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| Nick Saban |
1.
Alabama. What to like- The Crimson Tide could easily be argued as the most talented team in the country. Saban has been winning championships on the recruiting trail as well as National Championships. Assuming they can settle on a Quarterback, the offense will be solid. Trent Richardson is going to make a Heisman push as he will finally get the spotlight to himself. The Defense was in question last season, but comes into this year as a strength. Mark Barron is an excellent Safety, and should see All American consideration.
Concerns- No definitive QB is a cause for concern, and losing a few first round picks does not usually add up to a Preseason number 1 ranking.
Final Call- Bama has talent, they have coaching, and they get Arkansas and LSU at home. The schedule is brutal, as always within the SEC. But I like what Richardson can do. I think some of these 5 star caliber players will perform, and the Defense will be just plain nasty. A trip to Happy Valley on September 10 will tell a lot about this team.
2.
Oklahoma.
What to Like-Offense. They have the ability to drop 40+ almost every game. Landry Jones is coming off a huge year, and will keep chucking the ball around. He's come a long way since his freshmen season. Ryan Broyles will be among the leaders in the country for receiving stats. They lost DeMarco Murray, but should still have a stable rushing attack, as they return four offensive linemen.
Concerns- Jones threw 12 interceptions last year, that will happen with the amount of attempts he has. He needs to lay off the mistakes. They do not have a proven Back, either. Defensively, they play in a very up-tempo league also their offense will be scoring early and often, creating more work. They also have to overcome the tragic death of Linebacker, Austin Box.
Final Call-The Sooners have an explosive offense, loaded with weapons. They will be lighting up the scoreboard quite a bit. They also do not have to deal with a Big 12 Title game this year, making the run to a championship a little easier. They have a huge early season matchup with Florida State on September 17. That will be one of the games of the year.
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| Heisman Candidate, LaMichael James |
3.
Oregon.
What to Like-When thinking of Oregon, speed is the first thing that comes to mind. This team is abundant in speed and athleticism. LaMichael James will get serious Heisman contention, and may be the front runner entering the season. Darron Thomas managed the team well, and his athletic ability is a key asset for this team. He will be counted on to make a few more throws this season, and he should respond.
Concerns-The Defense loses 6 starters. They played well last year and saw plenty of field action with the offense scoring so much. It may be difficult for them to duplicate the kind of success they had last year. Also their two biggest games, LSU and Stanford are outside of Eugene.
Final Call- Oregon had a banner year last season, but ran into Cam Newton in the Title game. This team can make another serious run this year. The offense is not really in question, but can the defense keep up? Time will tell, but LSU at Cowboys Stadium to start the year will be a big, big test.
4.
Nebraska.
What to Like-I like the conference change. The Big 12 over the years turned into a spread wide open league, whereas the Big Ten remained a hard nosed defensive minded league. Nebraska fits in better with the defense and running game style. Taylor Martinez may now have turned into the league's most dynamic player with Pryor's troubles in Columbus. Jared Crick may also be the league's best defensive player.
Concerns- Its hard to walk into a league and just expect to win it right away. Nebraska has a great challenge ahead.
Final Call- Pelini has really turned the corner in Lincoln and has gotten Nebraska back to where the should be. With Martinez anchoring the offense, and Crick doing the same on defense, the team is in very good hands. Their first year in the league gives the Huskers trips to Madison, Happy Valley, and Ann Arbor. With Ohio State's issues, the league seems open for the taking. Nebraska may be the team that takes control.
5.
LSU.
What to Like- LSU returns 15 starters off last year's 11 win season. LSU always finds themselves with some of the best athletes in the country and this year should be no different. The Defense and playing in Death Valley alone, should keep them in contention for most games.
Concerns- Jordan jefferson is a great talent at QB, but has yet to prove it. The fan base has been on him constantly, but the teams still manages wins games with defense. He needs to be better this year, or things could get ugly. A Running Back needs to emerge to help stabilize offensive consistency. And they will face five preseason ranked teams, including #3 Oregon for the opener.
Final Call- It seems Les Miles teams always find a way to win. Its not always pretty though. The 2011 Tigers have enough talent to take the SEC, but also could lose 3-4 games. It could be a real swing season for this program.
