 5 LB's in the country in Rey Maualuga (a sure fire top 10 pick in last years NFL Draft had he gone pro) and Brian Cushing (probably a sure fire top 15 pick in this years draft). The Trojans didn't mess around with the schedule this year either to help their young offense adapt. USC goes across the country to Virgina for the 1st game of the year and then hosts tOSU in its next game. They finish off their non-conference schedule with Notre Dame Nov 29th.
Now, on a somewhat non-related issue about USC, apparently they have a severe case of jock itch going through their locker room. Now, I know that jock itch is NOT an STD, but according to WebMD, it is a fungi that "grows best in warm, moist areas of the body such as the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks." That being said, it can be spread by touch. SO, does anyone else find it ironic that a team named the TROJANS have a fungi on their body that they can prevent spreading in their personal life, by simply using a TROJAN?!?! I don't know, struck me as ironic!
NEXT:
Breaking down the ACC, with win-loss predictions and much more.
ONLY 17 DAYS UNTIL THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE SEASON!!!!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Day 12
We are starting into the TOP 10 with todays update.
TEAMS #6-10
#10 LSU Tigers (12-2, National Champs)
The Tigers have to replace their starting QB and RB, as well as half of their starting defense from last years title team and are still in the top 10. That just gives you an idea of how loaded the Tigers are. LSU will be breaking in a brand new QB after last years back-up Ryan Perrilloux was dismissed from the team. Redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee will be under center this fall taking his 1st collegiate snaps. With all these problems and replacements to deal with Les Miles and LSU should still be right in the middle of the SEC West battle. The Tigers play at Florida and Auburn, but do get the Georgia Bulldogs in Baton Rouge, the home team has won 5 of the last 6 in that match-up.
#9 Texas Longhorns (10-3)
Colt McCoy is back for his 3rd year starting at Texas trying to forget about last years season when he threw 18 INT's. The Longhorn offense does lose RB Jamaal Charles and WR Limas Sweed, but still have tons of weapons on offense with WR's Quan Cosby (60 rec, 5 TD's) and Jordan Shipley (15.4 ypc, 5 TD's). The offensive line returns 4 of 5 starters and should be a strength of the team. On defense the Longhorns return MLB Rashad Bobino who does a little bit of everything for UT. New Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn should greatly help this defense which struggled at times last year, giving up over 25 ppg. The Longhorn will have to get work done on the road when they will play at Kansas and Texas Tech and as always square off with Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout in Dallas.
#8 Wisconsin Badgers (9-4)
The Badgers are the real threat to tOSU this season. Wisconsin led last year in Columbus 17-10 in the 3rd quarter before the Buckeyes scored 28 straight to win the game. During that game the Badgers played without PJ Hill, who ran for 1,212 yards and 14 TD's last year. The Badgers return 17 starters from last year and get Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois all at home. If Wisconsin can take care of the ball (-2 in turnovers last year) and get hot going into a tough October schedule, they will be this years Illinois and knock off the Buckeyes.
#7 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-2)
West Virginia returns Pat White and Noel Divine to the offense that ran all over the opposition last year (minus Pitt, 13-9!!). The WVU offense averaged nearly 300 ypg on the ground last year and almost 40 points a game (ran for 104 yards and 7 points, Pitt gave them the last 2). All that being said, oh yeah, did I mention that their coach, after crying and calling the game a "nightmare" left the program and caused the university to go to shambles? Just think had they only won that 1 game, the game where they were 28 point favorites, they would have been playing for the national title and RichRod would still be there. Instead they are in complete flux, they hired a coach on a whim because he coached 1 good game and now it is only a matter of time before the whole program goes down the tubes. 13-9 FOREVER!
