So I was watching the live Sportscenter Friday morning and within 2 minutes Josh Elliott made two mistakes. First, he said "the Royals commit 5 errors and suffer their 100th loss of the season." Yes they committed 5 errors, but their record after losing to Boston Thursday was 63-90... not only was Elliott ten games off, but the Royals CAN'T lose 100 games, worst they could do is 63-99. Then, while heading to commercial he said, "The Jets and Titans meet on Sunday, who's surprising start will continue?" Well, I assume he means we are surprised that the Jets are 2-0 and the Titans are 0-2 (because we are). If that is the case, the two possible outcomes are that both surprising starts will continue or they will both end. CHECK YOUR SCRIPTS!
(NOTE: I was watching the Royals game in bed last night and I called Billy Butler's home run in the eighth. Not when he came to bat, but just before the 3-1 pitch he sent over the left field wall. It's true, ask my wife.)
For this week, I'll be mentioning the key player in each game that will be the difference (or non-difference) in the match-up:
Steelers over Bengals... Chad Ochocinco. If the Bengals offense can move the ball at all, they may stay in this game. Plus a ridiculous touchdown celebration is long overdue.
Redskins over Lions... Chris Cooley. The cooler will be the key to the Redskins continued dominance of the Kittycats.
Packers over Rams... Ryan Grant. The Packers running game is vital to keeping the terrible Rams offense off the field.
Vikings over 49ers... Brett Favre. The Niners defense will be gearing up to stop Peterson, Brett's going to need be at the top of his game to pull it out.
Patriots over Falcons... Patriots o-line. If they can have a running game and keep Matt Ryan off the field, they should win.
Jets over Titans... Mark Sanchez. If he continues to just let the game come to him and not think about the success, they'll be fine.
Eagles over Chiefs... Kevin Kolb. The Chiefs will be gearing up to stop the run and blitzing a ton, he has to stay cool.
Giants over Buccaneers... Eli Manning. He needs to continue to play out of his mind.
Ravens over Browns... (Insert Browns QB here). They aren't going to win a game until they pick someone, and he steps up.
Texans over Jaguars... Steve Slaton. Please, Houston, run the ball. I just traded away Andre Johnson, so keep him out of the endzone.
Bears over Seahawks... Lance Briggs. If the Bears defense is lights out, there is no way Seneca Wallace and the Gulls get close.
Saints over Bills... Reggie Bush. When will he become what we thought he would be?
Broncos over Raiders... Kyle Orton. As long has he continues to masquerade as a winner (and the Broncos keep playing the dregs of the league), they will go far.
Chargers over Dolphins... Ricky Williams. As long as they continue to mess around with the Wildcat, they won't be able to knock out the bigger teams. They need to just run the ball.
Colts over Cardinals... Dallas Clark. My fantasy hero last week, needs to have another big game and keep the Cards defense honest.
Cowboys over Panthers... DeMarcus Ware. He should be able to force 25 more Delhomme turnovers.
Last week: 9-7
Season: 21-11
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
College Picks Week 4
Things looked good last week for a lot of teams... Miami, Texas, Missouri, Virginia Tech. Unfortunately it looked bad for USC. Why does that always happen? They go on the road early in the conference and are underwhelming and get upset. And it's one excuse after another for them. I am concerned to see how the Tigers play on the road this week (since St. Louis is a second home for them), especially on a short week, especially on TV. Kansas should be on upset alert after the ridiculous behavior of their athletic teams this week (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4496695)... what happened to the Kansas basketball program? Didn't they used to be stand-up guys you'd bring home to your mother? Now they're just idiots who think they are gansters... thanks, Bill Self, you are a class act.
ESPN College Pick'Em games (least confident to most confident):
Stanford over Washington... 15-game losing streak to the Top 25? Tell me you are not serious.
Pittsburgh over NC State... Panthers just reloaded their backfield, they may challenge Cincy for the Big East title.
Viriginia Tech over Miami... which is the bigger win? Beating Nebraska or Georgia Tech. Really tough call.
