College Football 2002-2003

[Guest Blackston]

Hello,

 

I don't know how much this board likes college football, but I figure that I would go ahead and get some talk started up as we head into the preseason classics. Every conference has its' own unique story this year, each being interesting to follow. Here is a conference-by-conference breakdown of the upcoming year.

 

ACC: 2001-2002 Champion: Maryland Terrapins

Predicted 2002-2003 Champion: Florida State Seminoles

 

Synopsis: Florida State had an absolutely embarassing 2001-2002 season, and they are looking to put that behind them with a strong showing this year. Florida State lost so much of the reputation that they had achieved by losing to North Carolina State at Doak Campbell, and by getting trounced by UNC. Maryland (!), of all teams, took advantage of FSU's slip, and stole the ACC title in an absolutely stunning reversal of fortune. Personally, I feel that much of Maryland's success occured because of teams looking past the Terps, and that coming back to bite them in the ass. I don't know how well the Terps will fare now that they have got a giant target on their backs. The Wolfpack of North Carolina State are the first ACC opponents to notch a victory over FSU at Doak-Campbell, and they may use that experience to fire themselves up for a successful campaign this year.

 

Predicted Order of Finish (* represents BCS team)

*1. Florida State Seminoles

2. North Carolina State Wolfpack

3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

4. Maryland Terrapins

5. Virginia Cavaliers

6. Clemson Tigers

7. North Carolina Tar Heels

8. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

9. Duke Blue Devils

 

Big East: 2001-2002 Champion: Miami Hurricanes

Predicted 2002-2003 Champion: Miami Hurricanes

Synopsis: I'll admit it. I did not believe that the Hurricanes would be able to win the national championship last year, and they proved me wrong in a big way. There is quite a bit of rumbling that this year's edition of the Hurricanes may be a bit better then last year's. Couple that with a very weak conference, and one might think that it will be a cakewalk for the Hurricanes to at least have the opportunity to defend their title in the Fiesta Bowl, but as Lee Corso might say "Not so fast my friend". The road to the Fiesta Bowl will take the Hurricanes to Florida and to Tennessee, not to mention a home matchup against Florida State. Boston College might be the second best team in the Big East, and if Miami loses its' focus against the Eagles, BC has the very real possibility of stealing an upset.

Predicted order of finish

*1. Miami Hurricanes

2. Boston College Eagles

3. Virginia Tech Hokies

4. Syracuse Orangemen

5. West Virginia Mountaineers

6. Pittsburgh Panthers

7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

8. Temple Owls

 

Big Ten: 2001-2002 Champions: Illinois Fighting Illini

Predicted 2002-2003 Champions: Michigan State Spartans

Synopsis: Easily the most wide open BCS conference this year, there are no less then five legitimate contenders to the Big Ten Title this year. Michigan, Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State are all fielding quality teams this year, and I don't see how any of these teams will get through the regular season unscathed. The reason that I gave the Spartans the nod is because they lose both Ohio State and Illinois on their schedule due to the Big Ten's round-robin scheduling system. The Big Ten has been taking some serious lumps recently, and unfortunately, I don't see any national championship caliber teams coming from the conference again this year. Next year, there may be something special coming along from Columbus.

Predicted order of finish

*1. Michigan State Spartans

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

3. Michigan Wolverines

4. Illinois Fighting Illini

5. Wisconsin Badgers

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

8. Purdue Boilermakers

9. Indiana Hoosiers

10. Minnesota Golden Gophers

11. Northwestern Wildcats

 

Big Twelve: 2001-2002 Champions: Colorado Buffalos

Predicted 2002-2003 Champions: Texas Longhorns

Synopsis: Could this be the year that Mack Brown finally leads his massively talented squad to National Championship glory? In a word... no. I feel that Texas has got a legitimate crack at playing in the Fiesta Bowl, but the schedule is anything but favorable to the Longhorns. They got stuck with games against North Division rivals Iowa State, Kansas State, and Nebraska. Three very good teams. Add to that the bitter rivalry game against Oklahoma, and then against Texas A&M, and after that a Big Twelve Championship game. I just don't see the Longhorns gigging their ways through that veritable gauntlet unscathed. I could see Texas losing one of those games, then getting voted into the championship game by the BCS computers, but we will have to see. In the North division, I think Nebraska will reclaim their throne by beating the Colorado Buffalos, and claim one of the two at-large BCS spots.

