 | College Football Preview2007 edition: |
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Coming August 1
Jim Sneeringer's
College Football Preview:
2007 edition
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College Football Preview:
Introduction:
by Best Bet Sports handicapper, Jim Sneeringer~
Year after year, in order for me to be successful at my craft, and lets face it; here, we are talking being $uccessful, winning football best bets.
I must be in on the ground floor of this year's success stories, and capitalize on those overated programs who will soon find themselves on the decline. That's what the high rollers pay me for, to pull "bandwagons", not to jump on them halfway thru a cinderella season.
You can not order it by mail , or even find the Jim Sneeringer College Football Preview
on the shelf, in the back corner, of your neighborhood newsstand.
You can ony find it here @ www.daysbestbet.com.
And, it is free to read.
The Jim Sneeringer College Football Preview was launched here online two years ago with the birth of www.daysbestbet.com.
Our 2005 edition boldly predicted the "Return to Glory" for Joe Paterno and Penn State. A Orange Bowl victory over Florida State, and a #3 ranking proved I was right about the boys from Happy Valley.
That very same College Football Preview picked the Texas Longhorns to win the BCS Championship in a year when most believed USC was the greatest thing since slice bread.
Last year, in the 2006 edition of the Jim Sneeringer College Football Preview, I picked the Arkansas Razorbacks to be one of the big surprise stories of 2006, and projected them to play in a major Bowl game.
Darren McFadden and the Hogs did not disapoint as they finished with a #12 ranking after losing to #6 Wisconsin, 17-14 in the Capital One bowl.
The 2006 Preview also warned about the decline of two very successful football programs in the state of Florida, Miami and Florida State. Both schools were projeced by many "experts" to be the cream of the ACC crop.
How did that predicton work out for them?
Below you find the 2007 Jim Sneeringer College Football Preview.
I believe you will find the 2007 season to be filled wih some very interesting
surprises.
It will be a great year for College Football, and you can read about some of these football programs that I expect to soar, in the Jim Sneeringer College Football Preview, 2007 edition.
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College Football Preview:
Contents:
"Say a prayer for the Pretenders".
Top Ten list of overated college football teams with high expectations, that will disapoint in 2007.
Top Ten Most improved teams in the Land.
College football programs on the rise in 2007.
Daysbestbet.com's Conference projections.
Preview of College football's top conference's.
Coaches Pre-season Poll
Now that you have read Jim Sneeringer's forcast for the 2007 season, see and compare, how the coaches rank the top College Football program's.
Bowl Projections.
Who will land a BCS bowl?
Sports handicapper Jim Sneeringer makes his forcast for the this year's BCS Bowl matchups, and projects a National Champion.
"The Pretenders....."
College Football's Top Ten most overated football programs in 2007.
1. Miami Hurricanes
2. Louisville Cardinals
3. Florida State Seminoles
4.Georgia Bull Dogs
5. Oklahoma Sooners
6. Oregon Ducks
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
8. Boise State Broncos
9. Florida Gators
10. Toledo Rockets
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Stock is rising for the Top Ten most improved teams in the land.
1. South Carolina Gamecocks
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
5. Virginia Tech Hokies
6. Ohio Bobcats
7. San Jose State Spartans
8. Oregon State Beavers
9. Texas A&M Aggies
10. UConn Huskies
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Conference Projections:
Southeastern Conference:
In our 2006 College football preview, I projected the Arkansas Razorbacks, to be the surprise story of the Southeast Conference, and land a BCS Bowl.
No other College football preview can make that claim.
The Auburn Tigers were picked by many to contend for a National Championship, but not here. I stated that "buyer beware", due to the lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball.
This year, the Georgia Bulldogs will face the same problems, in a league that will take no prisioners. The Florida Gators, after winning a National Championship under Urban Meyer, return just eight starters, only two starters on defense, and play in the strongest conference in College Football.
Don't expect any BCS Bowl for the boys from Gainesville.
You can however, expect the Southeastern conference to flex its muscle by placing three major BCS Championship contenders who will finish strong in this years polls.
LSU Tigers are rated strong enough to win a Nation Championship by many publications. On paper I would agree, but this conference will never be won on paper. I believe the schedule will take its toll, especially the first week in November. If I am right, then the Bayou Bengals will be the odd man out, in this years title picture.
Roll Tide!
Big and physical, thats my description of this years Alabama football team before the hiring of Nick Saban.
