The jinx is in!

[Guest]

USC is pretty loaded too.

[Damaramu 0]

USC:

 

From 1950 to 1989 a period that ended with 3 consecutive appearances in the Rose Bowl, USC had only 8 seasons in which they lost at least 5 games. In the next 12 years they reached that 5 loss total 9 times and were onf ot he most underachieving teams in the country for a decade. Pete Carroll has officially brought the Trojans back and in 2002 they beat seven teams that were ranked in the Top 25 and destroyed UCLA, Notre Dame, and Iowa in the final 3 games by a 134-51 margin. USC finished 11-2 despite facing 11 teams that ended up in bowls and the nation's toughest schedule. That 2002 team outgained Pac 10 foes by an average of 126.3 ypg. Last lear they had to replace Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. Two of my 7 sets of power ratings called them #1 heading into last season and they simply took home the National Title in dominating fashion finishing with a 12-1 record. They outscored foes by an average of 41.1 to 18.4. Their only defeat in 2003 was a 3-OT loss to Cal. In all 3 years of Carroll's defense, the Trojans have produced more turnovers and have been +16, +18, and +20 the last 3 seasons. Just like last year, USC returns 6 starters on each side of the ball but this tim have an experienced QB. While USC has 27 lettermen lost(most in the PAC 10) they are loaded with NFL caliber talent at EVERY position. The Trojans are clearly one of the top teams in the NCAA again and will likely be #1 in the AP poll at the start of the year and deservedly so. All of my sets of power ratings call for the Trojans to achieve an undefeated season. If they manage that they will earn a spot in the Orange Bowl for the BCS National Title game, a game in which Trojan fans felt they should have been in last season.

 

So he gives USC there credit. Interesting that he's calling for OU to be undefeated and the greatest team ever but at the same time he's calling for USC to be undefeated. What's this? An undefeated National Title game? That'll rock and it's a great selling point.

"These two teams made it through the season undefeated....but now one of them has to take a loss home and the other takes the national title!"

[Art Sandusky 0]

That's the beauty of being a Tennessee fan, I think. We manage to pull out a good-to-great team each year regardless of what preseason expectations are. We push our coach hard because we know we can do great every year and that he can do it. Fulmer will die at Tennessee barring three straight losing seasons or something.

 

Dammit, I'm hyped for football again. DAMN YOU, DAMARAMU!!!!

[Damaramu 0]

Fulmer's 13 year record: 113-28. That's not fucking bad at all. That's really damn good actually.

 

Man this magazine is great. Pick it up guys. I probably like it more b/c the writer has OU's cock in his mouth....but overall it's still a really good magazine with some good general information. I'm learning a lot about the other conferences around the country from it.

 

Here's his 2003 Toughest Conference ratings:

 

1. SEC

2. Big Ten

3. Big XII

4. ACC

5. PAC 10

6. Big East

7. Mt. West

8. CUSA

9. MAC

10. WAC

11. Independence

12. Sun Belt

 

Now here's his rankings for 2004:

1. SEC

2. Big 12

3. ACC

4. Big Ten(tie)

4. Pac 10

6. Big East(tie)

6. CUSA

8. Mt. West

9. MAC

10. WAC

11. Independence

12. Sun Belt

 

So.....everyone agrees how tough the SEC is. He thinks the Big XII will be better which it should. And the ACC gets a leap there with the addition of some good teams. And the Big East is left at the bottom of the majors. Can't blame it though. What does the Big East have left? Nothing really.

That ACC is getting good. Everyone better look out. They have good basketball teams. Good Football teams. And good baseball teams. They may just take over every sport soon.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Man Phil Steele's pimping of Oklahoma this year is like Athlon's pimping of USC this year or *shudder* Sporting News' pimping of Auburn last year.

Athlon does an outstanding job. All 117 team's projected starters and backups. A great magazine too get to know some of the lesser known players and teams.

 

National Championship is usually a bitch to figure out.