California over Oregon... I think Oregon will be fine for the year... they may beat USC or something. Cal has the opportunity to take the driver seat in the Pac10, this time they hold on.
Wisconsin over Michigan State... speaking of underwhelming, how about the Spartans last week?
North Carolina over Georgia Tech... not sure whether to put more stock in UNC convincing win over ECU or G-Tech's humiliating loss to Miami. I'll go with the win.
TCU over Clemson... I'm not giving up on TCU, not matter how much things may have changed at Clemson.
Texas Tech over Houston... can the Cougs pull it out twice?? Probably not.
Notre Dame over Purdue... I hate to say it, but with their schedule, ND might make the BCS.
Penn State over Iowa... just like last week's most confident pick, it's all about revenge.
Last week: 8-2 (45 pts.)
Season: 22-8 (132 pts., 79th percentile)
ESPN College Pick'Em games (least confident to most confident):
Stanford over Washington... 15-game losing streak to the Top 25? Tell me you are not serious.
Pittsburgh over NC State... Panthers just reloaded their backfield, they may challenge Cincy for the Big East title.
Viriginia Tech over Miami... which is the bigger win? Beating Nebraska or Georgia Tech. Really tough call.
California over Oregon... I think Oregon will be fine for the year... they may beat USC or something. Cal has the opportunity to take the driver seat in the Pac10, this time they hold on.
Wisconsin over Michigan State... speaking of underwhelming, how about the Spartans last week?
North Carolina over Georgia Tech... not sure whether to put more stock in UNC convincing win over ECU or G-Tech's humiliating loss to Miami. I'll go with the win.
TCU over Clemson... I'm not giving up on TCU, not matter how much things may have changed at Clemson.
Texas Tech over Houston... can the Cougs pull it out twice?? Probably not.
Notre Dame over Purdue... I hate to say it, but with their schedule, ND might make the BCS.
Penn State over Iowa... just like last week's most confident pick, it's all about revenge.
Last week: 8-2 (45 pts.)
Season: 22-8 (132 pts., 79th percentile)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
NFL Week 2 Picks
(Note these picks were made well before the publishing of this post)
There was a small comment about the season predictions from last week, to which I will respond:
No Love for the Packers to at least make the wild card? That's harsh. At least you're give Favre some credit. -ConnQ (Chicago)
True, at least I gave Favre some credit... more accurately I gave the quarterback's three best friends some credit... running back (Peterson), o-line, and run defense. Honestly, as dangerous as the Packers offense is, there is not much defense there. Especially since they're switching to the 3-4 defense. Just don't think they are one of the 6 best in the NFC.
Here we go rapid fire...
Falcons over Panthers... over-under on Delhomme turnovers? 4? 12? 30??
Vikings over Lions... over-under on Lions wins? 1? 2? 2??
Packers over Bengals... over-under on Bengals wins? 1? 2? 2??
Titans over Texans... thanks Andre Johnson, thanks for your whopping 3 fantasy points last week. That's what you want from the #9 draft pick.
Raiders over Chiefs... over-under on Cassel starts this year? 3? 4? 1??
Patriots over Jets... over-under on Brady touchdowns? 30? 40? 103??
Eagles over Saints... no McNabb, no (real) problem. Do the Saints have a defense?
Redskins over Rams... over-under on Rams points scored this year? 100? 50? 10??
Cardinals over Jaguars... so the Cardinals have never won on the East Coast at Noon games? So what?
49ers over Seahawks... more impressed by the Niners win than the Seahawks win.
Bills over Buccaneers... over-under on TO's bitching sessions? 5? 10? 38??
Steelers over Bears... which team is better without their emotional defensive leader.
Broncos over Browns... I thought the Broncos would be terrible with Orton, but when you start with the Browns and the Bengals, any team would be 2-0... except the Chiefs.
Chargers over Ravens... the vaunted Ravens defense let the Chiefs (with Brodie Croyle at QB) score points. I'm guess the decent Chargers offense is more successful.
