The summer is wrapping up and college football season is almost upon us. Here are 5 college football games we should all be the most excited about (I've intentionally excluded rivalry games and instead am focusing on match-ups that don't usually occur):
- Boise State vs Virginia Tech: This is one of the most important football games ever to be played. When the Boise State Broncos win the National Title, we will all look back and know the road started against the Hokies on Labor Day in Washington DC. As I've said multiple time before, Boise State returns 21 of 22 starters and is absolutely stacked! Meanwhile, VT has a talented but perpetually inconsistent QB in Tyrod Taylor. Plus the Hokies need to replace a big part of their defense. However, all of the numbers are irrelevant as Boise State is the ultimate big game program. They will win this game and roll all the way to Glendale and the most shocking title in American sports history. Prediction: Boise State wins 36-27
- Miami at Ohio State: The big question going to this game is is the U back? If Miami plays to their absolute best, they can hang with anyone including the Buckeyes. However, that is a big if. Ohio State's strong defensive line will totally dominant Miami young offensive line, leaving Jacory Harris harmless and on his back. And Terrell Pryor will show everyone why he is the second incarnation of Vince Young. I wish the ACC would do a better job of holding its own, but so far we have gotten rocked. Prediction: Ohio State wins 34-17
- Florida State at Oklahoma: Much like Miami, this game will show if the Noles are back. Unlike Miami, the Noles are in fact back so FSU will win. Christian Ponder's Heisman campaign will begin in earnest in Norman as he leads the Noles to a resounding victory. This game should be a fantastic offensive shootout, but in the end the Noles will prevail due to a huge experience advantage at QB and across the offensive line. This game has the exciting subplot of featuring Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops facing off against his younger brother, FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops. Prediction: FSU wins 42-36
- Penn State at Alabama: When I first saw this match-up all I could think was Wow! Rarely do 2 teams with so much history play in a regular season game. The match-up loses a little bit of its luster when you release that the Tide lost most of their defense and the Nittany Lions will be breaking in a new QB. That being said, when two of the top teams ever play each other, we should expect nothing less than fireworks. Prediction: Alabama wins 26-13
- West Virginia at LSU - This spot could have gone to this game or the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic featuring LSU vs UNC. Either way kuddos to the Tigers for scheduling such quality out-of-conference opponents. On talent alone, the Tigers should win this game handily. However, Les Miles never seems to do things the easy way and the Mountaineers' Noel Devine can change the game with a single play. Still, this year will be the year Jordan Jefferson puts it all together and he should be able to lead LSU to victory. Prediction: LSU wins 24-21
Showing posts with label Seminoles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seminoles. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
College Football Preseason Top 5
Every sportswriter in the world does a college football preseason top 10, so I figured I should do a Top 5 to be a little different. So here we go:
1) Boise State Broncos- Yes, I truly believe this. You heard it here first, the Boise State Broncos will win the 2010-11 BCS National Title. This team returns basically every player from their undefeated, Fiesta Bowl winning team from last year. More importantly, they return the most accurate, most consistent quarterback in the nation, Kyle Wilson. And this team has shown that they always get up for big games. They will beat Virginia Tech on Labor Day and beat whoever the BCS cartel challenges them with in Phoenix next January.
2) Alabama Crimson Tide- They are the defending national champs and there is no reason they shouldn't repeat. If not for the Broncos, they would definitely be #1. They return a solid QB in Greg McElroy, an elite receiver in Julio Jones, and an amazing running back 1-2 punch in Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. They have lost quite a few defensive players, but the return of Tim Hightower and Nick Saban's recruiting prowess should make up for that. While they won't repeat as National Champs, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see them in Phoenix as well.
3) Ohio State Buckeyes- Behind any quarterback, this team would be good. But behind Terrell Pryor, this team can be amazing. It took until his junior year for Vince Young to become Superman. Well Pryor has hit his third year and it is his time to take off. If Pryor can be a fraction of what Young was his junior year, this team can be really, really special. However, since they are Ohio State, they will inevitable stumble somewhere along the way. And that is why they must be behind the Broncos and Crimson Tide.
4) Florida State Seminoles- I know, I know, no one else agrees with me. And I don't just have them here because I am a fan. Beyond their absurdly experienced offensive line and Heisman contender Christian Ponder, there isn't a team in the nation that can stop this offensive. Once again, the defensive will be the big question. I love Micky Andrews to death, but he wasn't using his defensive talent to the best of its ability. Mark Stoops should use their talent level much more fully. Between a highly ranked recruiting class and the moving of superstar corner Greg Reid to the starting line-up, this team should win the ACC and compete for a National Title bid. Call me crazy if you want, but you heard it here first: The Seminoles are back!
5) Texas Longhorns- This team actually returns a lot of starters, particularly at the skill positions. However, they are missing the big piece that ran it all, Colt McCoy. Still, Gerald Gilbert showed in the National Title Game that he is very talented and can handle the big stage. According to SI, the Longhorns are also moving away from the spread of Young and McCoy to a more traditional attack. This team should repeat as Big 12 Champions and are primed for another BCS game appearance.
Next 5: TCU Horned Frogs, Arkansas Razorbacks, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa Hawkeyes
1) Boise State Broncos- Yes, I truly believe this. You heard it here first, the Boise State Broncos will win the 2010-11 BCS National Title. This team returns basically every player from their undefeated, Fiesta Bowl winning team from last year. More importantly, they return the most accurate, most consistent quarterback in the nation, Kyle Wilson. And this team has shown that they always get up for big games. They will beat Virginia Tech on Labor Day and beat whoever the BCS cartel challenges them with in Phoenix next January.
2) Alabama Crimson Tide- They are the defending national champs and there is no reason they shouldn't repeat. If not for the Broncos, they would definitely be #1. They return a solid QB in Greg McElroy, an elite receiver in Julio Jones, and an amazing running back 1-2 punch in Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. They have lost quite a few defensive players, but the return of Tim Hightower and Nick Saban's recruiting prowess should make up for that. While they won't repeat as National Champs, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see them in Phoenix as well.
3) Ohio State Buckeyes- Behind any quarterback, this team would be good. But behind Terrell Pryor, this team can be amazing. It took until his junior year for Vince Young to become Superman. Well Pryor has hit his third year and it is his time to take off. If Pryor can be a fraction of what Young was his junior year, this team can be really, really special. However, since they are Ohio State, they will inevitable stumble somewhere along the way. And that is why they must be behind the Broncos and Crimson Tide.
4) Florida State Seminoles- I know, I know, no one else agrees with me. And I don't just have them here because I am a fan. Beyond their absurdly experienced offensive line and Heisman contender Christian Ponder, there isn't a team in the nation that can stop this offensive. Once again, the defensive will be the big question. I love Micky Andrews to death, but he wasn't using his defensive talent to the best of its ability. Mark Stoops should use their talent level much more fully. Between a highly ranked recruiting class and the moving of superstar corner Greg Reid to the starting line-up, this team should win the ACC and compete for a National Title bid. Call me crazy if you want, but you heard it here first: The Seminoles are back!
5) Texas Longhorns- This team actually returns a lot of starters, particularly at the skill positions. However, they are missing the big piece that ran it all, Colt McCoy. Still, Gerald Gilbert showed in the National Title Game that he is very talented and can handle the big stage. According to SI, the Longhorns are also moving away from the spread of Young and McCoy to a more traditional attack. This team should repeat as Big 12 Champions and are primed for another BCS game appearance.
Next 5: TCU Horned Frogs, Arkansas Razorbacks, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa Hawkeyes
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