This will be the first of two pre-season College Football posts...Yeah, we all know I'm a Notre Dame fan, but I love College Football, and I've made good money over the years betting on games...I'll start with my prediction of the Top 25...Then I'll get into breaking down some of those top teams, and some teams I think you should keep eyes on...
1. Wisconsin
2. Alabama
3. Boise State
4. Texas
5. Ohio State
6. Nebraska
7. Virginia Tech
8. Florida
9. Oregon
10. Iowa
11. USC
12. Arkansas
13. TCU
14. Miami
15. Pitt
16. Oklahoma
17. Florida State
18. Georgia
19. UConn
20. Penn State
21. Georgia Tech
22. Missouri
23. Notre Dame
24. Washington
25. LSU
1. Wisconsin
2. Alabama
3. Boise State
4. Texas
5. Ohio State
6. Nebraska
7. Virginia Tech
8. Florida
9. Oregon
10. Iowa
11. USC
12. Arkansas
13. TCU
14. Miami
15. Pitt
16. Oklahoma
17. Florida State
18. Georgia
19. UConn
20. Penn State
21. Georgia Tech
22. Missouri
23. Notre Dame
24. Washington
25. LSU
So let's get into this...
WISCONSIN : The Badgers Offense is looking to be one of the best in the Big 10...Returning are QB Scott Tolzien (64.3 % completion percentage)...Their top 3 tailbacks, lead by John Clay (1,517 yards and 18 TD's)...Their top 4 Wide Receivers...One of the country's top Tight End's...And 7 Offensive Linemen who have starting experience...
On the Defensive Line there will be some fresh faces, and look for Junior Defensive End J.J. Watt to have a big year...They have a strong group of Linebackers...There are a number of question marks in the secondary, but it's the run-first Big 10.
Key Games: Oct. 16th vs. Ohio State....Oct. 23 at Iowa
ALABAMA : The 'Tide returns 8 starters, including Heisman winner Mark Ingram...'Bama may have the nation's top 2 running backs with Ingram and Sophomore Trent Richardson...Look for Richardson to get more carries this year...Sr. QB Greg McElroy also returns with a veteran group of receivers...The 'Tide will have more confidence to air it out this year...Red-shirt Freshman D.J. Fluker should step into the void at Right Tackle...
The defense took many loses, but a number of Juniors and Senoirs will be ready to jump right in...It's Nick Saban and Defense...He makes it work.
BOISE STATE : The Broncos have 18 returning starters, including Junior QB Kellen Moore has Heisman potential.(last year 39 TD's and 3 INT's)...The Defense has the potential to be one of the best...They played their best in the biggest games last year, forcing 35 turnovers...Key Game: Sept. 6 Virginia Tech (in Maryland)
TEXAS : Coach Mack Brown plans on going to more of a power running/play action offense, looking to take some pressure off of So. QB Garrett Gilbert...There's many holes on the defense, but the staff is confident in there depth and recruiting.
OHIO STATE : All the talk is about QB Terrelle Pryor...It will help him that his top 2 Receivers back, 4 returning Offensive Linemen, and running backs Brandon Saine & Boom Herron...The Defense lost 5 starters, but as corner Chimdi Chekwa said, "I don't want to offend any offensive guys or anything, but we play defense at Ohio State. That's what we do and that's what we love to do. We step on the field knowing that we're going to play great defense."
There's been a lot of talk about Ohio State being ranked in the top 3, and playing for the National Championship...To me the key is this...They can't let Miami shock them in Columus on sept. 11th...Even more importantly they play at Wisconsin on Oct. 16th and at Iowa on Nov. 20...They won't win both of those!
IOWA : The Hawkeyes return Sr. QB Ricky Stanzi and his top 2 receivers...They also have 3 Sophomore running backs with experience, but have to replace 3 offensive lineman...On Defense they return 8 starters, and they have the ability to be a dominating defense...
MIAMI : The Hurricanes are loaded with talent, lead by QB Jacory Harris, but he must cut down on the mistakes...They return 8 starters on defense, with a very talented secondary, headed up by corners Brandon Harris and DeMarcus Van Dyke...They have potential to make some noise in the rankings, but they have a rough start to their schedule...After Florida A&M they're at Ohio State, at Pitt, at Clemson, then home for Florida State.
ARKANSAS : The Razorbacks return 9 starters on offense, with the key being QB Ryan Mallet.(last year 3,624 yards 152.2 QB Rating, and 16 school records)...Hey Michigan, you missing this kid yet!?! The defense last season gave up loads of yards and needs to improve...They were one of the nation's best in takeaways and in the Red Zone...They need to build on that if they want to claim the SEC.
Now how about my Beloved Irish...