Nick inherits 9 returning starters on offense to help his cause to bring back the Crimson Tide to National prominance.
Expect this blue collar squad to flirt with hopes of a National Championship, but realisticly, be in the hunt for a major BCS Bowl.
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South Carolina Gamecocks
In two short years @ South Carolina, Steve Spurrier has already produced a 15-10 record, and come off of a 44-36 Liberty Bowl victory over Houston.
In 2007, with 10 starters returning on defense, the "ole Ball Coach" will surprise most, and win the East in the Southeastern Conference.
You will find the Gamecocks sittin' pretty in the top ten of the polls this year, and earn the right to play in the SEC Championship game.
One of the biggest surprise stories in 2007, the South Carolina Gamecocks are ready to Rock n' Roll!
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Pac Ten:
Based on the improvement in the past couple of seasons by schools like the Ucla Bruins and the Oregon State Beavers, and the continued success of Jeff Tedford @ California, keeping the Golden Bears in the hunt for a Pac Ten title every year, you should not be too surprised that I rate the Pac Ten as the 2nd toughest conference this year in college football.
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Southern Cal Trogans
I will not debate that this could be one of Pete Carroll's strongest USC Trogan teams.
John David Booty can lead this team to the Promise Land.
Pete Carroll will have his strongest defense ever!
Ten returning starters on defense, simply one of the strongest defensive units in the land.
It will be dificult to keep USC out of the BCS Championship game, but keep in mind that we rate this conference as one of the very best in college football this year, and Southern Cal will have to play Cal, Oregon, and Arizona State on the road. (not to mention early out of conference game @ Lincoln, Nebraska.)
They also will have to battle Oregon State and Ucla @ home.
Despite the strenght of this year's team, expect them to stumble enough thru this tough schedule, to perhaps keep Pete Carroll's Trogans out of the BCS Championship game.
But the talent is their.
Ucla will continue to improve in 2007, they upset USC last season and return 10 starters on offense, and ten starters on defense! Ucla will easily find themselves in a very good bowl game this year.
Oregon State will be a major factor in this year's Pac Ten race, they are one the surprise teams this year, but the schedule is brutal.
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Big Ten:
In 2006, the Big Ten conference was the toast of the college football world, having both Ohio State and Michigan, sit at the top of the polls for most of the season.
Jim Tressel comes into the 2007 season having to replace alot of offensive weapons that have now moved on to the NFL. Don't expect the Ohio State Buckeyes to be in the title picture this year.
Michigan will be the everyone's pre season pick to win the Big Ten in 2007,
well, not exactly everyone.
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When I made the prediction in our 2005 College Football Preview, that Joe Paterno and Penn State would return to glory and land a BCS Bowl,
they laughed,
they sent me rude emails,
they didn't believe........
Folks!
Now here this..........
At the youthful age of eighty,
in his 42nd year @ Happy Valley,
Joe Paterno this year will lead the
Penn State Nittany Lions, to a Big Ten title,
and land themselves one of the top BCS Bowls, and a shot at a National Title!
A young offense now has the maturity to click on all eight cylinders.
Anthony Morelli has a full year under his belt running a offense which feature's a vertical passing attack that defensive coaches around the league will lose sleep trying to defend.
Look for wideouts Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood to raise havoc in the secondary this fall.
Morelli has the arm, the experience, and a O Line that will give him the time to establish himself as one of college football's top passers.
JoePa's defense as you can expect, is a blue collar crew lead by one of the countries top linebacking units, and a secondary that is capable of not only causing turnovers, but setting up the offense with good field position.
The schedule is kind.
Ohio State and Wisconsin @ home,
Michigan @ the Big House.
Penn State has lost eight straight to the "Blue & Maze", but lost a nail bitter in the closing seconds of their last encounter.
With a win @ Ann Arbour in late September, Penn State will have a serious shot at going undefeated.
The Wisconsin Badgers must be respected.
I will rate them my #2 Big Ten power in 2007. The Badgers return 16 starters.
Road games @ Happy Valley and Columbus,Ohio will ruin any Big Ten title hopes.
Michigan as mentioned, is the pre season Big Ten favorite, and thats understandable.
Chad Henne leads a offense that can move the football, no doubt.
In late September the inability to put pressure on some Big Ten Qb's who will be lookin to throw downfield, will haunt the 2007 boys from Ann Arbor.