Cowboys over Giants... upset special. That's it.
Colts over Dolphins... I think Peyton has something to prove.
Last Week: 12-4
Season: 12-4
There was a small comment about the season predictions from last week, to which I will respond:
No Love for the Packers to at least make the wild card? That's harsh. At least you're give Favre some credit. -ConnQ (Chicago)
True, at least I gave Favre some credit... more accurately I gave the quarterback's three best friends some credit... running back (Peterson), o-line, and run defense. Honestly, as dangerous as the Packers offense is, there is not much defense there. Especially since they're switching to the 3-4 defense. Just don't think they are one of the 6 best in the NFC.
Here we go rapid fire...
Falcons over Panthers... over-under on Delhomme turnovers? 4? 12? 30??
Vikings over Lions... over-under on Lions wins? 1? 2? 2??
Packers over Bengals... over-under on Bengals wins? 1? 2? 2??
Titans over Texans... thanks Andre Johnson, thanks for your whopping 3 fantasy points last week. That's what you want from the #9 draft pick.
Raiders over Chiefs... over-under on Cassel starts this year? 3? 4? 1??
Patriots over Jets... over-under on Brady touchdowns? 30? 40? 103??
Eagles over Saints... no McNabb, no (real) problem. Do the Saints have a defense?
Redskins over Rams... over-under on Rams points scored this year? 100? 50? 10??
Cardinals over Jaguars... so the Cardinals have never won on the East Coast at Noon games? So what?
49ers over Seahawks... more impressed by the Niners win than the Seahawks win.
Bills over Buccaneers... over-under on TO's bitching sessions? 5? 10? 38??
Steelers over Bears... which team is better without their emotional defensive leader.
Broncos over Browns... I thought the Broncos would be terrible with Orton, but when you start with the Browns and the Bengals, any team would be 2-0... except the Chiefs.
Chargers over Ravens... the vaunted Ravens defense let the Chiefs (with Brodie Croyle at QB) score points. I'm guess the decent Chargers offense is more successful.
Cowboys over Giants... upset special. That's it.
Colts over Dolphins... I think Peyton has something to prove.
Last Week: 12-4
Season: 12-4
Thursday, September 17, 2009
College Picks Week 3
So it seems as if the folks at ESPN are, in so many words, calling this "Put up or shut up" Week. Several games involve teams that need to find an identity, either mediocre/terrible or contender. Tonight's Georgia Tech vs. Miami game is an example... the winner is for real, the loser may be a pretender. Mizzou better put up on Saturday. Anything less than a 30 point win is inexcusable.
Here are this week's ESPN Pick 'Em games (ordered least confident to most):
-Clemson over Boston College... the Tigers made a valiant effort against Georgia Tech last week, which gives them the nod for me.
-Iowa over Arizona... Big Ten running game against a Stoops defense? I'll take the home team in a near push.
-Auburn over West Virginia... the formally woeful Tiger offense has ran all over the competition, while WVU has pounded weak opponents. Which team is for real? Probably the home team.
-Oregon State over Cincinnati... upset special! Home team plus running game should make the difference in a barn-burner.
-Virginia Tech over Nebraska... I'd love to buy into this Nebraska team... wait. No I wouldn't! Hokies and home.
-Utah over Oregon... I think the Ducks may get back to normal dispute the incident in the opener, but not against the Utes.
-Georgia over Arkansas... I don't buy the hype around Ryan Mallett. Bobby Petrino is still going to suffer from karma for the Atlanta job and Georgia is better than they played at Oklahoma State.
-North Carolina over East Carolina... the Pirates beat a good WVU team last year but lost to an average WVU team this year... that means they are not as dangerous this year.
-California over Minnesota... the Cal running game is too good to be stopped, unless maybe it's USC's defense. They still have to have 14 guys on the field.
-Texas over Texas Tech... YES, IT IS ABOUT REVENGE! And there will be revenge.
Last week: 7-3 (41 pts.)