Predicted order of finish:

North Division:

*1. Nebraska Cornhuskers

2. Colorado Buffalos

3. Kansas State Wildcats

4. Iowa State Cyclones

5. Missouri Tigers

6. Kansas Jayhawks

South Division:

*1. Texas Longhorns

2. Oklahoma Sooners

3. Texas A&M Aggies

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders

6. Baylor Bears

 

Pac 10: 2001-2002 Champions: Oregon Ducks

Predicted 2002-2003 Champions: Oregon Ducks

Synopsis: I was all kinds of impressed with the Oregon Ducks at the end of the year last year, and I feel that if Oregon got the nod over Nebraska, then we would have had a much murkier national championship picture last year. In my estimation, this conference is a two team race between Oregon and the Huskies of Washington. I like Oregon for two reasons. One, the Oregon-Washington game is being played at Oregon, where the Ducks are nearly invincible. Two, the already suspect Washington defense (witness the Holiday Bowl defensive calapse against the Longhorns) returns just five starters. It will be a challenge to get a young group of defensive players to gel together, especially in the wide-open offensive attack that defines the Pac Ten Conference. Every year, I hear that the Southern Californian teams are on the verge of getting themselves back together, and every year ends up being completely mediocre for them. I hope that they can get themselves back on track.

*1. Oregon Ducks

2. Washington Huskies

3. Washington State Cougars

4. Oregon State Beavers

5. UCLA Bruins

6. USC Trojans

7. Arizona State Sun Devils

8. Stanford Cardinal

9. Cal Golden Bears

10. Arizona Wildcats

 

SEC: 2001-2002 Champions: LSU Tigers

Predicted 2002-2003 Champions: LSU Tigers

Synopsis: Alright, here is my dark horse pick for the national championship this year. I really feel that the LSU Tigers have the ability, experience, and coaching to take home another SEC Championship, or a National title. The only real threat to the Tigers in the regular season would be a trip to Florida. If they can beat the Hokies at Blackburg, win against the Gators in the Swamp, win against the SEC East Champion (my pick: Tennessee) at a neutral site, then they should be able to outtalent the rest of their opponents. In the East, Tennessee has got the home game in the annual Florida-Tennessee war, and should have the inside track to take home the throne, and an at-large BCS slot.

Predicted order of finish:

East:

*1. Tennessee Volunteers

2. Florida Gators

3. South Carolina Gamecocks

4. Georgia Bulldogs

5. Kentucky Wildcats

6. Vanderbilt Commodores

West:

*1. LSU Tigers

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

3. Auburn Tigers

4. Arkansas Razorbacks

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs

6. Ole Miss Rebels

 

Let me know what you all think about my rankings... They are probably going to be shit. I'll be back before the Classics with shit about each of the games.

[Guest MrRant]

Pac 10: 2001-2002 Champions: Oregon Ducks

Predicted 2002-2003 Champions: Oregon Ducks

Synopsis: I was all kinds of impressed with the Oregon Ducks at the end of the year last year, and I feel that if Oregon got the nod over Nebraska, then we would have had a much murkier national championship picture last year. In my estimation, this conference is a two team race between Oregon and the Huskies of Washington. I like Oregon for two reasons. One, the Oregon-Washington game is being played at Oregon, where the Ducks are nearly invincible. Two, the already suspect Washington defense (witness the Holiday Bowl defensive calapse against the Longhorns) returns just five starters. It will be a challenge to get a young group of defensive players to gel together, especially in the wide-open offensive attack that defines the Pac Ten Conference. Every year, I hear that the Southern Californian teams are on the verge of getting themselves back together, and every year ends up being completely mediocre for them. I hope that they can get themselves back on track.

*1. Oregon Ducks

2. Washington Huskies

3. Washington State Cougars

4. Oregon State Beavers

5. UCLA Bruins

6. USC Trojans

7. Arizona State Sun Devils

8. Stanford Cardinal

9. Cal Golden Bears

10. Arizona Wildcats

 

.

OREGON?!?!? Switch that wish the Huskies and I will be okay with you.

I think Cody Pickett will open up a lot of peoples eyes and will lead the team to at least the conference title.

 

I DESPISE Oregon... not just as a school... but as a state and as a people. Do you know you can't even pump your own gas in that goddamn state?

[Guest phoenixrising]

Well, since I live out here in Southern Cali the conference I really follow is the Pac-10, so I'll respond to that first.

 

I don't think the Ducks will win the Pac-10. Jason Fife is supposed to be better physically than Harrington but doesn't have the experience or the proven crunchtime ability Harrington had. They're also replacing their two best corners, which were the cornerstone (no pun intended) of the Oregon D.

 

Washington has a good shot, depending on how the defense plays.