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Big East:
In 2006, I picked South Florida to be the big story in the Big East conference, and I was wrong.
They did manage to finish with a very respectable 9-4 record after destroying East Carolina 24-7 in the Papajohns.com bowl.
South Florida is on the right track, but in 2007, will find this conference loaded with three heavyweights that the Bulls can not keep up with.
Louisville had their undefeated season derailed @ Rutgers, but went on to win the Orange Bowl by beating Wake Forest 24-13.
West Virginia, after looking like world beaters early in the 2006 campaign, stumbled toward he end of the season and finished 11-2 after winning a close one over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl, 38-35.
But in 2007, lets not spend to much time on these schools who despite lofty predictions of a National Championship in recent years, by
publications who were absolutely clueless,
are poised to disapoint the masses once again!
R U
Ready for some football?
R U
Ready for this year's college football Cinderella story?
Cinderella.......
She will be dressed in Scarlet.
Do you remember the destruction @ the line of scrimmage that the
Rutgers Scarlet Knghts displayed in the 2nd half of the Louisville game?
Did Brian Brohm have prayer? No.
Of coarse not.
Rutgers is "The Beast of the East".
That Louisville game put Greg Schiano and the Scarlets Knights on the map.
This is true,
But it was just the junior ring dance,
in 2007, Greg Schiano's will take the Knights to the prom !
The schedule is easy........
South Florida and West Virginia at home,
and then a trip to Louisville, Kentucky on November 29th to once again raise the head of another dead carcass, enroute to a undefeated season.
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Big 12:
At first glance, the Big 12 conference looks to be a strong league anchored by the likes of Oklahoma and Texas, and some revamped programs on the rise like Texas A&M, and Nebraska.
As I examine the Big 12 under a microscope,
I walk away feeling hungry for a BCS bowl contender, because, honestly, I have not found one here!
I was excited two years ago when I predicted a National Championship for the Texas Longhorns, but this year I can find holes all over the place.
In Austin, you can see major problems for a inexperience O-Line that will have a hard time vs the Big Boys.
Oklahoma ?
Still don't have a quarterback, or a offense in general that would keep me from falling asleep when they have the ball.
I also question their ability to rush the passer .
Nebraska, headed in right direction, but this year must work in two many new faces.
There is one program in the Big 12 that does catch my eye, but the schedule is brutal.
The Aggies of Texas A&M.
At College Station they have one of the best Offensive lines in the country,
And, they have backs who will utilize the strenght of that line.
Stephen McGee is a mobile QB who can also hit a receiver downfield when he isn't running thru those big holes that the O-Line opens.
The defense, not great, but surely not a liability, and they do hit.
The Aggies are a team on the rise that can make life difficult for their opponents because they can run, and run, and control the tempo of the game, and command time of possession.
This program needs to prove it can go on the road and win big games.
This has been a problem for Coach Dennis Franchione in recent years as A&M is 0-10 on road vs top 10 teams.
Play Rutgers schedule and I would pick this team to be BCS bound, but they don't.
Road games @ Miami,fla., Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Ouch!
The schedule is brutal, as you can see.
Perhaps the Aggies can graduate in 2007 and win some of these road battles.
ACC:
The Atlantic Coast Conference, once again, will not be one of the power conference's in college football this year.
This is the conference that made the compromise.
The ACC is, and always was, the grandaddy of all conference's on the hardwood floor.
Bringing the two Florida schools into this league was of coarse a compromise that would allow the ACC to compete on the level of the other conferences that have been able to excell in both sports.
This compromise has turned out to be a failure.
The ACC is not power conference in football because the two Florida schools, no longer dominate in college football scene.
Both schools use to be able to live off the fat the land, by just recruiting locally and taking their pick of the homegrown talent in the sunshine state.
Sure, both schools still reload each year with the local talent pool available to them, but alot of those recruits now also go elsewhere.
Bobby Bowden, like Joe Paterno, is still young enough to win a National Championship.
Bowden has addressed one of the problems his program has endured in recent years by hiring some well established coaches like Chuck Amato, Rick Trickett, and Jimno Fisher to help
Florida State refresh its program and bring it into the year 2007.
This will prove to be a wise move in the long run, but you can take it to the bank that success will not come overnight.
Now, for the other Florida school.......
John Coker got a bad deal.
Changing coaches is not the cure.
