Interesting to see how the polls may be shaping up for next season: http://cfn.scout.com/2/1061114.html OU at #1......Bama still in the top 3.....UF #10. ND at #16.......Tenn at #31. A$M #9 and Neb in the top 15.
5 players lost to suspension, no experience at QB, no JT on game day for the 1st 5 games and still ranked #5?
Notre Dame has a legitimate shot at a BCS Bowl this year. the only unknown is QB and that should work out fine. Otherwise, all the pieces are in place. The defense will be dominant.
I am cautiously optomistic about the Irish this year. We could certainly win 9 or 10 games this year, but things will have to fall right for us on the injury list, and our QB (Crist) will have to show improvement from last year. If injuries to DB's or QB's/RB's happen 8-4 will be the high end.
9-3 might get the Irish in a BCS bowl because I think ND still has that star power. OSU with the players they have coming back after game 5 is still top 5 worthy......at least in a preseason poll. If it wasn't for the suspensions they would most likely be in the top 3. I like UF at #10......it provides a good base for Muschamp to work from and it will help in recruiting to be able to say "it's the program" not necessarily the coach.....etc.
Based on last year it wouldn't. You have to be in the top 14 of the BCS poll to qualify for a BCS Bowl bid....unless of course you are conference champion then you don't even have to be ranked!! :? :?
You're right. At 9-3 it depends on who you beat and when you lost. For ND it might be close. Wins over USC and Stanford to go 9-3 would wrap it up. Losses to either or both to go 9-3 would make it difficult.
Last year no 9-3 team made the top 14 of the BCS standings. Looking at the schedule and factoring in winning vs USC and Stanford I still have a hard time seeing up losing 3 games and being in the top 14. Now of course that varies year to year and if there are a lot of 9-3 teams then maybe, but if this year presents as many 10-2, 11-1 teams as last year we won't be able to be considered. Where we could gain an advantage is if we do make it into the top 14 some place but not high enough (#8 or higher) to get an autobid. Is there is a provision that prevents a conference from having more than 2 BCS participants. That can work in our favor where a bowl might chose us over someone less attractive from a TV standpoint. I think in 2006 we got the nod over Wisc, and Auburn who were ranked higher but were ineligible via the 2 team rule and we were ranked higher than Va.Tech and more attractive on TV.
What the hell does that mean? A heck of a disclaimer so I guess if they are close to being correct they can claim success and if they are way off they can say they weren't really their rankings. Their is a problem when Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, Miss St and Auburn are all in the top 20, all in the SEC West and all have to play each other. I would take a bet that they are not all in the top 20 at the end of the year. :roll:
Whole thing is just fluff to fill space. In a week or two there will be a piece on who has the best stadium, who has the best tailgate, whose uniforms are the best, I'm sure a hot seat article is being readied as I type. :roll:
8) OK, I'll bite... 1. Oklahoma is always overrated. 3. Alabama belongs up there, but Oregon and LSU are going to have to prove it. 5. Ohio State has the most to prove: coaches and QBs are not small problems. 6. South Carolina? Don't make me laugh. 7. Okie State? I'll believe it when I see it. 8. Stanford and Florida seem too low, but new coaches have a lot to prove with no excuses about talent. They're both loaded. 9. Texas A&M and Notre Dame have run out of excuses too. They're also loaded. 11. TCU and Boise State are always underrated. 13. Nebraska looks great...but they're not in Kansas anymore Toto... 18. Texas- how can the LHorns be rated this low with all that Top 5 recruiting talent? I think Terry should send them more money... 26. USC out of the Top 25? Like Texas, their talent level is always Top Five...although I personally hope they lose every game... 27-50 Utah, Michigan, Clemson, Miami, BYU, Tennessee, Penn State, Arizona, ASU, Washington and Pitt all have lots talent on paper. All of them will probably get a bowl game.
The Big 8 used to be known as Oklahoma and the Seven Dwarves. When the Huskers started winning, that cut it down to six dwarves. You're moving to a tougher league.
Pretty good analysis Jo'Co. They did state I believe that this poll is their idea of what the preseason polls may look like......not what they may be at the end.
Naaaahhhhhhhh......NU, OSU, then lower your voice... When ND joins, we'll nickname it the Bakers Dozen Conf
Ha! I forgot about that. We haven't heard anything from our Big Ten guys here about how proud they are to be a "leader" or a "legend." Something tells me that fiasco will be allowed to die a quiet death...
Jim I have never been satisfied with the new division names, but really can not suggest anything positive either. :lol: Delaney, Big Ten Commissioner, is resisting making any changes, at least for the initial year of competition. We will see what happens. We have enough controversy now and I do not want to cloud the issue. How is that for Tressel speak??
Pretty much agree with JO'Co's analysis. But I am not sure he is right when he says Nebraska is moving to a tougher conference. The Big 12 was a good conference for football. I don't know all the details about the breakup but I am pretty sure it goes back to Texas joining and how that changed the conference. No matter I think Nebraska is going to make the Big 10 a much better conference. I also think that the Big 10 and the Big 12 need to work out a trade of their names.