2010-2011: 12-1 (8-0)
I spent all that time building up Oregon in the Stanford post, but yet here are the Ducks just one spot later. Oregon has all the right pieces in place for Chip Kelly's offense to go...and go......and go. This team could realistically set scoring records thanks to speed, talent, and a little offense creativity. I have one modest proposal to make for Oregon: Kenjon Barner in the slot. The team lost most of their wideouts could use the explosive back outside, keeping defenses a little more honest. At the worst he'd be a phenomenal distraction. Aside from that, Oregon should do what they did last year: pass the ball, run the ball, score a helluva lot of points, and pray they don't meet an SEC team in New Orleans if they make it.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 12th @Stanford...Even with the early test against LSU, Oregon knows conference games are always more important, especially if they lose week 1.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Stanford}
Thursday, September 1, 2011
#5 Stanford
2010-2011: 12-1 (8-1, Pac-12)
It's become common for people to pick Stanford ahead of Oregon, but there is little reasoning behind the move. Oregon beat Stanford last year, and Stanford was a better team last year than they are this year whilst Oregon is just as good. Stanford lacks any real form of a running game, hoping by committee will satisfy their needs for a second straight year. However, I will admit that Stanford has the talent to make a gigantous move this season. The Cardinal could easily find their way to New Orleans, but they'll have to beat Oregon to get there...as well as a talented Notre Dame team and the unappreciated USC Trojans...in L.A. With all this said, Stanford has a great team that will make a splash this year, for the sake of Paolo Alto, I hope it's a good splash.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 12th versus Oregon...honestly no other game matters on the Stanford schedule at this point.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Arizona}
It's become common for people to pick Stanford ahead of Oregon, but there is little reasoning behind the move. Oregon beat Stanford last year, and Stanford was a better team last year than they are this year whilst Oregon is just as good. Stanford lacks any real form of a running game, hoping by committee will satisfy their needs for a second straight year. However, I will admit that Stanford has the talent to make a gigantous move this season. The Cardinal could easily find their way to New Orleans, but they'll have to beat Oregon to get there...as well as a talented Notre Dame team and the unappreciated USC Trojans...in L.A. With all this said, Stanford has a great team that will make a splash this year, for the sake of Paolo Alto, I hope it's a good splash.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 12th versus Oregon...honestly no other game matters on the Stanford schedule at this point.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Arizona}
#6 Wisconsin
2010-2011 11-2 (7-1, Big Ten)
I hear the groans, the Badgers at #6? Hell yeah. I wanted to pick Wisconsin to go undefeated last season, and honestly they should've. This year I am sticking to my gut. Wisconsin has all the tools it used to go 11-1 in the regular season last year, plus a shiny new one. Meet QB Russel Wilson. Does the name sound familiar? He led the North Carolina State Wolfpack to a 9-4 record last year. He is 12th all-time in the ACC is passing (meh) and looks like a mack truck. Despite this prominent new weapon, look for the Badgers to once again run, run, run. James White and Montee Ball are back (sorry, no John Clay) and look ready to make teams regret loading the box. If Wisconsin sticks to their game plan, they have the benefit of playing new Big Ten bully Nebraska at home where the Badgers simply don't lose.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 1st versus Nebraska...these Big Ten powerhouses will settle who may be the best team in the nation.
Predicted record: 12-0 (8-0)
I hear the groans, the Badgers at #6? Hell yeah. I wanted to pick Wisconsin to go undefeated last season, and honestly they should've. This year I am sticking to my gut. Wisconsin has all the tools it used to go 11-1 in the regular season last year, plus a shiny new one. Meet QB Russel Wilson. Does the name sound familiar? He led the North Carolina State Wolfpack to a 9-4 record last year. He is 12th all-time in the ACC is passing (meh) and looks like a mack truck. Despite this prominent new weapon, look for the Badgers to once again run, run, run. James White and Montee Ball are back (sorry, no John Clay) and look ready to make teams regret loading the box. If Wisconsin sticks to their game plan, they have the benefit of playing new Big Ten bully Nebraska at home where the Badgers simply don't lose.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 1st versus Nebraska...these Big Ten powerhouses will settle who may be the best team in the nation.