The keyword that they just can't seem to grasp @ Coral Gables is~
Discipline
The root of this problem did not germinate from the coaches office, it can be found higher up.
Changing coaching stafts just creates another time period that players will need to get use to their new system.
Don't expect the Miami Hurricanes to get off to a fast start.
If not the Florida schools, the who will emerge this year in the ACC?
How about the defending ACC Champs ?
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
There is a handicapping theory that claims if you have a season in which you win more than your share of close games, and you benefited in the turnover ratio department, that what go's around, comes around.
This theory indicates that Wake Forest will not have the good fortune in 2007 that they enjoyed in 2006.
I for one, consider this to be just a trend angle, not a weight of measurement to evaluate a football program.
Sure Wake won close games last year.
This is a good thing!
It teaches a team how to win.
Going to the Orange Bowl and playing a very respectable game vs Louisville, was a good thing!
In 2007, the schedule has been kind.
Thus, look for Wake Forest to prevail in the Atlantic Division of the ACC.
The cream of the crop of the Coastal Division,
can be found in Blacksburgh, Virginia.
Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies football program will be on the rise in 2007 with 16 returning starters coming back.
Eight on each side of the ball.
Beamer's defense is solid, top the bottom.
Their defensive front wall, the linebacking corp, and the secondary, can be found in everyone's top ten categories.
The offense is the achillies heel.
Their lack of fire power will haunt them as arly as Sept 8th, when they play game 2 of the season, on the road @ Baton Rouge.
This lost will keep Virginia Tech, out of the BCS picture.
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W.A.C.
How great was that Fiesta Bowl, when Boise State shocked the BCS world with their upset over Oklahoma?
It was a great moment for College Football,
a great moment for the Boise State Broncos
, and it was a even greater moment for the Western Athletic Conference.
This conference had already established a name for itself as one of the most exciting conference's to follow with their wide-open style of play.
Now, with a BCS Bowl victory, in a game that clearly was the highlite of the Bowl season, recruiting just got alot better for the coaches in the WAC.
2007 will prove to be yet another exciting season for WAC fans,
and for all of college football.
The WAC this year should feature three programs that have a legitimate shot at winning the conference Championship.
Hawaii, coached by June Jones, is armed and very dangerous.
Colt Brennan is one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch in college, and his offense can really lite em' up!
Defense, is getting better, and as always, will determine the faith of this football teams overall success.
Road games @ San Jose State and Nevada, Reno will be rough, but the do get Boise State @ home.
Boise State in looking to repeat their 2006 success will have to replace their signal caller Jared Zabransky.
I expect highly touted sophmore quarterback Nick Lomax to win the
starting job as the season progress's.
Boise State's schedule isn't bad, they get San Jose St at home, and Hawaii on the road.
What would concern me is that it is very possible for the Broncos to
suffer a letdown after their storybook finish in winning the Fiesta Bowl.
In 2007, I will pick the
San Jose State Spartans to win the WAC.
They finished the 2006 campaign 9-4 after beating New Mexico 20-12 on New Mexico's homefield @ the New Mexico Bowl.
I expect them to improve on that 9-4 record this season.
Adam Tafralis, one of this conference's better quarterbacks, is a good leader who will keep the attack balanced with run and pass.
San Jose St. has the best defense in the WAC conference.
I like the schedule, as they open up the season out of conference with three road games, @ Arizona State of the Pac Ten, @ Kansas State of he Big 12, and then @ the Stanford Cardinal of the Pac Ten.
By time they get to conference play,
this bunch will be ready to rock n' roll.
They will host Hawaii in October, and play their toughest road quest on the "Smurf Turf" @ Boise State.
Look for San Jose State to be the surprise story of the Western Athletic Conference.
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Mountain West:
The Mountain West Conference, like the WAC, have represented themselves well during Bowl season.
If you look at the current top three programs,
which are~ TCU, BYU, and Utah, note that in the past two years, these three Mountain West schools, have compiled a 5-1 record in bowl games.
The one lost occured in 2005, when BYU lost to Cal in the Las Vegas Bowl, 35-28.
Look for these three programs to battle for the conference title in 2007.
Kyle Whittingham enters his third season as HC of the Utah Utes, and has this program headed in the right direction.
Kyle will get them their, but I doubt it will be this year, as the Utes, must take on both TCU, and BYU, on the road.
