These are the ten college football teams (in no particular order) I'm most interested in seeing this year. Feel free to throw your opinions my way!
1. Ole Miss Rebels: Houston Nutt's second year, and they're the only team to knock Florida off in 2008. Many have them pegged as a preseason top 10 team, and those are some lofty expectations. Interested to see if Jevan Snead can live up to the hype at QB.
2. Tennessee Volunteers: Lane Kiffin sure has done a great job at running his mouth about other teams and coaches in the SEC. I have a feeling he's got some payback coming in the worst way this year. I've had this blog post linked on a Knoxville newspaper site, so I'll discuss Tennessee a bit more now. While Lane Kiffin has obviously run his mouth and attracted a lot of attention, as was likely his goal, I do think he will turn things around in Knoxville in time. He definitely has no shortage of recruiting tools. Between Neyland Stadium, a nice campus, a rich tradition, and the opportunity to go up against SEC teams every week, Kiffin sits on a goldmine. The only real question is if he can cash in. I'm curious to see what kind of production they get from the QB position and if Eric Berry can live up to preseason hype. When your school starts an aggressive Heisman campaign for you, you know you've got a lot to live up to, especially in Knoxville, where competing at the highest level is expected year in and year out.
Oh, and thanks http://www.govolsxtra.com/ for posting the link, and thanks for the "interesting" comments on that site (username finn and murrayvol in particular!) and the insightful comments on here.
3. Oregon Ducks: Besides the fact that they once again have some of the most horrid jerseys known to sports, they should be pretty tough. If they can win their first game (Thursday, September 3 at Boise State), I think they can stop USC's run atop the Pac-10, even with a new coach (Chip Kelly).
4. Michigan Wolverines: Rich Rodriguez's second year at the helm of the Big Blue should be interesting. Rodriguez just came out and said he plans to have all 3 of his competing quarterbacks play in their season opener! Now that he finally has some players (albeit young ones) that fit his spread offensive system, we'll see what sort of progress he can make in year two. Given the recent success of rivals Ohio State and Penn State, and the up-and-coming Michigan State program, I have every reason to believe the Big Blue faithful will not be practicing patience if the Wolverines struggle this season like they did last year.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys: Everyone's dark horse pick in the Big 12 South, the Cowboys have a lot of firepower on offense with the trio of QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Dez Bryant. Question is, is it enough to knock off Texas and/or Oklahoma? OSU has proven that it can play with the big boys the last few years, but it hasn't proven it can beat the big boys. Is this the year Mike Gundy breaks through? I forget, how old is he? 30? 50? Is he a man? Can't remember, haha.
6. Cincinnati Bearcats: Last year's Big East champions return a lot of their core on both sides of the ball, and coach Brian Kelly now has the opportunity to prove that Cincinnati is not just a one-year wonder. They'll have to contend with a tough West Virginia team, as well as underrated Connecticut and definitely Rutgers, but they have the talent and coaching to make a run at a repeat conference title.
7. Florida State Seminoles: A lot of experts are picking the 'Noles to return to their lofty perch above the ACC, but I'm a bit skeptical. Bobby Bowden is definitely nearing the end of his coaching career, and a lot of his success this year will be dependent upon the prowess of his assistants. Not to mention they're not exactly a juggernaut on offense. No matter though. FSU has always relied on their defense to win big games, and I suspect they'll do the same this year. Watch out for Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina in the ACC.
8. UCLA Bruins: Year Two of Rick Neuheisel's tenure atop the Bruins program will certainly be interesting. He's got an improving talent pool on offense, and a young defense. I can see them winning 6 or 7 games and getting to a bowl game, which would be a good next step in the progression of the program. Rick Neuheisel just needs to be careful to temper excitement around LA though, and keep on reminding people that Rome wasn't built in a day. Just ask Pete Carroll, who went 6-6 in his first year at rival USC.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide: Nick Saban surprised a lot of people when 'Bama burst onto the national scene last year, and having to break in a new quarterback this year will probably help him fly a bit under the radar, until they take on Virginia Tech in Atlanta on opening weekend. Should be quite the measuring stick for both programs. I refuse to pick against Saban on this one. He'll have his troops ready to play. Only question I have is, can he keep his players on an even keel throughout the season?
10. Baylor Bears: Anyone who knows me well knows that I've been waiting for a Baylor season that results in more winning than losing for a long time. This looks to finally be the year! With Robert Griffin III running the offense (only threw 3 interceptions all season, while also setting the NCAA record for most passes to start a career before throwing an INT), the Bears should be able to put up some serious offensive numbers. The only questions are whether Griffin will have to carry too much of the load on offense, and if the defense will continue to improve. The biggest thing the Bears need on defense is improved numbers from their defensive line, and that should come via Penn State transfer Phil Taylor. When Coach Art Briles says Taylor is going to be one of the best defensive linemen in the country, I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt. I think the Bears are finally going bowling this year!
Honorable Mention: Stanford, LSU, Arkansas, Miami, North Carolina, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State, Kansas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, BYU
Monday, August 24, 2009
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27 comments:
I'm sure you already know what I'm about to say, but Oregon's jersey's are in no way horrid. They have some of the coolest jersey's this season. But atleast we agree that they might stop USC.