Predicted record: 12-0 (8-0)
#7 South Carolina
2010-2011: 9-5 (5-3, SEC)
South Carolina is going to love being in the SEC East. No Alabama on the schedule, and not an LSU to be found. The Gamecocks should easily rip through most of 2010, but as down and bad as the SEC East appears, it's still the SEC making it about as hard to accomplish as a camel fitting through the eye of a needle. This team reminds me a lot of the New York Giants when they won the Super Bowl: a stacked D-Line with a questionable QB situation. However, this team will rely on it's workhorse rather than a two-back system. Expect runaway freshman of the year and All-American candidate Marcus Lattimore to have 30-40 carries every game...which means he'll likely accumulate 135-180 yards a week. Even with Alshon Jeffery playing wide, it would behoove the Gamecocks to keep the ball in the hands of Lattimore and away from the ever sporadic Stephen Garcia.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: December 3rd, SEC Championship Game...It is terrible to assume this, but South Carolina is a runaway favorite in the East.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Mississippi State}
South Carolina is going to love being in the SEC East. No Alabama on the schedule, and not an LSU to be found. The Gamecocks should easily rip through most of 2010, but as down and bad as the SEC East appears, it's still the SEC making it about as hard to accomplish as a camel fitting through the eye of a needle. This team reminds me a lot of the New York Giants when they won the Super Bowl: a stacked D-Line with a questionable QB situation. However, this team will rely on it's workhorse rather than a two-back system. Expect runaway freshman of the year and All-American candidate Marcus Lattimore to have 30-40 carries every game...which means he'll likely accumulate 135-180 yards a week. Even with Alshon Jeffery playing wide, it would behoove the Gamecocks to keep the ball in the hands of Lattimore and away from the ever sporadic Stephen Garcia.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: December 3rd, SEC Championship Game...It is terrible to assume this, but South Carolina is a runaway favorite in the East.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1) {loss @Mississippi State}
#8 Florida State
2010-2011: 10-4 (6-2, ACC)
If you look, Florida State has the recruiting class coming in for next year that makes opponents shiver, but that's not to discredit the team for this year. These guys want to win, but a relatively green QB has to be broken in. E.J. Manuel has the physical tools to dominate, but it is time to see how he holds up to a 12 (eventually 13) game schedule. He gets a break since Florida State and Virginia Tech skip each other (until the 13th game) and Miami isn't what they used to be, but the FSU schedule doesn't lack challengers. However, the reason Florida State cracks the Top 10 is because of the defense, which looks poised to be a top 5 unit in 2011-2012. 8 returning starters added to a influx of outstanding freshman make the Seminoles the most stacked "D" entering into 2011-2012, but FSU needs the talent to ripen and form into an unstoppable force all the way to the National Title Game.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: September 17th versus Oklahoma...the only game FSU should come close to losing, and just might. The Seminoles took a 47-17 anal probing in 2010...time to rebound
Predicted Record: 12-0 (8-0)
If you look, Florida State has the recruiting class coming in for next year that makes opponents shiver, but that's not to discredit the team for this year. These guys want to win, but a relatively green QB has to be broken in. E.J. Manuel has the physical tools to dominate, but it is time to see how he holds up to a 12 (eventually 13) game schedule. He gets a break since Florida State and Virginia Tech skip each other (until the 13th game) and Miami isn't what they used to be, but the FSU schedule doesn't lack challengers. However, the reason Florida State cracks the Top 10 is because of the defense, which looks poised to be a top 5 unit in 2011-2012. 8 returning starters added to a influx of outstanding freshman make the Seminoles the most stacked "D" entering into 2011-2012, but FSU needs the talent to ripen and form into an unstoppable force all the way to the National Title Game.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: September 17th versus Oklahoma...the only game FSU should come close to losing, and just might. The Seminoles took a 47-17 anal probing in 2010...time to rebound