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| Andrew Luck |
6.
Stanford.
What to Like- Andrew Luck. They have the best Quarterback in all of college football, and arguably the best player. He makes this team go, and without him its hard to imagine them even ranked. He's that kind of player. Stepfan Taylor is a reliable running back that will help relieve Luck's responsibilities.
Concerns- It is very concerning that this team may not even be ranked without "Luck". Coach Harbaugh built this thing up, and now he's gone. They had a good thing going, and hired one of his assistants in David Shaw, but Harbaugh was believed to be the key behind all the success. Losing 12 starters hurts, too.
Final Call- Stanford is capable of running off 7 wins to start the year before the USC game. I think they will get those seven wins. Luck's value is immeasurable, and he can will this team to some wins. If they take care of business against who they should, and take two of three with USC and Oregon and Notre Dame, a Rose Bowl berth would certainly be in order.
7.
Florida State. What to Like-The coaching transition to Jimbo Fisher has seemingly been a positive move for the entire program. He has recruited very well thus far, and is loading up for a nice run for the Seminoles. 17 starters back is something that can not be overlooked. The Defense will be among the best in the conference and in the country. EJ Manuel is an intriguing player for the 'Noles. He fared well in filling in for Ponder, and he has quite a bit of expectations in what he can do with the full time job.
Concerns-A lot of Florida State's hopes ride with EJ Manuel, if he does not do the job he is expected to do, a long season may be in hand. The non conference schedule features games with Oklahoma and a trip to Gainesville.
Final Call-I think Florida State's defense will be solid this year, and will help them win some games. I like what they have up and coming, they have solid skill players and a QB that is capable of a Cam Newton type season. It may not all happen this year, but a return to Florida State greatness is imminent.
8.
Texas A&M.
What to Like- The Aggies return 18 starters and are coming off a very promising campaign. Football in College Station is alive, and they should be highly competitive in the exciting Big 12. Beating Oklahoma and Texas last year was monumental, and does not happen very often. Ryan Tannehill got the chance to run the team last year and sparked a 6 game winning streak to close out the regular season. He will have a lot of hype and hope around him this season. Cyrus Gray also emerged as a great Back that will also receive plenty of attention.
Concerns-Losing a player of Von Miller hurts any team. Despite having 9 returnees on defense, there will be a void this year at Linebacker. Having Tannehill at QB is not a sure thing, maybe last year was a flash in the pan type deal. The Big 12 is not an easy task to walk through.
Final Call- A&M is good, but I'm not sold on them being able to take the next step. A BCS berth is possible, but I would not take it to the bank. Tannehill is one of the nation's most exciting players and can create a lot big plays with his athleticism. I don't think they win the league, but they will have a lot to say about who does.
9.
Virginia Tech-
What to Like- You have to like Virginia Tech's consistency. Year in and year out, the Hokies always seemingly have a solid team. This year will be no different. They will gut games out with running the ball and defense. The Hokies have a solid core of receivers that might make Logan Thomas' first year as a starter a little easier.
Concerns-There is quite a bit of turnover this year, even at key positions. Tyrod Taylor was an under appreciated guy that got results. His play making style of play will be missed, as will the two running backs Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. These guys must be replaced early on, or it could be a long road.
Final Call- Beamer avoids the colossal opener this year, and may have an easing effect on his team. They can run off 5 wins to start the year before meeting Miami on October 8. They can get some momentum and confidence and play a key role in the ACC race.
10.
Oklahoma State.
What to Like-The explosive offense will be a force this season. A team that ranked third nationally in scoring offense and total offense has some key players back. Brandon Weeden amassed over 4,000 yards en route to an Okie State 11 win season. His top target, Justin Blackmon returns after a 20 Touchdown season. The line remains perfectly intact, and should help pave the way for another big year on offense.
Concerns- The architect of the whole scheme has gone and taken his talents to Morgantown. Who knows how critical Dana Holgorsen's play calling was to the success? The pieces are still here, but without the guy calling the shots, it could cause a problem.
Final Call- The Cowboys have great offensive pieces. They should be able to duplicate the type of success they had last season. They fell just short of beating in-state rival Oklahoma last season, and the game will be in Stillwater this year to close out the regular season. It could be the biggest meeting of "Bedlam" ever seen.