Gary Patterson, now in his 7th year as HC of the TCU Horned Frogs, will be returning nine starters from the conference's top defense of 2006.
They get the Utes @ home, but must travel to Provo, Utah, off a short week, to take on the Cougars.
The BYU Cougars should run thru the Mountain West conference schedule undefeated, again.
The schedule has them playing both games against TCU, and Utah, at home!
Expect Coach Bronco Mendenhall, now in his third season, to utilize one of the Nations strongest offensive lines with a more balanced attack by running even more in 2007, as they work in a new signal caller.
Coaches Pre-season Poll
1 USC (45)
2 LSU (4)
3 Florida (9)
4 Texas
5 Michigan (2)
6 West Virginia
7 Wisconsin
8 Oklahoma
9 Virginia Tech
10 Ohio State
11 Louisville
12 California
13 Georgia
14 Auburn
15 Tennessee
16 Rutgers
17 UCLA
18 Penn State
19 Nebraska
20 Arkansas
21 Florida State
22 TCU
23 Boise State
24 Hawaii
25 Texas A&M
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National Championship Game
January 7, 2008
Rutgers vs. Penn State
Orange Bowl
January 3, 2008
BCS vs. BCS
(ACC if available)
Fiesta Bowl
January 2, 2008
BCS vs. BCS
(Big 12 if available)
Sugar Bowl
January 1, 2008
BCS vs. BCS
(SEC if available)
Rose Bowl
January 1, 2008
BCS vs. BCS
(Big Ten & Pac-10 if available)
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College Football Preview: 2006
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Our College Football Preview at this time last August 2005, projected the "Return to Glory" for Joe Paterno and Penn State. Now thats a claim found in no other College football Preview ! The 2005 Preview also projected Vince Young to lead the Texas Longhorns to a National Championship You might want to keep track of the predictions you are about to read in this year's, Jim Sneeringer Sports, College Football Preview.
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2006 College Football Preview ~Contents
Top Ten Conferences/ predictions.
Top Ten "Most overated football programs."
The "HOT Teams", Top Ten "Most improved football programs."
Top Ten "Teams in the Land."
Five BCS Bowls, TEN BCS bound schools.
Conference Predictions:
SEC:
Year after year the SEC is disputively the strongest Conference in College football, this year will be no different.
Alabama came close to being the "feel good" story of 2005 with their 9-0 start. Problem was, on offense, Tide could not roll. I will be surprised if Bama can excite its loyal fans in 2006.
Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee are the projected monsters of the Southeast this year.
Auburn has a very talented football team, but this Sports handicapper rates their defense as being a little "thin in the skin" as they lack dept at many positions, and its a long grueling season. Of the three highly rated SEC football programs, Auburn will be in a BCS bowl, but have no shot at a National Tittle.
Tennessee will rate high in many publications this fall, but the Vols are once again, very overated.
Florida will be explosive when they have the ball but what about that weak Gator defense?
Who is going to rise up and be the real contender?
The best College football team from the SEC this year is the Arkansas Razorbacks
The hogs have one of the ten best O-Lines in College. Darren McFadden will lead a strong running attack. This year Arkansas plans to throw the football more than what we have seen in recent years which will give the Hogs a very talented balanced attack. The Defense is strong. Nine starters return to lead this unit. In fact, Arkansas returns 19 starters from last years squad.
The Razorbacks will be the SEC best, and find themselves in a major BCS Bowl game.
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ACC:
Folks, once again, ~ its not about the "U"! Yes, most CF Previews will be featuring the Miami Hurricanes and also the Florida State Seminoles, but their projections are for the most part ~ overated.
Miami returns only 11 starters, 5 on offense, six on defense. It has'nt been about the "U" lately, and it will not be again this year.
The same can be said for Bobby Bowdens Seminoles. Only 11 returning starters, 5 on offense, six on defense. Since both Florida schools reap the benefits of recruiting in FLA, both football programs are among the top 15 in the land, and will of coarse land a respectable bowl game.
Virginia Tech is also rated high by the so by the so-called experts, but are wrong once again. Beamer's Hokies only return a total of 10 starters from last year, good luck Frank.
This conference is strong overall top to bottom, and will produce a seious National Championship contender.
But who ?
Its the Clemson Tigers ! Thats right.