I don 't care much for Lane Kiffin's mouth at Tennessee but I think he might surprise a few teams with his pro sets and the attitude of his team. You're right though, there are more than one coaches who want to kick his butt around the stadium!
And it could be that Tennessee is preparing to dish out some payback.
Do not underestimate Lane Kiffin and a slew of freshmen wearing ORANGE!! He promised these young guys a chance to play early and he has delivered. This Tennessee team is chompin' at the bits to play for Kiffin. They believe in this man. I see a 9 win season and a great bowl bid. Georgia WILL be one of UT's victims. Take it 2 da bank! Can U say BRYCE BROWN and DAVID OKU??
I am also sure that teams/coaches are looking to make Kiffin pay for his comments in the off-season, but it isn't as if they did not blow UT out under Fulmer the past few years. During the last two years under Fulmer, Tennessee was outscored by Florida 89-26 (30-6 last year). In Gainesville in 2007, Tim Tebow stayed in the game well into the 4th quarter. Tennessee was outscored by Alabama 70-26 (29-9 last year). I believe that this year's contests will be closer/more competitive games. I agree with Vol Man, Tennessee will beat Georgia and I think one other team that they are underdogs to.
Bryce Brown? He may be lucky if he even gets to play. If anyone sees the Vols having a 9 win season, they need to take off the orange colored glasses! Kiffin is nothing more than the thugs he has recruited to UT. Has anyone ever seen "a slew of freshmen" do great? I was and still am very skeptical of Kiffin getting to job. What has he proven? He can run his mouth, get a top running back that may not even be able to play, he can be a good offensive guy with all star talent ( USC ). He may surprise me and the nation, but I am not counting on it.
UT will surprise a few folks this season.
I want to apologize for the hasty comments earlier. I was bashing Kiffin because I am actually intimidated by him. I am just really afraid that he his going to beat up on my team and that worries me. I am also sorry about the comments on Bryce. He is not a thug, he is a young man hoping to better his future through his football abilities. I have a feeling that Bryce is going to be something special in the coming years.
Alabama went 12-2 last year starting and playing a "slew of Freshman"
Regarding Lane Kiffin, I'm not a big believer in bulletin board material. I think it motivates a team before a game, but once you start hitting the other guy you forget about that and just play football. Whether the Vols dish punishment or take it depends a whole lot more on their talent and Kiffin's ability to develop and use it does what comes out of Kiffin's mouth in the media. Like a lot of people I'm anxious to see what happens. As a UT fan, I hope you are wrong.
Wow, thanks for all of the comments guys. Keep 'em coming! I'm guessing a link to this site made it over to a Tennessee message board. If so, awesome. I'm definitely interested in you guys' perspective on your Vols this year. While I think Kiffin has obviously run his mouth quite a bit, I do think he will do a good job there in time. Thanks again for the comments, and keep posting them!
Adam,
You actually got linked by the Knoxville News-Sentinel on their online UT sports coverage (GoVolsXtra.com), which is a nice compliment. Good luck to your Bears this season. I'll be pulling hard for you on 11/14.
Wow, a lot of comments by the Vol Nation, and it's almost FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!...... that being said, I really don't want to like Lane Kiffin; not a Tennessee GUY, little too brash perhaps, kind of flashy, but you know in today's environment, that's probably what the kids respond to, and they appear to be fired up & ready for the season, working hard, so let's see what happens, GO VOLS!
As a 40 year fan here's why I feel Kiffin and Co. will have excellent results this year. 11-1 or 10-2.
1. The low talent myth. Fulmer consistantly put top ten recruiting classes on campus. That he did do well, hence the frustration.
2. The look how bad they were last year myth. The 3rd best defense in the nation returns 90% of starters, in dogfights with strong freshmen arrivals, now being coached by a fiery defensive guru in Monte Kiffin. Offensively was a perfect storm of a horrible blocking scheme that confused our linemen more than the opponents, underused running game and a complicated passing scheme that melted down both QB's and receivers3.Kiffin is extremely football smart. You will see him use his resources with as much flexibility of any coach in the business.He is a world class motivator who has the entire team buying into his program. The ones who didn't are gone. GPA has jumped because the depth chart is attached to class performance. No off field issues at all, for the same reason. Highest off season participation rate ever, 100%.
4. Kiffin and Co. are on a mission to prove they are the best in the game. You'll see play reflect a frightening awareness of the opponents weaknesses. These men are no one's fools and their attention to detail has been like nothing I have ever witnessed.
Pass it off as blind enthusiasm if you wish but Kiffin and Co. are building the future out of the future, not the past. Any team, including the mightygators, that doesn't take this new edition seriously will pay dearly. This is going to be a fun season in Knoxville.
I agree with most of what RockyTopRenegade has to say, with the possible exception: No way they can have as good a season as he predicts. 8-4 would be terrific and 7-5 would be acceptable. Anything better would be over the top. Too many injuries already (Jones, McNeil, Rogers, Brown, Moore, etc.), not to mention lingering questions about QB spot. The Vols will be better, but not yet great.
