Thoughts on the 2010 College Football Season:
Note #1:
First let’s deal with Boise State. It is hard not to admire what this team has done for CFB. Their 2007 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma will go down as one of the greatest in the history of the game. The entertainment value of the hook and ladder and ole’ Statue of Liberty play is undeniable.
Beyond that, the Broncos (ranked 2nd preseason) will struggle against teams from elite conferences. Their hopes to bust the BCS this season may end early with a September 6th prime time game against Virginia Tech (ranked 8th preseason). In case you don’t remember BSU (ranked 19th preseason in 2005) was the sexy pick to upset Georgia (ranked 13th preseason) in the first game of the 2005 campaign.
Once the WAC team matched up on the field with an SEC team, the speed difference became obvious. Final score – UGA – 48; BSU – 13
Virginia Tech is rebuilding their defense, but has enough offensive weapons to challenge for the ACC title.
Prediction: VT – 30; BSU – 14.
If the Broncos get past the Hokies, they will not be challenged until the BCS title game where Alabama will make them wish they had lost to Va. Tech.
Note #2:
Ohio State (preseason #5) will struggle with Marshall on September 2 before getting crushed by Miami (preseason #19) on September 11.
Marshall named John “Doc” Holliday as the new Thundering Herd head coach last December. He is known as an outstanding recruiter and has installed the West Virginia spread. The Herd may not be ready to knock off a Big-10 power, but they will have enough to frustrate the Buckeyes. Remember Appalachian State vs. Michigan?
The annual Buckeye pity party will begin on September 12 after The ‘Canes harass Terrelle Pryor and force multiple turnovers. Miami has a future pro corner back in Brandon Harris and an NFL quality defensive end in Allen Bailey who will be too much to handle for a heavy footed Big-10 line.
After playing their two toughest opponents of the season OSU could run the table and the bias Midwest football fans will push for OSU to be considered for the BCS Championship Game.
Oh my gosh… please reference BCS Championship games for 2006 and 2007. Do we really need to watch yet another SEC team embarrass the boys from Columbus?
Note #3 -
A preseason #3 ranking for the Florida Gators seems high with the loss of Teabow and even heavier losses on the defense. Both defensive ends, one d-back and their middle line backer are in the pros, and not as gimmick freak show players.
The former Florida defenders were a huge reason behind the Gator success, but twinkle toes got all the glory.
Still, unless Urban Meyer resigns to move west and coach at Colorado just to be closer to his baby, the Gators will be the team to beat to climb atop the SEC East.
The article titled 10 questions surrounding Florida Football on GatorBait.net or Rivals describes the strength they have on the O-line and gives you an idea of the weapons in their arsenal.
October, as always, will be the key month of the season. Florida gets to travel to Tuscaloosa October 2nd then gets LSU in the Swamp October 9 and Mississippi State on the 16th. The annual border war is slated for the 30th.
Bama and LSU back to back will ding the armor, but will it do enough damage to bring them down to size?