The Tigers are loaded! Clemson returns all five starters on the O-Line. This unit is one of the top 5 O-Lines in the country. Clemson offense will move the football with the best of them IN 2006. The defense matured last year, and over the last seven games only gave up an average of 11 points per game. Tommy Bowden has the most experienced football team in the ACC, returning a total of 15 starters!
Clemson will win the ACC, on its way to playing January 8th in the BCS Championship!
PAC 10:
The PAC 10 reign of Pete Carroll's USC Trogans are over! Replace Matt Leinart @ QB, Reggie Bush, and Lendale White in the backfield, return only 4 starters on this offense, and it all spells a rebuilding year . Overall, the Trogans have only 10 returning starters. They will be good, but no Tittle contention from this football program in 2006.
Oregon Ducks Last year, the "Quack attack", backed by plenty of experience, won 10 football games, and played well in losing the Holiday bowl 17-14 to Oklahoma. Now welcome to 2006, were this team only returns 6 Senior starters! " No soup for you ! Next! "
Arizona Wildcats Welcome to year three of the Mike Stoops's program at Arizona. With 17 returning starters, look for Stoops and the Cats to have a big year. In a PA 10 Conference that is short on defensive play, this Arizona team's defense will be one of the conferences best. A much improved year lies ahead for Arizona.
When the dust settles out on the coast, one team will pound their chest and boast; as the Best of the West....
The California Golden Bears !
Jeff Tedford is now in his fifth season as Coach @ Cal, and has put Cal football on the map! Conference coach of the year in two of four seasons, Tedford Bears are armed and extremely dangerous in 2006. They not only will boast of having the strongest defenses in th PAC 10, but one of the better defensive units in the country! You know Tedford's Bears will move the footall, but now their defense will be their strong suit. The Bears return overall, 15 returning starters. They add a new wrinkle to their already explosive offense by sprinkling in a little bit of the spread offense, with new coach Mike Dunbar, who comes over from Northwestern. Expect this Cal Bear football team to play in the BCS Championship game on Januay 8th !
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BIG TEN:
"Only the strong shaw survive".
This conference always has the reputation of being the most physical in the land, and this year, will be no different. In most ratings that I come across, the Big Ten carries four schools with O-Lines that rank in the top 10 in America! There is going to be some very tired defenses late in the year after running the gauntlet of this years Big Ten schedule.
Last year in the www.daysbestbet.com, College football Preview, this Best Bet Sports handicapper, was the only College football Preview author who picked Penn State to have the kind of year that Joe Paterno enjoyed in 2005.
In 2006, Penn State will not have one of the best defenses in the land like they did a year ago. The lack of domination at the line of scrimmage is going to be Joe Pa's biggest concern. The secondary will not be the factor it was in 2005. On offense I find that the experts are selling Penn State short this year. Michael Robinson is gone, yes, but this year, Morelli or Paul Cianciolo, (most likely Morelli) if given time, will be able to sit in the pocket and excell using the verticle passing game throwing the ball to those talented, and very explosive wide outs.
Overall, we just don't see Penn State's defense winning too many football games. But keep a eye on this team, for should Joe Pa's defense rule, then they will throw a monkey wrench on this Preview.
Ohio State Buckeyes A monster of a year in 2005, and many prognasticators are projecting 2006 to be the Buckeye year. Some even see Ohio State as a serious National contender. All I got to say is ~ its the Days Best Bet that whatever these Ohio State backers are smoking, its illegal.
Ohio State must replace 9 starters on defense. Need I SAY MORE?
The next Big Ten school getting a lot of hype is Michigan Here we go again. "Big Blue" must replace 8 starters on defense.
So who will survive and win the Big Ten?
The IOWA Hawkeyes will most likely end their regular season at the top of the Big Ten with a 11-1 record. Iowa's defense is improved. Their front D-Line is one of the 10 best in the country. On offense they are explosive lead by QB Drew Tate. The schedule is kind. October 21 @ the "Big House" vs Michigan is their only mountain. Look for Iowa to qualify for one of the five BCS Bowls this season. Perhaps New Years Day.
BIG 12:
North Division~
Yes, you should see improvement from Nebraska and Colorado, but both have difficult schedules and glaring weakness's.
Watch the Missour Tigersin 2006. True they must replace Brad Smith, but the offense will be in good hands with sophomore Chase Daniel behind center.
Missouri if you recall, trailed South Carolina 21-0 before they knew what hit em, then came roaring back to prevail 38-31 ! Missouri now returns 15 starters from that group , that will believe in themselves in 2006. This is important. The defense returns 7 starters. This unit will help Mizzou capture the Big 12 North. You heard it here.