Eric berry live up to the hype? What hype? Did you even watch football last season. Its not hype unless he hasnt proven it on the field. And OMG has he proven he is the best safety in the nation. Just ask Your golden boy Tim tebow.
Hype my butt.
Go Vols and Sic'em Bears!
A little testy, are we Michael? Yes, Eric Berry has performed on the field, but as far as PRESEASON hype is concerned, Tennessee has done its fair share of pumping up Berry's Heisman candidacy. By the way, where have I ever mentioned my "golden boy" Tim Tebow? Last time I checked, I've never mentioned his name on this site. Also, I couldn't care less about the Florida Gators and Tebow. I'm from Texas (Big 12 country), went to and root for Baylor (Big 12 school), and moved out to California (Pac 10 country) a couple years ago. What among all of those points suggests that I think Tim Tebow is a "golden boy"?
I eagerly await your competent and evidenced response.
I think Florida should have made the list. I am a Tennessee fan, and certainly the Vols belong here because of all the things mentioned already, but Florida is a team that has received much more hype than any other team. They havent gone undefeated even with Tebow at his best, and here they are, being anointed again. I think they lose a game or two again this year, and dont even make it to the championship game. They are certainly an interesting team this year, no doubt about that.
Percy Harvin made Tebow superman now that hes gone Florida will not be the same and will not win the east and as for the vols, GO BIG ORANGE!!!
7-5 or 8-4 lets get real. How long before Crompton throws first pick 6? Always a good practice player but falls apart with pressure in his face. Thank goodness for frosh running backs. Lotsa love for Hardesty but can he last. Georgia, Mississippi at least one goes down. Can you say Peach Bowl?
A lot has been said about how much Kiffin runs his mouth. Let's see, he said he would put together one of the best coaching staffs in the nation. I must agree, he has done that. He also said he was going to bring in some of the top recruits in the nation, again I must agree that he did do that. He said he looks forward to singing Rocky Top all night long in the swamp, well, that is yet to be seen and will happen one day. Just probably not this year. I am pulling for them to beat Florida though. The things everyone is negative on, calling Meyer a cheat - was said in the confines of Vol supporters to get a roar out of them. He apologized for this to Meyer. He said some comments about the town in Florida. He probably was telling the truth, but he also apologized to them for this. He says he did not say what has been hung on him about pumping gas in South Carolina and he also was NOT the one who didn't vote for TEBOW. He has had the highest GPA with the Vols as compared to several years past and no issues with players being arrested (Floriday is #1 in that aspect). I, for one am looking for a thrilling season and an opportunity to get to a bowl game would be a successful season to me.
It's not hyping a player up to run a campaign for heisman. there is no hype to eric berry, he's solid and performs at a superstar level every time he steps on the football field. if charles woodson deserved a shot at the heisman, eric berry does as well. there's no hype coming from knoxville w/regard to eric berry. it's all evidenced. GoVols
P.S where were all the verbage nazi's when steve spurrier was "running his mouth" every time someone turned a camera on..alot of hypocrits in florida IMO..suburban meyer is gonna regret running the score up on UT, Miami and anyone else he's had the opportunity to do so against soon. He could have killed the clock agains miami in the fourth quarter, but chose to kick a field goal, classless.
Sorry Adam i should have used the Phrase The Golden Boy intead Your golden boy. Now back to the point you are so graciously avoiding. What was meant by the comment was Eric Berry has proven himself. It is not considered hype if you have proven yourself. Many colleges have heisman campaigns for one player or another, some deserving some unproven hype. Eric Berry deserves all the accolades he gets. He has been one of the very few bright spots the team has shown the last two years. When ask Time Tebow said that Eric Berry was the best player in the SEC. Thus the comment " just ask THE golden boy Tim Tebow. Its Not hype, im just sayin lol
Football season already?
Hey Rocko,
What Bowl did TN go to last Year? Thats my point. If they do go to the Peach bowl as you say ,then isnt that an improvement? I dont speak for all Vol fans but as far as im concerned, Im cautiously optimistic. I have to beleive they will be better. That gives me hope and gets me excited about the season. I dont expect a 10 win season but i would like to think its possible. Anything can happen. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All i want to see is improvement this year. We dont have Peyton or Tee at QB. I know its hard to give J Crompton the benefit of the doubt, but it is his 4th OC in 4 years. Give him a chance to prove us all wrong. He just might suprise us all. The past is the past and with the good recruits we have this year and in years to come ,we will be better. I have to believe that. Its what keeps me excited about september getting here.
what has lane kiffin proven other than he can run his mouth? really have you been sleeping since december 1st. he promised a great coaching staff. lane monte coach o he stole coaches from urban spurrier and saban. he promised to go get the best players in the country and look at bryce brown david oku. he took nukeese from florida. our recruiting class had 1 dissapointment. marlon brown went to georgia. find me a team that lost only 1 player they really wanted. and to ask if eric berry can live up to all the hype is just funny. thats like asking if tim tebow can live up to the hype. or if pete carroll is rebuilding or reloading. eric will break the record in game 1 on sept 5 at 12:21 et when wku comes to town. and i say he intercepts tebow again and jevon snead.
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