Overall: 14-6 (87 pts. 83rd percentile)
Here are this week's ESPN Pick 'Em games (ordered least confident to most):
-Clemson over Boston College... the Tigers made a valiant effort against Georgia Tech last week, which gives them the nod for me.
-Iowa over Arizona... Big Ten running game against a Stoops defense? I'll take the home team in a near push.
-Auburn over West Virginia... the formally woeful Tiger offense has ran all over the competition, while WVU has pounded weak opponents. Which team is for real? Probably the home team.
-Oregon State over Cincinnati... upset special! Home team plus running game should make the difference in a barn-burner.
-Virginia Tech over Nebraska... I'd love to buy into this Nebraska team... wait. No I wouldn't! Hokies and home.
-Utah over Oregon... I think the Ducks may get back to normal dispute the incident in the opener, but not against the Utes.
-Georgia over Arkansas... I don't buy the hype around Ryan Mallett. Bobby Petrino is still going to suffer from karma for the Atlanta job and Georgia is better than they played at Oklahoma State.
-North Carolina over East Carolina... the Pirates beat a good WVU team last year but lost to an average WVU team this year... that means they are not as dangerous this year.
-California over Minnesota... the Cal running game is too good to be stopped, unless maybe it's USC's defense. They still have to have 14 guys on the field.
-Texas over Texas Tech... YES, IT IS ABOUT REVENGE! And there will be revenge.
Last week: 7-3 (41 pts.)
Overall: 14-6 (87 pts. 83rd percentile)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
College Picks Week 2
Eventually I might work in some funny or entertaining themes, but today I'll just talk turkey. To start, Missouri should stroll to a easy win this week. With the way the offense struggled to get started last week, I would have thought this would be interesting... especially considering Bowling Green upset Troy last week. Then I remember how the defense played... Bowling Green will struggle to stay on the field and their defense will break eventually (just as Illinois' did)... Mizzou 30 - BG 10.
The ten games ESPN is having me pick... in order of my confidence (least confident to most confident):
- USC over Ohio State... I honestly have no idea who will win this one. USC is probably better, but with a freshman quarterback making his second start in the Horseshoe? That makes it harder to be confident in USC.
- Tennessee over UCLA... I'd love to stick it to Lane Kiffin (he's been quite the douchebag since joining Tennessee) but playing at home against an unproven UCLA team I'm giving them the nod.
- Wisconsin over Fresno State... not sure why this game is on here. Take the home Badgers, but could be close.
- Auburn over Mississippi State... remember the touchdown-less contest last year? I garauntee at least 2 this year.
- Stanford over Wake Forest... which school has the better grades? Won't matter, Toby Gerhardt runs amuck in Winston-Salem.
- Georgia over South Carolina... Expect the 'Dogs to bounce back after getting embarrassed in Stillwater.
- Notre Dame over Michigan... I just think the Notre Dame defense makes the difference. Close, high-scoring game.
- BYU over Tulane... careful, this is a trap game. Coming off the big win against OU, and then Florida State next week, they better win.
- North Carolina over Connecticut... don't sleep on the Tar Heels, should be playing in a big bowl by year's end.
- TCU over Virginia... the dangerous dark horse Frogs open the season against a team who lost to William & Mary... not sure if that's a football team or a new Hollywood couple.
My rankings will come out after week 5... be ready for controversy.
The ten games ESPN is having me pick... in order of my confidence (least confident to most confident):
- USC over Ohio State... I honestly have no idea who will win this one. USC is probably better, but with a freshman quarterback making his second start in the Horseshoe? That makes it harder to be confident in USC.
- Tennessee over UCLA... I'd love to stick it to Lane Kiffin (he's been quite the douchebag since joining Tennessee) but playing at home against an unproven UCLA team I'm giving them the nod.
- Wisconsin over Fresno State... not sure why this game is on here. Take the home Badgers, but could be close.
- Auburn over Mississippi State... remember the touchdown-less contest last year? I garauntee at least 2 this year.