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| James White |
11.
Wisconsin.
What to Like- The great running game of Wisconsin will be instrumental to their success. James White and Montee Ball will have no trouble in filling in for John Clay. Not to mention, the Badgers got a huge boost to their program in the summer by getting Russell Wilson for a year. He is a Quarterback with a ton of experience and a very under rated talent. He is going to make a big impact in the Big Ten.
Concerns-The Badgers did lose some defensive standouts, but nothing to be concerned about. They lost some linemen, but usually they are well stocked there. It hard to find many concerns with this team other than if Wilson does not adjust well.
Final Call- Not tough to figure out a typical Wisconsin team. They are going to run, and play defense. There is nothing flashy, but it works. White and Ball will team up for big seasons, and Wilson should make a solid addition. I do not see them as a Big Ten Champion, but they can put together a very nice year either way.
12.
Georgia.
What to Like- The Bulldogs may have finally found a Quarterback. Aaron Murray posted a solid freshmen campaign. He will have to step up without AJ Green to throw to, but people are confident he can play at a high level. Isiah Conwell may have to have a big freshmen impact. He is a talented back, and will be asked to contribute right away.
Concerns- Georgia has not been a real contender in a couple years. Year after year they get hyped up, but can not seem to produce. Pressure is on Coach Mark Richt to start winning big games. They have the talent to challenge for an SEC title. It is time to prove they can.
Final Call- By far, they are in the weaker half of the SEC. They can certainly play with Florida as they go through a coaching change. Murray needs to show consistency and make less mistakes. If Conwell provides the same type of impact as Lattimore did for South Carolina, the Dogs can make a little noise.
13.
USC-
What to Like-Matt Barkley heads a USC team ready to avenge some of last season's close losses. He will make a pitch to be a top draft pick, and will have plenty of talent to throw to, as always. The Trojans bring back eight starters on defense.
Concerns-The Trojans have some high profile type games, and Barkley has lost some those games over the years. He needs a prime time type win. A trip to South Bend followed up by a game with Stanford will put USC on the spot for two straight weeks in October. It will be interesting to see how Matt Barkley responds.
Final Call- Its USC. They have some of the best talent in the country, bar none. I like Matt Barkley and see him as a great prospect for the next level. The Trojans can go for a big year, or another 8-5 type year. It is all on how they play the close games. A 1 point defeat to Washington, 2 to Stanford, and 4 to Notre Dame could have chnaged the face of the whole season. This year, they need to win some of those games.
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| The All Blue's |
14.
Boise State.
What to Like- Kellen Moore is going to give it another shot at a Heisman trophy. He will lead another powerful offense that will be tough to stop. Doug Martin will keep the running game a threat. Boise will be able to score at will, and the defense should be solid again. This is just a well built program.
Concerns- The Broncos will travel East again for another big time opener. Georgia in the opener will be another true test, but this game has such a big meaning for Boise State. This is one of their few marquee and respected games for the nation to see. Also having the all blue uniforms on the blue turf outlawed may bring the biggest concern.
Final Call- Boise State can go 11-1, and that would be a disappointing campaign. This program has allowed for itself to be in Championship contention on a yearly basis, but perfection is the only way. Big games with Georgia and TCU are basically what the season comes down to. It is hard to imagine them losing to anyone else.
15.
Florida.
What to Like- The Gators have the athletes to go out and win some games, its just a matter of the new coaching staff finding places for them. Going from a spread to a traditional offense is a rare thing seen these days, but the team is in good hands with Muschamp and Charlie Weis.
Concerns- This team is built for a spread, so like any coaching change, the personnel will not be there right away. John Brantley may be better suited to play in this offense, but he is coming off an average season. Weis is a great quarterback's coach, and has his work cut out for him this year.
Final Call-The schedule will be grueling, but the talent is there to still contend for a SEC East Title. If Brantley responds well to being coached up by Weis, there can be a pleasant surprise in Gainesville this year.
16.
Ohio State.
What to Like-Tressel went out in flames, but the guy could certainly recruit. Ohio State still has the players to win. They have enough Backs and Receivers to help Bauserman make a smooth transition into starting quarterback.The Buckeyes also, have enough defensive talent and tradition to put up yet another great year.