 

Last year neither LSU or USC were national championship contenders going into the season. Same goes for Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Ohio St. when they won it.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Top 4 Heisman Contenders:

 

1. Timmy Chang, Hawaii

 

2. Matt Leinhart, USC

 

3. Jason White, Oklahoma

 

4. Darren Sproles, Kansas State

 

 

 

Funny thing is that I'm getting the general consensus from this magazine on the Big XII conference is "Oklahoma is winning it all the rest of the Big XII will have to eat there dust. Oh but Texas has a chance at the National Title....but they have to beat Oklahoma. Which they can't do."

Which is actually true. My prediction is that Texas will never beat OU as long as Mack Brown and Bob Stoops are the head coaches. Bob Stoops is like the best coach in the country and Mack Brown......well he has problems.

Timmy F'ing Chang has been nothing but hype for 4 years. Sure he throws alot of TD's, but that's too be expected in Hawaii's offense. He also throws too many Int's, and is injury prone. He has no business being the favorite for the Heisman.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Athlon does an outstanding job. All 117 team's projected starters and backups. A great magazine too get to know some of the lesser known players and teams.

 

Oh Athlon does do a great job, especially with the conference and regional issues of their magazines, which for some teams have an article on a player, a coach, or a past team.

[Damaramu 0]

Anybody else want to know about there team?

[Damaramu 0]

Oh and here's his preseason top 40:

 

1. Oklahoma

2. USC

3. LSU

4. Florida St

5. Georgia

6. Miami

7. Michigan

8. Texas

9. West Virginia

10. California

11. Utah

12. Ohio State

13. Florida

14. Virginia

15. Missouri

16. Kansas State

17. Tennessee

18. Wisconsin

19. Memphis

20. Oregon

21. Louisville

22. Auburn

23. NC State(T)

23. Hawaii(T)

24. Alabama

25. Minnesota

26. Texas Tech

27. Boston College

28. Boise St

29. Clemson

30. TCU

31. Iowa

32. Arizona St

33. North Texas

34. Fresno State

35. Marshall

36. Penn St

37. S Carolina

38. N. Illinois

39. Notre Dame

40. Purdue

 

So take that for what you will. He gives reasoning for all of them so if you have a question as to why somebody is ranked so high or low just ask.

[Damaramu 0]

Timmy F'ing Chang has been nothing but hype for 4 years. Sure he throws alot of TD's, but that's too be expected in Hawaii's offense. He also throws too many Int's, and is injury prone. He has no business being the favorite for the Heisman.

Timmy Chang:

 

Chang has had an injury plagued career and even was benched for their last two games last year but did not pout and responded with 475 yards and 5 TD's in there bowl win. He has an excellent offensive line and WR's to work with and only needs 2,218 yards passing to break the NCAA record. If he is healthy he will have that by midseason. They have tough WAC trips to Boise St and Freson St and host some Big 10 teams so pulling a few upsets would only aid his cause. He should be the NCAA's most prolific passer this seson and I give him a shot at a 5,000 yard season.

 

Man.....bold predictions abound.

[Vern Gagne 0]

18. Wisconsin

I know like 17 starters return, but since they've won the Rose Bowl we've heard the same thing and Wisconsin has been a failure. 13 conference wins the last 4 years. That's just too many mediocre seasons, too continue to be ranked in the Top 20. Which is were most publications have them listed.

[Damaramu 0]

It does seem that there are certain teams that are ranked in the preseason no matter what....I disagree with his ranking of Florida State however:

 

The Seminoles have underachieved in recent years including 2003 when Miami, Fl handed them 2 of their 3 losses. The ACC got a lot tougher this year, but FSU is capable of runnign the table IF QB Chris Rix can play good ball consistently and IF they can beat the 'Canes in Miami. Beating Miami anywhere has been trouble for Bobby Bowden and Rix has been the king of inconsistency so those are big IFs. FSU is strong along the lines with my #5 O-Line and #5 D-Line. Bowden may be running out of chances to win another National Title but has a shot at one this year.

 

That's his Top 40 reasoning. Not his final thoughts on Florida State.

I like Miami however so I root against the Seminoles. Not to mention that I root for Miami b/c I am still dying for the OU/Miami national title game that is teased at the beginning of every season.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Anybody else want to know about there team?

Yeah, what does it say about Michigan State?

[teke184 0]

Man Phil Steele's pimping of Oklahoma this year is like Athlon's pimping of USC this year or *shudder* Sporting News' pimping of Auburn last year.