- Stanford over Wake Forest... which school has the better grades? Won't matter, Toby Gerhardt runs amuck in Winston-Salem.
- Georgia over South Carolina... Expect the 'Dogs to bounce back after getting embarrassed in Stillwater.
- Notre Dame over Michigan... I just think the Notre Dame defense makes the difference. Close, high-scoring game.
- BYU over Tulane... careful, this is a trap game. Coming off the big win against OU, and then Florida State next week, they better win.
- North Carolina over Connecticut... don't sleep on the Tar Heels, should be playing in a big bowl by year's end.
- TCU over Virginia... the dangerous dark horse Frogs open the season against a team who lost to William & Mary... not sure if that's a football team or a new Hollywood couple.
My rankings will come out after week 5... be ready for controversy.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
NFL '09 Predictions
I failed to mention my 10 picks last week for the college openers. I will reveal my 10 picks for the ESPN College Pick 'em Challenge (and the Mizzou game if it's not there) every week. I was 7-3 last week, missing Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and Georgia. While I picked Oklahoma, I really wanted to take BYU... and let it be known that I knew Bradford would get hurt behind that new o-line, just didn't think it would be this early.
So for the NFL in '09... we better enjoy this because we may be headed for a cheap-o '10 and a lockout in '11, because the new Collective Bargaining Agreement talks could go south quickly by the end of this year.
Here is how I figure the divisions will shape up (playoff teams in italics):
AFC West - Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders, Broncos
AFC East - Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Jets
AFC North - Steelers, Ravens, Browns, Bengals
AFC South - Titans, Colts, Texans, Jaguars
NFC West - Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks
NFC East - Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins
NFC North - Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions
NFC South - Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers
AFC Playoffs - Chargers over Ravens, Steelers over Colts, Patriots over Chargers, Steelers over Titans, Steelers over Patriots.
NFC Playoffs - Eagles over Vikings, Saints over Cardinals, Cowboys over Saints, Eagles over Falcons, Cowboys over Eagles.
Super Bowl - Cowboys over Steelers
It pains me to say it, but, yeah, the Cowboys... my third-most-hated team (behind Broncos and Raiders). That redo punt rule because of the video board will make a huge difference (unless they change the rule mid-season).
For week one, my picks go like this...
- Steelers over Titans... expect this game to jump start the Titans to another 12+ wins but lay the ground work for a Steelers road playoff upset on the way to the Super Bowl.
- Falcons over Dolphins... I have Matt Ryan as my fantasy back-up. I am fully prepared to promote him if at any point he outplays Aaron Rodgers.
- Bengals over Broncos... the Broncos are this year's Lions... no, seriously.
- Vikings over Browns... a wise man once said "If you have 2 quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks." Plus, it's early and Favre's not playing injured yet.
- Colts over Jaguars... Peyton Manning does not like to lose at home... period.
- Cowboys over Bucs... no TO, no PacMan, great team.
- Eagles over Panthers... I can't stand Michael Vick anymore, what he did is unforgiveable. Unfortunately, he will help make the Eagles VERY dangerous... seriously, McNabb, Westbrook, Vick, Machlin, Jackson, Baskett... who gets the ball? All of them.
- Ravens over Chiefs... it's almost laughable that we spent soooo much money on a career back-up (for like the 10th time in franchise history, I might add) and he'll miss the first couple of games... not like we had a shot at the playoffs anyway.
- Texans over Jets... I feel bad that the Texans could go 10-6 and miss the playoffs. If they were in the West instead of the South, they'd go 12-4, like the Chargers will.
- Giants over Redskins... can't pick the 'Skins for dumping their second-best quarterback, good luck with Todd Collins.
- Cardinals over 49ers... just like last year for Kurt & Co., expect everyone can see it coming and they will be prepared for you in the playoffs.
- Rams over Seahawks... totally a "what the hell" pick. I have no idea which team is worse.
- Packers over Bears... welcome to the NFC North Jay Cutler! Remember when Bears/Packers games were like 13-9 slugfests... if the over-under on total points was 100, I'd take the over.