Concerns- Tressel and Pryor are gone. The program is in rough times, to say the least. They still have to have other key players sit out their suspensions. Ohio State will rebound, but it looks bad as it is.
Final Call- Ohio State will grit out 9 wins just because they are Ohio State. I expect them to go out and hire a big time name like a John Gruden or Urban Meyer, if they can somehow lure them out of retirement. Any way they approach it, the Buckeyes will be in full force in a few short seasons.
17.
West Virginia.
What to Like- The Mountaineers should have a good offense. Geno Smith is expected to put on a very big season, and with Dana Holgorsen on board, chances are he will. They have a big time playmaker in Tavon Austin. They 'Eers are expecting to average a lot of points.
Concerns-They did lose 7 starters on Defense, and that was a very good defense last season. There was some offseason turmoil with former coach Bill Stewart and new head man, Dana Holgorsen. They should be able to overcome that, but it did not look good over the summer.
Final Call- I see three teams in the Big East that will challenge to win the league, and WVU is the best of the the teams heading into the season. Geno Smith should adjust and flourish under the new offense. The Mountaineers are the favorites now to represent the Big East in the BCS.
18.
Notre Dame.
What to Like- The Irish seem to be up and coming. They finished the year, with strong wins over USC and Miami. Dayne Crist looks like another solid Notre Dame Quaterback. Michael Floyd will be back, and has a chance to be the best receiver in the country. The Defense returns 8 starters and expects to be a strength of the team.
Concerns- Brian Kelly has things going in the right direction, but still lost some questionable games last season. There is a faint Quarterback battle, and any shaky play by Crist may cause Tommy Rees to get a chance. The schedule is always a test, and this year will be no different.
Final Call- The Irish are getting better. Brian Kelly is a winner, and he will win in South Bend. They have a tough schedule, but not an impossible one. Notre Dame can win a lot of games this year, but can struggle through certain patches of their schedule.
19.
Arkansas.
What to Like-The Offense should be good. Tyler Wilson is a solid QB prospect, that filled in nicely for Mallett when he was called upon. He has three experienced wide receivers that are all seniors that can make plays in Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, and Greg Childs.The Defense was better last year, and they bring back seven starters.
Concerns- Well, the star of the offense is out for the year. Knile Davis suffered an ankle injury that will prevent the 1300 yard back to play. Also, Wilson is expected to do well, but he is no Ryan Mallett.
Final Call-They play in a division in which three schools have won National Championships this past decade, including Alabama and Auburn winning the past two. Needless to say, Arkansas is in a tough spot. But they did manage a Sugar Bowl berth last year, and they can make another solid run this year.
20.
TCU.
What to Like- The Horned Frogs have one of the best programs in the country. They return all of six starters both ways, yet they are generally considered a Top 25 team. Ed Wesley is a proven back, and will be counted on to be the catalyst of the offense. TCU also boasts one of the better team defenses in the country and this year should bring another solid unit.
Concerns- Losing 16 starters off a Rose Bowl Champion team is no walk in the park. Andy Dalton was a top flight Quarterback and will be missed considerably.
Final Call- The soon to be Big East squad can still rack up one more solid campaign in the Mountain West. They will be challenged by an early season road trip to Baylor, and a huge game looms in November against Boise State on the blue turf.
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| Marcus Lattimore |
21.
South Carolina.
What to Like- The Gamecocks are coming off a solid 9 win season, that led to their first SEC Championship game appearance under Steve Spurrier. They return a solid nucleus from that team. Marcus Lattimore could very well be the best offensive player in the country. He is a powerful back, that is due for a big sophomore season. Alshon Jeffery is a big talent at receiver.
Concerns-Stephen Garcia has been a shaky Quaterback and him actually playing this year is up in the air due to offseason complications. Finding a QB to run the show could be a cause of concern.
Final Call- South Carolina can certainly contend for an SEC East title. Lattimore is a legitimate All American candidate and his ability can carry the team.
22.
Miami.
What to Like-Jacory Harris is a very, very talented QB. He just needs to put it all together for a season. The 'Canes bring back 4 offensive linemen, capable running backs, and talented receivers. The offense should be a solid, the defense also brings back some very talented play makers.