Athlon does an outstanding job. All 117 team's projected starters and backups. A great magazine too get to know some of the lesser known players and teams.

 

National Championship is usually a bitch to figure out.

 

Last year neither LSU or USC were national championship contenders going into the season. Same goes for Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Ohio St. when they won it.

USC was considered to be a national title contender going in, although not one of the top ones. Their early-season game with Auburn was supposed to have a massive effect on the post-season picture, although it didn't because Auburn folded under the pre-season predictions and didn't score a TD for 3 games.

[Damaramu 0]

Yeah, what does it say about Michigan State?

 

Michigan State:

 

Last year I said that Smith was stepping into a great situation as he inherited 6 starters on offense and 8 on defens with just 17 lettermen lost from the most underachieving team in NCAA in 2002. I mentioned that teams tend to buy into a new coach's program quicker when they have solid early season success and that the Spartans would be favored early on and would have a chance at opening 5-1. The Spartans did suffer a tough loss early when they led Lousiana Tech 19-7 but allowed 2 TD's in the last 1:09 including a last play TD. They still managed to open 7-1 and for the first time since 1968 MSU entered the Michigan with a better record than UM. I had called for a 2H stumble in Big 10 play, much like Minnesota did the previous year and that is precisely what happened. They did take advantage of a letdown Minny team in their 44-38 win as the Gophers were coming off a tough National TV loss but then lost to Michigan. Ohio st and Wisconsin in back-to-back-to-back weeks and were 5-3 in league play. Interestingly enough the Spartans were outgained by 14.1 ypg in Big 10 play but still managed a winning record thanks to being +11 in turnovers on the season. This year they once again have a veteran cast back with 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense. They must break in a new QB and have some question marks on the O-line and at RB. They may find it difficult to top last year's 27.9 ppg with an inexperienced QB. The defense played more to its talent level last seson allowing 10.7 ppg less than 2002's underachieving team. There are two keys to the Spartans season this year. The first is the performance of their new starting QB and the second is how the Spartans fare in crucial home gaves vs. cotending Big 10 rivals Minnesota, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. Smith still should get his team to his 8th straight bowl game.

[teke184 0]

Oh and here's his preseason top 40:

 

1. Oklahoma

2. USC

3. LSU

4. Florida St

5. Georgia

6. Miami

7. Michigan

8. Texas

9. West Virginia

10. California

11. Utah

12. Ohio State

13. Florida

14. Virginia

15. Missouri

16. Kansas State

17. Tennessee

18. Wisconsin

19. Memphis

20. Oregon

21. Louisville

22. Auburn

23. NC State(T)

23. Hawaii(T)

24. Alabama

25. Minnesota

26. Texas Tech

27. Boston College

28. Boise St

29. Clemson

30. TCU

31. Iowa

32. Arizona St

33. North Texas

34. Fresno State

35. Marshall

36. Penn St

37. S Carolina

38. N. Illinois

39. Notre Dame

40. Purdue

 

So take that for what you will. He gives reasoning for all of them so if you have a question as to why somebody is ranked so high or low just ask.

This list seems to have some reaches here.

 

West Virginia at #9 and Cal at #10? West Virginia probably won't play anybody this year until they reach a bowl game because the Big (L)East is so drained by Miami and V-Tech leaving. As for Cal, I can see them being good but not THAT good. Beat USC, Washington State, and/or Oregon State and I'll believe it.

 

Utah at #11? Utah's good but that's a bit high for any mid-major team to start, especially one playing in the Mountain West. The only other teams I have any respect for in that league are Air Force and Colorado State. #15 or so is more realistic because they'll have room to move and won't have a serious backlash if they drop one.

 

Virginia at #14? That's another reach. Virginia's never been able to put together an entire ACC season, even though they have upset Florida State before. Expecting them to be great in a year where they're facing Miami, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Clemson, AND Florida State is lunacy. The plus for them is that V-Tech is their last regular season game of the season and V-Tech has a bad habit of coming out strong then hitting the wall about midway through the season.

 

Alabama at #24? Bama's still living off the memories of years past. This year will be better than last year, but not enough to warrant a pre-season Top 25 ranking.