NOTRE DAME : New coah Brian Kelly is switching the pro-style offense to his spread system...Luckily he has 3 outstanding offensive talents which should help the transition...RB Armando Alllen, WR Michael Floyd, and TE Kyle Rudolph...QB Dayne Crist has the physical skills to handle the system...The staff looked their talent on the defensive side of the ball and decided to go with a 3-4 scheme...After the Spring they felt good about their decision, as the defense out played the offense...Look for both DE Ethan Johnson and NT Ian Williams to have a huge season...Manti Te'o and Brian Smith will lead a deep group of Linebackers, while the secondary has 3 veteran corners in Darrin Walls, Gary Gray, and Robert Blanton...
This is the first year in awhile, where I'm more concerned about the offense instead of the defense...That said, the Irish should win at least 8 games...They have the potential to win more, since their schedule this season is pretty weak.
On the Defensive Line there will be some fresh faces, and look for Junior Defensive End J.J. Watt to have a big year...They have a strong group of Linebackers...There are a number of question marks in the secondary, but it's the run-first Big 10.
Key Games: Oct. 16th vs. Ohio State....Oct. 23 at Iowa
ALABAMA : The 'Tide returns 8 starters, including Heisman winner Mark Ingram...'Bama may have the nation's top 2 running backs with Ingram and Sophomore Trent Richardson...Look for Richardson to get more carries this year...Sr. QB Greg McElroy also returns with a veteran group of receivers...The 'Tide will have more confidence to air it out this year...Red-shirt Freshman D.J. Fluker should step into the void at Right Tackle...
The defense took many loses, but a number of Juniors and Senoirs will be ready to jump right in...It's Nick Saban and Defense...He makes it work.
BOISE STATE : The Broncos have 18 returning starters, including Junior QB Kellen Moore has Heisman potential.(last year 39 TD's and 3 INT's)...The Defense has the potential to be one of the best...They played their best in the biggest games last year, forcing 35 turnovers...Key Game: Sept. 6 Virginia Tech (in Maryland)
TEXAS : Coach Mack Brown plans on going to more of a power running/play action offense, looking to take some pressure off of So. QB Garrett Gilbert...There's many holes on the defense, but the staff is confident in there depth and recruiting.
OHIO STATE : All the talk is about QB Terrelle Pryor...It will help him that his top 2 Receivers back, 4 returning Offensive Linemen, and running backs Brandon Saine & Boom Herron...The Defense lost 5 starters, but as corner Chimdi Chekwa said, "I don't want to offend any offensive guys or anything, but we play defense at Ohio State. That's what we do and that's what we love to do. We step on the field knowing that we're going to play great defense."
There's been a lot of talk about Ohio State being ranked in the top 3, and playing for the National Championship...To me the key is this...They can't let Miami shock them in Columus on sept. 11th...Even more importantly they play at Wisconsin on Oct. 16th and at Iowa on Nov. 20...They won't win both of those!
IOWA : The Hawkeyes return Sr. QB Ricky Stanzi and his top 2 receivers...They also have 3 Sophomore running backs with experience, but have to replace 3 offensive lineman...On Defense they return 8 starters, and they have the ability to be a dominating defense...
MIAMI : The Hurricanes are loaded with talent, lead by QB Jacory Harris, but he must cut down on the mistakes...They return 8 starters on defense, with a very talented secondary, headed up by corners Brandon Harris and DeMarcus Van Dyke...They have potential to make some noise in the rankings, but they have a rough start to their schedule...After Florida A&M they're at Ohio State, at Pitt, at Clemson, then home for Florida State.
ARKANSAS : The Razorbacks return 9 starters on offense, with the key being QB Ryan Mallet.(last year 3,624 yards 152.2 QB Rating, and 16 school records)...Hey Michigan, you missing this kid yet!?! The defense last season gave up loads of yards and needs to improve...They were one of the nation's best in takeaways and in the Red Zone...They need to build on that if they want to claim the SEC.
Now how about my Beloved Irish...
NOTRE DAME : New coah Brian Kelly is switching the pro-style offense to his spread system...Luckily he has 3 outstanding offensive talents which should help the transition...RB Armando Alllen, WR Michael Floyd, and TE Kyle Rudolph...QB Dayne Crist has the physical skills to handle the system...The staff looked their talent on the defensive side of the ball and decided to go with a 3-4 scheme...After the Spring they felt good about their decision, as the defense out played the offense...Look for both DE Ethan Johnson and NT Ian Williams to have a huge season...Manti Te'o and Brian Smith will lead a deep group of Linebackers, while the secondary has 3 veteran corners in Darrin Walls, Gary Gray, and Robert Blanton...
This is the first year in awhile, where I'm more concerned about the offense instead of the defense...That said, the Irish should win at least 8 games...They have the potential to win more, since their schedule this season is pretty weak.
Let me know what you think, and tune in next weak for another edition...
Later, The Beeze.
1 comment:
Beeze a goin' with the Badgers! Now there's a pleasant surprise as I like following Bucky and the gang.
Glad to see kudos to Boise. Sleeper pic - not for the top spot though - Pitt.
Well done.
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