Ladies and Gentlemen, our National Anthem...
-College Football does not need the 12th game. If these are "student-athletes," why not give them a couple of weeks off to, you know, be students. Not only that, it leads to this. It is at 63 1/2, now.
-Who said the economy is bad?
-Now, we're cooking with gas... Ole Miss being so low is a crime.
-I fear that if I met one of the young people in the previous link, I would end up doing this...
-Nice to see Tim Tebow allowed President Obama the honor...
-FYI: I am actually a Tebow fan, but is he up for sainthood??
-This goes in stark contrast to T. Brenneman's father...
Marty Brenneman=The Man...
-Now that we have gotten the baseball out of the way, let us move on to Numbers 10-1 (Note: Predictions Reflect Ratings After Bowl Games Are Played.)
10.) Ole Miss-I am not fully in the Rebel Congregation of the Right Reverend, Houston Nutt.
Everybody was going gaga over Illinois at this time, last year, trumpeting their breakthrough in '07. Zook's team slipped to 5-7 in '08 mainly because they could not handle the switch from being the hunter to the hunted. The Rebels are in almost the exact position, especially following their beatdown of Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. With an offense led by QB Jevan Snead (S. Spurrier's All-SEC QB over Mr. Tebow) and this year's breakthrough player, RB Dexter McCluster (right), it is hard not to start believing in the Church of the Nutt. Then you see the 9 returning starters on defense, and you are sitting in the front pew of the Rebel Congregation. Then you look at the schedule (No Florida, No Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and LSU at home) and you are searching in your hymnal for the words to "Hotty Toddy." There will be some pretty good football to look at on The Grove, this year to go along with all the great coeds.-Last Year: 9-4 (Beat Texas Tech in Cotton Bowl, 47-34)
-Key Returnees: QB Jevan Snead, RB Dexter McCluster, DE Greg Hardy
-Key Losses: LT Michael Oher, DT Peria Jerry, WR Mike Wallace
-Prediction: 11-2 (Fiesta Bowl)
-Key Game: October 10 v. Alabama
-Go-to YouTube Clip: You Mean They Play Football at Ole Miss Games, too??
9. Alabama-Now comes the hard part for Nick Saban. When he
took the job, he was hired to be the savior of a fallen powerhouse. He was every part of that, as he took the Tide to a an undefeated regular season. But the season ended on the sourest of notes, being thoroughly outplayed by BCS-interloper Utah in the Sugar Bowl. With QB John Parker Wilson and RB Glen Coffee lost to graduation, an offense that was just OK has some serious retooling to do. However, there is good news: 365 lbs. worth of good news, in fact. Mount Cody, DT Terrence Cody (right) returns and he remains unscaled by SEC O-Linemen. Did we mention "Hoo-Lee-Oh?" WR Julio Jones lived up to all the hype and was a stud freshman, last year. He will be relied upon to be the catalyst for an iffy offense. Add a top 5 recruiting class (a Nick Saban specialty), and the hound's tooth hat will continue to cast a shadow over the SEC. There were questions about last year's Tide team until they walked into the Georgia Dome on Opening Night and stomped a deep mud hole in Clemson's backside. 'Bama can do the same thing this year against Virginia Tech, and with a relatively manageable schedule after that, it could be back-to-back undefeated regular seasons for the Tide.-Last Year: 12-2 (Lost to Utah in Sugar Bowl, 17-31)
-Key Returnees: WR Julio Jones, DT Terrence Cody, MLB Rolando McClain
-Key Losses: LT Andre Smith, FS Rashad Johnson, QB John Parker Wilson
-Prediction: 9-3 (Capital One Bowl)
-Key Game: October 10 @Ole Miss
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Can't Wait for These Two to Play, Next Year...
8.) North Carolina-No, this is not a misprint, and no, you have
not stumbled upon the College Basketball preview. The Heels are my breakthrough team of the year, a la Texas Tech, last year. Butch Davis continues to be the master of reclamation. With defensive studs like DT Marvin Austin and LB Quan Sturdivant (right), UNC will not have to score a lot to win. This is crucial for the Tar Heels, considering that of their 5 losses, last year, 4 were by 3 points or less. The schedule makers do the Heels no favors, with trips to Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, so I may be a year early in jumping on the UNC bandwagon. Still, this has always been a sleeping giant, and with the talent that Butch Davis has infused here, I think it is a breakout year on Tobacco Road. I wonder if UNC makes it to the BCS, if Dickie V will show up, thinking it is basketball, so he can slurp up to Roy Williams.-Last Year: 8-5 (Lost to West Virginia in Meineke Car Care Bowl, 30-31)
-Key Returnees: DT Marvin Austin, LB Quan Sturdivant, QB T.J. Yates
-Key Losses: WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Brandon Tate, SS Trimane Goddard
-Prediction: 11-1 (Gator Bowl)
-Key Game: October 29 @Virginia Tech
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Oops, Wrong Sport...