 

 

Notre Dame at #39? I know that isn't a Top 25 ranking, but quit kidding yourself. Notre Dame, like Alabama, and Penn State, is living off of a legacy right now, only it hasn't quite sunk in to most people that the Irish went into the crapper the second that Lou Holtz left. The one season that DIDN'T suck, they were overrated, got taken by the BCS and then got the ever-loving SHIT knocked out of them by Oregon State.

 

Whittingham's good, but he isn't going to pull out a good season with this schedule. Brigham Young, Michigan, Michigan State, Washington, Purdue, Stanford, Navy, Boston College, Pitt, Tennessee, and USC? Outside of BYU, those teams have actually been pretty good over the last few years, so I'd say that 6-5 would be VERY tough.

[therealworldschampion 0]

I would say that Notre Dame can win 7-8 games this year. They probably won't beat Michigan, USC, or Tennessee. They could possibly catch Michigan State since MSU probably won't have the QB situation fully ready yet, and they could upset Purdue if their offense is able to catch on since Purdue has a quite inexperienced defense this year I hear.

[Damaramu 0]

WEST VIRIGINIA: WHAT?? Every year there is a team or two that is not in my Top 10 or sometimes 20 in terms of talent but one that can have an impact on the national scene due to their schedule. WV is very experienced and is playing in the watered down Big East where the league champ still lands a BCS bowl. QB Rasheed Marshall has 8 other starters back on offense and the defensive front 7 also looks solid. My #76 rated schedule makes them a surprise team this year.

 

CAL: Jeff Tedford is doing a great job as his team has overachieved two straight years. This year he has his most talented version yet, led by QB Aaron Rodgers and 15 returning starters altogether. Cal outgained Pac 10 foes by 112 ypg last year and suffered 4 last minute losses. They face just 5 teams that had winning records but one of those is USC and that is on the road.

 

UTAH: Every year a non-BCS school flirts with grabbing a bid to the BCS bowl series and Utah has the best shot at running the table TY. QB Alex Smith had a great debut season with a 15-3 ratio. The Liberty Bowl Champs from last year have 7 starters back on each side of the ball and only 14 lettermen lost, a much more veteran unit. Their toughest non-conf games(Texas A&M, N Carolina) are at home and the MWC schedule is tailor-made for a perfect season. Overall they face my #85 toughest schedule.

 

VIRGINIA: Al Groh has had some great recruiting classes and has done a fine job with very young teams the last two years. This year he has 16 starters back. UVA has my #2 rated O-Line and #2 set of LB's. They do have to travel to both Florida State and Virginia Tech in the tougher ACC this year, but are capable of a big season.

 

ALABAMA: Mike Shula was in a tough situation last year as the 3rd HC in less than 6 months and did not get to install his schemes until August. This year should be much smoother and the Tide could be 7-0 when they travel to Tennessee.

 

NOTRE DAME: I pride myself on having a very high % of my Top 40 make it to bowls or be bowl-eligible(37 last year). I am taking a gamble ith this pick as the Irish face a very tough schedule for the 2nd straight year. They should get better QB play this season and Ty Willingham's teams always do great when little is expected and that is the case this year.

[Art Sandusky 0]

What did he write about Clemson (the only SC team I'll root for)? I have them in my Top 20, but they aren't even in his top 25.

[Damaramu 0]

CLEMSON:

 

In 2000 it appeared Tommy Bowden had CU on the verge of greatness as they opened the season 8-0 while outscoring foes by an average of 30.2 ppg. Unfortunately the team went just 22-16 in there next 38 games including their blowout loss to WF bringing pressure on him. CU had a tremendous finish to the season and are filled with confidence for this year. The 2002 version had just 11 starters returning and they only had 12 back in 2003 but still managed a 9-4 record. This season they have 14 starters back including QB Charlie Whitehurst and a top-notch recieving crop. After allowing an un-Clemson like 28.3 ppg in 2001 the D steadily has made strides allowing 26.8 and 19.2 ppg the last two years. They allowed just 12 ppg and 321 ypg over the last four games of 2003. With 7 starters back they should have an improved defense once again but the big question mark is the DL which loses four key players. The schedule is not easy and in ACC play they have to face 3 talented teams(FSU, Miami, UVA) all on the road. The Tigers could be favored in all their home games and should get to their 6th consecutive bowl game.