- Patriots over Bills... welcome to the AFC East (but will feel like the North) Terrell Owens! Buffalo football weather is brutal. Have fun catching rocks and landing on concrete. Maybe one ball will hit your helmet just right it'll convince you to leave football alone!
- Chargers over Raiders... if I were the Chargers and I was expecting to get 6 free wins from divisional games (they will), I wouldn't play my starters in the second half of any of those games. They'll still win by 20. Plus I'm hoping Darren Sproles fantasy value goes up so people will want to trade me for him... cause he may just collect dust on my bench.
See you tomorrow for College Picks
So for the NFL in '09... we better enjoy this because we may be headed for a cheap-o '10 and a lockout in '11, because the new Collective Bargaining Agreement talks could go south quickly by the end of this year.
Here is how I figure the divisions will shape up (playoff teams in italics):
AFC West - Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders, Broncos
AFC East - Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Jets
AFC North - Steelers, Ravens, Browns, Bengals
AFC South - Titans, Colts, Texans, Jaguars
NFC West - Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks
NFC East - Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins
NFC North - Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions
NFC South - Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers
AFC Playoffs - Chargers over Ravens, Steelers over Colts, Patriots over Chargers, Steelers over Titans, Steelers over Patriots.
NFC Playoffs - Eagles over Vikings, Saints over Cardinals, Cowboys over Saints, Eagles over Falcons, Cowboys over Eagles.
Super Bowl - Cowboys over Steelers
It pains me to say it, but, yeah, the Cowboys... my third-most-hated team (behind Broncos and Raiders). That redo punt rule because of the video board will make a huge difference (unless they change the rule mid-season).
For week one, my picks go like this...
- Steelers over Titans... expect this game to jump start the Titans to another 12+ wins but lay the ground work for a Steelers road playoff upset on the way to the Super Bowl.
- Falcons over Dolphins... I have Matt Ryan as my fantasy back-up. I am fully prepared to promote him if at any point he outplays Aaron Rodgers.
- Bengals over Broncos... the Broncos are this year's Lions... no, seriously.
- Vikings over Browns... a wise man once said "If you have 2 quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks." Plus, it's early and Favre's not playing injured yet.
- Colts over Jaguars... Peyton Manning does not like to lose at home... period.
- Cowboys over Bucs... no TO, no PacMan, great team.
- Eagles over Panthers... I can't stand Michael Vick anymore, what he did is unforgiveable. Unfortunately, he will help make the Eagles VERY dangerous... seriously, McNabb, Westbrook, Vick, Machlin, Jackson, Baskett... who gets the ball? All of them.
- Ravens over Chiefs... it's almost laughable that we spent soooo much money on a career back-up (for like the 10th time in franchise history, I might add) and he'll miss the first couple of games... not like we had a shot at the playoffs anyway.
- Texans over Jets... I feel bad that the Texans could go 10-6 and miss the playoffs. If they were in the West instead of the South, they'd go 12-4, like the Chargers will.
- Giants over Redskins... can't pick the 'Skins for dumping their second-best quarterback, good luck with Todd Collins.
- Cardinals over 49ers... just like last year for Kurt & Co., expect everyone can see it coming and they will be prepared for you in the playoffs.
- Rams over Seahawks... totally a "what the hell" pick. I have no idea which team is worse.
- Packers over Bears... welcome to the NFC North Jay Cutler! Remember when Bears/Packers games were like 13-9 slugfests... if the over-under on total points was 100, I'd take the over.
- Patriots over Bills... welcome to the AFC East (but will feel like the North) Terrell Owens! Buffalo football weather is brutal. Have fun catching rocks and landing on concrete. Maybe one ball will hit your helmet just right it'll convince you to leave football alone!
- Chargers over Raiders... if I were the Chargers and I was expecting to get 6 free wins from divisional games (they will), I wouldn't play my starters in the second half of any of those games. They'll still win by 20. Plus I'm hoping Darren Sproles fantasy value goes up so people will want to trade me for him... cause he may just collect dust on my bench.