7. Ohio State-Don't worry, they aren't playing for the National
Championship...at least, I don't think. They lost their best offensive player (RB Chris Wells) and the heart and soul of their defense (CB Malcolm Jenkins and 16th year senior LB James Laurinaitis) and you can still put a sweater vest on the Big 10 Championship Trophy. A lot of this pick is hinging on the development of QB Terrelle Pryor, and whether or not he can throw the ball. Also, can RBs Dan Herron (no, not the guy from the Diamondbacks) and Brandon Saine can give the Buckeyes the stout running game that OH-IO has relied upon since the invention of fire. Ohio State's defense is always solid, and this year will be no exception with DEs Thaddeus Gibson and Cameron Heyward. The Buckeyes showed that they can compete with the best in the country in last year's Fiesta Bowl, falling just short against Texas. Now, if Brutus can get over the hump and go where seemingly no Big 10 team has gone before, by beating Southern Cal, then the game in Pasadena for Tressel's team will be January 7, not January 1.-Last Year: 10-3 (Lost to Texas in Fiesta Bowl, 21-24)
-Key Returnees: QB Terrelle Pryor, DE Thaddeus Gibson, SS Kurt Coleman
-Key Losses: RB Chris Wells, CB Malcolm Jenkins, LB James Laurinaitis
-Prediction: 10-2 (Rose Bowl)
-Key Game: September 12 v. Southern Cal
-Go-to YouTube Clip:...and so the Senator's hex over the Big 10 began...
6. Virginia Tech-This could finally be the year for Frank Beamer. Much
like Clemson, last year, the reputation of the ACC will be riding on the shoulders of the Hokie Bird in the Georgia Dome on Opening Night against Alabama. The difference, though, is that VA Tech does not have the history of folding, the way the Tiger Paw does. A win there sets up the season beautifully, with Nebraska, Miami and UNC having to head to Blacksburg. There are no worries about Bud Foster's eternally strong defense, led by a well-kept secret in DE Jason Worilds (right). Same deal with the BeamerBall Specialty Teams. Basically, it all comes down to QB Tyrod Taylor. Losing RB Darren Evans adds to the burden on Taylor. Taylor had a lot of trouble throwing the ball to the right team, last year (2 TDs/7 INTs). If Taylor can iron out those issues, the Hokies lunch pail will be making a stop in Pasadena.-Last Year: 10-4 (Beat Cincinnati in Orange Bowl, 20-7)
-Key Returnees: DE Jason Worilds, QB Tyrod Taylor, FS Kam Chancellor
-Key Losses: CB Victor "Macho" Harris, DE Orion Martin, QB Sean Glennon
-Prediction: 12-1 (Orange Bowl)
-Key Game: September 5 v. Alabama (in Atlanta)
-Go-to YouTube Clip: NFL Hall of Famer??
5. Oklahoma State-That's right Oklahoma State, and if they had
the Sooners at home, T. Boone Pickens' favorite team may have been #1. The weapons returning for Gundy's team are incredible. QB Zac Robinson and his 3,000+ passing yards, RBs Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston, who combined for over 2,000 yards, last year. And, when in doubt throw it to arguably the nation's premier wideout, Dez Bryant (right) and his 19 TDs in '08. The Cowboys could be a house of cards, though. Last season, Okie State snuck up on a lot of people, and they did not beat any of the heavies in the Big XII South (Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech). Two of those games were decided by 20+ points, as well. Saturday is a huge day for the Cowboys program. They are opening up remodeled Boone Pickens Stadium, and they have a chance to make a statement to the nation against SEC powerhouse, Georgia. A win there would probably be the biggest in the career of a MAN who is 40 (+2).-Last Year: 9-4 (Lost to Oregon in Holiday Bowl, 31-42)
-Key Returnees: WR Dez Bryant, QB Zac Robinson, OLB Patrick Lavine
-Key Losses: TE Brandon Pettigrew, DT Jeray Chatham, CB Jacob Lacey
-Prediction: 10-2 (Cotton Bowl)
-Key Game: November 28 @Oklahoma
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Never Gets Old...
4. Texas-What can I say?? Texas gets the short end of the stick again. Last year, they were left
out of the National Championship Game. This year I have them on the bottom rung of the 4 team breakaway atop the polls. Don't get me wrong, QB Colt McCoy (and his new mustache) will be brilliant, and yes I think Colt will be striking the pose by the end of the year. He will still have his roommate, WR Jordan Shipley, who doubles as a dynamic kick returner (ask Oklahoma). RBs Vondrell McGee, Fozzy Whittaker, and Cody Johnson return, too. While DE Sergio Kindle and LB Roddrick Muckelroy are no slouches, with all-everything DE Brian Orakpo playing that Sunday football, and Gerald McCoy back at Oklahoma, I have to go Boomer Sooner a tick above The Eyes of Texas.-Last Year: 12-1 (Beat Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl, 24-21)
-Key Returnees: QB Colt McCoy, DE Sergio Kindle, LB Roddrick Muckelroy
-Key Losses: DE Brian Orakpo, MLB Rashad Bobino, WR Quan Cosby
-Prediction: 11-1 (Fiesta Bowl)
-Key Game: October 17 v. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
-Go-to YouTube Clip: NFL Hall of Famer??