[nogoodnick 0]

Im curious to see what he said about Oregon. I think they could finish pretty high in the conference if they beat who they're supposed to. If they can beat Cal on the road they could end up being undefeated in conference seeing that USC isn't on their schedule.

 

The toughest game by far is at Oklahoma. The Ducks are pretty good this year but the Sooners are, well, the Sooners and don't lose a whole lot. Who knows though Oregon was a heavy underdog to Michigan last year and also upset Colorado and Texas in bowl games a few years back.

[Damaramu 0]

I'll do his write up on Oregon tomorrow.

I'm actually going to be in the stands for the Oregon game. And well Oklahoma has only lost 2 games at home since Stoops has been head coach. To Nebraska in 2001 and to OSU in 2001.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Damaramu, thanks for the hook-up on the Rams ... I was actually fearing the worst, but he makes it sound like they could have a half-way decent team. I'd settle for a finish somewhere in the 20s, and another mid-level bowl appearance.

 

/jealous of people that go to schools that have legitimate national title hopes.

[Damaramu 0]

Damaramu, thanks for the hook-up on the Rams ... I was actually fearing the worst, but he makes it sound like they could have a half-way decent team. I'd settle for a finish somewhere in the 20s, and another mid-level bowl appearance.

 

/jealous of people that go to schools that have legitimate national title hopes.

Hey until Stoops came to town everyone spent there time dreaming of Switzer while watching 2-10 seasons.

[Damaramu 0]

Oregon:

 

In 2001 the Ducks came into the season ranked in the AP poll for the first time ever and went 11-1 narrowly missing out on playing in the BCS title game. They did win 5 games that year by a combined 16 points and benfitted from +16 in turnovers. In 2002 they had to replace star QB Joey Harrington. The Ducks started out 2002 at 6-0 and were ranked #6 in the NCAA and considered a national titel contender by some, but went just 1-6 down the stretch and finished 3-5 in the Pac 10 being outgained by 84 ypg in conference play. Normally Bellotti has an NFL caliber RB, but he did not have one in 2003. Still, the Ducks started the season out great once again. They upset Michigan to open the season 4-0 and were #10 in the country appearing on the cover of SI. That appeared to jinx them and in a tree game stretch they were outscored by 88 points by Wash St, Utah, and Ariz St. They got a mircale win vs. Cal, trailing 17-7 in the 4Q but scored two late TD's, and finished the season a solid 8-5. Despite their 5-3 record in the league, they only outgained Pac 10 foes by 4.2 ypg and were actually outscored. this year they have just 17 lettermen lost and should recieve much stronger QB play now that Kellen Clemens has the job to himself. I think VHT RB Terrell Jackson will be a boost and the OL is solid. Defensively the Ducks have 5 starters back and rarely have many more than that. The Ducks defensive scheme also used to be unconventional but a lot of the Pac 10 teams now play it, they aren't able to cause as much disruption in their opponents game plan. Bellotti has had 9 straight winning years and will be able to record #10 as they are one of the Pac 10's top teams. the schedule maker was also kind as the one conf team they avoid happens to be USC. The key battle for UO in the conf is Nov 6th at Cal and they clearily should finish in the upper half of the Pac 10 standings.

 

BTW he has them finishing 3rd in the Pac 10. I like there uniforms and I'm looking forward to the OU game. Should be the one non-conf game where OU doesn't slaughter there opponent. Seems how they will most likely destroy just about everyone in the conf. and Houston and Bowling Green.

[nogoodnick 0]

The Ducks secondary is just full of holes. They used to be the Pac 10's best unit but ever since Rashad Bauman and those guys left theyve been getting burned. And their only standout from the last two years, SS Keith Lewis, was drafted. If the diminuitive corners don't figure it out then its gonna be another dissapointing season.

[nogoodnick 0]

Shit. Sorry

[nogoodnick 0]

How do I get rid of them!?!!?

[Damaramu 0]

Holy triple posts batman!

[Damaramu 0]

So as an Oregon fan.....what do you expect out of the game with OU? Is it the game you fear the most out of their schedule?