See you tomorrow for College Picks
Thursday, September 3, 2009
College Football '09 Preview
The always long-awaited college football season begins tonight, so here are my thoughts on the upcoming season.
I whole-heartedly agree with most of the pundits about the situation at Michigan. To assume that a top-tier program can maintain an expected level of competitiveness (or in this case return to a ridiculously high level of expectations) on only 20 hours of practice/training/film study is insane. Many hours of voluntary work are necessary and the crux of the situation falls on the student-athlete's interpretation of a coach's discussion of "voluntary workouts."
I'm a propent of the idea that it takes a new coach 3 years to do his job to the best of his abilities. He needs time to adjust coaching staff and fill the roster with his recruits... and then you have to factor in injuries, academic performance, and off-field problems of star players. Look at what has happened to Miami, Nebraska, Florida State, Michigan, Texas A&M, Syracuse and UCLA. Once-great programs falling to mediocrity (or worse) for multiple reasons. It boggles the mind, but shows the well-knowledged followers how difficult it can be to succeed.
That being said, here are my best guesses for the conferences (not broken up by division).
ACC - Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, UNC, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, Boston College, Maryland, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia. I anticipate the option continuing to boggle the minds of defensive coordinators throughout the ACC as the Yellow Jackets put themselves on the fringe of the National Championship picture.
BigTen - Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Purdue. Penn State has the best quarterback, Minnesota the best receiver, Iowa the best o-line, Ohio State the best defense... expect a close race with each of the top 5 teams getting 2 or 3 losses.
Big12 - Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Colorado, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Iowa State. I don't buy the rebuilding hype coming out of Colorado, K-State or A&M, but I do buy the Baylor hype. Kansas will have 4 conference loses, Texas beats OU, Missouri beats Nebraska but not OSU or Texas, and Oklahoma is shutout of the BCS for the first time in years.
Big East - Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, South Florida, Connecticut, Rutgers, Louisville, Syracuse. WVU and UConn take a step back, Pitt a step up, South Florida can't make it over the hump, Syracuse 2 years away from returning.
C-USA - Houston, East Carolina, UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, Southern Miss, Marshall, UCF, UAB, Tulane, SMU. Can someone tell me why June Jones left Hawaii for the dead-in-the-water program at SMU? Houston's offense will set many records (HINT: dark-horse BCS team).
MAC - Buffalo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Ohio, Ball State, Toledo, Akron, Kent State, Temple, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH). I really know nothing about this conference other that Buffalo played well last year, CMU has a great quarterback, WMU a great running game, and nothing else.
Pac-10 - USC, Oregon, California, Arizona, Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, Washington, Arizona State, Washington State. Don't see a chink in USC's armor other than the freshman quarterback, but gotta love the defense. Look out for Arizona to challenge.
SEC - Florida, Alabama, LSU, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Miss State, Kentucky, Tennessee. Everyone says Florida has what it takes to repeat, if they mean as SEC Champs, then I agree; most SEC fans will welcome Tennessee at the bottom of the conference; Ole Miss is slightly overrated and LSU slightly underrated.
SunBelt - Troy, FAU, Arkansas State, Mid Ten State, FIU, Western Kentucky, North Texas, UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe. Call me crazy, but I think Troy is this year's Ball State, WKU will start to emerge as a quality team, and the ULs will go virtually winless.
Mountain West - TCU, BYU, Utah, San Diego State, Air Force, Colorado State, New Mexico, UNLV, Wyoming. With their defense, TCU could go undefeated; if BYU beats Oklahoma, which they could, they could go undefeated; Utah could do it again.
WAC - Boise State, Nevada, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Utah State. Boise State is the trendy dark horse, but they will lose to either Oregon or Nevada, or both; Nevada is going to be a tough out; Fresno State is will be typical.
Independents - Notre Dame, Navy, Army. All I can say is Notre Dame and Navy will be competitive, not BCS competitive, just competitive.