3. Southern Cal-I know that they will almost certainly disappoint and lose to some Pac-10 team
that they have no business losing to. I know that they lost QB Mark Sanchez. I know that they are starting a Freshman at QB in Matt Barkley. I know that they lost 3 studs at LB, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews. I also know that they return one of the top 5 defensive players in the country in FS Taylor Mays. I know they return a game-breaking WR Damian Williams (right), who had a field day in the Rose Bowl. I know they return two of the top Offensive Linemen in the country in G Jeff Byers and C Kristofer O'Dowd. Head coach Pete Carroll has developed a machine that has future All-Pros moving from back-up roles, last year to being starters, this year. Perhaps if the Trojans can actually reach the Championship Game, they can give the SEC the comeuppance that SC has given the Big 10 in the last 33 Rose Bowls. Speaking of facing Big 10 teams, September 12 at Ohio State. Be there.-Last Year: 12-1 (Beat Penn State in Rose Bowl, 38-24)
-Key Returnees: FS Taylor Mays, WR Damian Williams, OG Jeff Byers
-Key Losses: LB Rey Maualuga, QB Mark Sanchez, LB Brian Cushing
-Prediction: 12-0 (BCS National Championship Game)
-Key Game: Any Pac-10 Game Where They are Heavily Favored
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Who Wouldn't??
2. Florida-Surprise, Surprise. I know, what am I thinking? Do I
love Tim Tebow (below)? Yes. Man Crush? Probably. However, let's review a few things. First of all, the Gators have won 3 National Championships since 1996, and had a loss in each of those seasons. No team in College Football has gone through the season undefeated since 2005. So, who says the Gators will go undefeated? Not me. Who says the Gators are a lock? Not me. We also know that Tim Tebow was not a unanimous All-SEC preseason QB (thanks to my boy, Spurrier voting for Jevan Snead of Mississippi) and that the aforementioned Mr. Tebow is saving himself for marriage (stay strong, #15). So, now we can get to the matter of the Gators returning all 11 starters on defense, and would almost assuredly get the bump over any other 1-loss team in the BCS Standings. It is ridiculously foolish not to have Urban's team #1. I know that we will not see a player push his team as hard as Tebow will, and we will not see a team play and practice as hard as the Gators (God Bless), but I am going out on a limb. As sure as SC is to lose to some nobody Pac-10 team, I am equally sure that the Gators will not escape the SEC without an L.-Last Year: 13-1 (Beat Oklahoma in BCS National Championship Game, 20-14)
-Key Returnees: QB Tim Tebow, LB Brandon Spikes, DE Carlos Dunlap
-Key Losses: WR Percy Harvin, OT Phil Trautwein, WR Louis Murphy
-Prediction: 12-1 (Sugar Bowl)
-Key Game: October 10 @ Louisiana State
-Go-to YouTube Clip: Unfortunately, There was No Clip of Urban Admiring Himself in the Mirror Available
1. Oklahoma-OK, so it has been a rough 5 BCS games
for Stoops and the Sooners. Still, when you can bring back the defending Heisman Trophy winner (QB Sam Bradford) and perhaps the top defensive player in the country (DT Gerald McCoy), it is bad news for everybody else. Did I mention that OU brings back a tandem of 1,000 yard rushers in RBs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown? LB Ryan Reynolds also returns as the backbone of the D. There will definitely be challenges for this Sooner team, with Brigham Young and Miami in the non-conference season, Oklahoma State loaded up for a big year, and that Red River game against Texas that messed everything up, last year. Still, this is going to be an angry bunch of Sooners, with Stoops and company anxious to prove that they are not BCS imposters. It is extremely close between the Sooners and Longhorns, but in a coin flip, I am going with OU. Beware of a covered wagon on the I-210 outside Pasadena.-Last Year: 12-2 (Lost to Florida in BCS National Championship Game, 14-20)
-Key Returnees: QB Sam Bradford, DT Gerald McCoy, TE Jermaine Gresham
-Key Losses: OG Duke Robinson, OT Phil Loadholt, WR Juaquin Iglesias
-Prediction: 13-0 (BCS National Championship Game)
-Key Game: October 17 v. Texas (in Dallas)
-Go-to YouTube Clip: You Mean Oklahoma Used to Win Big Games??
As the great Casey Kasem would say, "...and there you are..." We have counted down America's Top 40, and quite frankly, I feel like this. We are under 3 days from the most wonderful time of the year. It is also great that ALL of the games matter, unlike some other leagues (ahem, NFL, ahem) Oregon and Boise along with South Carolina and NC State will get us started on Thursday (take the Ducks and Wolfpack).
I am gonna have my bowl predictions coming up in the next couple of days, but until then, enjoy the sweet music of Lee Elia. (Parents: Earmuff the kids, please...)