South Division~
Last year at this time, this Best Bet Sports handicapper, in our College football Preview, predicted Vince Young and the Horns to beat Oklahoma on their way to winning a National Championship.
This year, the Texas Longhorns bring back a defense that will be even better than last years unit! Look for the Texas defense to be one of the best in the land.
Replacing VY is a task that Mack Brown will dread. Especially when the new signal caller go's up against the best defense in the land ~
Oklahoma.
Still, with a defense that will destroy most opponents, Texas is bound for a BCS Bowl.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
The ankle injury problems suffered by Adrian Peterson in the first half of the 2005 season are behind him now. Here in 2006, Adrian Peterson is completely healthy and ready to put his stamp on the College football world . The O-Line comes into 2006 with question marks, but put those worries to rest. New O-Line Coach James Patten, will assembly a outstanding unit tht will pave the way for Peterson to rumble.
You really want to track down Bin Ladden?
Send Bob Stoops's defensive front over there! This unit will hunt down and destroy anything and anyone that comes in their path.
Nine staters return on the defensive side of the ball for Stoops. The Sooner defense can not, and will not be denied.
When we get to the BCS Championship game,
I would have expect the Oklahoma Sooners to be favored to win in the desert, January 8th,
BUT! Since Stoops had little choice but to suspend his starting quarterback, Rhett Bomar from this football team, the Sooners will never see the BCS Championship game.
BIG EAST:
Seems to be a trendy pick to call for the Louisville Cardinals to run the table, go undefeated, and head for a National Championship game. It was trendy last fall also. Now I know at times the Cardinals move the ball up and down the field like it was a scrimmage, but folks, its all about defense.
How good was this defense, which possessed the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year, Elvis Dumervil, who lead the NCAA in sacks, when they lost to South Florida and gave up 45 points? Not to mention the 46 points put on the board by West Virginia, or the 35 points put on the board by Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl.
Stay tuned this year, the offense will move the football, when Louisville has and doesn't have the football.
And speaking of Bowl games, Louisville's "phat cats" will try to make it four straight Bowl defeats in a row for each of Petrino's four years as Head Coach. Next!
How about if we project one of this year's surprise teams to finish second in the Big East.
When I think back on what "Bum" Phillips use to say when he was Head Coach of the Houston Oilers, ~ "First you knock on the door, then you cave it in", and I think about the potential this fall of the South Florida Bulls. The recruiting is getting much better now that South Florida is in a major conference. That means the recruiting of very talented Florida homegrown football players.
Look at the 2005 campaign. A Schedule interupted by the hurricane, limited to only a couple of conference home games, four conference road games, two road games out of conference @ Penn State and Miami, but yet when the season was over, USF walked away with a promising outlook on the future.
This year there are four conference home games for a improving team that will return 13 starters, 7 which are on defense, a defense that will shine in 2006.
If you believed that Rich Rodriguez was going to bring West Virgina back to the Promise Land , then in 2006, his 6th year as Head Coach, with 14 returning starters, this will be the year. The Mountaineers return 9 starters on offense, a offense with explosive speed, and a comfort level in Rich Rodriguez's spread attack that now has many Coaches looking to duplicate.
I see a 11-1 season ahead for the boys from Morgantown, and a major BCS Bowl.
WAC :
Hawaii Jerry Glainville is in his second year as Defensive coach, he has only 5 returning starters. Ouch! Fortunately, June Jones's offense returns 9, so look for Hawaii to score alot, but no "D".
Nevada was our darkhorse pick to win his conference last year, and they did just that, well, a share of it anyway. This year the Wolfpack will play a much tougher road schedule.
Boise State is armed and very dangerous this year, they return 18 starters, and are a easy pick here. But, I can't do it. New coach at Boise, Chris Peterson, was O-COACH for 5 years under departed Dan Hawkins, and with change comes transition period.
Pat Hill will win his first WAC tittle as the Fresno State Bulldogs will have a special year in 2006. They return 8 starters on defense, and I expect their defense to perform well. Remember, before they fell apart a the end of the 2005 season, Fresno gave USC the game of their lives. Fresno will flirt with a BCS bowl.
M A C :
Changes are coming at the top of the MAC this year.