 

I think WSU is going to win the Pac-10. They get the three top contenders (USC, Oregon and Washington) at home. Their toughest away game is when they play Ohio State. Plus, WSU returns the best quarterback in the Pac-10 in Jason Gesser.

 

USC will go far if Carson Palmer lives up to his hype. They have a nice core of runners and a great group of recievers as well. On defense they have the Pac-10's best defensive player, Troy Polamalu. What might hold USC back though is their OOC schedule (Auburn, at Colorado, at KSU. They get ND at home)

 

As for my team, UCLA - they had all the pieces in place last year and blew it. <start Toledo/Paus rant> Bob Toledo is wearing out his welcome fast...everyone loved him after UCLA nearly made the national championship game in 1998, but since then it's gone to crap. Since 98 it seems like UCLA starts off 4-0, 5-0, 6-0 and are ranked in the top 5, and then they proceed to lose every game after. Not to mention we've lost to SC three years in a row. THREE FREAKING YEARS!! And it's nice to see Toledo finally cracking down on his players after the Handicap Hijinx of 1999, the SUV OF DOOM last year and Cory Paus having TWO DUI's. And Paus...well, he was hurt a lot last year...but I think it really helped him look good when he had Freddie Mitchell flying down the field taunting defenders. Supposedly the QB spot is open and there is a competition, but it won't be a surprise if Paus reclaims his spot. <end Toledo/Paus rant>

 

As to how they'll do, UCLA will have one of the best offensive lines in football led by OT Mike Saffer. The skill players are the question mark. I think Akil Harris and Manuel White will do fine replacing Foster. As for recievers - Tab Perry was coming along till he got hurt, and Bragg got better as the year went on. Mike Seidman is a good tight end, but the passing game will depend on if Paus is 100%. On defense, Ricky Manning and Matt Ware are great in the secondary. Ware's at free safety this year but might move back to corner if Joe Hunter doesn't work out - UCLA's new attacking D needs two shut down corners. Linebacker is a little unsettled, but the D-line looks good, as do the special teams. Talent wise though, Oregon, Washington, WSU, and dare I say it USC are far ahead of UCLA. But last year UCLA didn't look like anything special and they jumped out to a 7-0 start before the "Toledo factor" (ability for a team to completely fall apart when it is on top) kicked in. If UCLA makes a bowl this year, I'll be pleased. If they beat USC...well let's just say I haven't partied in a while.

[Guest phoenixrising]

While I'm at it, quick Heisman list...

 

Rex Grossman, QB, Florida

Ken Dorsey, QB, Miami

Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

Dave Ragone, QB, Louisville

Jason Gesser, QB, Washington State

[Guest Vern Gagne]

A few quick observations

 

-The Gophers might be a suprise in the Big 10. The non-conference schedule is easy, but the road schedule in the Big Ten is brutal.

 

-Texas will have that one game next year that will prevent them from making to the Fiesta Bowl.

 

-Florida St. returns almost there entire defense. They've gotta point to prove this year

 

-Florida finally play Miami. It's about time.

 

-USC finished strong last season, can this talented team play up to potential or will it be another 5-6, 6-5 season?

 

Watch Rex Grossman win the Heisman this year undeservedly.

[Guest Spicy McHaggis]

USC will go far if Carson Palmer lives up to his hype. They have a nice core of runners and a great group of recievers as well. On defense they have the Pac-10's best defensive player, Troy Polamalu. What might hold USC back though is their OOC schedule (Auburn, at Colorado, at KSU. They get ND at home).

More accurately, if Palmer lives up to predictions of greatness/exceeds the current low expectations the Trojans will be flying high. Our running backs are going to be pretty good... watch out for Justin Fargas. Our receivers are experienced, but I think Kelly has to step it up. Defensively we should be pretty good, I'd say our corners are our biggest weakness. Hopefully we can keep improving and beat UCLA once again. Fight On!!!

 

</school pride>

 

BTW, Phoenix where in SoCal do you live?

[Guest phoenixrising]

I live about 20 to 30 minutes outside of LA, a little place called Walnut. Didn't go to UCLA, but grew up a very big fan and stayed a fan. It helped that the school I went to, UCR, i snot a big sports school so I didn't have to take flak for not being completely dedicated to UCR's sports program.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

I'm a big Miami fan, but better than last year? The secondary is very young & lost 3 starters, including the leader of the defense (Ed Reed). Plus a few offensive lineman & Jeremy Shockey, and the starting RB (Portis). They *should* win the Big East, but I wouldn't call it a lock.