Early 2010 BCS forecast Title game: Alabama vs. Ohio State Rose: Oregon vs. Boise State Fiesta: Nebraska vs. Iowa Sugar: Notre Dame vs. Texas Orange: Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh You may recall that the BCS instituted a rule that goes into effect next season in which the first time the Rose Bowl loses one of its champions (Big Ten or Pac-10), it must take an eligible non-AQ team. Bronco Nation, say hello to Pasadena -- in the LeGarrette Blount Bowl, no less -- provided Terrelle Pryor and/or Jeremiah Masoli can lead their teams to the title game (played next year in Arizona). Elsewhere, I figure Kelly will happily transform Charlie Weis' underachieving leftovers into a nine- or 10-win club that "wakes up the echoes" (again). It's a toss-up between Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and possibly Miami for the Orange Bowl. And next year seems like as good a time as any for Bo Pelini's Nebraska team to step up and claim the school's first Big 12 title in more than a decade. All of the aforementioned picks are subject to change over the next eight months. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/01/10/mandel.overtime/1.html#ixzz0cLuB1kAZ
Probably as good as any projections at this point. I'm a bit hard pressed to buy the two Big 10 teams in the top 10 but I do buy a return of Nebraska. I know this is not a top 10 but it's kind of is.
They must plan on the SEC East Champion losing too many games for the Sugar Bowl. I think 2 losses would still get the East Champion in there.....maybe 3 at a record of 10-3. Picked this out of the articles as well: McCoy's father, Brad, told ESPN the Magazine's Bruce Feldman that once it became clear late in the first half he wouldn't be able to return (he tried unsuccessfully to toss some passes in the locker room), his son lamented: "Dad, I had 'em. I had 'em. I knew everything they were doing before they did it. I was fixin' to complete every pass I was going to throw tonight. Bama was almost destined to win this title.....almost preordained it seems. In looking at Bama's defensive losses I would not preordain them for next season.....there are many icebergs out there.
I like the preseason predictions for my Buckeyes, but a lot can transpire in 360 days! Assuming Pryor has turned the corner, I do think we will be in the top five going into the early season. Don
I know Dave's been trying to pick this fight again in other topics with king/castle remarks and recruiting... but if you've seen Alabama's depth chart and their recruiting. You would just STFU Dave and wait to just beat them before declaring your return.. Or you can just crow for the next 8 months (or however long it is till you two meet again). If you think a Saban defense will be hurting, or can't reload what's moving on... you're kidding yourself. Then again, you're the guy who told me that their OL would be weaker without their 1st round OT (when I told you different) and that they'd be weaker with a new starter at QB (when I told you he was the weak link). God help those poor unwashed masses in Alabama. Whatever shall they do to defend the village when those Gator raiders come knocking at the gate?
No crowing to be done by me Corey....the Gators did not take care of business in Atlanta. Whether or not they can in Tuscaloosa is a tall order and I sure as hell wouldn't be crowing about that either. I do however point to the complete two deep roster that UF had coming off a national championship last season and I point out how difficcult it was this year for the team to play up to their capabilities and how many distractions and foibles they ran into such as Tebow's injury and Dunlap's suspension. For those reasons it is foolish to think Bama will sail along to the BCS title game again and especially when you consider their losses on defense. It's also not understanding the depth of the Florida program and talent on hand to think the Gators won't be back on top of the SEC next year. Not making guarantees of that just saying there is a potential for it. That's all I 'm saying....next year's results are just not a given because of so many unknowns and UF fans have the proof of that principle at work.
Your 2 deep this year was... You returned that fantastic defense.. Your offense was Tebow with half as many play-makers as he had the year before. Alabama's situation is nothing like yours.... nothing
I would say Riley Cooper was a pretty good replacement for Murphy at WR but you're right....I forgot about the absence of Harvin which was the real key missing ingredient this year. But Fla beat Bama last year without him......when the Gators played the type of game in the SECCG that brought them a national championship a month later. Sustaining that level of play every week this season....keep in mind they won 22 straight....proved to be too diificult in the end. Also....you would think the defense would have been better this year with all of that seasoning and 2 deep returnees and when they played with fire and passion I think they were better ( Ky, Ga, LSU, FSU, Cincinatti ) but against Arkansas and Bama they just didn't bring the same intensity and lost one and could have lost the other one.
I'd posit that the teams you listed weren't that good... or were at best, up and down. Your defense was stout this year though. No doubt about it. Your only loss was Harvin and Murphy? I really doubt that. I wasn't a big Cooper fan. Most of the big plays I saw him 'pull away' from the defender by committing OPI although I believe his big play against UC in the bowl was just him blowing past the kid.. He's no Jordan Shipley though. Look, obviously you guys are still bent over that whole castles/king thing...so respect Alabama, don't respect Alabama... do what ya like. I don't care. I really don't have a dog in the fight. I'm just sayin, as I did last year... if you don't respect that team and what they have returning (again), they will most likely make you pay (again) for it. BTW-who the hell is favored to win the East now?
I respected the hell out of em this year before the game. Apparently from what I read more so than did the UF defense. Uf really did not lose much more than Murphy and Harvin and a lineman or two but were in good shape on the OL with new players. Lost no Rbs and returned Hernadez the TE. Did lose the offensive coordinator Mullen though and vs. Bama who knows......could have been a difference. Who would you favor in the East....Georgia over UF? Tenn has been decimated on defense and lost Crompton and Hardetsy I think. Big losses. SC.....naw......UK.....naw.....
This top 25 would seem to favor UF in the East. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/01/12/early-2010-1/index.html I agree with their 2nd in the SEC assessment ....and I think Florida will be higher nationally starting the year.
Dave, I think you'll be favored in the East but my how this landscape has changed. I mean, you're my pick but it's almost by default. UT was building and that was before LK pulled this stunt..SCar is SCar.. UK blows... Vandy blows.. It's you and Georgia and I don't see that much out of them.
Yeah...the balance of power in the SEC has shifted to the West with the emergence of Ole Miss and Arkansas as decent teams and Alabama re-emerging as an elite team. LSU is LSU....always a pretty good and sometimes great team and then there is Auburn.....always a pesky team at least for Fla. I think Florida looks to be the best team in the East unless Ga is one hell of a surprise but then again they have the Gator phobia to conquer for them to get anywhere. :lol: So....the question heading into next season is can Bama replace the stars lost on D and if so can they stand the pressure all season without slip-ups. May not make any difference but they will absolutely have Florida's full undivided attention next year in Tuscaloosa and I have seen some pretty good things from Urban's Gator teams when that is the case.
Obviously they had the "attention" but not enough respect it seems from some comments I read coming from the Fla defense. Doesn't mean they disrespected just that they didn't have the fear....which creates the fire. Next year they will have that fear.