Predicted Record: 12-0 (8-0)
#9 Texas A&M
2010-2011: 9-4 (6-2, Big XII)
The Aggies are one of those teams one looks at year after year and says, "Why aren't they better?" Well, this year the Aggies have assembled the most talent College Station has seen since 1998. A&M finished #11 that year in the AP poll, but hopes for this year are the top 5, if not a National Title. The Big 12 is down, Texas A&M's schedule is favorable with the tougher games (except Oklahoma) coming at home, and honestly the talent is there. No team inside the top 10 returns more starters than the Aggies with 17. Most importantly: Texas A&M finally has a QB who looks to be more than just a stat machine, but a leader who will make sure the team is playing up to par and beyond throughout the year. They have a legitimate chance to win the Big 12, perhaps more than any other team, thanks to the home field advantage.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 5th @Oklahoma...Texas A&M needs/wants to win this game more than any in recent memories. Delivering in Norman could mean National Title opportunity.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (8-1) {loss @Oklahoma}
The Aggies are one of those teams one looks at year after year and says, "Why aren't they better?" Well, this year the Aggies have assembled the most talent College Station has seen since 1998. A&M finished #11 that year in the AP poll, but hopes for this year are the top 5, if not a National Title. The Big 12 is down, Texas A&M's schedule is favorable with the tougher games (except Oklahoma) coming at home, and honestly the talent is there. No team inside the top 10 returns more starters than the Aggies with 17. Most importantly: Texas A&M finally has a QB who looks to be more than just a stat machine, but a leader who will make sure the team is playing up to par and beyond throughout the year. They have a legitimate chance to win the Big 12, perhaps more than any other team, thanks to the home field advantage.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: November 5th @Oklahoma...Texas A&M needs/wants to win this game more than any in recent memories. Delivering in Norman could mean National Title opportunity.
Predicted Record: 11-1 (8-1) {loss @Oklahoma}
#10 Nebraska
2010-2011: 10-4 (6-2, Big XII)
I'm not sold on Taylor Martinez. T-Magic had a fantastic beginning to 2010, but he fell off after an ankle injury. Now, rumor has it that Martinez's ankle was far more injured than was let on by the Cornhuskers. It is logical to believe that since the team wouldn't want Martinez to be targeted during a game. Martinez failed to throw for more than 167 yards in a game in his last five starts, which has little to do with a slightly above hurting ankle. Nebraska has a lot of talent, but I'm not sure Martinez is the Heisman hoping, defense crushing QB that many people feel he is. For Martinez's and College Football's sake I hope he proves me wrong because he can be an electrifying player who is really fun to watch. We'll have to wait and see if Martinez really is the defensive nightmare come October.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 1st @Wisconsin...A preview for the Big Ten title game? Easily could be.
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2) {losses @Wisconsin and @Penn State}
I'm not sold on Taylor Martinez. T-Magic had a fantastic beginning to 2010, but he fell off after an ankle injury. Now, rumor has it that Martinez's ankle was far more injured than was let on by the Cornhuskers. It is logical to believe that since the team wouldn't want Martinez to be targeted during a game. Martinez failed to throw for more than 167 yards in a game in his last five starts, which has little to do with a slightly above hurting ankle. Nebraska has a lot of talent, but I'm not sure Martinez is the Heisman hoping, defense crushing QB that many people feel he is. For Martinez's and College Football's sake I hope he proves me wrong because he can be an electrifying player who is really fun to watch. We'll have to wait and see if Martinez really is the defensive nightmare come October.
2011-2012 Outlook:
Key Game: October 1st @Wisconsin...A preview for the Big Ten title game? Easily could be.
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2) {losses @Wisconsin and @Penn State}
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