So my BCS Top 10 would look like this: Texas, USC, Penn State, Florida, TCU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, Houston.
My money is on Texas this year, but it should be a fun season.
I whole-heartedly agree with most of the pundits about the situation at Michigan. To assume that a top-tier program can maintain an expected level of competitiveness (or in this case return to a ridiculously high level of expectations) on only 20 hours of practice/training/film study is insane. Many hours of voluntary work are necessary and the crux of the situation falls on the student-athlete's interpretation of a coach's discussion of "voluntary workouts."
I'm a propent of the idea that it takes a new coach 3 years to do his job to the best of his abilities. He needs time to adjust coaching staff and fill the roster with his recruits... and then you have to factor in injuries, academic performance, and off-field problems of star players. Look at what has happened to Miami, Nebraska, Florida State, Michigan, Texas A&M, Syracuse and UCLA. Once-great programs falling to mediocrity (or worse) for multiple reasons. It boggles the mind, but shows the well-knowledged followers how difficult it can be to succeed.
That being said, here are my best guesses for the conferences (not broken up by division).
ACC - Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, UNC, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, Boston College, Maryland, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia. I anticipate the option continuing to boggle the minds of defensive coordinators throughout the ACC as the Yellow Jackets put themselves on the fringe of the National Championship picture.
BigTen - Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Purdue. Penn State has the best quarterback, Minnesota the best receiver, Iowa the best o-line, Ohio State the best defense... expect a close race with each of the top 5 teams getting 2 or 3 losses.
Big12 - Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Colorado, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Iowa State. I don't buy the rebuilding hype coming out of Colorado, K-State or A&M, but I do buy the Baylor hype. Kansas will have 4 conference loses, Texas beats OU, Missouri beats Nebraska but not OSU or Texas, and Oklahoma is shutout of the BCS for the first time in years.
Big East - Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, South Florida, Connecticut, Rutgers, Louisville, Syracuse. WVU and UConn take a step back, Pitt a step up, South Florida can't make it over the hump, Syracuse 2 years away from returning.
C-USA - Houston, East Carolina, UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, Southern Miss, Marshall, UCF, UAB, Tulane, SMU. Can someone tell me why June Jones left Hawaii for the dead-in-the-water program at SMU? Houston's offense will set many records (HINT: dark-horse BCS team).
MAC - Buffalo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Ohio, Ball State, Toledo, Akron, Kent State, Temple, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH). I really know nothing about this conference other that Buffalo played well last year, CMU has a great quarterback, WMU a great running game, and nothing else.
Pac-10 - USC, Oregon, California, Arizona, Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, Washington, Arizona State, Washington State. Don't see a chink in USC's armor other than the freshman quarterback, but gotta love the defense. Look out for Arizona to challenge.
SEC - Florida, Alabama, LSU, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Miss State, Kentucky, Tennessee. Everyone says Florida has what it takes to repeat, if they mean as SEC Champs, then I agree; most SEC fans will welcome Tennessee at the bottom of the conference; Ole Miss is slightly overrated and LSU slightly underrated.
SunBelt - Troy, FAU, Arkansas State, Mid Ten State, FIU, Western Kentucky, North Texas, UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe. Call me crazy, but I think Troy is this year's Ball State, WKU will start to emerge as a quality team, and the ULs will go virtually winless.
Mountain West - TCU, BYU, Utah, San Diego State, Air Force, Colorado State, New Mexico, UNLV, Wyoming. With their defense, TCU could go undefeated; if BYU beats Oklahoma, which they could, they could go undefeated; Utah could do it again.
WAC - Boise State, Nevada, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Utah State. Boise State is the trendy dark horse, but they will lose to either Oregon or Nevada, or both; Nevada is going to be a tough out; Fresno State is will be typical.
Independents - Notre Dame, Navy, Army. All I can say is Notre Dame and Navy will be competitive, not BCS competitive, just competitive.
So my BCS Top 10 would look like this: Texas, USC, Penn State, Florida, TCU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, Houston.
My money is on Texas this year, but it should be a fun season.
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