Well, the college football season starts today with the South Caroline Gamecocks playing the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and then USC playing Hawaii.
The season is finally here.
The majority of sports talk programs have recently focused on predictions, which is fun but also kind of a silly media ritual. The herd of sport writers and coaches voted Alabama pre-season no. 1, which to me makes little sense as I'm sure I've stated before. When a team returns only two starters on defense, I find that fact to be a major red flag. I just don't see the Tide winning the national championship again with all the questions on defense and the tough schedule. Saban is one heck of a coach, but he can't turn water into wine. In fact, I think of him more as an angry Buddha-like character: his extreme emphasis on "the process" and one's "mindset" for success and improving each day.
The big news this week is that Mark Ingram will be out for a while (2-4 weeks) because he had minor surgery on his left knee on Tuesday. So that opens the door up for Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy (a darling of the internet message boards), Demetrius Goode, and Corey Grant to show what they have at running back. Richardson is one hell of a player as we saw last season during his freshman campaign, but the other guys, to sound Rumsfeldian here, are "known unknowns." If the Tide beats Penn State and Arkansas without Ingram while building depth behind Richardson, that would be outstanding. To reformulate an old saying, "If the loss of Ingram won't kill ya, Lord, it'll make you strong."
But really it's serious guesswork this season as to who will win it all. You could put the name of the top twenty-five pre-season teams on a dart board and somewhat accurately pick the eventual top ten by throwing darts blindfolded.
But here are teams I think could win it or I'd like to see win it all if the Crimson Tide doesn't get it done this season:
- Iowa of course.
- I think it would be great to see Nebraska beat Texas twice and then win the national championship the year it departs from the Texas Ten to go to the Big Ten(12).
- Virginia Tech came close one year when it had Vick at QB, and I've always liked their program and Frank Beamer
- If Arkansas can significantly improve their D, they'll be very dangerous. But it's hard for a team to come from outside the pre-season top 10 and win it all traditionally. So maybe these writers and coaches do know something.
9 comments:
But really it's serious guesswork this season as to who will win it all.
No kidding. There are probably a couple dozen teams with a non-outlandish path to the BCS title game.
As far as my rooting interest goes, screw Nebraska. I hope all 3 of their QBs suck up the joint and they go 5-7 and miss a bowl game. *sigh* More likely, they win double digits and make it to the B12 Champ game.
Kansas will be so bad this year, it won't be fun to root against them........wait, yes it will.
At this point, Mizzou should be favored in every game they play except against Nebraska and Oklahoma. I'm obviously not thrilled about DWash helping propel Missouri up the Fulmer Cup standings, but they'll be ok at RB.
The schedule doesn't do any favors for the Tigers in the B12 North. Nebraska's big game against Texas is 2 weeks before they play Missouri and their matchup is the week after Mizzou plays the Sooners. Happy freaking Halloween.
I think the winner of NU-Mizzou plays the winner of Oklahoma-Texas in the last B12 championship game. I know, way to go out on a limb there.
When I sip the Kool-Aid and wear these rose colored glasses, I see a one loss Mizzou team pulling off an upset in the conference championship game and sneaking in as BCS #2.
Realistically, Mizzou loses to Nebraska, Oklahoma, and one they "shouldn't" like @ Texas A&M or @ Texas Tech. 9-3 regular season, crushing Kansas, and stomping on someone in a late December bowl game would be a good season, but I want more, dammit.
I'll leave the SEC prognostication to our host, since they seem to have a permanent invitation to one of the slots in the BCS title game and another BCS at-large berth. Thus leaving the B12, B10, and Pac10 champs, plus whoever is undefeated from another conference, squabbling over the remaining BCS invites.
M-I-Z !!!
Regarding the SEC hoarding BCS bowl berths, it's about results and selling hotel rooms, baby.
I have heard little about Mizzou over here and nationally. From what I recall, the QB is quite strong, but did the Tigers lose a lot of players from last year's squad? I predict A&M beats Mizzou in a shootout. The Aggies, once known for D, don't play it much or well. But they can score. Good luck against the Illini although you won't need much against them.
I hope to watch Virginia Tech whip those Broncos and Oregon State take down the Horned Frogs this first week.
In recent news, the hits keep coming for the Tide. Dareus is suspended for two games even though the NCAA described him as “one of the most truthful student-athletes we have ever interviewed.”
Alabama will appeal it because they only want a one-game suspension, but I doubt that happens.
See the link: http://www.tidesports.com/article/20100902/NEWS/100909945/1011?Title=UA-will-appeal-suspension
Hey, travolta.
I just found out your Mizzou Tigers lost to a SEC squad for the Fulmer Cup. The fellas of EDSBS, Florida alums, had to love giving out that trophy to Georgia.
I have heard little about Mizzou over here and nationally.
That's because everyone is all Nebraska all the time.
Which I understand. Their defense is going to be dominating, but I think they will have trouble scoring. Of course, a 13-3 victory is still a W.
Mizzou was something like the third youngest team in FBS last year. They lost their #1 WR and now their #1 RB, but no one seems too worried about that since there are multiple candidates to succeed them. Blaine Gabbert is the real deal at QB. Last year he had more passing yards than any returning QB in the B12, all with a bum ankle after Nudomanajklasdf Suh tried to snap it off in the monsoon game last year.
On defense, a lot of people are picking Aldon Smith to set a new Mizzou record for sacks. Also, the CB pair of Gettis and Rutland could be special. The team got scorched last year by the pass, but if they improve to average in that department I think they'll crush a lot of teams.
OK, that's enough fanboy talk, game on. Time to crush Illinois, again.
Huh, from your analysis, they sound like a serious sleeper.
"analysis" or "unwarranted optimism before a single snap" ?
We'll see tomorrow.
Iowa and Arkansas...feeling lucky!
Iowa vs. Arkansas would be your fantasy, wouldn't it, Sandy? Who would you root for: the university from your native state or the institution where you got your MFA?
If Alabama were to ever play Iowa, I'm definitely rooting for the Tide.
I'd be rooting for Iowa all the way. My husband will root for the Hogs, so someone's gotta go Big 10!
Post a Comment