Concerns- Although talented, underachieving has been this group's biggest flaw. And now with a new coach, there is two ways how they can respond to the new system, and one could be that they do not respond well. Golden will be more of a disciplinarian than Shannon was.
Final Call- Al Golden has more talent than he could have dreamed of when he was at Temple. Now its time to see what he can do with it. Jacory Harris could finally put together all the talent for an entire season, and if he does, Miami can make some moves.
23.
Texas.
What to Like-Texas has a new revamped coaching staff. They will have a new focus on running the ball, and Garrett Gilbert should have a big year at Quarterback . Texas is always among the most talented teams in the country, being in one of the most fertile recruiting grounds. This year should be no different, the defense brings back six starters and should have a nice bounce back year after a un-Texas like 5-7 campaign last year.
Concerns-Garrett Gilbert showed flashes of brilliance, but also showed some inconsistencies. He needs to cut down from his 17 interceptions last year, and also needs to use his legs more often. Texas also has a host of unproven receivers, a leader needs to emerge.
Final Call-Texas will not be 5-7 again, thats for sure. But how good can the 'Horns be? They are talented across the board, yet unproven. If the younger players grow up sooner rather than later, the Longhorns should be able to get 9-10 wins.
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| Kirk Cousins |
24.
Michigan State.
What to Like-The Spartans bring back twelve starters from their most successful team in years, including QB Kirk Cousins. He is a very underrated and poised a QB. He will lead the Spartans to another post New Year's Bowl if all things go as planned. Edwin Baker will help produce for Sparty on the ground. The defense should be serviceable again, Trenton Robinson is as good as a safety as you will find in the Big Ten.
Concerns-The Spartans are deep, but were exposed badly in last year's two losses. The 42 point defeat at the hands of Alabama in the Capital One Bowl was not a good way to end the season.
Final Call-Michigan State is capable of having another big season, but they could go back to their underachieving ways. Cousins is the key. He is a heady Quarterback that can win games. If he produces, the Spartans will be fine.
25.
Utah.
What to Like-The Utes have had big success for years as a "Mid-Major" Now its time to see what they can do in a "BCS Conference." They have beaten teams from major conferences in the past. Jordan Wynn is an athletic Quarterback that should grow into a more reliable player this season. The Defense should be deep at Linebacker and should be a good unit.
Concerns-The Utes have fared well against Power conference teams before, but can they do it week in and week out? A game at USC in week two will say a lot about where they are.
Final Call-The Utes will be successful in the Pac 12 down the line, but will it happen right away? It can happen as long as Wynn produces like he is expected too. They avoid games with Stanford and Oregon, which is lucky for any team in this league.
Not the biggest fan of college Football on Friday nights, but if you are stuck by a tv than you will luck out this Friday. Baylor Quarterback, Robert Griffin III is worth watching by himself. The guy is a freak, and if he played at Texas, he would be dubbed the next Vince Young and would be a Heisman front runner. Oh and TCU is always really, really good.
Well this should just be a must watch because we have no clue what Miami team will show up? They will be dealing with suspensions and guys being kicked off the team after the offseason scandals. Can anyone really say they are surprised the Hurricane players were being paid? Either way, Maryland will take a shot at the Canes on primetime. It will be a big game in College Park. Plus its a Monday Night, what else are you going to be watching?
The Broncos again will be taking the spotlight on opening weekend, at another "neutral site." I doubt you will see much Bronco blue in Atlanta this night. Georgia may finally have a chance at an SEC Championship. and Quarterback Aaron Murray looks like a solid player. Kellen Moore's Heisman hopes and Boise's title hopes begin here, and we can only hope they wear these helmets again. These things are sick...
This game is a Texas sized battle, no wonder they chose Dallas to host it. The general assumption is that the SEC has the most speed in the country, well LSU will have a good look at a very fast Oregon team. Darron Thomas and LaMichael James can take it to the house any play. Certainly a great matchup for the tough LSU defense. You can't go wrong with this game or the Boise State game. But the biggest question going into this game, What uniforms will Oregon pull out? Great way to kick off College Football. Enjoy everybody.