Yes, you can expect Toledo to be in great shape with Chris Cochran taking over at quarterback. Rockets return 15 starters and should prevail and win the West division.
The MAC this year will big improvement out of two schools, Ohio in the East, and Ball State in the West. Yes, Ball State! The key of coarse, is going to be the improvement on defense. Last season the Cardinals owned the worst "D" in the league.
In 2006, with 8 starters returning, I expect Ball State to defend much better. The offense returns 10 starters.
In the East, Ohio , Coached by Frank Solich, now in his second season here, Solich has 18 returning starters from last years team.
Ohio should be primed for a good season , and if they can avoid another late season nose dive, should preail and win the East.
Toledo will win he Mac, but I will be counting on Ball State not to make this Best Bet Sports handicapper, look bad when I pick the Ball St. Cardinals to challenge Toledo for the MAC West tittle.
Mountain West:
Brigham Young, With John Beck quarterbacking a BYU
offense that returns 8 starters, the Cougars will have no trouble scoring. Team improves IF, defense gets any better than last year's squad.
San Dieo State Returns 8 starters on defense. Expect Chuck Long's Aztec's to be the most improved team this year in the Mountain West.
UTAH In Kyle Whittinghams second year as Head coach, the Utes bring back 13 starters, seven on defense.
No undefeated season, but should have little trouble holding off a couple of improving Mountain West schools(BYU & SD State).
Independants:
You Irish fans can wait, first up, the most improved Independant this year, The " black Knights of the Hudson".This is Bobby Ross's third year as Head coach at Army. After going winless in 13 games in 2003, Army finished 2-9 in Bobby Ross's first year @ West Point. Last season the Cadets were 0-6 before they proceeded to turn their season around by winning 4 out of their last 5, and finished the season @ 4-7.
In 2006, Army returns 16 starters from last year. Bobby Ross, and the "black knights of the Hudson", will have a winning season, and a bowl game !
Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were nowhere to be found at the time of our release of the 2005 College football Preview , but after they won @ Pitt to kick off the season, I knew at that point that Charlie Weis was headed for a big season.
In 2006, many college experts are pickig the Irish to play for a National Championship.
They are wrong.
Yes, offensively this system needs to take a back seat to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
But I remember all to well how this Irish defense was a major liability. I remember how Ohio State moved up and down the field against ND in the Fiesta Bowl. This "D" doesn't need to improve, it needs a complete overhaul!
Their is no speed on defense, and speed kills.
A major bowl lies ahead, but no National Championship.
Top Ten most overated football programs in 2006
1- Tennessee
2 - Louisville
3 - Ohio State
4 - Miami, (thats FLA)
5 - Auburn
6 - Florida
7 - Virinia Tech
8 - Florida State
9 - Michigan
10 - Notre Dame
Top Ten most improved football programs in 2006.
Daysbestbet.com's "HOT LIST" ~ Programs that will help build your bankroll.
1 - Clemson Tigers
2 - California Golden Bears
3 - Arkansas Razorbacks
4 - South Florida Bulls
5 - Arizona Wildcats
6 - Iowa Hawkeyes
7 - Ball State Cardinals
8 - Fresno State Bulldogs
9 - Missouri Tigers
10 - Army Black Knights
Top Ten ~Best football teams in the Land.
1 - Cal Golden Bears
2 - Clemson Tigers
3 - Oklahoma Sooners
4 - West Virginia Mountaineers
5 - Iowa Hawkeyes
6 - Arkansas Razorbacks
7 - Auburn Tigers
8 - Texas Longhorns
9 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
10 - Fresno State Bulldogs
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FIVE BCS Bowl Games....BE$T BET Sports Handicapper's......"Nostradamus Shuffle"
Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 1st
Auburn beats Fresno State
Rose Bowl, Jan.1st
Texas beats Iowa
Orange Bowl, Jan. 2nd
West Virginia beats Arkansas
Sugar Bowl, Jan. 3rd
Oklahoma beats Notre Dame
BCS Championship ~ Jan. 8th
Cardinal Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
CLEMSON Tigers
vs.
CALIFORNIA Golden Bears
Some might say picking Clemson and California to end up in this year's Championship game is a bit of a stretch, but come January 8th,
Best Bet Sports handicapper, Jim Sneeringer, the "Nostradamus of Sports", will be proven rightious once again! So get ready for another exciting fall on the College gridirons, and get ready.......
Cal vs Clemson will put on quite a show !
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