Well, looks like I am only posting a TOP 15 to save room and time. Who really cares about the rest anyhow? Unlike most other preseason polls, I rank the teams based on how I expect them to finish the season.
1. OKLAHOMA - Let's just be honest here. This team is the most talented from top to bottom, but always seem to somehow choke, earning them the name "Chokelahoma". Do not forget that Stoops won a championship in 2000, and do you know why? He had a good offensive coordinator(Mark Mangino) and great D, as he usually does. This year he will have Josh Heupel calling the plays, who started in last year's bowl game vs Uconn, where they looked brilliant. Not to mention Heupel has been an assistant for Oklahoma for like 7 years now and was the QB of that 2000 Sooners team. Hmmmm. It's like I always say, two heads are better than one.
2. ALABAMA - Saban will have a brutal defense with experience this year. The D line is sick, linebackers are stacked, and the secondary may be shutdown. They will have a new QB in Sophmore A.J. McCarron who could be a talent as a duel threat. Trent Richardson returns and will contend for the Heisman, and they got LSU at home, whom they will seek revenge on.
3. LSU - They still have talent and playmakers on both sides of the ball, and should be improved at QB in a new offense. They did lose a few big time players from last year, but are still a legit contender. I expect Jordan Jefferson to have a better season than last, but if you think that he will lead them to a National Championship victory, stop smoking whatever it is that you got because it's too potent.
4. OREGON - Returning QB Thomas and RB James will both be in contention for the Heisman, and Kelly's system is a proven winner. They have enough talent to do something again this season, but they do play LSU in the opener without their ace CB Cliff Harris, who is a good PR for them also.
5. VIRGINIA TECH - The Hokies are like the Auburn Tigers of last year, in that they have a 1st year big, mobile QB and have a schedule in which all of their tough games are at home and could be favored in every road game. Frank Beamer's teams usually have stout defenses, and should improve from last year.
6. FLORIDA ST - This is the most talented team in the ACC, and can win every game, with the exception of Oklahoma. Jimbo has seem to step in at the perfect time, when they are getting lots of talent, and did a swell job last year.
7. BOISE ST - They still are lead by QB Kellan Moore, who is one of the best in CFB and 7 returing starters on defense. Granted, threy play in a tougher confernce this year in the MWC, but all that means is they won't be blowing out 90% of the teams they play.
8. NOTRE DAME - I think the Irish will finally live up to their annual hype, because they are coached by Brain Kelly, whio I think is awesome. They have talent at skill positions and QB, plus they had an overachieving season last year.
9. WISCONSIN - With NC St transfer QB Russel Wilson this Badgers team will be hard to stop. They will have a re-structured O line, but still be one of the Big 10's best.
10. NEBRASKA - Bo Pelini is a good coach, but he hasn't been a head coach for long at all and I think he let some people down last year. QB Martinez should have a good year and the D should be very good again, but he has a little bit to prove, for the word great is being thrown around too frivolously.
11. OKLAHOMA ST - Case Keenan and Blackmon return as the best QB/WR connection in CFB and their offense will be damn near unstoppable. Defense will still be the weaker side, but should be improved.
12. GEORGIA - This team is a sleeper in the SEC. Good young QB and they usually get good talent, and with Mark Richt at the compltete end of his rope, he does avoid the top 3 in the West in Bama, LSU and Arkansas. If they can beat Boise in the opener in the Georgia Dome, watch out.
13. SOUTH CAROLINA - Lattimore and Jeffrey are the top RB/WR duo in the nation and the defense adds #1 DE Clowney. Garcia is very formidable and has experience, so it is Spurrier who has the talent and needs to do something with it now.
14. STANFORD - This is a very talented team led by Heisman Trophy favorite Andrew Luck. Concerns are a rebuilt O line and the loss of head coach Harbaugh. They should be favored in most road games and get Notre Dame and Oregon at home.
15. MICHIGAN ST - This is the best team Dantonio has had and capable of winning the Big 10. They have a veteran QB in Cousins and a stud at RB.
16. TEXAS A&M 17. USC 18. TCU 19. ARKANSAS 20. TEXAS 21. ARIZONA ST 22. HOUSTON 23. NORTH CAROLINA 24. PENN ST. 25. SOUTHERN MISS
No comments:
Post a Comment