#6 Missouri Tigers (12-2)
Missouri had one of the more fun and unpredictable offenses last season. They could throw it all over the field (QB Chase Daniels 307 ypg, 33 TD's) or the could run the ball down your throat (ask Texas A&M, the Tigers rushed for over 200 yards last year versus the Aggies). This year however they will lack the running threat. Last year Tony Temple carried the load on the ground, but he is gone and the next leading rusher from last year, also happens to be the teams leading receiver. A positive for the Tigers is that Oklahoma is not on the schedule. The Sooners were the only team to defeat Mizzou last year, beating them once in October and once again in the Big XII championship game. Missouri has a relatively easy schedule, missing Texas Tech this year also, and should go into the Texas game undefeated, if they win that one, they have clear sailing until the season finale against Kansas.
TOMORROW:
The TOP 5
ONLY 18 DAYS UNTIL THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE SEASON!!!!!
TEAMS #6-10
#10 LSU Tigers (12-2, National Champs)
The Tigers have to replace their starting QB and RB, as well as half of their starting defense from last years title team and are still in the top 10. That just gives you an idea of how loaded the Tigers are. LSU will be breaking in a brand new QB after last years back-up Ryan Perrilloux was dismissed from the team. Redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee will be under center this fall taking his 1st collegiate snaps. With all these problems and replacements to deal with Les Miles and LSU should still be right in the middle of the SEC West battle. The Tigers play at Florida and Auburn, but do get the Georgia Bulldogs in Baton Rouge, the home team has won 5 of the last 6 in that match-up.
#9 Texas Longhorns (10-3)
Colt McCoy is back for his 3rd year starting at Texas trying to forget about last years season when he threw 18 INT's. The Longhorn offense does lose RB Jamaal Charles and WR Limas Sweed, but still have tons of weapons on offense with WR's Quan Cosby (60 rec, 5 TD's) and Jordan Shipley (15.4 ypc, 5 TD's). The offensive line returns 4 of 5 starters and should be a strength of the team. On defense the Longhorns return MLB Rashad Bobino who does a little bit of everything for UT. New Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn should greatly help this defense which struggled at times last year, giving up over 25 ppg. The Longhorn will have to get work done on the road when they will play at Kansas and Texas Tech and as always square off with Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout in Dallas.
#8 Wisconsin Badgers (9-4)
The Badgers are the real threat to tOSU this season. Wisconsin led last year in Columbus 17-10 in the 3rd quarter before the Buckeyes scored 28 straight to win the game. During that game the Badgers played without PJ Hill, who ran for 1,212 yards and 14 TD's last year. The Badgers return 17 starters from last year and get Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois all at home. If Wisconsin can take care of the ball (-2 in turnovers last year) and get hot going into a tough October schedule, they will be this years Illinois and knock off the Buckeyes.
#7 West Virginia Mountaineers (11-2)
West Virginia returns Pat White and Noel Divine to the offense that ran all over the opposition last year (minus Pitt, 13-9!!). The WVU offense averaged nearly 300 ypg on the ground last year and almost 40 points a game (ran for 104 yards and 7 points, Pitt gave them the last 2). All that being said, oh yeah, did I mention that their coach, after crying and calling the game a "nightmare" left the program and caused the university to go to shambles? Just think had they only won that 1 game, the game where they were 28 point favorites, they would have been playing for the national title and RichRod would still be there. Instead they are in complete flux, they hired a coach on a whim because he coached 1 good game and now it is only a matter of time before the whole program goes down the tubes. 13-9 FOREVER!
#6 Missouri Tigers (12-2)
Missouri had one of the more fun and unpredictable offenses last season. They could throw it all over the field (QB Chase Daniels 307 ypg, 33 TD's) or the could run the ball down your throat (ask Texas A&M, the Tigers rushed for over 200 yards last year versus the Aggies). This year however they will lack the running threat. Last year Tony Temple carried the load on the ground, but he is gone and the next leading rusher from last year, also happens to be the teams leading receiver. A positive for the Tigers is that Oklahoma is not on the schedule. The Sooners were the only team to defeat Mizzou last year, beating them once in October and once again in the Big XII championship game. Missouri has a relatively easy schedule, missing Texas Tech this year also, and should go into the Texas game undefeated, if they win that one, they have clear sailing until the season finale against Kansas.
TOMORROW:
The TOP 5
ONLY 18 DAYS UNTIL THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE SEASON!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)